Sorry that took so long to get out but my wife just had a baby which we weren't expecting for another eight weeks and after six days of labor I really haven't had the time to finish this chapter. I've had this chapter finished to the point Shinji runs into P-chan for nearly two weeks now with no time to add to it. I finally after a stroke of inspiration decided to stay up late to finish it. Hope to have the next chapter out sooner but don't count on it, I've now got a little one to attend to. But have no fear I will keep this story going.
Fore warning I DO NOT intend this being like Eva. There will not be much angst in this story and unlike Evangelion this will have a happy ending...maybe.
Chapter 2
Hedgehog in Nermia
As the sun set over the sky in Tokyo-3, life in city seemed to go from a bustle of activity to a near stand still. With businesses closed for the day and people at home with their families, the streets were near deserted. It was a Sunday evening, so the night life would not pick up with the beginning of the work week the next day. As the last rays of sun died out the skyline now gave way to a beautiful star scape. The night was filled with the sounds of cicadas chirping and the occasional car. But the silence was soon broken as it usually was in a suburb of Tokyo-3 called Nermia, with the sounds of girls screaming and a small man in a purple outfit jumping from roof top to roof top ranting "What a haul!" as he went along collecting more women's negligee.
Back at the Katsuragi apartment a similar break in the status quo was happening, a normal evening for the occupants of said apartment consisted of the eldest to be getting drunk, the other female occupant would be either yelling at the only male in the apartment or watching T.V. And the third and only male in the apartment would either be hiding in his room listening to his SDAT or in the kitchen. Tonight how ever Misato wasn't drinking to get drunk but drinking cause she was pissed, she wasn't all that happy with the fact Shinji was removed from her care to a man that she her self just met today.
**Flashback**
Commander Ikari's office
As the Major entered after being called for she noted the five new faces standing in front of the commanders desk. One wearing a black martial arts training gi with black hair and a mustache, another also wearing a martial arts gi only his was white. He was a rather large man wearing glasses and a bandanna on his head. There was also a short old man wearing a purple gi and smoking a pipe oblivious to the goings on of any thing in the room, but his eyes did brighten as soon as he looked at her. The man looked as though he was trying to contain him self from doing something. The other two were a couple of kids about a year or two older than Shinji, one of the kids was a girl who was wearing a simple dress and had short black hair. The other was a boy wearing a red Chinese silk shirt and black pants, with his long black hair tied in a pigtail. She quickly chased the thought on how handsome he was out of her head, she was at least twice as old as he was. In all a very odd group to be in the company of the commander. She took all this in, in about a seconds time before continuing rendering proper customs and courtisies to her superior. "Major Katsuragi reporting as ordered, sir." She said with her salute.
"Major, Pilot Ikari as of tonight will no longer be under your care. His care will be shifted to Genma Saotome and he will be removed from your apartment and moved into the Tendo Dojo in Nermia." The commander announced to a completely shocked Misato. She looked over towards the group for this Genma Saotome, he was easily spotted because he couldn't make eye contact with the now enraged Major.
"Sir I protest, this is completely unorthodox. His placement in my care was because of its location to Nerv and the fact I can keep him safe. How is he going to get here in time in a angel attack, and how can we be sure that this man can keep him safe?" Misato said becoming irate.
The
majors words invoked no outward response from the commander "I
know Mr. Saotome personally and he will be twice as safe with him
than he could ever be here. Also the Dojo is not that far from Nerv.
He'll be here in time for a battle."
The commander's
assurance didn't do much to calmed down the major but she made no
more protest. "Yes sir." She spat and left the office.
"That could have went better." Remarked Ranma.
**End Flashback**
Misato didn't allow any one of the group into her home so they all waited outside while the third child gathered his belongings. She had done every thing to try and convince him to stay but in the end the commanders orders stood. And she didn't like it one bit, in the short time Shinji had been with her she looked at him as the son she never had. Asuka also was taking it bad even though she didn't show it, ever since she found out she had been in her room.
**Flashback**
After the sync test Asuka rode home with Misato while Shinji walked home with his new friends. "That baka going out to eat with those weirdos while leaving me stuck at home with your cooking." She muttered. Misato didn't pay much attention to the remark about her cooking but felt in necessary to tell her why he left with them.
"Asuka, Shinji will no longer be living with us. He is now in the care of Mr. Saotome, he'll be moving out tonight and moving to Nermia to stay at a dojo." Misato informed her.
"WHAT?!" Asuka was shocked. "Why?"
"I don't know, but what ever the reason it comes straight from the commander."
Asuka seemed to sulk and Misato tried to console her "I'll miss him too."
Asuka's sulking went to anger "I WILL NOT MISS A SPINELSS WHIMP LIKE HIM!! I am upset cause now I'll have to live with your cooking." She yelled defensively.
Misato didn't ignore this and she began to drive recklessly to get back at her, nearly hitting four cars and a group of people on the side walk. Asuka's anger went to fear immediately.
As soon as they got home Asuka went straight to her room and didn't come out. Misato sighed as she went to the kitchen and got a beer.
**End Flashback**
Shinji finally finished and walked out of his room with one medium suit case and a book bag, this didn't shock Misato for she knew Shinji had very little belongings. His largest was his cello, she told him she'd ship it to him as soon as she could. Shinji was a bit hesitant to make any motion towards the door, he didn't really want to leave the Major's care to live with people he didn't even know, but he had no control over it his father had taken his only happiness away from him again. He would only hope this was only temporary, once his sync ratio dropped do to his depression he would most certainly be sent back here. There was a long silence between the two people and the penguin which had just entered the room, seemingly understanding what was going on. Misato was the first to break the silence "Well good luck Shinji, I know you don't want to leave but try and make the best of it. I am sure you'll enjoy your time there, and look at it this way with the training you'll get you'll definitely be the best pilot in no time." the last statement made by the major incited a large crash from the room of the second child, sounding like some thing was thrown against the wall.
Shinji put on a fake smile "Yeah m-maybe." he said half heartily.
Misato also smiled, a sad smile. She then bent down and pulled the third child into a tight embrace which he reluctantly returned, then she let him go and kissed him on the forehead and said "I'll be sure to visit you. See you later Shinji-chan." With that Shinji went to the door on his way to the door he stood in front of Asuka's room.
"Good bye Asuka." with that he left the apartment. The major waited a few minutes before deciding it was time to get drunk.
***
Tendo Dojo
Nabiki sat in front of the TV watching some show which had her undivided attention, while Kasumi was in the kitchen preparing dinner for the two of them when the phone rang. Knowing that Nabiki was to involved watching TV Kasumi answered it. "Tendo residence." she answered it was her father.
Kasumi please prepare the spare bedroom we'll be having another guest.
"Oh thats nice father. Who is it?" she inquired.
Uhhh a old friends son.
Kasumi smiled "Ok father. Will you all be back before dinner?"
Hmm I believe so.
"Ok then. I'll have dinner ready when you get home."
Good girl, bye.
"Good bye father." with that she hung up the phone and turned to her younger sister. "That was father he said we'll be having another guest."
Nabiki frowned "Great another free loader." she muttered but not quietly enough for her sister not to hear.
"Now Nabiki thats not very nice." She chided. "Oh my, I better get to work they'll be home in a little bit and I still have to prepare the spare bedroom and finish making dinner." She said walking off leaving Nabiki to formulate ideas on how she would exploit the new house guest.
***
Tokyo-3 outside Shinji's former apartment complex
Soun Tendo hung up the phone and returned to the group as Shinji walked out of the building. The group acknowledged the boys presences "Ready to go boy?" Genma asked. To which Shinji nodded shifting his weight to better hold the suit case in his hand and adjusting the strap to his back pack, clearly the boy traveled light. "Great then lets go I am starved." with that the group headed off towards the Nermia district. Soun and Genma took the lead, with Happousai atop Genma's shoulders smoking his pipe, while Akane walked in the middle of the group, and Shinji and Ranma brought up the rear.
On the trip to the dojo Ranma took the time to get to know Shinji. "So Shinji what is exactly so important about you any way?" he asked.
Shinji looked towards Ranma trying to figure out if he was insulted or Ranma was just being blunt He chose the later since the only people Ranma insulted deserved it. "I am an Eva pilot." he stuttered.
Ranma thought for a minute trying to remember where he heard that word before. Then it hit him, "You mean you pilot one of those robots that have been fighting off those creatures? Wow and all this time I thought you were some type of jet pilot or some thing." Ranma stated causing Shinji to almost face fault. "So whats it like?"
"Its not all that easy, the angels keep getting harder to beat. A-and then theres my father." Shinji trailed off.
Ranma was silent for a few minutes before speaking again hoping to bring the kid out of his depression. "Ya think it would be easy, I mean with your martial arts skills and all." he said then thought (Man its a good thing he doesn't know the Shi Shi Hokodan, he could easily take out a city block.)
"I really haven't really used my skills against the angels yet. Only recently have I really started to practice again."
Ranma smirked "Don't worry about it, once me and pops train you, you'll be able to beat the next angel no problem. And as for your father, heh you'll pretty much be able to wipe the floor with him." Ranma stated confidently.
Shinji tried to return Ranma's confident grin but couldn't. Not having much more to say the two walked in silence the rest of the way.
***
Geo Front in the commanders office.
Commander Ikari and his second in command sat in the large office talking over the recent events "Sir I won't pretend to know what all that was about but are you sure it was wise to let them take pilot Ikari like that?"
The commander smirked "Master Happousai can be a major annoyance when he don't get what he wants so he'll do every thing in his vast power to get it. I merely satisfied his wants temporarily. Pilot Ikari will be back, of that I have no doubts. I have my own ways of getting what I want, I learned allot from Master Happousai other than the any thing goes style of martial arts. Happousai is a master manipulator." he stated.
The sub commander shook his head "So thats where you learned to manipulate people."
"For the time being Pilot Ikari will learn some more advanced martial arts skills that will help him fight the angels. But I will make sure that is not enough to loose my hold over him." the commander said.
The second in command raised his eyebrow "Oh, and what are you planning to do?"
"All in good time." was all commander Ikari said before leaving for terminal Dogma to speak with the first children.
***
Major Katsuragi's apartment Asuka's room
Asuka laid on her bed, sulking but tried to hide it. She tried hard to make her self believe that she was going to miss the third child, but despite all her attempts she failed. Her reasons for missing him though were slightly skewed. (He's mine, he is suppose to be around to make me feel better about my self. He's my punching bag.) she thought trying to think of a way to get him back. Then all of a sudden she remembered something from her painfully past.
***
Flash back several years ago
Asuka was sitting with her mother in her office playing with her doll while her mother looked over some important paper work when a woman with short brown hair and green eyes walked in the door.
Asuka's mother looked up from her paper work towards the woman and smiled "Yui how nice to see you, what brings you here and where is your lovely little boy?" Mrs Sohryuu asked.
Yui Ikari also smiled and replied with a sigh "Gendo took Shinji out on a training trip while he had some time off, the only thing that matters more to him than this project is martial arts and it seems he feels the need to pass it on to Shinji."
"Thats nice, Asuka here just received her red belt in Akido and is working on her black belt in Karate. Whats your son up to?" she asked setting some of the paper work aside as Yui took a seat in front of the desk.
"Oh I don't know really. Gendo goes on and on about the Any thing goes style but I don't really listen, it really don't interest me. But from what he says on how well Shinji is he is more than likely a black belt, but then again the Anything goes style don't rate their students in that manor. I really wish Shinji would put as much effort in his studies as he did martial arts, he could be a bright little boy if he tried. Not as smart as your little Asuka of course. You know those two would be perfect for each other." Yui said.
Mrs. Sohryuu went into deep thought for a moment "Isn't it a Japanese custom for patents to arrange a marriage between two families when they are young?" she asked.
"Its a very old custom, but yes its some thing like that. Why do you ask?" Yui asked puzzled.
"Well why don't we engage them? You said they'd be perfect for each other."
Yui's eyes widened and she almost jumped for joy "What a great idea!" she exclaimed.
Mrs. Sohryuu turned to her daughter "Dear would you liked to marry Yui's son Shinji some day?"
Asuka thought for a little bit her and Shinji had met a few times before and always had a fun time playing, and her being only four really didn't know what marriage meant totally yet despite her high IQ. She quickly nodded her head thinking it would mean she'd get to play with Shinji again.
"There its settled, we'll need to write up a contract then." Asuka's mother said and Yui agreed from there on Asuka couldn't remember much other than that she knew her father agreed to it and kept the contract.
***
End flash back
This memory much like allot of her others she kept locked away even from her self. Asuka then quickly went to sleep determined to find that contract as soon as possible.
