Disclaimers:
Neon Genesis Evangelion and all related characters, concepts, etc., are property of ADVision and Gainax. I only wish they were mine. ;-)

"Romance Concerto"

Chapter #3 Reflections of Change

A new Musician joins the tour as the former children reflect on their current situations. Then tragedy strikes!

A/N: This chapter is more on Rei's thoughts and POV's. Though not totally first person POV, it is mainly a view of events from Rei's viewpoint. But there is some action in the last section so enjoy and please R&R. Special thanks to my prereaders, Datexan, my grammar maven, and Tashikawa, my conceptual artist!

AN2: Sorry for taking soooo long but my real life has taken me to new places... unfortunately I can't write there. But I will Finish ALL my stories.

dennisud

All Italics are thoughts from each character in their given situation. Its also Rei's Journal entries.

A Calm Moment

Journal entry #341;

As their Airbus-800 Double-Decker passenger jetliner made it's way out from New Delhi, India I was

Adding the newest entry to my personal journal, a journal started at my brother's request. I still have problems in writing to myself. Inside I see no need to do this sort of seemingly wasteful writing, But Shinji pointed out that though it was writing to a singular person, many of these journals helped that individual sort their thoughts and quell their minds when contemplating serious issues. I am still amazed at the therapeutic effect the simple act of writing in a book of blank pages about the days, or in this case weeks event can set about a calmness in my soul.

Yes I now know due to my caring brother and the rest of our friends that I do have my own unique and singular soul. But I need to get the events of this passed week written down as the time I would normally have were taken up by those same events.

I kept this in mind as I wrote, and today was not less a serious issue than having a former Messenger of God, The 'Angel' of free will now amongst us.

I am at once intrigued and frightened of his presence. Kowaru nagisa now calling himlsef Karl Nadler Intrigued me due to the obvious fact that he had returned as I did, after the first ones came and I deduce to experience the life of a human being, or Lilum as he used to call us. Rei though, "How funny... saying us!" just then. She shook her head and continued with her journal entry.

I am also frightened in that he was one of the beings who were sent to destroy humanity, a being very much like I was. The only real difference between us was who produced us and what we were 'made' to accomplish. I worry for Shinji, Misato-chan, and the other knowing that though I am not what I once was, is Nadler-san still one? Has he returned to what Aida-kun so appropriately phrased, 'Finish the job".

That alone could occupy at least a few pages in this journal, but the reappearance of Soryu-san further complicates my family's lives. I worry even more for Shinji-kun now. Not really knowing if I worry for my borhter, or for the changes these two former children will wrought in our lives.

Rei looks up and sighs as she looks at her brother sleeping on a bunk just beside her seat. The A-800 is a double-decker Airliner, this particular jet was specially made for use by the U.N., had cabins with bunks and seats reminiscent of the old luxury trains of the 19th and 20th centuries. Ms. ikari was seated in a four-person cabin with four bunks, two which came out of the wall and two which came from the sofas below the others. It seems Misato-chan had spared no expense to bring the Osaka Symphony home on their last leg of their journey. Rei then looked to her left and saw out there airliner's window showing the clouds go by reflecting the moon's light. She sighed and heard a soft chuckle across from her and to her right. Facing her were the two people that had (in her opinion) disrupted her and her brother's lives. Karl Nadler AKA Kowaru Nagisa, and sleeping above him with legs and arms entangled in her sheets slept the former second child Asuka Langley Soryu.

Rei looked pointedly at the smiling young man before going back to her writing. He smiled more at her obvious irritation and slightly elevated right eyebrow reminiscent of an old pre impact science fiction show.

It still unnerves me that he could sit there as if he had not a care in the world. Of course I wouldn't show this outwardly to him or anyone else. So in this case Shinji-kun was right, a journal is quite a perfect instrument not only to allow you to "talk to one's self", but also to 'vent' those feelings. She stopped looking at nothing as she remembered things. Rei then continued to write.

