TASHIGI

Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion Hideaki Anno does. But I wish he'd done something like this.

A/N: This is an interesting story about Asuka and Shinji. Asuka and Shinji pairing but a surprise visitor comes to Tokyo 3. Someone Asuka hasn't seen in a very long time…. Can't give away more or the surprise will be ruined. Co-written by Biggestdreamer86

CHAPTER 1: STRANGER IN THE NIGHT.

It was a typical evening in Tokyo-3. Especially for one foursome, Misato Katsuragi, Rei Ayanami, Asuka Soryu, and of course Shinji Ikari. All four were out on a night walk after a wild night out which of course saw two of the four women get absolutely hammered (as in drunk). Surprisingly one of the two people would've never thought to have seen in that shape, and the other one was all but assured of it. However, the one assured of it was actually quite sober compared to the other two.

"Hey watch where you're going dumkopf" Asuka slurred completely unable to walk in a straight line leaning on Shinji's shoulder to maintain balance.

"Hey you…you…you don't say that to my brother" Rei Slurred back, "He's not shtupid he's just…. Just… just… yes!" She blurted out incoherently.

"Ah Jeez" Misato sighed, almost one hundred percent sober, she held Rei's shoulder as Rei staggered all around the sidewalk as well.

"I told you we shouldn't have brought them along Misato. Asuka can't control herself, Rei's never really been out, and you well…" Shinji began to explain

"Don't go there Ikari. Or I'll smack you upside the head so hard you'll wish you had an AT Field" Misato growled in response

Shinji winced; just the thought of her being that violent was enough to make him shudder. It'd been 2 months since the final Angel had been defeated and third impact was avoided, but still defeating the angel's was nothing compared to the wrath of the three women standing around him. All three were not only extremely beautiful, but they were also very deadly. Asuka most of all, Shinji learned that the hard way being on the receiving end of many of the fiery German's beatings. All the same though, he couldn't help but feel compassion towards Asuka, her story wasn't all that different from his. A father that didn't want her, a mother that died when she was young, someone who had no one growing up. Shinji couldn't help but feel for her, he knew deep down under that hard-edged exterior was a scared little girl who needed to be held and told she was loved, no matter how much she tried to fight it. He brushed his hands through her hair; all too soon he realized that was a big mistake.

"UND FUSTUKEN IDOIT!" Asuka yelled in rage, slapping Shinji twice across each cheek. In the process Shinji released Asuka, and fell back on the ground. (A/N: I don't know how to type German so if anyone does sorry for butchering the language).

"ASUKA!" Misato screamed, "What was that for?" she ran to Shinji's side helping him to his feet.

"That Idiot was trying to take advantage of me," Asuka slurred again,

"NO he wasn't" Misato shot back, "he was trying to make sure you were ok"

Misato had been rooming with both Shinji and Asuka for about six months now. As much as she teased Shinji about his habits, she still deeply cared for the boy. He was the closest thing she ever had to a son, and would likely be the closest she'd ever get. After Kaji's death (A/N: Yes sorry to all you fangirls, Kaji won't be appearing) Misato just couldn't see herself with anyone else. She'd fallen so deeply in love with Kaji, it was a complete heartbreak when she lost him. The wound was so deep that she truly felt that she'd never love again. In her wallet sat a five by ten photo of her and Kaji by far her most treasured item. Depicted in the photo was a younger version of the two lovers, obviously in a photo booth at a carnival of some sort, Kaji with his arm wrapped around Misato's shoulders and his lips pressed to her cheek as Misato flashed the peace sign to the camera. She sighed, oh how she missed those days, she was brought back to reality when she heard a bit of rustling the bushes. The others couldn't hear it but Misato had excellent hearing due to her many years of training at NERV.

As Misato went to investigate the disturbance she looked at Rei across from her. Not surprisingly Rei began to retch and place her hand over her mouth looking for a place to empty the contents of her stomach. Misato rushed over to comfort the poor girl as she found an area on the sidewalk to do her thing.

