Neon Genesis Evangelion Higher Learning Strike Fiss, 2000 Thirty-Forth Lesson: "This Little Piggy Went To Market" "This doesn't make sense." Misato said, looking at the documents in front of her. Makoto looked past her, out across the Geofront's lake. He would have liked to give Misato the results of his inquiries in a more private place, but in Tokyo-3 there was no 'private' place. Every alley and room had an equal chance of being bugged or watched by NERV, SEELE, or perhaps the JSDF and other world governments. Out in the open, where there were no crowds. This was the best they could agree on. "What doesn't make sense?" he asked. The data had slipped through his hands to the Major so quickly that he hadn't had much time to look it over. "Did you see the sheer numbers of the production costs?" Misato looked up at him. "Thirteen more Evangelions is ridiculous." "It does seem a bit much." He agreed. "We have four functioning units and pilots. I wonder if NERV is preparing for a final, global attack by the Angels?" "It still doesn't make sense." Misato sighed, looking at the fuzzy pictures of something huge and white. Something about the way it was hunched over seemed so...primal. She felt a long shiver go down her back. "When the Evangelion project first started, we could barely scrape together the money for a test activation. Now Ritsuko is telling me that we have a stockpile of 'spare parts', and over a dozen confirmed new Evas are bought and paid for." "Must be something driving the politicians." Makoto agreed. "Something happened to change their mind. Maybe they're finally realizing how critical our success is." "Whatever the reason, I don't like it." Misato sighed, leaning back against the park bench. "You know, a while back, I wondered what the Evas would be doing after the Angels were gone." Makoto blinked, then shrugged. "I always just assumed they'd be dismantled, or at the very least, put in stasis for a later threat." "I thought so too." Misato shook her head. "Not anymore, though. Governments don't shell out that kind of cash for a doomsday weapon that will never be used. They want to USE these things." "For what?" Makoto shrugged. "And where are they going to get fifteen more pilots?" "I'm not sure." Misato sighed, standing up. "But I've got to find out before these things are operational and they make some kind of new Dummy Plug that won't be rejected like ours was." She turned to her friend. "I think you know as well as I do that an Evangelion controlled by humans would make the Angles look like pussycats." He nodded and sighed. "Cruelty does seem to run in our genes, doesn't it? I personally think that's the only reason we've survived this long." "Let's hope we don't have to keep surviving like that." She smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the files. It really does help." Misato walked off a moment later, having duties and plans to attend to. "It's no problem." Makoto smiled warmly and watched the Major walk off. "No problem." He sighed, leaning back against the park bench. "WHAT!?!?!" The class all gasped as they collectively read the assignment. They all looked up at Sensei Miyazaki with confused looks. The only person that looked happy was, not surprisingly, Kensuke, who looked about ready to take a bullet for his teacher with the smile he had on his face. Kaoru grinned and turned to Kensuke, knowing he would be the strongest supporter. "Would you please read out the assignment, Mister Aida?" "Yes, sir!" he stood, adjusting his glasses. "The assignment is to take over NERV, sir!" The boy saluted and sat back down. The class all looked at each other nervously. Toji, Asuka and Shinji were very confused. Kaoru just enjoyed the moment a bit longer before sighing and walking over to the blackboard. "Now, before you all expect me to be handing out guns and explosives, I think I should clarify this." He began writing the names of a few of NERV's branches and divisions. "We're going to see if we can't do things better." "Better?" Hikari blinked. "That's right. We're going to make our OWN Tokyo-3. Ran by you wonderful young ladies and gentlemen, we're going to see if we can't improve on things. We're going to run it without the secrets, the unknowns, and the lies. We're going to make OUR version a model city for Humanity to be proud of. Not just a fortress to hide from the Angels." He turned and smiled. "Sound like fun?" A few of the students actually looked interested. The Pilots were all smiling to themselves, and Kensuke still looked ready to fight World Wars III through IX all by himself. "Now, for the matter of the classified stuff, we'll try to fill it in the best we can, but mostly, this exercise will let you each try to change what you don't like about the city, and then, we'll see if it