I know this is rather an odd fic, but after watching this particular episode, I was inspired to write something on Kaworu – even just a simple one-shot. Once again it is a change from my usual writings, but I think it did not turn out incredibly badly despite this. The song used is by Ryan Cabrera, 'On The Way Down'.

Sick and tired of this world
There's no more air
Tripping over myself
Going nowhere
Waiting
Suffocating
No direction
I took a dive and...

The first time Shinji sees him is when he turns to see him humming 'Ode to Joy', softly. He is sitting on the rocks by the water, a strange smile upon his face. When Shinji turns around to face him, he finishes the song before speaking. And when he does speak, his words baffle Shinji slightly.

On the way down
I saw you
And you saved me from myself
And I wont forget the way you loved me
On the way down
I almost fell right through
But I held on to you.

"The song is good", he says in his amiable voice. "Singing brings joy and revitalises the human soul. I think that song is the highest achievement of the Lillim Culture. Don't you agree... Shinji Ikari?" His smile widens.

Shinji is now even more confused. Who is this young man with the slightly familiar red eyes, who reminds him so much of... someone.

I've been wondering why
Its only me
Have you always been inside
Waiting to be?
Its alright
Sunlight on my face
I wake up and yeah
I'm alive 'cos...

"H-how do you know my name?"

"Everyone knows your name", he replies, laughter in his voice. "I don't mean to sound rude, but you're rather ignorant of your own position."

Shinji is rather taken aback at this comment, but knows it for the truth none the less. And he is beginning to take a liking already to this young man, who seems to know him so much better than anyone else in his life, despite the fact that they only met a few moments ago.

"Oh... really? Who are you?"

On the way down
I saw you
And you saved me from myself
And I wont forget the way you loved me
On the way down
I almost fell right through
But I held on to you.

"I am Kaworu", he says, simply. "Kaworu Nagisa. I am like you; one of the selected children. The Fifth Child."

"You're the Fifth Child?"

Shinji is intrigued. But who does this Kaworu remind him of? He runs through the list of people in his mind, but draws a blank. Not the fiery Asuka, nor the intense Misato, nor any of his classmates... Rei? There is a little of Rei, but he does not understand what. And yet, there is someone... who? Nobody he knows, Shinji is certain. Then why does he feel that he has known Kaworu for years?

I was so afraid
Of going under
But now
The weight of the world
Feels like nothing
No, nothing...

He wants to learn more.

He wants to know who Kaworu reminds him so much of, but just cannot place at this moment.

And most of all, he wants to stop feeling the loneliness.

The worst emotion of all.

(down, down down)
You're all I wanted
(down, down, down)
You're all I needed, now.
(down, down, down)
You're all I wanted...
You're all I needed...

And I won't forget the way you love me...

Kaworu's striking smile emanates friendliness and... something more. If it will dispel the loneliness inside Shinji's heart... that wide smile brings the promise of a new beginning. As the sun goes down slowly to create two slim silhouettes against the battered rocks, Shinji smiles also at his new-found friend.

This friend who brings to Shinji the greatest gift of all – the gift that has been missing from his life for all time, and which he has now realised is in his grasp. It is the gift that his father failed to bring. It is the gift also that Asuka... Misato... even Rei, failed to bring. And it is the gift that is the driving factor behind mankind's will to survive.

It is the gift of Hope.

And I held on to you...