Misato sat there patting Rei's back, as she went about throwing up in the gutter. She sat Rei down, comforting the poor girl as she continued to go about her puking rage.

And I thought I was bad when I was drunk Misato thought to herself, as Rei let out another stream of what was in her stomach. Misato continued to comfort she looked at Shinji who was having his own problems with his fiery redheaded friend.

Asuka's situation wasn't much better. She saw Rei's little escapade and began to join in. Shinji comforted her as well

"Leave me alone" Asuka slurred, "I… I cun tak car of miself" she managed out before going back to her previous business.

"Yeah you look like it" Shinji muttered now a little ticked that he was still helping the girl that had just recently given him another taste of her wrath.

"What was that third chi…" she couldn't finished as she turned to him she let out a huge vomit stream right on Shinji's lap.

"JESUS CHRIST!" Shinji cursed, "WHAT THE HELL ASUKA!" he berated on her, now officially at his limit with her antics. He'd taken care of her when she was sick, got her out of her coma, and this was how she repayed him. By treating him like shit. Shinji couldn't stand it anymore, and finally all of his pent up energy was being unleashed.

"I mean Come on you think you'd learn after a while! When you drink too much this shit happens, thank you very much. Asuka don't you ever learn I mean…" He stopped as he looked in the glistening eyes of the girl who he'd just hurt.

"Shinji… I…. I…." Asuka began but couldn't get anything out as she just got even more sick, retching again, but this time turning to the sidewalk to unleash another stream of vomit.

Misato, who'd overheard the whole conversation, pulled Shinji aside now very upset with him.

"How could you say that Shinji? That was so unlike you, it was downright mean, and uncalled for" Misato snarled,

"I…. I…I…" was all Shinji could muster as he was shocked at what'd he'd just said to Asuka

"Save it Kiddo, all you do is apologize. Just stop, Asuka needs you right now. Go help her" Misato demanded pointing her finger over to the still vomiting Asuka

"But Misato." Shinji began to protest

"But nothing Shinji, Now go!" She demanded again

"Yes Ma'am" Shinji responded dejectedly as he slumped his way over to Asuka

"A-Asuka?" Shinji began worriedly as Asuka picked her head up

"Whadaya wan dumkopf?" Asuka slurred

"I'm not gonna apologize but let me help you out" Shinji replied

"I said I cun tak car of miself, now jus lea me alone" Asuka slurred again trying to sit up straight, but immediately feeling a wave of nausea hit and keeling back over to empty more unsightly puddles on the ground.

"It's ok Asuka, you can be vulnerable sometimes" Shinji comforted as he rubbed her back in a circular motion trying to ease her queasy stomach

"No I can't, I have to be strong. I'm Asuka Langelly Soryu, I'm the second child, the pilot of EVA Unit 02, and I….I….I…. I FEEL LIKE SHIT!" With that she let loose a huge projectile of vomit that would've covered anyone within a few feet.

She lifted her face up eyes glistening again, giving a very sorrow filled look to Shinji. On the verge of tears she looked him directly in the eyes,

"I'm a disgrace" was all she said before turning away from Shinji.

Shinji looked at Asuka's sad face. She was a complete mess, her makeup was running slightly, She couldn't form a sentence that made any sense whatsoever, and there were parts of vomit on the sides of her mouth. His heart went out to her. He'd always admired Asuka's determination and skill as a pilot. At times she could even be dare he say nice, and extremely helpful with his schoolwork. She was also not bad looking, downright beautiful and just an incredibly wonderful person. That was why he'd fallen for her, and hard too. He had to laugh at himself, this was the same woman who'd treated him like shit for months, she constantly berated his apologetic and polite nature, and she'd gone so far as to say she hated him. All the same he couldn't help but fall head over heels for her. He knew deep down Asuka was exactly like him, just a scared little child that had nothing or no one to hold on to at the end of the day.

