The Friend of my Enemy

by Mercaba

A spring rain and a short walk bring Shinji to the the attention of a young woman that changes not only his destiny but the lives of all the staff of Nerv

13. Chapter 13

Standard Disclaimer

Well just had my birthday and by the time I post this Halloween will have passed. Fun times to be sure, but man I wish I had more free time. Anybody reading these would like that too as it'd mean more updates. I'll keep trying.

X-X

Friend of my Enemy

Chapter – 13

Walking down the well-oiled and maintained halls of the onsen, Misato tried not to think about anything but relaxation. Was hard though, real hard with the sudden shift of emotions going through all the others around her. One moment they were celebrating the death of another angel, but then Shinji took a lava plunge to save Asuka. While Misato acknowledged the strategic value in saving Unit-02 and its pilot, the selfish part of her really wanted the extra bedroom back. It was only a small impulse really. The chain reaction to Shinji's near death was one very irate Himari, an oddly passive Asuka, and Shinji well he was his normal pensive self.

Tamamo continued to seemingly float down the hall gesturing to rooms with her left hand while the right was secured around Shinji's arm. "And here is our game room, complete with Ping-Pong tables, vibrating chairs, and a karaoke machine," she snuggled teasingly close to her daughter's beau. Glancing back over her shoulder, giving Misato a sultry smile, her eyes gleamed with a teasing light. Tamamo was looking for allies. Stopping before a set of numbered doors she finally disengaged from her target, "I've taken the liberty of setting up some rooms for you to sleep in as well."

"Sleep? But we only paid for the one day," Misato started stepping into the space Tamamo took up. Himari had taken the amorous Shizuka and Chizuru away after the girl tackled Shinji earlier leaving only the Nerv crew at the hostess and her subordinate's mercy. Despite the knowledge she had to go back to Tokyo-3, Misato couldn't deny the appeal of an extended vacation, though with Shigeru and Makoto around it did leave her on edge. Peeking into one of the rooms, "Who told you we needed rooms?"

Rubbing her arms, Asuka bristled past Misato into the room itself. "Why is it so cold in here? And I am not staying here. How can I be expected to relax with that THINGs mother in here? Monsters the whole…w-whol…" Asuka found herself standing before Yukihana the very next moment. The fiery German paled considerably as the pale blue haired woman said nothing but continued to glare. "W-what, you think I'm I-intimidated by you?" she sounded very much intimidated.

Taking Asuka by the arm and leading her back out of the room, Asuka moving like cordwood, Yukihana. Her voice not betraying any sense of hostility, "That is the men's room. We do not allow for cohabitation young slayers, please respect the rules of our establishment." After Asuka and she had cleared the door, Yukihana turned to Shinji and Misato with a small bow before unceremoniously dropping Asuka into Shinji's hands…Asuka was either trembling or shivering for any number of reasons. "Ikari-san, that does involve you as well," Yukihana's features did not soften, "Mistress I shall tend to your daughter and her friends. I believe the Mizuchi will require an additional heater."

Monsters, she was surrounded by monsters and Misato didn't know how to cope. Though if that look she got from Tamamo was true, maybe it wouldn't be all bad. Teasers were allies to one another, and this could be fun. "Well it's nice to see that my little Shinji-kun here isn't a woman magnet. That girl looked positively icy at my little man here," she hugged Shinji from behind. Damn his body was warm, borderline hot, compared to the sudden lower temperature. "Asuka was right too, it is awfully cold, not used to this," she pulled Shinji in closer and stole his warmth.

Having been quite since Himari silenced him earlier at the entrance, Shinji's head wobbled from side to side. "Tamamo-san…are you…act-actually Tamamo-no-Mae the mystical nine-tail of l-legend?" his tone was full of reverence and a smattering of fear. If he was suffering any from Misato's bust fully pressed against his back or Asuka in his arms, he kept it all well hidden. His fingers only gingerly kept Asuka up by the shoulders. Upon noticing the curled up lips of Tamamo's smile, inquisitive expression, Shinji blushed softly, "I-I started reading up on these things si-since I learned of my heritage."

Continuing to follow Tamamo as the woman walked backwards, Misato assisted Shinji in keeping the shell-shocked Asuka moving. "Shinji-kun, it's not nice to ask a woman something like that. Now I know you want to make some points with your girlfriend's mother," Misato found it hard to believe that fact. Tamamo looked far too young to be a mother, let alone a few century old mythical tempter of Emperor's…who just so happened died in the story. Nuzzling his cheek, stealing more heat as it seemed to billow out of him, "You're so warm Shinji-kun…feel like I can go to sleep like this."

Pinching Misato's hand with just the right amount of pain to garner reaction but no lasting pain, Tamamo covered her mouth with the sleeve of her kimono. In a flourish of beauty and grace nine fluffy tails erupted from Tamamo's back. Catching Asuka as the girl literally fell forward in shock, Tamamo held the girl like a baby. "It seems the young master is well schooled, but I haven't been called that in a long time. And it seems the fledgling is a little overwhelmed. I'm glad you are not Shinji-san," Tamamo leaned in dangerously close to Shinji's face.

Gasping the pinned male could only stutter. With Misato at his back and Tamamo his front, Shinji was literally given no quarter. Trying to speak for the unconscious Asuka, "She's just a little prejudice sadly. A-a friend of hers is more…opposed to friendly discourse between our…factions?" Trembling ever so slightly in Misato's arms, the bashful young man couldn't keep his eyes on Tamamo but had no options. To look away would have been to start examining the folds and curves of the woman. "I-I hope in time she can see past that to realize that we can all g-get along," he all but collapsed himself when Tamamo cupped his cheek with one hand.

"I need to contact Nerv soon, Tamamo-san," Misato wasn't liking what she was seeing. Her arms dipped to Shinji's waist and she hugged him possessively. It was all fun and games when it was teasing Shinji, but something about that touch went just one step to far for her liking. "And I guess we can put her in the woman's room until she recovers. If worse comes to worse we can load her into a VTOL for the trip home after our soak. This IS an onsen right?" Misato took a step back from the nine-tail and brought Shinji along for the ride.

Laughing softly, rich and soothing like the tinkling of bells the mythical seducer was well on track for keeping the mantle. "You'll find the phone lines as well as the roads are unusable at present, I am afraid," Tamamo got on her knees and slide the door open to a room. Gesturing to Misato to enter, the beautiful woman handed Asuka over to the captain. "A snow storm has rendered travel impossible and knocked the phone out. But, as you said, we are an onsen and the water is warm and waiting for you," something about how she looked was telling, the woman knew something.

"T-thank you for helping us then, Tamamo-san," Shinji bowed from at her side. Standing in the hall, he spun around quickly at the sound of a door opening. "OH Aoba-san, Hyuga-san how are you doing? H-how was the bath?" Shinji's arms flailed widely to give the owner time to retract any notable sign of demonic heritage and distracting the newcomers.

Laying Asuka down on one of the four provided futons, Misato's mind was working overtime. Tamamo knew exactly how many were in her party, and had everything ready before their arrival. Finding the woman gazing at her still kneeling, Misato was weary now. Just what was this woman's plan? This could be a trap, perhaps the whole demons being nice was only a select case, and Tamamo was going to try and hurt two potential threats. She'd have to talk to Himari about this, get the cat-demon to be extra cautious too. "It seems you're not going to let Chizuru sleep in our room with us?" Misato commented on the lack of a fifth futon.

