Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction / Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Bonds of Love and Survival ❯ The Story Continues! ( Chapter 7 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Disclaimers: Neon Genesis Evangelion and all related characters, concepts, etc., are property of ADVision and Gainax. I
only *wish* they were mine. This is a Re-write of my first stab at an Evangelion Fic. Let me tell you that up to chapter 24, I
loved this anime, then as so many others it turned dark and painful, Though I didn't disagree with who Shinji ended up with, I
still didn't like how the others were treated. So, this and my other Eva stories to come will focus on giving those characters a
fair chance at a happy ending. So this is fair warning to a good amount of WAFF, romance, and character development! So I
am writing this story to show what I thought would be an alternate ending to the series where Rei and Asuka lived! Hopefully
the creator of the series will make more movies and hopefully they will give us a more hopeful ending.

2.Disclaimer and Foreword: Tenchi Muyo! and its characters are copyrights and trademarks of AIC, Pioneer, and
whoever else may own the rights to it, so please don't sue me (it's not like I have any money anyway. However, this story is
my original creation and is copyrighted by me. Please don't copy it and claim it as your own.

Thanks to ForbiddenExodia, Tex James and Ryan Xavier for pre-reading this revision!

Bonds of Love and Survival

Chapter: 7 The Story Continues!

*** We now change back to the shrine's practice grounds **

Tenchi then explained how he was helped out of his depression with the surprising cooperation of Ryoko and Ayeka. "One day,
they had asked me earlier to meet with both of them, so after promises of not fighting, I agreed. They came to me one night
after dinner, to my room. As they came in, they didn't not antagonize each other and were quite civil. But, in the back of my
mind I was puzzled why both of them wanted to see me? It had to be who I will choose to marry! I soon became nervous
seeing them at my door, they either would force me to choose, or my indecisiveness may force both of them to leave me. So, I
was quite nervous and scared when they joined me. I'm sure they saw just how nervous I was because to my surprise, they each
laid one hand on each of mine smiling at me, this did calm me down."

Then they spoke; "We were concerned that you have been depressed and really down in the dumps, Tenchi...." Ryoko looked at
Ayeka.

Ayeka continued, "So, Lord Tenchi, we wanted to talk to you about what drew you to this depressed state, and how it might be
solved!"

Tenchi then started getting nervous, but a reassuring squeeze from both girls calmed him down.

Ryoko then said, "Well, Ayeka looked up some Jurian law that might apply…"

".... To our situation!" Ayeka concluded.

Tenchi asked nervously, "Ah, girls? How does Jurian law solve my being depressed?" See I didn't think the girls knew my
reason for being depressed, Boy was I wrong. He said to Shinji.

Ryoko then said, "Hear us out Tenchi, dear."

"I blinked when Ryoko said 'dear ,'" added Tenchi.

Ayeka then said, "Oh, Tenchi, my love, you will understand quite clearly."

"I heard "My Love?!?!" Now what's going on here," Tenchi continued to tell Shinji.

"So, you see Shinji, at that moment I was probably the most depressed and confused teenager in Japan, probably in the
universe!"

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** We now return to the Onsen **

"So what happened? What was your solution?!?" asked an exasperated Asuka, with an equally worried Rei looking on, who
were staring at Sasami who continued the story

"Well, the solution was quite simple." Ryoko and Ayeka looked at each other with a smile, which further confused Tenchi.
They placed a book in his lap open to a certain page.

Ayeka pointed to a section that she had marked before, "Any Jurian Prince of the Jurai Royal Family can have anyone he
chooses to be his wife."

Tenchi interrupted "But, Ayeka I." Both girls brought one finger to his lips, which stopped him from asking further.

Ryoko continued from where Ayeka left off, ".... And, that Prince can marry more than one if he chooses."

As both girls waited quietly, Tenchi remained silently still for close to a minute (the longest minute in Ayeka's and Ryoko's
lives). They grew more nervous as Tenchi stayed silent.

"So, what happened?" asked a now nervous Rei, holding Asuka's equally shaking hand.

Sasami continued, "Well, my sister and Ryoko quietly said his name to him, and he finally broke his stupor. Without changing
expression, he began tearing through his room like a madman!" All of the girls except Rei and Asuka began giggling at the
thought. Rei looked at them then at Asuka trying to understand what was so funny about that.