Over the first ten years since our rebirth I have used the journal to dissect my feelings as they came. With the help of the UN assigned psychologists and Shinji-kun, I have begun to understand my 'feelings'. They were bewildering and frightening at first but later as the sessions continued I was beginning to understand them. It's been a long trial for me as I had before the rebirth had only three distinct feelings, if you could call them that now. existence, acceptance and duty. I have since found out that those three 'feelings' designated to me by one Gendo Ikari are not the only useful and needed feelings a being... a 'human' being should have.

Rei sighs again and looks up to see Karl Nadler (Kowaru) now fast asleep. She slightly grins relieved at not having to face his smiling face and the subsequent mixed feelings that stirred in her for or from him.

Thank goodness 'he' is now asleep. I did not want to deal with the smiling glances and the smirks which stir those conflicting feelings I have for him is making me most... uncomfortable. I think it's the fact that he still is much like me: a hybrid human who's been given another chance by the circumstances of the Rebirth. But I still have a very low level of trust for him simply because I don't know his true motives for returning, and of course he had betrayed us once before.

She put her pen down and looked intently at the sleeping young man across from her. She thought back to that momentous event, knowing that she had to do what she did, acting against him allowing Shinji to capture him. Rei then then remembered Kowaru, Tabirus looking at her smiling and giving her a simple nod of acknowledgment. ( He KNEW... he really knew... what i had done) she thought!

She put her hand to her heart and that action slowly calmed it down. Rei then looked up only to see him looking at her smiling that... honest caring smile, giving a simple nod of acknowledgment before he closed his eyes and went back to sleep, leaving a thoroughly dazed and confused Rei Ikari.

Journal entry #342; 8 hours after previous writings:

A few hours later we have arrived in Osaka and were now heading home. Soryu had somehow been invited to stay with Shinji & I, while Kaworu would be rooming with Kensuke and Mana Aida. As I make a mental note to talk to my brother about making 'unilateral' decisions for the 'both' of us, Soryu seemed to be as surprised about the other revelation of Kensuke Aida and his wife, the former Mana Kurashima, would be our A/V Engineers on Motoko-chan's proposed tour as she was at finding out that mana was alive and now with Kensuke-kun. But it seemed to pass quickly. I remember the time Mana had been 'with' Shinji-kun. She was his 'first' girl-friend as know now. He had a very rough time when she betrayed his trust, and later on when Asuka left it only added more to his grief. But now He seems to accept her back. I think its more to the fact that Mana was now Kensuke's wife and as I know quite clearly Shinji-kun is a very forgiving person. That is just one reason i count myself lucky at having him as my brother.

We'll be meeting them all at our home tomorrow for a lunch meeting to plan out the mini-tour, while the final schedule of practices and list of music was delivered to us by Motoko-chan. This reminded me of our first meeting with Kowaru Nagisa now Karl Nadler, our 2nd Violinist.

What follows is in third person POV:

Flashback One week before

Vienna Symphony Hall, Practice room B:

As they awaited their final audition, Rei, Asuka & Shinji discuss some of the music they'd chosen to use.

"I like the set of pieces you have lined up for our little tour Shinji." Asuka said with a seemingly constant smile that boosted the former third child's self esteem. She added, "I mean these pieces from Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel have the pacing and mood changes to really tell the story of our experiences in the Angel War, and the world's recovery from it."

Asuka was happy to be able to be a part of their retelling of the war with music since it was such an expressive way to tell it. Even the ones that would reflect their turmoil throughout their piloting experiences, and more specifically for Asuka: with her mental breakdown. She knew that this was a perfect way for her to close the door on that part of her life.

She smiled as Shinji answered her. "Well I was really lucky to find a compatible album that would help us tell our story. I was just trying to find some musical scores that contained this score of Pachelbel's Canon in D' Major and found this pre-Second Impact compilation that was actually produced here in Japan. Though the actual recordings were done in by The Paillard Chamber Orchestra of France, which was touring Japan at the time." Shinji shook his head.