He placed his hand on her chin and turned her face so that she was looking directly in his eyes.

Have his eyes always been so… deep and beautiful? Asuka wondered to herself, She continued to look deeper into his eyes that seemed to penetrate her very being, hypnotizing, mesmerizing, enchanting her. The Shinji she saw in front of her was the one that so very rarely made an appearance. A confident, strong and at times independent young man, someone who'd she'd fallen head over heels for, or at least wanted to.

"Now Now, let's get you cleaned up" Shinji said in a calm tone. With that he began to fix up Asuka taking a handkerchief out of his pocket. He started dabbing her tear stained cheeks wiping away the remnants of eyeliner and blush that mixed together to form a rather unsightly grey on her cheeks. Next he moved to her mouth and stared just for a few seconds. Her lips were absolutely perfect, not a flaw nor a blemish anywhere, he wanted so bad to cover them with his own, but thought better of it, Asuka was vulnerable right now and that would be something he would expect out of Kensuke or Touji not himself. He slowly moved his hand to his other pocket and pulled out a napkin he'd taken from the restaurant. Some girl had written her phone number on it with the message "call me." Shinji chuckled slightly the girl was nice, offering to buy him a drink and give him a ride home, but his heart already belonged to someone. His goddess, his queen, the spitfire German in front of him. Slowly he wiped the corners of her mouth that were covered in the remnants of vomit she'd been unleashing for the last few minutes. He smiled at her as he tossed the napkin into a nearby trashcan.

"You alright?" Shinji asked,

"Fine now" Asuka replied, "Shinji thank you"

"Don't mention it," he answered sheepishly.

Without thinking Asuka moved closer to Shinji. She felt his heartbeat quicken, but didn't mention it. Almost instinctively, Shinji pulled her into his chest and began to silently comfort her.

A few feet away a certain Violet haired woman stood watching with a smirk on her face. She couldn't help it; it was too cute to see these two like this.

"They look pretty cute together don't they Rei? Rei?" Misato said looking around to find where the first child had gotten to. To her surprise and utter amusement she found Rei on the other side of the street flirting with a Stop sign.

"So what's your name cutie?" Rei asked

"Come on I won't laugh," she said again

"A the strong silent type huh? Wow you're skinny but you must be huge" Rei said sliding her hand provocatively down the sign's metal pole

"Come on I know you like me, it's written all over your face" Rei slurred. Rei was so smashed the letters S.T.O.P were replaced by R.E.I.

"What you want me to sing for you or something… Ok… here I go…. Ummm…. Wait…. I got it… stop in the name of love, before you break my heart… stop…" Rei began to sing

"Rei!" Misato laughed, "come on I don't think he's your sign," she explained as she dragged the drunk Rei back to Shinji and Asuka.

"Call Me" Rei yelled back at the sign. And then began to follow Misato's lead.

Misato was now concerned with the other couple and their struggles. Asuka was still pretty screwed up from the alcohol. She was amazed to see Shinji and Asuka's gaze locked on each other.

Jesus Shinji just kiss her already! Misato thought to herself as she watched the 2 "lovebirds" just stare at each other. Before she reached them another rustle in the bushes caught her ears. This time she glanced over and saw a shadow figure moving around.

It would seem we have a visitor well no need to worry Shinji about this I'll take care of it myself Misato thought to herself, as she approached Shinji and Asuka.

"Hey you two, if you get any closer you're either gonna be on top of each other…." Misato smirked at her snide comment. She knew what she meant when she said "on top of" but she would let the two figure it out.

"Oh shut it Mizato" Asuka slurred yet again "Shin…. I mean Third boy over here is too chicken to try anything"

"Yeah Misato, Second girl would deck me if I tried anything anyways" Shinji smiled slightly (try saying that three times fast) at least sometimes he and Asuka agreed on things. Especially when it came to their relationship together.

"Whatever" Misato responded, and walked up to the two guiding Rei along side of her.

