Special thanks to Octavian for helping this poor storyteller with his grammar.Also special thanks to my pre readers for his input and comments : Stephan Lee, K Yee, Lord Talon, James Lee, Eric McGinnis, Anand Rao, and Mark Severino Evangelion/Ranma 1/2 : Past/Future Chapter Two Part One created by Long Ngo Started April 13, 1998 Finish April 15, 1998 Revised April 18, 1998 Revised Aprail 25, 1998
*Another unfamiliar ceiling,* thought Shinji. Opening his eyes, Shinji noticed a green and white blur by the side of his bed. Blinking a couple of times, Shinji was finally able to make out the green and white uniform that was common to all students attending his school. It took him a moment longer to make out Rei's face. Shinji was surprised to wake up and find Rei by his side. Shinji made a mental note to ask Misato what had happened. Thinking back, Shinji couldn't remember an incident other than after his first mission that Rei had visited him at the hospital. It had been his first time piloting Evanglion Unit 01 and he had blacked out due to the pain he had received from the Angel. Later, after watching the tapes, he learned that the Eva had gone into berserk mode and had killed the Angel. Turning his attention back to Rei, he was grateful for her company. He was just too shy to break the silence and thank her properly. Looking to his right, Shinji finally noticed another boy his age lying on the other bed. *Strange, I've never seen him before. I don't think he goes to my school. Oh well, I'll ask Misato later.* Looking back at Rei, he noticed she was standing up.
"I am happy that you are awake Ikari-kun." With that simply statement, she turn and headed toward the door.
"Huh...thank you Rei, " he stammered, not knowing what else to do or say. He had also used Rei's first name. Usually he called her Ayanami. After staring at Rei's retreating form until the door closed and blocked his vision, Shinji went back to staring at the ceiling. His concentration was soon disrupted as the patient next to him let out a low groan. Turning his head once again to the right, Shinji noticed the boy with the pigtail was trying to sit up.
“Argg, the pounding in my head is worse than being hit on the head by one of Akane’s mallets,” Ranma muttered to himself. Looking around, Ranma noticed that he was in a hospital room. Being accident prone, due mostly to his rivals/enemies trying to kill him, had given Ranma a clear picture of the inside a hospital room. Sensing that he was not alone, Ranma started to scan the hospital room. After years of martial arts training, he had acquired a sixth sense. This had helped him in numerous occasions where sensing the presence of another had saved him from bodily injuries. Turning to his left, Ranma noticed Shinji and started to study him intently. One of the first rule he had learned from his father was know thy enemy as well as thy friend. *Why is this boy in the hospital? By his posture and demure, he was not a martial artist like himself or any of the other various people he knew. It seems to Ranma that the person next to him had very little confidence but strangely had the look of a season veteran beneath the exterior. Ranma also felt no distinct aura emanating from the boy that would mark him as an accomplished martial artist. Examining his roommate again, Ranma couldn't find any injuries that might have lead him to stay in a hospital. Why was that boy here? * Ranma thought.
Having since heard Ranma’s groan, Shinji had been studying his neighbor. Soon though, the strange boy had turned toward Shinji and was studying him as well. Shinji sensed that the stranger was evaluating him in the same way an Eva pilot would evaluate an Angel. His gave was very similar to Asuka’s the first time he meet her except without the snobbish arrogant look on his face. *Who was this guy and why does it seem like he could take Toji with one hand tied behind his back?* Shinji suddenly thought. As far as Shinji knew, Toji was one of the best fighters at his school. That was before he lost one of his arms and legs and after Nerv replaced them. Shinji couldn’t stand the stranger's gaze another second and had to turn his head away from him and back toward the safe ceiling.
