MY WHITE TIGRESS 3
by Gunman
Disclaimer: I do not own Eva or it's characters.
Summary: Misato is told why and how Shinji and Rei came to live in this village, but also about the secret that they are hiding involving their departure from NERV.
Author's Notes: Sorry about the lateness of this update. I've been working on other projects at the time. In this chapter you will finally learn the reason behind the story title.
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"And since then we've been living here in this village." Shinji said to Misato.
"Shinji-kun and I work here in the hotel." Rei said. "He cooks and cleans. I help to check in the guests and help Shinji clean up afterwards. As a result we are allowed to live here as well."
"I... I still can't believe it." Misato gasped. "I mean... married?"
"Yes, Misato. Married." Shinji repeated.
"Isn't there some kind of law against that?" Misato asked.
"Since Second Impact there has been considerable leeway granted to the rules of marriage." an elderly voice exclaimed, causing the trio to turn to the doorway.
"Elder." Rei said, acknowledging the older woman.
"Are you... Onicohu?" Misato asked the woman.
"I am. And you must be Misato Katsuragi." the elderly woman asked.
"You know who I am." she gasped.
"Shinji has spoken fondly of you." she smiled.
"Oh. Thank you." she smiled.
"But I'm sure you must be tired." the older woman said. "Rei, why don't you take Ms Katsuragi to the bathhouse."
"Shinji-kun?" Rei asked her husband.
"Go ahead, Rei-chan. I've got to get started on dinner." he said, kissing her gently on the cheek.
"Very well, Shinji-kun." Rei smiled and took Misato's hand, leading her to the hotel's bathhouse.
The pair arrived at the female bathhouse, which was almost like a natural hot spring, complete with natural rocks that formed the edges of the pool itself. Misato was given a hotel robe and told to go right in. Feeling that a bath was just the thing for her after all she had seen and heard, Misato shed her clothes and went straight in.
Within a few minutes, the elderly woman was completely relaxed.
"Ohhhhhh...this feels so good!" Misato moaned as she laid back inside the pool.
"I am pleased that you are doing well." Rei said as she slid herself into the water across from her.
"Yeah. And I'm glad to see you and Shinji are..." she started to say, but paused as she noticed Rei's bare skin, but also noticed a strange object on her left shoulder. The object almost looked like a paw of some kind. "Uh, Rei? What's that on your shoulder?"
Rei looked to her left shoulder and then back to Misato. "You are referring to my tattoo."
"Tattoo? You got some ink? Let me see!" she cried anxiously.
Rei stood up and turned around, Misato gasping at what she saw.
Sprawled across Rei's back was a perfectly painted picture of a white tiger, outlined in black with black stripes. It's left paw was reaching up to reach over Rei's left shoulder, it's head situated at the base of her neck on her back. It sprawled down her back, back paws ending at her buttocks, it's tail looping around Rei's stomach to stop at her belly-button. It's eyes were bright red, to match Rei's, and it's mouth was open, revealing it's teeth, like it was growling.
"I... wow. That's beautiful Rei." Misato commented.
"Thank you." Rei said, turning back around and settling down into the water.
"When did you get that? After you got married?" she asked.
"Yes. Another aspect of the village's traditions we did not know about."
"Another aspect?" Misato asked. "Tell me."
"Shortly after we were married..." Rei started.
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(FLASHBACK)
"So... now that you are married, what tattoo's do you wish to have?" Onicohu asked the pair.
"What?" Shinji asked, obviously taken back by the statement.
"Tattoo's?" Rei asked, confused as well.
"Yes." the old woman smiled. "Part of the village's marriage ceremony includes the couples being marked together, as a demonstration of their bond to each other."
Shinji and Rei looked at each other in shock.
"You tattoo us at the same time?" Shinji asked.
"Yes. You choose a tattoo for your mate, and she chooses one for you." the woman said.
The pair looked at each other and then back to the woman. "Uh... can you give us a few minutes to talk about this?" Shinji asked.
"Of course." the woman said, stepping outside the temple shrine.
"Tattoo's?" Shinji gasped.
"I had never thought to get one before." Rei agreed.
"Misato would jump all over me at this."
"I will not allow that to happen." she stated.
"What?"
"You are my husband, Shinji-kun. I will not allow some other woman to molest you."
Shinji smiled at that. They had been married less than five minutes and Rei was already fiercely protective of him. Not that she hadn't been beforehand.
"I meant that Misato would tease me about getting inked." Shinji explained.
"Inked?" Rei queried.
