TASHIGI:
CHAPTER 3: DINNER GUEST
Co Author's Note: Alright, just to remind everyone, this story is available on jadenandalexis4evas' page as well.
This is the same story, with minor edits made by me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis: Evangelion either. If I did, I'd have pushed more for "Rebuild" to be dubbed quicker!
ONCE AGAIN CO-WRITTEN WITH JadenandAlexis4eva
Recap: "Velcome Home Zhinji vhats for dinner?"
"STALKER!" Asuka shouted, as she met with his golden eyes.
"Wh-What are you doing back here?" Shinji asked.
"Well I decided that it would be polite for me to come back and re-introduce myself," Tashigi responded, keeping his eyes locked on Asuka.
She's just as Mother described her, Tashigi thought to himself as he continued to take in his little sister. This did not go unnoticed by the fiery red-head. Her face contorted from shock and fear to one of anger.
"PERVERT!" Asuka shouted, pointing a finger in accusation at her golden-eyed "admirer." "Who is this guy dumkopf? He must be a friend of yours since he seems all so interested in getting in my pants."
"W-What are you talking about Asuka?" Shinji stammered back "I… I never…."
"Relax Shinji" Tashigi interrupted, "Asuka, my dear, you should not say such things. It is rather inappropriate. Especially in front of your boyfriend."
"WHAT?" Asuka shouted, sending her deeper into rage. Things only got worse as Tashigi's smirk grew into a huge smile. That was the breaking point for Asuka.
"UND FUSTUKEN IDIOT!" Asuka shouted as she took an apple out of the grocery bag and fired it full speed at Tashigi.
"ACH SHCIESE!" Tashigi yelped as the fruit hurdled towards him at a blinding speed. His smile returned though and, without warning, he was able to snag the apple at the last second with a sweeping motion of his hand.
Silence gripped the room for a few minutes. Tashigi began to toss the apple up and down in his hand as he studied the two pilots. Still with a smile plastered on his face, he brought the apple to his lips and bit off a huge chunk and kept the smirk as he chewed. After swallowing the chunk he'd bitten off, his full smile returned.
"Missed" Tashigi chuckled, "My dear Asuka, it's very fortunate that you decided to become an EVA pilot, because there is no way you'd make it as a baseball player." With this he let out a huge laugh that echoed off the walls in the room.
Asuka was now red in the face with anger as he continued to laugh. She turned to Shinji, hoping to get some defense from him. However, she was stunned by what she saw. Shinji was trying his best to stifle an impending huge laugh, by placing his hand over his lips. Asuka was now extremely aggravated with the two men in the room.
Shinji was able to get control of himself. He remembered Tashigi, and he seemed to be bad news for the whole household.
"What are you here for?" Shinji asked in a rather subdued tone.
"An interesting question Mr. Ikari" Tashigi answered in a cocky tone. "In fact, I am here to clear up any and all issues regarding my following you this morning and afternoon. I first wish to assure you that Rei Ayanami, your sister Shinji, is fine. I saw her home and made sure she was safe inside before I left."
"Well thank you very much for that," Shinji replied, "That still doesn't explain how or why you are here."
"Well I was coming to that Shinji," Tashigi began, "Now as to why I am here…"
"Wait Shinji, what are you doing?" a certain red head's voice cut through their little discussion. "He broke into our house! We have to call the police!" Asuka shouted.
"Gusch!" Tashigi yelled, stopping Asuka in her tracks as she ran towards the phone.
"Y-You're German?" Asuka stuttered, utterly amazed at how Tashigi had mastered the language
"Indeed I am Asuka, and why I have come is about to be revealed to you. Now first please sit down, so I may begin to explain." Tashigi instructed as the 2 pilots complied.
"Wunderbar, now let me begin. Asuka you may not like what you're about to hear," Tashigi began his tale. "But it's something that's been kept from you for far too long."
"Just get to the point spast," Asuka spat at him.
"Watch your language young lady," Tashigi responded. "There's no need for name calling."
He took a cigarette out of his shirt pocket and placed it in his mouth. "Shinji, do you mind if I smoke?"
"Like I could stop you?" Shinji replied sarcastically.