As Misato left the room, Tamamo shut the door and got back up. Facing away from the men, Shinji still occupying the uninformed men, Tamamo laughed eerily. "Fu-fu-fu, it is not customary for the help to sleep with the residence, even if they are a couple. My daughter is here to work, and for us to get reacquainted. Much has happened since she left for the city, she has grown and matured. I have him to thank for that," she gestured to Shinji who had somehow gotten around the others to face them away. "And as for Yukihana, don't be deceived, she is very interested in him, but she doesn't show her true emotions easily," she linked arms with Misato and strode confidently towards the men.

Just how strong the woman at her side was, Misato prayed she never found out. With such casual a touch, barely any force at all, Tamamo was propelling Misato along like a dutiful daughter. Waving weakly at Makoto, the man was dumbstruck and open mouthed at the two women, Misato asked discreetly, "You don't mind your daughter dating a human, and a demon slayer to boot?" If Tamamo held any hostility, Misato needed to know now. They could try braving the storm on foot, if one was truly coming. Hard to picture snow during perpetual summer, but the cold was irrefutable.

Coyly waving at the suddenly very bashful men, their towels held tightly in their hand as others went to hide their interest, Tamamo offered no resentment to them. Just as softly as Misato, almost too soft to hear, "Mind? I welcome it. He is perfect for her, for each other. I've seen the wars of the past, this is a sign of mending. Loneliness is ones true enemy." Fluttering away from Misato, the eternal twenty year old, knelt before the men and opened the door to their room again. "Was the springs to your liking? Supper shall be prepared in short order," she bowed to them as the traditional Nadesico would.

"I-uh…wonderful Tamamo-san," Makoto alternated between the kneeling wonder and the present superior officer. Nudging Shigeru in the side to get him moving, "S-sorry for being so…we didn't expect anybody to be in the hall or we'd have changed back in the changing room. J-just so cold with the…open air and…" Gazing down at his crotch, the man forced his way into the room leaving the spell struck Shigeru still openly gazing at Tamamo.

After a good twenty seconds of unadulterated gawking, Shigeru apparently remembered it was rude to undress with one's eyes and slapped himself. "Sorry about that, yeah. The springs were great. You'll love 'm Shinji-kun, Katsuragi-san," and without further aplomb Shigeru all but ran into the room and allowed Tamamo to shut the door again.

Before Misato could, Shinji turned and bowed low to the hostess, "Sorry about them, Tamamo-san! It's just…they're likely not used to women such as yourselves t-together like you were standing." Shinji's voice came out high and unhindered. He jerked back and nearly fell when Tamamo was up and hugging him in but a moment, "T-Tamamo-san? Misato-san?"

For now she'd trust this woman, not like Misato could really do anything against Tamamo even if she wanted. She doubted her service pistol would leave a blemish on Tamamo's perfect skin. "So you're used to…did you say beautiful women such as ourselves? My-my Shinji-kun, when did you become such the player?" she joined Tamamo in a little hug party. Shinji was too much fun to tease, and he opened a can of worms so big it'd depopulate the ocean's fish supply if used. Ruffling his hair with her one free hand, she saw Tamamo tenderly embracing the lad. Maybe Tamamo really was feeling motherly towards her daughter's man.

With Shinji red enough to be confused for Asuka's plugsuit, his brain wasn't functioning being so overheated, left Tamamo as his controller. Guiding the pair towards yet unseen parts of the resort, Tamamo pulled back on the teasing, "Your co-workers are an interesting bunch. I hope you will keep an eye on them, Shinji-kun. It would be unwise for them to try anything unbecoming. But it would only result in regret for them." Tamamo pointed out another entertainment room, complete with large television and movie collection, a set of board games, and…a very irate Chizuru with Himari and Shizuka behind her.

"MOTHER!? What are you doing to MY Shinji-kun! And Shinji! What is this I hear about you putting yourself in danger for that simpering waif of a girl?" Chizuru, clad in her work kimono, was anything but the exquisiteness she typically was. Her eyes twitched with anger and agitation, her arms crossed under her impressive bust (Tamamo's still were larger and just as perky), and her foot tapping was hard enough to vibrate paintings hanging on the wall. "Well, care to explain, both of you?" Chizuru demanded.

Well, that explained the important news Himari had vanished to tell upon arriving. Shinji was going to have to explain why he risked Unit-01 and himself for Asuka, Misato did not envy that. "How about we wait for the bad stuff until after a dip in the spring and some food?" Misato would at least try to help her ward. Not like they'd stay mad at Shinji for long. Once he gave them some time, maybe a lil loving, they'd forgive him. Well, hopefully Chizuru wouldn't and Himari would, but with how Tamamo was…Misato was starting to have second thoughts even about that.

X-X

Fluffing her hair, damn slip into the onsen ruined her attempts at keeping it dry, Asuka wrapped a towel around her neck. This wasn't what she expected as a celebratory vacation for her first solo venture, that didn't end as a solo victory. The meal had been extraordinary, but she found it to nerve-racking to relax enough to really enjoy it. The owner and her subordinate were well beyond anything she ever felt before. Even Keusu would have fallen to either of them without any real fight.

"At least the hot spring was relaxing," Asuka tightened the sash of her yukata. Without a change of clothing, she had graciously taken the clean garb over using dirty clothing again. Those monsters weren't going to risk anything with other normal people around it seemed, that or they were as Shinji kept telling her and genuinely nice. Coming to a stop, skidding a little on the polished wood, "The moment I think that is the moment they'll kill me. Keusu has to be right and they're evil." Because if Keusu was wrong, it meant the woman was killing innocents. Asuka couldn't see her best friend as a murderer.

Walking out of the men's side, Shinji waved halfheartedly at Asuka. "Sorry about hitting you with the bottle, but I couldn't tell where you really were," he apologized. Looking about how good as Asuka felt, the lad was obviously fatigued with stress lines about his eyes and slumped shoulders. Tugging at the lining of his own yukata, "Want to hit up the entertainment area?"

Falling instep with him, Asuka shrugged and nodded. "Not like I have anything else to do really. None of my books or games are here, doubt the television is working either. I haven't seen snow like this except for a trip to northern Germany," now that had been a scary trip. Here at the resort the snow was beautiful and dare she say it romantic. Watching the flakes fall while bathing alongside Misato, who opted to stay in the bath when Tamamo arrived with sake, had been lovely. Scanning both sides of the hall though, "No entourage? I figure you handlers would have gotten over their anger at you for saving me."

Laughing with no real humor to it, Shinji rolled his hands over and opened the door to the gaming room. Not trying to come off as to nervous, "Well they're going to be upset at me a little longer I think. They're not upset that I saved you, just that I risked my life before there was a known need." He stood aside so that Asuka could enter first, his hand gesturing to her to enter.

She owed him one, Asuka never liked owing anybody a thing. But she owed Kuesu's fiancé her life, and that meant she'd have to repay it. Didn't hurt that he had looked really cool and manly in the task either, not that she was having any little fantasies about him. Stupid hormones being all off balance from the battle and near death…maybe she'd need to visit the bathroom alone to alleviate a little stress. She had to do it after the battles with the twin angel, not that she let her flatmates know she played the petal stroking game.

