Disclaimer: See the Prologue

A/N: So….anyone figure out what the deal was behind Gaun giving Misato a drop of her blood to drink?


"Is that her? The dark looking one?"

Stop it!

"The half-breed female? Sei-i!"

Screw you!

"Disgrace! Letting a female go through the Naming Chiva! She didn't cheat, did she?"

Shut up!

"A female and a half-breed whose sire let some lou-dte kale Bad Blood rape him! The Elder's a fool keeping her around!"

You don't know anything!

Nine year old Gaun was stewing in anger as she ignored the stares and the whispers as she passed her way through the main plaze of the clan settlement. Normally when a Yautja youngling had just earned the rank of Unblood and being granted his (her in her case) name, hers being Gaun – meaning Night presumably after the colour of her black-spotted brown skin, they are given high regard and seen as future progenitors of the clan. However in Gaun's case, it was only the clan's High Elder, her caretaker, and Nam, her best friend, that had given her praise. Every other Hunter had given her the cold shoulder.

And she didn't care. Just like she didn't care about the Yautja she just bumped into and nearly knocked him down.

"HEY!" the male exclaimed. He realised who it was and snarled, "STOP!"

Gaun paused, looked over her shoulder and gave the male, whose name she remembered being Razor Sword, a dark look. "What?"

"Watch where you're walking, u'darahje!" Razor Sword exclaimed. "Don't start thinking you're entitled just because you somehow earned your name!"

Gaun regarded him for a few seconds, "It was a fair fight."

Other passing Yautja stopped to witness the brewing confrontation between the outcast half-breed pup and the Hunter she 'accosted'. Razor Sword growled and stepped forward towards her with ill intent, only to feel a tight grip on his left shoulder and spun around to see a smirking Nam.

"Sei-i, sure was," the young adult Yautja male said. "You were awesome, little sister!"

Razor Sword appeared reprehensive of the heavy-built, uncouth, upstart, young Blooded Hunter, and the only Yautja to not have shunned Gaun'Thwei, the half-breed's father. Gaun smiled lightly with being called Nam's little sister; he was her only friend, her older brother, the only person other than the Elder that acknowledged her existence; and never spoke abusively of either her or her sire.

She didn't know who her bearer was…

I…don't think I want to.

Her smile faded when Razor Sword pushed Nam back.

"That wasn't nice," Nam said, holding his hands up playfully. "Never really like other Hunter's company, eh?"

Razor Sword appeared horrified at the two of them, "Much less yours or that thing's."

Nam growled, "Oh cho't you just went there!"

He cracked his neck followed by his knuckles. Razor Sword's mandibles flared and extended his wrist-blade.

Nam, you idiot.

"Nam!"

"Hmm, what is it little sister?" Nam smirked. "I'm about to kick this tetch'na's ass!"

"Just drop it," Gaun stated with no emotion.

"Huh? Ah…

Nam saw the impatience on Gaun's face, her mandibles clicking together. He snorted…

"Fine."

Razor Sword smirked and retracted his blade. Nam stepped right past him, before he reached for his wrist and pulled him towards himself.

"Next time…she won't be around to not give a pauk! Then, the blades come out!"

Razor Sword gritted his teeth when he felt Nam almost crush his wrist before stepping over towards Gaun, tapping her lightly on the shoulder affectionately. Razor Sword watched them go and snorted in disgust.

"He's not worth it," Gaun looked up at Nam's face. "None of them all."

"You're no fun," Nam groaned. "But I swear if he mentions Gaun'Thwei again…!"

"…fuckin' virgin freak…"

Nam paused when he heard Razor Sword mutter under his breath. Nam smirked nastily…

"That'll DO!"

…before snarling and throwing himself at Razor Sword. The other Hunter reached for the sword on his back, Nam swatted his right hand away from the hilt before kneeing him in the gut. Razor Sword doubled over before Nam slammed his knee into his face, knocking him flat on his back. Gaun frowned, every other Hunter giving her, Nam and Razor Sword space.

THWACK!

He doesn't like being called that, either.

Gaun watched Nam pound Razor Sword into the ground.

CRUNCH!

Is this how we show others we love each other? By beating up the Yautja who wrong us? Always with violence?!

He really wanted Razor Sword to mention Gaun'Thwei. Like I care…

THWACK!

I hate my sire.

(SSJNYH)

Chapter 4 – Anguish

Sweat drenching her naked body, Merl'we panted breathlessly with fright as she clutched the covers to herself as she tried to force herself up off the floor, her back and elbows aching from having practically ejected herself from her bed after another horrifying nightmare that ended with her screaming and falling off the bed; and to find herself within the relative safety of the confines of the Huntship.

T-that sick perverted tetch'na. It's been a year and just last week Shinji-kun got him but good, and still the nightmares.

She put a hand to her face as she groaned, moaning. She then growled bitterly…

Guess this is what they call post-traumatic, huh?

