Well here it is at last, part thirteen of Alternate Future. As usual send
comments to JLee100441@aol.com. Now for some bad news, I'll be going to
Bosnia in a couple of months as part of my unit. Before that will be the
train up. So this will probably be one of the last things I put out (I don't
know if I'll have anything else done by Dec 3rd)
I'll still try to send stuff to the FFML, but it depends on how busy I am and
if I have access to a computer. If not, I'll be back in September.
James
Previous parts can be found at my webpage:
http://members.aol.com/JLee100441/page/index.htm
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: Af13.txt
Alternate Future
By: James Lee
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. They are the property of their respected owners. No profit is being made from this fanfic.
Thanks to my prereaders: BGCrisis, Khammel, Mchase, and Octavian.
Part 13, The Tendos Strike Back Part II
Nerima, present time:
"Yaaaaaahhhh!!!" screamed Misato as she and Ranma hit the ground hard. Dragging herself up, she quickly scanned the area. It was dark, the moon not quite full, and they were standing beside a wall in what appeared to be a residential area. Not seeing any immediate threat, Misato turned to Ranma.
"Ranma! What the hell do you think you're doing!?" asked Misato in a harsh whisper.
"I'm going to help Asuka." said the pig tailed boy.
"Damn it Ranma. Did it occur to you that these people happen to be after YOU?!"
"I don't care! I told her I'd be there when she needed me and I meant it!" replied Ranma, almost at the point of yelling. Misato quickly placed her hand over the boy's mouth.
"SSShhhh!! all right, but take this." That said, Misato pulled out her backup pistol and two magazines. She handed the weapon and ammo to Ranma. "Don't use that unless it's absolutely necessary and you're completely sure of your target. But, if you know it isn't me or Asuka, you put them DOWN."
*Oh god I don't believe I'm doing this!* thought Misato. She should have been sending Ranma back to NERV. Instead Misato was giving him a gun and effectively ordering him to kill. Truth be told however, she seriously doubted she could make him go back and she really didn't want to do this alone.
Ranma looked at the pistol and then at Misato. The meaning of her words was not lost on him and he wasn't sure he could actually do something like that.. Closing his eyes however, Ranma nodded and chambered a round into the gun. Misato then pulled out a cylinder from her vest and handed it to Ranma.
"This is a smoke grenade Ranma. I've already removed the thumb clip; all you have to do is pull this pin and throw it. If you get into trouble, use it to cover your escape. Use this before you think of using the pistol" Finally she pulled out the mirror shard. Handing it to Ranma, she knelt down and looked directly into his eyes. "Listen very carefully Ranma. If ANYTHING happens to me, you are to use that and go back to NERV headquarters with or without Asuka..."
"But.."
"NO! No buts Ranma. This is a DIRECT ORDER. If something happens to me you are to go back to NERV headquarters, understand?...If you don't Ranma, I'll send you back right now." Ranma slowly nodded his head and Misato calmed down a little. "OK, I think Asuka might be on the other side of this wall. Now follow me, keep quiet, and do what I do the way I do it."
That said, Misato took out a dental mirror and used it to look over the wall. Not seeing anyone, she put the mirror away and turned to Ranma. Putting on her NVGs(1) she said "Remember, the way I do it."
Slinging her gun on her back, Misato then grabbed on to the top of the wall and dragged herself up to where she could just peek over the edge. Seeing once more that no one was outside, Misato brought her leg up to the top of the wall. *Ow Jeez, I'm not in shape to be doing this shit!* Bringing her other leg up, Misato laid on the top of the wall providing as low a profile as possible as she dragged herself across the top and dropped silently to the ground below. A short moment later Ranma dropped down beside her.
Misato once again, scanned the area for any signs that they were discovered. She noticed none. Also noticing that most of the lights in the buildings were on, she removed her night vision goggles. They had landed just behind some sort of small shed. Misato decided to check there first before moving to the larger building beyond. Waving at Ranma to follow her, Misato entered the small building with her MP-5 at the ready. She stepped into a large open area with little furnishings. *This must be the dojo Nabiki was talking about. What a rat hole!* Misato then noticed some ropes on the ground. Kneeling down to examine them, she could see that they had been cut with something sharp.
"Misato look at this." Misato turned to see Ranma pointing at a something resting on a small table. It was a mirror. It had a bullet hole in the center and was missing piece. Misato sighed in relief; this proved that they had arrived at the right place. *Now all we have to do is find Asuka. She's either been moved to the main building or taken somewhere else. Now, what's the best way to approach the main house?* Misato's thoughts where interrupted as she heard someone coming up to the entrance. Rushing to the side of the entrance, Misato was relieved to see Ranma moving to where he'd be out of sight.
"I brought you something..." Misato slammed the surprised girl to the wall, placing her hand over the girl's mouth and her weapon to the girl's temple.
"Try ANYTHING and I'll 'kill' you." growled Misato. She looked the girl up and down. She had long brown hair and wore a simple long dress. She had no apparent weapons and had been carrying a tray of food. Misato looked the girl straight in the eye.