Walking into the well lit room, Asuka was about to comment on the voices she heard when a Ping-Pong ball smashed against her forehead. "A fucking hell! How was that even possible?!" she doubled over rubbing the goose egg lump on her forehead. A tiny hallow plastic ball should NOT hurt that much ever. Straightening up, looking out one half open eye welling with tears of pain, "Who the hell hit me with that thing?"

Scooping up the plastic ball, Shinji spun it around in his hand and looked reproachfully at Himari. "Was that aimed at her or me, Himari-san?" a reluctance bordering hopelessness emboldened the words. Tossing the ball back on the table where Tayura and Himari were playing, it bounced with its cheap plastic chirp. Taking the time to examine the bump on Asuka's head, Shinji missed the redness on the girl's cheeks, "Shouldn't bruise. Might have been an accident too. She does get awfully competitive."

"Twas naught but a foul shot, Shinji-sama, no intent was behind the strike. Though had it been, would thou have leapt before it to shield her from it? Don't answer, for we all know the answer," Himari caught the offered ball and bounced it on the table. The paddle, wooden with a green felt pad over the end, sliced through the air cutting the air like a blade. In rapid succession the missile bounced from the beleaguered Tayura and Himari.

Out of breath but trying to stop any potential fights, jumping from one side of the table to the other to receive Himari's bullets, Tayura was winded. "Having a little tournament to pass the time. S-Shizuka and Aoba-kun are next, followed by Chizuru and Yukihana-san," he swung and missed leaving the ball to strike his chest with a tiny twack. Groaning in pain, he crumpled to the ground rubbing the impact crater. Wincing, "Noihara-san I submit. I can't take another hit like that."

So the cat-demon was angry was she, well Asuka could capitalize on that. "Now this sounds appealing. How about I take his place. You can work off your anger for me being alive against me and not my partner," Asuka smirked at the stunned Himari as she patted Shinji's back. If the demon animal wanted to play some emotional gambit, Asuka was going to use it to help Keusu. Taking up Tayura's paddle, she winked at Shinji as he lead the taller boy to the waiting vibrating chairs and the other players. This was her game, not much else to do at the base in Germany. Serving a corkscrew shot at Himari's side, Asuka's grin was feral, "Kitty want to play?"

Helping Tayura sit down, Shinji looked positively helpless as Chizuru turned her nose up at him and looked away. "Want to play a board game or maybe a card game? We could all…all play," Shinji offered to the Nerv crew and anybody that would listen.

Grabbing several off a shelf, Shizuka's deadpan expression did much to answer Shinji's plea. "I'll break you slayer, as well as Four-eyes and Gawker," she set down a deck of playing cards and started dealing. Chizuru eyed the group for a moment before scoffing and walking off in a huff.

Back at the table, Asuka saw it all and ran the odds in her head. It was just the emotional aftermath of the battle running its course, but any weakness could be exploited. "Guess I was worried for nothing. Keusu didn't have anything really to worry about from you two after all," she expertly countered Himari's shot. For all Himari's grace and skill with a blade, the cat-demon did not play Ping-Pong well, favoring hard smashes over skill shots.

"We be only cruel to be kind to Shinji-sama," Himari moved to receive Asuka's shot but fell for the faint. With a scowl she picked the ball off the ground and marked Asuka's third point to her single. Trying to mimic Asuka's proficiency, Himari proved to be an apt pupil and hit it almost good enough. "And know we are not upset for your survival, just the need of the superior warrior to rely on the lesser, if all your bolstering be truth not fib," Himari added a little more spin on her shot.

Trying to keep her temper in check, Asuka wasn't going to respond to the obvious attack on her pride. "I was lowered into a volcano against what was told to be a defenseless foe. I countered with a plan that was victorious, and the only failure was on the part of the tools used," had the cable not been hit she'd have not needed Shinji at all. Her lapse in concentration cost her a point as Himari was learning far quicker than Asuka expected. "And last I saw, your last fight ended rather poorly for you didn't it?" she used her backhand bouncing off the table and right off Himari's left breast.

Her hand slammed down on the table with excessive force destroying the ball, Himari gnashed her teeth and vibrated with barely contained anger. "Mistakes were made, but naught shall they be repeated! Yon hussy shall not shame me again, nor shall she ever be privy to Shinji-sama's form again," she grabbed a spare ball and beset Asuka again.

Back and forth the dueling apprentice demon slayer and the demon-animal battled with both ball and barb. But in the end it was Asuka's previous hours of playing against other base children in Germany that gave her the edge. Dropping her paddle on the table, Asuka added insult to injury, "You know, I'll forfeit and give you the win, only way you seem to win. I don't think the present company is my taste anyway." Oh how she enjoyed that evil eye Himari was casting at her. "Shinji, want to go for a walk with me around this place? Not like they're even talking to you right now," she asked.

She had paid the card game attention when possible, and it was devoid of any actual conversation. The Mizuchi had teased Shinji a lot, Tayura however was siding with Chizuru as expected. The fox-boy was ever the doting brother, Asuka suspected Tayura would follow Chizuru into death when the time came. The older Nerv men however were more interested in Tamamo or Misato, the perverts. Asuka watched the interplay between Himari and Shinji as he got up. Shinji didn't see how she followed his movements or the pained look on her face. So Himari didn't want Shinji to go, but was to prideful to stop him, excellent.

Stopping in the doorway, Shinji waved at the others, Himari had taken his cards up at the poker game. "I'll see you guys in the room. If I'm there after you lay down I'll try not to wake you," Shinji laughed a little as Shizuka waggled her tongue at him out of sight of the Nerv men. Giving Asuka his full attention, Shinji was exuding a full defeated aura. "So you beat Himari at Ping-Pong? You play it much?" he shut the door behind them.

"I played it a lot back in Germany at the base. Before I met Keusu and started my training I had very little to do," Asuka set the pace for walking. It was a brisk speed, moving from one hall to another without much care. Her body rubbed against the fabric of the yukata in strange ways that left her more flustered than before. Didn't hurt that Shinji would accidentally brush up against her, or was it her brushing up against him? Whoever was at fault, it didn't matter, as all it did was remind the German of her damn itch. Wanting something to cool her fire down, "So you going to apologize to either of them tonight?"

Stuffing his hands into the sleeves of his Yukata, the outline of him rubbing his arms was visible, Shinji stumbled a step. "I've learned its best to let them come to me actually. When I apologize to quickly they just get more upset. But I can tell when they're ready to hear it, so…" he just shrugged as they found their way to the room with the television. Plopping down on a chair, Shinji turned the set on and handed Asuka the remote. "Just have to be patient with them, just like they are with me," for what he meant Shinji offered no additional details.

The wind howled against the glass panes, rattling them in their frames. Wanting to curl up under a nice fluffy blanket and…Asuka's eyes fluttered quickly. Damn image of a rather randy Kaji came popping into her mind. Would he ever actually accept her as a woman, or was she just being stupid. But love was stupid, she just had to look at Shinji as proof of that. A human thinking demons loved him, but love made fools of everybody. Flipping through the stations, finding nothing but static, "Well let's see what that woman was watching last. Don't see any other occupants so it'd have to be her last pick."