…tore the blanket off herself, got up off the floor and stepped over towards the steel shelve that held her clothing and armour. She narrowed her eyes when she saw it was the same, skimpy material she was known for. She shook her head.

Time for a change, I think.

She reached for the netting and set about putting that on first.

(SSJNYH)

Nam's eyes were closed and his arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall in the hallway leading past Merl'we's door, taking a light nap on his feet. He had remained fixed upon this spot for the past three hours wanting to be the first Yautja Merl'we saw upon stepping out of her door. He was already clad in his heavy armour and carrying enough weapons to arm a trio of Young Bloods – his weapon of choice being the Scimitar, or arm-blade. He also carried the iconic plasmacaster, several shuriken, a spear-gun and a smart disc.

Since a week ago ever since he and Merl'we agreed to give what could be described as a relationship a chance, he had kept the younger Huntress somewhat at an arm's length, unwilling to try and initiate anything that would make her uncomfortable. And whenever Merl'we was willing to be affectionate with him, he kept it to just brief, light touches to the arms and forehead, nothing further – him not wanting to risk unsettling or, or worse, hurting her.

Hurt her…the same way that sick, perverted tetch'na had a year ago. Nam furrowed his brow and growled, opening his eyes.

How do I deal with something like that? When a female was hurt that way?

Looking back now it should have been him that utterly destroyed the freak of a Super Predator, not Shinji.

Curved Blade could claim Merl'we if he wanted to, and she'd accept him. He avenged her, he's more entitled to her.

I wouldn't object; she can do much better than me. Then again…she hasn't pushed me away yet. So maybe we do have a chance continuing this thing.

The door open and the giant Predator focused his pupils towards the younger, somewhat smaller Huntress.

Instead of her usual bikini and loincloth slash light-armour that covered her shoulders; she wore a full sealed light cuirass complete with shoulder plating that covered the upper half of her torso, not revealing cleavage or any skin except for her arms and belly that revealed the fishnet. Her knees and her femurs were armoured as well. Covering her extremities were her usual armoured loincloth with thong beneath it. To top it all if, she wore a dark vest that stretched down onto her knees, resembling a trench coat.

In short, something that actually looked practical and nothing what oomans would refer to as 'fan service' whatsoever.

Nam's interest was piqued at what stood before him, "Going for a new look?"

Merl'we's subsequent teasing smirk appeared forced, "Disappointed?"

Nam snorted, "Keh…figured you'd start feeling a chill sooner or later."

Merl'we stepped past him, hand brushing teasingly against his exposed abs. Normally Nam would have felt aroused whenever he felt female contact. However, he could sense that she forced herself to do that, and felt dread because of it.

How do I…?

"Merl'we?"

He reached for her suddenly, gently grabbing her by the arm. She paused, and he could hear her cringe and gasp lightly from the contact. He was quick to release her, though.

"Are you…well?" he hesitantly asked. "You're a bit off today."

Pauk, I'm not good at this.

Merl'we turned to him, bewildered. She then smiled, caressing his cheek lightly.

"I'm well," she replied. "Really."

No you're not…really."

There was silence between the pair of them, Merl'we hand still on the larger Yautja's cheek. It was only by Mana clearing her throat as she stood behind them that their exchange ended with Merl'we retracting her hand and turning to her honorary little sister. A very sullen, moody looking honorary little sister that was wearing a bandage around the knee she almost shattered earlier.

"Mana-chan," she addressed her with the appropriate suffix that she was fond of using

"You're in the way," Mana's eyes were narrowed as she pointed out. "The Elder has plans for breaching the Geo Front and rescuing nyaka-de and Blade-kun, correct?"

"Correct," Nam replied, unsure.

"Then get out of my way!" she suddenly exclaimed and pushed past them. "Baka!"

She then continued on her way, ostensibly towards the Huntship's conference chamber and not caring that her rank forbade her from entering it. Nam and Merl'we watched her as she walked ahead of them, forcing herself not to limp from her injury.

Nam snorted…

Don't call me that.

Merl'we turned her head to address Nam with a growl, all previous affection for him eroded, "You should have let her cave your balls in. She's no good with that limp and nothing's going to stop her from coming with us."

"I didn't feel like letting a female abuse me," Nam shot back. "Besides she should know that Gaun isn't going to come back that easily. Or anytime soon."

Merl'we growled, "Or not plan on coming back at all. Pauk…"

She walked after Mana.

"…let's just hear what the Elder has to say and get Gaun and Shinji-kun back before they realise they're out of their depth."

Nam nodded, "Sei-i."

Shinji-kun, huh?

Yeah, she can do better than me.

