Alternate Future
By: James Lee
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. Suing me will get you nowhere.
*Spoiler Warning*
Part 8
"I'm gonna kick your ass this time Hydrosexual!" Said Asuka
as she and Ranma walked to the NERV pilot fitness center. Although
she meant every word of it, Asuka had the sagging feeling that she
was going to be on the learning end again. Ever since they had started
practicing three weeks ago, Ranma had proven, if anything, that he
was an expert martial artist. No matter how fast, how agile, or how
sneaky she got, Ranma would always pull something on Asuka that
would throw her off. It was frustrating as hell. Still, she had to admit
that she was beginning to feel better about her combat skills and
herself in general. And besides he looked real good when he took his
shirt off to cool down. *Where did that come from!?*
Asuka looked back at Ranma. He was becoming a mystery
to her. Why was he trying to help her? Since he'd gotten here she had
treated him like shit, yet here he was trying to help her be a better pilot.
Then there was that stunt he pulled during the attack of the 14th angel.
Why had he done that? Why had he put himself in danger just to keep
her from getting her head cut off. Why did it bothered her that he had
done that? *I...he ..couldn't...NO! You don't need anyone Asuka!*
Ranma looked at Asuka as they walked. He was quit surprised
when he started teaching her. He found that she already knew some
basic hand-to-hand from her EVA training in Germany and she was
in great shape. But what he had to really admire, was the way she put
her all into it. Once Asuka put her mind to something she gave it every
thing she got. As that she now had her mind set on "kicking his ass",
Asuka would stay up late practicing and taking her body to the limit.
Asuka was getting better too. She was proving to be a fast
learner and a very sneaky opponent. Just yesterday she nearly got a
few good hits in when she had come to practice wearing a very
revealing Gi. (Think Mai from fatal Fury) *Hope she wears that outfit
again.* Suddenly Ranma felt a chill come over him. Grabbing Asuka,
he stopped.
"Hey!? What's the big deal!?" Yelled Asuka.
"Something's not right."
"What do you mean som..."
Asuka stopped as she saw two men approaching them. The
men were wearing standard NERV uniforms, but had on ski mask.
Deciding to take another route, Asuka and Ranma turned around
only to see two more men behind them. The leader, who was dressed
in a blue uniform, snapped his fingers and pointed to them. At that
command one man from each side charged Asuka and Ranma. Each
had a spray can in their hand.
Asuka saw the spray can the man was carrying and decided
that what ever was in it was not good for her health. Using her newly
acquired skills, she kick the can out of the man's hand before he could
use it. She then tried to use a judo throw on him. This proved to be a
mistake as she was used to doing this with Ranma. This man unlike
Ranma however, was twice her size. Instead of throwing him, Asuka
ended up tripping him on top of her.
While Asuka fought the man that charged them from the front,
Ranma turned to fight the man in back of them. As he turned however,
he got sprayed in the face. Ranma could feel himself getting dizzy and
he started to stagger.
The man looked at Ranma in surprise. One dose of this stuff
could bring down a horse, yet this kid was still up. It looked like he
was going to need another dose.
Although his vision was slightly blurred, Ranma could see the
man approaching with the can again. Dispite still being dizzy, Ranma
was ready this time. Swiping the can out of the mans hand, Ranma
punched him hundreds of times in only a few seconds. He then threw
the dazed man into the leader.
Suddenly Ranma heard a loud bang. Turning towards Asuka,
he could see that the man that she was fighting was no longer moving.
Asuka had crawled out from under him holding a smoking gun. *Where
the hell did she get that!?* There was blood splattered on her school
uniform. The man that was still standing drawed his gun and aimed it
at Asuka. Ranma could see that Asuka wasn't moving. She just sat
there looking at the man she'd just shot with a stunned look on her
face.
"ASUKA!!" Realizing that Asuka wasn't going to react in time,
Ranma threw himself in front of her. He heard another loud bang and
felt a sharp burning pain in his left shoulder. Ranma could feel himself
being thrown back onto Asuka's lap.