Noticing the confused looks Washu added to their tale, "Well when he finally found what he was looking for he was muttering
something about thinking it was one. When he turned back towards the girls he opened a box towards them."

"It was a wedding band!" Squealed Ayeka like a little school girl while fingering a ring on her hand.

"Actually it was two rings," added Ryoko who also was fingering a ring on her hand.

"My Yousho had given him a box with two wedding rings in it before, but he had thought it was just one ring. His mother had
given it to him to give to his wives but he had never used them." Supplied Washu to the growing looks of confusion.

Sasami piped in, "He then looked at both of his loves, seeing their looks on their faces, took the rings swiftly out and put them
on their fingers and asked them to marry him right there!" All of the girls now were laughing, snickering or smiling at the
story. "They both jumped on him, and all three landed in a pile on Tenchi's bed, both girls attacking him with kisses and
hugs!"

*************************************************************************** ****************************

**Back to the shrine's practice grounds**

"So, You have had a similar experience with you girls as I have Tenchi." stated an admiring Shinji.

"Well, it seems that we have!" answered an amused Tenchi!

"Wait, How did you then marry Sasami, ...and why?" Asked a now confused Shinji.

"Well, that is a different story, but I will tell you one big piece of advice." He put his arm on the boy's shoulders. "When your
wives have made up their minds and they are in agreement, give way and do what they say, because you'll have no chance to
win! Got it!" Said Tenchi.

"Yes, But why are you telling me this?" asked Shinji.

"Because that's one reason I married Sasami!" Seeing the perplexed look on Shinji's face, Tenchi continued, "You may or may
not know but Sasami was only 12 when I married Ayeka and Ryoko!"

"No, I didn't know that" Answered Shinji.

"Well, What I didn't know was that Sasami was deeply in love with me too, but I didn't see her as more that a sister then."
Then catching a look a henti might have on Shinji, Tenchi responded, "And, before you asked, No I did not fool around with a
12 year old, she was 18 when things changed between us, OK"

Shinji smiled. "So, What happened?"

Tenchi then explained. "It began as the family threw an 18th year birthday party for Sasami. Everyone was having a good time
and after everybody made it up to their beds after the party, and after I fell asleep with my wives. Well about 3 a.m., my
stomach growled and after I untied myself from my wives, I made it down to the kitchen for a snack! Hungry as I walked
through the living room I spotted someone sitting at the end of the pier on the lake. I made my way quietly to see who it was,
... and I saw Sasami quietly sobbing there!" I immediately sat down next to her, hugged her and held her as she went about
telling me that she was scared now that she was 18! She was scared that her father was going to swoop down in one of his Jurai
Tree ships, take her to another planet, and marry her off to some noble fop for political reasons. I assured her that I had talked
to him and told him in no uncertain terms that I believe that a woman, when coming of age can make her own reasoned
judgements when it comes to her life. What I didn't know was she knew this and through drying tears, she asked me if I
thought I'd be interested in her as a third wife. That question threw me for a loop!

I had always seen her as a little sister, so I had to be truthful and I said no. I held her as I only made things worse with my
stupid reply. I then felt the presence of two familiar people behind us. Their perfumes came through a breeze and I knew my
goose was cooked and dried! I got up and turned to my wives Ryoko and Ayeka who were having a very disappointed look on
their faces, but what came next changed what I thought they were mad about.

After some moments of Tenchi's hesitation, Shinji spoke "So, What happened?!?!?"

Tenchi smiled, and continued, " They spoke in a scolding manner to me!"

Ryoko started. "So, Why did you turn her down lover?" She said that in a very angry tone!

Ayeka then added, "Well, isn't my sister good enough for you, Lord Tenchi" Ayeka had stopped Saying "Lord" Tenchi to me
since we married! I knew I screwed up ... but for a different reason!

I replied, "Girls, I've always loved Sasami, but more like a sister, I don't think I can see her as anything different! Please don't
get me wrong, I love Sasami With all my heart and would stop anyone from hurting her, but this is hard for me to see right
now!"

Now Since I was talking to Ryoko and Ayeka, we all forgot Sasami was there, well that changed radically, when I was spun
around and lip locked by Sasami for well over one minute!