Rei added, " I see the album has pieces from Molter, Ramneau, as well as Corelli, Marcello, and Clarke. I am impressed at the variety of the music within this single album. An impressive find Shinji-Kun." A rare public smile decorated his sister's angelic face. He was happy knowing that.

He smiled at his sister's compliment. "As I said before I just got lucky. Now we have some decisions to make especially as some of the cities we're scheduled to tour have differing amounts of accompaniment available for us. So were going to have to use some pieces and leave some others out as well as change some of the scores as we tour, switching several pieces depending on the support that's available."

"Also do not forget the soloists." Rei added almost back in her monotone voice.

"Well, what ever problems we might have in doing this, I'm glad the music isn't going to be a problem." Asuka said as they all nodded in agreement. Shinji had gathered at least three different scores for each piece of music being considered, from a sextet to a full orchestra.

The door then swung as the final musician came in to audition.

Rei and Shinji sat staring at the door "……….." while Asuka looked at them with a confused look.

It seemed like time stood still and no one moved in the room.

The long moment of shocked silence was finally broken by the sound of glass breaking hitting the floor, which then jarred everyone out of their frozen stupor.

The two girls looked to see that it had been in Shinji's now trembling hand. His eyes had a look of utter surprise and growing panic. They turned almost in unison to follow Shinji's gaze. On the stage they saw a smiling 24-year-old auburn & gray-speckle headed young Caucasian man with a violin case under his arm. Then, a loud fleshly thump was heard from just beside them, as Makoto fainted beside the table they all sat at, knowing that the former Fifth Child, Kaworu Nagisa was standing right there, in front of them, live and in person.

Then Kaworu said quite lively, "hmmm, excuse me … do I still have a chance to audition?"

Asuka looked at Rei, who had a very concerned look, while Shinji had a pale or almost as pasty as Rei's normal skin tone. Ms. Soryu began trying to reach towards a still frozen Shinji. "Shinji, hey Shinji, you look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Girk." was Shinji's only clear response as he stood in place, slightly quivering.

It took a full minute for anyone there to say anything, all staring at the smiling man. Then Kaworu cleared his throat, Shinji limply fell limply into his seat his legs finally giving out from under him. Asuka still perplexed at the reactions around her looked again at the tall thin young European man. Digging back in her memory, he looked familiar to her, yet not. It was as if, she had seen someone younger like him before but not the man in front of her now. Then she glanced at Rei who was now standing in front of her, a stoic look on her face. 'She's acting as if this guy was a … threat.' Asuka moved to the front of the table where Rei was now standing right next to her. Whoever this guy was she wasn't going to take any chances. Their silent unified protection of a still dazed Shinji being made clear to the young man in front of them.

Asuka then turned and asked Rei: "Rei, Who's this guy anyway?"

Rei turned slightly towards her and answered: "The Fifth Child."

It took a few moments for Asuka to register what Rei had said to her. "Wait, you mean that last Angel, the Seventeenth? The one who took my Unit-02, the one Shinji… "

Rei nodded once. "The same," Rei acknowledged. Both girls then moved closer to each other as though they formed an impenetrable wall in front of a still still silent Shinji, waiting to see what Kaworu would do next.

It didn't take long for an answer to appear. Still calm in his demeanor, he asked, "Well, I'm here to audition for the open 2nd Violinist position, not to cause any problems." He then quietly unpacked his violin and music setting it upon the music stand on the small stage.

Remembering the true intentions of the Angels, "Haven't you come back here to destroy the human race?" Asuka said in a threatening tone, her hands making fists in anticipation of a fight.

