Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 1 (The End?)

DISCLAIMER: All characters are copyrighted to their respective owners. If you have not read Parts I and II of this series, you need to do so before reading this. Otherwise, you will be very lost.

The snow had slowly been melting over the past few days, and it was now possible to clean it off the pathways to the shrine. In fact, that had been the better part of the day’s work for Shinji and Mayuka. And they had finally finished with the stairs.

“That – was a nightmare.”

“Ah, its good for you – builds upper body strength.”

“I’m still tired.”

“So am I. At least the sun can do most of the rest of the work. Supposed to be warm again tomorrow.”

“That’s good.”

Shinji sat down on the steps and sighed.

“Back to school in two days.”

“Oh, come on, its not that bad. More fun filled bus rides with the Three Goobers. At least Keiko has finally shut up about us.”

“Thank gods for that. That girl…” Shinji shook his head in disgust. “Of course, seeing her and Tommoe fight each other is better entertainment sometimes…”

“I guess so. I usually ignored them.”

“How could you?”

“Easy – I paid more attention to the Three Goobers.”

“Ah. Well, we better get back down to the house.”

“Good idea. Aunt Sasami probably could use some help.”

The two rose and headed back down the stairs.

****

Shinji supposed the most unusual thing about dinner was that everyone, including himself, was rather dressed up. Other than that, nothing seemed different. Mihoshi and Kiyone were still there, but Ms. Ayeka and Mr. Narmer had to return home, and were unable to stay. But Misato, Ritzu, and Asuka were here again, thanks once again to Washu and her portals. The roads were more or less cleared, but the parking lot of their apartment complex was effectively buried.

“So, anyone have any major plans for the year 2017?”

“I’d like to pay a visit home to Germany – and see how many of you I can drag along.”

“You buying the beer Asuka?”

“Sure Misato.”

“I’m game!”

The group chuckled.

“My plans are the same as always – try and get promoted.”

“Oh Kiyone, we don’t need to be promoted – our placement in Watership is fun!”

“Its not fun, its more remote than this place! What do we deal with? Speeders and small crashes! Nothing ever happens!”

“Oh come on, its not that bad!”

“Speak for yourself, Mihoshi – I don’t like Watership. We don’t even get class D criminals out there!”

“Hey, you two – no arguing. You know the rule. Now you’ve taken dish duty from Mayuka and Asuka. You were the first to argue – so now you do dishes.”

“Who came up with that stupid rule anyway, Ryoko?”

“You did – Christmas, 1998 after Mayuka tied Ayeka and Ryoko’s hair together.”

Mayuka grinned, and Kiyone scratched the back of her head.

“I thought that rule up?”

“Yup. You sure did.”

“You tied their hair together Mayuka?”

“I was only one.”

“It was funny.”

“No, it wasn’t! I still don’t know how you did it.”

“If I could remember, I would tell you.”

“That must have been quite amusing.”

“What I find hard to conceive is the fact that you did not notice her doing the act.”

“Ritzu – leave the technical stuff for places other than the dinner table.”

The family went back to eating for a few minutes, during which Mayuka noticed something.

“They’re doing it again!”

“Doing what?”

“The noodle thing!”

The group stared at Asuka, and then at Shinji. Both had equal portions of noodles halfway to their mouths – perfectly in synch with one another.

“You’re right Mayuka – that IS creepy.”

“How can they do that?”

The pair finished their noodles.

“Practice.”

“Yup.”

“Its strange they can still do that after more than a year.”

“Due to the way they learned it, it is not surprising.”

“That’s true.”

“Some things never change.”

“Some things never have to.”

“Speaking of change –How about you, Misato – any plans for the New Year?”

“I don’t know – I think I am with Kiyone on the promotion thing. Of course, not working nights would be a huge plus.”

“I can imagine.”

“What about everyone else?”

“Good health.”

“How about you Shinji? Any plans?”

“Make this year better than last year was.”

“Sounds good to me.”

****

Yuzuha glared at the screen, biting her thumbnail. What is with this family? Nothing ever seemed to faze them. Moreover, who was this boy? Whoever he was – he apparently had some connection to Mayuka.

She slowly let her gaze drift around the table.

Mihoshi – an idiot.

Kiyone – the first evil.

Sasami – the bait responsible for the Betrayer’s actions.

A woman with dyed blonde hair – they called her Ritzu.

“Don’t tell me Prince Charming has a few more wives than last year.”

A woman they called Misato – another enigma.

The girl they called Asuka – clearly out of place.

Yosho – that bastard.

Tenchi – The Slayer – and asshole.

Washu – the bitch responsible for Mayuka living again.

The Betrayer –

And the boy that sat next to her.

She stared at the young man for a moment, then, slowly, an evil grin spread across her face as the screen went dark.

****

Shinji and Mayuka made their way down the dock. Behind them, they could hear the rest of the family laughing and talking. But they had something to do – each had someone yet to forgive. They came to edge of the dock and looked out across the water.

“Are you cold?”

“A little – but I’ll be fine, Shinji.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Shinji reached over and grasped Mayuka’s hand tightly and stared out across the chilly water, focused on the moon’s reflection in the water.

Father – I don’t know if you can hear me. But I forgive you – for what you did. It’s not an easy thing to do – and although I may not understand why you did what you did – I forgive you.

Mayuka squeezed Shinji’s hand back as her gaze fixed on a tall cedar tree across the water.

Mother – I don’t suppose you’re listening to me. But if you are – I’m sorry for what happened – and I forgive you for what you did to me, what you did to Aunt Sasami – and yes, even what you did to dad.

“You want to go inside?”

“In a minute. It’s nice outside – even though it’s cold.”

“Yeah. So this is winter?”

“I’ll say it’s winter.”

Shinji chuckled.

“Well, looks like I was right.”

“Right about what?”

“That winter isn’t as beautiful as you are.”

Mayuka blushed slightly as Shinji pulled her into an embrace.

“Happy New Year, Mayuka.”

“Happy New Year, Shinji.”

She lifted his chin slightly, and pressed her lips to his.

****

Yuzuha stared up at the ceiling for a moment, and then smirked.

“Get ready for hell, little Betrayer….

****

They were out on the dock. They slowly drew apart from each other and smiled.

“We better go back inside.”

“Yeah. Don’t want to catch cold.”

They turned and headed back down the dock when Mayuka turned and looked over her shoulder. Something was there – coming up behind them. She opened her mouth to scream – but nothing came from her mouth as a force grabbed Shinji and pulled him from her.

She grabbed his hand as the unseen force pulled him away – started dissolving him

“NO…”

“Mayuka…..”

The darkness over came Shinji and the last of his fingers slipped from hers.

“You didn’t really think I was gone, did you little Mayuka?”

“NOOO!”

Mayuka sat straight up in bed, her breath coming in heavy gasps. She shakily got out of bed and staggered up the stairs to Shinji’s room. She carefully slid the door open – and she could see him still in bed.  No sooner was the door open wide enough for her to stand in the doorway than Shinji sat straight up in bed, covering a scream.

“Shinji?”

He turned towards her voice and leapt out of bed and pulled her into a fierce hug.

“You’re safe…”

Mayuka returned the hug and held him close to her.

“It was just a dream – its over now.”

“But it was so real….”

“I know it was…but I’m safe – and you’re safe.”

 Shinji nodded and sobbed into her shoulder.

“Come on- lets go get something to drink, okay?”

“Okay.”

Still holding one another, they made their way down two flights of stairs and into the kitchen. Mayuka poured each of them a glass of water and they sat down next to each other on the couch.

“Someone took you Mayuka – someone came up from behind us on the dock and they took you. I – I couldn’t hold on to you – they took –the person – the voice – they took you.”

Mayuka hugged him tightly.

“I’m here, Shinji – no one took me. And no one took you from me.”

“Is that what you dreamed?”

“Yes. But we’re safe now.”

Shinji gently kissed the side of her face.

“I know we are – and that is all that matters.”

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 2 (Two Minute Warning)

Mayuka sat up and rubbed her face. She was sick and tired of these nightmares. Close to twice a week for the past four months. It was April – today – was dad’s thirty-eighth birthday. In three days, they would also celebrate the day Shinji came to live with them. She reached over and shut her alarm off before it began to sound.

She swung her feet out onto the floor and rubbed the back of her neck. Shinji had been having nightmares as well, but not with the frequency she had. But she did her best not to let him know how bad the dreams were. She yawned and walked to the closet. The sooner she got ready for school and started breakfast, the sooner she could forget the dreams.

*

Upstairs, Shinji stared at the alarm clock, wide-eyed as it flicked from five twenty-nine to five thirty.  He blinked as the deejay’s voice came out towards his ears.

“Good morning, Okayama! Its five-thirty on what promises to be a beautiful spring day! You’re listening to 99.1, The River – the best of the Pre Second Impact Rock! The high today, seventy-three, and not chance for rain, and the low for tonight is going to be down around fifty-five. And here to start your week off right, here’s Smashing Pumpkins with “Tonight, Tonight.”

Shinji turned the alarm off and slowly sat up. The nightmare had been one of the worst yet. The dream had woken him up around four, and he had been awake, staring at those red numbers since then. It was not only the nightmares. It was one year ago – one year exactly that Kaworu had died. That he had run away for the last time. He covered a yawn and stared out at the early morning sun, peeking over the hills. All though New Years had been more than four months ago – this – was the real start of his new year.

He rose and walked to the closet and pulled off his shirt and dropped into the hamper and pulled a clean school shirt on. All he wanted was for the nightmares to stop. But they’d been growing worse – and more frequent. Like the one last night. He was back in that foul-smelling room where he identified his father’s body.

Only this time, his father had gotten up from the table and strangled Mayuka – heedless to his screams and his attempt to fight. Mayuka had tried to fight back – only to be killed. He had done his best not scream when he woke up – he looked down at his hand – there was still a faint scar from where he had bitten his hand.

He shook his head and finished getting dressed.

****

Yuzuha sat, head resting in her hands and smirked.

“Oh, did the Little Snare have another bawd dweam? Poor baby.” She chuckled. “The real nightmare is about to begin, Little Snare. You don’t know who I am – but you will. Oh and then we’ll see how much you really care about that Little Betrayer.”

She rose to her feet and hoped down an open portal.

“Oh won’t I have some fun at last!”

****

Shinji sat down on the rock by the bus stop and covered a yawn.

“You have bad dreams too?”

“Yeah.”

“If this keeps up – we may have to ask Washu about sedatives.”

“Isn’t that a little extreme?”

“Given in the past month we’ve had a combined total of two hundred hours of sleep? Shinji do you know how many hours are in a month? Seven hundred and twenty! I don’t think it’d be that extreme.”

“I know it just seems severe….”

“Shinji – I’m sorry I snapped – I’m just – tired.”

The bus rumbled up the hill and came to a shuttering stop.

“Must be close to the end of the school year.”

“How can you tell?”

“The engine sounds tired.”

“Sort of like us?”

“Yeah.”

The two climbed on the bus and sat down in their usual seat. It wasn’t long before the rhythm of the bus and the power of exhaustion sent them both into a light slumber.

Trunks leaned over the back of the seat and stared at the two and grinned.

“You two wear each other out last night?”

Mayuka’s eyes snapped open.

“Trunks – if I wasn’t so tired, I’d smack you for that.”

“Sheesh – don’t you two ever sleep?”

“We try to – but insomnia has other ideas.”

“Why can’t you sleep?”

“Constant nightmares.”

“About what?”

“You’re to young to know.”

“I’m twelve years old – that’s plenty old enough.”

“Trunks – in the past month I’ve had about seventy-five hours of sleep – I am in no mood to go into this with you. Maybe when we’re feeling better, all right?”

“Okay. Have you tried sleeping in class yet?”

“That’s today’s plan – sleep in class. The trick is not getting caught. I don’t know if Shinji here can handle it.”

“He’s asleep…”

Mayuka looked at Shinji, sure enough, he was snoring lightly, leaning against her shoulder.

“Then I get to envy him.”

Mayuka covered a yawn as Trunks turned back around. She leaned back against Shinji and drifted into a light slumber herself that was thankfully, dreamless.

****

“Shinji – you look terrible. Don’t you ever sleep?”

“The answer to that Asuka is rarely.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I keep having nightmares. Worse than the ones I used to have back in Tokyo-3.”

“How is that possible?”

“I don’t know – and it’s almost nightly now. It used to be just once a week – now it’s at least three times a week. Mayuka is having nightmares too.”

“You really need to do something about that, Shinji – I don’t care what objections you have. You need sleep baka.”

Shinji managed a weak chuckle.

“When was the last time you called me that?”

“Two weeks ago when you ran into the gym wall.”

“That hurt.”

“I bet it did. How could you miss something that big?”

“I was tired.”

Shinji picked at his lunch.

“Is Mayuka in as bad of shape as you?”

“Its hard to tell – I’m so tired – so is she. I think she’s gotten less sleep than I have.”

“What does Miss Washu say about all this?”

“She’s worried – she says its probably repressed memory and unreleased tension building up. That’s on Mayuka’s part – for me, she’s theorized it’s due to this time of the year – given what happened a year ago.”

“True. You slept in class yet?”

“I know I keep nodding off, but I always wake right back up.”

****

“Mayuka?”

“Nn…let me sleep…”

Ritziko looked at her small class of seven students, and at the slumbering girl in the middle of the back row. The students chuckled and looked at the sleeping freshman.

“What class was just in here?”

“Organic Chemistry lecture, sempai.”

Ritziko pursed her lips together and shrugged.

“Just leave her be. She probably needs the sleep after that lecture.”

The class laughed softly and turned their attention to Ritziko.

“Now, in your last assignment, I asked for you to find the coefficient of polynomials in the third dimension…”

Eventually the class ended and Ritziko walked up to Mayuka and shook her gently.

“Mayuka?”

Mayuka slowly opened her eyes and looked around.

“Where am I?” she turned and looked at Ritzu. “How long have I been sleeping?”

“Well, I don’t know when you fell asleep in Organic, but I know it was at least two hours.”

Mayuka sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“I didn’t snore, did I?”

“No – you didn’t. But I know you are a light sleeper – how could you have slept that long with all that noise from changing classes? I know there are at least fifty people in Organic.”

Mayuka turned and looked at the older woman – and let out a deep breath.

“I’ve been having nightmares, Miss Ritzu – bad ones.”

“How often?”

“Twice a week at least – sometimes as many as six times.”

“Is Shinji having nightmares too?”

“Uh huh.”

“What are they about?”

Mayuka shook her head and stared down at her notes from class – she could see where she drifted off – right in the middle of  - some misspelled word.

“The places and locations change – but its always the same. Someone, or something taking Shinji, him vanishing, disappearing – he’s always being taken away – by some force.”

“And I take it Shinji’s are the inverse of yours?”

“Uh huh.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“Since…since January. It wasn’t really bad – until about a month ago.”

“This has been going on for that long?”

Mayuka nodded and covered a yawn.

“Mayuka – how many classes do you have on Tuesday?”

“Just two – Calc and Organic lecture again.”

“Don’t worry about classes tomorrow – you stay home and you get some sleep. Understand?”

“But I have a test in Organic…”

“Screw Organic – I’ll talk to Dr. Fugisawa and tell him you’re not in any shape to take his exam tomorrow, all right?”

“Okay…thanks Miss Ritzu.”

“You’re welcome. Now you better hurry or you’ll miss the bus.”

Mayuka managed a weak smile and stuffed her notebook into her bag.

“I just have one question.”

“What’s that?”