After she had accidentally tripped the man on top of her, Asuka
and the man had struggled. The man was trying to pin her down while
Asuka was trying to get from under him. While she squirmed, Asuka
felt a handgun. Without thinking, Asuka pulled the weapon out and
squeezed the trigger. After she crawled out from under him, Asuka
couldn't move. She could only look at the corpse.
*What the hell's wrong with you Asuka!? You've been in
combat before!* Thought Asuka, but before it had always been some
hulking monstrosity at the other end of a view screen. This was a human
being. Asuka had seen the man's face when she pulled the trigger. She
saw the look in his eyes. She had felt his breathing stop. For reasons
she couldn't understand, she felt that she had done something horribly
wrong.
Asuka heard a gunshot then felt something crash into her lap.
Turning to where the gunshot came from, Asuka could see the thug
that was behind them reaiming his gun at her. She then heard two
more gunshots. She could see two small red holes appear on the
mans chest before he fall backwards. Asuka looked over to where
the two shots had come from. She could see the leader getting up his
gun smoking. As he got up, he took off his mask. "K-Kaji?"
Kaji looked at Asuka with an apologetic look on his face. He
then heard something moaning at his feet. Pointing his gun down, he
shot the last thug twice in the back. He then ran off. Asuka could only
watch him leave.
"A-Aus-ka.." Asuka looked down to find Ranma on her lap
clinching his shoulder. She could see blood coming from where his
hands where at. More blood came from a wound on his back. Her
brain finally catching up with her, Asuka grabbed a school bag and
started begging through it. Wether it was hers or Ranma's, she didn't
know or care. Taking out a cel-phone, Asuka began dialing the
number for headquarters. Her hands were shaking so badly that it
took three tries to get the number right.
<Central Dogma, Ibuki speaking.>
"H-Help. We need help."
<Asuka?>
"W-We've been at-attacked. S-Section 4. P-Please s-send
help." Asuka placed the phone down as the shock of everything that
had just happen overcame her.
<Asuka?.......ASUKA!?>
Kaji ran into an elevator that would take him to the surface.
As the doors closed, Kaji started pounding the walls with his fist. He
cursed SEELE, his orders, his incompetent help, and himself most of
all.
Kaji's plan had been simple enough. Grab the Saotome kid,
find out what SEELE wanted with him, then somehow get him released.
Instead Ranma had turned out to be an even more powerful fighter
than he expected. Then that fool Kitazaki let Asuka get hold of his
weapon. What had been a simple snatch and grabbed, quickly turned
into a blood bath.
Kaji took out his gun and loaded in a fresh magazine. If he
was lucky he could be out of NERV headquarters before anyone
found out what exactly happen. He would then have to leave the city.
Where he would go he didn't know. He couldn't go to SEELE and it
was about to become Kaji season in Tokyo 3. He was sure that if
NERV intelligence didn't get him, Misato would hunt him down.
"Kaji, I think it's time for you to disappear."
*****
Shinji and Rei, finally on their "date", were at a restaurant. Shinji
was eating a small seafood platter while Rei was working on a large
plate of vegetables. After a while Shinji, who was not to sure what to
do, decided to at least start some conversation.
"Umm, How's your meal?"
"It's good." Said Rei not looking up from her food. Secretly,
she was glade that Shinji had started talking to her. She was somewhat
lost on what to do herself.
"Oh. Umm That's good. So, what movie do you what to see?"
"What movies are there?"
"Uhh well there's 'Gojira 2015'. Then there's that movie
everyone's been talking about, 'THE BIG MOVIE'."
"What about the rerelease of that one Disney movie?"
"You mean 'Fantasia'?" Rei nodded. "Hmm. I heard it was
one their good ones. OK." Shinji was actually glad she choose that
one, he had been hoping to see it himself. Although he told Asuka that
the only reason he played the Chello was because they told him to,
he did like to listen to classical music.
"So um what's happen since I was 'away'?"
Rei blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Well I noticed Toji had a bruse on his face."
"Onna-Ranma punched him when he got to close to her. I
think she is..." Rei searched for the right words. "losing patience."
"Oh." Shinji didn't liked the idea that Ranma was beating up
on his friend, but had to admit that Toji was being very thick headed
about it. Shinji then saw Rei wince in pain.