When Shinji offered no resistance, he never did, Asuka hit the power for the DVD player. Thankfully something was indeed in the player so she didn't have to send Shinji off to pick something. "Lets see what that old hag likes to watch," for some reason Asuka felt a chill work its way down her spine. Impossible, that woman was likely still getting drunk with Misato, no reason to suspect anything else. A movie title in French appeared, thankfully with Japanese subtitles under it, but she didn't recognize it.

For the next hour the two hormonal laden teens watched one of the most heartfelt yet bittersweet love stories either had ever seen. It was s tale of lovers from different social classes coming together only for the woman to be wed to another due to family obligations. Several times during the movie, Asuka dabbed at her eyes to insure she hadn't gotten visually emotional, but damn she liked that movie. She had expected Shinji to be a typical male and be bored, but the few times she glanced at him, he was just as enthralled as she was. The night slipped them by as they watched, whatever the others were doing, it didn't bother Asuka at all.

As the credits rolled, Asuka felt her itch intensify greatly. "So w-what did you think of it?" she felt she needed to know his opinion before voicing her own. Old prejudiced of boys hating 'chick flicks' and not getting the point were ready to flare up in defense of the film.

"I liked it," Shinji bashfully admitted, "I know guys aren't supposed to like this type of movie. But I really liked it. Sad at the ending though, a shame that both married people they didn't fully love. It was just a movie, but I would have liked a happier ending." He didn't look at her, he was twiddling his thumbs about to keep his hands occupied.

That was a shocker, but a pleasant one, maybe Keusu had a better catch than the initial appraisal had shown. Asuka's first thoughts of Shinji were judgmental. He was shorter, appeared scrawny, and had a dim look about him. But after getting to know him, well aside the shortness she had been wrong about him. "Well I wouldn't have thought that we…" Asuka was cut off as finally an intruder broke the budding bonding session.

Walking into the room, Shizuka didn't hesitate to make a beeline for Shinji and crawl into his lap and latch onto him. "You're warmth, give it to me," she cuddled against him and nuzzled his neck with her tongue. Peeking at Asuka with one eye, "Get us a blanket, I'm not moving from this chair and neither is slayer, novice."

Damn it! And things were going well too, Asuka fumed as she grabbed a heavy quilt next to the television. She was going to start talking to Shinji about Keusu and what Shinji knew about his clans abilities, but they just HAD to be interrupted by one of the few not angry at Shinji. "Don't let her control you, Shinji. Even if she wasn't a monster, nobody should have control over you," well Keusu was an exception to that for Shinji. Tossing the blanket over Shinji's head, Asuka stormed off to her room.

Passing Chizuru as she made her way to her sleeping quarters, Asuka felt her revulsion rising. Damn Kitsune had to be so damn beautiful and sexy! Wait…did she just find Chizuru sexy, not a good sign. "Your ex is currently being the mattress for the Mizuchi. Hope you don't mind being his cast offs," Asuka smiled sweetly at the impish beauty. Damn she was horny, she hated feeling like it, but their was no denying it. If she was considering what Chizuru looked out of that Yukata, those lovely breasts swaying free of…STOP!

"Oh, we sent Shizuka to him actually. Shin-chan gets randy after a battle, and since we're still punishing him we have to make sure he doesn't wonder into forbidden and sub-par territory," Chizuru had an equally pleasant grin on her face as she walked past Asuka towards where Shinji was. Calling out loudly as the Aoba left the game room, "My mother thought you might need it, so she left you a plastic friend of hers. It's used and likely to big for your unused and unwanted neathers. And just so you know its actually smaller than Shin-chan."

Eye twitching, Asuka found things exactly as Chizuru mocked when she got to her room. Misato was already snoring, her yukata pulled open allowing the scar to almost glow in the dim light of the room. Damn fine pair those were, Asuka felt a spike of jealousy again. Why was she tied for the smallest pair? Wasn't the stereotype that the Japanese were smaller in the chest? Picking up the tool Tamamo left, Asuka just blink at the monster. "He can't be this big," Asuka wrapped the object in her towel. Sneaking to the bathroom, she owed up to needing release or she'd never sleep and…found it didn't fit easily. Opting not to stretch herself with it, went to the old stand by of imagining Kaji and her fingers.

X-X

Tayura lay awake in the early morning remembering why he stopped sleeping in the same room as Chizuru ages ago. Simply put she kicked in her sleep and moved about like an overworked top. The number of kicks to the stomach and backhands to the face were to numerable to count. Sure if he was Shinji he'd have spooned and held her comfortably against him preventing such damage. He was, generally to his relief, not Shinji however which meant he was an open target.

"At times you really are to much effort to be around, Chizuru, I just want you to know that," Tayura muttered to his sleeping sister. Her response was to kick out wildly and crush right between his legs ending any hope of further sleep. Cradling his bruised pride as he rolled off his futon, Tayura gingerly tiptoed out of the 'workers quarters' and into the resort proper. A tear of pain in his eye, "This was not how I expected my vacation to go."

Oh how he had pictured a nice trip to the beach with Asahina! She'd have a lovely two-piece and they'd have taken a long walk together, they'd talk, and maybe just maybe share a tender moment. Walking into the kitchen to get the early morning prep-work done, he favored himself a personal daydream. Shamefully the illusion went a little red with Chizuru walking in on Tayura and Akane's first time and opted to join in. Hey, it was a dream and only in his dreams did he still see Chizuru like that.

But all things had to end, and like his self-esteem before the wrath of hurricane Chizuru, the dream derailed and was eviscerated as Tayura bounced off a warm body. "I'm sorry mother, I didn't expect you up this ear…Shinji?" Tayura rebounded off the person he hit. It was still dark out so he had assumed his mother had gotten up to provide for the snow trapped guests, but he was wrong. Shinji stood at the resorts large table cooking with one of the provided aprons on. "Why are you cooking, you're a guest here while the storm persists," he had his suspicions about that sudden snow storm too. Tamamo's assistant just happened to be a snow-woman after all.

A shiny steel bowl in one hand and a whisk in another, Shinji's face was covered in a splattering of flour and batter. Offering a weak smile, "A small bribe to Chizuru-san and Himari-san," he confessed. Setting the bowl down, the young chef reached for a medium sized ladle and a frying pan. "Tamamo-san said I could use the kitchen if I wanted. I think she knows about the fight we're having," Shinji dusted his hands off on his apron.

Ah yes Chizuru's fight with Shinji, if it could be called such. "Well you did nearly die for a woman that claims she wants to slay all us 'evil monsters'," Tayura said without malice. It was Shinji's nature, and Tayura wouldn't fault Shinji for it. Yes it hurt Chizuru, yes it angered Tayura, but Shinji was just that type of guy. Save first, ask questions later. If more of the slayers had Shinji's mentality then only the actual evil demon-kind would have been slain. Smelling more than one delectable scent Tayura sniffed like a dog, "What you making? Anything I can help with?"

