For the Sake of the Children 
-----------------------------------

Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned by Gainax

Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi



Chapter 6:  Victory and Respite
--------------------------------------

By: Anand Rao

Misato grinned as the Angel staggered back.  Somehow, Ranma had broken
through the AT Field again.  It -was- like magic; he had moved his arms,
and suddenly, the Angel's arms had been cut off.  She had to admit, it was
more exciting seeing his techniques live than it was seeing them on tape.
(That's it Rei, cut the bastard down!)  Misato thought as Unit 00 started
its attack.

"He didn't glow this time," Ritsuko observed.

"What was that?" Misato asked, distracted by the battle.

"Ranma.  He didn't glow like last time," Ritsuko explained, her voice full
of speculation.

"He's not a lab rat, Ritsuko.  Just -ask- him about it!" Misato suggested,
rolling her eyes.

"The rifle jammed!" Maya exclaimed.  

Misato whirled her face back to the view screen and cursed as Unit 00
dropped its weapon.  As Unit 00 bent down to pick up another rifle, Misato
saw the Angel's eye start to glow.   "Rei!  Ranma!  Watch out!" Misato
yelled, just as the Angel attacked.  Misato covered her eyes as the glare
from the blast reached the Control Room.    

"Unit 00 is down!"  Maya reported.

"The Angel is regenerating itself!"  one of the techs observed.

"Rei!"  Gendou yelled in concern.

"The pilot's alive!  Life signs are stable," Ritsuko said.

"What about Ranma?" Misato asked worriedly.

"We can't worry about him right now!" Ritsuko replied.

"Send a recovery team to Unit 00," Misato ordered, trying tom regain her
composure.  (Damn you, Ranma, I hope you're all right!)  

"Already on it," Maya replied. 

"What's the status of Unit 01?" Gendou asked.

"Unit 01 should be operational, but is currently on battery power.  It has
less than a minute of power left," Maya reported.

"Shinji!  Are you okay?" Misato asked. 

"Yeah, I think so," he hesitantly replied.

"Unit 00 is down, you have to stop the Angel!" Misato said.

"Right!" Shinji replied.

(This is our last chance,) Misato thought as she watched Unit 01 stand and
run after the Angel.


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

Shinji was already moving Unit 01 towards the Angel when he heard Misato's
command.  He had seen the Angel attack Unit 00 and had been sure that Rei
has died.  With tears in his eyes and a cold rage starting to build in his
heart, he was relieved to hear that she was alive.  He suddenly remembered
seeing Ranma perched on Unit 00's shoulder.  "Misato-san, what about
Ranma-san?"  Shinji asked nervously.

"We- we're looking for him Shinji.  You just worry about that Angel!  We'll
find Ranma," Misato replied.

"Okay," Shinji replied uncertainly.  He looked at the timer for Unit 01's
battery.  (Only fifty seconds left,) he thought, starting to pick up the
pace.  

The Angel, meanwhile, had not moved since its attack on Unit 00.  Shinji
watched as the wounds in the Angel's torso started to heal.  The large,
gaping holes caused by Rei's attack were closing and knitting together.
"Got to make it in time, got to make it in time, got to make it in time,"
Shinji repeated, as Unit 01 finally reached the Angel.  

The Angel slowly turned towards Unit 01, it's eye glowing brightly.  Unit
01 crouched down in front of the Angel, then suddenly shot up, grazing the
its chest and face with a left uppercut.  The Angel staggered and fell on
its back, just as the glowing white light shot out from its eye.  The
attack barely missed hitting the top of Unit 01's head and impacted with
the ceiling of the Geo Front.  

Shinji took a moment to once again look at the battery timer.  "Thirty
seconds left!" He exclaimed.  He quickly maneuvered Unit 01 to take hold of
its Progressive Knife.  The blade activated with a bright blue glow and
rhythmic hum.  Unit 01 pounced on top of the Angel, its blade held high.
Once again, the familiar white glow grew from the Angel's eye.  With a
sickening crunch, Unit 01 stabbed the Angel in its eye, and slowly dragged
the knife down the Angel's face, stopping as it reached the top of the
torso.  The Angel's head exploded in a burst of white light, painting Unit
01 with its blood.  