"Are you okay Rei?"
"I do not know. I have been feeling pain in my leg. They have
scheduled me for a doctors appointment."
"I hope it's nothing serious. Umm I've noticed Ranma is teaching
Asuka how to fight now."
"Yes, Ranma is teaching her Martial arts. How did you know?"
Rei saw a look of displeasure appear on Shinji's face. "Do you find
something wrong with that Shinji-kun?"
"Oh! Umm no. It's just....."
**BEGIN FLASHBACK**
Shinji hit the floor hard. Asuka looked down at him in contempt.
"Honestly Shinji! How am I supposed to kick Ranma's ass when all I
got for a sparing partner is you."
Shinji groaned. Shortly after he got back from the hospital,
Asuka had asked him to help her with her practice. Shinji really had no
choice in the matter, being that Asuka had attacked him several times
before asking, so he agreed to be her 'sparing partner'. *Practice
Dummy's more like it.*
"Get up Shinji! This time use more force. Sometimes I think
that penguin has more fighting skill than you."
Shinji looked over at the couch to see a bruised and battered
Pen Pen sitting there, more than glad to watch someone else get the
crap kicked out of them.
**END FLASHBACK**
"...she's become a little over enthusiastic. Do you think there's
something more to it?"
Rei looked a little flustered. "I-I do not know."
Suddenly Shinji's and Rei's cel-phones rang. Taking their
phones out, both pilots answered.
"Yes?"
[It's me, are you guys still at the restaurant?] Asked Misato at
the other end.
"Umm Yes ma'am."
[Listen. Something's happen. We need you to report to head-
quarters right now. A car is coming to pick you up. Have you noticed
anyone following you?]
"Ahh no ma'am."
[Good. There will be someone you know with the car. If any
strangers come to you saying they're here to pick you up, do NOT go
with them. Stay in the restaurant and try to get as much information
about them as possible. What they look like. Where they're from. Who
supposedly sent them.]
"Umm Misato what's going on?"
[I can't tell you right now, I have to leave. Remember stay in
the restaurant!] Misato hung up.
Shinji looked over at Rei. "What do you suppose happened?"
Rei just shrugged. A while later Shinji was quite surprised to
see Gendo walking up to the table. Shinji noted that his father looked
somewhat relieved to see him. "F-Father!?"
"You're both okay. Good. Come, we must leave now."
"Ah Father what's going on?" Asked Shinji as he placed some
money on the table and followed his father out of restaurant.
"I'll explain in the car." Said Gendo as he lead them to a
NERV limo that was parked outside. Once inside and rolling, Gendo
spoke to the two. "About half an hour ago, someone attempted to
kidnap Ranma and Asuka. Soryu is unharmed but, Ranma was shot..."
Shinji gasped. He had heard that NERV had it's enemies.
After all it wasn't the angels that had cut the power during that one
attack. He had not however, thought about them coming after the
pilots. Shinji looked over at Rei. She looked slightly concerned.
He looked back at his father.
"W-When did this happen? Where?"
"Section four. While they were on their way to practice."
Rei's eyes widen and she moved closer to Shinji. "Commander
Ikari. That is inside NERV headquarters!"
"I know. Most of the kidnappers are accounted for. They
were all NERV personnel with security clearances." Gendo watched
his son's own eyes widen at that. For once he couldn't blame his son.
The idea of traitors so deep inside NERV was enough to disturb
himself.
*****
Nerima Present Day
Nabiki took a sip of her tea as she worked on the Nekohoten's
books. After the fight with her family, Nabiki had went out in search of
Ranma. She wanted to show him at least someone cared for him. She
had first gone to the Ucchan only to find Ukyo not there. Konitsu said
that Ukyo left Nerima to figure out what to do concerning Ranma and
that he had not been by.
Nabiki then went to the next obvious place, the Nekohoten.
Much to her dismay, Ranma wasn't there either. Having nowhere
else to go, Nabiki ask if she could stay there in exchange for doing
the books. Although the Colone was suspicious, she wasn't stupid.