"Now, you are going to answer my questions right?" The girl shook her head, no. Misato narrowed her eyes and looked about the room.
"Ranma, get me that pillow in the corner." Ranma walked over to the corner and returned with the pillow. "Put it on her leg."
Ranma blinked, but did what he was told. Putting her weapon on semi-automatic, Misato pushed the barrel onto the pillow. Ranma gasped as she then fired a shot through the pillow and into the girl's leg. The pillow muffled the report and Misato's hand kept the girl's scream from being heard. Bringing her face to mere inches from the girl, Misato growled once more.
"Now, are you going to answer my questions or do I have to move to something more vital?" With tears running down her face, the girl nodded her head.
"Good! Now Asuka was here wasn't she?" The girl nodded.
"That food was for her wasn't it? She was supposed to be in here wasn't she?" Once again the girl nodded.
"You don't know where she is now do you?" The girl shook her head. Misato thought for a moment, then turned to Ranma. "Ranma, grab the mirror and get back over the wall. Asuka, isn't here."
"She could be lying you know."
"No, I'm only having her confirm what I already know. Now..."
"Kasumi, is there something wrong?" Misato froze at the sound of a voice outside. Using the distraction, Kasumi pulled Misato's hand from her mouth.
"Akane!! Look ou...Ahhh!" Misato slammed her MP-5 across the girl's head, knocking her out like a light.
"Kasumi!"
"Shit! Ranma get that mirror and get out of here!" Said Misato as she started to pull things from her vest.
A short while earlier, Akane Tendo looked up from her homework to see her sister carring some food to their 'guest'. She had thought about taking the food over to Asuka herself so they could talk some more, but thought better. The girl was angry and wasn't about to help them catch Ranma. If there was only some way to get the baka to see reason.
Hearing a crash, Akane turned to the dojo. *Kasumi must have dropped the food* she thought as she returned to her homework. A moment later however, she looked back at the dojo. Something wasn't right. Kasumi hadn't come rushing back for a mop. Getting up, Akane started to make her way to the dojo.
As she approached the small building, Akane could hear what sounded like voices. She couldn't however, figure out what was being said. "Kasumi, is there something wrong?"
"Akane!! Look ou...Ahhh!" Akane then heard the sound of someone being hit hard. "Kasumi!"
Akane immediately rushed toward the dojo entrance, but then stopped as something dropped in front of her. Looking down, Akane saw two cylinders at her feet. One was green; the other was gray with a red band around it. With a deafing blast and a blinding flash, Akane was thrown off her feet. Akane rolled on the ground with her hands in her eyes. She could her a loud repeated banging noise. It became so loud, that it seemed right on top her. *A-A machinegun!?*
Akane tried to get up, to stop this evil attacker, when suddenly something else hit her. Her entire body was overcome with a hacking cough, as she found it near impossible to breath. Akane then opened her eyes to see what the hell was going on. This proved to be the mistake of her life however, as her eyes suddenly seemed to catch fire. In desperation to clear out her eyes, Akane made a dive for the koi pond.
Misato watched the girl jump into the koi pond as she reloaded her MP-5. Apparently the girl had opened her eyes to see what was going on and found out that eyesight and CS gas (2) don't mix. Rechambering her weapon, Misato fired a few more short bursts at the house to keep whoever was in there down. She then made a run for the wall.
"Come on Ranma, run!" said Misato as dropped down beside Ranma on the other side of the wall and removed her gasmask. They then ran as fast as they could away from the house, staying in the darkness as much as possible.
"Misato, what are we going to do now!?" asked Ranma as he ran.
"We're going to go to this place Nabiki knows. We might be able to get some help there." All Misato had to do now was find this Nekohanten. She figured it wouldn't be too much trouble. The real question was; where was Asuka?"
(1) NVGs: Night Vision Goggles
(2)CS: Colorless pepper smelling gas. Syntoms include choking, burning of the eyes, and nausea. Also known as tear gas.
*****
Asuka looked up as she was dropped on a rooftop hard. The boy that had taken her from the Tendo dojo was tall, lean, and had long black hair. On top his head was what appeared to be a set of glasses. "All right, who are you and what do you want with me?"
"You know who I am Ranma. I'm going to make sure you never take my Shampoo."
A large bead of sweat went down the back of Asuka's head. *Oh great. He's some sort of wacko.* "Ah listen, I'm not Ranma and if your 'Head and Shoulders' means that much to you, you can have it."
"HA! You think you can fool Mouse by changing your voice, Ranma? I don't think so. You're the only one the Tendos are interested in and I'd notice that red hair anywhere."
Asuka gritted her teeth. "Well excuse me Bullwinkle, but why don't you put those Coke bottles on your head over your eyes? Then maybe you'll see I'm not Ranma."
Mouse put his glasses on and looked Asuka up and down. "Y-You're not Ranma."
"Oh really?" said Asuka sarcastically.
"HOW DARE YOU DECEIVE ME!...Urk" Asuka blinked as Mouse collapsed before her. Her eyes then bulged as she saw her savior.
