Disclaimer: See Prologue
"abc" - Spoken
"abc" - Thought
A Tale Of Two Cursed Souls
Chapter Five: An Unlikely Ally
Sunday
The events of his first day of school sure set a precedent for the most bizarre first day of any student in the history of Furinkan High, his claim only contested by his dear cousin. But, luckily for Shinji the rest of the week went by uneventful or at least on the school front, now, NERV's another story.
"I can't believe she expects me to wear that thing?! The training's bad enough and I still haven't talked to Rei, but... but this is just to much."
Shinji is currently laying in bed following a strenuous day of tests with Misato and Ritsuko. His SDAT at his side as he remembers the eventful end to an otherwise normal day... well, normal for NERV anyway. It all started following his last set of synch tests as he was exiting his, or should I say her, Eva.
"Shinji, can I see you for a minute?" the blonde doctor calls out from the control room.
"Um... sure, but can it wait till after I shower?" Shinji asks, as she dries her hair off.
"It'll only take a moment and then you can shower."
"All right, be right there."
"Thank you." a chipper Ritsuko replies, as Shinji vanishes from sight.
"So, what exactly do you have planned for him?" Misato asks, from her seat next to Ritsuko.
"Just a little show and tell." Ritsuko says mischievously, as she produces something she's only hinted at in passing, to which Misato's eyes brighten as she mimics her friends smile perfectly.
"Oh, this is going to be fun!"
"That it should." Ritsuko agrees.
"What should be fun?" Shinji asks, just entering the control room.
"Shinji, dear, would you do me a favor?" A sweeter than sweet Ritsuko asks, making her way over to the slightly puzzled pilot.
"Um... sure?"
"Great! Here, after you shower put this on."
Ritsuko hands Shinji a package which she hesitantly accepts.
"Thanks, that'll be all." she says, turning her back to the confused young woman.
"All right, I'll be right back."
Ritsuko looks to Misato who bursts into a fit of laughter as soon as Shinji exits, Ritsuko soon joins her as they laugh thinking of the fun to come.
Shinji finishes his shower and is drying off when he remembers the package laying on the bench. He quickly opens the package, actually excited by the prospect of what could be inside and with of final tug the package is opened.
"What the hell is this?!" he yells, as his joy turns to horror.
Their patience waning, Misato and Ritsuko begin to wonder if Shinji didn't make a run for it, but at long last the pilot makes his anticipated return.
"Um... I'm back." he calls out from just outside the door, his head the only thing visible.
"Well, don't be shy. Come on in, so we can get a good look at you." says Ritsuko, hardly hiding the smile creeping across her face.
Despite his reservations, Shinji enters the room and gives them their first look at him inside his brand new plug suit. He slowly walks across the room, unconsciously covering himself as he just can't shake the feeling of being naked.
"Yes, you are... and looking good!" Misato chimes in, looking over her charge a little to appreciatively.
"Ah, yes! Perfect. Now, Shinji, stand right here." Ritsuko calmly orders.
Shinji makes his way over to the doctor, a little more confident thanks to Misato's cat-calls.
"Can I ask what exactly this thing is?"
"It's a plug suit. You may have noticed Rei wearing one like it, when you first meet..."
"Actually, all I noticed was red." Shinji states sourly.
"Ah, Shinji noticed Rei's eyes... how sweet!" Misato playfully says.
"I was talking about the blood on my hands when I was holding her... even though her eyes are quite enchanting!" he corrects, saying the last part to himself.
"Um, anyway, the suit and those clips in your hair are designed to help you synch with your Eva. I've been working on yours since... well, since your condition has required a little tweaking of the suit." Ritsuko finishes, despite Shinji's attempt to bring down her and Misato's good mood.
"What tweaking?"
"Well... this. Misato, now!"
Shinji quickly reacts to Ritsuko's sudden outburst, but not quickly enough as Misato sudden pulls a bucket out from behind her and drenches the pilot with ice cold water.