“What the hell is a quadratic polynomial?”

Ritziko laughed as Mayuka managed a light chuckle.

“A device created by math teachers to drive students crazy.”

****

Mayuka stared at the glass of water and the small white pill lying next to it. Washu had listened to both Shinji and Mayuka about their sleeping problems – and despite protest from Shinji, she had given them each a sedative so that tonight, hopefully, they could get enough deep sleep to prevent dreams and be somewhat rested.

Washu did agree with Ritziko on Mayuka staying home tomorrow to get more rest, and then, on Wednesday, Shinji would stay home to try and catch up on sleep.

Mayuka let out a deep sigh and picked up the pill and glass of water.

“Here’s to a dreamless sleep.”

She swallowed the pill and some water and set the glass back down on the nightstand. She curled up in her bed, pulling the blankets over her head and fell into sleep.

*

Upstairs, Shinji went through a similar routine.

**

Yuzuha glared at the screen hatefully.

“Oh you won’t get rid of the dreams that easily Little Snare.”

*

Shinji felt his hands clench – and then he realized where he was. The entry plug of Unit 01.

This is just a dream – it’s just a dream.

Then he felt himself descending down a hatch – below him, he could see Unit 02 – and….

Of all the fucking things to remember!

Crashing to the ground – struggling with Unit 02 – but something had changed. This was not how it happened. Or was this how it happened? What was going on? He lumbered forward, expecting to see Lilith, of course – and Kaworu. But it wasn’t Kaworu.

It was Mayuka.

NO – NO – NO

A voice – not his fathers – but his words.

“Third Child, why aren’t you fighting back?”

“I can’t harm another human being!”

“But she’s not human.”

“She’s – she’s as human as Ayanami  - and Kaworu – she’s as human as they are!”

“Wrong. She is not like them.”

“YES SHE IS!”

“They were angels – they were not the enemy – she is the enemy.”

“NO!”

“She is a demon. Demons are evil. Therefore, she must be destroyed.”

“NO, NO, NO!”

Another voice – sounding like – Misato?

“If you do not kill her, we will be killed.”

“Misato …”

“Third Child, end this before she ends our existence.”

The massive purple hand reaching out, and seizing Mayuka – who was still silent.

This isn’t how this happened!

“Shinji?”

From the hand, Mayuka looked up at him – her face – terrified.

“Shinji – don’t listen to them…”

No – no – that’s not supposed to be Mayuka – it’s supposed to be Kaworu.

And then he saw Kaworu watching him.

“No it is not. It is supposed to be her.”

“YOU AREN’T KAWORU!”

And then he was gone –

And the voice spoke again.

“If you do not destroy her, you will have sealed the doom of everyone you know and love.”

“But I love her…”

“Irrelevant. End this now.”

Mayuka spoke again.

“Shinji?”

And then the hand squeezed shut.

I didn’t do that – I wouldn’t – this is just a dream. It is not real. This is just a dream. This is just a dream.

The hand fell open – and there was something lying in the massive hand – which shattered as soon as he focused on it.

And then – the voice again.

“Good work, Shinji.”

*

Shinji threw off the blankets as he sat straight up in bed and pressed his hands over his mouth to keep the scream from escaping. He looked around slowly. He was in his room – and he was safe. He lowered his hands and took a few deep breaths.

“It was just a dream…. just a dream….” He jerked his head towards the door. “Mayuka….”

Shinji stood, and shaking made his way down the stairs and flung the door of Mayuka’s room open. She was still there – sleeping. Ryo-o-ki looked up from her perch near Mayuka’s head.

“Merow?”

Shinji shook his head and shut the door silently and staggered back up the stairs. When he got back into bed, he stared at the alarm clock.

Three forty-five.

**

Yuzuha fell over laughing.

****

“Mayuka…”

She slowly sat up and looked around. This was her room – but it seemed – hazier – unreal.

I’m dreaming again. Nana said I wouldn’t have dreams.

“You’re Nana isn’t always right.”

She jerked her head towards the voice; sitting backwards in her desk chair was a young man – a little older than Shinji. A boy with red eyes, pale skin, and grey hair.

“What…. who…are you?”

“Who I am right now is not important. But something is coming. You know that. You’ve suspected it for some time, haven’t you?”

“I… I’m going to guess you’re the kind of person who no one can lie to.”

The boy chuckled.

“You could say that – although I know what a proficient liar you can be, Mayuka.”

What the hell did Nana give me?

“I assure you, this is not a manifestation of the sedative you ingested.”

“Then what is this?”

“A warning. What you feared is coming. And when the time comes – you will not be able to prevent it.”

“Then why bother warning me?”

“Because – only you can be the one to end what will begin. You and no one else.”

I have got to stop watching that Lord of the Rings trilogy.

“This may be a dream – but the danger is very real. You know that.”

“Yes.”

“You must be ready for anything – and what is planned. More than anything – you must not show your fear.”

Mayuka slowly nodded as the boy rose and walked towards her.

“And you need rest…”

The boy reached out and touched her cheek, and in an instant, Mayuka found herself in deep, dreamless slumber.

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 3 (Pawns and Rooks)

Shinji idly picked at his lunch again the next day. After he had woken up, he had stared at the alarm clock for most of the night. He knew he slept a little – but no sooner had it settled in then the dream began flashing back into his mind. He slowly started to eat, and stared out across the schoolyard – he could see the elementary school kids at recess. He couldn’t remember ever being as carefree as those kids. It’d be nice to have that kind of mentality – even if it was just for a day.

He shut his eyes and saw the end of that dream again – Unit 01’s massive purple hand – and Mayuka’s lifeless body lying within it.

He shook his head and opened his eyes.

“Shinji? What is up with you?”

He turned as Asuka sat down next to him.

“You not sleep again?”

“No.”

Asuka opened her lunch and started to eat.

“I had another dream last night Asuka – it was worse than the others.”

“How so?”

“Misato told you about – the last angel, didn’t she?”

“Yes Shinji. Is that what the dream was?”

“Not entirely.”

“What do you mean, not entirely?”

“It wasn’t Kaworu this time…it was Mayuka.”

“What?”

“I don’t know what it means – but this time instead of Kaworu being the one who died, it was Mayuka.”

“Shinji, is everything all right between you two?”

“Apart from the fact we’re both exhausted, yes.”

Asuka nodded.

“Then its probably something having to do with the time of the year it is. It was a year ago that Kaworu died.”

“True.”

Shinji looked down.

“I’m going to guess that’s what it is. And this lack of sleep probably isn’t helping you either. I bet after a few days and a few good nights sleep, you’ll be better. So will she.”

“You think so?”

“Sure.”

“That reminds me – Miss Washu is insisting I stay home tomorrow. Mayuka’s staying home today – you think you could give my homework to her to bring home with her?”

“Sure Shinji.”

‘Thanks.”

“Not a problem Shinji.”

****

Mayuka stood silently in the courtyard of the shrine. She had been standing there, holding the broom for the past ten minutes. Something was coming. And she knew what that something was.

“Mayuka? Mayuka, what is wrong?”

She swallowed and turned towards her grandpa.

“I’m scared.”

“Of what, Mayuka?”

“Of – of  - Yuzuha.”

Yosho dropped his broom and came over to her and took her by the shoulders.

“Why? She’s been dead for twenty years.”

Mayuka swallowed.

“I don’t think she is dead.”

“What? Mayuka – what is going on?”

“I – don’t know. But you know Shinji and I have been having nightmares, right?”

“Yes…dear god, Mayuka – are you saying that this is her doing?”

“I think it is.”

“Mayuka….”

“She’s angry, grandpa – she’s murderously angry...I know she is. And she IS alive – dad didn’t kill her. She’s alive – and I think she wants me back. Wants me back so she can finish me off.”

“You know you are safe here, Mayuka…”

“No…I’m not. And she knows what she wants – and she knows….”

Mayuka’s face went stone white and her voice came out in barely a whisper.

“Shinji…”

**

The end of another day – at least there’d be sleep tonight. Washu had promised that. True, it involved a high level sedative and would keep him out for twenty-four hours, but a drugged, dreamless sleep was better than no sleep.

He yawned and turned toward a slight rustle near him.

“Ryo-o-ki? Is that you?”

***

“What about Shinji, Mayuka?”

“I had this strange dream – this boy warned me something was coming…” her face went even paler, if such a thing was possible. “She’s going to take Shinji!”

At once, the doors of the shrine ripped open and a strong breeze blasted through the small space. The small wooden box from within the shrine flew out and opened several feet from the two – and there, laughing at them – was Yuzuha.

“YOU!”

Yuzuha managed to stop laughing and focused on the two of them.

“Well, well if it’s not the two Juraians I hate more than any others. I’ve taken your little Prince Charming.  Come alone Betrayer – or the little prince dies!”

Abruptly, she vanished – leaving a glowing portal.

Mayuka felt her hands clench in her hair and her breath grew heavy. Yosho took one look at his granddaughter and took a small step away. She was going to need room.  Mayuka ripped her hand from her hair, threw her head back and screamed – a heart wrenching, terror-invoking scream.

****

Shinji turned over and slowly opened his eyes.  And saw bars. Jerking his head in all four directions – he realized he was, in fact, in a cage.

“Okay…this isn’t funny…”

He was able to sit up in the cage – but barely. He was exhausted.  The cage was roughly seven feet by seven feet – and maybe six feet tall. Thankfully, it was on the ground. Where was he? He could remember going towards the bushes looking for Ryo-o-ki, and then a flash, and then – nothingness.

This was strange. It had to be a dream. Surely, he must have fallen asleep by the side of the road. What was going on? Wait – it couldn’t be a dream. It was cold – and he was still tired. If this were a dream, it wouldn’t be so real. It was far too real to be a dream. The bars were cold – and smelled faintly of something he could almost place. He’d seen things that were bizarre – but from all the times of piloting EVA. Not during the battle with the twelfth – or even the fourteenth, had he seen anything this bizarre.

He rubbed the side of his face – it hurt from whatever took him hit him.

In front of him was a large green tank – similar to ones he had seen in Miss Washu’s lab. And in that instant, he knew where he was.

“Well, well – I see you’re finally awake.”

Shinji stared at the small creature staring in at him – the small furry creature with red eyes.

“I’ve slept better.”

“I’m sure you have…when you aren’t having nightmares.”

“You know about that?”

“Of course I do. Who do you think is responsible? Your badly battered hypothalamus?”

The small woman leaned against the cage and peered in at him.

“You?”

“Of course.”

“Why?”

“Oh don’t you know my Silly Little Snare? There’s a certain Abomination who needs to be taught a lesson.”

“What?”

The creature smirked.

“Such a flawed creature – a betrayer, a freak of nature – she’s told herself that several times.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ve seen her scars. Her claws did the ones on her left hand.”

“Claws?”

“She’s not shown them in a while – not since that Princess tried to marry her off to that stupid prince. But that time, the victim was a table. I’m surprised she’s not shown them to you yet.”

Shinji shook his head slowly.

“It doesn’t matter to me.”

She sneered.

“The other scar should. It’s a brand of just how evil she really is. I know you’re just a silly little earthling – but I’m sure you know of the power her father can produce.”

Shinji shook his head.

“You’re an idiot – just like you’re little red haired friend says you are. Her father carries a sword – passed down from his grandfather – that bastard Yosho. Mayuka can never wield it. It’s not that she hasn’t the power – it knows she’s evil – and therefore, it will not let itself be held by her. Just holding it can kill her.”

“I don’t care about that!”

“You should – or do you want your children to be evil as well?”

 "Listen, I spent a year KILLING Angels. I would think I'm just as evil as she is then!”

Yuzuha reached in and grabbed Shinji by the chin and turned his face one-way and then the other.

“Hm…what she sees in you, I can’t imagine.”

She released Shinji and leered at him.

“So have you guessed who I am yet, Little Snare?”

“Yuzuha?”

“That’s right!”

“You’re Yuzuha?” He arched an eyebrow.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I was expecting someone a little more along the lines of Ifurita. Not some furry little troll.”

Yuzuha growled and backhanded him across the face, slamming him to the floor of the cage, and swiftly into unconsciousness. His last clear thought – That was sooooo worth it!

****   

Yosho looked from Tenchi to Washu, his face grave. Ryoko sat on the porch, the door open behind her – watching Mayuka pace in the yard like a tiger in a cage.

Tenchi covered his face and rubbed his eyes.

“I thought she was dead. I thought I killed her.”

“We all thought that Tenchi – this explains almost everything.”

“What do you mean, Washu?”

“How else could have Mayuka gotten her memory back? Given the way she was reborn she should not have retained those memories. Its apparent Yuzuha returned them to her – to try and break her.”

Tenchi turned to the woman.

“She’s been after her all this time?”

Yosho coughed.

“More than likely. However – she has been unable to find a way to get to her until now. She has been protected. But now she has found something – a tool to bring Mayuka back to her. The only person she could capture with ease – Shinji.”

Mayuka snarled and headed off down the path – Ryoko quickly rose and followed her.

“Mayuka – Mayuka calm down….”

“I have to go – It’s my fault – I have to…”

Ryoko tackled the girl and held her in a tight grip – barely.

“It’s to dangerous, do you hear me? That’s just what she wants!”

She dragged the girl back into the courtyard and released her.

“If you go you’ll just play right into her hands. You have got to remain calm. The last thing you should be is irrational.”

Tenchi came to the doorway and looked at the two.

“She’s right Mayuka.”

“So I should just let her kill him?”

“Did I say that?”

Mayuka fell down in a heap on the ground, breathing heavily.

Washu came out onto the porch and down to Mayuka and grabbed her by the shoulders.

“This will solve nothing. I know you are angry – you have a right to be. But acting like this will not help Shinji.”

Ryoko crouched down and put her hand on her arm.

“Washu is right. As angry as you are, you can’t let your anger rule you. Its just what she wants.”

Tenchi came down to kneel at her right side, his hand on her cheek.

“I know that this is not easy – but you have to try and calm down. We will think of something – I promise.”

Yosho came down as Mayuka and the group made their way to their feet.

“We will find a way to bring Shinji back. Until then – you need to try and remain calm. Your anger has validity, but it will not help Shinji if you remain angry.”

Mayuka stared down at the ground and saw only dirt as Nana moved to the side. And something screamed at her.

“What’s the matter, Little Mayuka? Not brave enough to come and save the one you love? You’re father came for you – surely you’re brave enough to come and claim what you love!”

She snarled and broke from the grasp of her parents.

And ran.

“MAYUKA!”

Ryoko charged after her, followed by Tenchi, Washu, and Yosho.

Ryoko caught up with the girl and tried to tackle her.  Mayuka threw her off and raced up the shrine stairs.

“MAYUKA, STOP!”

She raced up to the shrine and glared at the glowing portal. There was no time to waste – Ryoko would catch her in an instant. She ran forward and dived into the gleaming portal.

As Ryoko reached the summit of the stairs, the portal flashed once, and vanished. Box and all.

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 4 (Gathering Forces)

Mayuka landed with a soft thud, bounced once, and turned over. She didn’t know how long or how far she had fallen – but it had ended abruptly.  She rose to her feet and looked around. There was not much in the room save for a few scattered toys. And in front of her was a pair of ornate wooden doors.

“Welcome…home.”

Mayuka jerked her head to the right – staring back at her was a small stuffed cat.         

“What?”

A stuffed horse joined the cat.

“Welcome home, demon child.”

“What’s going on here?”

A plush fox charged out of nowhere and latched onto her leg.

“Damnit!”