"What the hell!?...W-Wait no no!...AH NOT AGAIN!!" screamed Asuka as she found herself being carried off once more into the night.
*****
Misato and Ranma crept into an alley behind the Nekohanten. It had taken nearly two hours, but they had finally found the restaurant that Nabiki had mentioned. Misato just hoped they were willing to help. From what she had seen so far, most of the ward seemed to know Ranma and that he was Burakumin. They were thus unwilling to help. *Assholes!*
It wasn't until they ran into a girl with long brown hair, that they were able to get some good directions. The girl had seem nice enough, but seemed unwilling to talk to Ranma. It was almost like she was ashamed to be there, but not because of Ranma. No, she seemed more ashamed of herself. After giving them directions the girl had walked off, muttering something about not being strong enough for her fiance. Misato didn't think too much about it. Of course at the time she was trying to figure out what was with that thing on the girl's back. *What do you do with a spatula that big anyway?*
Once they had gotten the directions they needed, Misato recovered her gear that she had hidden nearby. They then made their way to this alleyway. Walking up to the back door with her MP-5A3 at the ready, she wasn't sure what was waiting, Misato knocked on the door.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Misato turned to look at Ranma. He was shivering and watching the snow fall. Misato felt a little sorry for Ranma. His summer weight school uniform was totally inadequate for the weather they were now facing. Misato herself was freezing. Although her long sleeve BDU top offered more protection than Ranma's short sleeve school shirt, it was still summer weight. "Weird isn't it?"
Ranma turned to Misato. "W-What?"
Misato looked up at the falling flurries. "Weird, snow in Japan. I remember when I was a kid, it used to snow in Japan every year."
"Umm yeah I guess, seems right though."
Misato looked back at Ranma. He still didn't understand that this was his world. She wondered how he would react, when he found out. Turning back to the door, Misato knocked a lot harder. "Come on! There's freezing people out here!"
"Misato look ou...urk!"
Hearing Ranma cry out Misato whirled to notice two things. One, that Ranma was now face down in the snow. Two, that there was a blur coming straight at her! Misato barely managed to fire off a burst, before her world became black.
*****
Ryoga watched as they loaded Soun onto the ambulance, next to Kasumi. While the eldest Tendo daughter had been shot in the leg and suffered a serious blow to the head; Soun had also been shot in the legs. Akane sat next to Ryoga, with a rag held to her nose; which was still producing a good amount of gunk.(3) Ryoga flared as he remembered the attack.
He had been coming out of the bathroom when he heard a loud bang coming from the dojo. He rushed to see what was happening following the arrows that the Tendo's had put in so he could find his way around the house. He had to hit the ground however as someone with a machine-gun started shooting up the house. Hearing a scream, Ryoga looked up to see Soun laying on the floor clutching his leg. Slowly Ryoga crawled forward. Although he was probably the toughest boy in the world, he wasn't ready to find out if he was bullet proof.
The shooting had stopped when Ryoga reached the back porch. He sighed in relief when he saw Akane crawling out of the Koi pond. Getting up Ryoga ran for the dojo, only to find it empty. He was about to look for the person who had caused all this, but then he remembered Mr. Tendo. Ryoga thus rushed back into the house to call for help.
"Are you sure it was this Ranma person?" asked a police officer, snapping Ryoga out of his thoughts.
"Yes. He's the only one that I can think of doing this. Although I never thought that he would stoop so low as to use firearms and gas." Although he had not seen who had been doing the shooting, Ryoga was almost certain it was Ranma's fault. It enraged him that Ranma would use such tactics.
The police officer nodded his head. "Well we'll put a APB out on him. Don't worry, we'll find him. The last thing we want is a lunatic with a machine-gun running around."
Ryoga nodded as the officer walked away. He then turned Akane. "I just know it was Ranma. Damn it, if only we could have caught him. He's probably back in that other world now and he took the mirror with him."
"No." said Akane. "Kasumi managed to tell me that the girl was missing before they came. They're probably still looking for her. All we have to do is find her and we'll find them."
(3) Nothing clears your nose of snot like CS gas. Trust me. I know!
*****
With a groan, Misato woke up. The first thing she noticed was that she had been stripped down to her bra and panties. The next thing she noticed was that she was now in a cage. Slamming her fists against the bars, Misato cursed herself for being sloppy. Now she was someone's prisoner. Not only that but Ranma was nowhere to be seen. What if he was hurt? Worse, what if he was dead!?
*Ritsuko's never going to let me hear the end...* Misato's thought's were interrupted by a tapping sound. Looking at where the noise was coming from, Misato saw a very small, very old woman hopping towards her on a stick. In the woman's hand was the note Nabiki had given Misato. Stopping in front of her the old woman sat down on a nearby chair.
"Who are you!? Where's Ranma!? What have you done with him!?" Yelled Misato.
"Calm yourself child. Ranma is fine; he is upstairs with my granddaughter. I am Cologne, head elder of the Amazons."