Seeing his neighbor shift his attention from him to the ceiling, Ranma decided to try and get to know the boy that he had been sharing the room with for who knows how long. He didn't understand why he was in the hospital or how long he would be staying. Ranma already knew it was nothing physically wrong with him. He healed fast and was never in a hospital for more than a week, even with major injuries. He wondered where Doctor Tofu was. Usually he would be here to meet him by this time. Forgoing any more on the subject, Ranma decided to take the initiative. “Hi, my name is Saotome Ranma.”
Seeing the stranger was introducing himself, Shinji felt obligated to do the same. “My name is Ikari Shinji.”
“So Shinji why are you here?”
The last thing Shinji could recall was his strange dream where Misato, Rei and Asuka wanted him to join with them. “I don't know.” Ever since waking up from the accident that had put him in the hospital, Shinji on more than one occasion had referred to the First Child as Rei than Ayanami. *Strange, why am I thinking of R..Ayanami all of a sudden?*
“Seems like we are both in the same situation. I was wondering, do you know which hospital we are in? I’ve never seen one like this before.”
His thoughts were suddenly disrupted by Ranma's question. “I believe we are in one of Nerv’s facilities.”
“Nerv?”
Taken back by Ranma’s question, Shinji gave Ranma a strange look. “You've never heard of Nerv?” Living in Tokyo 3, he should know what Nerv was and seeing that Ranma was in the same hospital room as himself, Shinji had thought that Ranma was associated with Nerv in some way.
“Nope, never heard of Nerv,” Ranma answered. Why was Shinji giving him that strange look. Just because he didn't know anything about Nerv, didn't entitle him to the look he was receiving from Shinji. *What is Nerv?* Ranma thought. Suddenly feeling thirsty, Ranma looked around for something to quench his thirst. Seeing a glass of water in front of his bed, Ranma stood up and had to quickly lean back on the bed for support. Ranma was beyond surprised that his sense of balance was a little off. *Strange, this never happened before.* Usually, after being in the hospital he might feel a little weak but he never before lost his sense of balance that he had developed over eleven years of martial arts training. Thinking back, the only time he had lost it was the few months he had to adjust after he was cursed. As he approached the table, his head suddenly ached causing him to trip into the table. Catching himself before he fell, it was still to late as he knocked over the glass and spilt the entire content of the glass onto himself. *Great, now someone else knows my curse, * Ranma chided himself. Then doing a double take. Ranma was stunned that he had not felt the transformation, which usually took place after being exposed to a fair amount of water. Feeling his chest and finding no breast, Ranma let out a loud cry of joy. Soon Ranma was hopping around chanting, “I’m never going to be a girl anymore.” After awhile, Ranma noticed the weird look Shinji was giving him and stop but not before he ran up to a mirrow to take a look at himself. What he saw astonished him. Not only was he still male but he was young again and looked to be around 14. *What would Akane, Ukyou and the whole Nerima gang think of this?* Ranma thought. *What would Ryouga think?* Smiling to himself, Ranma went over to Shinji and tried to explain the reason for his unexpected burst of happiness, not caring if Shinji believed him or not.
The next few hours were spent with both boys telling the other how horrible their lives were and what terrible fathers they both had. Ranma told Shinji about the training trip his father took him on at the age of 6, Jyusenkyou, Nyannichuan and his curse, his fiancee problems and multiple enemies. Shinji told Ranma about how his mother died, his father abandoning him and only recently called him back because he wanted to use Shinji as a part of his experiment. Each boy, deciding for himselves that the only way to keep sane was to believe the other person's story. After 5 hours of comparing their lives to one another, the only thought that went through both boy’s mind was that, *Boy, what would I give to have a father like yours.*
To Ranma having his father leaving him behind would have been better than taking him on his stupid training trip. Look at how Ryouga turned out minus his depression and the constant state of revenge. If Gendou was his father, then he would not have any fiancee problems, he would never have been subjected to the horrible Neko-ken training and best of all he would never have been cursed. After the discussion, Ranma had asked Shinji which city they were in. Soon it became apparent that he was in the future. It also meant no more Tendous and he realized that all of his friends were either dead or were now grown-ups. Ranma suddenly felt depressed for the first time since learning about his cure. The cost he paid was too great. Ranma never liked feeling alone and like Shinji, Ranma treasured all his friends. He even grouped his enemies as his friends. Now he had lost them all, even the chance to become closer to his mother was gone.