(SSJNYH)

Gendo sat behind his desk as he found himself in a holo-conference with none other than the Committee. Each member appeared agitated, none more than Chairman Keel Lorenz, who sat on the opposite end of the table. He was proving that eyes and facial expressions were not necessary to convey anger as he trying not to grit his teeth from the rage that was simmering inside him.

"Ikari," Keel said, calmly enough. "It would appear you have lost control of your own pilots. Kasumi…"

"He must be terminated!" The Red-Coded Committee Member representing the United Kingdom interrupted, unlike Keel not bothering to hide his anger. "Him and the rest of the xeno that have tainted our world!"

Gendo sat there, unmoving, before answering with a blunt, "No."

"What?!" Red cried.

"Evangelion Unit Zero One will not operate without the Third Child," the Blue-Coded Committee Member representing Russia explained, sounding truly calm and composed. "The soul within it will only accept him."

Gendo nodded, "Correct."

"We must retrieve Adam at all costs!" the Green-Coded Committee Member representing the United States of America said, determined. "We have one of them in our custody. We have leverage, the Third Child must be made to co-operate and retrieve Adam for us."

"He will," Gendo replied. "Dr. Akagi has finished constructing the ESS System."

"Which you will use on the Third Child, we presume?" the Yellow-Coded Committee Member representing France stated matter-of-factly.

"…" Gendo's silence was brief. "No we will not."

"And why not the Boy-Predator himself?" Keel asked. "Fear of death would keep him in line."

"He does not fear his death, chairman," Gendo answered. "He fears other people's deaths. It would be more prudent if the ESS System his implanted on something that holds meaning to him."

"Like his 'mother'?" Keel stated. "And that, Ikari, is another area of concern. It would appear his biological mother no longer holds any kind of meaning for him."

Ikari narrowed his eyes behind his glasses and furrowed his brow, "He blames…me for her 'death'."

"Not good enough!" Red exclaimed. "To know of his mother and to hold her in high regard greater than that…thing is required for the Scenario! He must reconnect with his humanity, starting with the woman who gave birth to him, before he is made to lose them and subsequently break. And then humanity will move forward past such petty emotions such as loss."

"Loss of which he has already moved on from," Gendo said. "Yui…Ikari…means nothing to him."

And if he knew how much Yui played in the creation of EVA; if he knew about the Contact Experiment, about that day, he would hate her too.

that would not be right.

Keel sighed, angrily, "You have alternatives, then?"

"I do," Gendo said. "His loss of the bonds he forged on his own will be our eventual gain."

"Starting with retrieving Adam and forcing Kasumi to be co-operative in the future," Blue said. "That is our first priority."

"Which you will see to right now," Keel instructed. "To be completed in time for the next Angel attack."

Gendo nodded, remembering the female alien that is currently in containment within NERV's Science Division, "It has already been seen to."

"Good day, gentlemen," Gendo said, before his holographic image disappeared from his end of the table, leaving the Committee alone.

"Should we have told him about Yui Ikari's connection with these Predators?" Blue wondered out loud.

Keel stared down at his terminal, upon an image of a naked, bloodied, and badly injured brown-haired, dreadlocked girl lying on a hospital gurney. The image was dated 1992 – and the image had the Weyland Corporation watermark on it.

"He will figure it out soon enough."

(SSJNYH)

Gaun groaned as she felt the tranquilliser wear off, waking up on something that felt hard on her back. Her vision was dark; her throat felt dry and a bit constricted while her chest was aching like something fierce, especially around her heart. She tried to sit up, immediately feeling a bit lighter.

Of course they would take my weapons.

She felt her wrist and arms.

Couldn't take these though.

She then felt her heart, clicking her mandibles.

They tried, though. And they stopped they realised they would have killed me. A true Predator is never unarmed.

She sat up as her vision cleared up gradually, darkness replaced by glaring white. She blinked a few times, and realised she was lying on a table in a white tiled room, a wall-length mirror next to the door situated to her left. Her reflection revealed she wasn't wearing her fishnet, leather and armour. Instead she wore white strips of cloth that covered her breasts and womanhood.

She snorted…

Thoughtful of them.

Her eyes lit up when she noticed there was something attached around her neck: A grey looking collar with two red coloured rectangles on top of one another. She slowly inched her left hand towards it, it then suddenly beeped…

"Wha-"

…and generated enough electricity comparable to that of cattle prod that caused her throat to constrict and knock her down onto her knees. Gasping for breath, she coughed violently and took gulp falls of air, shakily standing back up before extending her left hand towards the table for support. Right hand massaging her aching throat, she glared over at the mirror, knowing that people were watching her.

I expected they would take additional measures against me.

This could…be a problem.

(SSJNYH)

This is Shinji's 'mom'?

Watching the alien Huntress intently were several key members of NERV's Science Division, Ritsuko among them, with her assistant Lieutenant Maya Ibuki at her side holding a tablet against her chest. The bridge bunny swallowed lightly, despite all efforts to retain her dignity Maya couldn't keep the blush off her face as she stared at the shapely, well-toned female humanoid through the two-way mirror. To the young NERV Officer's surprise, the Huntress' face did little to downplay the attractiveness of the rest of her body.