***
Tendo Dojo
The group had finally arrived at their destination, Soun was the first to charge in calling his other two daughters out telling him that he had wonderful news for them. After a few short minutes the group found them selfs all around the dinner table awaiting the Tendo patriarch's news. He cleared his throat and began to speak. "Now as you all know the reason we went to Tokyo-3 was to find an old friend and ahem talk to him. We managed to find him and got him to make up for some of his mistakes. That brings me to our guest here, this is Shinji Ikari son of Gendo Ikari the man that trained with Genma and me. The reason he is here is to learn the art, what his father neglected to teach him."
Nabiki's normal emotionless face showed a bit of interest in the Ikari boy, if this had been a Saturday morning cartoon one could see the dollar signs in her eyes. For she already began formulating ideas one how to make money of the eva pilot. Kasumi on the other hand just smiled as was her character. Shinji though kept his eyes down cast on the table trying not to make eye contact with the Tendo daughters.
Soun Tendo once again cleared his throat "There is of coarse one more thing, this falls upon Nabiki and Kasumi. Back while the three of us where training we all came up with the glorious idea of joining the three schools through our heirs. Ranma and Akane signifies the combination of the Tendo and Saotome schools." he said at this point all but Shinji knew what was going to be said next. "Shinji your father made the agreement with us so, these are my daughters Nabiki age 17 and Kasumi age 18 (is that right?) pick which you want to be your wife."
At this statement Shinji's head popped up faster than a jack in the box, "W-wh-wh-what?!?!" he exclaimed. "I-I am to young to be married!! A-and who would want to marry a spineless wimp like me." he said lowering his voice in depression.
That was lost on Mr. Tendo though "Listen son your father dishonored your family, now its up to you to reclaim that honor. YOU MUST MARRY ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS!" Soun yelled doing his demon head attack which didn't phase the depressed eva pilot. After all seeing angels and robots can really desensitize some one.
"I have no honor, I am a coward and wimp." with that Shinji stood from the table and ran with tears in his eyes , out the back door of the dojo and through the gate.
The room was quiet for a bit till Nabiki broke the silence "Well nice going father, maybe you should get to know some one before springing news like that on them. I have a contact at Shinji's school back in Tokyo-3 who knows Shinji very well. Shinji is a very shy and very depressed boy, with no self esteem what so ever. He does what ever hes told to do, trying to gain other peoples acceptance. And did I forget to mention he has a tendency to run away from his problems if they get to be to much to handle?"
This sent Soun into a fit of tears "Wahhh now the schools will never be joined."
Ranma couldn't believe the description he was just given of the boy, he didn't think any one could be like that. His own over confidence made it hard to believe that no one could not believe in them selfs. Which made him all the more determined to help the boy out.
Akane was about as shocked as Ranma and made much the same conviction. Her preconceptions about boys being completely shattered now.
Genma on the other hand knew what caused this boys problems and thought the first chance he got Gendo was going to get the pounding of his life. Genma may not have been the model father but he never, EVER left his son behind.
Kasumi was in deep thought her normal smile gone from her face, she wasn't the air head every one thought she was. She knew that these where trying times and the fate of man kind was on Shinji shoulders. She felt really sorry for the poor kid. He seemed really sweet if not kind of shy. He reminded her of her self before her mother died. After that she had to be strong for her family. (If Nabiki is engaged to him she'll use him like she did Ranma when she was engaged to him.) she thought remembering that incident. With that thought she made up her mind. "I'll up hold the family honor father."
With that statement Mr. Tendo stopped crying "Oh Kasumi dear, I knew you wouldn't let your father down." he then started crying again only tears of joy. Every one in the room just sweat dropped at the mans behavior.
"If you'll excuse me."Kasumi said as she left the same way shinji did hoping to find the third children.
***
Down the street roamed a little black piglet with a yellow and black bandanna around his neck. (Where the hell am I now?) it thought. Just then a boy came running at him not seeing the little pig on the road. The pig froze as the boy tripped over it and fell to the ground, the pig instantly turned around to face the boy. Anger was the only thing running through its mind but as soon as he saw the look on the boys face it dissipated. The boy looked to be crying.
"I am sorry..." he stopped and saw it was a pig he tripped over and now some person. "Oh its just a pig." shinji was about to think nothing more of it but he remember Pen Pen and thought the pig still deserved and apology. "I am sorry, I didn't see you." the pig looked like he understood what he said because it nodded and, Smile?
(Wow I can't believe this kids aura. In this state he could match my best Shi Shi hokodan) P-chan aka Ryouga thought.