To Shinji, it would have been great to have a father that was constantly actively taking part in his life. After years of abandonment, even a father like Ranma’s, Shinji would not mind. *A life on the road, travling across the countryside wasn't so bad,*Shinji thought. Seeming to be on the same wave length like Ranma, Shinji suddenly realized that without his father’s activities with Nerv, he would never have meet his friends like Rei, Misato, Toji or even Asuka. Turning toward Ranma, “You do know we are more alike than inhumanly possible.”
“I know what you mean man.”
In unison, "Both out father's name start with Gen..." Suddenly they both broke into fits of laughter.
"So what is Misato like?"
"She is a slob and can't cook. She can't even prepare instant ramen right." The look on Shinji's face was one of "How can someone mess up something so easy." Looking at Ranma, he noticed how hard Ranma was was trying not to laugh. "Hey, it's true. She can't even prepare instant ramen."
Ranma couldn't believe it. Someone who is almost as bad as Akane. Ranma having made up his mind that Akane was the worse cook in the world and no one will ever take that position from her. Ranma couldn't hold his laugher in anymore and started to laugh out loud. "Sorry, it's so funny to find someone else who can't prepare instant ramen. Oh, you wouldn't believe how bad Akane's cooking is. She can't even boil water right to cook instant ramen."
After a few moments of comparing notes on Misato and Akane's cooking skills, "Okay, okay you prove your point. Akane is worse than Misato. I just can't believe there is someone else out there that can cook worse than Misato." Shinji shaking his head, "I feel sorry for you Ranma. Not even I touch Misato's cooking these days and you having to eat Akane's food everytime she decides to cook."
"Thanks Shinji, it seems like we both have women problems but I think all my problems are bigger than yours."
*I can't tell him about the Evas and the Angels and how big my problems really are.* "Well I still think my problems are bigger but I can't tell you about them yet."
"Why not?"
Smiling, "Because if I do, I've have to kill you and I'm starting to like this friendship."
Ranma, thinking it was a joke, laughed. "This is the most fun I've had in awhile Shinji." He was glad he had meet someone like Shinji. Right now, Ranma had no friends and no place to call home.
Both continued to talk unaware of events taking place around them.
* * * * *
"What do you think of this situation Ritsuko? Where did the boy come from?"
"I can't explain this situation at all. No one else should have come out of Eva Unit One except for Shinji and maybe Yui. The appearance of this boy does not compute and the Magi has no answers."
"I see then. You are dismissed." Gendou's eyes never leaving the doorway, addressed the closest person he had to a friend. "What do you think Fuyuzuki?"
"I don't know if this will set out plans back any. At the very least we know this boy does not work for Seele."
"True. Tell Misato to invite him to Nerv. If he accepts then he shall be designated the 5th child. Eva 04 is on its way to Nerv's testing facilities at this moment. Until then, he will act as a back-up pilot. This will also give us a chance to run some tests on him and find out more about the boy." Gendou was really interested in finding out how the strange boy had come to be inside Unit 01. He knew that the boy was not working for Seele and was too young to seriously pose a threat to Nerv, so inviting him to Nerv was not that large a problem.
"I understand."
* * * * *
Misato could not believe the orders she was given. She duties were to find out as much as she could about the past history of the strange new boy and then ask him to join Nerv as an Eva pilot. Orders were orders and at least this way she was going to be able to see Shinji. Over time, Misato started to love Shinji. Before the arrival of Shinji and Asuka, the Evas were only considered tools to her. Now she considered them family. Every blow the Evas received was like a blow to her family. She could not believe how close she had come to losing Shinji. Shaking her head, she headed toward Shinji and the new boy's room. When Shinji reappeared everyone was relieved, even Asuka. Misato was just happy to have her Shinji back.