Through this, I was hearing giggles and laughter from my beloved wives who were getting a great show from Sasami and me!
When she finally released me, it took several more minutes for me to get my bearings and then I looked in Sasami's eyes for
the first time. I didn't see the look of a brother for a sister's love I had seen before, but a deep primal love I had been all too
familiar with since it was the same look I saw when I looked at my two wonderful and beautiful wives in succession. I knew
things had become more ... complicated!

*************************************************************************** *****************************

** We now return to the Onsen **

"So, your saying that you basically forced him to choose you two, then later on Sasami?" asked Asuka.

"You forced Tenchi, to comply to your wishes?" added Rei.

"It was obvious to all of us ever since Second Impact that he loved us!" said Ryoko.

"His depression simply confirmed that turmoil in his heart." added Ayeka.

"So, finally we are together as is should have been!" finished Sasami. Both Rei and Asuka looked at each other, as if reading
each other's minds, thanked the Masaki women, and excused themselves. They hurriedly went to the room that the Masaki's
had given them. They dressed and then went to the patio to wait for Shinji's return. They had much to discuss with him.

Shinji had finished the talk with Tenchi and both were walking down the Shrine steps when both spotted Rei and Asuka. Both
had kimonos on! Rei in a red Kimono with various colored floral patterns on it with a blue and green wrap. Asuka had a pink
Kimono with white flowers, a Red and yellow wrap plus a white fur lining on the collar. This alone made Shinji shake. Tenchi
sensing a romantic ambush greeted the two young girls and then hurriedly excused himself and headed into the house, leaving
Shinji high and dry standing there nervously at them both.

Before he could react they both rose and grabbed one of his arms each. Rei then picked up a package and all three headed for
the Onsen. They then pointed to the male half and he obliged. They sat next to the entrance on a bench. Within 10 minutes,
Shinji was out and dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans, A brown sweater, and a brown jacket. Then without a word, they
took one of his arms each and headed up a path that would lead them to the Shrine above. Shinji simply did what the girls
wanted and soon they made it up to the shrine.

Yousho, who had earlier finished his training with Shinji, Little Yousho, and Shinji, was eating dinner with Washu, when the
three knocked on the shrine office door. There stood Asuka and Rei on either side of Shinji. The girls looked happy while
Shinji looked confused and concerned as to why the girls wanted to see the old shrine priest.

Well now, what can I do for you three?" Yousho asked. Washu had left the Onsen just after the girls so she had been with
Yousho since then.

"Yeah girls and Shinji, what's up?" Added Washu

"We like to ask you some questions if you don't mind, Lord and Lady Masaki." Asuka said while bowing. Yousho ushered
them into his office; Washu followed them there.

"Well, what do you want to ask?" Yousho said as all were seated on the low table. Washu was making some tea behind Yousho.

"How did Tenchi and his wives not come to the attention of the authorities here in Okayama?" Asked Rei.

"You know about their ...marriage!" added Asuka. Shinji was now clearly flustered, so much so that Washu was giggling at his
expression.

Shinji finally spoke up! "Girls why are we here, bothering Lord Yousho, and Lady Washu after dinner? Can't we do this
another..."

"NO!" both girls said Asuka much louder than Rei, but both with force!

Shinji just said "Epp!" and kept quiet. Asuka then motioned Yousho to answer their question.

"Well under Japanese custom, A woman can be considered a common law wife to some one if they live with that man for up to
5 consecutive years."

"But, wasn't that law receded before Second Impact?" Rei asked.

"Yes, but, it was put back into law since the population loss since Second Impact. So, I can tell you of several instances
especially in the countryside where a farmer took in his neighbors' family and because of the circumstances fell in love with
that woman as well. So, when Tenchi came back from Jurai with two wives not too many officials came to check on it or
complain about it.

"You mean that right now, well now it's just us, but now if the government was around, I could if I was of age, marry more
than one girl?" Shinji had finally got the nerve to ask what all three wanted to know!

It took a few moments for Yousho to answer, heightening the tension in the shrine keepers office.

"If you were of age…"

"Yes!" Shinji said

"...And lived with the girls for five years..."

"Yes!" Asuka said

"And had the parents or guardians involved approve…"

"Yes." said Rei

If all that is meant as well, as blood tests and license, then yes you could marry!