"It's a figure of speech. It means getting a tattoo."
"Then why not just say that?"
"People find a lot of different ways to say the same thing. It gives them more variety in their lives." he said.
"I see." she said. "But back to the matter at hand."
"Right. Tattoo's." he said. "Should we get them?"
"They are part of the village's marriage tradition."
At this, Shinji was starting to feel like he was back in NERV, where other people were manipulating and dictating his life. First the marriage and now tattoo's.
It's like NERV, only run by Misato. Shinji thought. Then again, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's not that he would have chosen to get inked.
Toji, sure. Kensuke, maybe. Maybe one of the bridge bunnies. The one with the long hair.
But him? At such a young age?
But then another thought occurred to him. He'd be getting tattooed right alongside his wife, the girl he promised to be happy with. And of course he would get to choose. At least, he'd get to choose her tattoo. His would be left up to her.
"Shinji-kun?" Rei asked, noticing his blank stare.
"Oh. Sorry, Rei-chan. I was just thinking." he said to her.
"About what?"
"Well... what kind of tattoo's should we get?"
Rei titled her head to the side, as if thinking of that herself.
"A dragon and a tiger." she said.
"What?" he asked, wondering where those had come from.
"In ancient mythology, tiger's were symbols of strength and dragons were symbols of wisdom."
"So... a tiger for you and a dragon for me?" he asked, wondering if he was reading her right.
"Yes. Unless you would like the tiger. I have no preference." she explained.
"No, no. A tiger suits you better." he said.
"Really?"
"Yes. You're a lot stronger, and more graceful than I am. And wiser too." he explained.
"No. I am not." she stated.
"What?" he asked curiously.
"I did not have the wisdom to see NERV or the commander for what they were, despite the ways in which we were treated. But you had enough sense to leave when it became obvious how disparaging the situation had become."
"Uh... okay." Shinji said, impressed by her analysis of the situation. "So, you're really okay with this?"
"Yes. We are to be tattooed together. As long as I am with you I do not care what happens."
Shinji smiled at that.
"Alright then. We'll get the tattoo's."
"Excellent." Onicohu said, reentering the temple.
"Elder. You have been listening to our conversation." Rei said.
"Yes. But you have agreed and decided."
"Yes. We have." Shinji said, holding Rei's hand.
(END FLASHBACK)
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Rei explained how she and Shinji were tattooed on their backs in another part of the temple by a pair of trained artists and an acupuncturist. A white tiger was inked onto her back while a blue dragon was inked onto Shinji's back, though it looked more like a snake since Asian dragons were always more serpentine in appearance.
The process took nearly three full days to complete, both Shinji and Rei naked from the waist up, but also being able to sleep during most of the ordeal. And though it was painful, it was also a very bonding experience. The pair were placed on two cushioned tables next to each other, holding hands the entire time.
Once the process was finished, both Shinji and Rei were given a couple days to fully recover and make sure that the tattoo's weren't smeared or anything, before Onicohu managed to get them jobs at the hotel.
"So... Shinji has a blue dragon tattooed on his back?" Misato asked.
"Yes. It is rather beautiful to look at." Rei stated.
"Yeah. I'll have to take a gander at that, and soon." she smirked.
Rei glared at the woman. "Remember, Ms Katsuragi, he is my husband now." she said.
"Relax, Rei. I don't mess with married men." Misato said. "And that's still odd, I mean to find out that the boy I was taking care of for nearly a year is married to the girl he was crushing on for months." she stated.
"I also had feelings for Shinji-kun that I could not express fully before."
"And now you have. But... Rei I have to know."
"Yes?"
"You never really showed that much interest in anyone, aside from the commander. So... why all of a sudden you decide to just up and leave?"
"I had been coming to that decision for some time. But I knew nothing about the world itself. I did not know where to go, or how to get there. NERV and the Commander were all I knew. In order to leave, I knew it would have to be with someone else. Someone... who cared for me."
"Shinji." Misato stated.
"Yes. I had found no one else that I could trust so easily. And who could care for my well-being in return. Shinji was, quite literally, the only choice."
"Guess that makes sense." she sighed. "But... Hmm. I just realized something."
"Yes?"
"You haven't asked about what's been going on at NERV." Misato said.
Rei looked at Misato for a few seconds, forming her answer. "There is no need for that."
"Oh? Why not?" she wondered.
"1-you have not said anything to indicate that there is any urgency to return to NERV. 2-since we are still here, alive, I can naturally assume that Third Impact had not been initiated by the Angels. And 3-Shinji and I are not interested in anything further that has to do with NERV." Rei said, almost counting on her fingers.