actually works." He walked over to his desk and pulled out a bunch of papers. "Each of you is going to head up an official, government position." He turned to the Pilots and grinned. "And you four get to re-organize the Eva program. Just don't tell me too much...or the security guys might get me." He winked. "Can I be..." "Yes, Kensuke. You are the new Minister of Defence and Offence." Kaoru laughed. "YESSSSSSS!" Kensuke did a small victory dance. Toji smacked him on the shoulder finally to calm him down. Kaoru handed out the REAL assignments, giving each student the rough idea. Finally, he walked over back to his desk and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "And, if I deem this experiment to be a success, maybe we'll just have to put it into effect." Everyone blinked as Kaoru grinned. He laughed. "Just kidding." He popped back up to the board. "Now, who wants to start first?" "I will be..." Rei said suddenly. Everyone almost fell over, surprised she came in the door so quietly. Kaoru chuckled. "Yes, Miss Ayanami?" Rei smiled softly. "I would like to be in charge of training the Eva Pilots." Asuka groaned. "Well, if SHE's going to be screwing up those poor Pilot's heads, I'd better run damage control. I'll be Operations Manager." Kaoru jotted the names down on the board as Rei sat down. Asuka winked. "After all, those poor Pilots need all the help they can get, right?" "Hai." Rei agreed. Hikari raised her hand next. "I want to be in charge of the school districts." Toji smiled and raised his hand. "I'll be NERV's new official lunch- tester." He said to a few chuckles and a blushing Hikari. "Let's just say that you're in charge of Public Welfare." Kaoru chuckled. "Okay, who's next? "So what should we do to celebrate?" Kensuke asked as the group was walking down the street. "Celebrate what?" Shinji asked. "Isn't it obvious?" Asuka squeezed his arm. "Your return, stupid. You think we were all just going to pat you on the back and say 'thanks for coming back'?" "Well, that's all I really expected." Shinji blushed slightly. Toji chuckled. "Are you kidding? You scared the hell out of us, Ikari. We're not letting you off without a thoroughly embarrassing party of some sorts." Kensuke coughed. "Uhm, actually, I meant we should celebrate the eventual demise of NERV, but yeah, Shinji's important too." They all groaned. Hikari laughed. "So what is your stance on N2 Mine Usage, Minister of Offence?" "Usage?" Kensuke pouted. "What usage? We have almost a THOUSAND in stockpile, and they only used TWO against the Angels so far?" he grinned evilly. "That's going to change very quickly." "Actually..." They all turned to see Rei walking nearby. She blushed, not meaning to interrupt. "Gomen..." "No, it's okay, Rei!" Asuka urged on. "You wanna come along?" She nodded and caught up to the group. Kensuke nodded. "So what were you saying?" "Well, we actually used three N2 Mines against the Angels." She smiled shyly. Shinji frowned. "And you almost blew yourself up, Rei." "Eva can survive an N2 mine explosion." Rei said simply. "I was unafraid." Hikari shook her head. "But didn't you feel the explosion like you were inside it?" Rei shrugged. "I was unafraid." Toji laughed. "Well, all I gotta say is that you're braver than I would have been." He pointed at his leg. He had already been able to get it out of the cast, but he had a slight limp as the muscles were trying to heal. "That was just my leg, and you basically took a bath in a mushroom cloud." Hikari gave him a kiss on the cheek. "That's still pretty brave too, Toji-kun." "So where should we go to celebrate?" Asuka yawned, not really in the mood to relive war memories at the moment. "And nowhere too expensive." She grinned. "My birthday's coming up and I wouldn't want you all to be too pour to get me presents." "There is a very nice ramen noodle stand along the way home." Rei offered. They all nodded. "Sounds good." Kensuke puffed out his chest. "As the new Minister of Offence, I will gladly live a modest life for my country!" They all groaned. Shinji shrugged. "It IS Minister of DEfence, right?" "Yeah, but don't spoil his fun." Asuka chided. "Let him blow stuff up for a while." Rei lead them to the older section of the City. While it wasn't as run down and neglected as her home apartment complex, it still had a more worn, tired look to it, contrasted by the stark white and gray of most of the inner city. There were simply not enough people living in the residential areas here to warrant emergency repairs every time the city suffered under the throws of an Angel. The smaller businesses thrived here, though. While so many of the companies had to raise prices and rates to keep up with their hazardous locations over the Geofront, these little street shops could simply pack up and move