Pointing at the tray on by the large stove, Shinji started ladling batter into the frying pan. "The crepes are done already and warming if you want one. The pancakes will be done in a few minutes, chocolate chip pancakes actually. And I have breakfast steaks and eggs in the fridge ready for Misato-san and you," Shinji raddled off the menu without flinching. The sizzling and steam bubbled up from the pan as he began making Himari's personal breakfast. "Work been good for you? Must be a pain to work on your vacation. Want me to help a bit later? It would give me something to do until we can leave," Shinji sounded tired.

His mouth salivating already, Tayura found himself nodding despite Chizuru's insistence he share her anger at Shinji. "Well if my mother is ok with you helping, I'd not mind help cleaning the floors. Chizuru never helps with that, she just does the linen for the rooms. Those two men with you make big messes just so you know," Tayura opened the fridge. Finding his steak clearly marked, garnished with mushrooms and onions as he loved it, he pulled it out and put it in the microwave. Punching in the time listed under his name, "Chizuru will likely forgive you tomorrow at the earliest. That's the standard lifespan of her anger."

Shoulders sulking, Shinji stopped his cooking for a moment to groan a little in aggravation. "Guess they really are punishing me for this. But I only have myself to blame I guess," he took the first batch of pancakes off the pan and slide them on a plate. Sipping from the glass of orange juice he had set out for himself, Shinji shivered as a cool wind accompanied the door to the outside opening. "I'll work on the north floor, sound good?" Shinji extended his bribe to Tayura a little, "And thanks for not avoiding me like they are."

"We men have to stick together, but I might have to call in a favor in the future," Tayura flex his bicep. Taking his breakfast out of the microwave, he gathered some flatware and headed to the workers break room to eat. If Chizuru did wake before Tamamo forced her too, it wouldn't do Tayura any good to be seen fraternizing with the condemned. Something was eating at Shinji though, but Tayura couldn't think what it was for the life of him. First fight blues maybe, but everybody fought from time to time, especially with attitudes like Chizuru's.

As expected, the meal was delicious. The best spice had been the fact he actually had a meal cooked for him and it wasn't his own hands making it. Yukihana and he cooked everything as Tamamo and Chizuru shared the same disdain for cooking. Chizuru said cooking was beneath her when people like Tayura were around, and Tamamo claimed the hostess was to tend to the emotional needs of the guests. "They're just lazy is all," Tayura set the dishes in a plastic tub with the other dirty dishes Chizuru was supposed to clean.

"The young mistress will let those sit until you clean them," Yukihana said from directly behind Tayura. Tamamo's ninja assistant proved to be effortlessly silent as she stalked behind Tayura without a sound until she announced her presence. A stack of chocolate chip pancakes with fresh diced strawberries were on her own plate as she sat across from Tayura's seat. Sampling the food her cheek twitched slightly, "The young Ikari is very proficient in many areas."

Spotting yesterday's breakfast plate still in the bin, damn Yukihana for being right, Tayura groaned. "Can't blame me for being optimistic can you?" he shrugged defeated. How long had Yukihana been following him? With the food on her plate looking fresh off the plate, she had to have been following him since he left the kitchen! Considering moving the bin to the sink, Tayura would delude himself a little longer, "So are you causing the storm Yukihana? Mother want to observe Shinji-kun and Soryu for some reason?"

Inhaling the food with the passion of a man starved for years finally given food, Yukihana's cheeks colored just a trifle. "Mistress Tamamo has to confirm something regarding the young mistress's lover. As for the storm, it will abate midday allowing those trapped here to leave in the morning," she didn't directly answer the question, but nobody else had the power to make snow like she did. Adding her plate to the bin, Yukihana lifted the overflowing basket with on hand and balanced it with ease. "I shall tend to these if you promise to not use the onsen after seven pm tonight," her green eyes shined with hidden intent.

Never one to enjoy doing dishes, Tayura was willing to not take a dip in the onsen for the task to be taken from him. "Consider it done. As for Shinji-kun, he's a good guy despite him causing the little distress with the last guardian," Tayura felt it necessary to defend his buddy. With a nod, Tayura left the yuki-onna to her own tasks, confident that he ended up saying more than she did…as usual. Going about his early morning duties when the resort had guests, Tayura found Shigeru and Makoto watching a movie in the television room.

Still looking haggard and tired, Makoto scratched at his chest through the slit in his yukata. "Never knew mornings could be this cold. Hope whatever freak of nature caused this ends soon, I have to get home and water my plants," the man whined as he picked at his food. The microwaved breakfast was not of Shinji's creation, but the man ate it regardless. "Oh, Minamoto-kun, I'll need a few more towels in our room. With it so cold, thinking I'll be taking a number of dips in the onsen to keep warm," he rubbed under his nose as Misato walked in and plopped down in the chair next to his.

"Sure thing, though I think they might be closed for cleaning around seven pm for a little while. Morning Katsuragi-san," Tayura wasn't immune to Misato's charms. While not as blinded by the mature woman like Kensuke and Touji, Tamamo and Chizuru held that role for him, Tayura was not ignorant. Something about the human woman was just captivating and alluring. It didn't hurt that Misato knew she had that effect on males and played it for maximum fun. "Did you need anything this morning, you have a special breakfast in case you didn't know," Tayura didn't feel it necessary to say WHO made it though.

Not her normal cheery self, Misato moaned like something from a zombie film, and gave a squinty eyed look at the being that had the audacity to make sounds in her presence. "No Yebisu and no teasing make Misato a dull girl," she said deadpan. Her bed head was not doing her looks any benefits, but she had enough natural grace to detract from her undead like state. As Makoto and Shigeru tried to offer the captain a morning greeting, all Misato did was spin on the broken swivel that was her waist. "No Yebisu and no teasing make Misato a dull girl," she repeated and sank heavily into the chair and soon was snoring again.

"If that continues we'll need to either sacrifice the slayer to her, or lead her into a hedge maze. Hope you have one," Shizuka snarked from Tayura's side. Taking advantage of Misato's sleeping form, the deathly pale girl climbed next to the woman's body getting a snort and gasp from Makoto and a laugh from Shigeru. "Warm, but not as warm as Slayer-kun," and just like Misato Shizuka was sleeping.

Knowing the water based Mizuchi must be having a hard time with the cold, Tayura covered the duo with the same blanket Shinji ended up sleeping under the night before. "Guess she'll eat later too. Did you need anything else before I head back to work?" Tayura expected the men to be a bit more of the annoying type of guest.

Waggling his glass of water, Shigeru was having a ball watching the frantic actions of Makoto. "No, I'm good. Ikari-kun cleaned most of our room already, so one less worry for you. And thanks for the tip about the onsen. Think I'll take a dip early then before setting into some of these movies. Not like we can get back to the city with the storm coming down like that," he pointed at the window showing the full bore of the storm still in effect. Flinching his head at the still prone Makoto, "Don't worry about him, he's so hard up for Katsuragi-san he won't leave the chair till she wakes."

Not wanting to know anything else about the odd man with the glasses, Tayura gave the sleeping duo one last look before heading off for his next set of tasks. Quite against his wants, he found the scene of the sleeping Mizuchi quite darling. Normally Shizuka gave Tayura the screaming hibijibies, but this morning proved that she could pull off cute exceptionally well.