"YES!!!!!!!" came from Asuka and Shinji, Rei simply smiled at them both.

Shinji then gathered both girls in his arms and gave each a fierce hug! Both Yousho and Washu holding hands smiled at the site
in front of them.

"I need to ask you both something important, so can you let me go ahead of you and we'll meet in the patio?" Shinji asked them
in a most sincere tone. Both looked at him and with a nervous nod then froze as he kissed each of them on the cheek. He then
bowed deeply to Yousho and Washu and literally ran down the shrine steps to the Masaki house.

Back in the Shrine office Washu took the speechless girls down the steps on a normal walk allowing Shinji to do whatever he
had to do to be ready. Shinji was looking for two black boxes in their room he shared with the girls. Finally, he found them.

Tenchi had seen the boy run into the house and up the stairs. He followed him to his room and watched the boy rummage
through his belongings to find two jewelry boxes.

"Well are you going to do it now?" Tenchi asked a surprised and shaken Shinji who had fallen down on the futon he shared
with the girls.

"Tenchi, Please don't do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Tenchi mealy laughed and gave a kind and gentle look to the bewildered youth. "Sorry, but what you're doing is making me
remember how I proposed to Ryoko and Ayeka." Tenchi went on to tell him briefly that he did it in a little more unnerving
way.

"Ok, so how did you propose?" Shinji asked now calm.

"Well I simply asked them." Tenchi calmly stated.

Shinji was flabbergasted. "You ... proposed ... to them ... in front ... of ... everybody?!?!?" from what you told me before you
don't seem that ... bold!"

"I wasn't." Tenchi shrugged his shoulders, "And I didn't ask in front of everyone, I might not have then. They basically hit me
over the head saying that I could marry them both and for them both to say it brought me out of my depression and got me to
propose." Tenchi then knelt in front of the boy sitting on the futon. "When it comes to whom you love," his tone became more
sincere, "you should never let it slip through your fingers. I almost lost them, and myself and them because I was indecisive,
don't make the same mistake!" Tenchi then offered a hand up to Shinji and patted him on the back as he made his way
downstairs!

The Proposal

Shinji flew through the house, made his way to the patio, and saw Rei and Asuka walking with Washu. They saw him. Washu
then nodded to Shinji and turned to go back up the shrine stairs. Then the three were left alone. Shinji nervously indicated for
the girls to sit down, and they complied.

Shinji cleared his throat and then said; "Girls, I can't lie to you." Both girls tensed up Asuka showing it more than Rei. "I lied
when I said that I cared for you!" Both girls froze in place. Was he dumping them NOW! Why? They both looked down on
their laps. He then took the chins of both the girls who had been staring into space, to face his, then when he knew he had their
attention he said:

" I Love You!"

There he said it and now he either got to them or he would be sleeping alone this night! This was Shinji's cue to then produce
from under the table two jewelry boxes, one blue, one red. Both girls were wide-eyed and smiling in an instant. (Yes even Rei,
remember, she was now 100% human and not an angel). He then got up, moved in front of where the girls were, and he got
down on one knee.

Shinji was about to take the biggest gamble of his life, even Third Impact was he thought easier to deal with rather than having
one or both of the girls reject him. He was leaving himself open, with Asuka being the one who could do most of the damage,
but he had to know now before the battle to know where he stood with them both. He then stated; "I have loved both of you
equally ever since I met you. Both of you constitute the 2 halves of my heart, so, since we are starting a new world, we can
start a new family and a new life together." He paused, took a breath, "What I am saying is that we need to hold off of
becoming one, until we have a secure life and home. Both girls understood what their beloved stated "So," Still on one knee, he
opened the first case to reveal a diamond with 2 red rubies on either side in the red case, while the blue case held an exact
duplicate except the 2 smaller stones where blue sapphires. "I got the at the same time as the friendship rings!" Shinji smiled
and finally asked, "Will you Rei Ayanami, and you Asuka Langley Soryu share my name, my love and my life until death due
us part?" Both girls were now crying silently, tears rolling down their cheeks Like Rei had done before, but now Asuka was
doing the same! (Yes even Asuka!)