when the danger was too great, and return when things were safe. Shinji and Asuka were impressed, having no idea such a kind of thing existed in the ultra-modern Tokyo-3. They walked down one street to see a small market had gathered, and was busier than some of the major malls in the inner city. "This is amazing!" Hikari beamed. "Look at all the stuff here!" "Hey! Ayanami!" someone called. Rei turned to see an older man run over to her with a big grin and a large grocery bag over his shoulder. "Good evening, Mister Sheesa." Rei bowed her head. "Rei has friends?" Asuka whispered to Shinji with a surprised look on her face. Shinji shrugged back and smiled. "You stopping by the place for tea tonight? We have a fresh case of the Lemon Rose stuff." Sheesa offered, then smiled at the other children. "These your friends, Ayanami?" Rei nodded. "They are my classmates..." she blushed and smiled slightly. "And my friends. But I'm afraid I can't come by tonight. Maybe next week?" "Of course!" he chuckled. "I'll save you a parcel of the good stuff. It will keep for a month or two at least." "Arigato, Sheesa-san." Rei said happily. "Sayonara!" he yelled back to the group of kids as he rushed off into the crowd to serve another customer. "They're very friendly here." Hikari smiled at Rei. "Hai. I come here to buy tea once in a while." Rei explained. "He accepts the NERV expense card, so I often buy at his shop." They continued walking for a bit. "I'm impressed, Wonder-girl." Asuka whistled. "I didn't know you liked to get out and DO anything." "Asuka!" Shinji frowned. "Once in a while." Rei said, not offended in the slightest. Actually, for Asuka, she was being fairly conversational. It was nice. Finally, they found the ramen stand. It was actually a large, old- style cart that folded out into a small kitchen, and a bar for people to sit and eat at. Only one other person was there, so the group easily found seating. Rei and Asuka flanked Shinji, while Hikari and Kensuke sat around Toji. A young man with his hair tied back looked up from his busy little kitchen and smiled. "What can I get for you young people today?" Shinji ordered beef-style noodles, Asuka asked for shark-fin, Rei had a vegetable combo, Hikari and Toji would share a bowl of egg noodles and soy. Kensuke asked for the cheapest, most humbling tofu-ramen they had, giving a speech to the poor man on how he would "not abuse the God-Like and AWESOME power his position gave him." Shinji laughed and turned to Asuka, who was eyeing the menu suspiciously. "What it is?" he asked as their noodles were being prepared. "Hey, Sir." Asuka said. "We also need a bottle of this stuff." She pointed at the menu. The man blinked, then shrugged. "Alright. I suppose between all six of you it couldn't hurt." He chuckled. "How would you like it?" "Hot." Asuka nodded. "I hear it's better that way." Shinji blinked, recognizing the brand-name from Misato's extensive 'collection'. "Sake?" "What's the matter, Shinji?" she grinned. "Scared of a repeat of last time?" He blushed and slunk back down in his chair. "Uhm...not at all..." "Besides, we need to make a toast!" Asuka explained in her best 'logical' voice. "It's tradition to toast the return of a friend from a long journey." "Journey?" Toji smiled. "Yeah, Ikari. After all, you probably do the most traveling out of all of us. You're constantly being sucked into Angels and Evas." "The greatest journeys are of the soul." Rei said quietly, earning her a collective look of surprise. "That's right." Asuka smiled. "And if Ayanami the Philosopher knows it too, then you can't go against it, can you?" Rei blushed and Shinji sighed. "I suppose you're right..." Hikari sighed, worrying already. "Oh my...I don't know..." "Don't worry, Hikari. You can't get drunk off of just a few sips." Toji nodded. "If you want, just have a toast." Kensuke nodded. "I too will only have a toast to victory! I must remain sober and vigilant at all times." Asuka sighed. "Besides, THAT boy needs to get drunk more than anyone." "Hai hai." Shinji chuckled softly as the cook placed a small sake glass in front of each of them, then produced a steaming ceramic bottle of the stuff, warmed by being in the boiling water with the noodles. "Alright, kids. Behave." The man winked. "Soups almost done." "You're right, though." Shinji nodded as he poured sake into Rei and Asuka's glasses, then handed it to Toji to do the same. "They're very nice here." Once the rice wine was properly distributed, Asuka cleared her throat. "Well, then. I propose a toast." She raised her tiny glass. "Let's all thank the Invincible Shinji-sama for not getting turned into goo permanently, and welcome him back so he can help us take over NERV." That met smiles and nodes. "Kapai!" they all saluted, then threw back the