"What's the deal with taking off my clothes?" asked Misato, glaring. She didn't like being called a child. Judging from the old woman's looks however, she was pretty sure Fuyuzuki would be a child to this little troll.
"I am sorry Major Katsuragi for the condition you've found yourself in. However, one must be cautious when someone knocks on their door with enough modern weapons to re-invade Manchuria."
"Point taken." said Misato as she sat down on the floor of the cage. "Can I at least have my clothes back?"
"Of course." replied Cologne as handed Misato her uniform. The old woman looked down at Nabiki's note. "So I understand you and Son-in-law, are looking for someone."
"Uhh yeah, we are. What do you mean 'son-in-law'?"
"Oh Nabiki didn't tell you?" Misato shook her head. "Ranma is supposed to marry my great granddaughter, Shampoo, in accordance to our laws."
Misato blinked. *Ranma supposed to marry someone? Asuka might have something to say about that.* "Umm well that's nice and dandy, but Ranma must return with me back to my world. We need him to pilot."
"Nabiki also mentioned something about that. Is Ranma and this other girl really that important on your world?"
"Yes! The children are the only ones who can pilot the EVA's. Without them our world is finished! We can't afford to lose even one."
"Which is why we'll help you anyway we can." came a new voice. Misato turned to see a girl in her late teens coming down the stairs.
"This is Shampoo, my granddaughter. Please excuse me." said Cologne as she hopped over to Shampoo and the two began talking in Chinese. *She looks kind of old for him.* thought Misato as she tried to figure out what they were talking about. The girl looked nervous as she started yelling. Apparently she wasn't used to talking back to this old crone. Finally, after a much heated discussion, Cologne sighed and turned back to Misato. "We will help you find your missing companion."
"Thank you." said Misato. "Now can you please let me out of this cage."
Cologne nodded and open the door to the cage. "You already checked at the Tendo's and she wasn't there."
"Umm yeah."
"We know a few other places she might have been taken to."
"First however, we must give Air..er..Ranma a disguise. Shampoo hear on radio, police looking for boy who match Ranma." said Shampoo as she turned to Misato. "For shooting up Tendo home."
"Ahh opps."
"Umm, what kind of disguise." asked Ranma as he started coming down the stairs. He became nervous when the others thought for a moment then smiled at him.
*****
Asuka glared as she was sat down in a chair. She found herself facing a middle aged woman. Asuka raised an eyebrow, as she realized that the women looked a lot like Ranma's girl form, but older. She then watched as the panda that had carried her to this place, walked to the bathroom. "Let me guess, Madame Butterfly and her pet panda Ling Ling."
The woman narrowed her eyes. "You really should show more respect to your elders, child."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess being attacked, tied up, and dragged away three times has made me a little pissed..." Hissed Asuka, "And don't call me child!"
In an instant the woman pulled out a sword and sliced the ropes that were holding Asuka's hands. Placing the sword against the wall, the woman turned to the girl. "What is your name, CHILD?"
Asuka took a deep breath and calmed herself down. "Asuka. What's yours,... GRANNY?"
The woman glared at Asuka, but then sighed. "You may call me Nodoka. The fool leaving the bathroom is my husband Genma."
Asuka, turned to see a large bald headed man, exit the bathroom. Something about him seemed familiar. Asuka's eyes then widened. "Hey, I think I know you. Ranma remembers being thrown into a pit of starving cats by guy matching your description."
"A foolish mistake." said the man. "I had hoped to make my son better, instead I drove him nearly insane."
"Wait a minute, if you're Ranma's father..." Asuka then turned to Nodoka. "then that makes you his mother."
"Yes unfortunately."
Asuka narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean unfortunately?"
The woman ignored her. "Tell me, what is Ranma to you?"
Asuka blinked. "Ranma?...Well he's...he's Ranma. He pilots unit 03. He's...he's my friend."
"And the fact that he's Eta, doesn't mean anything to you?"
Asuka once more narrowed her eyes. "Hell no! Why should it? It doesn't change who he is. Ranma's loyal, brave, and a somewhat nice guy. A guy who's risked his life defending others. Ranma's someone you...you can trust a-and depend on."
"You really believe that?" asked the woman. "Do you really think he'll come for you?"
"Yes! H-He hasn't let me down yet. Why's this so damn important to everybody anyway?"
"You must understand ch...Asuka, I find myself in a very difficult position. I loved my son. However, I am of noble birth and it shames me to be the mother of one of the...unclean."
Genma frowned at his wife's words. He then notice the girl turn an unhealthy shade of red. "MEIN GOTT! Is there some written law somewhere that states all EVA pilots must have fucked up mothers!? He's you're child! Mothers are supposed to LOVE their children damnit!!"
"How can I love someone who is destined to be a failure and a cowar..."(SLAP!)
Genma's eyes bulged as Asuka sent her hand across Nodoka's face. His wife looked down at the small redhead; seemingly refusing to believe the girl had hit her. He had to hand it to the boy, he knew how to pick em. Although the girl seemed a bit young for his son.
"How dare you?" Asuka growled. "Ranma isn't a coward! I've seen him face death to protect his friends. You have no right to judge him. Especially on the basis of this medieval class bullshit!"
Nodoka glared down at the younger girl, for a moment she looked as if she was going to draw her sword again. Instead she sighed. "I guess I can't expect a mongrel like you to understand."
Asuka was about to retort when there came a knock at the door.
*****
Earlier:
"So you think they might of taken her here?" asked Misato looking at the hotel across the street.
"Yes, Genma would be the best person to start with. There are a few others, the Kuno's or Dr. Tofu, but I think this is our best bet." said Cologne.
"So Genma is Ranma's father?"
"Yes."
"Cool, Ranma can meet his family while he's here."
"That may not be advisable."
Misato looked down at the small woman, "And why not? You think his father's going to give us trouble or something?"
"It's not Genma I'm worried about. It's Ranma's mother, Nodoka." Misato blinked as Cologne continued. "You see, Nodoka is a very traditional woman. She didn't take it very well when she found out that she had birthed an Eta."
Misato frowned, "I guess we better wait and see."
"Wait for what?" asked Ranma-chan walking up with Shampoo.
"Oh nothing. So Cologne which room do you think they're in?" asked Misato.
"Yeah, let's hurry up. I want to change back!"
"Oh but you look so cute, Ranma." said Misato smiling.
"Don't even go there, Misato." said Ranma-chan. She was now wearing a pink Chinese dress, complete with accessories, including a necklace and braclets. Her normally red hair was now dyed black. It was also no longer in a pigtail, but hung loosely down her back.
"Unfortunately we do not know which room they are in." said Cologne.
"Well I guess we'll just have to go ask the desk clerk."
"I no think they just tell you." said Shampoo. Of course there were other ways to get information. It would be little trouble for her Great-grandmother.
"Oh I think they'll tell me." said Misato as she started walking towards the hotel office.
"Misato, you still have you're weapons on!" said Ranma-chan.
"I know, don't worry." said Misato as she walked through the door and up to the front desk. Behind the desk slept a teenage boy with brown hair. *Perfect.* thought Misato as she rang the bell, waking the boy up. The first thing the boy noticed was the very beautiful woman in front of him. He then noticed the machine-gun. "YAAAHHH!"
"Relax kid. I'm Major Katsuragi, Special Units Metropolitan Police." said Misato while quickly showing her ID card, her fingers conveniently covering the NERV logo. "I looking for the Saotome's room, we're going to be using it for a stake out."
"T-The Saotomes?" Misato nodded. "I-I can't tell you that."
Misato frowned. "Say what?"
"I-I'm not allowed to give out that information. I-if I call my..."
Misato narrowed her eyes. "Do you want me to arrest you?"
"W-What!?"
"Well Mr...." Misato quickly looked at his name tag. "...Horoshi, if you don't tell me where that room is I'll have you arrested for obstruction of justice. You'll lose your job. You'll be the shame of your family. Your dog won't like you anymore. You'll be arrested, tried and convicted. You'll be thrown in prison where you'll cry, beg, and moan for five years because you're treated like a bitch by a 300 pound ax-murdering Sumo wrestler by the name of Bubba! Do you want that? Well DO YOU!?"
"N-NO!"
"Then tell me which room it is damnit!"
"Umm...umm...215."
"Right, room 215." said Misato, scribbling the number on a piece of paper. She then walked back to the exit. "Now some other people might be asking about us. Don't tell them anything. These are Nazi drug crazed killers and if they find out you've been helping the cops they rip out your eyes, skull fuck you to death, and then feed your violated corpse to the piranha they keep in their koi pond. You got that!?"
"Y-Yes Ma'am."
"GOOD!" said Misato closing the office door behind her. She then signaled the others to join her.
"So did you find out what room she's in?" asked Ranma.
"Yes she's in room 215. You guys follow me." said Misato as she headed for the nearest stairwell. Soon they found themselves in front of the room's door. Misato positioned herself so she could cover the door with the MP-5. She then nodded to Ranma to knock on door.
"Who is it?" they heard from the other side. Ranma looked at the others who nodded.
"Ranma Saotome." Suddenly the door burst open and a large bald man, rushed toward Ranma. The girl tensed realizing it was the man the angel had shown her. The man stopped however, noticing Misato's weapon pointed right at him. There also seem to be something else bothering him.
"Relax it's only Genma." said Cologne as she gently lowered the barrel of Misato's weapon with her stick. She then turned to Genma. "Do you mind if we come in? I can tell you have a great number of questions."
Genma nodded dumbfoundedly and let them in.
"RANMA!" No sooner was Ranma in the door, when Asuka grabbed onto her. Shampoo frowned as the girl hugged Ranma. As she hugged her, Asuka looked at Ranma's mother with an "I told you so." look on her face. She then pushed away and looked Ranma-chan up and down. "Umm why are you decked out like a drag queen?"
"Don't ask." said Ranma, walking past her. Reaching the bathroom she turned to the others. "I'm going to change now."