She's like an alien Amazon.

She's…beautiful.

"Ibuki?" Ritsuko's voice cut through the haze surrounding her.

Startled, Maya cleared her throat, "Apologies, sempai…"

She felt chills when she saw that Ritsuko was configuring the detonator.

BIOMETRIC VERIFICATION, a small holographic display appeared. TEST SUBJECT: BM-03. ACTIVATED!

Maya noticed that the doctor's face was expressionless when she held the detonator towards the Huntress through the two-way mirror and pressed a blue button with a lightning bolt printed on it. Maya's eyes widened, then turned to see the Huntress let out a soundless scream and fall onto the ground, gasping for breath for using the table as leverage in order to stand back up and defiantly glare everyone in observation through the window.

"W-was that necessary?" Maya asked, turning towards Ritsuko, who look of disinterest started to unsettle her.

"No," Ritsuko replied, nonchalantly. "But I still had to test it somehow. The explosive, however, we'll have to see when the situation calls for it."

Maya turned back to the window to see the Huntress at the window, her glare send another sudden chill through her body.

"Begin recording," Ritsuko ordered.

Maya nodded and tapped a button, RECORD on her tablet's touch screen. A holo screen appeared on the glass, recording the standing, defiant and heaving Huntress staring back.

"Akagi Ritsuko, NERV Science and Development," Ritsuko begun. "Date: Classified. Location: Classified. Subject BM-03 was captured following operation against the Sixth Angel and subsequent loss of 'mission assets'."

Huh? What mission assets?

Maya glanced at Ritsuko questioningly.

"Study of technology recovered from subject will be ongoing, though study of subject itself through possible vivisection and dissection will be on hold until we have recovered assets," she continued, briefly raising her voice coldly at dissection. "Conditioning of both subject and the Third Child through use of the Emergency Shutdown System we will pinpoint location of other xenos and recover asset."

V-vivisection? Dissection?

Maya gulped lightly.

You're joking right, sempai?

"End recording," Ritsuko finished. "Lieutenant?"

"R-right," Maya said, pushing END. "You can't possibly think about killing her, ma'am?"

Ritsuko turned to her, shrugging, "In the interest of science, Ibuki."

"But she's…Kasumi's mother," Maya stated. "If she dies, that would affect his ability to pilot, wouldn't it?"

Ritsuko seemed to consider her words, before simply stating, "Noted."

Hey…where is Shinji-kun anyway?

Maya glanced at the door worriedly, have expecting an angry looking, and armed, Boy Predator to burst through with murder in his eyes. To her surprise, however, it remained closed…

(SSJNYH)

…as was the door into Shinji's cell, the boy sitting on a foldable chair being held in the brig on charges of Assault and Aiding and Abetting a Criminal. The assault presumably breaking Kaji's nose and the criminal being his Mother. He looked up at the security camera watching him, before staring back at the door defiantly.

The door then opened to reveal a very unhappy looking Misato.

Not dropping his peeved expression, Shinji greeted her, "Misato."

"I…well…the Commander dropped the charges," Misato stated, then growled. "On account of the both of us being ill informed that Kaji was delivering something critical to NERV and your mother deciding to crash the party and…"

She paused.

"…'confusing priorities.'"

Shinji snorted with ill humour, "How generous of him."

Misato nodded, "Yeah. Anyways...we just need you to go through some more synch tests with Asuka and then we'll go home."

Shinji growled and looked down at the floor, clenching his hands into fists as his frustration built up as he grounded out, "Not. Really. Up to it at the moment, Misato. What with my Mother a prisoner and all!"

"There's nothing you can do at the moment," Misato said, sadly. "My gut tells me she wanted to be brought down here."

And why?

"…why?" Shinji asked, his questions mirroring her own now sounding desperate; culminating in kicking the chair away from him before stepping towards Misato, forlorn. "No one's telling me anything. Not Mother, not the Clan, not NERV…"

He then eyed her, wearily.

"Not you."

The raven-haired woman was startled, "W-what?"

Wow…our first argument.

She glowered at Shinji, not wanting him to start being wary of her as well, "Hey! I'm getting the feeling I'm being kept out of the lot on a lot of thing around here as well, so don't you start with me… just…"

She then softened, causing Shinji to sigh with regret.

"…please don't think that way about me, okay? You've been honest with me about a lot of things the least I can do is let you know whenever and however things are going to play out."

Shinji wanted to apologise, instead he just nodded. Misato gave a small smile and patted his shoulder.

"Trust me?"

Shinji nodded with no hesitation.

I trust you.

"I'm gonna go see Mother," he suddenly stated and walked past her, wiping the smile off her face and leaving her flabbergasted.