warm sake. Rei and Hikari hesitated, but managed to swallow it with a surprised look on their faces. They all took deep breaths, letting the wine hit them. "Woah." Shinji coughed. "You were right, much better warm." Rei hiccupped with a blush. "That was very...interesting." Asuka grinned and poured her another. "Just wait till your eighth hit of it. It gets REALLY interesting then." "Asuka!" Shinji warned. "Just kidding." She grinned. "Though, we do have enough for one more toast." She continued to pour, then passed it down the row. "You get to toast this time, Shinji-kun." Shinji blushed, but his friends nodded and urged him on. "Uhm...World Peace?" Asuka groaned. "You're thinking to broad. Sake can't give you world peace, so you gotta ask for something smaller." "Okay, then." Shinji nodded and waited for everyone to be ready. "I...I hope we can do this again..." he smiled. "After all the Angels are gone." "Yosh! I'll drink to that!" Toji smiled and raised his glass as the rest nodded. "Kapai!" "Shinji-kun wants to be me?" Kaoru nodded with a smile as he and Kaji walked down the hall of the apartment building, each carrying a bag of groceries. "Well, he didn't say that exactly, but he said he wanted to be head of the secret service guys. Protecting everyone and finding out all the secrets." Kaji laughed quietly. "The boy has the wrong idea about me." "Still, it's nice to hear." Kaoru laughed. "I was praying he wouldn't chose to be the next Gendo Ikari." "I don't think you could have FORCED him to." Kaji shook his head. "Hell, I don't think ANYONE wants to be Gendo." He reached over and took Kaoru's groceries as the teacher opened the door. "Very true." Kaoru said, pushing the door open. "That man is one sick puppy. He's..." "Right here." Kaji blinked, dropping the food. That was right about the time that the sound of a dozen automatic weapons cocking and getting ready to fire filled the room. Gendo Ikari sat on the couch as several Security Division people in Kevlar vests walked up to the two men and surrounded them. The door shut a moment later. "Curious observations, gentlemen." He said in a low voice. Both of them swallowed hard. "I would think that one would rather be myself, than in your shoes at this point in time." Gendo smiled slightly, the dim light echoing off of his glasses as he stood up and walked over to them. Two of the Agents moved off to the side, but kept their guns pointed firmly at the two men. "Agent Ryouji, I'm surprised to find you here. Would you mind telling me why you aren't working on your assignment?" "Who says I'm not?" Kaji said, pretending to be offended. "You underestimate my ability to multi-task, Ikari." "I never underestimate people." Gendo said, pointedly, then turned to Kaoru. "In fact, I find that most people do not live up to my over- estimates. Surely you knew that." "I had my suspicions." Kaoru nodded. Though it was clear he was nervous, he realized he wasn't dead yet. If Kaji could stay calm, so could he. "Indeed." Gendo frowned, sizing up the man. Kaji watched the exchange, completely fascinated by the odd tension between them. Gendo looked almost like he had his tongue caught. He wanted to say something, but didn't really know what to say. "You were the one that sent me the note." He said finally. Kaoru smiled again, this time with much confidence. "I wasn't expecting you to take so long to react to it, though." Kaji had the impression that this whole thing was orchestrated and practiced in the Sensei's mind. Knowing anyone could know Gendo Ikari that well was just as scary as the actual fact. "I've been busy." Gendo nodded. "I don't waste time when I don't have to." "Slow week, then?" Kaoru shrugged. "With the dummy plug failing, I would have imagined that you'd be unable to share some time with a humble teacher." Gendo's eyes crimped into narrow slits. "Where is she." He said. Kaoru blinked. Kaji noticed. He was caught off guard by the question. "Where is she?" he alliterated. "Rei." Gendo said. Though his voice was still low, it was hardly calm. "You will tell me where Rei is." "She was at school today." Kaoru shrugged, looking honestly confused. "Actually, she came in late. I assume she would be home now." All of a sudden, the coolness snapped, and Gendo reached into his coat, pulling out a handgun and pressing it firmly into Sensei Kaoru's collar bone, pushing the man back slightly. "I will warn you once, and only once." Gendo stated with a dangerous voice. "I do not have time for games. I will not play games with you. I have neither the patience, nor the desire to humour whatever plans and designs you have." Kaji sighed and wondered if last rites were in order for the Sensei. The bearded man continued after only a heartbeat. "And while I do appreciate your efforts to remove the