Opening the door to Shinji's room, she heard laughter. A sound she had never heard from Shinji before. A sound filled with happiness and deprived of loneliness. Looking inside, She notice that both boys were throwing pillows at one another and truly enjoying themselves. It brought back memories of happier times before Second Impact. Clearing her throat, "Well looks like you are feeling better now, huh Shinji?"
"Hey Misato, I would like you to meet Ranma, my new friend. I just found out we have much in common. Ranma meet Misato, I'm living with her."
After the last statement, Ranma decided to have a little fun. Raising one of his eyelids and doing an exaggerated look at Misato and then Shinji. "Living with her huh?"
Thinking that Ranma had the wrong idea, "No, I meant that I live with Misato and another girl." Seeing that Ranma had raised his eyebrow a little higher, Shinji blushed. "Ranma stop that, Misato is taking care of me. I told you that already. At least I don't live with three girls like you." Seeing that Ranma had the decency to look away after that statement, caused Shinji to laugh at Ranma's embarrassment.
*So his name is Ranma is it, * Misato thought. "Nice to meet you Ranma." Misato could not help but admire his good looks. After the thought had passed, she mentally kicking herself for think that way of a 14 year old. As she studied him, she felt Ranma had an air of confidence surrounding him. This was different from Asuka. Looking at Ranma, she felt he could back it up and it sent a little shiver down her spine.
"Nice to meet you too." *Wow, Misato could give Miss Hinako a run for her money, * Ranma mused.
"So Ranma, what do you know of Nerv?"
"Not much, just what Shinji told me."
Looking up at Shinji, "Shinji, you didn't tell him anything classified did you."
Seeing the look on Misato's face, Shinji quickly answered her. "No, just what Nerv is all about."
"Well Nerv is an organization built to protect mankind from the Angels."
"Why do you want protection from the Angels, aren't they the good guys?"
"No, wrong Angels. The Angels we fight are several stories high and can only be defeated by using an Evangelion Unit, a robot built by man and mankind's last line of defense."
"Is that what the robot Shinji pilots are called?"
"Misato, is this leading to what I think it does?" Shinji interrupted Ranma.
"Yes it is Shinji. Ranma, how would you like to join Nerv and defend the Earth?"
Looking at Shinji and then back to Misato, Ranma pondered. If Nerv is everything Misato implies, then there still is a chance they might be able to send him home. "Err..sure I'll join. One question though. How did I get here?"
Sighing, "Well why don't you wait till the debriefing tomorrow and I'll answer your question then, okay?"
"Sure!"
"Okay Ranma, your living arrangements have been settled and you will be living with Akagi Ritsuko. She is the head of our scientific research department. Seeing as you are not from around here, we didn't want to leave you alone." *In other words, we don't want you wondering off until we know who you are.*
"Cool!"
"Everything is settled then. If you wait here, Ritsuko will be coming along shortly to pick you up." Turning toward Shinji, "Hurry up and get dress Shinji, we'll be leaving now."
Shinji didn't want to go. For the first time since he arrived at Nerv, Shinji had meet someone who understood his problems if not actually having the same ones. "Okay Misato. See you around Ranma."
"Don't be so grumpy Shinji, Ranma is an Eva pilot now and you'll be seeing him in school tomorrow."
"School? What, do I have to go to school?"
"Don't be silly Ranma, all kids have to go to school."
"Ahh man, this isn't fair. I have to take High School over again."
Looking up, "You've already graduated High School?" *He doesn't look like the genius type to me.*
"Uh, what I meant was, cool, school. Yeah, I'm going to school tomorrow."
A huge sweatdrop appeared above Shinji and Misato's head. "Okay Ranma, you go lay down and get some rest."