"Wha…WAIT!"

(SSJNYH)

"Are you are…certain, ?"

Ritsuko and Kozo followed Gendo as they were escorted by armed guards through the Science and Development sector of NERV towards the quarantine section where the Huntress was being held for observation. With Shinji being released from the stockade, on Gendo's orders, and his intention on seeing his beloved 'mother' figures, risks weren't being taken.

"Yes, Sub-Commander, sir," Ritsuko stated. "During attempts to remove the wrist technology and subsequent collection of DNA samples she kept repeating this…"

She tapped her tablet, which repeated a raspy, sorrowful growl over and over.

Yui….Yui….Yui…

Both Ritsuko and Kozo thought they noticed a hint of expression upon Gendo's face.

"Prep the First and Third Children for their synch tests," Gendo quickly said, emotionless. "I believe the Second Child will be arriving here momentarily, with Mr. Kaji."

They stopped in front of the door leading into the Observation Area of Quarantine.

"The Third Child will be uncooperative knowing she is here," Ritsuko stated.

"I will be sending him to you…soon enough," Gendo responded.

The door opened and both Gendo and Kozo stepped through along with their two armed NERV-SEC escorts, leaving Ritsuko standing there, appearing contemplative.

This is the way to bring Kasumi under heel…and away from the Commander's throat.

"Akagi."

"Hey Rits…"

Speak of the devil…

She her eyes widened and she let out a light gasp when she heard both him and her, the sociopathic boy savage and her best friend that was supposed to be keeping an eye on him. She turned around, and sure enough, Shinji and Misato were standing some feet away; the boy appearing impatient while Misato just looked at her appearing serious.

"Katsuragi," Ritsuko greeted her, all business-like. "I was just about to remind about the synch test that was supposed to have been run at least two hours ago…"

Shinji cut in before Misato had the chance to respond, speaking quite venomously…

"Where is my Mother?"

(SSJNYH)

For the past hour or so Gaun had been kneeling on the ground in her cell, staring almost unblinkingly at the mirror/window in front of her.

With this thing around my neck they'll no doubt blackmail Curved Blade in becoming more compliant. If Nam and Merl'we keep to the schedule, however, we will have enough time to…do what must be done.

The lights in her cell dimmed lightly. Gaun looked up at the lights, then noticed a section of the window depolarised. She looked back down to see a bearded man whose uniform was open, and briefly adjusted his tinted glassed with his gloved left hand. The Man appeared to look unimpressed with her as he just stood, quietly staring at her.

After a while he finally spoke, "Do you know who I am?"

Gaun stood up when she noticed the scar on the right side of his face. She walked over towards the window, and standing right in front of the Man she realised was Curved Blade's biological sire.

I remember that state Shinji was in when we first met…

She balled her right hand into a fist.

...and I realise that though this is our first meeting…

And she roared as she swung her fist into the glass right in front of Gendo's face, cracking it.

I have never hated anyone more than I did my own sire.

Both of them - Gaun'Thwei, Ikari, they abandoned the two of us. My sire never thought of me when he sliced his own stomach open in a twisted parody of seppuku and Ikari; this…man…left him just up and left him so he can build allthis.

She retracted her now bloodied fist, now silently raging that Gendo was still was still standing there and looking indifferent at her.

I want to be standing amongst the rubble when all this is torn down.

"I…kari…" Gaun hissed in Japanese. "What…you want?"

"…" Gendo stared at her some more, before produced what a teal-green handheld device. "I want your co-operation. "

He pushed a button and immediately Gaun's choker produced a shock that knocked her down on her back, causing her to convulse briefly before she balled her fists and screamed out loud as she regained control of her body.

"You understand me?" Gendo's amplified voice reverberated around the cell.

"KILL ME!" Gaun screamed, writhing on the ground. "I give nothing…!"

"I might just do so, and in front of Shinji, my son," Gendo continued, "Mine…and Yui's."

Gaun paused, upon hearing her 'daughter's name.

What?

"You do not know?" Gendo asked. "Yui Ikari is my wife. And Shinji is our son."

Gaun shakily got back up, mandibles quivering. She felt several emotions at the moment, but the one that reigned high above: Denial. She smashed both her fists and the glass.

"YOU LIE!" she roared. "YOU…THE OLD MEN…ALL YOU OOMANS!"

Repulsive! No respect for blood! Zazin c'jit!

"Old men?" Gendo questioned. "I assume they were people that rehabilitated her after you…ceased contact with her."

Gaun then detected a hint of fondness in his voice.

"I met her…we – how you would say – became mates and we had Shinji."

The window screen to her right then produced an image of a well-dressed and groomed younger Gendo and a brown-haired woman –Straight Blade, grown up and alive without her dreads and a distinct lack of muscle in her arms. Gaun glimpsed at the image, then looked away, frowning.