She reached down and pulled the animal from her leg and threw it at the other two.

“Now, now little demon – that’s no way to behave.” – the cat again.

Mayuka was able to kick the toy raccoon away from her before it attacked.

“Look – just tell me what’s going on…”

“Its quite simple. Enter the labyrinth beyond the doors – at the end you will find what you seek – but don’t think you can make it through with ease!”

A stuffed panther leapt at her, and she was able to catch it in her hand. It’s head twisted around and where it possible, she would have sworn it grinned at her. Two seconds later she realized why as a blade sliced into her palm.

“DAMN YOU!”

She hurled the creature toward the other to animals and stared down at the wound – another scar in the middle of her left hand. Mayuka snarled and glared at the animals – her eyes narrowing down into slits. She balled her hands into fists, and then flung them out – her nails replaced with claws.

She marched towards the animals and slashed at each of them – while the rest of her demon side sprang to the surface. The side that had been buried within her for years – hidden for her safety, and the safety of others.  In short order, the cat, the horse, fox, raccoon, panther, and a tiger (which had not attacked yet) were soon not much more than shredded batting.

Mayuka turned towards the doors and yanked them open. Before her were three long corridors – each going in a different direction. The place reeked of mildew and that swampy smell the dirt road at home had after it had been washed out by a flash flood. This was not going to be easy.

****

Yuzuha held her sides as she laughed. That little idiot had fallen right into her trap. She really was a fool, after all.

“Sometimes, Demoness, you amaze me.”

Yuzuha whipped around and saw the young man sitting on top of the cage.

“Well, Tabris – I was wondering when you were going to show up.”

Tabris leaned forward on his arms and glared down at the smaller creature.

“I used to think you had some heart, Yuzuha – but I see I was very wrong. Even Medea herself loved her children more than you ever could.”      

Yuzuha straightened herself up.

“You’re one to talk, Tabris. You betrayed the boy!”

“I HAD NO CHOICE IN THAT MATTER!”

“How very strange – the Angel of Free Will having no choice…”

“I advise you to hold your tongue Yuzuha – or you may find yourself with out one. I was given a task – I did as bid. I didn’t want to hurt him. It was humanity, or my kind. I chose humanity. Would that I could have spared Shinji the pain – but the pain would ebb in time.”

Yuzuha growled.

“Why is this so important to you?” she pointed to the still unconscious Shinji. “I barely know the boy and I know he can do better than that worthless scraps of DNA I created one day than when I was bored!”
            “Because – I was the one who put him there.”

“WHAT?”

“You heard me, Yuzuha. There was a reason he fell down that hill. I guided him to that hillside. I removed the ground from his feet and sent him to her. And I advise you not to refer to Mayuka as scraps of DNA - half of that DNA - is yours."

“You are aware that Mayuka doesn’t trust you.”

“I am fully aware of that. And she has every reason not to trust me. She sees me as the one who betrayed Shinji the worst. And I did. But that’s almost the pot calling the kettle black, is it not, Yuzuha?”

She snarled.

“You betrayed Mayuka – worse than I betrayed Shinji.”

“She turned on me.”

“And you were surprised?”

“It should not have happened – it just goes to show how flawed that Betrayer is!”

“Mayuka has a human heart – something you greatly underestimate.”

And then, he was gone.

Yuzuha reared her head back and screamed.

“DAMN YOU!”

****

Mayuka slowly circled the small area – trying to decide which path to take. She was facing down the left corridor when she heard a faint sound behind her. She turned to find the young man from her dream perched on a tall pedestal, humming to himself and watching her. He smiled.

“A song is good – it calms the soul and keeps the spirit high. Wouldn’t you agree, Mayuka Masaki?”

“Who are you, Orpheus?”

“No. I’m Tabris.”

“Huh?”

“You probably know me by my other name – Kaworu Nagisa.”

“The betrayer…”

“I deserve that. But I also deserve the chance to explain myself.”

Mayuka warily looked him over.

“All right.”

“You know, you really should be thanking me.”

“And why is that?”

“I lead Shinji to you. That is reason enough, I believe.”

“I suppose it is.”

Tabris chuckled and leapt to the ground.

“I see that’s the best I can expect from you at this time.”

He circled her slowly; Mayuka followed him with her eyes.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing – just the last time I saw a Purple Demon I lost my head.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?”

“No – but accurate.”

“I know what you’re talking about – so I won’t say what it was.”

“Thank you for that – I suppose, you, like your Grandmother Washu find such things pathetic at times.”

Tabris finally stopped circling to stand in front of her.

“Yes. At times – it makes me realize why Juraians look down on people from earth.”

“But you yourself are bound to the earth.”

“Yes. It is my home. Despite what the rest of the universe thinks – I would rather live there than anywhere else.”

“A fair planet it is – despite its flaws.”

“It is our flaws that make us unique. Take away one’s flaws, and we are all the same.”

“You’ve had that philosophy for quite some time, haven’t you?”

“It’s a good one to have. I’d rather be flawed and human than a mindless entity.”

“Such a wise lilim. Then again – you aren’t entirely a lilim, are you?”

“Its one of the little flaws that makes me special.”

“I see you are quite the optimist. Even in peril you maintain a slightly light feeling.”

“Good morale.”

Tabris chuckle.

“Um…Tabris…I don’t mean to be a bitch or anything – but I sort of need to get started.”

“Of course.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know the right path would you?”

“If they are all the same, why does it matter?”

“You’re saying each path leads to the end?”

“Of course – all the same path – but all with different dangers.”

And Tabris vanished.

“That was strange.” She put her hands behind her back and shrugged. “Since I am facing right – I’ll go left.”

She turned on her heel and raced down the corridor behind her.

****

Yuzuha stalked from one end of the room to the other. She had known she could keep the rest of those bastard Juraians out under threat of killing Shinji. 

“Damn…this is not going to be as easy as I hoped. She has to have a weakness…” She trailed off and looked at the still sleeping Shinji. “Oh you are one intelligent demon.” She stalked over to the cage and tugged a few strands of hair out of Shinji’s head.

He groaned and turned over as she stalked over to the tank. She jerked a few strands of hair out of her own head and laughed.

“This time – I’m going to leave a few things out – a heart for one!”

She cackled, as she leaned over the tank, not realizing Shinji was awake – stiff, but no longer exhausted.

“You’re going to be sorry Mayuka – sorry you were ever reborn….”

“What are you doing?”

Yuzuha leapt down from her perch above the now churning tank and sat down in front of the cage, her head resting in her hands. A child at show and tell – proud of what she had to show the rest of the class.

“Can’t you guess, Little Snare? What better way to destroy Mayuka – then with the face that she loves?”

Shinji’s eyes slowly turned toward the tank – where his own face leered out at him  - with a smirk that ran his blood cold.

“Perfect, don’t you think, Little Snare?”

Shinji turned his head back to Yuzuha.

“You know – I have always wanted to know someone who could be a bigger asshole than my father was.”

“Your father was just a little boy who happened to find the biggest stick on the playground!”

“Those who live by science are eventually die by science – my world learned that the hard way in the Second Impact.”

“Your world makes me laugh!”

“And your world isn’t real.”

Yuzuha gritted her teeth.

“A world of make-believe. Its no more real than a dream.”

Yuzuha lashed out and slapped him across the face, sending him to the floor of the cage again. Shinji merely watched as she got up and walked back around the other side of the tank.

I’m surprised at you Shinji – you may not pack a mean punch physically, but damn – you’ve got a sharp tongue. Must be the influence of Mayuka and her family.

“You, Little Snare have no idea how wrong you are.”

“I know enough to know that there is no time here.” He sat up and leaned against the back of the cage. “And as there is no time in a dream, is this place not the same?”

“You’re a fool. You have no idea of the game you are playing.”

“I had no ideas of the rules in the last game I was playing – not until the end. And I came out of the game alive.”

“That was pure chance and luck.”

“Maybe it was. I can’t say. But I survived.”

“Oh my silly Little Snare, did I ever say you weren’t?”

“What?”

“I’m not going to kill you, Little Snare – if I was going to kill you I would have done so already. You’re just the bait for the Betrayer. She’s the one wearing the death mark.”

Shinji felt his face drain of color as Yuzuha came back over and slammed her hands against the cage and glared in at him.

“Surprised Little Snare? She’ll make it here, she’ll fight – and then – you will watch her die. And then – you get to go home.”

“I’d rather die than live without her.”

Yuzuha slowly grinned.

“If that is what you want – but wouldn’t she want you to go on living?”

Shinji stared back at the woman. Kaworu had told him to keep living. Mayuka would tell him to go on living. But it had been different when Kaworu had said it – he had barely known him. Mayuka – Mayuka…

“What’s the matter, Little Snare? See how right I am?”

“I would rather die, than live without her.”

Yuzuha took a few paces away from the cage.

“So be it. After she dies – you die.” She turned towards the tank. “And I’ll send him back as you!”

****

            “DAMNIT!” Ryoko slammed her fists into the ground as the portal vanished. “That reckless, idiotic headstrong girl!”

She rose to her feet and turned as Tenchi and the rest came to the top of the stairs.

“Sounds exactly like her parents.”

“Oh can it, Washu!”

The four stared down at the small burnt mark where the portal had been.

“Washu – is there anyway you can access where they went.”

“Not without the box. It was a miracle I could establish a pathway the last time.”

“What is the possibility of Yuzuha regaining control over her again?”

“About the same as establishing a portal. A great deal of time has elapsed – thus, any control or connection Yuzuha could have over her is gone.”

Tenchi let out a deep breath.

“There’s one blessing.”

“Should we call Misato and tell her?”

Yosho shook his head.

“No. The fewer people that know about this, the better.”

Tenchi swallowed.

“What do we do now?”

“The only thing we can do. Wait.”

Ryoko let out a breath.

“I’m going to go find the place where Shinji vanished.”

“Good idea Ryoko. We may be able to find something there that could be of some help.”

“Yuzuha will not kill Shinji. That is not her goal. Shinji is merely the bait.”

“What are you saying grandpa?”

“I’m saying she won’t kill Shinji. Although she was not bluffing when she said she would kill him if Mayuka did not come alone, she will not kill him now.”

“You mean – her goal is to kill Mayuka?”

“Yes Tenchi. That is her goal.”

“And…and if she does?”

“Shinji will most likely be returned to us. Unless he insists Yuzuha kill him as well.”

“Would she do that?”

“That – I can’t say.”

*****

AN: Okay – rewritten and hopefully a little better.

AN2: YES, I know Kaworu is dead. READ: KAWORU. Tabris is an ANGEL! His body was destroyed in war. His soul was not. He even says that he’s been killed. If he is an Angel, and his soul was not destroyed, he can come back.

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 5 (Mortal Combat)

Mayuka leaned against a wall to catch her breath. She was starting to feel she was in a game of Diablo, monsters and enemies furnished by FAO Schwartz. Nothing was around currently, which allowed her to sink down to the floor and try and calm down a little as well. She rubbed the back of her neck slowly wondering just how much further this damn thing went on. She didn’t have much idea how long she had been at this – as there was no time here. But by her estimate, it was at least a few hours – maybe it was longer.

She rose to her feet and started forward again.

“When I get home – the first thing I’m doing is taking a long shower. Then I am going to sleep for a week. After that –I’ll figure it out after I sleep.”

She turned down another corridor and kicked a small stuffed bear as it leapt into her path. She faced a blank wall and a small opening – she stepped warily through the door, and into the first semi-lit room in the entire maze. At first, she thought it was a yawing pit – but after a minute she realized – it was merely an illusion. The floor was mirrored tile, and added to the fact that the ceiling was vaulted  - it truly did look like a yawning cavern.

Mayuka came a little further into the room and saw a few openings elsewhere in the room – one on her left, one on her right, and another in front of her.

“Looks like I found the center of this damn thing.”

She ran a hand through her hair and sighed.

“Damnit.”

****

Yuzuha chuckled as the clone slowly pulled itself out of the tank and stared at her.

“Eager to go kill, aren’t you, my little Tynan?”

The clone – Tynan leapt down from the tank and slowly walked around the room. Shinji observed him from where he sat in the room. And it was very hard to deny much difference between him, and Tynan. Save for the color of Tynan’s eyes – they were dark purple.

“I’ll have you know, Little Snare – that Betrayer walked around this room just like he is now – with that same eager little gait and grin. And had it not been for that bastard little princess – she would have done what I cloned her to do. But Tynan won’t fail. He has no heart – and only a desire to kill.”

“Well, I guess I get to be one privileged few who can say they have actually met their evil twin.”

Yuzuha laughed.

“I can assure you – Tynan is far superior to you, Little Snare.”

The clone stopped pacing, so that it stood halfway between Shinji and Yuzuha.

“What is your name?”

“Tynan.”

He even has my voice…

“What is your mission?”

“Destroy the Betrayer.”

But he is not me…

“Who am I?”

“You are my master.”

But he is part me…

“And who is the boy in the cage?”

Tynan stalked over to the cage and reached towards Shinji and brushed a hand against his cheek.

“Father.”

Wake up Shinji – wake up wake up wake up!

Tynan drew sharp claw down Shinji’s cheek, slicing it as he drew away from the cage – and ceased to look so much like Shinji and more like Yuzuha.

Had Shinji ever seen Mayuka in her demon form before, he would have seen the resemblance perfectly. Tynan was covered in short dark purple fur, with various green markings.

What is it about me and purple?

“Impressed, Little Snare?”

            Shinji held his bleeding cheek and blinked, as Tynan seemed content to flex his clawed hands.

“Not really – Its nothing I haven’t really seen before. However – they didn’t address anyone as father.”

“I thought it a nice touch to let Tynan know where the other half of him comes from.” Yuzuha closed her eyes slightly and gave him a sadistic grin. “You really should thank me for that. Because that was the first and the last time you will be addressed as such.”

“I’d take a bet on that one, but you won’t be here to collect from.”

Yuzuha chuckled as she and Tynan vanished from the room.

“You better rethink your chances – Little Snare.”

And Shinji was alone.

He lowed his hand from his cheek and sighed. It still stung, but the bleeding had stopped. He sank to the floor. He had to get out of here. Fast.

****

Mayuka started out across the room slowly – and suddenly had the distinct feeling she was being watched. She shrugged it off and continued forward – and was promptly slammed into the ground from behind.

The – whatever – leapt off of her and flipped to stand in front of her as she rose to her feet. And she was instantly greeted by one of the most terrifying sights of her life. There was not much difference between the demon that stood before her and she, save this one was male. And it wore Shinji’s face.

“My god…”

“Betrayer – you betrayed master. You will die now.”

“Don’t count on it.”

As the creature charged her – Mayuka flipped back and launched herself out of the demon’s attack path.

“Missed me.”

Tynan growled and leapt up after her.

“Oh shit.”

Tynan grabbed her foot and stabbed his claws into her ankle before slamming her down to the ground. As Tynan came charging down she whipped her foot up and caught him in the chest, sending him flying towards the far wall, and allowing herself to regain her footing.

Mayuka leapt off on her good foot and charged after him, growling.

“You bastard….”

Tynan raced towards her and slammed his full body into her stomach, knocking the wind and the air out of her. And sent her plunging to the floor. He charged after her and kicked the small of her back, sending her racing upwards. She managed to turn over in time to meet his fist into her face, causing her head to swing back and she heard something snap.

She fell into the floor, which thankfully, did not shatter upon impact. Mayuka saw him land a few feet from her and start towards her. He picked her up by her chin and effortlessly lifted her up. He then began to move his hand inward, and she could hear her jaw start to crack.