"Touché Shinji," As Tashigi lit the cigarette and dragged it before speaking.
"Now as to how I am here. Well, you might want to tell Katsuragi to lock up the apartment more often." Tashigi explained with a smile. Shinji and Asuka both rolled their eyes, none too surprised that the Major had forgotten to lock up the apartment more than once.
"As to why the answer is simple. I want to get to know my little sister." Tashigi's smile remained plastered on his face.
"Wait, Misato has a brother? Did you know about this Shinji? I sure didn't, and how he spoke German…," Asuka smiled brightly in the knowledge that this was a relative.
"Please Asuka. Do I look anything like Katsuargi? Don't tell me I got all the brains," Tashigi sighed. "Look deeply at my face Asuka do I look familiar?" (A/N: Remember that Asuka doesn't know his name yet.)
Asuka's face continued to grow a deeper shade of red, as she studied the features of Tashigi. Finally, in a huff of pent up fury, she lunged at Tashigi.
"YOU BASTARD! AREN'T YOU DEAD YET?" Asuka screamed. A red missile of fury made a bee-line straight for Tashigi. It would have likely destroyed him, had a hand not reached out and grabbed ahold of it.
"Asuka settle down!" Shinji yelled.
"Let me go Shinji! This bastard killed my Mother!" the young German yelled in a fit of rage, as tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Settle down Asuka. He's too young to be your father!" Shinji's voice increased in power, and he somehow was able to subdue the German's deadly wrath.
"I must apologize I have not formally introduced myself," Tashigi took another drag of his cigarette.
"Asuka my dear, you may not like what I'm about to reveal to you," Tashigi drew in a deep breath. "If you do not wish for me to tell you this, then I will withdraw from the house quietly, and you shall never hear from me again," he dragged his cigarette once again.
Asuka had settled down quite considerably and sat down on the couch, opposite Tashigi. Subtly, she reached over and placed her hand on top of Shinji's. Shinji lightly blushed from Asuka's contact; her hand was so warm and soft yet firm. It almost seemed poetic. Asuka was so warm and gentle sometimes and others she was harsh and very hard edged. Slowly, Shinji began to weave his fingers inside and out of Asuka's hand, until the two merged together. A deafening silence gripped the room for a few minutes.
Shinji was the first to speak, leaning close to Asuka's left ear, "Asuka" he whispered, "It's up to you. I in no way want to influence your decision on how to go about this, but you may want to listen about what he has to say."
Asuka's mind went into a daze as Shinji's warm breath caressed her inner ear and ear lobe. She felt her entire face run hot and her legs begin to tremble.
Wow this is incredible; he's… he's...! Asuka thought to herself, NEIN!… She stopped her train of thought. It was too dangerous for her to go there and she really didn't want to anyway. Instead, she reached with her free hand and lightly pushed Shinji away form her. She turned her head to Tashigi, still sitting quietly and patiently waiting for the red-head's answer.
Mein Gott she is so lovely. Mother would be proud of her little girl , Tashigi thought to himself, "Now Asuka please answer I do not have all day you realize."
"Yeah I get it," Asuka harshly shot back, "Fine tell your little tale I've got nothing else to do."
Shinji choked back a laugh. He remembered what happened last time she had "nothing else to do."
"Very well" Tashigi cleared his throat, "My name Asuka, is Tashigi Heinrich Soryu" he explained slowly, "I am your older brother."
Another silence fell upon the room. This was not as long as the last, as Asuka sat with her mouth agape. However, a few seconds later, her body began to rock back and forth as she began to laugh. Her laughter filled the room for a few seconds before she finally composed herself,
"Wow, wow. I've heard, and seen a lot of stuff in my life but that one takes the cake. Did Dumkopf over here put you up to this spast? That was a good one. I really needed a good laugh today!" Asuka continued to giggle.
"Asuka I'm not kidding I'm being completely serious" Tashigi answered, shocked by Asuka's response.
"Ok. Wow. They must've paid you well. How much did you give him, huh Third child? Is Misato in on this? Touji? Kensuke? Come on, where's the hidden camera?" Asuka began to walk around the room, looking for a possible hidden camera that was hooked up.