She…she would no better than to pursue…a male like him!

The image then changed to a smiling Yui holding a black-haired one cycle old pup that suspiciously looked like her fourteen cycle old pup. And he was being held affectionately by a young woman that also looked suspiciously like her first, and once thought dead, pup. Gaun then stepped towards the image, stretching a hand forward towards the screen.

She then paused, and turned back to Gendo, angrily.

"You never told him about his real mother, then?" Gendo said. "Who gave birth to him, who cared for him…"

"Killed her!" Gaun punched the window in front of the window. "You!"

Gendo shook his head, "No…it was her experiment. It was all for Shinji."

Gaun's eyes were close to bulging out of her skull, she was that angry.

She gave up her life for some science experiment! Like those men of science, the Paya Amedha discovered within the ice and when they drove the Spear into it, they gave humanity up that day…

She…she abandoned him. The same way my sire abandoned me…

"Her last words were her wanting to show Shinji's 'humanity's bright future'."

D-did she make him watch?

Straight Blade…? W-what…? No…!"

"NO!"

RAAAARGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

NO!

Her next blow to the window cracked it, blinking the tears back furiously as she screamed in anguish.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

YUI…WHY?!

Gendo just continued to look passive, even as Gaun's panting, seething form went back to staring angrily and hatefully at Gendo.

Why he is he telling me this? Why is he…destroying Yui's…his own wife's…

What does he want?!

"I believe the Third Child, Shinji, deserves to know the truth about what Yui wanted for him," Gendo said. "I'm sure your honour demands it."

Gaun noticed his fist was stuck to the glass, pulling it out left a trail of blood in mid-air; pieces of glass stuck in her hand.

"Your honour…or would you prefer your affections for Shinji and Yui?" Gendo prattled on. "So far Shinji has proved to be much steeled, emotionally and mentally; determined to avenge his mother from the perceived wrong I inflicted her."

He pointed to his scar.

"If he knew the truth about Yui and how far she was willing to go for him, even if it meant leaving him..."

I should just let him tell Shinji. Shinji will know the truth about his bearer…my daughter. He will despair…it may break him, but he will get over it and will drive him even further in ripping this tetch'na's head off. I know better than to let him use Yui against me…and Shinji.

Gendo paused when he saw that Gaun was standing there, head bowed slightly and shoulders sagging as if in submission.

I came down here for a reason. Now I have another reason, a BETTER one.

"What…you want?" Gaun looked up, glaring at Gendo through her dreaded bangs.

"Adam," Gendo wasted no time voicing his desires. "You give me Adam, and Shinji will not know the truth about the woman we both love…"

"Love?" Gaun muttered. "Ai?"

She then muttered something in the Yautja tongue, the word in her language.

If I knew the words, I would refer to him as someone who doesn't know the meaning of the word.

She glared up at him, shakily raising a finger.

"You think…you…you know…ai."

(SSJNYH)

Kozo glimpsed at Gendo. The Commander didn't let it show that he felt sick

Using…past traces of her mortal existence against Shinji through this abomination.

This…it's not right. This is not right…

Yui!

…and thought the scar Shinji had inflicted upon him begun to ache. He noticed Lt. Ibuki appearing anxious as she stood to the side, her eyes then darted towards the doors as he heard them upon, followed by her appearing alarmed, his escorts levelling their submachine-guns towards the doorway. He immediately deduced that Shinji had arrived despite Dr. Akagi's 'authority'. He noticed Shinji's angered reflection upon the glass, but he appeared to be more outraged that Gaun was prostrating himself before Gendo.

"MOTHER!" Shinji shouted something in the alien tongue he didn't bother to care.

His hand gripped the detonator as the window completely depolarised, revealing the Huntress and the cell she was standing in…

"Not one step closer, Third Child."

…and raising it above his head as he turned around, face to face with red faced Shinji, Captain Katsuragi standing in the doorway with Dr. Akagi behind her. The Third Child looked he was just barely restraining himself. He looked past Gendo, presumably at the device around the Huntress' neck.

"What…?"

"She has an Emergency System Shutdown Choker around her neck," Gendo explained matter-of-factly. "And I hold the means to end her life whenever I want."

"Ikari," Kozo begun. "You…"

"ZAZIN…!" Shinji shouted, putting another foot forward.

"What did I just say? Not one step closer…" Gendo reiterated, the detonator holo-projector stating ARMED in black letters on a green background.

Shinji paused, alarmed.

"Commander!" Misato exclaimed as she stepped into observation. "What's going on, sir?"

"I'm disappointed in your efforts in controlling the Third Child, Captain," Gendo addressed her. "More direct measures have to be taken."

He turned back to Shinji.

"You will be compliant with my authority from now on, Pilot Ikari," Gendo declared, referring to him by his surname with spite. "If you do not, your 'mother's' life is forfeit."