Shinji sat down his back against the wall behind him with his head down and legs drawn to his chest. "I can't believe that even before I was born my father already set out to make my life miserable." he spoke up talking to the piglet. The piglet didn't seem to mind either it just sat there in front of him and listened to the boys every word as he lists off every thing in his life that has gone wrong. Little did he know though the eldest Tendo sister too heard his depressing tale, her heart went out to the boy. At the end of Shinji's sob story she decided it was time to make her presence known to the young eva pilot, and relive poor P-chan before Shinji talked his little ear off.
"Shinji-kun, you should stay out here like this you could catch a cold." she stated inwardly grimacing that, that was the only thing she could think to say.
Shinji lifted his head up to see Kasumi standing under a street light, with a look of motherly worry on her face. He didn't respond though, for he had nothing really to say.
Kasumi was rather uncomfortable around Shinji as she looked at him and asset him, some would say that would be out of character for her but then again no one really knew what her true character was. Allot of people thought she was just in a role of a supporting character to every one else in the Tendo dojo, some one with few lines and things to do. But in reality she kept things running, she was the backbone of the Tendo home. Others would say she was some what of an air head, oblivious to whats going on around her. She wasn't though, she knew every thing that went on. Every thing from the way Dr. Tofu felt about her, to Ranma and Akane's true feelings for each other. Some people would say that she was content with her life, playing maid to the residents of the Dojo. In reality she wasn't, more than any thing she wanted more. She wanted to go to collage, study psychology, and raise her own family.
At first she though that Dr. Tofu was the man she wanted, but he just never got over his "problem" when around her, and because of that he left. It hurt to see him go but deep inside she knew it was for the best. They were never really meant to be together and she thought that the life she lived now would be her curse for the rest of her life. But the second Shinji walked in the door and heard her fathers announcement she felt a new hope rise from the ashes of her old one. Maybe this would be her chance to renew her dream, true Shinji wasn't exactly what she had hoped for. He was very young for starters, around four years younger to be exact but he seemed mature for his age. Actually he acted like some one who had seen it all and given up on seeing any thing new. He also wasn't the strong man she had dreamed of, in body nor emotionally. He was cute she had to admit and one day he would grow up to be a very handsome man. But what drew her to him was the fact she saw allot of her self in him, he was under appreciated for what he did, people used him for their own gains. He's forced to do something against his own wishes, and forced to give up on his dreams of the future, just like her. (Maybe we are meant for each other, I'll have to see how things work out though. I don't want to be trapped in a loveless relationship as I am sure he don't either.) she thought.
"Kasumi?" Shinji spoke up when the Tendo girl seemed to space out while staring at him for a few minutes. This instantly snapped her out of her deep thought.
Kasumi blinked for a second to recollect her thoughts before smiling at the Ikari boy. "Come on Shinji-kun, your home now."
Shinji stood up and recalled the first time he heard that in Tokyo-3 from Misato, she had been right. (Maybe this won't be all that bad, these people don't seem to want any thing from me, and Kasumi seems to be a very nice person. Maybe this can be my new home.) he thought to himself and then said "Yeah my new home." while following Kasumi to the dojo.
Kasumi's smile widen "Welcome home." she said as the entered the gates of the Tendo compound.
to be continued...
Next chapter.
Kasumi and Shinji engaged to be married?!?! In the next chapter Shinji begins his training and all hell breaks loose as Ryouga arrives and wants to train shinji him self. Also what is it that the commander is planning? All this and more on the next Ranma 1/2 Neon Genesis, The training begins!
Authors notes
Well thats the second chapter and as you can tell Kasumi won, by two votes. I'll have the next chapter out shortly. Again sorry for my bad grammar and spelling please feel free to correct any mistakes I make. Another thing I know in the series Asuka and Shinji never met before the Air craft carrier but I have to make a few changes to the story line of Evangelion because it is way to serious and dark to be added flawlessly to Ranma. About Kasumi I've seen in many fanfics and even in the series that she is overlooked allot of the time. Every one type cast her by her outward character, I have rarely read a story that tries to go in depth into her character. Thats what I hope to do here, and hopefully along the way I don't screw things up to much. One last note I am not very clear on what the two versions of the anything goes style teach but I am taking a guess in saying that the Saotome school teaches aerial combat, defense and evasion while the Tendo school teaches mainly ground combat, strength, and power. If this is wrong let me know so I can make changes accordingly. If its true I plan to have the Ikari school be a melding of the two.
Captain Blaze