"Asuka he's not…" Shinji began only to be quickly interrupted by the young German.
"Ah stuff it Dumkopf! I know that you all are just playing a big trick on me. Well no one pulls the wool over Asuka Langley Soryu's eyes. So tell me who is this guy really?"
"Asuka, Sei ruhig!" Tashigi shouted, "Now sit down and listen!"
"Ok Ok. I'll go along with the joke," Asuka said as she sat down, once again placing her hand on Shinji's.
"Asuka I'm not joking!" Tashigi replied, now beginning to get annoyed by Asuka's blatant disregard for his statement.
"Oh Please. I grew up an only child, besides your accent is 100 percent German," Her eyes narrowed as her voice lowered, "I'm half Japanese. There's no way we are related," Asuka said triumphantly.
"Now listen to Me Asuka" Tashigi hissed, officially fed up with her attitude "The reason I have such a heavy Germanic accent is due to the fact I spent 14 years of my life growing up and being raised in Germany."
"That's a typical response from a liar!" Asuka fired at him.
"Asuka look at me. Do I look like I'm lying? Believe me if I was you'd know it. I'm terrible at it," Tashigi threw back at Asuka, immediately shutting her up like a clam.
"Now I figured I'd run into some resistance. That's why I brought this," Tashigi moved his hand into his jacket pocket.
"What are you gonna do? Threaten us?" Asuka mockingly asked.
"No." Tashigi answered, "I'm going to show you this!" With that, Tashigi pulled a picture out of the pocket and showed it to Asuka and Shinji.
"Look closely Asuka. Does anyone in this picture look familiar? Well it should, this is our family portrait. Taken when I was 13. Notice anything about the adults?" Tashigi questioned the young red head.
"Oh pl…" she stopped as she closely examined the photo. Her smile immediately melted away and transformed into one of confusion and anger.
"Yes look closely at it my dear. Those are our parents. Erik Mustan Soryu, and Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu. The boy in the left hand corner, with the suit, is me." Tashigi continued to explain.
"Y-you, could have doctored this photo. I don't believe it! There's no way it's possible!" Asuka screamed.
"Oh, but it is look closer at the picture." Tashigi commanded.
Asuka reluctantly obeyed the instruction. Upon further inspection she noticed her mother's stomach was rather large.
"Momma was never heavy or out of shape. She was always very fit and slender. This picture is a fake," Asuka declared.
"Asuka inspect the picture closer. This is indeed Mother, but you noticed her stomach. Look at the date on the picture" Tashigi pointed out, as Asuka turned the picture to its back and read the imprinted date.
Tashigi drew on his cigarette again, "I believe you'll find the date November 4th 2001. Mother was 8 months pregnant with you when the photo was shot."
"N-No I-I…" She couldn't finish as a small tear forced it's way out of the corner of her eye.
"This can't be real. I won't believe it!" Asuka remained in her stubborn state. As she said this she tried to get up and move away from Tashigi, but felt a grip on her left hand.
"Asuka," Shinji finally spoke up after being quiet for so long. He too was growing weary of Asuka's constant rebuttals to her brother's statements. "Stay here. He's come a long way to see you. We can at least indulge him for a few minutes."
"Fine," Asuka spat "Get to the point Tashigi!"
"Wundrebar" Tashigi answered, "Now, as I was saying, my name is Tashigi Heinrich Soryu I was born December 12th 1987. I am the son of Erik (A/N: Thanks to Lord Talon for the name by the way) Mustan Soryu and Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu."
"Yes we know all that already. You're just being a big waste of time If you're not going to give us anything else, then you might as well get the…" Asuka ranted, only to be interrupted by Tashigi once again.
"Please my dear little sister, let me continue. I was born in Munich Germany and lived there with my mother and father for 14 years. All of which were spent training for me to take a position at NERV, when I graduated from High School Most of my schooling placed heavy emphasis on History, Geography, Theology, and a full range of sciences. I had very little time to be just a kid. A lot of pressure was put on me to become the next in the long line of Soryu's as a commander of the German branch at NERV," Tashigi's explanation was cut short by Asuka once again.
"Oh how sad," she replied sarcastically, "What, did you come here for a shoulder to cry on or something?"