"No … I'm not an angel anymore, so I won't harm anyone." Kaworu sighed, shaking his head. He looked at the frightened but determined faces before him. "As a punishment for my decision of free will ten years ago, I have been given a chance to …live a lillum… sorry a human life, to see what was so important that you fought so hard not to be annihilated and at becoming one with all." He shook his head. "I just wanted to see why a human life is so precious. I'm sure Ms. Ikari can attest to this as well." he looked at Rei who for a split second seemed confused then resumed her determined look. "But… if you think I'm a threat to you, and those you care for, then I'll leave." With a slight frown on his face, Kaworu gathered up his music, which he had already put on the music stand in front of him in anticipation of his audition, put his instrument back in it's case. He turned and headed for the door.

"Stop!" Shinji stood up and shouted freezing everyone in place.

Kaworu, Asuka and Rei all turned around to see a still pale Shinji standing, still shaking and holding onto the table for support behind them. " Kaworu ... are you really here to audition? Or... or is there more to you being here, other than scaring the hell out of me, my friends and family half to death." A stern yet still shaky Shinji said to the former Angel. Mokoto twitched visibly, yet still unconscious.

Kowaru then loses his trademark smile for a serious look. "I do want to audition, but I'm also here to… apologize to you, and to them," he said as he glances and nods towards Asuka and Rei, "... for all that you all have gone through due to me and my kind's actions." The three stood there taking in what Kaworu had just said to them. Kaworu, a former angel if he was to be believed, has come to… 'apologize'? Now they all had confused looks on their faces.

Then Shinji taking a breath tentatively walked around the table and carefully stepped over the still form of an unconscious Makoto, made his way to stand in front of the former Angel. With both girls now behind him looking more nervous, as there was now nothing between the two young men now. Both girls worried what would happen next. Neither knew what each man might do, or if Kaworu still had his angelic powers.

Then in a blink of a eye, a hard and powerful right cross was thrown by Shinji knocking Kaworu Nagisa (now Kurt Nadler) up, over, and back sprawling onto the hard wood lacquered mini-stage floor. He slid almost five feet on the slick surface, to the back edge of the small stage in the room. His head on the edge almost hanging down.

Then another moment of utter silence ensued as the former angel's head bobbed up as both boys looked intently at each other, Kaworu with a look of shock, and Shinji with an angry look reminiscent of his now deceased father, a scary look indeed, even without Gendo's famous dark glasses beard and folded hands. There was nothing hiding the intensity of that powerful glare.

"That was for betraying my trust, and my friendship … that's also for hurting my friends… and for destroying my hope, Kaworu. You hurt me so much back then, you know that don't you!" Shinji yelled.

You could have heard a pin drop.

After a few moments Shinji let out a long labored sigh. He looked at his old friend now sprawled out in front of him. Kaworu eyes becoming watered, his chin developing quite a nasty bruise, and showing quite clearly his regret. At least Shinji had seen that. He pointed a finger at him.

"If what you say is true, and you're here to live out a human life. That you are not here to finish what was the Angel's intent. If that's true, then I can see you as Kurt Nadler, a professional musician as we all here are now, and not as Tabris, also known as Kaworu Nagisa, the seventeenth and final Angel. If that is what you are… then I will hear your audition." Shinji then turned quietly and made his way back with a bit more energy in his steps than the others expected. He sat back down behind the table seemingly composed, as if nothing had happened. He waited for the still prone man to get up. The girls stood still in front of the table, stunned in disbelief. Silent witnesses to what had just transpired.

At just that moment Makoto abruptly woke up and slowly sat up off the floor. As he held his head getting his bearings, he looked around the room rubbing the back of his head as a small lump was forming there. Seeing a now normal looking Shinji sitting back behind the audition table, he turned and saw both Asuka and Rei with perplexed and puzzled looks on their faces. Finally Makoto turned to the man on the stage named Kurt Nahler. The last man on the audition list, the person he once knew as Kaworu Nagisa slowly getting up from the floor still rubbing his now bruised chin. Seeing that Kaworu seemed not to be ready to destroy the city, he turned back to Shinji and simply asked, "What'd I miss?" He looked again at his client and felt a shiver up his spine. Even without the signature clasped hands and glasses he looked just like... his father!