She hired Nabiki and now the Nekohoten was booming. Nabiki had
even managed to arrange business vesas for them. Colone also had her
doing some waitressing. The old ghoul knew how to get the most of
something.
Of course being a waitress at Nekohoten meant knowing
martial arts. It was one of the attractions of the place. So Nabiki had
to relearn skills she thought she had forgotten. She wasn't even as good
as Akane, but she could catch a flying bowl of raman. Nabiki could
also see why Ranma didn't like working there. *The old ghoul really
is a slave driver!*
Still working for a slave driver was more desirable than going
home as far as Nabiki was concerned. She had never thought her
family could be so stupid. Actually she could expect it from her father,
who was living in the past almost as much as Kuno. She also wasn't
surprised by Kasumi who raised to be a proper Japanese housewife.
It was Akane that put her down. Nabiki had thought that at least her
younger sister had more sense. But no, Akane threw away the best
thing she ever had and why? Because of a stupid belief. A belief
that had no place in the modern world.
Nabiki at least understood the real world. To her, what happen
to Ranma was pure stupidity. She heard of many nations and companies
that had lost great advances to other nations simply because the inventor
had the wrong skin color or was the wrong religion. Ranma was no
doubt the greatest fighter of his generation and now they were just
going to throw him away because his ancestors didn't have good jobs.
*I wonder where he is now?* Thought Nabiki. Ranma had
not been seen since her father had kicked him out. At first Nabiki had
thought that maybe he had run off with Ukyo. She had later found out
however, that Ukyo was still roaming the country side ALONE. He
had last been seen near the canal. There were those who even said he
might have killed himself, but both Nabiki and Shampoo refused to
believe that. If anything Ranma was not a coward. Still it was strange
for him to just disappear without any trace. Nabiki did suspect her
family knew something, but they were being very tight lipped about it.
"You lucky me not Great Grandmother, Nabiki." Said Shampoo
as she entered the backroom. Nabiki jumped at being caught daydreaming.
She was glad that it was Shampoo not Colone. If it had been there
would be hell to pay.
Shampoo poured herself a cup of tea and, not bothering to sit
down, started drinking. After working at the Nekohoten for the past
few weeks, Nabiki had become friends with the Amazon. During that
time Nabiki had discovered a few things about Shampoo that many
people didn't know. The big thing being that She was allot smarter
than she pretended to be. Nabiki had to admire Shampoo's perfect
use of the stupid bimbo act. "Damn shift change already!" *Was I out
of it for that long!*
"No, stupid Stick Boy here to see you." Said Shampoo shaking
her head. Nabiki frowned, what did that stupid jerk want? Nabiki
wasn't very pleased with Kuno. After Ranma had disappeared, Kuno
had gone about saying how Ranma had obviously ran from his noble
sword. He then made sure everyone knew the "horrors" of the
burakumin.
"Great. I bet my 'family's' out there, to make my day too."
Shampoo shook her head. "No, Tendo's busy having another yard
sale."
"There having another one? What is there left to sell?" Her
family had run out of money a while ago and had resorted to selling
things to get by. They have had five such yard sales and were now
running out of things to sell. Not that Nabiki cared. As far as she was
concerned, Nabiki had helped her family enough by convincing
Shampoo not to hunt down Akane and kill her. She had done that
because she didn't want to see Shampoo deported. This did not
however, stop Shampoo from putting Akane in the hospital.
"They sell TV, furniture, and cooking pots."
"Kasumi's selling her cooking stuff? Sesh they must really be
getting desperate." *Good.*
"More desperate than Nabiki think, look." Said Shampoo
holding out a flier. Nabiki took the flier and started reading it.
"Grand reopening....Tendo Dojo......be a martial artist like
Akane..." Nabiki smirked while she read the flier. The real world was
now catching up with her family. *Finding that your little samurai world
isn't paying the bills, Daddy?* Nabiki then sighed. "Well I guess I
better go see what Blue Blunder want's. The sooner I get this over
with the sooner I'm ride of him."
Shampoo nodded as Nabiki walked out into the customer
area. It didn't take long for Nabiki to pick Kuno out. He sat at one
of the Nekohoten's long tables like a king on a throne. Putting on a
false smile, Nabiki walked up to him. "Welcome to Nekohoten.