He pushed a button and the Huntress suffered another shock. Shinji gasped, snarled and his wristblade instinctively extended…

"KILL YOU!"

…and before Misato could stop him Shinji quickly restrained himself from taking another step.

This is what it takes to finally make Shinji compliant.

(SSJNYH)

Gaun watched as Shinji stopped himself taking another step. And she was disappointed, not at Shinji though…

It's all my fault. Straight Blade, Curved Blade…

My death…it's penance. You'll get over it…eventually. You always overcome.

Kill him, Curved Blade! You'd be too fast for his guards, giving you enough time to…

Shinji's blade retracted, but he didn't lose the murderous glare he was aiming at Gendo. Gaun sighed bitterly

Damn.

"You have a synch test scheduled if I'm not mistaken, Pilot Ikari," Gendo said. "And afterwards, we will discuss your retrieving of NERV property your clan stole."

Shinji was alarmed at the very suggestion of taking something that the Clan had declared ownership of.

"I'll never betray the Clan," Shinji declared. "They had good reason to take…whatever it was they took."

"And what if it means the survival of the human race?" Gendo pressed him.

Shinji regarded Gendo as if he were an idiot and stated matter-of-factly, "They wouldn't risk our species' hunting grounds."

That misanthropic statement sent a chill up Misato's spine. Apart from the select few, probably, he still saw humanity as a whole as game to be hunted. Though he did put forth a suggestion towards what exactly was stolen and why: What they stole was NERV property, but at the same time they weren't endangering humanity by taking it.

Gendo frowned, "Then I put forth this question to you: What do you fear losing the most?"

He then briefly turned his head and indicated Gaun.

"Your 'standing' and the 'respect' your clan has for you? Or the 'woman' that raised you?"

Shinji looked as if he was ready to tear up, his left eyelid was twitching.

"Well?"

He looked ready to lunge for Gendo neck and was breathing harshly through his teeth. His shoulders then sagged and he breathed out and sighed, as if in resignation and with defeat, though he still continued to glower at Gendo.

His eyes softened and then he called out to Gaun in the Yautja language, startling everyone except Gendo as they all heard the desperation in his voice, "I'll get you out soon, Mother. Somehow! I promise!"

Curved Blade then snarled and stared back into Gendo's eyes.

"And I swear I'll stomp him into dhi'ki-de before I rip his head off!"

I know you will.

"Captain Katsuragi, please escort the Third Child out," Kozo said.

"Yes, sir. Come on, Shinji."

Shinji didn't stop Misato from leading him out by the hand, still looking at Gaun wistfully, all traces of prior determination seemingly faded. Gaun stared back, bowing her head slightly, and her hand still bleeding.

Gendo appeared satisfied as he turned to face Gaun again. Kozo turned towards Maya, "Lieutenant Ibuki? Please fetch gauze so that the Huntress can treat herself."

"Yes, sir," Maya nodded.

On Gaun's end she saw her reflection upon the mirror once again as the mirror depolarized.

Nam, Merl'we…

This is all you, now.

(SSJNYH)

About six-hundred cycles ago Bloodied Mail had been the most dangerous of the Sakura Hunta Ichizoku, or the Cherry Blossom Hunters Clan, the larger Predator clan from Yautja Prime whose hunting grounds on Earth had been those two islands called Japan and had revered their culture to the point of adopting their language (for ceremonial purposes) and duplicating their weapons, and at one point even trained an ooman in their ways. That was until he threw in with Red Spear and his desires to separate the Yautja from the cultures of their prey. According to him, too many of the clans were affiliating themselves with humanity – and not just by taking trophies of the numerous human prey they hunted throughout the ages.

Red Spear succeeded, him and about a hundred other Yautja left the Yautja Prime and settled on that arid planet; and he gave up his name to become the High Elder of this new nameless clan. No fancy titles or names, just pure Yautja, free of human influence.

He didn't count on the Gaun bloodline being devout hunters that were always the first to go on safari in Japan, and their inability to give up their affinity. And about eighty years ago it surprised him when the previous Elder took in the last of the Gaun bloodline after her father, Gaun'Thwei, killed himself – and as show of defiance towards the clan'ss independence from Yautja Prime, gutted himself through seppuku, and Nam had being his second.

Eventually Bloodied Mail became the next Elder, Red Spear dying to violent hands following his insanity, and after six-hundred years he couldn't deny that he missed the Sakura Hunta Ichizoku, and had thought about reconciling with them, especially that humanity was on the precipice of it's own destruction, and Japan itself was ground zero.

The Elder, his real name being Bloodied Mail, studied the holographic image of the ooman's Geo Front, including their pyramid headquarters, and the large chamber at the bottom of it, at least two-thousand and eight metres below the HQ where it was being held.

At least according to the information the Clan had been given by…sources.