Shinji's stern look softened at he turned to answer his friend's question. "We concluded a debt of honor Makoto. Kurt here will now audition for us. Isn't that right Mr. Nahler" Shinji's face showed none of the anger and pain as before. It seemed that knocking Kaworu on his ass seemed to have quelled the former Third Child's hostility. But his neutral look gave nothing away of his feelings now.

"Are you sure he's not still a… danger to us?" The former NERV Tech and now business manager asked nervously.

He then looked intently at Makoto and calmly said, "I do believe Mr. … Nahler is now ready for his audition,' He looked at his former friend, "… and nothing else."

"Ok, Ah… if you say so Shinji." 'I'm definitely calling Misato about this.' Makoto said to himself, as he nodded back and took his place at the door putting the 'do not disturb' sign on and closing it. He turned to the former angel, "Do you have any musical accompaniment Mr. …ahh, Nahler?" asked a still nervous Makoto.

"I'll play the solo, with the prerecorded organ accompaniment from 'Addagio By Albino' If it's all right with you?" Kaworu now Kurt asked. Shinji nodded as Asuka and then Rei quietly made their way back to the table sitting on either side of Shinji, both still sporting the reserved looks they had earlier. Even if Shinji had accepted him, the girls still had reservations. But they will hear his audition. Both nodded to Shinji and each other, then signaled to Kurt to begin.

In a few moments Kaworu, a.k.a., Kurt Nahler, First Chair Violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra started to play.

Rei now remembered what followed was almost non-voluntary... well almost!

The piece starts out with a slow moody melancholy melody, which builds up over a few movements to a very climactic and bold finale. As he played, all in the room were enthralled by not just the way he expertly played each and every note, but the clear intensity and emotion he put into draw of the string. His demonstrative, as well as emotional expressions of the love of music, which all there seemed to share, exuded throughout his performance. The former children all seemed to have their eyes closed enjoying the music as Kaworu played on.

As he was concluding the first movement of the solo, a second instrument suddenly joined in flawlessly. As Asuka and Shinji opened their eyes to see that the sound was coming from right next to where they sat. They were equally stunned. None other than Rei Ikari stood there, playing her Viola in unannounced accompaniment.

Shinji smiled knowingly as a confused Asuka turned towards him wanting to ask him, "Hey, Shinji, why is Rei doing this?" Asuka thought that maybe Rei had finally flipped out.

Shinji, still smiling at the two playing turned to her and said, "This is one of Rei's favorite pieces." Unknowingly he put his hand on hers as if to calm her.

Asuka still had a confused look on her face. Though the unconscious hand holding did make her feel better. As the time rolled on she asked "So?"

Shinji chuckled a bit, "You see Asuka, I knew she might want to jump in."

"But, isn't that unprofessional. I mean why did she do that?" Asuka asked waving her free hand to the duo now playing on the stage seemingly in sync with their playing.

Shinji nodded and answered her. "Rei has done this a few times before during auditions to either rattle those auditioning, or to simply help in her own unique way. Now this isn't something that happens normally in our auditions. Usually Rei would formally ask to accompany the musician, but it seemed in this instance, she did it for her own reasons."

Asuka looked at the two harmonious musicians, one carrying the melody, and one backing it up in a flawless harmony. She smiled and turned towards him, "You know Shinji, it seems your little sister has changed for the better. But I'd still keep an eye on Herr Nahler just the same. I mean he took your shot to the chin, yet calmly got up and continued on as if it didn't bother him."

Some of the smile faded from Shinji's face. "Yeah, I agree. Even though he is a fantastic Violinist, I still don't trust him, or his motives. So we'll all keep a look out and I'll have Misato do a background check on the name Kurt Nahler, and see what he's been doing these past ten years. 'Thank the gods!' Makoto thought as he overheard their conversation.