Mayuka reached back with her leg and slammed her knee into his groin.

Tynan screamed and released her, giving her the chance to get some distance between them.

Didn’t like that, did you?

She pressed her hand against her jaw – thankfully, it wasn’t broken. Tynan was still slightly curled up in pain – she saw her chance and dove down towards him, slamming him into the ground in a fashion he had earlier used.

Mayuka leapt off of him and stared at him as he rose off the ground- clearly pissed.

She focused her hands together and in a flash, stared at her opponent from behind blazing blue light.

Tynan cackled, and instantly, he to stared back at her from behind blazing red light.

Mayuka swallowed softly.

“Now I find out if watching Star Wars all those times was actually helpful.”

****

“This is the most likely place for it to have happened. It’s far away enough from the main road and just far enough away for us to have know she was here.”

“Right. You take the right side of the road, Ryoko – I’ll take the left.”

Tenchi made his way through a few small bushes and came into a small clearing. And drew in a deep breath.

“Ryoko – come here. I’ve found it.”

She came over to stand next to Tenchi and stared down at the school bag lying on the ground. Most of its contents where spread around the small area. He bent down and picked up the bag itself. Its fastener had been slashed open – this no doubt was the reason for the mess in the clearing.

“It looks like he might have tried to defend himself with his bag.”

“I would have thought he would have run.”

“It does seem more logical. But remember – she is rather short.”

“But still.”

The two gathered up the belongings scattered around.

“There’s no blood – so we can assume he can’t be severely injured, if at all.”

“Is there anything missing?”

“I don’t think…wait…doesn’t he have an address book?”

“Yes he does…that’s not here?”

“No… its not. Nor is that book he borrowed from Mayuka…oh what is it called?”

Ryoko pulled a piece of paper stabbed against a blackberry bush.

“For the Love of Evil – by Piers Anthony.”

“What’s that?”

“The title page – with Mayuka’s name in the corner.”

“Why take those?”

“I don’t know Tenchi.” She added the small sheet of paper to the pile and stuffed into the bag. “I don’t know.”

****

Shinji slowly stood up and walked around the perimeter of the cage, looking for a latch, a door – something. When he looked down, he could have kicked himself. He was not walking on a metal floor, but the same floor that was on the rest of the room.

“It’s almost to easy, isn’t it?”

Shinji jerked around to find himself staring into a face he’d not seen in a year – a face he never expected to see again.

“Kaworu…. but…. you’re…dead.”

“So?”

Shinji backed away from that side of the cage.

“Are you going to kill me?”

“Why on earth would I do such a thing?”

“Because I killed you….”

“I asked you to destroy me – how is that killing me?”

“Did you – die?”
            “The body that was Kaworu Nagisa died. I, Tabris, still lived.”

“But you look like Kaworu…”

“That is because Kaworu was me. Did not each Ayanami appear the same – and were they not each their own Ayanami?”

“Yes…”

“Then the situation I am in is much the same.”

“But there is only one you.”

“Yes. Just as there is only one Mayuka, only one Shinji, and only one Tynan.”

“You know about Tynan?”

“Yes. I do.”

Shinji swallowed and took a small step forward.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh I thought I’d just drop by and say hello to an old friend and annoy that furry little troll that’s running around here someplace.”

Tabris chuckled softly – and Shinji managed a weak chuckle himself.

“You were thinking of escaping – or attempting to.”

“I don’t suppose I can lie to you, can I?”

“Now, why would you?”

“Good point.”

There was silence for a few moments before Tabris’s face grew serious.

“You really love her, don’t you, Shinji?”

Shinji slowly nodded.

“More than anything.”

Tabris smiled.

“She’s quite a phenomenal person, Mayuka – she lives with the knowledge of where she came from and what evil she was forced to do – and yet she endures with a light heart and a kind soul. But she is like you as well – fragile, but she hides her fragility behind indomitable strength.”

“Yes.”

“She’s not afraid to die for you, you know that, don’t you?”

"I don't want her to die for me. I didn't want you to die and I barely knew you. I certainly don't want the woman I love more than anything to die."

“Are you also aware she is willing to kill for you?”

“She…she’s what?”

“If it means killing both Tynan and her biological mother to keep you safe, she will.”

“That can’t be true….”

“It is. A year ago had Ayanami and Katsuragi tried to take you by force, she would have killed them. There is no great difference between angels and demons, Shinji. Save for the paths and masters we follow.”

“She’s not evil.”

“Evil and right are in the eyes and minds of those who judge. I do not judge her, no more than I judge you.”

“Is that forgiveness?”

“What is there to forgive?”

Shinji scratched the back of his head.

“I don’t suppose you could help me out of here?”

“Certainly.”

Shinji looked the cage over.

“Guess we just need to tip it on its side…”

He approached the bars nearest him and pushed against them. Tabris came around to that side and pulled forward – and took several steps back as the cage clattered to the floor. Shinji crawled out the bottom end of the cage.

“Thanks…” he looked around. Kaworu – Tabris…was gone. “How does he do that?”

****

Mayuka gritted her teeth and gave another step back. The best thing to say about this fight in her favor was she still had all of her appendages.  She ducked under Tynan’s swing only to have him catch her by the hair and hack a good portion of it off before throwing her against a wall.

She sank to the floor and her sword dissipated at Tynan grabbed her by the neck and hammered her into the wall again. She clawed up at his arm and managed to break free of his grasp.

“You won’t get away, Betrayer.”

Mayuka took off away from her opponent, looking over her shoulder. She knew there was no escape – she just needed time to plan.

Tynan charged across the room and threw his entire body weight into a single blow to the lower back that hurled her into the floor, shattering the glass.

“Finish it Tynan! Destroy her now!”

Mayuka blearily saw the form of Yuzuha watching them from a perch across the room and she tried to stand, only to be flipped over and find her sternum under the sharp-clawed foot to Tynan. Everything hurt. Her back. Her legs, her arms, and her chest – she was sure there wasn’t a part of her body that wasn’t injured.

Tynan leveled the glowing red sword to just below her eyes.

“Now Betrayer – you die.”

Yuzuha leapt of her perch and stared down into the girl’s eyes.

“Do you like feeling helpless?”

“It’s nothing I’ve not felt before.”

Yuzuha kicked the girl in the side of the face and Mayuka turned her head and spat out a mouthful of blood.

“I wonder – what will be the best way to inform your family of your demise?”

“With your head on a stick.”

Yuzuha kicked her again and the world went slightly blurry.

“What does it take to destroy you?”

“Pink sugary pop-tarts.”

Yuzuha kicked her again – harder than the previous two, and spots danced in front of her eyes. Tynan dug his foot deeper into her chest, curling his toes so his claws lashed into her flesh.

“And just so you know, Betrayer – I’ve already killed your beloved Shinji – I killed him before you came!”

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 6 (The Harrowing)

Mayuka stared upwards into Yuzuha’s eyes for a moment and then growled. She could feel the heat emanating from the blade Tynan welded mere inches from slamming into her cranial cavity.

“He’s dead as last Christmas, Betrayer – as dead as you’ll be in the next minute.”

Yuzuha backed away to admire the spectacular scene of Tynan destroying what had eluded her for so long.

“Finish this, Tynan.”

Dead. Shinji’s dead. He’s dead – dead. They killed Shinji he’s dead. They killed Shinji – killed – killed – dead – dead – killed. OH YOU FUCKERS ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!

Mayuka snarled and slammed her claws into Tynan’s ankle, the grabbed the foot in her hands and twisted with what strength she had.

Tynan screamed as Mayuka ripped his joints to pieces and shattered the bone faster than she would a plate – then hurled him off of her.

“WHAT?”

Mayuka lifted herself up with her arms, and stared at Tynan who came charging straight at her. She let out a feral snarl and charged at him on all fours. She slammed her body at full run into his legs, and she heard several snaps as Tynan flew into the far wall.

She leapt up off the ground and stared down at him. Yuzuha had vanished. Smart move on her part, Mayuka reflected as Tynan came up after her.

“I am FINISHED with playing games!”

She flung her hands out and flexed her claws and stared at her opponent, who floated a few yards from her, his claws also flexed. Tynan screamed and charged her. She dove out of the way at the last second and slammed her fists down into the small of his back, sending him towards the floor.

Mayuka charged after him and caught his arms before he reached the floor and flung him back up into the vaulted ceiling. She pushed off from the floor and raced up after her prey as he turned and charged towards her. She slammed her foot into his solar plexus sending him into the far wall.

Tynan slammed into wall and stared at his opponent watching him from across the room. He roared and shoved off from the wall and, catching her unprepared, left four long gashes across her stomach.

Mayuka crouched over in pain, but maintained her position and spat out a mouthful of blood. Her eyes were slightly blurry – but it was clear enough Tynan was mocking her. Mocking her with a laugh – a smile – a face – he had no right to possess.

She roared and charged straight for her quarry, seeing nothing, hearing nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat and the same line over and over in her mind.

Shinji is dead. They killed him. Shinji is dead.

Tynan didn’t know what hit him – he was aware of whom – but how he could have missed the hundred and fourteen pound ball of fury and fur slamming into him at an incredible speed – was something he couldn’t fathom.

Mayuka heard the snap of his sternum on impact and crushed him into the wall. But that wasn’t good enough. She slammed her fists and claws into his stomach – and the world took on a strange red haze. She would not remember much of the battle after that. She would not remember slashing Tynan’s chest cavity open. Nor would she remember whipping him around and shredding his back. Mayuka would not remember ripping Tynan’s face to shreds brutality screaming at the top of her lungs that he had no right to look like Shinji.

Mayuka would not even remember ignoring Tynan’s cry for mercy.

The only thing she would remember is backing away from a pile of battered, bleeding, quivering mass of flesh and fur. That could not even be identified as Tynan.

She kicked the mass of – stuff – and sneered.

“You should never try to surpass the original model.”

She let out a few heaving breaths and spat out another mouthful of blood as she turned, clutching her stomach. Of all her wounds, that one hurt the most. That and the pain in her heart. She staggered forward towards the door with a dull plodding movement.

I’m coming for you – Yuzuha – I’m coming to kill you. Like you killed Shinji. Like I killed Tynan.

****

Yuzuha screamed and grabbed her head. This was not happening – this was impossible! Tynan should have torn Mayuka limb from limb. Instead, Tynan had been sliced, diced, and flayed. She turned away from the screen and leapt down from her toy room into the science room, where she was holding Shinji.

“To hell with words, I’m killing him now!”

When she came into the room – she instantly knew something was different. Two things, actually – for one, there was a large gaping hole in the tank, spilling the fluid everywhere.

“What?”

She raced around to the other side of the ruined tank to find the cage on its side, its occupant gone.

“DAMN YOU! AND DAMN YOU TABRIS!”

****

Shinji slowly made his way into what was easily one of the largest rooms he had ever seen. The floor was wood, and he could not see the ceiling above him. Far in front of him was a tree that looked vaguely similar to Funaho. He heard a faint whistling sound and he jerked around expecting to see someone following him only to hear a light thud.

He turned around slowly and took a step back from the creature he saw lying on the floor, bleeding. Then he realized the creature was Mayuka.

She tried to lift herself up onto her arms, and promptly collapsed back onto the ground. Shinji knelt down beside her and carefully turned her over and looked into her face. He had seen injuries – but Mayuka was more than injured. Battered would be the best analogy. He was certain he hadn’t looked this bad when she had found him. The most grievous of these where the four long gashes in her chest – she coughed and a small trickle of blood came from her lips. He pulled off his uniform shirt and pressed it around her midsection, hoping it would slow the bleeding some. Instantly, a large red stain began to seep into the white cotton.

“Mayuka…Mayuka open your eyes – please.”

She heard the voice – Shinji? There was something else, something warm against the wounds on her stomach, and something pressing down, slowing the flow of blood. She slowly opened her eyes and focused.

“I must be dead.”

Shinji gave her a smiled and brushed her hair out of her face.

“Now why would you say that?”

“She said she killed you.”

“I’m not dead, I am quite alive.”

Mayuka coughed again and managed a tiny smile.

“If we were both dead – that wouldn’t be so bad either.”

Shinji shook his head, keeping one hand on the side of her face and stared down into her eyes.

“Mayuka – if you could form a serum that would give people the optimism you have – you’d never have to work another day of your life.”

She leaned against his knees and sighed.

“I feel terrible.”

“It probably feels worse than it looks.”

Mayuka chuckled softly.

“I look like hell.”

“No, that’s just where we are.” Shinji smiled and rubbed her arm softly – and realized, that like Tynan – she was also covered in very short, very fine, purple fur. “What happened?”

“I embraced my inner bitch. Keiko sure would scream herself into a fatal coronary, wouldn’t she?”

“Yeah, she would.” She looked down at the makeshift tourniquet Shinji had made from his shirt.

 “I think your shirt is beyond salvaging.”

“Better the shirt than you.”

She smiled weakly.

“When we get home – what do you say to a long nice nap together? To hell with what the adults say.”

Shinji smiled and twisted a few strands of her hair in his fingers.

“Sounds good to me.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “It won’t be long before she comes looking for us.”

“I know. I just want to rest for now.”

“Mayuka – where’s Tynan?”

“He’s dead. And don’t get all moralistic on me angel killer.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, demon-slayer.”

****

The sun was sinking behind the hills in a deep red shade. Ryoko leaned against the doorframe, watching the sky turn colors.

“How long has it been?”

“About three hours now, Ryoko.”

Tenchi came to stand next to his wife in the doorway.

“I hate not being able to help her.”

The phone rang out jarring the silence and Ryoko turned and answered it.

“Masaki residence”

“Hi Ryoko  - its me.”

She turned and faced Tenchi in the doorway.

“Hello Misato – what to we owe the honor?”

“Nothing. Ritzu, Asuka and I were talking, and we wanted to invite you all over to dinner on Friday, sort of a celebration of sorts for the first year.”

Ryoko managed a small chuckle.

“Well, lets see – are you going to be doing the cooking?”

Misato laughed indignantly.

“No, don’t worry –Ritzu and Asuka say they’ll cook if I do the dishes.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Hope so – say, is Shinji there? I’d like to talk to him.”

“Shinji? Um…hold on a second.”

She covered the receiver with her hand.

“She wants to talk to Shinji.”

“Tell her he’s asleep. So is Mayuka, if she asks.”

Ryoko nodded and put the phone back to her ear.

“You know what? He’s sleeping right now.”

“Already? Is Mayuka sleeping too?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Okay – don’t wake them – I’ll call tomorrow. Oh yeah – Asuka wants to know where to meet Mayuka tomorrow to give her Shinji’s homework.”

“Um...I am not sure if Mayuka will be in school tomorrow herself. She is pretty exhausted.”

“What’s wrong with them anyway?”

“Washu is still working that out herself, Misato.”

“I see. Well, just let them know I called.”

“Sure thing Misato.”

“Buh-bye.”

“Bye-bye.”

Ryoko hung the phone up quietly and sighed.

“She bought it – for now.”

“Ryoko – try to stay a little optimistic.” Tenchi came over and embraced her. “They’ll be home soon – just you wait.”

“You’re lying to yourself, Tenchi.”

Tenchi held her against him and rested his chin in her hair.

“Maybe I am – maybe its because I don’t want to be to worried – or let my worry show.”

“Tenchi?”

“I’m scared, Ryoko – I’ll admit it. I’m scared they won’t be coming back.”

“We have to stay strong Tenchi – and we have to keep telling ourselves they’ll be home soon. Maybe not for dinner – but definitely for breakfast.”

****

Shinji kept one hand in Mayuka’s hair, the other arm holding her to him. Safe – cradled in his arms.

“What are you thinking about?”

“One time – when I was really little – I got lost in the woods. I was so scared I would never find my way home. I sat down on the ground and started crying. And the next thing I knew – my grandpa – that is, Grandpa Noboyuki – came and picked me up and carried me home. By the time we got there, I was laughing again.”

“You were safe – you had reason to laugh.”

“I guess so.” Mayuka closed her eyes and coughed, bringing another trickle of blood down her chin. “I’m so tired…”

“Mayuka, don’t fall asleep…”

“So tired…”

She closed her eyes and pressed her face into his chest – her breathing remained slow and steady. Shinji swallowed and felt a tear slip down his cheek.

“Mayuka…”

“How touching.”

Shinji looked up and a few feet away from them, stood Tabris.

“You’re aren’t taking her.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve seen City of Angels . I know how this works. You aren’t taking her.”

Tabris blinked and came and crouched down beside them.

“That’s not my domain. I am not an angel of death. However I would prefer to preserve her life instead of take her to the next one."

“She’s dying?”

“You already knew that Shinji – you do not need my confirmation to tell you that.”

Shinji swallowed and pressed his face into her hair. The tears tricking down his cheek and streaming down to Mayuka’s face, the salty droplets making tiny rivers in the large stains of blood.

“Shinji – you can’t afford to cry now. We must get out of here.”

“I’m not leaving her.”

“Who said we were?”

Tabris rose to his feet and looked around.

“We haven’t much time. Can you carry her?”

“I think so…”

Shinji slowly stood and draped Mayuka’s upper body over his shoulder, and held onto her side.

“You all right?”

“She was right about the shoveling snow being good exercise.”

Tabris nodded.

“We must go. Now.”

They started forward into the darkness. Shinji was surprised Mayuka wasn’t heavier than she was. Granted, it wasn’t easy to carry her – far from it. But he didn’t mind that. They could get through this, he was sure of it.

“Confidence is good.”

“Are you reading my mind?”

“Perhaps I am. But perhaps it is also written on your face.”

Shinji managed a weak grin as a blast hit them from somewhere unseen. Knocking Mayuka from his arms – and both him and Tabris to the ground.

“Going so soon? I wouldn’t hear of it!”

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 7 (Purging of Shadows)

Shinji was the first to recover from the blow. He pushed himself up into a sit to see Yuzuha standing there, laughing. He looked over to see Tabris pulling himself to his feet and Mayuka slowly pulling herself up.

“Oh what fun…three people with death marks…lets see – who gets to die first?”

Yuzuha walked over to Mayuka and grabbed her by her hair.

“I think I’ll wait and kill you last – so you can watch your little friends die.”

Mayuka tried to focus – but the world was still spinning around her. Yuzuha flung her back down to the ground. Mayuka did not move after that. Yuzuha kicked her aside and started towards Tabris.

“May as well get the pesky little angel out of the way.”

She charged Tabris as full run. He ducked under her clawed punch and raced up towards the high ceiling. Yuzuha snarled and charge after him. Not to unlike Tynan had against Mayuka.

Shinji managed to crawl to where Mayuka was and turned her over.

“Mayuka?”

She slowly started to sit up; despite the fact the wounds on her stomach were bleeding again.

“I think I’ll be okay…” she looked off towards the battle. “Oh damn it.”

“Won’t his AT-Field protect him?”

“Not here.”

“WHAT?”

“He may be an angel – but his AT-Field won’t work here.”

Meanwhile, Tabris was rather lucky to avoid most of Yuzuha’s swings. But only one of his punches had landed. And that had only been a rather misguided one at that.  Currently, he and Yuzuha were circling each other slowly, each waiting for the other to attack.

“What’s the matter, Tabris? Afraid to fight a demon?”

“Could you not say the reverse, Yuzuha?”

Yuzuha growled and flung a beam of energy at him.

“Suck unholy fires you worthless bastard!”

Tabris was unable to move out of the way in time and the beam caught him directly below his sternum. The force sent him flying back into the near wall, and a snapping sound filled the room as he slid to the floor.

“Seems to me you’re a rather pathetic fighter, Tabris.”

She alighted to the floor and marched over to the couple who was huddled in the doorway. She leered down at them.

“I’m afraid your little angel friend is taking a nap. Don’t worry, he’s not dead – but will that matter when you will be by the time he wakes up?”

****

Ryoko poured herself and Tenchi another cup of coffee.

“Now what time is it?”

“Its almost two in the morning.”

Ryoko sat down and stared into her mug.

“Wasn’t it a year ago today Mayuka found Shinji?”

“Almost a year. A year tomorrow.”

“It’s been an insane year.”

Tenchi took a long sip of coffee.

“That it has.” He smiled slightly.

“What is it?”

“I’m remembering the time you and Mayuka came up to Kyoto when I was still in college. Do you remember that?”

“How can I forget? Nearly every man there was ogling me.”

“Who could blame them?”

“True. How old was she again?”

“She was a little over a year – already a little chatterbox.”

“It was sweet the way she called you daddy.”

Tenchi smiled and his eyes grew distant.

“Yes it was. She had her hair just a single ponytail back then, didn’t she?”

“Yes. With spikes going everywhere.”

“Because she wanted to have hair just like her mama’s.”

Ryoko set her mug down and rested her chin on her fist.

“I remember. It was hard to believe back then that she was going to grow up. While we where there, I was walking with this woman – she was a little older than you were. She said she studied biophysics. She was really very friendly. I can remember her hair was brown and her eyes were green. Said her name was Yui. Mayuka woke up and looked at her with those dark golden eyes of hers” Ryoko grinned. “She reached over and ruffled Mayuka’s hair. Told her she was going to be a little heartbreaker. I guess she was more or less right. I wonder what ever happened to that woman.”

“Did you know her last name?”

“No. Little Mayuka’s grown so much since then.”

“Yes she has. But I suppose she’ll always be that little heartbreaker, won’t she?”

“Yes she will.”

Tenchi set his mug down and held his face in his hands.

“Tenchi?”

“I hate this. I hate not knowing what’s going on. This is far worse than the night we all sat and waited for news about my father. We gave up hope five days before we got that phone call. This is so different. I just want her home.”

“We all want her home Tenchi.” Ryoko bit into her hand and a few tears trickled down her cheeks. “That demon bitch. Why couldn’t she just leave us in peace?”

Tenchi rose and pulled his wife into a fierce embrace.

“We had no way of knowing she was still alive. And Mayuka and Shinji will be coming home. We have to keep strong here for them. If we can’t stand with them there, than we must stand strong here.”

Ryoko nodded and her eyes distant.

“You remember when Mayuka told us she had changed her mind what she wanted to be when she grew up?”

“Which time?”

“The time she said she no longer wanted to be a bounty hunter.”

Tenchi chuckled.

“I remember. She didn’t want to turn you in.”

“It was cute.”

“It was more than cute.”

Tenchi hugged her tightly and turned her around gently.

“She and Shinji will be home soon.”

“Yes. Tired and hungry probably – but they will be home soon.” Ryoko slowly got one of her mischievous smiles. “And as soon as she’s feeling up to it, Mayuka is going to get a lecture in listening to her parents.”

Tenchi laughed and then he kissed her.

****

Yuzuha looked from one to the other.

“I bet you were counting on him to save the two of you. Just like that bitch Ayeka saved your father and that woman Ryoko the last time. Weren’t you?”

Mayuka shook her head fiercely.

“Yes you were. Stop lying!” Yuzuha lashed out and slapped her across the face, adding four scratches across her face. “You always were a disappointment. I should have left that heart out of you when I first created you and just made you mindless instead!”

Mayuka spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Bitch.”

Yuzuha grasped Mayuka by the scruff of her neck and flung her into the floor with a sickening crunch. She laughed and charged towards her and, for what was around the tenth time that day; Mayuka had someone pound his or her full body weight into the small of her back. She was surprised her spine hadn’t shattered yet. She slowly rose to her feet only to have Yuzuha’s slam into her face.

“Gad, don’t you ever wash your feet?”

Yuzuha sank her claws into Mayuka’s back and hurled her across the room, slamming her into the floor.

“And stay down you little bitch.”          

She smirked and strode over to Shinji who had risen to his feet. He backed away as she approached.

“Don’t think you can get away. There is no escape.”

He looked to his left – Tabris was still lying in a huddle. He looked to his right – Mayuka was lying prone on the floor – moving very slightly.

Yuzuha reached out and grabbed him by the chin.

“I’m afraid your little angel friend and your little demon lover are no longer able to help you. What is it that they see in you? You’re just another one of those worthless humans. You aren’t even all that special! What is it that makes them willing to kill for someone as worthless, as scrawny, as pathetic as you? I could understand if you were something special – but you’re just a piece of shit!”

Shinji drew back his knee and slammed it as hard as he could into her stomach. Yuzuha screamed and slashed his face and dropped him.

“Damn you!”

She took another swing at him and hacked at his arm.

Shinji backed up slightly clutching his arm.

“Perhaps there is more to you than a sniveling little weakling.”

Shinji ducked under her next swing, but was rewarded with a kick in the back.  He staggered to his feet as she came flying towards him and slammed her fist under his chin and sent him a few feet away from Mayuka.

“Leave him alone. I’m the one you want dead….”

Mayuka had pulled herself to her arms and stared at the woman.

“Let him go. Kill me I’m the one you want to see dead!”

“Mayuka…don’t do this…”

Yuzuha cackled and lifted Shinji up effortlessly and the two floated a good seven feet in the air.

“Quite a noble little Abomination. Offering to die so that you can be free. I think – I’ll kill you first – so she can have the privilege of watching the one she loves die a slow and painful death!”
“No…”

Shinji tried to break free from the woman’s grasp, only to have her wrap her hands around his neck.

“Time to die, Little Snare!”

She dug her claws into the back of Shinji’s neck as she squeezed, forcing her thumbs into his trachea.

Mayuka rose to her feet, soaked in blood willing her body to try and move further.       

Grandpa is over 700 years old. He lives because Funaho lives. Just as Sasami will always live because Tsunami can never die. If you destroy the tree, you destroy the soul.

Mayuka threw her head back and let out a blood curdling, animalistic, carnal scream. She swung her arm out and instantly, the flash of blue appeared in her hand and she raced full gallop towards the tree less than twenty yards away. Yuzuha took one look at her and judged her actions.

“NO!”

She threw Shinji down and raced after the girl.

“NO!!!!”
Yuzuha reached out and lashed at Mayuka’s legs and managed to cause ten large gashes down her back before Mayuka threw her off and swung through the massive trunk of the tree, severing it in half.

She raced back full flight towards Shinji and caught his hand and then Tabris’s as she heard the screaming of the dying Yuzuha behind her.

“WHY? WHY DID YOU DO IT LITTLE MAYUKA? I’M YOUR MOTHER!”

“No, no you’re not. You were never my mother. You were the woman who created me. Nothing more.”

Shinji was the only person who was completely aware of what happened next. Tabris woke up and vanished. There was another flash – and then he found himself lying on dust in the side yard of the house.

He was able to sit up – despite the pain in his arm and in his face. He took a few deep breaths and turned to see a very bloody and very battered Mayuka lying next to him.

“Oh my god….” He dragged himself over to her and pulled her to him. She had wounds nearly everywhere. There were ten lacerations on her back, four more across her middle, and more on various parts of her body. So grievous were her wounds that he failed to realize that in addition to all this, she was completely naked. “Mayuka?”

Her eyes snapped open and she coughed out several mouthfuls of blood.

“Are…we…?”

“We’re home…” he raised his head and screamed towards the door. “HELP!”

The door slammed open and Tenchi and Ryoko were greeted by the sight of their daughter covered in blood, and a semi-soaked Shinji staring up at them.

“Dear god…

****

Mayuka slowly opened her eyes and set her hand on the wrist against her cheek. She shifted her gaze to stare into a very relieved face. Shinji’s.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself.”

She looked at the few bandages he sported, one on his arm and another on his cheek.

“You all right?”

“Much better now that you’re awake. How do you feel?”

Mayuka let out a spluttering cough.

“Probably the same way carrots in a blender feel after a few minutes on frappe .”

Shinji chuckled.

“Can I have my wrist back?

“Sure.” She let his wrist go and settled her arm back down against her bandaged chest. “How long have I been sleeping?”

“A few days. It’s already Friday.”

“How long were we gone?”

“About twelve hours.”

“And I’ve been asleep all this time?”

“Uh huh.”

“And how long have you been here?”

“Since this morning.”

Shinji set the cloth he had been holding back onto the tray by the bedside.

“Seems familiar.”

“Last time the roles where reversed. Do you know who you are?”

“Of course I do…my name is…do you know who I am?”

He smiled and moved from sitting on the chair to sitting on the bed, one arm over her, brushing against her cheek.

“Well, lets see.” Shinji looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled. “Of course – you’re the one I love.” He leaned down and kissed her very softly. “Does that answer your question, Mayuka?”

“I suppose so. The bad dreams are gone.”

“Yes they are. No more bad dreams.”

“Mayuka…”

“Yes?”

“You dropped something?”

“What?”

Shinji pulled the small silver engagement ring form his pocket.

“I guess you didn’t want to lose it.”

Mayuka blushed as Shinji slipped it back onto her finger.

“Aren’t mad are you?”

“Of course not.”

Mayuka smiled and gently rubbed the top of his hand with hers.

“What is it?”

“You owe me a nap.”

“But what about?”

“Oh who cares what they say. I’ve not seen you for three days and you owe me a nap.”

Shinji chuckled as Mayuka scooted over to create more room on the bed.

“Since you insist…” He lay down and stretched out next to her. She pressed her face against his chest and sighed contentedly as he draped an arm protectively over her.

“Comfy?”

“Yes. You?”

“Uh huh.”

Shinji kissed her forehead softly as he slowly fell towards sleep.

“Mayuka – I love you.”

She smiled and rubbed her cheek against him.

“I love you too, Shinji.”

Mayuka closed her eyes and drifted off into a deep, dreamless slumber. Shinji soon joined her.

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 8 (Recovery of the Heart)

Misato made a wide turn left onto the dirt road and slammed her foot on the accelerator as she roared down the road.

“Misato – the legal speed on this road is fifteen miles per hour – you’re going ninety!”

“SHAD UP Ritzu! I am stick of the lies they’re giving us about Mayuka and Shinji being asleep. I want answers, and I want them NOW!”

She screeched to a halt in the courtyard and turned the car off.

Asuka got out of the crash position and looked up.

“Is it safe now?”

“I think so Asuka.” Ritziko slowly opened the door and waited for the world to stop spinning before she stood up.

“I wasn’t driving that fast. Now hurry up you two.”

Asuka leaned against the car and blinked a few times.

“Ritzu…please get the keys from her before we go home….”

Ritziko shut her door and took a few steps forward.

“I’ll try.”

Misato charged up onto the porch and stuck her finger on the door buzzer.

“Open this door. Right now. I know you’re in there!”

“Misato – for god’s sake take your hand off the buzzer.”

Misato complied as the door swung open. Ryoko stood there.

“If you have something to sell, we aren’t interested.”

“Cut the crap Ryoko – we’re here to see Shinji.”

Ryoko stepped out of the doorway.

“Have a seat in the family room. He and Mayuka will be right down.”

Ritziko and Asuka sat down on the couch while Misato paced.