"No Asuka" Tashigi said, "I am simply here to explain who I am and why I am here. Now please let me continue. After my time in middle school was up I was immediately bounced up, much like you Asuka, to the level of High school. However, I never attended. Father sent me away, to a site called Tokyo-3 the new capital of Japan. I was to go and work for a recently formed government agency called GEHIRN. When I reached the capital I was immediately transported to the clean up crews on the shore."
Tashigi was about to continue when, this time, Shinji spoke up.
"Clean up crews?" he asked.
"Yes Shinji. You see after Second Impact there was a lot of how you say, nuclear fallout. The government, fearing that the water had been contaminated, sent us to inspect." Tashigi explained.
"So that explains the…" Shinji said, then pointed his two fingers at his own eyes.
"Nein," Tashigi said, "that does not explain my 'affliction' so to speak. That is a separate subject altogether." Clearing his throat, and dragging on his cigarette again, he continued his tale
"I was not in any real direct contact with the water. My job was on the analysis team. We spent all of 9 months analyzing small amounts of water for 24 hours a day. The pay was lousy, they gave us no place to live, and the sewege run-of from the combinations of chemicals and water made the lab smell so bad I would become ill everyday." Tashigi squinted, slightly grimacing at the horrible memories.
"After a month I was ready to quit, but knowing father, I decided to stay on. It was during this time that I received a letter from father, demanding that I return to Munich immediately. Mother was in the hospital." A smile formed on his lips now conjuring up a more happy memory.
"When I got to Munich hospital, Mother was in bed. I looked to a small bundle wrapped in her arms. Do you know what it was Asuka?" Tashigi's smile grew wider
"It was you," Tashigi answered, "I remember how happy I was, that I was a big brother. Immediately, I knew that you'd grow up into a beautiful young lady. Obviously I greatly underestimated you. I promised that I'd stay until you grew up, and would make sure that you had the childhood that I never got. I wasn't going to let father turn you into another dog for the state (A/N: Full Metal reference woo-hoo!). I had lost my childhood, and I was going to make sure yours was as pleasant as possible. The doctors told me, that you and Mother needed your rest, so I had to leave. However, I was so excited I went out and bought you a small birthday gift. I had very little money, as I said, but luckily mother had persuaded father to let me stay at home. Father, was in no mood to see me, so he gave me this ultimatum. I could stay at the house until I was contacted by GEHIRN in Tokyo-3. As soon as that happened I was to return. I figured I'd get to spend at least a few days at home and with you." His smile faded quickly.
"That same night, I got a notice from our head researcher. I was to return to Tokyo-3 immediately, a new director was being named for the agency, and also our research group was getting a new team leader. The new director was sending a private chopper to pick me up. I was so depressed. Here I was, seeing you for the first time and hoping that, for at least a few months, I could watch you continue to grow into a woman. My duties carried me away though, and I was obligated to follow. So that night, I walked into your room, and placed the gift, on your dresser. I remember placing a small kiss on your head and then leaving for the chopper."
"What'd you get me? I bet you don't even remember because this whole thing sounds highly suspect," Asuka responded arrogantly, as she slightly tightened her grip on Shinji's hand.
"No Asuka I remember well. I saw a red watch in a jewelry store; it was within my price range so I went in and bought it. I explicitly instructed Mother to give that to you when you were old enough to have it. So around the time you were 13 years old. But I digress," he dragged on his cigarette again.
"I returned to Tokyo-3. When I arrived, the entire GEHIRN team was brought to an underground facility. Now when I say the entire GEHIRN Team I mean everyone; from the higher-ups, to the janitors. After a painfully long ceremony, the new appointees were finally introduced. The new director was Gendo Ikari and his wife was our new team leader, Yui Ikari."
Shinji blanched
"Yes Shinji, I knew your mother. I can tell you with the upmost honesty I never met a more pleasant woman in my life. For the next 3 months of my time with the clean up crews Yui and I became very close friends." His smile reappeared on his lips
"Naturally, being team leader, Yui quickly learned about our poor living conditions and lousy salary. Yui though she felt sorry for us felt that there was nothing she could do to make things improve. However, she helped me out quite a bit, and even promoted me to her right hand man."