Asuka was impressed. Not only did Shinji answer in a much more confidant manner than she was used to, he showed her that he wanted to protect them from a potential threat. He trusted her with what his thoughts were so she smiled squeezing his hand. "There's my knight in shining armor, protecting his friends and family." Shinji blushed a little and with a smile they both turned to listen to the two playing the emotional ending to the piece. As they listened Asuka leaned over and whispered, "I like this change in you Shinji, more take charge and to the point!" She patted his arm with her other hand. Then she quietly slipped her hand down that arm and entwined both her hands with his. He turned towards her and she smiled and squeezed her hands. As the music ended there was absolute stillness except for the CD player with the accompanying organ music ejecting.

As Shinji and Asuka got up they met Rei in front of the table facing away from Kaworu who was now putting his instrument and music away. As all three exchanged a silent interchange, eyeing each other, they all nodded in agreement. Even after ten years they were in sync.

Asuka then turned and said, "Mr. Nahler, We have heard over forty others auditions today and frankly they didn't compare to your very exiting rendition. You have moved us and it is quite apparent to us who our choice is." Shinji and Rei nodded. "So, if you don't have other commitments for the next two months we offer the 2nd Violinist chair of our little ensemble to you. Will you accept?"

Kaworu smiled nodded a yes and bowed. "I only have to finish tonight's concert with your orchestra and I'm officially off for two months. I'll be honored to accept your offer."

Suddenly Makoto remembered something he wanted to know, not just as their manager but as their friend; "Will you keep your alias, or travel as Kaworu Nagisa?"

Kaworu sighed, "For ten years I've been Kurt Nahler, and though I wouldn't mind you calling me Kaworu privately, but the Fifth Child and the Seventeenth Angel are now long dead. So I'll keep being Kurt Nahler as my public persona of you don't mind." His trademark grin resurfaced. They all nodded as an answer, though they all still had reservations about their new orchestra colleague. They also knew talent when they saw and heard it. But they all would keep their guard up when dealing with Mr. Nahler, given his still questionable past and motives. As they all stared at each other quietly, someone spoke breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"But, there are a few concerns before we conclude this Mr. Nahler." Rei added.

"Oh and what would they be, Ms. Ikari?" Kaworu asked almost playfully.

Her stoic emotionless mask was back on as Rei continued. "First you will have to join us for dinner after tonight's performance to go over the music selections for the mini-tour …"

"… and to explain further to us why you really came back." Shinji said voicing all there was left to say.

Looking at his old friend, Kaworu simply nodded a silent yes. "All right you all deserve that at least from me, with what I did so long ago." Kaworu bowed deeply. Rei, then Shinji returned the bow as Asuka nodded her affirmation.

She then said, "Ok, then we'll see you tonight, Mr. Huyuga will contact your agent with the travel arrangements, and a preliminary standard performance contract." Kaworu bowed again, cased his instrument and quietly left the practice hall, his customary smile back on his face.

I remembered this as I looked back at Mr. Nahler who had slid down the couch he was sitting on and had a little bit of drool on the side of his mouth. I smiled at the cuteness of the moment until I reminded myself of my reservations of him. Then a hand flopped down just above his head, Asuka had shifted on the bunk above and had the exact same expression on her face as Kaworu. I also noticed that with only half their faces showing, they looked strikingly similar. Their brows, the ridge of their nose, the shape of their lips. It was as many had said of Shinji-kun and I looking similar. Maybe I will have to call Misato-chan to add DNA testing and comparison. I had a thought as to whom might have been the egg donor for Kaworu-san. It might be as important as mine was. This reminded of a similar conversation a week earlier.

A few moments after he left the four remaining people clustered around the table.

Shinji asked, "Makoto I want you to do a thorough background check through Misato's UN connections on Kaworu's alias, and also have her correlate any unusual occurrences where he has been present since his return."