“So what’s happened? Those two idiots actually elope this time? Ten to one this whole nightmare thing has been a lie and they’ve just been screwing each other like rabbits.”

Asuka rolled her eyes while Misato continued to pace.

“Misato – I tend to believe the fact that they have not had much sleep. You haven’t seen them recently. Mayuka looked like the living dead. As for Shinji, I can’t say.”

“The same could be said for Shinji, Ritzu – he looked terrible on Tuesday.”

Misato paused in her trek behind the couch.

“What’s taking them so long? SHINJI! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!”

Ryoko leaned out the doorway and called upstairs.

“Are you two coming?”

“Yes, Ryoko – just give us a few minutes on these stairs.”

Mayuka draped her arm over Shinji’s shoulders and stared down at the flight of stairs.

“Misato sounds pissed.”

“Not surprised.”

Shinji kept one arm around her waist and the other holding her arm as they started slowly down the stairs.

Tenchi came in the side door and stood behind the vacant couch as Ryoko also came into the room. Misato turned on her heel as she heard the two come to the bottom of the stairs and start into the room.

“All right now what the fuck has been going….” She trailed off and stared at Shinji and Mayuka as Ritziko’s and Asuka’s jaws smashed into the floor.

Shinji helped Mayuka sit down on the couch before he sat down next to her, holding her hand. To put it mildly, they both looked like shit. Mayuka more so. Her face had a slightly haggard look to it, and there was also bruising all along her jawbone. In addition to this, it was apparent nearly her entire torso was wrapped in bandages, as was one of her ankles, and both of her wrists. Shinji had a huge bruise on his chin, coupled with several tiny scratches. There was also bruising on his neck and a bandage on one of his arms.

"If you to got into that Sadomasochistic stuff, you deserve what you got."

“MISATO!”

Mayuka narrowed her eyes.

“If I didn’t feel like shit, I’d knock you into the middle of next week for that remark.”

Ritziko folded her arms.

“Misato, sit down.”

“What?”

“Sit down. You’re not helping anyone by throwing accusations at the two of them.”

Misato huffed and sat down next to Asuka, her eyes still glaring at the two across the room. Ritziko took a calming breath and turned towards Tenchi.

“Now, what exactly has happened to these two?”

Tenchi sighed and came to stand directly behind the couch.

“Well, it turns out Yuzuha wasn’t dead.”

“What?”

“She wasn’t dead.”

“Is she dead now?”

“Yes. She is very dead.”

Misato drew in a sharp breath as Ritziko began to speak again.

“I take it she was responsible for the nightmares Shinji and Mayuka were experiencing.”

“Yes she was.”

Washu came into the room.

“Yuzuha had been waiting to find a way to kill Mayuka. Possibly for a very long time – given what Mayuka and Shinji both told me, perhaps all of her life. She used the nightmare technique to weaken them and then, on Tuesday she kidnapped Shinji and used him as bait for a trap.”

Mayuka sniffled and set her head on Shinji’s shoulder as Washu continued.

“Mayuka went in after him.”

Asuka frowned.

“Did Yuzuha do all the maiming?”

“No.” Mayuka said. “Tynan did most of the damage against me.”

Misato narrowed her eyes.

“Who’s Tynan?”

“What kind of explanation do you want for that?” This was Shinji.

“The truth would be good.” Asuka again.

Shinji cleared his throat.

“The easiest way to describe Tynan is that he was the genetically created life form using both mine and Yuzuha’s DNA. Yuzuha created him almost exactly as she created Mayuka.”;;;;;;

Misato raised her eyebrows.

“I take it this Tynan is dead.”

“He is very dead Misato.” Mayuka swallowed. “I know he’s dead because I killed him with my bare hands.”

The room went dead silent for a full minute until Asuka broke it.

“You killed him with your bare hands?”

“Yes I did.”

“Because?”

“Yuzuha created him to kill me. Only one of us would walk away from battle. It was he or I.”

“So you killed him?”

“Yes Misato – I killed him. What’s the matter? You not killed anyone before?”

Misato swallowed as Shinji set a hand over Mayuka’s.

“There’s something else, isn’t there?” Asked Ritziko.

Shinji nodded.

“Tabris was there.”

Asuka arched an eyebrow.

“Tabris?”

“Alias Kaworu Nagisa.”

“AN ANGEL WAS THERE?”

Shinji nodded.

“Yes he was there.”

“Where is he now?”

“I don’t know Misato. I assume he went back to wherever he came from.”

“He won’t be back Misato – so you can ditch the homicidal look right now.”

Asuka got a puzzled look on her face.

“Mayuka? Did you also kill Yuzuha?”

“Indirectly. I sliced her tree in half.”

“And that killed her?”

“Yes.”

Ritziko looked thoughtful.

“So, Mayuka slew two demons and got grievously wounded in the process, and Shinji was hurt in the battle as well.”

“In a nutshell, that’s exactly what happened.”

****

Shinji and Asuka sat down on the edge the dock, their bare feet dangling in the water. Mayuka was upstairs sleeping, while the adults talked inside.

“It’s been a year.”

“One full year since – since I first met her.”

“It’s a bit of a reverse this time around. Instead of her helping Shinji, its Shinji helping Mayuka.”

“She’s gotten a lot better.”

“I’ll bet she has. It’s been a good year.”

“That it has.”

Asuka stared into the water for a moment, swirling her foot around in a slow circle.

“Shinji?”

“Hm?”

“About Tabris…was he angry or anything?”

“Only towards Yuzuha. I half expected him to kill me when I first saw him. He called me his friend. I’d killed him and he still called me his friend.”

“He said you were his friend?”

“Yes.”

“I think he understood that at the time, you didn’t have a choice about killing him. It was either him, or the rest of the world. He probably knew it was a hard decision on your part. But I’ll bet you anything he knew that afterwards, you’d run and you’d find your way here.”

Shinji stared at the red-haired girl.

“You really think so?”

“Yup. That’s why he wanted you to do it. Not only would you save the world, in the end, you would save yourself.”

****

Misato held the mug tightly in her hands and stared at Ryoko.

“How you could you have hidden this for so long. For three whole days.”

“Oh and what did you want to hear Misato? That Shinji and Mayuka had just literally gone through hell and Mayuka was in danger of dying? Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Misato shook her head – but Ryoko kept right on going.

“You want to hear how Shinji spend all three of those nights crying in fear that Mayuka would die? You want to hear how we came out on that porch and I found my daughter lying on the ground drenched in her own blood? You want to hear how it was a miracle Washu was able to save her?”

Misato stood up.

“You should have told me they were all right!”

“I DID.”

“YOU LIED.”

“When I told you they were all right, who were you to know I was lying?”
“That doesn’t change anything!”

“Do you have any idea of the internal damage those to have sustained? Mentally?”

“That can’t be anything like …”

“Shut up Misato. For all your angel-killing ways you have no idea the kind of impact this has had on those two.”

“How so?”

“I’ll tell you why – Mayuka killed her biological mother and for all intents – she killed her half brother as well. And that creature – Tynan – identified Shinji as his father. Shinji may have known the purpose of Tynan – but do you think that’s not going to haunt him for a while?”

Misato sighed.

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sorry I got angry. I was just concerned for them. You understand.”

Ryoko’s face softened a little.

“Yes I do.”

“Are they going to be all right now?”

“Physically? Yes. Emotionally – they were never all right to begin with.”

Misato cracked a grin as Ryoko started to chuckle.

****

The group sat down to dinner, Mayuka was still absent.

“She’s still asleep.”

“That’s to bad Shinji – guess you’ll just have to spoon feed her later.”

Shinji blushed as Misato chuckled.

“Well, its only fair – Mayuka did spoon feed him last year.”

Washu cackled and shoved a large mass of noodles into her mouth while Shinji turned crimson.

“And they barely knew each other? That’s so sweet!”

“Isn’t it Asuka? I think it’s adorable.”

Shinji found the bottom of his bowl fascinating as the conversation ceased to be about him and Mayuka and turn towards Ritziko and her students.

He looked up to see Washu give him a smile. He nodded slightly and went back to eating.

****

After Misato and the others left, Shinji made his way slowly up the stairs with a tray containing a bowl of soup and quietly entered Mayuka’s room. He set the tray down on the bedside table as Mayuka slowly turned over and yawned.

“Good evening.”

Mayuka smiled.

“Good evening. Did I miss dinner?”

“Afraid so. But I’ve brought you some soup.”

Mayuka watched him warily.

“You aren’t going to feed me are you?”

“Turn about is fair play, I think.”

Mayuka pushed herself up to a sit.

“I can do this myself, you know.”

“I insist.”

Mayuka shrugged and moved her pillows up so she could lean against them while Shinji pulled a chair closer to the bed and picked up the bowl and the spoon.

“This is so embarrassing.”

“Imagine how I felt a year ago. And I didn’t even know you then.”

“You didn’t have much of a choice, your hands were wrapped up.”

“True. I must admit looking back it was sort of pleasant.”

Before she could answer him back, Shinji stuck the spoon full of soup into her mouth, cutting off her next retort.

“What did you say?”

Shinji returned the spoon to the bowl.

“I suppose this is fun for you.”

He chuckled and lifted the spoon back to her lips. She slowly drank it from the spoon.

“It is rather sweet – and it’s the least I can do.”

“For what?”

Shinji brought the spoon back to her mouth.

“For everything.”

Mayuka smiled and swallowed more of the soup.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Mayuka. You want any more?”

“No – no thank you.”

Shinji set the bowl down and sat down on the edge of the bed and took Mayuka’s hands in his.

“You’re welcome.” He swallowed and squeezed her hands lightly. “I’m glad you woke up.”

“It’s nice to be awake.”

Shinji reached out and brushed her forehead.

“I was so scared Mayuka –scared that you would die.” He swallowed. “Washu wasn’t entirely sure you would make it. But you did. And it just reawakened how much you mean to me.” He smiled and leaned down and stared into her eyes. “If I could – I’d marry you this very night – school, age, and adults be damned.”

Mayuka smiled softly at him.

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be much fun if we could.”

They both chuckled and Shinji kissed the tip of her nose.

“There’s just one thing more I could ask of you.”

“What’s that?”

Shinji leaned down so his forehead rested on hers.

“Make sure all of our children have the same blue-eyed optimism you have.”

“As long as you’ll be there to help.”

“I’ll always be there…my love.”

And with that, he pressed his lips to hers.

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 9 (Worthy of Love)

Mayuka slowly came down the stairs. It had been almost two weeks since the ordeal. Although she was more or less healed up, she was still not in much condition to do much of anything. Aunt Sasami had come for the summer a few days ago, so that helped greatly on many levels. 

When she heard about what Shinji and Mayuka had gone through, she went ballistic. However, after she calmed down, she was more or less relieved. Now things had settled down to almost normal. Mayuka came into the kitchen and hoisted herself up onto a stool.

“You have a good nap?”

“Yes Aunt Sasami. Though I am getting sick of them.”

“Oh come on. It can’t be all that bad.”

“Yeah. Its a lot more comfortable here than it would be sleeping through organic.”

Sasami laughed

“I can imagine.”

Mayuka slowly stretched her arms up and winced when she felt the stitches pull and lowered her arms. 

“You okay?”

“Yeah. I hate these damn stitches.”

“It could be worse.”

“True.”

Sasami dumped some chopped garlic into the pressure cooker.

“So have you and Shinji set a date yet?”

Mayuka looked around the room.

“Oh…Saturday.”

Sasami took one look at her niece and started laughing.

“You mean you wish it was Saturday.”

Mayuka scratched her nose.

“Yeah.”

“Well, if it was this Saturday, you know my mother and sister would be up in arms.”

“I’ll say. Aunt Ayeka would probably cart me off so Shinji and I wouldn’t see each other until then.”

“I won’t argue with you on that one. My mother would probably throw a fit – she’d have to start out today to make it here in time.”

“She’d never forgive us.”

“I don’t know about that. She, as well as nearly the rest of the family thinks you two are such a cute couple.”

“Nearly? Don’t tell me Grandfather Azusa has a problem with us…”

“Not really – just another one of ‘Yosho’s damn defiant strains’ acting up again.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah. You know how he is.”

“Barely – I haven’t seen him since I was seven.”

“Was it that long ago?”

“I think it was…”

Sasami leaned against the counter.

“So are you going to go meet Shinji?”

“I was thinking about it.”

“Were you now? And just how do you plan to get there?”

“On foot.”

“You can’t walk six miles.”

“I know that. So I’ll meet him about halfway.”

“A sensible plan. Go on…won’t do you any good sitting here.”

“Gotcha. Later Aunt Sasami.”

“Take care Mayuka.”

She hopped off the stool and went and put her shoes on.

****

A paper airplane sailed through the air before crashing in the seat behind him and a small kid ran to retrieve it. Just another Monday afternoon on the bus. Shinji stuffed his assignment stack back into his bag and sighed. He just hoped everyone would leave him alone as they had for most of the past few days.

Shinji leaned against the window and smiled. It’d been over a year since he came here. And he had found a new life – a new everything.  The sound of a bump on the seat and two gangly arms throwing themselves around him snapped him out of his reverie.

“SHINJI! Hiiiiiii.”

Shinji felt his cheeks go pink.

“Hi Keiko.”

Ever the determined, Keiko put her head on his shoulder and looked up at him with a puppy-dog face.

“Did that nasty little Masaki bitch go off and leave you all alone?”

“Ikari must have fucked her to death.”

The bus let out a collective gasp as Trunks leapt up from his seat and slammed his whole body weight into Kaga’s stomach. And then continued to, well – kick his ass.

Keiko giggled and snuggled closer to Shinji.

“Shinji wouldn’t sleep with that piece of trash, would you Shinji?”

“Keiko…. get off me.”

“Aww…I’m way better than she is. You just don’t know it yet.”

Shinji gritted his teeth and shut his eyes.

“Get off me now. I’m engaged.”

Keiko giggled and kissed his neck.

“Engagements can be broken.”

“Mayuka is prettier than you are. And better behaved in public.”

Keiko pulled back and stared at him.

“You can’t mean that….” She pouted. “Say you’re just teasing.”

“She also is smarter than you can ever hope to be. Being Miss Thing one minute and Miss Coy the next doesn’t work with me. Maybe on some brain dead and self-absorbed idiot, but not on me – now, pick up your stupid little self up and go sit in the back of the damn bus and stay the hell away from me. You narcissistic, supercilious, dense little gutter trollop!”

“Huh?”

Tommoe spoke up.

“He just called you a self-absorbed, stuck-up, stupid little whore!”

“WHAT?”

Keiko spun on her heel and charged into the back of the bus.

“DAMN YOU TOMMOE!”

Shinji straightened his jacked and ran a hand through his hair.

What a stupid little bitch she is.

Trunks leaned over the back of the seat and grinned at him.

“Good insult Ikari.”

“Thanks Trunks. I really don’t like her.”

“Who does?”

“She does.”

“Guess so. Say – how is Mayuka feeling anyway?”

“She’s a lot better.”

“That’s good.”

The bus came to Shinji’s stop.

“See you tomorrow Ikari.”

“Yeah.”

Shinji went up the isle and exited the bus. He looked over his shoulder, sure enough, Keiko was plastered the back window, staring at him and making puppy dog faces as the bus pulled away.

“Sheesh…. what an idiot.”

He turned on his heel and started down the dirt road.

****

Mayuka sat down in the soft grass and rested her head on her knees. Even though she knew the hill was nearly two miles out, it seemed a lot further. She let out a deep breath and leaned back on her hands and stared up at the sky for a few minutes. She smiled and drew in a deep breath of the spring air as a warm breeze brushed past her.