Breathing heavily, Shinji watched as the timer counted down the remaining
twenty seconds of power left.  As the entry plug darkened, Shinji closed
his eyes and sighed.  (Why do I have to keep doing this?) He thought. As
the recovery team arrived to pick him up, Shinji tried to recall a time
when he felt completely safe.

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

"That was -too- close," Ritsuko commented as Unit 01 fell silent.

"Recovery units, status report," Misato commanded.

"The pilots of Unit 00 and 02 have been recovered.  Neither one requires
any medical attention.  The pilot of Unit 01 will be recovered shortly; ETA
five minutes," a member of the recovery team reported.

"And-  and what about Ranma Saotome?" Misato asked hesitantly. 

"I'm okay Misato," Ranma's voice answered wearily over the loud speaker.  

"Ranma?  Where are you?"  Misato asked, her voice full of relief.

"Recovery team number two picked him up, Major," Maya reported.

"Recovery team two, report on Mr. Saotome's status," Misato requested.

"Hey! I told ya that I'm fine," Ranma protested.

"He suffered severe burns on his arms and hands, we're transporting him to
the sickbay now," a medic replied.

"You know, he's lucky to be alive," Ritsuko commented.

"Yeah.  Maybe he'll think twice about trying to attack an Angel next time,"
Misato hoped.

"How -does- he create those attacks?" Ritsuko asked rhetorically, sighing
in frustration.

"You haven't figured it out yet?  You must be slipping, Dr. Akagi," Misato
said teasingly.

"All we've figured out so far is that he generates some type of
electromagnetic pulse.  What I can't figure out is how or why he has this
ability.  All our tests show that he is a perfectly normal, if disgustingly
healthy, human being.  No sighs of mutation, radiation, or miscellaneous
anomalies in his body anywhere!"  Ritsuko replied.

"You must admit, he does employ an interesting technique," Futsyuki
commented to Gendou as he listened to Ritsuko's analysis.

"Indeed," Gendou replied.

"SEELE will find out about him eventually," Futsyuki observed.

"It's of no consequence.  His skills have nothing to do with our plans, or
with Human Complementation."

"I hope you're right, Ikari," Futsyuki replied dubiously.


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


Ranma sat impatiently in his hospital bed, absently rapping his fingers on
top of his legs.  His arms, from elbow to knucks, were wrapped in gauze.
His forehead and cheeks, which looked flushed, were actually slightly
burnt. (I always did hate hospitals!  Why are they keepin' me in here for
anyway?) Ranma thought irritably.  The doctor who had looked at his wounds
had just left him a few minutes earlier, but Ranma was already eager to leave.

The door to his room slowly opened and Rei walked inside.  She stood
quietly by Ranma's bedside and stared at him.  Ranma tried to match her
gaze, but became unnerved by the passive intensity of her red eyes.  After
a few moments, he glanced away, embarrassed at his own discomfort.  (Get a
grip, Ranma.  She's just a kid!) He berated himself silently.

"Why did you do that?" Rei finally asked.

"Do what?" Ranma countered, confused by her question.

"You risked your life. You attacked the Angel," Rei stated.

"You were at a disadvantage, the Eva having only one arm and all. . . I
figured you could use the help," Ranma replied, a small grin growing on his
face.

"You did it. . . for me?" Rei asked.

"Yeah, I did," Ranma replied seriously.

"You shouldn't have done that," Rei replied without a hint of reproach in
her voice.

"Why?  It wasn't such a big deal, was it?" Ranma asked.

"If I die, I can be easily replaced," Rei explained.

Ranma gaped at this young girl's seemingly cavalier attitude regarding her
own death.  Rei turned back towards the door and walked away from the bed.
Just as she reached out from the door handle, Ranma finally recovered
enough sense to speak.  "Rei! Wait a minute!"  He blurted out.  Her hand
lightly on the top of the doorknob, Rei turned back towards Ranma.  "Look,
you may not understand this, but I'm kinda your teacher now.  As your
teacher, I have a certain responsibility to you.  If I can help it, I'm not
gonna let -any- of you get hurt," he said firmly.

Rei stared at him once more, her expressions thoughtful.  "I understand,"
she replied quietly.  She opened the door and walked out of the hospital
room.  Ranma was able to hear her foot falls as she walked down the hallway
and exited the ward.  He sighed, wondering what had happened that would
make this girl care so little about her own life.