"Heh…I mean no offence Elder, but as awesome as the both of us are," Nam indicated himself and Merl'we. "Oh, and every other Hunter," he nudged towards all the other Yautja in the room. "This is a Geo Front…something those damned First One hak'nikts built."

"And which I know to get through, remember?" Merl'we smirked. "Seriously…s'yuitde."

"Tease," Nam grumbled. "But seriously…do you have real plan into breaking into that pyramid and reaching…it."

Bloodied Mail nodded, "I do. And once you find it…you will slay it, finally putting an end to whatever fool ambition these oomans have to accomplish by destroying themselves."

"What do we do about …Adam? Right, that's what it's called?" Merl'we inquired. "Are we really going to just hand it over to…them?"

"You would prefer Curved Blade?" the Elder asked. "We deny them a bloodline, so they demanded something of equal value in exchange for warning us of the oomans bringing their own reckoning upon them."

Nam sighed impatiently, "So that means…yes."

"Sei-i."

"And we can trust them to not do something stupid with it?"

Bloodied Mail growled and waved the hologram away, "Either way, we will never owe the oomans anything ever again!"

(SSJNYH)

The Huntship's senior healer, M'kanosa, observed Mana as she strapped the hexagonally-played mechanical brace around her injured knee. Pushing a button on her wrist-comp she grunted in pain as the brace tightened itself around her knee. Getting off the counter she took a couple of steps forward, still feeling pain but at least she wasn't limping anymore.

Mana noticed that all M'kanosa was doing was watching her quietly. Turning to face her, she asked, "Aren't you going to try and stop me from joining in on the attack on the oomas?"

"I should, yes," M'kanosa said. "But you'll simply just find a way to get off this ship anyway and the Elder has forbid me from going as far as further crippling my patients to make sure they don't go anywhere."

Mana grabbed a few elastic bands and begun tying her hair and braids up, realising that it had all gotten in the way every time she had gone out safari with Gaun, "Nyak'a-de and Shinji-kun needs me. Nothing will stop me."

"Not even a failed attempt at harming an clan-mate," M'kanosa said. "You reminded me of J'rugar…"

What?

"Don't compare me to that man-hater!" Mana shot back at her, angrily.

She then stopped being angry and instead look ashamed.

"Lesson learned," Mana said, subdued. "Now…"

M'kanosa left hand shot forward and grabbed hers by the wrist as she reached for some hypos on another small table. The girl glared at the healer, but it faded when M'kanosa glared right back at her.

"You won't be needing them," M'kanosa growled. "Curved Blade barely survived using one. What gives you a better chance?"

She let go of the ooman Unblood Huntress' wrist and she stepped back, stunned. Mana then composed herself and nodded, before stepping out of the room, no longer limping.

(SSJNYH)

U'darahje – Abomination
Dhi'ki-de - The Long Sleep (Death)/Unconscious/Coma
S'yuitde - Pathetic

A/N: Yeah, this chapter is to remind us why we love to hate Gendo and how easily he can put anyone over a barrel. I know it's unfair on Gaun, but this is something Gendo would do once he got hold of something that he could use against her for his benefit…even (to his regret) if it meant defiling his own wife's memory. If Shinji Curved Blade realised that Yui did leave him for the Contact Experiment, he would hate her. And Gaun, as strong as she is, couldn't live with that, Shinji hating Yui that is. Bad enough that it turns out her first adopted pup, Yui, is the biological mother of her second adopted pup; and it turns out that Yui left Shinji the same way as Gaun's father, Gaun'Thwei left her…by killing themselves.

Gaun knows better than to be manipulated by Gendo like that, but I think I already established that she is just as 'sick' as the NGE cast; she's as fragile minded as everyone else, and she knows it. Combined with her love for her 'children' Shinji and Yui, it was open season on her.

Everyone seems to have fond memories of Yui, especially Gaun – who doesn't want to believe Yui would be capable of any kind of wrongdoing. And part of her character development is accepting that Yui was behind a lot of things, especially with regards to Shinji.

Yeah…I'm not fond of Yui, I think I can thank Devil Boss and his fan fic Vengeance for that. Just wish he'd update it.

Here's something meta: Gaun getting the choker and being labelled 'Subject BM-03' in a way she suffers in place of Shinji (which happens to him in Evangelion 3.0); like how a good parent should for their child.

With, and Shinji's Clan. I never did get around to giving t a name, so I decided to find a reason for it: It's a splinter of a larger Clan from Yautja Prime, the true Predator homeworld. I felt the need to overhaul the way Yautja society is portrayed. The 'Sakura Hunta Ichizoku' will make an appearance later.

Special thanks to CelfwrDderwydd for further inspiring the idea of the Predator venerating human culture.

finally got around to giving the Elder a name. Bloodied Mail, as in the mail like in chain mail armour.

Oh, yeah...Maya Ibuki is a bit of a xenophile. Heh...