Next task was dusting, and while he was making his way through the main foyer, Tayura was victim to his sister's wrath. "Tayura! Yukihana said you were talking to Shinji-kun this morning and you even ate the breakfast he made for you?" Chizuru had a whiff of cream on the corner of her mouth. Her work yukata strained against the battle it was waging with the melon rebellion, but Chizuru leaned over her brother regardless. Bouncing as much as the tight fitting clothing allowed, "What do you have to say for yourself, backstabber?"

To call out the hypocrisy or not, Tayura wasn't stupid. "I was tired and hungry. If you hadn't been kicking me all night I wouldn't have been so groggy," he opted to avoid looking at Chizuru licking the cream. Now that wasn't a scene he saw in his mind a few times in the past, just it wasn't sugar based pastry she had stuffed in her tiny…oh not the best time for that. The glaring form of Chizuru hovered over him like the sword of Damocles . "But I did get him to help us out with the floor. So you won't have to do that today," now to butter her up. If she had seen that look in his eye though, well pain would be forthcoming.

"He's going to be on his hands and knees…" Chizuru's eyes glazed over tellingly. "Well," she took a deep breath and stood back up straight, "I guess I need to observe his efforts to make sure he's not slacking." Batting her long and full eyelashes at Himari as the kimono clad kitten graced the room. "Shall we go and nitpick and judge his work?" she asked her companion.

Fixing her own kimono, that same look that graced Shinji's face earlier that morning and Chizuru's the night before as Tayura saw, Himari curled back her lips revealing her glistening teeth. "Shinji-sama needs be observed groveling for pittance and pardon. Though perhaps we have taken this far enough, his spirit is solemn and his needs unmet. Mayhap the other in similar state could make some play," Himari rubbed her index finger to her chin.

Watching Shinji's two main women exchange a prolonged visual exchange before running off, Tayura felt lost. They were talking about something, but he didn't quite grasp it, nor care. "They'll work out whatever issues they have, and leave the mess to us," he chuckled. Finishing the dusting, he moved onto laundry and resupplying the rooms.

Just as Shigeru stated, the men's room was clean and tidy, but the women's was a nightmare. The futons and blankets everywhere. Himari's had claw makes in it and a small stain just about where her…and Soryu's had a very um…personal device wrapped in a towel hidden under it. "Best not to ask questions about that. Thing looks like a club more than a," he just shuddered. Picking the thing up by what he hoped was the unused end, he hid it under Asuka's pillow.

Yeah, best to avoid that girl if that was what she needed to relax. Lunch came and went, Yukihana preparing it. And while Shinji helped with the daily running of the resort, the others with Chizuru included slacked off. Games were played, messes were made, and Tayura and Shinji busied themselves with work. Tayura caught glimpses of Chizuru and Himari following Shinji around…and Yukihana stalking all of them like a specter. "Just stay out of it, better to be behind the whirlwind than in its path," he sagely went to play Ping-Pong again.

X-X

Walking down the hallways with bare feet, Shinji had hoped he'd have felt fatigued by this time of the evening. Taking all of Chizuru's tasks and doing half of Tayura's as well hadn't wore him out nearly as much as he wanted. His goal has been beat tired ready to pass out, not randy. Normally he got a little private time in the bathroom, then came his girlfriend and his life partner. Well with them pissed at him and stacking the deck for maximum taunting but minimum payoff, well Shinji was experiencing something new.

Longing, damn did he feel it bad and he didn't know what to make of it. Never in his life had the urge been so strong in him, hell he even considered asking Shizuka the night before if she was only teasing. But he couldn't do that, he had enough self restraint to resist falling for what had to just be a joke. While Shizuka had watched Shinji with all the women he'd been with, oddly, he wouldn't suspect she actually wanted to take their place at any point.

"Well it's only seven, but it looks like this place is partied out," Shinji observed a wall clock. Tamamo staged a little post battle party for the group complete with what turned out to be alcohol. Having been serving the food not eating, at his insistence, he was spared the effects of the potent beverage. It didn't save him from having to carry the women to their rooms. Shuddering hard, Shinji fought and lost the battle of remembering what he had just done. "They were so light…and smelled so good," he swore he could smell their pheromones as he carried Chizuru and Himari to their respective futons.

A guilty sensation warmed up his spine to his head and took up roost mocking him. "Yes, even Shizuka, Misato, and Asuka smelt good too," odd how his sense of smell was getting better. It hadn't been nearly as sensitive a few weeks ago, but after the last merge with Chizuru he just had sharper senses all around. "Wonder what Himari was going to say," he forced the change from his mind. One of the teases his two lovers sprang on him had gone off the rails.

It had happened while he was running a cloth along the ground, Himari 'accidentally' tripped him causing him to spill out onto his back. Turns out Himari had gone traditional in her kimono and Shinji got an eyeful of flower. Well whatever Himari's plan was, it must have been forgotten as she started to kneel over his prone form rather than leave. But before either were given what they had been craving, Tamamo interrupted and pulled the cat-demon away. Next time Shinji saw his cherished bodyguard all she said was 'I'll allow it to knock her down a peg, remember this.' Then Himari started drinking the green drink and she was out like a newborn kitten.

"Just take a dip in the onsen and then I'll try to turn in early," Shinji muttered already imaging another sleepless night. But with everybody asleep…he could take care of his little problem now. Feeling like a sneaking thief, he peeked in all the rooms that he knew were occupied. Sleeping, both guests and workers were unconscious and snoring. Everybody was accounted for except Tamamo and Yukihana, but Shinji wasn't going to check there rooms, it would have been a violation of trust. Walking out into the changing room for the bath, he admired the fallen snow, "It is really pretty. A shame it stopped and we won't see it again."

Midway through the day, Misato had found Shinji cleaning the bathroom to give him the news. First she teased him about trying to sneak a peak at the ladies in before using the water closet, then the actual news. With the snowstorm in the area stopped, the government and no shortage of scientists were descending upon the small region of Japan. They were to clear out the roads, a VTOL landing site, and the scientists were gushing over the bizarre once in a lifetime phenomena. A warm front was coming to wipe the snow away from the earth and memories.

Disrobing, Shinji wrapped a towel around his waist, Shinji ventured out into the men's side of the bath. With a heavy cloud cover, the sky was dark and a few ambient lights were lit making for a rather relaxing scene. "To think I accidentally hit her breast with the shampoo bottle," Shinji didn't know if it was good or bad aim. Asuka had been the only person to be openly friendly with him from his group of friends, odd considering everything. Misato was still more neutral, he had been reckless, and Tamamo and Yukihana were acting the dutiful hostesses.

Dropping the towel at the lip of the water, he tried the sulfur rich water with his toe. "It really is warm. Odd Shizuka just didn't spend the whole time in here," he had wondered why the cold adverse female had braved the air. Not his place to judge though, and it had been cute to see Misato and her on the chair.

"Well, Ikari-san, how rude of you to get into the spring without bathing first," Tamamo's sing-song like voice wafted in the moisture rich air. Kneeling at a sitting stool, a sponge in one hand, and not an inch of clothing on, the woman's smile was devilish as much as it was innocent. "Shall I was your back for you?" she gestured to the stool.