“Is this a private party or may I join you?”

Mayuka lowered her face and grinned at Shinji.

“Of course you may join – just no one else can.”

Shinji stepped off the path and set his bag down before sitting next to her.

“So, how was school today?”

“Boring as always. However, the bus ride home was a nightmare.”

“How so?”

Shinji sighed and rubbed his eyes.

“Trouble from both Kaga and Keiko.”

“Don’t tell me they ganged up on you.”

“They sort of did.”

“Who was worse?”

“Physically, Keiko – but what Kaga said really pissed me off.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, he said the reason you’ve not been around is because…” Shinji blushed slightly. “Is because I fucked you to death.”

Mayuka’s eyes widened.

“Please tell me someone beat the shit out of him.”

“Trunks did.”                                                                                                        

“Good. Saves me the trouble of ripping his voice box out.”

“Keiko’s still fair game.”

“She make a pass at you?”

Shinji’s eyes rolled slightly.

“Understatement.”

Mayuka’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“She do her little clinging act again?”

“Amplified.”

“Amplified? What did she do?”

Shinji lowered his head slightly and stared across the road.

“She did the usual jumping in the seat and grabbing my arm. However, since there was now more room in the seat, she managed to push me against the side of the bus – and well, started to nuzzle up against me.”

“Did she kiss you?”

Shinji blushed.

“She did. And from the look on your face – I’d say it was someplace other than your face.”

“And what happened then?”

“I told her off. I just wish she’d get the point.”

Mayuka moved a little closer to him and wrapped her arm around his waist.

“She better. I never was good at sharing.” She smiled slyly. “And I defiantly do not share things that are mine.”        

Mayuka leaned over and kissed Shinji rather intensely. Shinji smiled under the kiss and wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss as he returned it.

Shinji laid down on the grass, breaking the kiss and pulling Mayuka with him so that her head rested on his chest, her arm draped over his middle. He kept one hand on her arm and the other on her back.

“The way you kiss I’d be a fool to look elsewhere.”

Mayuka chuckled softly.

“I love you, you know that Shinji?”

“Uh huh. I love you too.”

Mayuka rubbed her cheek against him gently.

“You’re shameless, you know that Mayuka?”

“Around you I’m shameless. Must be something about you.”

“So what did you do today?”

“Not much. Helped Aunt Sasami start dinner, did my homework, then I took a nap, and now I’m here.”

“It’s a good thing the University is letting you finish classes on your own rather than forcing you to take another semester.”

“Yeah. And I’ll say this, Nana  ‘Shu makes things in Organic a lot more interesting than that old man Fugisawa ever did.”

“Incur any teasing today?”

“Don’t we always. Aunt Sasami asked when the wedding was.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her it was this Saturday.”

Shinji grinned.

“What did she say?”

“That I wished it was Saturday.”

“And she was right.”

Mayuka chuckled softly.

“So do you.”

“Well…I guess so.”

“You guess?”

“Come on – you know I am only giving you a hard time.”

“Yeah I know. Same here.”

“So you must be feeling better today.”

“I am. I’m feeling a lot better.”

“That’s good. Nothing permanent?”

“Other than the light scaring I’ll have on my back – nothing.”

****

Sasami set the pan down on the stove and turned to Ryoko.

“You really think we can pull this off without them finding out?”

“Sure we can. We just need to get Mayuka out of the house for a few hours.”

“And how do you propose we do that?”

“Hm…easy. We send her into town with Tenchi for a while.”

“She won’t suspect anything?”

“Of course not. As long as those ladies in Okayama say nothing, we should be able to pull this off, no sweat.”

“If you say so Ryoko.”

****

Shinji sighed contentedly and gently ran his hand slowly up and down Mayuka’s back. Mayuka snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes.

“That feels nice.”

“Uh huh.”

“It’s a beautiful day.”

“That is it. It’d be great if every day this summer was like this.”

“We’d need rain every now and then.”

“True. Rain only at night. During the day – its sunny – all of them, like this.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“When was the last time we met out here?”

“A while ago – last semester I think.”

“We really should do this more often.”

“True. But if we did this often, it wouldn’t be as special.”

“Point. But perhaps we ought to just do this once a month – that way, it’s not to often – just often enough.”

Mayuka moved to lie down in the grass next to him, her head on his shoulder.

“Sounds just about perfect.”

Shinji rubbed the small of her back very carefully and smiled at her.

“You sure look cute when you look like that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“You always look cute. Except for the times when you look handsome.”

“And that would be?”

“Just about always.”

“Now you’re lying.”

“Why would I lie?”

“You only lie when you want something.”

“Really?”

“Not that it’s always a bad thing.”

Shinji raised himself up on his arms and bent down and kissed the side of her neck.

“In fact…” He raised his head and stared down into her eyes. “It’s one of your little peculiarities that I like.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Shinji chuckled and brought his face down close to hers.

“Right now? It means shut up so I can kiss you.”

With that, he brought his lips down to encompass hers and pulled her into a languidly deep kiss.

****

Tenchi stared down at the shoshi board, his brow furrowed in thought.

“You seem preoccupied today.”

“It’s been a long couple of weeks, grandpa.”

Yosho folded his arms and stared at his grandson, who, once again, was losing.

“That is not deniable.”

“I was worried – scared. Scared that Mayuka wouldn’t make it - And if that happened…”

Tenchi swallowed and closed his eyes.

“Do not dwell on what might have been. Focus only on the present and the future.”

Tenchi nodded and stared back down at the board.

“Its nice having Shinji here. It’s made a difference in all of us.”

“That it has. It’s been good for everyone.”

“Especially Mayuka.”

Yosho nodded.

“She has grown into quite the young woman.”

Tenchi chuckled and moved a tile.

“But it’s still hard to think of her as anything but a little girl in pigtails at times.”

“Her heart may be light like a child’s – but it carries the heavy burdens of a woman who has seen much. That is why she retains her optimism and her happy nature. If she gave into the sorrow that she has known, she would not be as she is now.”

Yosho moved a tile.

Tenchi sighed.

“I suppose you’re right. And once more – you’ve won.”

****

Shinji slowly pulled away from the kiss and pulled Mayuka into a gentle embrace. He had known her for over a year – and there was very little they hadn’t gone through yet. And they had made it through. Together. They were still together after all of it. It seemed impossible, almost. But it had been worth it. All the pain and anguish had been worth it if that’s what it took to keep them together. A small price to pay for happiness – to pay for love.

He gently ran his hand up and down her spine and sighed contentedly.

Mayuka rested her head against his shoulder and snuggled closer to him. She didn’t care if anyone drove down the road and saw them – she didn’t care what they saw or what they thought. It didn’t matter. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing wrong. For all the torment she and Shinji had to endure, it was times like these that made agony worth it.  Pleasure does not come without pain. And pain can be dealt with.

She raised her head and stared down into his eyes and smiled.

“You know what I hate?”

“What?”

“Waiting.”

Shinji chuckled and pulled face closer to his.

“You know what they say – good things come to those who wait.”

And with that, he kissed her again.

Savage Overture IIIa - Chapter 10 (The Big Get Together)

“So this is a big family thing, huh?”

“Big is an understatement, Shinji. And the only reason they’re coming here instead of us going there is because of you know what.”

“Does this mean we have to wear those damn robes?”

“Yup. But just for Friday night.”

“So its just Ms. Ayeka, Mr. Narmer, Lady Misaki and Lady Funaho?”

“And – Grandfather Azusa.”

“Who?”

“Grandfather Azusa. The emperor of Jurai.”

“What time are they supposed to arrive?”

“A little after four. Sasami and I are taking care of dinner, so don’t worry about that.”

It was Thursday afternoon and Mayuka and Shinji were sitting out on the dock watching the sun sink behind the hills. On Monday, Mayuka would be back to school. She leaned against Shinji’s shoulder, his arm around her.

“So that’s twelve people for dinner tomorrow.”

“We’ve had bigger crowds.”

“True. Anything I should know before meeting your Grandfather Azusa?”

“Well, he’s a good ruler – but when it comes to this family – he has no power at all.”

“Meaning?”

“It means while the monarchy is patriarchal, the real power lies in the matriarchs”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“That’s how grandpa got out of his arranged marriage – hell, that’s how everyone’s gotten out of arranged marriages.”

“I have a question.”

“What?”

“Well, I know that grandpa has long hair, and your father’s hair is sort of long – and given the fact that you said you were going to let your hair grow…. do I have to have long hair too?”

“Nope. Not unless you want to.”

“Um…maybe I’ll grow it like Kaji’s, what do you think?”

“Good idea.”

“Hey you two, dinner time!”

“Coming Aunt Sasami.”

****   

Shinji sighed as rounded the corner and came into sight of the house. He smiled. It seemed that no matter how bad the day had been – the sight of that house cheered him up immediately. He quickened his pace and raced down the remaining distance. For once, he was running for a reason other than escape.  He hurried up the porch and swung the door open. It was four-fifteen.

“I’m home.”

Mayuka’s voice carried out from the kitchen.

“Welcome home.”

Shinji pulled off his shoes and walked down to the kitchen. Sasami was absent, so it was just Mayuka chopping vegetables.

“They here yet?”

“Aunt Ayeka and Uncle Narmer are.”

“They upstairs?”

“Yeah. They’re napping.”

“You want some help?”

“Sure. Could you check the oven and make sure that the fish isn’t burning?”

“Certainly.”

Shinji bent down and glanced in the oven while Mayuka kept at the vegetables and added the cabbage she had shredded to the pile.

“Pan fried noodles, huh?”

“Great-Grandfather’s one earth food addiction.”

“I like ramen.”

“Anyone in their right mind likes ramen. Garlic ramen – with no roast pork.”

Shinji blinked.

“What? Is that your favorite kind?”

“No – that’s the kind Ayanami liked.”

“That’s weird. Did she like double garlic?”

“I don’t know. Double garlic?”

“Yeah. Don’t knock it until you try it.”

Shinji stood up and leaned against the counter.

“So how was your day?”

“Boring.”

“How was school?”

“Dull. At least they’ve stopped talking about the Second Impact.”

“Well, thank god it’s Friday.”

“No argument here.”

“That little harlot didn’t try anything today, did she?”

“No.”

Mayuka set the knife down and walked over to Shinji, trapping him against the counter.

“She best not try anything ever again – or she’s going to be in a world of pain.”

Mayuka grinned and pressed her lips to his.  Shinji returned it and the two became so involved in the kiss that they failed to notice they had an audience.

“Oh isn’t that cute?”

“It’s very sweet.”

While his wives went on about the two people – one of them his great-great granddaughter currently making fools of themselves, Azusa felt his eye twitching. Apparently– they had no manners or sense of being discreet.

He coughed roughly and the two turned around, blushing.

“Mayuka – who is this young man?”

“Great-Grandfather, this is my fiancé, Ikari Shinji.”

Azusa marched over and looked down at the boy.

“He’s short.”

“Everyone is short to you, dear.” This came from Funaho.

Shinji stared up at tall man. He was taller than his father had been. He swallowed and found his voice.

“It’s nice to meet you sir.”

Azusa arched an eyebrow. At least his damn eye had stopped twitching.

“And quiet too.”

Misaki had meanwhile pulled Mayuka into a hug that was as tight as her condition could tolerate. Funaho merely smiled and excused herself to go see Yosho.

****

Shinji felt very uncomfortable as he sat down at the table, on the same side as Mayuka and Sasami. At least it wasn’t as hot as it had seemed the last time. Mayuka shifted next to him. She was no doubt very uncomfortable herself. She sighed and looked around the table slowly.  Ryoko, Tenchi, and Washu sat one side, Yosho, Ms. Ayeka and Mr. Narmer on another. And Lady Funaho, Misaki, and Lord Azusa (as he now called him) on the remaining side.

Azusa watched the boy for a few minutes. He was very polite, as he had been told, he was quiet, considerate, and above all – respectful.

“So, have you two set a date yet?”

Mayuka looked at Shinji who shrugged slightly.

“No, Grandmother Funaho. Most likely in the summer after Shinji turns eighteen.”

“That’s in about two years, correct?”

“Yes, Lady Funaho.”

“I take it you’ve not made many decisions yet.”

“No, Lady Misaki.”

Misaki clasped her hands together.

“I’m sure it will be beautiful!”

****

Shinji sat on one of the couches, facing Lord Azusa. Mayuka had already gone upstairs after Washu insisted that the more rest she got, the sooner she’d heal. Shinji had been scared when Ms. Ayeka had sat him down for a talk. This time, he was terrified.

Azusa cleared his throat and began.

“What did your father do before he died?”

Shinji thought for a moment.

“My father worked for an organization called NERV. NERV’s duty was to prevent the eradication of the human race.”

“Did your mother work for the same organization?”

“I think she did. My mother died when I about three and a half – maybe four.”

“So you don’t remember your mother very well?”

“No sir. And I didn’t know my father very well either.”

“A shame. I already know why and how you came to live here, so I won’t go into that.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Much appreciated. I am merely wanting to insure that you are not some social climbing megalomaniac who is marrying my great-great -granddaughter for her family and the power behind it.”

Shinji face faulted.

“Sir, I was already in love with her before I knew about Jurai or anything in that respect. I just accepted that things here were a little out of the ordinary. But I didn’t know about her relation to you until Ms Ayeka showed up. Mayuka never mentioned it to me, and it was never brought up before then.”

“Then it must have come as quite a shock to you then.”

“Yes sir.”

“And yet, within a week of you knowing, you asked Mayuka to marry you.”

“Sir. I’d been planning to ask her for a while before then – I was just not able to purchase the ring or find the right time.”

“You know that my daughter was – most displeased when she heard the news.”

“Yes sir.”

No shit, Sherlock!

style=' color:red'>            “However – Narmer’s nephew was – most understanding. It seems Mecrutio was a little overwhelmed at marrying a girl from earth – and someone thirteen years his junior.”

Shinji hoped the shock wasn’t written on his face.

THIRTEEN YEARS? Dear god, that’s like Mayuka marrying Kaji! Wait, that IS the same as if Mayuka married Kaji! What kind of sick deal is that?

style=' color:red'>            “There is one more thing. You are aware there is the possibility that Mayuka may one day have to take my place on the throne of the Juraian Empire.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And as such - should the situation occur - you do understand you would hold no power over her in any way..."

“I already hold no power over her, sir. Nor would I ever want to control her. And sir, forgive me if this sounds rude, for that is not my intent – but I don’t think anyone could ever really hold power over her. She wouldn’t let them.”

  Azusa regarded the boy for a few silent minutes. The boy was a lot like Tenchi was. He was well mannered, and very polite. Shinji had not asked questions or grown defiant. He wasn’t after money, power, fame, or glory. He liked the boy.

****

Aboa twisted the dial of the radio until he found one that was blaring out Black Adder’s classic hit “Night fires.” and leaned back.

“Turn that noise down.”

“Come on Maya – it’s a classic.”

“I don’t care – turn the damn thing down.”

Makoto reached over and switched the radio off before a major brawl could start between his two friends and took a turn onto an on-ramp that only Misato could top in speed and tire screech.

“So we’re headed to Okayama to meet this family that Shinji’s been living with.”

“Not just that Aboa – Mrs. Masaki and Misato teemed up with a few other people and are throwing a party.”

“For what? A one year anniversary kind of thing?”

“No Aboa. It’s an engagement party.”

“Who’s getting married?”

“Shinji is.”