What can I get for you."
"Do not trifle with me Nabiki Tendo, times are serious."
Nabiki smiled more. "Oh? How's that Kuno?"
"No sooner have I freed the fair Akane from the low birth
Saotome, has that cur Hibiki taken her." Nabiki frowned at that. It
hadn't taken long for Ryoga to move in on her sister. What was worse
was that her sister actually accepted him, even after finding out about
his curse! She had forgiven him for everything, saying it was likely
Ranma's fault. It was more proof to Nabiki that Akane really didn't
deserve to have Ranma. Kuno continued talking. "But it is not the
sorcerer Hibiki that brings me here."
"Really? So what does bring you here?"
"I search for my pig-tailed goddess. She has not been seen
since I banished the foul sorcerer Saotome and I fear for her safety.
Have you any word of her where abouts."
Nabiki was about to tell him no and get stuffed, but an even
better idea came to her. She smiled as she walked around the self
proclaimed samurai warrior. "I don't know if I could give you that info
Kuno-chan. It would cost you allot."
"I'll pay any price for my Goddess! Tell me now!"
Nabiki put a finger to her chine. "Ummmm 20,000 yen."
Kuno growled at her then pulled out a large wad of money.
He Pulled out 20 bills and handed them to her. "There now tell me!"
"Are you sure you want to hear this Kuno? You're not going
to like it."
"I care not!"
"Very well. The truth is that she left with Ranma."
"WHAT! My goddess with that dirt! It can not be! What
spell does he have on her!? Why!?"
"You do not want to know that Kuno! Besides you couldn't
afford to pay for such a dark secret."
"Dark secret? You must tell me! I'll pay any price!"
"Are you joking? It would cost you at least 40,000 yen!"
Kuno pulled out more money. "Done!"
"Are you sure Kuno? This is going to hurt."
"I DON'T CARE!"
"Well it's because of your anti-burakumin campaign..."
Kuno blinked. "It is my duty as a noble lord to warn the public
of such evil things. Least not that another such as Saotome reside here.
I fail to see what this has to do with my pig-tailed goddess.."
Nabiki smirked. *Now for the coupe de grace.* "Well Kuno
the pig-tailed girl's real name is Ranko Saotome. She's Ranma's sister.
You see she's BURAKUMIN too.."
Nabiki watched as Kuno's face went white with horror. It then
became red with rage. Throwing the table out of the way, he drew his
bokken. "YOU LIE!!"
Kuno started to attack, destroying everything in his path. Nabiki
dodged his attacks. "Why else do you think she left with him?"
"It is his foul sorcery!" Yell Kuno as he destroyed another
table in an attempt to strike Nabiki down. Kuno was so angry that
Nabiki could easily read his moves. She was able to dodge his attacks
and get in a few good hits. Kuno was so enraged however, that he
didn't even feel them.
"Yeah right Kuno! And how do you explain the fact that she
and Ranma look alike!"
"ALL LIES" After destroying six tables and over a dozen chairs,
Kuno finally got her in corner. Nabiki braced for the blow that would
bash her skull in. It never came however, as a mace impacted on the
side of Kuno's head sending him out of the restaurant. Shampoo, who
had been watching the proceedings from the kitchen, had decided to
jump in. Walking up to the door, she sneered at Kuno.
"Stick Boy too stupid no see truth in front of him! Why you
think Shampoo and Ukyo never go after Ranko when she so close to
Ranma!? It because she same blood as Ranma. Now you no come
back!" Said Shampoo as she slammed the door in his face.
"Thanks for the save Shampoo." Said Nabiki as she got up
off the floor. She then heard someone clearing their throat. Nabiki
knew who it was, sighing she looked around the restaurant. The place
was a wreck. What customers that had been there had run for the
hills when Kuno had started his attack. Aprouching the small figure on
a stick, Nabiki handed her the money she had gotten from Kuno.
"I'm sorry Great Grand Mother."
"For what, Telling that fool the truth?" Colone looked around
the demolished restaurant. "We're not going to get anymore business
tonight. Start cleaning up."
