Chapter 6
As the mother and son stood in the grove embracing each other in complete unbelief and love, both feeling that neither one would ever get to see each other again; tears of joy and of several years of heartache streamed from their eyes as Tsunami merely stood there watching the heart-warming scene take place. After several moments the pair finally released their holds on each other, albeit ever so cautiously as if they both feared that one of them would quickly disappear. It was the former pilot of Unit 01 that finally broke the long silence.
"M-mother… is it really you? I thought you would be gone forever after Third Impact. I missed you.", Shinji finished as tears kept pouring down his cheeks. Yui Ikari, the woman and doctor stood in silence for but a moment before finally finding her voice once again also, "Shinji…… My son. My precious son, my little boy. I have not seen you for so long. There are……… So many things that I have…… forgotten. So many things are coming back to me so suddenly. But you are the one thing that has stayed in my mind and indefinitely. Yes, I remember. My name is Yui Ikari. I created the Evangelions. I remember my life before being taken into Unit 01. But most of all I remember my family. You and your father, the two greatest loves of my life."
Tsunami did not miss the slight twinge in Shinji's eyes at the mention of his father. However she decided to ignore it as he seemed to relax shortly after as he looked into the loving eyes of his mother once more. " Uh, Miss Sasami? Is that you? What's going on?" Shinji asked pleadingly, perhaps feeling this was another illusion of Third Impact, or worse mental contamination as the 15th angel had done to Asuka earlier. Tsunami walked up to the pair and placed a hand on both of their shoulders, to not only assuage the young pilot's fears but to also try to convince Unit 01's resident soul to leave the shell of the Evangelion and return to world of the living.
"Do not worry, Shinji. She truly is your mother. She and I are quite similar. I am Tsunami. I am the "soul" so to speak of the ship you, Sasami, and Tenchi are traveling in now. Just as your mother is the soul of the mechanoid you piloted. I am certain that you both must have many, many questions that you are longing to have answers for. If your mother would be willing to return to Earth with us; Washu, myself and the others would be glad to answer all of the questions we can. However, I feel I must let you know now ahead of time; that the Earth has…… changed through the time you resided in the Evangelion", she added delicately.
Yui looked somewhat crestfallen at that last part, all too aware of what her husband and SEELE have put into effect and what it had done to Shinji throughout that time. However, she felt she had been gone too long and now wished for nothing more but to spend time with her son. " Yes, I no longer wish to remain in EVA. And perhaps I can help explain what has happened here for you. Come, Shinji. Let's go home now." She said lovingly as she took hold of her son's hands. Tsunami smiled happily at the two and within an instant they were all back onboard the Tsunami.
--
Shinji, Sasami and Yui quickly materialized on the Tsunami's command before Tenchi. Tenchi transformed from his Light Hawk Armor back into the outfit Shinji had seen him in before they left, and went over to greet the young Juraian Princess and his other guests. " Sasami, are you O.K.? Did everything go well?" The young princess was stooped over slightly and lightly sweating and breathing slightly heavy. "Yes, Tenchi. I've done what I came here for. We can head home to Okayama now. Me and Yosho will explain everything when we arrive, so please let Washu know, okay " she said cheerfully. " Oh, by the way; I want you to meet Yui Ikari -- Shinji's mother." Tenchi bowed slightly and introduced himself to the other woman with a slight blush, " It's nice to meet you, ma'am. My name is Tenchi Masaki." Yui then also bowed slightly and greeted the young Juraian prince. "It is nice to meet you, Tenchi-chan." After Tenchi made his introduction and contacted Washu and Mihoshi to let them know that they were on their way back, the Juraian Spaceship-tree began making its way back to Earth and Okayama.
Meanwhile back on Earth, Asuka was only beginning to grow more and more worried about Shinji and suspicious of her new hosts. Yosho was certainly not unaware of this matter; and felt he should try talking to the young former pilot, and attempt to assuage her fears somewhat. " Miss Asuka, please. I know that this whole scene must be very confusing and weary to you; but I assure you on my honor that no one in this household has any intentions or wish to do any harm to you or Shinji. Besides, I have a growing suspicion that Tsunami will make things clear to all of us whenever they return. So please, try to calm down and maybe have some tea with us." Asuka while still suspicious of the family who had taken her in, while smart enough to try to not rock the boat; merely cautiously went over to the dining room table with the elder Masaki and gratefully took the offered tea.