*****
A short while later, Ranma was once more male and talking with his father and Shampoo. While he was changing the others explained to his parents what had happen and why Ranma was now so young. Asuka sat nearby listening to the various details of Ranma's life. She was paticularly interested when they mentioned Nabiki a few times.
Cologne sat at the table examining the large mirror. She was a little miffed that Misato refused to give her the mirror shard. As far as Misato was concerned it was her insurance policy.
Misato stood guard by the door. As she did so, she looked at the others in the room. The older woman in the room soon caught her eye. *Nodoka, Ranma's Mother.* The woman stood ramrod straight, and refused to even acknowledge Ranma's existence. *bitch* Misato was tempted to go over and beat the woman to her senses. Misato then smirked as she noticed the smallish red hand-shape mark on the woman's face.
Suddenly the back wall exploded. Misato turned to face whatever danger was coming, but was then hit by something that threw her through the window next to the door. Jumping back through the window, Misato saw Cologne fighting a boy with a bandanna on his head. She then saw Asuka and Ranma facing off with the girl from the Dojo. Genma was apparently knocked out by the blast and Shampoo was trying to dig herself out from under some debris.
Figuring Ranma and Asuka could handle the girl, Misato turned her attention to the boy fighting the troll. Watching the battle she could see he was very tough. Not seeing her machine-gun anywhere, she pulled out two concussion granedes. Throwing them at the boy's feet, Misato yelled, "FIRE IN HOLE!"
The double explosions rocked the room, cracking the walls. Bits of ceiling fell from the roof. Looking up Misato could see the boy still standing in the smoke. "No Way!"
"Ha is that the best you can do? It'll take more than that to stop..." Misato blinked as the boy fell forward. Behind him stood Cologne with her stick. "Thank you for the distraction, although I didn't really need it."
"Umm right yeah."
Meanwhile Akane smirked as she faced off with Ranma. She knew she could beat him, after all she'd done it lots of times before.
"Forget it Ranma, I know you. You can't fight me. Now you can come peacefully or I can use Mallet-sama on you."
"Your Akane right?" Akane blinked for moment then glared at him. "Of course I'm Akane you baka!"
"Well there's ain't no way I'm going with you."
"All right Ranma you asked for it!" Akane charged forward with her mallet only to have it stopped by Ranma. He then kicked her full force in the stomach. Akane fell to her knees and looked up at Ranma weakly. "I-I thought you didn't hit girls!"
"Oh it took me about a week to break him of that habit." said Asuka stepping forward. "Although he still doesn't like to do it. Me on the other hand..."
Asuka punched Akane across the jaw, knocking her out cold. "That's for ruining my birthday party, Bitch!"
"Are you guys okay?" asked Misato having found her MP-5 under the bed. Both Ranma and Asuka nodded. Shampoo and Genma, who had finally woken up also nodded. "OK drag her over here with the other one."
The children grabbed Akane and dragged her over next to Ryoga. Misato then heard distant sirens. *Oh-oh* All right, anyone who doesn't want to go to NERV headquarters or jail I suggest you leave NOW!"
Without a word Nodoka got up and left the room. Misato growled and contemplated going after the woman. Then Genma got up.
"Father?"
"Son, your mother has many flaws, but I still love her. I'm sorry I have not been the best parent to you. Go now, know that I love you. Make me proud Ranma."
"I will Father."
Genma then turned to Misato. "Please take care of my son."
Misato nodded, as Genma walked out the door. Misato then grabbed the large mirror off the table and handed it to Asuka. "Asuka, take this mirror. Cry into it and wish yourself home. Make sure you're holding Ranma while you're doing so."
Asuka nodded grabbing to mirror and moving to the back of the room. Shampoo then turned to Cologne with a pleading look on her face. The old woman sighed, with Ranma soon to return to the other world there was no way Shampoo could go home.
"Go with them child." Shampoo's face lit up and she went to join the others. Misato then looked down at the Amazon elder. "Well, are you staying or going?"
"Oh I think my place is here. Don't worry, I'll have no trouble evading the police."
"This is the police. Come out with your hands up." Misato rushed to the window and took a peek. She could see two police cars parked in the parking lot. She could also hear others on the way.
"You fucking cops! You'll never take Akane Tendo alive!!" yelled Misato as she then did what she had always wanted to, empty her magazine into both squad cars. She then pulled out the mirror shard. She could see that the kids had already left. Cologne was also no where to be seen. Misato then noticed the Tendo girl waking up. She tossed her now empty weapon to Akane. "Marry Christmas!"
Akane caught the MP-5 in her hands then looked up to see Misato disappear. As soon as Misato was gone, the police kicked down the door.
"FREEZE! DROP THE GUN!"
*****
NERV Headquarters 2015:
With a little more grace then the last time, Misato landed inside the control room.
"Hi everybody; I'm back." Ritsuko and the bridge bunnies just looked at her. "Ah what?"
"M-Misato, what's that thing on your back?" asked Maya pointing. Misato looked over her shoulder to see a little wrinkled face.