Nabiki nodded and started picking up the debris.
*****
Tokyo 3 2015
"We appreciate your corroboration Major." Said the NERV
intelligence spook as he accepted Misato's weapon and ID. He then
turned for the door. "If you would follow me please. Ah Major?
Major Katsuragi where are going!?"
Misato ignored the man. She knew they wanted to put her in
quarantine, but right now she wanted to be with Asuka. The intelligence
men where beginning to pull their weapons and force her to come with
them.
"Major Katsuragi! You must..." The NERV spooks didn't have
time to finish as they came face-to-face with a furious Ritsuko. "How
could you let something like this happen!? INSIDE this faculty no less.
"B-but it was inside job..."
"Don't give me some damn excuse. What are you doing about
it!?" Ritsuko continued to yell, scream, and Generally tear them new
assholes. Misato mentally thanked her friend as she continued down
the hall in search of Asuka's room. After a short while Misato finally
found her room. Entering, Misato could see Asuka on the bed curled
up in a ball. She was in a hospital gown, her blood drenched school
uniform was in a mound in the closet.
"Asuka?" No response.
"Asuka please. I think we should talk."
"Go away." Asuka muttered.
"Asuka If you think shutting everyone out is going to help, then
your making a mistake..." Suddenly Asuka's head shot up, her eyes
flaring.
"I'M making a mistake!? I'M not the one whose been sleeping
with the enemy!" (SLAP) Misato lowered her arm and quickly grabbed
Asuka in a hug.
"Gomen nasie Asuka, Gomen nasie. I shouldn't have done
that." Asuka began to struggle out of Misato's arms. Misato reinforced
her grip on the child. "L-Let me go! I don't need your help! Ju-Just
leave me alone!"
"Asuka please. I know you think you don't need anybody, but
your wrong. Closing yourself off from the world won't help. I know.
I've tried it." Misato looked down at Asuka. Asuka wouldn't look at
her, but she had stopped struggling. Misato continued. "You see,
when my father and the others died in Second Impact I just shut down.
For two years I didn't talk to anyone. When someone finally did snapped
me out of it, I cried for hours. After a while however, I realized that
pushing away the rest of the world hadn't helped. That I didn't start
feeling better until after I started talking about it. So please Asuka.
Talk to me."
For a moment things were quite, then Asuka began sobbing.
"W-Why Kaji? (sob) Why did he d-do that?..."
Misato stroked Asuka's hair as she cried. "I-I don't know
Asuka. I don't know."
"B-But I...I..l-lov.." Misato held Asuka tighter. She could
feel tears welling up in her own eyes. "I know you did Asuka. I did
too." *Kaji you son of bitch! If I ever get my hands on you...*
"I-I don't know who to trust anymore Misato." Misato looked
at Asuka. She could see why Asuka would feel that way. Kaji was
Asuka's idol. He was also one of the closest of the few friends she had.
Misato thought for a second. "Well you still have me, and Shinji, and
Hikari, and Ranma.."
"BAKA!" Asuka pounded her fist on Misato's shoulder while
she cried on the other one. "Stupid hydrosexual baka! Why does he
do stupid shit like that?"
"Saving your life is not stupid Asuka. As to why he did it?
Maybe it's because deep down Ranma cares for you.
"C-C-Cares for me?"
"Yes I think he cares for you. It's not a crime Asuka. Maybe
you should give him a chance Asuka."
"I-I don't know Misato. I don't know."
*****
Nerima Present day
Dropping the broom and dustpan, Nabiki collapsed onto one
of the few remaining chairs in the Nekohoten. After Kuno's attack,
Colone had decided that it was Nabiki's soul responsibility to clean
up the restaurant. Colone, Shampoo, and Mouse were right now
shopping for new tables and chairs. Nabiki then felt something land
on her chest.
"AAARRRHHHAAAA! GET OFF LEECH!!"
Happosai jumped back from Nabiki's strike. He was surprised
when he found Nabiki alone in the Nekohoten. He was even more
surprised when he found that she had seemed to have learn martial arts.
"Nabiki! What you doing here all alone?"
"I work and live here now!" Nabiki frowned, there was no
way she could take Happosai on. Yet another draw back to Ranma's
disappearance, there was no one to keep the old pervert in check.
Colone didn't bother with the freak and Pantyhose hadn't been seen
for months.
"Living here now? Why aren't you living at the Dojo?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"Oh? What? Does it have anything to do with Ranma? How
is my student anyway?" Happosai hadn't been around for the past
few months, so he hadn't heard about the whole burakumin incident.
"He's gone." Said Nabiki eyeing the panty thief nervously.
"What?"
"My family kicked him out. For good this time."
"Kicked him out? For good? What did he do this time?"
"He didn't do anything, my family found out that he was
burakumin."
"Burakumin hmmm." Happosai frowned for a moment, then
he face lit up. "That means Akane's undefended! YIPPEE!"
Nabiki watched as Happosai bounced out of the room. *hmph!
Have fun.* Nabiki then looked at the phone. *Maybe I should warn
them............NAHHH.* She then felt her stomach growl. After spending
five hours cleaning the Nekohoten, she was just realizing how hungry
she was. Looking at the kitchen, Nabiki shook her head and walked
over to the phone.
The food at the Nekohoten was good, but after eating it
three times a day, seven day a week, you tend to get tired of it. Taking
out the phone book and counting what little money she had on hand,
Nabiki start looking for some good take out.
"Let's see..Ucchans is still closed.....Too pricey....Not that
hot......No.....No.......Hmm Pizza Inn." Nabiki opened a drawer
and pulled out a piece of cardboard that had been taken off a box.
Picking up the phone, Nabiki dialed the number.
(Ring)(Ring)(Click) "Hello.."
"Yes, I have on of your buy two large two topping pizzas for
1600 yen coupons."
"You have reached the Goddess Technical Help Hotline. A
trouble consultant will be with you shortly..."
Nabiki hanged up the phone. *Opps. How did I get the number
wrong?*
"Nabiki...."
Nabiki eyes flared and she whirled around. "Damnit Kasumi
for the last time...huh?" She found herself looking at a woman with
long brown hair and blue eyes. The woman also had strange marks
on her face. "Oh! Excuse me, I thought you were someone else......
Umm sorry we're closed.."
"I've come to see you Nabiki Tendo." Said the strange woman.
"Ahh me? Umm who are you?"
"I am the goddess Belldandy and I have come to grant you a
wish. But only one wish."
"Ahh Right." *She's either loony or she's pulling my leg.*
"Oh I'm not loony Miss Tendo. Nor am I pulling your leg."
"Whhaahh!?" *Great she can read minds. Well this is Nerima
so there's no reason why she can't be a goddess, after all we have
everything else roaming around here. Now what would Ranma do
when face with a goddess. He was the one who usually dealt with
that kind of stuff. (heh) Hell he was a pig-tailed goddess .
"Who is Ranma?" Asked Belldandy.
"Would you please not do that."
"Sorry."
(sigh) "Ranma was just this guy I knew."
"Oh would you like to talk about it? It might make you feel
better." Said Belldandy with an honest expression on her face.
Nabiki looked at the woman skeptically. She didn't now why,
but she felt she could trust this Belldandy. It was like this aura of trust
surrounded her. Taking a deep breath Nabiki began.
"Ranma's father was a friend of my father. They had decided
before any of us where born that their children would marry, bringing
the Tendo line and Saotome line together. Ranma was engaged to my
sister Akane. At first I didn't care for him.."
"When did you change your mind?"
Nabiki looked at her then sighed. "It started....."
**BEGIN FLASHBACK**
Kobungo slammed Nabiki against the wall and pulled back
his fist. "This for all the money took from me bit....Wah!?"
Kobungo was suddenly pulled off Nabiki by a very angry
Ranma. Nabiki backed away as Ranma pushed the boy to the wall.
Bringing his face up to Kobungo's Ranma growled.
"How dare you beat up on girl!"