"Now Shinji I need you to take Rei and Asuka home ok?" Misato asked,

"Yay Shleepover!" Rei cheered "Can we bring that skinny guy with the red face over there? He's so fine!" Rei slurred, referencing her stop sign love interest

"No Rei I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon" Misato answered with a slight chuckle. Who knew Rei was such a flirty drunk? She thought to herself.

"Ummm…. OK sure, you want me to take Rei to her apartment?" Shinji asked

"No she's staying with us tonight, I'll have to help her in the morning anyways" Misato answered

"Ok but where do I put her to sleep Misato?" Shinji asked

"That's up to you kiddo, ok now just go," Misato ordered

"Of course Misato but where are you going?" Shinji asked

"Well I've got some business to attend to but I won't be too far behind you. Be careful on the way home," Misato explained

"Yes Ma'am" Shinji answered with that he began to stand up Asuka ever so slowly.

"Shinji thank…" Asuka began as she stood up but the alcohol consumption had greatly affected her fatigue level as well and as she stood her knees buckled as she lost consciousness then fainted.

Luckily Shinji saw it happening and positioned himself on Asuka's right and caught her with his left arm before she hit the ground. In one fluid motion and not really thinking about it he swung her legs into his right hand so that he was carrying her bridal style. Strangely it felt right, contrary to how he thought it would've felt to have this woman in his arms. It got a little stranger as Asuka snuggled ever so slightly into his chest, which made Shinji's heart go even more erratic than it already was. He looked at Rei who was blushing lightly at the scene between her brother and Asuka she gave a drunk smile before trying to make her way home. Luckily Shinji was able to keep an eye on her should she need help, and she seemed to be Ok walking after her little vomiting escapade. All 3 pilots began walking back to Misato's apartment.

After they were out of earshot, Misato turned her attention to the shrub where the figure was waiting.

"You can come out now" she smirked

"Wow you are good" the figure replied

"Yeah well let's dispense with the pleasantries, who are you and what do you want?" Misato questioned the stranger sharply

"Vell Vell Katsuragi… You're still zhust as lovely as I remember…." Misato picked up on a German accent in the voice one she'd thought she heard from many years ago

"Ok how do you know my name? Who the hell are you?" Misato said her anger and slight fear rising as she continued to interrogate this stranger. She began reaching for her gun holstered on her right leg.

"Vhy Misato has it really been zat long? Don't you remember a vellow classmate?" Again the accent is what caught her by surprise she stepped back

"Step into the light" She ordered

"Ach mine dear Major I could never rezist zuch a command vrom zuch a beautivul voman as yourzelf" With that the figure stepped into the light.

Misato gasped in fear "No… this can't be… you can't be alive not after all this time"

The man stepped towards her "I'm avraid zo Misato, I'm ztill alive und doing ratzer vell for myzelf" he now stood completely basked in the light of the street lamp. His whole body was able to be seen but his face was obscured.

"H-How… the last time…." She tried to form a sentence but it was useless his eyes were locked on her and she couldn't resist keeping her gaze on them.

The man in front of Misato stood about six feet tall, with pitch-black hair pulled into a ponytail in the back. His eyes though were the deepest shade of gold Misato had ever seen.

"I zee now mine dear Major you do remember me, and here I vas beginning to zink zat you'd forgotten. But I guess I am not zat easy to forget now am I?" He brushed his hand along the left side of the Major's face.

Katsuragi tried to fight it but she just couldn't she was absolutely paralyzed by him. Unable to act or defend herself against this man, she was his pawn his servant; there was nothing she could do to resist him. If he ordered her to jump out in the middle of the street into oncoming traffic she'd had done it without question. She was merely a puppet to this man, and try as she might she was completely powerless compared to him.

"Now mine dear" the man said sliding his hand down to her chin making sure eye contact was kept "ze three zat just left, vhere vere zey headed?" He asked with a smirk

"To my place" Misato answered quickly in monotone, a small tear leaked out of her right eye. Misato tried everything she could to break the spell that this man had cast over her. Once again her efforts proved futile.

What's going on? After his failed experiment five years ago I could have sworn…. Her thoughts became a blur as his gaze penetrated deeper into her being.

"Now you vill take me to zis place of yours and introduce me to your vriends I am anxious to meet zem" The man ordered "Repeat zat"

"I will take you to my apartment and introduce you.." Misato repeated again in monotone.

"Vunderbar mine dear Major. Now let's not keep our company vaiting." He began to walk letting Misato lead the way

Shinji forgive me… was the last thought the major had before going into a complete mental blackout.

At Misato's apartment:

It took about fifteen minutes but Shinji finally made it up to the apartment. Once inside he settled Rei on the couch who had become rather tired after the alcohol and long walk. Shinji watched as his sister lilted over and fell into a drunken slumber.

Wow she's out like a light Shinji mentally remarked as Rei began sleeping peacefully on the couch. He then turned his attention to the fiery German in his arms.

"Mama…" Asuka mumbled in her sleep.

Oh not again Shinji complained mentally with that came the tears out of her eyes. A lump formed in Shinji's throat as his heart went out to the redhead.

After her ordeal with the fifteenth Angel, codenamed Arael her confidence and mental stability was shot. Had it not been for Shinji's love and care for her over the months that followed it was likely Asuka would've shared the same. She had told him how useless and weak she felt after the fight and how empty inside she truly was. His heart broke with her story and from that day the cowardly Shinji was hard to find when around Asuka. He'd been more confident and strong willed around the young German, not standing for any of her verbal taunts. He managed to fire back with some of his own verbal volleys. In a weird way these spats made the two grow closer and eventually begin to desire each other's company. Shinji shook himself out of his reverie and went back to the task at hand. Slowly he carried Asuka, who seemed to weigh next to nothing in his arms, to her room. He laid her gently into her bed and tucked the covers over her skin as if she were his own child. Lightly he touched her forehead and said a quick goodnight to her.

Impenetrable wall of Jericho my ass! Shinji laughed to himself as he shut off the lights to her room and let her sleep.

He stepped out into the living room and checked on his sister who was now snoring rather loudly, and mumbling some incoherent babble in her sleep. Shinji just gave a frustrated grunt as he adjusted his sisters sleeping position because she was about two inches away from falling off of the couch. Rei was easy to move because she was also very light. Shinji went to go finish up closing down the house when he heard a sound from Rei

"Hmmmmm…. Red is so my favorite color" She muttered in her sleep. Shinji had to do everything he could to keep himself from rolling on the floor in laughter.

He went to the front door to shut off the lights to the living room when a sound caught his ears. He went to the window and saw a very familiar flawless figure approach the door.

"Late as usual" he grumbled as he prepared to let Misato into the apartment. "She says a few minutes and it turns into 30" He smiled lightly as Misato approached the door.

"Late again Misato" Shinji quipped.

"…." Misato gave no answer

"Come on in then, let's get you to sleep you've got an early day tomorrow" Shinji chided as he grabbed her right hand and began to lead Misato in but she remained on the outside of the door.

"Come on Misato this isn't funny" Shinji said now getting more serious. She gave no reply

"M-Misato what's wrong you're starting to scare me" Shinji said "ANSWER ME!" He said now in an extremely worried tone.

"There's no need to zhout" A German accent answered standing close to Misato.

"W-Who the hell are you?" Shinji asked the voice with his own quaking with fear.

"You muzt be Zhinji" The voice answered as a set golden eyes pierced the shadows behind the entranced Misato. The rest of his form remained obscure to Shinji's view.

"Mine name iz Tazhigi… Tazhigi Heinrich Soryu" he said slowly

"I am Asuka's older brozer, it's a pleazure to meet zyou Zhinji Ikari, ze famous zird child"

Shinji could only stare in shock at what the voice had just claimed.

To be continued….