"Mom must've been really fond of you Tashigi," Shinji's voice was creakier than a rusty doorknob.
"She was Shinji and I was of her. She was almost like a mother for me, since my mother left me alone." Tashigi cheerily responded, trying to lighten the mood. "But now back to the rest of this ordeal."
"It was at this time my body began to deteriorate. I had lost almost 25 pounds by this time since I could afford very little food, and my health became a very serious issue."
"Wait a second Tashigi." Shinji broke in, "You said you had no direct contact with the water and yet you were in bad health? How did that work?"
"Well my friend," Tashigi replied, now putting out the cigarette which was now a mere butt, "It's simple. The ventilation in the lab was poor, and as such I was subjected to the hazardous gases that the chemicals produced more than anyone. Since I was malnourished, the hazardous materials were able to attack my immune system rather harshly and quickly. Plus my sleep deprivation didn't exactly help my condition. Finally, one day it became too much. I was running some regular tests when I began to cough. The next thing I knew I was stumbling around the lab. After that, I fell into a cough fit and finally hit the floor. The next thing I remember was vomiting uncontrollably over everything in the lab. The final thing I remember was that I hit the floor retching, having a hard time breathing, and spasming uncontrollably. Luckily, my assistants were able to get a hold of Yui, who took me to the nearest hospital."
"Does this story ever end?" Asuka complained, now becoming very impatient with their golden-eyed visitor.
"Why Asuka? I haven't seen you in almost 14 years. Is it too much to ask for me to spend time with my little sister?" Tashigi smirked.
"YOU ARE NOT MY BROTHER! I don't care what you say. There is nothing that could make me believe that I am even closely related to you!" Asuka growled.
"I'll take that as a sign to continue my story. Well, where did I leave off?" Tashigi asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"Hospital," Shinji simply replied
"Ah yes of course. Thank you," Tashigi cleared his throat once again, "So the next thing I knew I woke up in a hospital bed. I had tubes in my nose to aid my breathing and I was hooked up to a machine to monitor my heart rate. As I was recounting the events that lead to my current state, the doctor entered the room. Now, as you may have guessed not a lot of NERV staff were equipped to handle sick employees. Luckily I was treated by their best. As per the request of Yui, Dr. Akagi was the person who gave me treatment."
"Wait Ristuko…." Shinji began.
"Nein, not Ristuko," Tashigi interrupted, "Her mother treated me until I was back to full strength. Now I could not say much for her bedside manner, but she definitely knew her stuff. In about a week I was released from the hospital and was ready to return to work."
"Wait, so you're telling me that in just a week you were able to recover from blood poisoning? Highly suspect if you ask me," Asuka shouted
"Asuka, I was a young man, and was finally getting enough nourishment that my system was able to flush the virus rather quickly. Anyways getting back to where I was…" Tashigi continued, however, suddenly a loud banging was heard at the door.
"Hello! No Pen-Pen not now! Shinji? Asuka? You home? Come on out for five seconds. Stop the makeout session and answer me!" Misato shouted from the doorway.
"MISATO SHUT UP!" Both of the charges barked at their guardian, their faces tomato red.
"Come on you know you've thought about it" Misato replied teasingly.
"We have not!" the 2 teen answered emphatically, in perfect unison.
Oh But you most certainly have Asuka, Tashigi thought, as he continued to gaze at his little sister.
Asuka caught his eyes, and began to get even more upset.
"STOP IT!" Asuka yelled at the top of her lungs. "YOU ARE SUCH A CREEP!"
"Ugh, again with the attitude Asuka?" Misato said as she walked, well more stumbled into the room, carrying bags of veggies, meat, and (of course) beer.
"Honestly you think that just once…" Misato began to lecture, but was cut off as her eyes met with a pair of gold ones.
"T…T…T…Tashigi?! B-but, how…? It's been…" Misato stuttered.
"12 years, 5 months, 16 days, 12 minutes, and exactly 52 seconds," Tashigi smugly finished the purple haired woman's sentence.
"So Katsuragi, I must know how you have kept up your looks after all this time."
END CHAPTER 3!
Gusch- Means stop
Spast- Another term for idiot.