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

"I'm home!" Ranma called out as he entered the house.

"Otosan!" Ranko yelled in relief as she ran to him. "I was so worried about
you," she said, grabbing him in an embrace.  

"Hey, ya know that nothin' can stop -me-," Ranma chided gently, as he
carefully put his bandaged arms around Ranko.  Ranko giggled as she looked
up at her father's face.  

"I was at Aunt Ukyou's when the Angel attacked.  We had ta go to the
shelter.  I figured you were still stuck at NERV and couldn't reach you,"
she said.

"Oh I was stuck there all right!  Those NERV guys are more annoying than
any of the doctors I've ever met!" Ranma replied, exasperated.

"Doctor?  Why did you-  Oh! You hurt your hands again!" Ranko exclaimed,
noticing the bandages.

"Yeah, they got burnt a little.  No big deal," Ranma shrugged.

"Are- are we still gonna train today?" Ranko asked.

"Of course!  Misato should be here any minute with the kids, so why don't
you go get changed?"  Ranma suggested.

"Okay!  Oh, by the way, Aunt Ukyou said that she wanted to talk to you.
She said to come see her tomorrow," Ranko said as she walked to her room.

"I wonder what she wants," Ranma mumbled as he absently rubbed an itch on
his arm.  Ranma had to admit, his relationship with Ukyou was a strange
one.  Feeling betrayed and hurt after his marriage to Akane, Ukyou left
Nerima; refusing to even speak to him.  He remembered the overwhelming
sense of guilt he had felt during the first year of his marriage.  His
thoughts turned to Ukyou often, and he prayed daily for her wellbeing.  

Ranma grinned ruefully as he recalled the strain that was placed on his
marriage because of his thoughts concerning his one-time best friend.  Even
after marriage, Akane never really got over her insecurities.  (As if I'd
have chosen anyone besides that tomboy,) Ranma thought.  His musings were
interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Is anyone home?" Misato's voice drifted from outside.

Ranma smiled as he opened the door, allowing Misato, Kaji, and the children
to enter.  "Perfect timing.  Ranko should be ready soon, then we can get
started," Ranma said.  

"Are you sure you're up to this, Ranma?" Misato asked dubiously as she
glanced at his bandaged arms.

"It's not gonna be a problem," Ranma assured her.

"Uh. . . right.  Still, You -are- injured.  Besides, I heard that Commander
Ikari ordered you to conduct these training sessions at Headquarters from
now on," Misato replied.

"The -Commander- and I are still discussing it," Ranma replied dryly. 

"Don't worry about the injuries Misato, his wife used to smack him around
all the time!  And I'd bet that Akane was stronger than any Angel I've ever
seen," Kaji said cheerfully.

"Was your wife a really good martial artist?" Shinji asked.

"Not really.  She just had a lot of brute strength," Ranma replied, a small
smile growing on his face.  At this point, Ranko walked out of her room,
donning her yellow gi.  

"Hi guys!  Glad ya could make it!  Ready for a good workout?" Ranko said in
greeting.

"Actually, I can't stay today," Misato said.

"Yeah, me either. We, uh. . ," Kaji floundered.

"We have an important meeting to go to," Misato finished.

"A meeting, eh?" Ranma said skeptically.

"Yeah, a tactical briefing.  We need to discuss frontal assaults, flanking
maneuvers, that sort of thing," Kaji replied with a straight face.

"Yeah, a tactical briefing," Misato agreed weakly, a blush climbing up her
neck and face.

"Sounds. . . interesting," Ranma replied, stifling a laugh.

"Yeah, well.  Anyway, do you think you could take the children home
tonight?"  Misato asked.

"Sure, if ya want, but I have a better idea.  How would all of you like to
stay here tonight?  We could have a little party in honor of your victory
today," Ranma suggested.  

"You mean it?  We can spend the night here?" Asuka asked eagerly.

"Yeah. Sure," Ranma replied.

Misato smiled at Asuka's obvious excitement.  (Maybe this will cheer her
up,) Misato though.  Asuka had been depressed and extremely irritable after
her poor performance against the Angel.  She snapped and yelled at anyone
who approached her.  The fact that Shinji was the one who ended up
defeating the Angel did not help matters.  This was the first smile she had
shown all day.

"You guys go ahead to the dojo and I'll see Misato and Kaji out," Ranma
continued.

"Right.  Come on guys, we can start our warm ups before Otosan gets back,"
Ranko said.  As the children left, Ranma walked Kaji and Misato out the
front door.  

"Enjoy your 'meeting'," Ranma smirked.

"Oh, I'm sure it will be -quite- educational," Kaji replied.

"Shut up you idiot!" Misato growled quietly, trying to keep from blushing
again.

"Well, have a good time," Ranma said, unable to keep from laughing.

"You too, and don't let the kids work you over too hard," Kaji replied.

"And thanks for taking them tonight," Misato added.

"No problem, hope your meeting goes well," Ranma replied blandly.


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

The Committee sat in their darkened conference room, once again questioning
the actions and motives of Gendou Ikari.  His actions, time and time again,
seemed to suggest that he had some hidden agenda; some plan that was not of
SEELE's making.  If not for the fact that he was making sufficient progress
Human Complementation Program, they would have removed him long ago.  As it
was, they discussed the results of the Angel attacks and Gendou's actions
with growing trepidation.

"This time, Ikari has gone too far," one of the committee members stated.

"I agree that he should have told us about Saotome, but I doubt Ikari knows
of our plans," another member replied.

"Oh?  And do you think that the presence of a ki master is a coincidence?
At this stage?" the first member retorted.

"What's done is done.  Regardless of -what- Ikari may or may not know, it
is time to move up the time table," yet another member said.

"Agreed.  It is time to activate Project Nova."  


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

"Okay, that's enough for now.  I think you guys are warmed up," Ranma said
cheerily as his students gratefully collapsed on the dojo floor.  

"Wa- warmed. . . up?" Shinji asked, breathing heavily.  

"Yeah!  Otosan is gonna teach you how to throw some punches today!" Ranko
exclaimed excitedly.  She was the only student who was still standing.  She
had long since grown accustomed to Ranma's calisthenics exercises.  

"Hitting, eh?  We're going to need to pair up then, huh?" Asuka asked as
she slowly stood up.

"That's right.  Shinji, you'll be partnering with Ranko, and Asuka-"

"I'll practice with you, okay Ranma-san?" Asuka asked eagerly.

"Actually, I want ya to work with Rei.  I need to watch all of ya ta make
sure you perform the techniques correctly.  Besides, Rei's more your size
anyway," Ranma replied.

"Right," Asuka replied sadly, "Come on Wonder Girl, let's get ready," she
continued with a sigh.  Rei stood up from where she had been sitting on the
floor and moved towards Asuka.

"Okay, now I want you to face your partner, standing a couple of feet away
from each other.  You're going to be practicing a very simple attack, kinda
like a jab coming off the right arm.  I'll show you how it's done," Ranma
said.  He stood, placing his feet shoulder width apart, and his knees
slightly bent.  He held both his fists in front of his face and executed a
right-handed jab with exaggerated slowness. After his arm was extended, he
slowly drew it back to his face.  "Okay, now you guys give it a try, but do
it -slow-.  I don't want ya guys hittin' each other yet!  Shinji, Ranko,
you two first," Ranma said, relaxing his stance.

"You can go ahead and go first, Shinji.  I already know how ta do this,"
Ranko offered.

"Um, okay," Shinji replied reluctantly.  He brought his fists up to his
face in an imitation of Ranma.  He slowly extended his right fist towards
Ranko's face, trying to recall how Ranma had looked when he executed the
jab.  Ranko nodded her head and smiled reassuringly.  Shinji blushed in
response and brought his fist back to its starting position. 

"Good Shinji, just a couple of points.  First of all, relax!" Ranma said,
patting Shinj's shoulder.  "This isn't a war or nothin'.  I just want ya
guys to get a feel for things, practice on some coordination before I move
on to the katas," he explained.  

"Relax. . . Okay," Shinji replied. 

"Good.  Second, don't extend your arm too far when makin' that jab.  You
don't wanna pull a muscle -or- give your opponent too much of an opening,
okay?" Ranma continued.

"Right," Shinji replied, looking inquiringly at Ranko.  

"Go ahead," she replied, answering his unasked question.  