Third Child from my sight, your usefulness to me is drawing to an end." The gun cocked. Gendo's polite way of saying "Start talking." Sensei Kaoru looked down at Gendo's gun, then back up at the man. "Tell me...how's your hand doing?" Gendo's eyes widened behind their glass shields. Kaji had never seen such a reaction, and took a step back, not knowing what to expect. All of a sudden, Kaoru's hand came up and grabbed Gendo's wrist, forcing it away from him. "DON'T MOVE!" the Agents yelled, ignoring Kaji completely, and pressing gun barrels to the other man's head in an effort to save their Commander. But Kaoru was just smiling. Gendo didn't look away, but retracted his hand. "Wait. Don't shoot." He ordered to the confused escorts. Kaoru nodded slightly. "You know, it's not polite to stick guns to people's chests." He cleared his throat, releasing Gendo's hand. "Especially in their own homes." Gendo took a step back, his gun forgotten, but still in hand. "Perhaps you're right." His mouth edged up in a grimace of a smile. "I don't know where she is." Kaoru said finally. "Perhaps if you weren't threatening people with guns all the time, you'd know where she was." Gendo raised his hand, but this time, to adjust the glasses on his nose. "I will call upon you again." He stated as he moved past, towards the door. The security escort followed, still very much confused. In all likelihood, they were told today would be an assassination job. "I look forward to it." Kaoru nodded, watching them leave, all too eager to close the door behind the man. Silence followed. Kaji slumped slightly, leaning back against the wall as he ran his hand over his stubble. "Well, that was another one of my nine lives." Kaoru nodded, taking off his glasses to reveal very frightened, but relieved eyes. "You're telling me." He rubbed his collar. After a moment, Kaji finally couldn't handle the suspense. "So what did you say to him?? I've never seen him act like that?" Kaoru shrugged. "Maybe he had to go to the Little Gendo's Room." He smiled. Kaji sighed, then helped him pick up the groceries. "You're going to tell me someday, right?" "Maybe." Kaoru nodded. "But I think there's been enough surprises for one day." Kaji nodded after thinking about it for a moment. "Amen to that." As the car roared away from the residential block, heading back for underground and safety, Gendo rubbed at his hand absently, watching the buildings fly by. His mind was busy. While it didn't show much in his appearance, his eyes were fierce storms of activity. The pieces were slowly coming together in his brain. It was strange, though. Gaps were still there in the final picture. Gendo hated these gaps. Ever since NERV had come into existence, cannibalizing the efforts, personnel and dreams of it's parent organization, Gehirn, Gendo had been in charge of it all. It was all one, beautiful, seamless masterpiece. Every possible hole was plugged with backup plans. Favours would be called upon and 'given' as easily as lives would shift, be lost, and replace each other. The people below him would scramble over each other's dead bodies to make HIS plans become truth. Those over him would be blind in their confidence in command. SEELE thought they had an obedient, capable commander, when really, SEELE was nothing to the man. Another child wanting attention in his mind's eye. He would only humour them so far before making his intentions known. But this Sensei Kaoru... He did not fit. Perhaps, he mused, in the same way that he did not fit with SEELE's plans. Yes...that seemed very plausible. After all, while the Old Men were children, even children could sometimes achieve surprising results. Shinji had proven that theory to him on many occasions. He proved it in the ways he had always wished Rei to succeed. The way he knew she would...but wondered if it would be enough. The Security team didn't say anything, choosing to relax from the tense few moments that just occurred and let the adrenalin run it's course. With the Commander so deep in thought, it would be suicide to make even the tiniest peep anyway. "I want that man under surveillance Twenty-Four-Seven." Gendo demanded. "Hai." They replied in unison. "Do not let him know. No mistakes. Any failure will answer to me directly." One of the younger members...one of the team that hadn't quite learned to shut up around the Commander, finally cleared his throat. "Sir...If I may ask...why did we pull out?" Gendo regarded the younger man with an eerie smile. "I underestimated someone today." He looked back, out the window as the tunnel enveloped them, and the only light was an orange tinge reflecting off the Commander's glasses. "Underestimated?" the boy blinked. "It seems I may have underestimated the Old Men." "SEELE, sir?" "Yes. They're behind this. It's the only explanation." He grinned to himself. "This should make an interesting diversion as we wait for the last Three." The Security Agents all swallowed hard. To be Continued.... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gomen! Gomen! Sorry I'm late! ^_^ Mmm, not too much to say this time around. Just been kinda busy, so bare with the interruptions to the regularly scheduled Lessons. Oh. And for the one or two newbies that haven't been told yet... ADAM IS ON GENDO'S RIGHT HAND! Yes. That's right. That purple little mass of play-dough and an eyeball is embedded on the bugger's right palm. Sorry for the spoiler. Nobody knows about it yet. Except Gendo, and whoever he high-fives regularly. (I would guess that would be no-one but the Sub-Commander.) OMAKE!----------------------------------------------------------------- (warning, EoE Spoilers, but hey, most us fan fiction readers don't care by now, do we? ^_^ ) Gendo lay, defeated on the floor. A light, bloody scent filled his senses, due to the fine LCL mist that Lillith had caused by dropping into the ocean around her, before transforming into Rei-Lillith-sama and ascending away from him. The Third Impact had occurred...and it had all been for nothing. Rei forsook him for his own son. SEELE's foolish crusade to force their way into Godhood had succeeded. Humanity would slowly become one. But, at least he would see Yui for one last time. "I've waited for this moment for a long time..." he whispered out loud as the apparitions came to him. "I'm glad to see you, Yui." A 20-ish young Yui Ikari was standing next to him, casting a shadow in the lonely, harsh light. She looked down at him...not with love...but rather pity. Gendo couldn't bare to look her in the eyes. "When I'm without you, all I do is hurt Shinji." He sighed. "It's better to do nothing." "You're afraid of Shinji-kun, aren't you?" Yui finally spoke. Her soft, loving voice echoed in the lonely expanse. "I can't believe that others love me." Gendo said. "I don't have any qualities for that." He looked up to see a young boy with gray hair and red eyes. The Last Angel, Kaworu. "You've been running away." He observed sadly. "Before you hurt yourself, you rejected the world." "But between one another, there is no barrier." Yui said, now accompanied by one of the Rei's that had been judging each of humanity's members, readying them to return to the Dark Moon. "You're scared, therefore you close to close your heart to him." "He will judge you." Kaworu nodded with silent agreement. All of a sudden, Gendo felt the crushing grip of something around his body. The massive, purple fist of Evangelion Unit-01 lifted him up in mid- air, revealing not the usual, docile grimace of the Beast...but rather a look more fitting. This demonic, baron of Hell, was the true form of Unit-01. Humanity's only defence against Angelic Beings. Wide, white eyes burned with intense anger at the man, and already, he could see the animal-like teeth being barred in the Eva's mouth. "So..." Gendo nodded, accepting his fate. "This is the end result of my behaviour. I'm sorry, Shinji." He closed his eyes and waited for those teeth to rip him in half. ... But they never came. The Eva glared down at him, though, still very mad. Shinji's voice came through it's mouth. "I'm going to teach you a lesson, Father." He growled. Anger was all too apparent in the boy's voice, and it took on a frightening power with the Evangelion around it. "A...A lesson?" Gendo blinked, fully expecting his body to be in pieces by now. "Yes." Shinji/Unit-01 said, slowly setting the man back down next to Yui, Kaworu, and the Reis. "I want to teach you the truth." "What truth?" Gendo asked, hopeful for redemption. "Repeat after me." Unit-01 demanded. "Ah..uh...Hai!" Gendo nodded, confused. "This land..." "Th..." Gendo blinked. "This land??" "THIS LAND!" Unit-01 repeated, angry at Gendo's hesitation. "T-t-this land!" Gendo said quickly. Unit-01 nodded, then reared back it's arm. "This land is made from...LOVE AND PEACE!!!!!!" Gendo, Yui, Kaworu, and the Reis all fell over in surprise, as a sliding electric guitar riff filled the air. "LOOOOOVE ANND PEAAAAAAAACE!" Unit-01 exclaimed proudly, thrusting it's hand out in a "Peace" symbol. A small, black cat trotted onto the scene, just long enough to mew "Nyaaaa!" before it too, turned into LCL. ---- Dedicated to Vash the Stampede!! ^_^ And also to Mal, for lending me the first four DVD's of Trigun. Domo-arigato, LOVE AND PEACE!!!!!!! ---- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- As always, you can reach me, Fissy, at: strikef@bigfoot.com and the websites are: www.studioshinnyo.com www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9110 Till next time! Ja! Strike Fiss, Studio Shinnyo 2000. Khattam-Shud, EOF.