"DYYAAHH! Don't do that!" Yelled Misato as Cologne hopped off. "When did you grab on? I thought you were going to stay there."
"I changed my mind. I decided to hop on while you were telling the mirror where to take you. By the way, nice touch with the machine-gun."
"Hey Misato, you know this little troll...OW" Hyuga yelped as Cologne popped him on the head with her cane.
"Show some respect for your elders boy!"
Maya started to giggle, but stopped as the phone rang. Ritsuko walked up. "Never mind who she is where're Ranma and Asuka?"
Misato blinked. "What do you mean, 'Where's Ranma?' I sent them ahead. They
should have gotten here first."
"Umm Sempai?"
"Not now Maya. Oh, what if they misworded their destination? They could have landed a hundred miles off course."
"Ah Major?"
"Later Maya. With that mirror's time travel capability, they could have landed a hundred years of course!"
"What about the movement of the Earth? They could have materialized inside a mountain or in outer space!"
"Excuse me!"
Misato whirled on Maya. "WHAT DO YOU WANT!?"
Maya jumped back and pointed to one of the phones. "Ah, Asuka's on line one."
"Asuka! Why didn't you tell me!?" said Misato as she rushed over to table and picked up the phone. "Asuka? Are you and Ranma all right? What happened?"
[Well the mirror sent me home, but it hit the ground and shattered when we materialized. I don't think it's usable anymore.]
"Oh so you're at my apartment then."
[Ahh not quite.]
[What do you mean 'not quite'?]
"Danke." Said Asuka as she accepted a cup of hot chocolate. "Well when I used the mirror, I asked to be sent home. So the mirror sent me home. My home...in Germany."
[WHAT!!]
*****
A short while later, Misato walked up to Ritsuko. "Well that takes care of that. All the travel arrangements have been made and the pilots should be back soon. That and our new friend."
"What are we going to do with them anyway?" asked Ritsuko.
"Don't quite know. That old lady did offer to get the other pilots up to Ranma's level."
"You think she can really teach them something?"
"Well if the way she took me and Ranma down is any indication, then yes. Speaking of people from the other world. What ever happen to that "Swift Sword" guy?"
Ritsuko smirked, "Oh, I wouldn't worry about him."
Meanwhile in a far away mental institute,(4) Kuno struggled in the bounds of his straight jacket. "Release me! How can you even suggest that my noble brain is unfit!?"
"Well it's quite simple Mr. Kuno..." said the doctor as he stamped the kanji 'insane' in red on Kuno's forehead. "See that stamp? If you have that stamp on your head then you're insane. We'll start your electro-shock therapy as soon as possible. NEXT!"
(4) The Ronald Reagan Institute for the Mentally Insane. We treat mental illness the old fashion way!
*****
Berlin, 2100 hrs:
Shampoo knocked on the door to guestroom Ranma was staying in. From what she was able to gather Ranma and Asuka would be returning to Japan soon. She was slightly relieved to hear that she would be going with them. Shampoo had no idea what she was going to do now that she was in this other world and she sure didn't want to be stuck in this strange land on the other side of Asia.
Shampoo's thoughts where interrupted by the door being opened by a sleepy Ranma. She was still taken back by how young he was. Shampoo had trouble seeing him and her as a couple now. Was this what Kasumi felt like when she first meet Ranma? *No! Don't even think of that witch now.* Ranma looked up at her.
"Sh-Shampoo?"
"Umm Ranma, Shamp...Er I-I just want you to know. I-I'm glad to have friend back. I very happy you OK."
"Umm thanks. So what do you think is going to happen to you when we get to Tokyo-3?"
"I no know what happen to me. I have nowhere to go."
"Well I'm sure NERV will help, being that you helped me and Misato find Asuka. At any rate we'll find out in three days."
"Three days?"
"Oh yeah, Asuka got Misato to give her some extra time here. She want's to visit with her step-mother. She said she also wanted to show me around her hometown."
Shampoo kept her jealousy in check. There was no point to it anymore. Part of her however, now partly wished she had stayed on her world long enough to punish Akane some more. Now she had really lost Ranma, because of the Tendo girl's stupidity. "Well That all Shampoo have to say. Good night Ranma."
"Umm good night Shampoo." said Ranma as he closed the door. He then made his way to the bed. He was almost there when he suddenly felt someone behind him. Ranma wheeled around to find himself face to face with a slightly startled Asuka. She was in a white night gown and was carrying a flashlight.
"Asuka? H-How did you get in here?"
Asuka placed her finger to her lips. She then went over to the bed and arranged the pillows and covers so it now looked like someone was sleeping in it. Asuka then turned off the lights. Walking up to Ranma with the flashlight, she whispered. "Follow me."
Ranma nodded as he followed the German girl to one of the walls. Feeling around the moldings, Asuka then pulled a switch revealing a hidden door.
"Close the door behind you." Asuka said as she passed through the opening. Ranma followed her. Closing the door, he found himself in a very narrow passageway. He could see Asuka waving her flashlight up ahead. Moving towards the light, he found Asuka standing next to some kind of ladder.