Makoto slammed on the breaks and pulled into the breakdown lane.

“SHINJI?”

“Yes. Ritisko said that they became engaged last August and are having the party now only due to this was the best opportune time for one.”

Aboa spluttered as Makoto slowly pulled back onto the expressway.

“What’s with you?”

“I’ve been there.”

“Where?”

“The house where he is.”

“I think it’s sweet – Asuka and Shinji.”

“Yeah – don’t know why we’re so surprised.  If it was Shinji and Misato…now that’d be a shock.”

Makoto coughed.

“Shinji’s not going to be marrying Asuka.”

The other two looked at him as he pulled off the expressway and headed into the outskirts of Okayama.

“Who’s he marrying then?”

“The Masaki girl.”

“The Masaki girl? The daughter of the family who found him?”

“Yes.”

Aboa threw a glance at Maya and then to Makoto.

“So what’s the Masaki girl like?”

“Not entirely sure. I do know she nearly took Rei’s head off.”

“Okay – important safety tip – don’t make the girl mad. How about the rest of the family?”

“They’ve got one ugly cat for a pet.”

“Don’t insult the cat Aboa.”

“Shut up Maya.”

“Go on Makoto.”

“And the mom – Mrs. Masaki….”

Aboa grinned.

“Cute?”

“Cute is inadequate – Mrs. Masaki is up there with Katsuragi.”

Aboa let out a low whistle.

Maya rolled her eyes and leaned back to watch the scenery.  Men were such idiots.

“We have to take Shinji bar hopping.”

“What for, Aboa?”

“Girl bait.”

Aboa leaned over and switched the radio back on.

“Hey you’re listenin’ to 101.9 The Edge! And now here’s Mystik Spiral with “Freakin’ Friends!”

****

“Man – Imagine traveling six hours just to go to a damn party.”

“Oh come on Kensuke – we were going to do it for Christmas.”

“True Hikari – but still.”

Toji leaned back in the seat and sighed.

“Shut up both of you. We’ve not seen them in almost a year.”

“What, afraid its to late to talk some sense into Shinji?”

“That’s right! They are such a cute couple.”

“You think Mayuka will be up for that rematch she owes me in Risk?”

“Maybe. What do you think Toji?”

“I still say their stupid for getting engaged. It’s a bad idea.”

“You are so unromantic.”

Hikari huffed and folded her arms over her chest.

“I’m a realist.”

Kensuke sighed and stared out the window.

“I think after all of what’s happened – we all are realists on one level or another.”

“Deep thoughts from Stooge Number Two? Something must be going on.”

“Hikari – there’s no Three Stooges anymore. Its something you’ve not let go of. We haven’t been the Three Stooges in well over a year.”

Hikari looked away from the two boys.

“How do you suppose Mayuka does it?”

Toji looked at her.

“Does what?”

“Maintain that happiness Asuka says she has. Its weird – Asuka says Mayuka’s almost always happy. At first, Asuka said she thought it was just irrationally…but no one could be as happy as Mayuka pretends to be.”

Kensuke turned his eyes from the window.

“I don’t think she’s pretending. So what if she’s a naturally happy person? Shinji’s a naturally miserable person, so you put them together and you have a normal person.”

The bus screeched to a halt at their stop.

“Three mile walk.”

“We walked that far to school – there was just more to look at there.”

Kensuke slung his camera strap over his shoulder and they exited the bus.

“Say Toji – you think Mayuka will greet us like she did last time?”

“Nope. This is a surprise party.”

“She met you on the road last time?”

“Yeah. Mayuka just sort of appeared out of no where.”

They stepped to the side of the road as car approached them and came to a halt. The driver rolled his window down and leaned out.

“Say – isn’t that….”

“You kids want a lift?” Makoto said.

The three looked at each other.

“Beats walking any day.”

“Sure.”

“Thank you very much.”

All three of them managed to fit in the back seat of the car with Maya and they went on down the road.

“You kids met any of these people?”

“Most of them I think. Who’s all going to be there?”

Maya looked at a slip of paper.

“Besides us, Misato, Ritisko, Kaji, and Asuka – some people named Azusa, Funaho, Ayeka, Narmer, Sasami, Kiyone, Mihoshi and the Masaki family – that’s Tenchi, Ryoko, Yosho, Washu, and Mayuka.”

“Add Shinji and that makes – twenty six people!”

style=' color:red'>            “Damn.”

Kensuke cracked his knuckles.

“I just hope Mayuka’s ready for our Risk rematch.”

Makoto slowly grinned.

“You think you’d let it be a three person game?”

Kensuke grinned. This was the NERV tactical advisor. That could be fun.

“I’ve got no problems with it.”

Toji chuckled.

“Kensuke – you’re digging your own grave.”

“No way. No way she can beat me twice! No one’s beaten me twice!”

“That’s because Mayuka is the only person who has beaten you except for me that one time.”

“You cheated!”

“How?”

Kensuke was dumbstruck as they pulled into the courtyard and Makoto parked next to Misato’s car.

“Looks like we’re the last to arrive.”

They pilled out of the car as a tall blue haired woman flung the door open with a very big smile on her face.

“HELLO!”

Hikari bowed slightly.

“Hello Ms…”

Misaki charged down the stairs and hugged Hikari.

“Misaki. And you are?”

“Horaki…Hikari…and I can’t…breathe.”

“AWW! Aren’t you sweet?”

Misaki let her go and caught Maya in a hug.

“And who are you skinny lady?”

Maya tried to find enough air.

“Ibuki Maya – Ms. Misaki.”

Misaki let her go and sent her next to Hikari and grabbed her next victim, Toji.

“Aren’t you a fine young man?” she looked over at Hikari. “Is he nice to you?”

Hikari nodded. “Toji is very nice.”

“That’s good.” She let him go and Toji staggered over to Hikari.

“Man she can hug.”

Meanwhile, Makoto found himself in the iron grip of Misaki.

“Such wonderful polite people! And who are you with the scared look?”

“Makoto, ma’am.”

She let him go and clapped her hands. “I love making new friends.”

Aboa took one look at Kensuke and before he could push the younger man forward, he found himself in a bone -crunching hug.

“So many nice people here today! Who are you?”

“Aboa…. Aboa…Shiergu.”

Misaki let him go and grinned at Kensuke who went bone white. He had never been religious in his life, but right now he was praying to any name he could think of so this woman would not kill him.

To late – Misaki picked him up in a hug that rivaled the one Aboa had received.

“And from what sweet little Shinji’s told me you must be Kensuke!”

Sweet little Shinji? Oh gods, this woman’s mad!!

style=' color:red'>            Misaki let the boy go and he staggered over to join his friends.

“Welcome and lets go inside!”

The six guests looked at one another and did the only sensible thing. They followed Misaki inside.

****

Shinji and Mayuka made their way into the side yard and up onto the porch. They had gone out walking about an hour ago, and Mayuka had only insisted they start back due to the pain that was slightly starting to get to her in her side.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

They sat down on the porch steps for a few moments before Mayuka lifted her head and looked around.

“What is it Mayuka?”

“Its to quiet. There’s to many people here for it to be this quiet.”

“There’s not that many – just ten people – twelve including us.”

“Its to damn quiet for ten people! Hell, its to quiet for two!”

Mayuka rose up to her feet, as did Shinji and slid the door back.

Twenty-three voices shouted at them as the door flung back.

“SURPRISE!”

And two jaws hit the floor.

****

Makoto sat on one side of the table, staring down at his red pieces scattered on the board and looked over at Kensuke, who was studying his green pieces. Mayuka was leaning against Shinji, looking over the whole board, not just her black pieces.

“I’m ready. Are you two?”

“I think so Kensuke. How about you, Mayuka?”

Mayuka rubbed her thumb against her forefinger and nodded.

“Yes. Kensuke – your move.”

Kensuke nodded slightly.

“Greenland attacking Iceland.”

He threw the dice and rolled an eight. Makoto rolled a nine.

Twenty minutes later, Mayuka was observing the board for her second move. Having lost both Madagascar and Western Australia to Makoto, she ran through her strategy plan again and grinned.

“Western United States attacks Eastern.”

Mayuka rolled a ten. Kensuke rolled a six.

Makoto studied the girl for a moment  - then the board. And instantly caught on to what she was up to, he smiled.

“Iceland attacks Great Britain.”

An hour and a half later, Kensuke stared down in horror at the board. It was now half covered with black pieces, and nearly half covered with red pieces. He had one area left. Ukraine. And it wasn’t his turn.

Mayuka leaned against the table on her elbows and gave Kensuke the most innocent look he had ever seen on the girl’s face.

“Eastern Europe attacks the Ukraine.”

Mayuka pulled away and smirked. And rolled an eleven. Kensuke gulped and rolled a seven.

Kensuke slammed his head into the table and groaned.

“She did it AGAIN!”

Mayuka plucked up the tiny green army piece and replaced it with a black one.  She looked at Makoto.

“You want time to strategize?”

Makoto studied the board for a moment and nodded.

Kensuke rose and sat behind Makoto. Maybe he could learn something.

“You ready Mayuka?”

“It’s you’re move.”

“Iceland attacks Great Britain.”

Makoto rolled a nine. Mayuka rolled a seven.

However, as the game progressed, and Makoto swept out to cover Europe, Africa, and half of Asia, Mayuka controlled the Americas, Australia, and the remnants of Asia. Three countries  - Mongolia, India, and Japan. Makoto leaned back and sighed. This girl wasn’t the challenge Kensuke had made her out to be.

“Mongolia attacks China.”

Mayuka rolled a ten. Makoto rolled a seven.

Shinji grinned.          

“Onward Mongol hoards…”

Forty-five minutes later, Mayuka had claimed Asia. An hour and a half later, she had swept into Europe, and had successfully done what she had planned to do – backed Makoto into one country. Madagascar. The country she had first lost to him.

Makoto was sweating. It’d take a miracle for him to come back from this.

“South Africa attacks Madagascar.”

Mayuka rolled a ten. Makoto rolled a seven. And promptly hit his head on the table.

“No…”

Mayuka plucked up the little red ten and replaced it with a black one. Then she leaned back against Shinji as Makoto sat up to look at her. Defeated by a girl! This was impossible! Mayuka smirked and blew an insolent little kiss in his direction.

Kensuke stared at the board in horror.

“How…did…she…do that?”

Aboa nodded in agreement.

“Are you aware you just outwitted the former tactical supervisor of NERV?”

“Yes I am. And when you’ve been able to lie to SEELE for six straight hours without breaking – everything else is small potatoes.”

****

Shortly after the game of Risk ended, the majority of the men – save Azusa, Tenchi, and Yosho, dragged Shinji off somewhere – so the women sat around the family room talking.

“Aunt Ayeka – the wedding is still two years off.”

“I know it is – but such things must be planned far enough in advance so that nothing is left to chance. Right mother?”

Misaki nodded enthusiastically and went back to playing gin rummy with Mihoshi and Hikari.

Mayuka sighed and leaned back.

“Stitches aren’t bothering you, are they Mayuka?”

“No, Nana ‘Shu.”

Ryoko and Misato glared at each other from across the table.

“This is the third time, Katsuragi.”

“Bring it on, Masaki.”

Ritisko rolled her eyes.

“Not again.”

Maya arched her eyebrows.

“Again?”

“Yes. They always seem to go at it when we get together.”

Funaho shook her head.

“Such a wonderful role model for Mayuka.”

“Don’t I know it Grandmother Funaho?”

The drinking contest started – and the group decided the best thing to do was ignore them. Kiyone leaned in from the kitchen where she, Asuka, and Sasami were fixing up a few more snack trays.  

“Are they ever going to settle this?”

Washu chuckled.

“The answer to that, Kiyone – is no.”

Ayeka smoothed out a crease in her skirt.

“Mayuka, have you chosen colors at least?”

Mayuka stared at her aunt.

“We don’t even have a date.”

“WHAT?”

“Don’t go ballistic on me. We still need to talk about that.”

“Do you have anything prepared? Maid of honor?”

Asuka popped her head out of the kitchen and grinned.

“Right here!”

Ayeka’s eyebrows flew wide.

“WHAT?”

Mayuka folded her arms.

“My wedding, my choice.”

“But Mayuka….”

The room went dead silent as twenty- four eyes turned and stared at Ayeka who managed a weak smile.

“You’re right of course, Mayuka.”

****

Toji wrapped his arm around Shinji and began again.

“Now you have to listen to reason Shinji – you’re not even sixteen. That’s way to young to tie yourself down!”

Shinji stared at his friend.

“Toji – you don’t understand – I know that Mayuka’s the one.”

Kensuke groaned.

“Shinji you lucky bastard.”

Aboa snapped open a soda and nodded to Kensuke.

“I’m with you on that one, Kensuke.”

Toji growled.

“You don’t get it, do you Shinji? She may be the one – but for gods sake, don’t you want to have a period of wild bachelorhood?”

“Shinji’d be crazy to let a catch like Mayuka go – damn it – and she was single when I came here the first time!”

Shinji chuckled.

“I don’t know about that Makoto.”

“Yeah – could you live with a girl who repeatedly trounced you in Risk?”

“Oh shut up Aboa!”

Shinji chuckled as Toji rubbed his eyes and tried to start again.

“Shinji – all I am asking for you to do is listen to reason…”

Narmer narrowed his eyes and glared at the boy – silencing him instantly.

“I don’t appreciate you badgering my future nephew in law – and I dare say you have no prayer of changing his mind.”

Toji gulped and opened a soda.

Shinji grinned as Aboa stood up.

“However – as soon as possible – Shinji – Makoto and I are taking you bar hopping.”

“What for?”

“Chick magnet.”

“WHAT?”

Kensuke looked the two older men.

“Take me along too!”

“Why?”

“Cause every guy knows the only kind of guy girls flock to in a bar – the taken kind.”

Shinji arched an eyebrow.

“Mayuka would kill me.”

Narmer chuckled.

“I don’t think these people here have seen Mayuka angry, have they?”

Makoto raised his hand.

“I’ve seen her annoyed!”

“Annoyed is one thing. Royally pissed is another thing all together.”

Shinji rolled his eyes.

“Hell yes.”

****

Mayuka yawned and stared out across the still water. Shinji stretched and wrapped an arm around her.

“That was quite an event yesterday.”

“Yeah. I just can’t believe they pulled it off without us knowing.”

“Given you were at school and I was sleeping a lot – I can almost believe it.”

“True.”

It was quiet for a few moments, save for a few morning birds waking up.

“Say Mayuka – I have to know something – just how did you win that game of Risk?”

“You can’t tell anyone my secret method.”

“I won’t.”

Mayuka leaned closer to him, grinning.

“Secret is – I never play to win.”

“Huh?”

“I figure out what country I’ll most likely lose first.”

“You mean…” Shinji stared at her. “And when you attacked Kensuke rather than Makoto?”

“Kensuke held more internal countries. Those can be regained – but not when scattered.”

“You really play Risk by its name, don’t you?”

“It’s more fun that way.”

They both chuckled and Mayuka wrapped her arm around Shinji’s waist and set her head on his shoulder.

“You know what, Shin-chan?”

“What?”

“I love you.”

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes, smiling.

“What a coincidence – I love you too.”

And as the sun peeked out over the hills, bathing the early May morning with sunlight, the two kissed.

*****

AN: Big thanks to LD.

AN2: There might be a few inconsistencies in the game of RISK – I had no board to look at, I was going from memory.

AN3: Savage Overture III: Revenge ends here. Savage Overture IV: Eternity will appear in the Evangelion section soon.