"I wouldn't be so fast Ranma! Take a look at what she's been
selling around." Gasped Kobungo as he pulled a picture out of his
pocket. Nabiki became nervous when she caught a glimpse of the
photo. It was a picture of a topless Ranma-chan sleeping. Ranma
looked at the picture for a moment then looked at Kobungo. "It's
one of the pictures of my girl form she sells. So what?"
Kobungo gasped. "Yo..You knew!?"
"Of coarse I knew! I get attack by the best martial artist in
Japan on a nightly basis! Do actually think she can sneak up on me
with a camera!? Yes I know she takes does pictures of me! I also
know that the money from those pictures helps support her family!"
Ranma slammed the thug wall knocking him out cold. Ranma looked
down at him and snorted. "Humph wimp!"
He then walked over to a stunned Nabiki. "You OK Nabiki?"
*He knew!?..He let...* "Um yeah."
**END FLASHBACK**
"Before then I thought Ranma was just some insensitive,
freeloading, jerk. That day I saw what all the other girls saw in him.
The fact that Ranma cared. I guess that's when I first fell for him."
Nabiki was now leaning on Belldandy's shoulder as the goddess listen
intently.
"So did you try to make him yours?"
"Yes I did."
"It didn't work?"
"Oh no! It worked. I got Akane so mad that she just gave
him to me."
"So what happen?"
Tears started to well up in Nabiki's eyes. "I-I found out that
he was already in love with someone else. Someone that I thought
loved him too. My own sister."
"So what happen then?"
Nabiki started crying. "Af-After a while they found out
something stupid about him. S-Something so stupid. T-They kicked
him out. Then h-he disappeared. No one knows where is."
"I see."
"I just wish I could be with him, (sniff)knowing that he was OK.
I....Huh....YAAAAAAHHH!!"
*****
Tokyo 3 2015
Gendo sat at his desk thinking of the days events. He was
sure that what happen today was SEELE's doing. Although the only
person that could confirm that was now missing. Mr. Ryoji was not
stupid. Still Gendo had to wonder where Kaji would go. From what
little they could get from Soryu, Kaji shot the other two men. This
made Kaji a traitor to both SEELE and NERV. Not a very good
idea.
There were more important problem's however, than Mr.
Ryoji's where abouts. Namely the fact that NERV was now down to
one pilot. One that currently maybe emotionally unstable. Gendo had
unit 01 on freeze orders and wasn't about to use it anytime soon.
Ranma's wound did look worse than it actually was and he
was out of the hospital. However he was going to be out of action
for at least a week.
The worst however, was Rei. Rei's medical appointment had
been moved up and after an examination, it had been found that her
leg was developing complications. It was not healing properly and
would have to be reset. This meant that Rei was going to be out of
action for a much longer than expected and even then she may not be
able to walk strait.
It became apparent to Gendo that NERV was going to need
a new pilot to act as an emergency backup and possible replacement
for Rei as primary pilot for the new EVA if necessary. Turning to his
computer, Gendo brought up the file "Maldock Report". He then
looked up the name at the top of the list. *Hmm Kaoru Nagisa.*
Gendo then picked up the phone. "Major Katsuragi, Dr Akagi.
I want to speak to you now." Not looking at his computer screen,
Gendo didn't notice it blur then refocus.
A short while later Misato and Ritsuko both walked into the
office. Gendo looked at them then spoke. "As of now no pilot is to
walk outside alone at any one time. They are to travel with other pilots
or trusted NERV personnel. Major Katsuragi, there are some other
security arrangements that are need. We will discuss them tomorrow."
Misato nodded her head.
"Also I am transferring Rei to your apartment Dr. Akagi.
Along with the new pilot. Rei doesn't have much, so there should be
room. Do you have a problem with this?"
Ritsuko blinked "Ah No. I don't think so. Umm new pilot?"
"Yes. As a result of what's happen I've decided that NERV
is in need of a backup pilot. The new pilots name is Kaoru Na....Huh
How did I miss that?...Umm Correction the new pilot's name is Ms.
Nabiki Tendo."
To be continued
Next:
Ritsuko looks suspicious!
Asuka looks jealous!
Asuka and Nabiki face off!
And Nabiki finds out just what she's gotten herself into!