"Of course Shinji, I'm sure Misato will be happy to checkout our newest member out. But she will want to talk to you, Rei and Asuka on why you allowed him not only to join the ensemble but on trusting him to keep his word." All knew of Kaworu's betrayal so they understood the meaning behind Makoto's question, plus Misato would not be happy to learn Kaworu was back.

"I understand, just have her call me tonight after our dinner and I'll discuss it with her personally. I don't want her overreacting and sending a UN crew to arrest him, or worse. Plus if he's telling the truth, I want to give him the chance to prove himself right."

Makoto nodded and left the room to make his phone call as the three former Eva pilots eyed each other waiting for one of them to say something.

Rei continued to write in her journal:

It was with trepidation that Asuka and I followed Shinji's lead and met with Kaworu after dinner and discussed the tour and his explanation for his return. Though we discussed those other subjects, when it came to when he returned I became more interested in what he had to say, almost tuning out the others. It seemed he returned at the same time I had. Though I came back on a Tokyo-3 beach, he was in a Vienna lake as he tried to find out what had happened. Shinji and Asuka seemed interested but let him continue.

He said that those in Europe that had returned had the same idea we had in Asia, no more bickering over nations, races and borders. That was one of the main reasons behind all that had happened before. So they contacted those that were alive around the world and slowly, at first in 'baby steps', A term I'm unused to, then with more strength, they rebuilt the major cities for the now depleted population there. Asuka had agreed as she was another witness to what had happened in Europe at the time. Bt she silently worded a 'Sorry" to Shinji who nodded silently as well.

As Kaworu talked I noticed he seemed to be looking at me more than the others, as though he was telling me the story and the others simply were there listening in. But he seemed to do it discreetly so they weren't left out of his attentions. That was my first clue that apologizing to Shinji might not be the only reason he had come back.

As I write this there were some more times that I had caught the light skinned man looking at me, but I didn't see the connection in those quick glances and seemingly caring looks. Only later did I understand what he was doing. I still have much to learn about human interaction.

I ignored them then as being of ... but now... I should also write down that a relative of his Biological father had taken him in and suggested the name change. He didn't tell us whom it was that had allowed him to live with them. I think that fact might become important later on. I'll message Misato to check into whom he had lived with since the renewal. We will then see if that is the case.

Finally some sad news came just a day ago. Asuka was informed by authorities in Frankfurt that her home was broken into: her live-in maid… had been murdered. It was hard for me to comprehend that Ms. Soryu was not 'acting' but had been crying real tears. I had convinced myself that she would do most anything to become closer to Shinji-kun, but it seems she was very close to her live in maid. I will have to reevaluate my view of Asuka Langley Soryu. It seems she has 'grown-up' as much as Shinji-kun and I have these last ten years. She may have genuine feelings for my brother. But another concern has arisen. The sadness is now tinged with concern, as the whereabouts of her maid's nephew whom the authorities have named as the suspect had become important. Why? Well the details will follow.

(Ok, back to Third person as viewed from Han's Grubber's shoulders if you know what I mean.)

A Family Discussion

Hans Grubber was not happy. His girl. at least in his delusional mind, Asuka Langley Soryu was heading to Japan without him and he knew his Aunt Gika, Asuka's maid and friend, had the information he needed to continue to track his love and his obsession. '

Gika had been in sending Asuka's belongings from her home to temporary storage ever since Asuka had informed her of her planned move back to Japan. Hans however had a plan, which needed information that his aunt had. So he was at the moment knocking on the door of the building where Gika and Asuka lived. After a few friendly greetings and Hans being told by Gika that Asuka was out of the country. Gika let Hans in under the impression that he wanted to visit his Aunt, the woman who had raised him after his parents died in a mysterious fire five years before.

"So, Auntie how are you?"

"I'm Fine Hanzie. How's your counseling sessions going?"