"Umm Asuka, where are we going?"
"We're going down." said Asuka as she started to climb down the ladder. Ranma shrugged his shoulders and followed her. The ladder seemed to go down a good ways. Ranma figured that he had gone down at least ten meters before they hit the bottom. Looking around, Ranma found himself in a slightly larger tunnel. He then followed Asuka to a steel door with a lock on it. Pulling a key out of her night gown Asuka opened the door and walked in; Ranma followed her.
As Asuka lit a lamp, Ranma looked around the room. It was four meters by four meters with a concrete ceiling. There was a bed in one corner and a table and some chairs near the center. Against one wall were some shelves with food and books. Against another wall was an old looking stove. The walls themselves were covered in writing. Ranma walked up and tried to read some of the German words.
"V-Victory will be ours? We will win yet? To h-hell with the the..."
"To hell with the Bolshevicks." Said Asuka helpfully.
"Asuka, where are we?"
"Oh, three to four meters under my back yard."
Ranma looked at her. "What is this place?"
"My great grandpa had this built just shortly before the war. My family used this bunker to hide from the Russians during the Battle of Berlin. My grandmother told me about this place shortly before she died. This is my secret place. I'm the only one in my family who knows about it now."
Ranma nodded as he looked around. "Y-You're Step-Mom is a real nice person."
"Umm thanks, but she not really my Step Mom. She's my Aunt. My Father ran off with my real Step Mom when I was four."
"Oh umm sorry"
Asuka shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Want something to drink?"
"Ah sure." Ranma watched as Asuka went to one of the shelves and took down two bottles. Popping the caps, she handed one to him. Ranma took a small swig from the bottle and nearly choked. Asuka giggled and Ranma looked down at the label. He couldn't read most of it but one word was easy enough to recognize, 'Bier' (Beer). "Um Asuka, isn't it illegal for us to be drinking this?"
"Not in this country." said Asuka as she took a long drink and sighed happily. It had been a long time since she had a nice warm beer. She honestly couldn't see what Misato saw in freezing them, blah!
Ranma looked back down at the bottle. It hadn't tasted good, but hadn't tasted all that bad either. Taking another drink, he asked. "So why did you bring me down here?"
Asuka took another long drink and sat down at the table. "You came to help me, even when you risked pissing off Misato and Ritsuko."
"What makes you think they didn't want me to come along?"
"If Misato had wanted you to come along; you would have been dressed like her. That and the fact that when I was talking to Misato on the phone I could hear Ritsuko screaming about strapping you to a lab table the next time you try that." Asuka said with a smile.
"OK you got me."
Asuka looked Ranma in the eyes. She noticed that he seemed to have a little trouble focusing them. *Looks like big, bad Ranma can't take his Liquor.* "Why did you do that?"
Ranma thought for a moment. He was feeling kind of light headed. *This stuff couldn't be that strong could it?* "Well it's because...it's because..."
"It was because?"
"W-When they took you away. I-I realized h-how much I-I..."
"Yes?" asked Asuka nervously. Ranma took a deep breath.
"I-I...I love you Asuka. You drive me crazy, I-I couldn't imagine my life without you." Asuka looked at Ranma wide eyed. He had said it; he loved her. Not Nabiki, not that Akane bitch, but her. "I said I'd be there when you need me and I meant it."
Asuka looked at Ranma for a long time, trying to sort her feelings out. Briefly an image of her mother went through her mind. Asuka then remembered how wonderful she had felt when Ranma had appeared to save her. She then realized that she really couldn't imagine life without Ranma either. *I-I do love him.*
Asuka continued to look at Ranma, who was now getting slightly nervous by her lack of response. She then smirked as she got up. Taking the bottle from Ranma's hand, she placed it on the table. Looking straight into his eye's Asuka said, "You know? I've never did thank my hero now; did I?"
Ranma blinked as Asuka kissed him on the lips. He felt her warm breath, her moist lips brushing against his. Something seemed to click in Ranma. As Asuka disengaged, a strange new confidence seemed to come over him. Whether it was finally telling her of his feelings, the kiss, or the beer, he wasn't sure. "OK, that covers the 14th Angel."
Asuka looked at Ranma for a moment. She then smiled. "Well, looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do."
Asuka kissed Ranma again, this time she darted her tongue into his mouth. Ranma responded in kind. This kiss lasted much longer and when they both came up for air Ranma had to take a deep breath. "That was headquarters."
They kissed again. As they kissed Ranma had worked his hand into Asuka's nightgown and gently caressed her left breast. With a gasp, Asuka pulled back and looked at Ranma. For a moment she seemed unsure of herself. With a look of determination however, Asuka started kissing Ranma even harder as they both made their way to the bed.
To be continued.
Next time:
-No, the next part isn't a lemon. I don't write those.
-NERV must now deal with the 16th Angel (which I still haven't really figured out how to deal with yet.)
-Also certain things come to light about Rei.