"Mr. Masaki," she asked warily to which he softly grunted in encouragement, " why did Miss Sasami only ask for Shinji? Do you have any clue as to what she wants to do? What's going to happen to us?" "Those are all very fair and very good questions. As for those first two, I am afraid I really do not have any idea why my sister only took Tenchi and Shinji with her; or what she is planning. As for your third question, everyone in this family only wants to help you young folks out and try to take care of you. It was a very dreadful thing that happened to this planet; and it would be most unthinkable for us to just leave you two to fend for yourselves. Once again, I am afraid that I do not know what Sasami's plans were, but as I also stated she'll probably explain things for us when she returns" he added with a calm and gentle smile. Asuka was still suspicious but somehow felt slightly more reassured by the older Juraian prince's words and went to drinking the rest of her tea with a soft "thank you".
It was a few moments later when Washu came out of her lab and called Asuka and the rest of the Masaki Clan into the laboratory. As soon as everyone was inside Washu's lab an image of Yukinojo popped up on Washu's view screen and a tinny voice filled the room, "Mihoshi, come in Mihoshi." "I hear you Yujinojo, what is the situation up there?" "Tsunami has made contact with the mechanoid, Princess Sasami and the other passengers are all safe, and Tenchi has already made contact with Washu and are now making their way back to Earth, over." " O.K. I'll contact GP Headquarters and file in my official report of the situation after you all arrive over." "Alright Mihoshi. We will be arriving back at Earth soon. Yujinojo over and out."
Shortly after Yukinojo's message the members of the household spotted the said ship and Tsunami making their approach to Earth. Both ships slowly and carefully made their descent down next to the Masaki household and two blue teleport orbs slowly descended down to the doorstep revealing Tenchi and Sasami first. " Shinji and our new guest shall be coming down next everyone. It might be kind of shocking to you at first, but if you will kindly stay calm I'll explain everything for you soon after, O.K.?", Sasami explained. "What do you mean? There's somebody else with you? Is it safe? Is Shinji O.K.!?" Asuka demanded. "So much for calm" Sasami thought. But, before she could ask Asuka to remain calm again or try to explain; two more teleport orbs floated down to the doorstep revealing -- "Shinji? Who's that lady with you? I think I've seen her somewhere before. What's going on here?" Asuka inquired, speaking for the rest of the household. " Uh, Asuka, that is, well…" "SPIT IT OUT, THIRD CHILD!!" Asuka barked as Shinji winced and recoiled at his co-pilot's snap. "She's… my mother… Yui, Yui Ikari. The soul of Unit 01." he explained timidly and quietly as he bowed his head slightly.
Asuka's jaw fell to the ground and her eyes went as wide saucers with her face in a shocked and somewhat sad expression, " Your… momma?" she gasped. Meanwhile, Yosho and Washu merely sent their sister a quizzical look silently inquiring what it was she knew but wasn't telling anyone and what was going on. "Hello, my name is Yui. What's your name young lady?" the former soul of Unit 01 asked the Second Child gently, as she walked over to her and softly set her hand on Asuka's shoulder. After the initial shock wore off and Asuka finally managed to find her voice again, she hoarsely and quietly replied "Asuka, Asuka Langley Soryu. Are you really Shinji's momma?" "Yes, dear. Shinji is my son. Did you say your last name was Soryu? Would your mother by any chance happen to have been Kyoko Soryu?" Yui asked. "Y-yes ma'am. D-did you kn-know my momma?" Asuka asked shocked.
Shinji was merely standing there wide-eyed and with his jaw on the ground also, "Mine and Asuka's mothers knew each other… I, I never had any idea" Shinji thought. It was at that time that Sasami decided that she needed to explain the situation to the rest of the household (Washu was probably getting antsy and would be demanding an answer anyways)." Everyone please remain calm and try to hold your questions until we get to Washu's lab and I will explain everything to you the best I can, O.K.?" With that Shinji, Asuka, Yui and the Masaki household made their way into the house and in Washu's lab.
Sasami walked up to Washu and Yosho and beckoned for them to lean downwards in a conspiring way to talk to the both of them; "I promise I'll explain everything once we all get to the lab, okay? So please just hold all the questions until then." "Sasami" Yosho chimed in, "you know Father and the rest of the royal family are going to want some answers about all of this as well. And I imagine the GP will want the matter cleared up also." Sasami sagely nodded in agreement and added, "I know Yosho, but please let me settle all of this with everyone here first, and besides; I really don't think that Washu is going to wait much longer" she said with a wary side wards glance towards her sister.