Seeing Shinji and Misato leaving, Ranma mentally kicked himself for putting his foot in his mouth once again. After living with Akane for over two years now, he should have learned to think before he spoke. Lying back down, Ranma started to study the ceiling. *So I'm in the future. I miss the gang already. I wonder if I could get in touch with someone, anyone I know.* Ranma was not even sure he was still in Nerima.
The door to Ranma's room opened and a tall blond lady wearing a doctor's coat walked in. " So your name is Ranma is it? My name is Ritsuko. I'm your guardian." *If a person like Misato can handle two kids, why can't I handle one?*
"Okay. Can we leave now, I hate the hospital."
"Sure, why don't you get dress and follow me."
* * * * *
Opening the door, "So here is your new home Ranma." Stepping aside so that Ranma could get a look inside.
One look at the inside of Ritsuko's apartment sent a chill down Ranma's back. Of all the people in the world, why did he have to be assign to someone who loves cats.
Seeing the sudden change in Ranma posture, "Is something wrong Ranma?"
"I have this small problem with cats. Is there by any chance a real cat living here?"
Her outlook of Ranma suddenly change. Ever since leaving the hospital, Ritsuko thought Ranma acted very similar to Asuka, over confident and a little cocky. Now seeing this made him look more vulnerable than Shinji. "Don't worry Ranma, I don't have a real cat."
Hearing Ritsuko's statement, Ranma relaxed. Stepping inside the apartment, still gave him the chills as he looked around. There were cat mug, statues of cats, cat picture frames, there were cats everywhere.
"Your room is down the hall on the right."
Thanking Kami for a distraction, Ranma headed toward his room. Looking around his room, he thanked Kami a second time. There wasn't a single thing to remind him of his cat problem in his room. Dropping the bag of newly acquired clothes on his bed, he started to unpack. He was disappointed that he could not find any of the shirts and pants he usually wore. He also hated wearing a uniform as well. *Take the good with the bad, Ranma.*
Later that evening, Ritsuko couldn't believe the amount of food Ranma was eating. In ten minutes, Ranma had finished off three quarter of the food on the table. Shaking her head, Ritsuko finished what was left of the food. "Okay Ranma, now about chores around the apartment. How about we take turns every other day? Someone will clean while the other cook? You do know how to cook, right Ranma?"
Ranma hated cooking. Cooking was for girls, but seeing as how he would be living here, he decided to be cooporative. "Yes."
"Good, then everything is set. See you in the morning Ranma. You have school tomorrow."
*School, oh joy.* "Goodnight Ritsuko."
* * * * *
The next morning Ritsuko was interrupted by noises coming from her living room. The first thought was that a someone had broken into her apartment. Slowly opening the door, she found Ranma had cleared away a good portion of her furniture and was kicking and punching at the air. "What are you doing Ranma? Do you know what time it is?"
"Sorry about that. I was just practicing some martial arts and I usually wake up around 6:00 am. Breakfast is ready though."
Seeing as she was not going to get any more sleep, Ritsuko headed toward the dinning room table. Sitting down, Ritsuko took a bite from the plate Ranma had set aside for her. Suddenly her eyes suddenly flew open. This was good, chewing a little more. This was really good. The best she has had in a very long time. "This is really good Ranma. Where did you learn how to cook this?"
He hated it, when someone compliment him of how good a cook he was. They reminded him of when his mother told him what a wonderful wife he would make and it sent shivers down his spine. "My mother taught me."
Ritsuko still couldn't believe how good this was. This might not seem so bad after all. Getting up and cleaning the plates, Ritsuko turned toward Ranma. "Ranma after school follow Shinji to Nerv headquarters for debriefing okay?"
"Sure." Ranma was looking forward to seeing Shinji again.
"Oh by the way, here is your Nerv ID card. Shinji and Asuka will be here shortly to take you to school."
As luck would have it, there was a knock on the front door.
"That must be them now."
To be continued: