SHINJI'S BIRTHDAY WISH

by Gunman

Disclaimer: Own nothing, but I wish I did. Believe me I really want it!

liljimmyurine: I know the explanation for Cecilia trying to take Shinji was shallow, but that will be explained in later chapters.

Genesis D. Rose: By the time this story hits the net, my other stories will be updated as well. Hope that makes you happy.

Xon's Letztes Gestell: Thanks for the review from last chapter. Extensive as always, and I liked that you were able to pick out the individual points of the story. Not many people do that. (Actually, I think you might be the only one, so again, thank you)

And just so everyone knows, 'Cecilia VanCastle' from the last chapter is actually based off of Lady Cecilie Von Spitzweg from the anime Kyo Kara Maoh, which I haven't seen, but understand it is basically a Shonen Ai. I found out about the character by reading Newtype Magazine, September 2005 issue, Vol. 4, Number 9.

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Chapter 2

The Aunt

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The fire and explosions from the penthouse of the hotel engulfed up the skyline of Tokyo-2.

Not wanting to bask in that kind of attention, the older man quickly lead Shinji down the side streets of the city.

"We have to hurry." Kambei said as he quickly lead Shinji down the street.

"Hurry? But to where? And why?" Shinji asked as he followed closely behind him.

"To the rendevous point to meet up with the others."

"But I still don't understand this. You said that you're my... uncle?"

Kambei paused for a second. "Yes, Shinji."

"But... I don't know you."

"That isn't surprising. I promise, all will be explained and soon. But for now, I am asking you to trust me."

"Trust a man I don't know, yet says he is my uncle."

"I gain nothing from blatantly deceiving you, Shinji. I promise, we have only your safety in mind."

"We?"

"Your entire family has been out searching for you the second we found out you were kidnapped."

"Entire... family?" the now very confused boy asked.

"Yes. The family you wanted."

"Wanted?" he asked in shock. Then he remembered. Wait. The wish? But that's... "I don't... how did you know..."

"We'll meet them later and I promise all will be explained. But for right now, we have to get to the rendezvous point."

More curious now than concerned, Shinji followed.

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Shinji stared at the man as he continued to duck in between the shadows of the buildings.

In his mind, Shinji couldn't comprehend just how a simple wish, if Kambei was right, could have brought this man to him.

It also made him wonder what else was he in store for tonight.

"They're over here!" a sudden voice pierced the shadows and shone a bright light on them.

"They've found us!" Kambei shouted as he grabbed Shinji and pulled him down the nearest alley.

"Who are they?" Shinji asked.

"Umibozu!"

"Umi-what?"

"An elite task force of the Japanese military."

Elite task force? Why couldn't NERV have hired these people? They seem better than Section 2. Shinji thought as he heard the tromp of numerous boots following him. "Why aren't they shooting?"

"My guess would be, they want to take you alive." Kambei said.

But why? Shinji thought as one of the men grabbed his radio.

"This is Unit 6. Target sighted. Requesting deployment of Raiden and Benigumo units." the man said. "Unit 6 will hold position until target accomplice has been eliminated."

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Kambei and Shinji continued to run, until the street erupted with a thunderous upheaval that sent the pair back.

"What on..." Kambei froze as the two gigantic mechanoids towered above him. They were sharp looking robots with angular features, hovering just above the group. "A Raiden and a Benigumo prototype mech. They certainly are serious about this."

(GIVE US THE BOY AND YOU MAY GO FREE) the first mech said.

"I will give you my sword before I give up my nephew." Kambei said, gripping his sword tightly.

(THEN PREPARE TO DIE, SAMURAI) the second mech said as the first mech raised his sword to slice at the man in white.

The Benigumo unit acted quickly and telescoped a mechanical arm out to catch Shinji while the Raiden unit attacked Kambei.

However, Kambei was far quicker than the oversized blue brute and found himself running up the giant blade it was wielding. He gripped his sword tightly as he dashed forward and sliced the Raiden's head in two pieces before leaping into the air and coming down hard, slicing the giant robot's sword arm and lower 'leg' clean off.

"One down. And now for.."

(SURRENDER SAMURAI) the Benigumo shouted as it hoisted Shinji into the air.

"I will ask the same of you." Kambei said.

(YOU ARE NO POSITION TO MAKE REQUESTS)

"That was not a request."

(IMPUDENT DOG) the giant robot shouted as it aimed it's gun at Kambei.

Kambei knew he was in trouble. The sheer size of the anti-ship gun, and at such close range, even the fastest samurai would not be able to dodge it if they had a head-start.

Suddenly, an explosion impacted on the backside of the Benigumo.

(WHAT? WHO DID THAT?) The giant robot asked as it turned around, and immediately realized it's mistake.

Kambei took the advantage given and leaped at the giant black robot, his sword slashing through the body with incredible ease. A second slice took off the arm that held Shinji, the older man catching the younger in his arms and landing safely on the ground.

The Benigumo exploded and lite fire across the street as Shinji just stared at the man who had once again saved him.

Uncle or not, I'm glad he's on my side. Shinji thought as he suddenly noticed that they both had been surrounded.

"Hand over the boy now, samurai." the Umibozu leader said as the twelve-person squad fenced in the pair.

"I think, not!" Kambei said as he readied himself for battle.

"Take him!" the leader said as four of the task force members leaped at the pair, long knives drawn.

Shinji didn't blink as Kambei effortlessly slashed through the quartet, revealing the obviousness of their condition.

"They're... machines?" Shinji gasped, seeing two severed arms were actually mechanical in nature.

"Cybernetic mercs, sent by the government to capture you." a voice corrected him.

"Who... who said that?" he asked as the task force mercs started to fly around one by one as if punched and kicked.

"What's going-AAAHHH!" one of the mercs shouted as he was kicked hard away from the boy.

"There's some-ARGH!" another shouted as he was tossed into a wall.

"They're wearing thermoptic-OH!" the leader groaned as he was hit hard in the face.

Once all the Umibozu were laid out and unconscious, Kambei sheathed his sword.

"You're timing couldn't have been more perfect." he said to no one in particular.

"Who are you talking to?" Shinji asked.

"The person who set off those explosives on the back of the Benigumo that held you hostage a few minutes ago." he answered.

"Who did do that?" the boy asked as he suddenly felt what he thought were a pair of arms wrap around his chest.

"I did." the voice said as Shinji felt a firm body press up against him from behind. He then felt something rub against the side of his face. Someone elses?

Shinji gasped, holding in his breath at the unexpected, unseen, contact. Suddenly, two arms flickered and materialized, showing physical proof that the person who was holding him was in fact human. Shinji looked back and saw that the arms were connected to the body of a beautiful and athletically shapely woman with short purple hair and flawless face. She was dressed all in black, a veil over her face removed to show her striking features.

"Who are you?" Shinji asked as the woman.

"Motoko Kusanagi." she said, then smiled at Shinji. "I'm your aunt."

"My... what?"

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Authors Notes:

I know, I know. Motoko never really smiled, but I wanted to have her do it. Those of you who have seen Motoko Kusanagi, the super hot female cyborg from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series, she does smile once in a while, and it's rather pretty to see.

Also, the Umibozu is the elite special forces unit in the GitS: SAC end of the series that was ordered to take out Section 9, and did a very good job of capturing them. But don't worry, there won't be any more cybernetic mercenaries for the team to deal with after this chapter. The ramifications for that would be too long to write. They were basically just in this chapter for her to fight.

Also, the Benigumo and Raiden robots are from Samurai 7, and were the principal enemies of the samurai in the beginning of the series. I added them because I wanted someone for Kambei to fight as he did in the series.

And I have to say, as much as I liked the movie and loved the series, I just couldn't wrap my brain around all the tech-talk and in-depth conversations that took place in every single episode. Everyone is just so highly talkative and hyper-analytical that it was slightly disappointing. I was expecting more cyborg action from it.

As to why I chose Motoko... I wanted someone unique and powerful to be Shinji's aunt, someone who would be willing to protect Shinji even though she wasn't his mother. And even though some people will say that Motoko has a cold-as-ice personality, I thought it would be good to give her a reason to act more human.

Next chapter: Four Sisters and A Brother.

Please Read and Review.