Yosho grunted in the affirmative and looked at his sister and the red-headed scientist-goddess and said "Yes, yes. Knowing Washu, I'm quite surprised she's waited this long. Let's head inside and then we will let clear the matter up for everyone then." With that the whole of the Earth-fairing portion of the Masaki clan made their way into the house and then down into Washu's laboratory. After everyone was inside Washu's lab the scientist herself was the first one to bring up the big question on everyone's minds. " Alright - Sis - are you going to let the rest of us here in on what's really going on here? Especially since Little Miss "Genius Galaxy Police Detective" here seems to think for some reason that I am to blame" she asked out pointedly to Sasami and Mihoshi.
Sasami let out a tired and exasperated sigh while Mihoshi merely looked around confused, "Really there's a genius detective here?" Washu sweat-dropped and fell face first flat on the floor of her lab with a very loud and resounding THUD!. "NO YOU IDIOT! IT WAS SARACASM! I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU!!" Mihoshi backed up into a corner and cowered before the irate scientist, "WAAAAH! I'm sorry Washu, I'm sorry!" Sasami was somewhat grateful for the detective's clueless, for it seemed to break the already building tension. Making it easier for her to explain the situation like she needed. "Mihoshi, you just don't know when to talk or when not to" Tenchi said bemused and tiredly.
After the group had finished chuckling at the exchange between the scientist and the detective, Sasami cleared her throat and took that moment to begin her explanation. " Okay first of all, I had received a premonition from Tsunami about what happened sometime before it happened- just as Ayeka guessed. It was then that I let Washu know and that we should keep ourselves in sub-space till it was all over." At that moment Asuka decided to pipe in, "WHAT!? If you knew what was going to happen, why did you just hide!?" Before Sasami could offer an explanation, Yosho decided to defend his youngest sister "Miss Asuka, first there are some things you should know. Mainly things about the Masaki family and about Jurai. The main one is that to Jurai, and in fact, the rest of the galaxy at whole; Earth is considered to be a primitive backwater planet. In fact the GP normally does not even consider allowing Earthlings in its ranks. Secondly, the soldiers were for the most part innocent and mislead; or probably merely following their orders. And last but not least, sadly, being a so-called "backwater planet" Jurai and most of the galaxy could not take the time or energy to involve themselves with this planets ordeals; also we are not allowed to interfere with the workings and politics of other planets."
Asuka digested and pondered that information, and after a few moments calmly urged Sasami to continue. "Thank you, Asuka. As Yosho mentioned, I'm very sad to say that we were unable to do so, also it would have ultimately drawn Jurai into the conflict of another planet in which they would have been totally clueless about. Not to mention that my father doesn't exactly have a glowing opinion of this planet already; and I'm afraid he might actually would have destroyed it completely if he knew about the situation and that I would be sucked into. Heh, heh." She explained and giggled very sheepishly. "Any ways, as everyone knows already; after it was all over we all came over to the beach where we found you, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."
"Right, right. That's not what we are wanting to know about though, Sasami. It has to do with that giant, and to be quite honest, very fascinating mechanoid you three went to intercept and bring back here." Washu pointed out with a tone of expectancy and curiosity in her eyes as she spoke of Unit 01. "Yeah, not to mention why the soul of it, Shinji's mother, is doing outside of Unit 01. Because if I remember correctly, it should be useless without her." Asuka said with an edge in her voice that pretty much every could identify as envy and resentment. "Well, that's kind of the reason we went there in the first place," Sasami said timidly, "it was my intention of making contact with her and hopefully convincing her to come back with us. Not to mention if we just left it floating out there the GP probably would've seen it as a threat and we would've ended up with a big mess on our hands."
"What do you mean that's the reason you went in the first place!?" Asuka demanded. "How did you even know about that in the first place? Shinji and I didn't even know ubtil that last battle!"
"Well… It's kinda hard to explain, and im not too sure as to how much you would really be willing to believe or not." Sasami offered weakly. "You see, Tsunami is sort of cryptic when it comes to the premonitions and warnings she offers. And like I said, if we just left her floating out there the Galaxy Police would've tried to handle it, and I'm sure it would've ended up in a messy fight nobody needed."
Author's notes: Hey everyone. After several bouts of writers block and supportive Emails and sugestions from fellow writers, I finally decided to tweak my story somewhat. I simply reomived chapter 7 and integrated it into chapter6 tomake it longer. Let me know what you think. Also, dont lose heart, I have not decided to stop working on or give up on the stroy itself. I just had to get out of my funk. :-P So as always, please make sure to read and review. Positive input works better, FYI. ;-)