"I see." Misato said. "Guess Ritsuko was right about that logical mind of yours."
"Is there something urgent that requires our attention?"
"Not really. NERV's pretty much been disbanded." Misato said. "After you left, the 14th Angel tried to destroy NERV, but... it didn't. It just stopped after it defeated Asuka."
"Just stopped." she repeated.
"Yeah, it was weird. There was nothing to stop it's attack, and yet it didn't do anything. It's like... it was waiting to fight someone else."
"Shinji-kun." Rei answered.
"What?"
"The Angel was waiting to fight Shinji-kun. In Unit 01."
"How could you know that?" Misato wondered.
"Shinji-kun has defeated the Third Angel in his first battle. He stabbed the Fourth Angel, against your orders. He successfully snipered the Fifth Angel. He destroyed the Sixth Angel, with aid from the Second. He defeated the Seventh Angel, again with help from the Second. It was his suggestion that destroyed the Eighth Angel in the volcano. He neutralized the Ninth Angel's AT-Field so that the Second could shoot it. He was the first to intercept the Tenth Angel before it crashed into the city. And he destroyed the Twelfth Angel from the inside after being absorbed by it. Considering this, Shinji-kun is more a viable threat to the Angels than the Second or myself."
Misato nodded her head, thinking back to each battle as Rei rattled off the list. She hadn't mentioned the Eleventh or Thirteenth Angels, which weren't battles exactly. The Eleventh Angel had been killed by Ritsuko reprogramming it to self-destruct. As for the Thirteenth Angel... well, the less said the better. It wasn't really a battle after the Dummy Plug had been activated. It had been a slaughter.
Poor Toji was lucky to survive that fight. With any luck Ritsuko's new medical practice will be able to regenerate his left arm and leg. Still not sure if using the Angel's regenerative powers is a good idea or not, but... "Argh! That makes my head hurt."
"Are you in pain, Major?"
"No, no, Rei. I'm... oh! We'd better get out of here or we'll prune!" She said, practically jumping out of the hot water.
"I agree." Rei said, getting out of the water as well.
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Shinji was busy cooking in the kitchen when a beautiful, lithe figure approached him.
"Shinji Ikari." the woman said.
"Ah. Ms Lilith. How are you today?" Shinji asked as he stared at the 30-ish woman with the long black hair, bluish eyes and gentle smile.
"I am quite well. Though I didn't expect Misato to find you so soon." she said.
"Well, that's Misato for you. She works harder than most people give her credit for."
"Still, the others are not happy. They're worried she might find them."
"I don't think Misato came looking for you and the others."
"Maybe. But still..."
"She hasn't said much about NERV or anything else. So there isn't any need to worry about her. I promise you." Shinji defended.
"If you say so. But I just wonder. Gendo isn't dead, and SEELE is not gone."
"I'd rather not think about them right now."
"You won't have to. If all goes well." she said before walking out.
As she left, Shinji thought back to how they had first met.
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(FLASHBACK)
Shinji and Rei were still recovering from their tattoo's being painted on their backs, so for the time being they were shown to waiting room inside the temple.
"Now remember," Onicohu said. "Your bodies need time to fully heal, so rest for the day. And remember, try not to roll over onto your backs for at least that long."
With that, the elderly woman exited the room where the two teenagers were nestled on their futon.
"Rei-chan? Are you alright?" Shinji asked his wife.
"Being 'inked' as you have said, is most uncomfortable." Rei said with hardly any real reaction.
Shinji smiled as he looked at her. "Even getting a full-body tattoo, you still remain... what did Misato call it? Unflappable?"
"Is that a positive thing?"
"Yes, Rei-chan. It's a compliment. It means nothing bothers you, nothing shocks or startles you."
"But... being shocked, startled and bothered are normal for humans are they not?"
"If you were truly human, my girl." a new voice said, causing the two teens to sit up and turn.
Standing in the doorway to the temple were two men and a woman. The woman had long dark hair, bluish eyes and was dressed in a very lite blue kimono. She looked to be a little older than Misato. The man behind her was about forty or so, dressed in a dark suit with white streaks in his brown hair. The other man behind them was younger, about mid-twenties, wearing a black suit with sunglasses on. He looked like a bodyguard of somekind.
"Uh... can we help you?" Shinji asked, staring at the trio, not noticing Rei's apprehensive gaze.