Nearly falling into the spring from spinning to fast, Shinji's eyes sought the towel he had just dropped but found it nowhere. The damn thing had just vanished?! How was that even possible? Covering himself with his hands, "T-T-Tamamo-san I don't think that's n-necessary. And s-sorry for wanting a soak first. It's been a long day." Was she intentionally punishing him too at Chizuru's behest? Keeping his eyes skyward, he was to stunned to know what to do.

Taking matters into her own hand, and one of Shinji's, Tamamo lead the boy back to the stool and sat him down. "Now-now Shinji-san, we don't stand on ceremony here at 'Tama no Yu'. And you are a valued guest, I would be remiss if I didn't see to your every comfort," she cooed as she started working the sponge against his back. "You've a lot of tension back here for one so young," she commented softly.

Oh he had tension, but it was not totally situated in his back. Shinji was crushing his legs together to keep his little friend from popping up. "Y-you've done enough just letting us stay here, Tamamo-san," his back felt like heaven. Neither Chizuru or Himari had ever tried a massage and Tamamo seamed a master of the craft. But the question was, "W-why are you r-really doing this Tamamo-san?"

With one hand on his shoulder, Tamamo worked Shinji's side gently. "Two fold really, and please call me Tama-chan," she whispered in his ear. Tickling his neck with her fingers she goaded with the skills of a master. "First I wanted to talk to you about this company you work for and what you know about them. And second I want to know your full intentions for my daughter," she took the sponge in both hands and rubbed down his spine.

Feeling himself stand at full attention, Shinji was ashamed of how good Tamamo was making him feel. After wanting a little relief since his near death plunge, this wasn't how he expected it to come. Appallingly at the hands and not-intent of his girlfriend's mother was defiantly not planned. "T-Tama-chan," he was putty in her hands, "All I know is what I've been told. The angels, Himari calls them guardians, are trying to destroy mankind. And I'm trying to help stop them. As for Chizuru…I love her. I-I haven't had many in the ways of friends. I never expected to fall in love…but she…I would never hurt her willingly."

Draping her arms over Shinji's shoulder, Tamamo pulled him against her and rubbed her bust against his back. Her own excitement was present by two hard nubs pressing hard against him. "As I expected," she kissed his cheek, "I've started looking into the guardians. They're a test, not an attack, but their true purpose is vague. I'll let you know when I know more, ancient scrolls have never been my thing. As for my daughter." Tamamo licked Shinji's earlobe before biting playfully on it.

Dear god in heaven Tamamo was coming onto him! He had…this had to be a test. "Tamamo-san! We-we shouldn't do that…I know the issue with Chizuru and I is a little odd. What with Himari being my guardian and well…Rei being her student in things. But I shouldn't…it would violate her trust in me!" not that Tamamo wasn't a delicious target.

"Time to clean the front," Tamamo dismissed any rebuttal Shinji had. Deftly spinning to Shinji's front, her body seemed to glow with an inner light. Her tails burst from her back and sealed Shinji in a cocoon of fur. Her hands worked the sponge down his chest, "You've more muscle than expected at first glance. And if I didn't trust you to be good for my daughter, that you were playing her for just a warm body…" Tamamo's eyes hardened into cold lifeless orbs promising pain and misery.

A cold finger trailed down Shinji's back through the multitude of tails. "I would have stopped your heart the moment I saw you. Mistress trusts you, and the young masters as well. Even I…" Yukihana removed her finger from Shinji's back.

Both of them…the two he had sworn would have left him alone had him in a pincer attack. "Yukihana-san, you're in here too? And you have to believe me Tamamo-san, I truly do love them. It's just as odd for me to be in this situation! Until they told me they agreed to it, I felt horrible! But Chizuru says as long as she's first in my heart, AND SHE IS, she was ok with…" and he gasped out in a rather lusty moan as Tamamo's hands wrapped around his shaft.

"My-my what an unexpected surprise you have down there," Tamamo's eyes burnt with fascination again. Dropping the sponge she used her naked fingers to stroke twice, "Good size and heft, my daughter knows how to pick them well." She leaned in close, pulling Shinji to her chest as Yukihana did the same from the back. "Relax Shin-chan, I can feel your heart about to burst, as well as something else," she teased.

Trailing Shinji's sides with her icy fingers, Yukihana's breath was cold on Shinji's neck but not unpleasant. "I have watched you for a long time, even the Mizuchi failed to see me. Everything you've done and had done to you has been reported. We know of your past, your present, and all we wanted to know was your planned future. Will you wed her if you are able, think not of the Jinguji girl," tiny fangs bit into Shinji's neck drawing blood.

So this was why all those vampire movies had a subtle erotic element to them, Shinji realized. Trying not to moan in pleasure as Tamamo rubbed his front and Yukihana drew blood for an unknown reason, "I would, without question. But my mother…I don't…" Shinji couldn't finish dialogue as Tamamo's tongue was in his mouth silencing him. Now THIS was a kiss of experience. He loved kissing his beloved girls, but they paled in the expertise that centuries had imparted to Tamamo.

Gently Tamamo pushed Shinji off the stool into Yukihana's arms who guided him to the ground. Breaking the kiss, Tamamo grinned openly and lovingly at the boy. "I told you I had two reasons for us being here," she kissed his chest with tiny kisses as she crawled backwards towards his nether region. "A mother has to make sure her daughters mate lives up to her expectations. And Yukihana and myself have been alone for so long that we've forgotten the pleasures of the flesh. Both your little kitten and fox know of this as well. No man has ever refused me, you did very well I might add, so I'd not have tried if it would have hurt any of you," she used her hand to stroke him two more times before sampling him with her mouth.

His ability to think was dwindling as pure raw pleasure exploded over his whole body. They knew this was going to happen? Was that what Himari was going on about? "A-are you sure, this s-still seems a b-bit…" he tried to resist but the sensation was so powerful his body just told him to go with it.

"A test, can you last longer than I?" Yukihana asked as she lowered herself onto the laying man. Her hands reached out to her mistress and the two clenched hands over Shinji's body. A moment later Tamamo was no longer lavishing Shinji's root with her mouth but positioning herself over him. "Mistress, a test of all of us," she smiled softly.

Having done the task on both Himari and Chizuru, Shinji knew what was expected of him. While not one to be boastful or prideful, Shinji had faith in his skill if either of his girlfriends cries of passion were to be believed. So, in an effort to 'prove himself worthy' of them, Shinji 'suffered' the test. Pulling apart Yukihana's petals, he sampled them and the bud with his tongue as best he could. "It…its cold, you made the storm?" Shinji asked after the first good lick. It was amazing! The flavor was different, it always was, but the cold sensation was actually something new.

Nodding as her face burst with color, a new look for the snow white woman. "We needed to keep you here for observation and questioning," Yukihana panted slightly. Her hands moved from Tamamo's to Shinji's chest to steady herself. Bucking her hips against his face, grinding her flower against him to give him further penetration, the woman started openly moaning, softly and restrained but building in power. More expressive than ever, "He is well suited to this task for a human."

Thrusting herself upward and back down in large circles, Tamamo's breast swayed in perfect circles in timing with her trusts. "Ah youth, the passions of youth I've missed this," she mewed out. Her flower gushed with honey as the third peak, each building with intensity, rocked her body. "He hasn't even…Chizuru may become addicted to this if you pamper her to much. And I worried she'd fall for somebody just fixated with her breasts," she bucked harder.