"They're going well," he said though he had stopped going three months earlier, "and I think I'll be finished with the sessions this month." He smiled while lying through his teeth. "Ah, why are you boxing everything up Auntie?"

"Well I suppose I should tell you since you haven't bothered Asuka but she's moving to Japan for so she can prepare for her summer concert series with her Orchestra."

Hans was now hesitant, "Auntie, I know you can't tell me which day she will be back but can you at least tell me what month she'll be..."

Gika interrupted him hesitantly. She knew he would be upset, but with his counseling and such she thought he could take this. "But Hanzie... She's not coming back."

"WHAT? SHE'S GONE PERMANENTLY?" I was fuming. 'This wasn't what I wanted. She was supposed to come back so I could apologize and win her back. Now I'll have to scrape up enough money to go to Japan and bring her back. It was for her own good since we have to get married so this scum of the earth Shinji Ikari wouldn't get his grubby hands on her!'

As he was thinking of this, his face was grimacing and his eyes were shifting madly. Gika was becoming very concerned.

"Hans, Hans what's wrong Hans?" Gika was shaking his arm trying to get his attention as he was now rambling to himself. "Maybe I'll call your Doctor and see if you need a Emergency Sess…" A hard and painful right-cross floored the surprised and now frightened woman as her nephew loomed over her.

"You are going to tell me her itinerary and where's she will be staying. You will also give me access to your bank account so I can get an airline ticket to Japan." He looked at her with almost murderous intent.

"Hanzie, what has gotten into you? You know that court order to stay away from Asuka is in effect you… " Another fist to the already bruised face of his aunt silenced her.

"I will have her and nothing and no one will get in my way. And I mean no one!" The glare he gave her made her spine tremble.

"Hanzie, please stop this. I can help you if you stop this now. Please!" He begging seemed to egg him on as if it was a flame to a smoldering fire.

Then an evil smile came onto his face. He took her arm and wrenched her up off the floor and slammed her to the kitchen wall. He took a step towards her, his face an inch from her shaking and crying one. "Auntie … did you ever wonder how that fire started that killed … my parents?"

The realization of what he left unsaid hit her like a brick. "Oh Mien Gott … no. You … you didn't…"

His eyes seemed to glow as his smile grew. "Oh But I did and I always get what I want Auntie. My parents if you could call them that wouldn't allow me what I wanted time, and time, and time again they said NO! Well they can't say no anymore … and neither will you. Now, TELL ME WHERE SHE'S STAYING …NOW!" In a few minutes Gika would know hell.

The sounds of screaming and of meaty hits and bangs were heard by some neighbors that night, but not much was heard as the building was soundproofed due to Asuka's practicing at all hours of the day and night. So no one could help Gika Grubber nor know what grievous acts were performed on her by her deranged Nephew to get the information he wanted. Eventually… he got what he wanted. But he couldn't leave witnesses.

The next day was a beautiful sunny day at Frankfurt International Airport as one Hans Grubber was boarding a flight to Osaka, Japan. He wore a new set of clothing complimented by those he had already bought and packed that morning. A laptop was on his shoulder with the most up to date CD programs on Japan, which included maps, culture government and exchange rates.

He now had the cash he needed and a new plan to get his Asuka back.

Unknown to him he still ringed his hands as if trying to wash off something from them. Something that he had to wash off the night before. Something that had been spilt and more than likely will be spilt again! He did this when he wasn't doing anything, some would later report the unusual behavior when they saw him board the airliner. Unfortunately it was well after he had made it to Japan. Unfortunate because now he had new targets and they were going to get it worse than Auntie Gika!

Chapter #4: A Mad Love

As Hans makes it to Japan, the former Children are setting up living arrangements, musical scores and rehearsal times. Will Hans strike, or will they have a reprieve as they rehearse for their tour. See what happens next!

AN: Special thanks to my prereaders, Datexan, my grammar maven, and Tashikawa.

dennisud