Shinji nodded, then attempted the jab once more; with better results.
Ranma moved on with the lesson, having Rei and Asuka in turn practice the
punch while Ranko made sure that Shinji did not commit any mistakes.  Over
the course of the next hour, the children practiced an assortment of
punches and kicks.  

(At least they seem to be having a good time,) Ranma thought
satisfactorily.  All three children were able to handle the basic moves
Ranma taught them.  What surprised him, however, were Rei's abilities.
Each punch or kick was performed with precision and speed.  She copied his
moves exactly, not needing to be corrected even once.  (Gonna have ta talk
to her about it later,) Ranma promised himself.  "Okay, that's enough for
today.  Let's get cleaned up then eat dinner," Ranma said aloud, grinning
at the relieved sighs from Shinji and Asuka.


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

"How's the curry comin' along, Shinji?" Ranma asked.

"It's still a little bland," Shinji replied after tasting the curry he was
preparing.  

"Don't add in too much more red pepper, the taste of the spices will come
out as it settles," Ranma warned.

"Right," Shinji agreed.  After the training session had ended and everyone
had gotten cleaned up, Ranma had decided to start preparing dinner.  Asuka
and Ranko had immediately gotten into a deep conversation that involved a
great deal of giggling.  Asuka hoped to make an ally of Ranko in her quest
to become closer to Ranma.  Ranko was simply glad to make a new friend;
even one as obnoxious as Asuka.  Rei had opted for sitting in the back
yard, staring pensively at the fish in the koi pond.  Shinji had felt
distinctly uncomfortable being alone with the girls, so he readily offered
to help Ranma prepare dinner.  

"Thanks for tellin' me that Rei was a vegetarian," Ranma said.  He had been
preparing Halibut steaks for dinner and was ill prepared to handle Rei's
eating habits.  It was Shinji who had suggested the vegetable with coconut
curry.  

"You're welcome," Shinji replied, smiling as he carefully sprinkled crushed
red pepper into the curry.  

Loud female laughter floated into the kitchen from the dining room.   Ranma
smiled ruefully and shook his head.  "Ya know Shinji, back when I was your
age, it was the -men- who'd be sittin' around wastin' time while the women
did all the cooking," he explained.  

A small grin grew on Shinji's face and he glanced at Ranma.  "I don't think
Asuka even knows -how- to cook.  At least, I've never seen her," he said.

"Well, Ranko -tries-.  And she'd be more than willing to give us a hand,
but confidentially, her cookin' is pretty toxic.  She'd probably kill us
all," Ranma whispered. 

"I heard that Otosan!" Ranko yelled menacingly from the dining room. 

Ranma winced and shook his head again.   "I'm gonna pay for that later," he
predicted. 


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

"You wanted to see me Commander?" Ritsuko queried from the doorway of
Gendou's office.

"Yes.  The committee knows about Saotome," Gendou replied.  He was sitting
at his desk, skimming through a dossier. 

"What. . . did they do?" Ritsuko asked.

"They were upset, of course, that I did not inform them of his abilities."

"I should think so, after all, it's not every day that you meet someone who
could break through the AT Field," Ritsuko pointed out.

"Indeed.  They seemed to have recovered from their shock rather quickly,
however," Gendou said dryly, proffering the dossier to Ritsuko. 

"What's this?" she asked, taking the dossier from Gendou's hand.  

"Apparently, SEELE is sending an instructor for the pilots.  Another. . .
physical trainer," he replied.

Ritsuko open the dossier and skimmed its contents.  "I see.  Do think this
person is like Ranma?" she asked.

"I'm sure of it."

"We'll have to be careful then, if he works for SEELE," Ritsuko commented.

"Of course.  Perhaps. . . Saotome can be persuaded to keep an eye on this.
. . Ryoga Hibiki," Gendou thought aloud.  

Ritsuko took another look at the dossier and repressed a shudder.  (If this
Ryoga is anywhere near as good as Ranma, the war with the Angels isn't
going to be the only thing we'll have to worry about,) she thought grimly.

**************************************
The End

Chapter 6


Chapter 7 should answer some of the questions I've brought up during the
course of the story.  What happened to Ryoga, the circumstances of Akane's
death, maybe even Ranma's curse.


Thanks to Kevin Wible for pre-reading.
**************************************