It was his total fixation on making Yukihana feel good that kept him from exploded in Tamamo. Age had not loosened the woman's flower in any respect, it clung to him like a fiery vice. Unable to talk, his tongue was busy, Shinji just grunted as his lungs would allow. Why Himari and Chizuru allowed this, he hadn't the foggiest, but he would pay them back in spades. In the days to come, Shinji would see that they were spoiled rotten in addition to his attempts to seek forgiveness. And a week later they were satisfied, each having more than a few moments of passion and pampering.

But in the present, Tamamo screamed out loudly as the grandmother of all climaxes rippled through her body and she crumpled into the waiting arms of Yukihana who had just done the same. Gingerly crawling off the lad, Tamamo stroked his chest lovingly, "You pass, you will make my daughter happy. And that is all a mother can want. To think they were upset with themselves for punishing you…only to punish themselves. Yukihana, tis your turn," Tamamo switched places with the snow woman.

Over the next hour, Shinji, Tamamo, and Yukihana lost themselves in one night of carnal bliss. From behind, seated, oral, everything any of them wanted…well Tamamo and Yukihana as Shinji never requested anything only gave happened. Had Shizuka been watching the score would have been Tamamo-8, Yukihana-10, and Shinji-3, his last being at a double attack of both Tamamo's bust and Yukihana's cold tongue.

Once their energy was spent, Tamamo and Shinji crawled into the onsen to share a moment of peace while Yukihana watched on. As Shinji dizzily leaned into Tamamo's side, the woman wrapped an arm around his shoulders and rocked his mind, "Yukihana's been wanting this since she saw you." Whispering so the snow woman couldn't hear, "She's always liked Chizuru's taste in men, thank you for showing her that not all human's are crude. And I think you as well." With that she kissed his cheek and they enjoyed the night sky in silence.

X-X

Gendo had never given much time or consideration to Seele's impromptu meeting requests, but had come to expect them. Generally they huffed and shouted after an angel, trying to jerk his chain in some direction or another. They feared him obviously. His control over the Eva units, the demon-animal hybrid at his command, and foolishly the blood coursing through the Third Child's veins were all things Seele wanted but couldn't have. They were his to control, his to own! And when the time came, that little puppy girl in the bowels of Nerv would lead him back to Yui. Seele would lose as would Tendril's Leaf.

"So any comment on how you nearly lost both Unit-01 and 02 in that idiotic attempt at capturing the Eight angel?" the distorted female voice of Seele 12 asked. It was heavily implied it was of British heritage based on the accent, but women could be tricky.

Adjusting his collar, Gendo felt nothing for the attempted strong arming. Might have made a larger impression had the person not been a floating block with a number. "It was a calculated risk to try and capture the angel. But it would have gone a long way in replicating our success with the cloning processes. With only one viable body at our disposal, the Dummy System has made no progress," Gendo didn't need the system but Seele wanted it.

Keel rolled his head around, the fat neck made it look as if it was about to fall off. "Understood, the Dummy System is in need of additional work. Tendril's Leaf has claimed they were trying to get a pure demon for you, but as the spawn of Yui has two at his control perhaps you should flex the influence you have over that," the man's visor glinted as if it were scanning.

Cursed bloodlines and demonic creatures, Gendo really should have believed Yui's tales when they were dating. Having read some of Ritsuko's reports, and coaxing additional details from her from the bed, "I have somebody working on that as we speak here. But let it be known that Tendril's Leaf has stressed a desire to have access to this Minamoto as well. Is it wise to bring her into the fold and into their hands?" Gendo always knew it was best to keep his enemies more focused on each other than on him. Seele only used Tendril's Leaf as they were the only faction of Demon-Animals willing to.

Seele 4 took the bait wonderfully, "We should let them present us with another demon animal or a lower pureblood. I don't trust that organization, not if they're willing to offer us one of their own as a test subject. They're motives…do we know what they really are?" This was definitively a Japanese man.

Well that was something Gendo didn't know himself, Tendril's real motives. Not that it mattered really, in the end it was going to be him standing with the power of god. "They only mentioned the want to converse with Minamoto. From the reports of the First Child, she refers to that one as the matriarch," Gendo had enjoyed his little lunch with Rei the other day. With the others seemingly vanished, Rei was available for him to confirm she was still a valid source of data. "They have also told me to be wary of another pureblood seen in town. This was confirmed by a squad of agents I lost," he held out the photo of the young girl and her companion.

Seele 2 piped in his whiney two-cents, "We'll try and capture that one then. Don't worry Ikari, you don't need to worry your forces over this. Just concentrate in getting the child of Yui at our disposal. A blood sample is needed to confirm a few things. Not much more than a drop or two, your young Akagi can take it during any number of tests." A rich Chinese accent rolled out with a healthy obsessive tone.

Not likely to happen, either request, but Gendo nodded out of a sense of irony. These fools insistence that the demon hunter lineage was needed to be controlled was pure incompetence. The event at the shrine, the golden light, was not to be feared only controlled. As for that tiny pureblood, well he didn't fear or even care about that. Let Tendril's Leaf and Seele clean up the messes. Pushing his glasses back up, "Now if you have nothing else for me, I do have matters to attend to. Not every day we have weather phenomenon so close to Tokyo-3."

"The disappearance of the Second and Third child after the event at the volcano and that little snow storm," Keel thumped his knuckle on his desk. A gleam of sweat budded on his balding head, "Such events show the involvement of powerful forces. Ancients among the purebloods are rising, and some are hostile. We lost a battalion of trainees in Hokkaido with the only communique out being 'Shuten-doji'. Then we hear you lost all contact with the pilots during that snow storm until they just appeared back in Tokyo-3 yesterday. Explain."

They would ask about that, Gendo mentally winced but showed not external sign of distress. "The report from captain Katsuragi should be enough to answer your questions. The storm is still under investigation, and even if it were magical in origin, nothing occurred to the pilots or command staff present at the resort. The location was well traveled and visited by many over the days they were present," Gendo left out the part about nobody questioned ever saw the Nerv personnel at anytime. They had vanished. And the name Tamamo from Katsuragi's report was something he recalled from Yui's stories.

"Forgive us if we look into the matter ourselves. And if we need to speak with the pilots, please make them available to us," Seele 5 asked. Unlike the others though, the voice was unmasked and decidedly a very female voice. "For unlike you, we know the power of bloodlines, and we won't see the last remaining true Ikari lost," the woman threatened before her monolith vanished.

All about him the pillars vanished leaving him in darkness, Gendo was pleased. He had all the cards still, even if his hold was tenuous on some. "So they want the Third that bad do they? Let's see how much they're willing to offer for him," Gendo could find a use for anything and everything. Closer he stepped to his goals, and he would not be denied.

X-X

Notes

Ok…I'm thinking some of you are going to cry foul on the whole Tamamo/Shinji/Yukihana sandwich…I couldn't help myself! It just screamed fitting actually. In Kanokon Tamamo tries playing matchmaker a little, but in this story the match is already set in stone cause Shinji isn't a waffling little breast obsessed Kouta. Sorry just Kouta was abit to wishie/washy for my tastes at times.

Hope it didn't bother you to much and I hope you have a great Halloween!

Later

Mercaba