Then both girls looked at each other's eyes, a silent communication exchanged between them. Both nodded to each other and
then they looked at a very nervous Shinji. Asuka then jumped on him and with a fierce hug and yelled out "YES, YES, YES,
YES!!!!!!" Shinji was happy! The one girl, who could have ruined it for him by reverting to her "old" self, ... didn't. Instead,
she went with her heart. They both enjoyed each other in their hug, but then they noticed Rei was still sitting, crying silent
tears and staring at the jewelry case containing the ring Shinji had presented to her.

"Rei?" Shinji asked hesitantly, not wanting to think that Rei had rejected his proposal while Asuka didn't know what to think.
Rei looked up with her Red, bloodshot crimson eyes and stared at Shinji, then she turned to Asuka. She slowly got up and
quietly knelt down in front of them. Asuka and Shinji now let go of each other but kept an arm around each other as they faced
their friend. All three were now on their knees in the middle of the patio, with Rei still holding the open Jewelry box in her
now shaky hands.

"Shin-chan, I need to ask you something?" Rei's voice was cracking with repressed emotion as she asked the question sending
shivers down Shinji's spine. Asuka hugged Shinji and squeezed harder trying to comfort his nervousness at Rei's odd
behavior… Rei nervously continued, "This ring you gave Asuka, ... and myself is a symbol. Am I right?"

"Yes Rei, it is," replied an equally nervous Shinji.

"Can you explain it to me, so I can understand it," asked Rei in her usual understated way, but with a clear tone of
apprehension.

He cleared his throat and answered; "It means that by wearing it, you are telling everyone else men and women, that you have
pledged your love and your heart to me. Asuka by wearing her ring also pledges the same thing. Eventually, by wearing it,
you also agree to eventually marry me." She nodded her head in understanding. She had been crying as Shinji had given her
the ring, but stopped as he explained this to her.

"Shin-chan, doesn't our modern society not allow a man to have two wives?" Rei asked going straight to the point. Shinji
reflected for a moment, all the while having Asuka firmly hugging him as her way to say that she had already accepted her
position in this situation. That surprised him also, as much as Rei's hesitation, but he was glad she had already chosen.

He focused back on his blue headed companion and continued, "Rei, we have to slowly rebuild this world. So modern society
simply doesn't exist in this world now." He looked at her to see is she understood what he was saying. She seemed to
understand. "We will make decisions that will affect us. If there are more people who return, well, they'll just have to live with
the fact that I love you, and Asuka. That is if you'll agree to it, I will eventually marry you, and Asuka." He sighed then
grabbing her hand, he placed the ring on her finger and then did the same to Asuka. He then grabbed both their hands and
asked, "I love you, will you marry me?" He was looking at Rei; Asuka was also looking at her friend anticipating a positive
response.

Rei looked down at her hand with the diamond ring with the two sapphires there, then at Shinji now showing his true emotions
to her. He always wore his emotions openly. Then at Asuka, who obviously had decided to commit her future beside Shinji's.
That same girl who had been so awful to him previously and more to her, had now shown her true feelings who was now
nodding yes to the former first child! She turned back to Shinji. "I, Rei Ayanami, hear by agree to marry Shinji Ikari, and
have as my sister in law Asuka Langley Soryu." The idea didn't seem to sink into Asuka and Shinji's heads, so Rei sighed and
reworded what she had said. "What I meant to say is, ...Yes I will marry you!"

Then Shinji gathered both girls in his arms and they quietly hugged and cried tears of joy at the prospect of their shared
futures. Then the girls looked at each other, nodded again to each other and bombarded Shinji with kisses from his new
fiancées. (Sorry but I think this Rei would be happy to have this new family as her new focus of her life!) Then many hands
started to clap from the direction of the house. In every window, and there on the patio glass doors were the whole Masaki clan
clapping their positive response to the Future Ikari family getting engaged!

In a part of Space not in real time!

"D3, how are the Biomechanoids progress?"

"They are at 80% complete with the final upgrades and additions to their power shields Milady" replied D3.

"Good, This will make a fine challenge to my sisters champions, and to see whether Tenchi Masaki can control his destiny, or
destroy it!" Tokimi then looked at a galaxy across the Universe and with one thought eliminated several solar systems. "Soon
sisters well see if he is worthy!""

Next, Preparations are made and new visitors make their way to the Valley just as the MP EVA's are about to attack!
Chapter# 8: New Visitors & New Problems