"Yes you can. My name is Lilith." the woman said. "This is my husband Adam, and our son, Zeruel. We have been looking for you." she smiled.
"Really? Why?"
"They are here to kill us." Rei said.
The trio gave her a strange look, as Shinji dove in front of Rei. Finally noticing her fear, the boy had instinctively done what any husband would do.
"Kill you?" Lilith asked. "Why would we do that?"
"Because you are Angels." Rei said.
"They're what?" Shinji gasped.
"I can sense it. In human form, but you are the Angels." Rei explained.
Lilith just smiled. "If we wanted to kill you, my dear, we would have done so already."
"But that is not why we are here." Adam said.
"You're not?" Shinji asked. "Then... why?"
"We wish to live." Zeruel said.
"What?" both Shinji and Rei gasped.
Zeruel sighed as he stepped forward to explain. "Despite the trouble you have caused us, it was mother who convinced us that you were not to blame for all that has happened."
"The real conspirators were Gendo and SEELE." Adam said.
"SEELE?" Shinji asked.
"Dear, he doesn't know about them." Lilith said.
"Oh. Right."
"SEELE is the secret organization that controls NERV, and thus your father as well. It was their plan to initiate a Third Impact and ultimately bring about the end of the world." she explained.
"But thanks to your running away, there was no one left to oppose us." Zeruel said. "Which I was disappointed about. I would have loved to fight you."
"Uh... thanks. I think." Shinji gulped.
"Regardless, the situation is this: because we are free, Third Impact cannot occur. And after all of our struggles, we have decided to settle down and rest for a spell." Lilith said.
"A spell? How long is that?" Rei asked.
"About two or three hundred years before we move on." Adam said.
"We're also waiting for the rest of our children to come and locate us." Lilith explained.
"Oh. Alright." Shinji said. "So... you're not here to kill us?"
"No. You and this lovely young lady were pawns in someone else's twisted game of chess."
"Especially you, Rei." Adam said.
"If there was some way we could make this up to you, we would." the woman said.
Rei tilted her head, as if in thought.
"May I ask a favor of you?" Rei asked.
"Anything." Lilith said.
"Can I speak in privately with you?"
"Of course."
"Rei-chan?" Shinji asked.
"I will be fine, Shinji-kun."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
After a couple minutes, Shinji relented. Rei and Lilith walked over to where the others couldn't hear them.
"What is it you wish of me, little one?" Lilith asked.
"Can you make me fully human?" Rei asked.
Adam and Zeruel, who could hear them talking, looked at each other in shock.
"You realize what that would mean, don't you?" Lilith asked. "You would be vulnerable. Without your powers, or your insight, or your ability to generate an AT-Field. You would be completely mortal." Lilith said.
"Which would eventually lead to my death." Rei said. "I understand. Would I... be able to have children?"
Adam and Zeruel looked shocked again, but Lilith just smiled.
"Yes. You would." the woman said. "You would be compatible with Shinji."
Rei just smiled at that, a lite blush on her cheeks.
"May I ask one question?" Lilith asked.
"You may." Rei said.
"Why him? Of all the people in the world, why him?" she asked.
"Because he is kind to me. He cares for me, he treats me with respect, he has never lied to me or used me for his own purposes." Rei explained.
"And he is attracted to you as well."
"Yes. He is."
"Then let us begin."
Lilith touched Rei's forehead as the girls body glowed brightly. It stopped, causing her body to go limp. Lilith caught her as Shinji ran over and gently helped Lilith bring her back inside the room, setting her down on the futon, face-down.
"What did you do to her?" Shinji asked the woman.
"I did only what she asked of me. But she is exhausted. She needs sleep. She will recover, and when she does, she will be perfectly normal in all respects." Lilith explained.
"What she asked? What did she ask you to do for her?" he asked.
"To once again possess the ability to have children. Your children."
"My... wait, what do you mean, 'once again'?"
"NERV made it impossible for her to have children. Gendo didn't think it was necessary." she said, slightly exaggerating the facts.
Shinji's face turned dark at that. Damn You Father! He mentally spat.
"Dear. We should go." Adam said to Lilith.
"Oh course." Lilith said before turning back to Shinji. "We will be around, Shinji. Take care of your wife."
"I will." he nodded.
The trio left, leaving Shinji and Rei alone, the young man with a strange sense of peace as he gently stroked Rei's hair softly.
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Author's Notes:
It's been a while since I updated, but hopefully everyone likes what I did with this. And I hope now that the title of this story finally makes sense to everyone.
Anyway, enjoy the story and let me know what you think.