"Ahhh! What's wrong with you?! That's freezing!"
"Oh my God! It actually worked!" Misato shouts, her surprise clearly evident by the way she continues to stare at the boy turned girl.
"What worked?!" Shinji asks, still pisssed at being tricked in such a manner.
"Well, take a look." Ritsuko says, her voice full with pride as she holds up a full body mirror for Shinji.
"Huh... what?" Shinji turns to look at her and is quickly startled by what she finds. "Oh shit... I mean the suit... it shrunk!"
Shinji looks herself over and is surprised at the changes. The suit has shrunk to fit her perfectly as the chest area has expanded, the waist has narrowed, and the length has shortened, all to meet her smaller, more voluptuous frame.
"Yep, and it expands!" Misato cheerfully announces as she dumps the contents of a thermos over the still captivated pilot. Who is only more amazed as the suit expands as she returns to her original form. Seeing the amazed look upon his face, Ritsuko puts the mirror down to get Shinji's attention.
"The suit is designed to adjust to whichever form your currently in. This should help make things easier for all of us."
"What do you mean?" Shinji asks, Misato looks just as puzzled as they both look to Ritsuko for an explanation.
"Well, to put it simply... we're supposed to have a male pilot, not female. Not to mention that I'm sure you don't want everyone knowing about your curse. So, this way you won't have to remain in your female form whenever your piloting or testing because your wearing a plug suit designed only for a girl, this suit will simply alter to match your current body structure."
"Oh... O.K. Well, can I get changed now?" he asks, a little unsure of her answer but to tired to care.
"Yeah, sure, you can head home now. You get yourself a good nights rest, we have more testing tomorrow after school."
"All right. Misato, you coming?" he replies, stifling a yawn as he does.
"Yeah, I'll be right there. You go get changed I'll meet you outside the locker room."
Misato quiets down as Shinji exits the room and then turns to Ritsuko not at all looking pleased.
"So, what did you really mean when you said it'll be easier for all of us?"
"Nothing. I meant exactly what I said."
"Come on, Ritsu. I know your keeping something from me."
Ritsuko looks away from Misato and gazes out over the Eva dock, her gaze falling upon Unit 01.
"The Commander has asked me to find a cure for Shinji."
"Well, that's great... isn't it?!"
"It should be but I doubt he wants one for Shinji's benefit."
"I don't understand."
"He hasn't stopped complaining about how incompetent his brother is for turning his son into a... a freak!"
"He actually said that?!" Misato asks, her disbelief and anger clearly audible.
"More or less. He seems to take Shinji's curse as an affront against himself or something. I don't understand it, myself."
"Well, can you cure him?"
"Doubtful. While I'll be the last person to say I believe in magic, curses, and the like... Shinji's condition is like nothing I've ever seen or heard of before. I won't stop trying but don't get your hopes up."
"I understand. Well, I better hurry... Shinji's probably wondering what's keeping me.
"All right, goodnight, Misato."
"Goodnight, Ritsuko."
Misato exits leaving Ritsuko alone, she gathers up her things and prepares to leave when she turns to see...
"Shinji?!"
Standing still in his plug suit is a determined looking Shinji, his gaze is solely on the floor but as Ritsuko goes to speak again he cuts her off.
"I don't want you looking for a cure."
"What?! But, Shinji, I..."
"Don't bother. I've come to accept my condition, if... if Father can't... well, that's his problem. All I want is for everyone to stop treating me like I some sort of a..."
Shinji quiets as he starts to tear up, he quickly turns and leaves a surprised, yet understanding Ritsuko in his wake...
"I don't want their pity. I just want... I don't know what I want."
Shinji rolls over in his bed as his SDAT reaches the end of it's tracks and begins to rewind. Unnoticed by Shinji, Misato is currently standing just inside his doorway, she quietly closes the door and heads for her room.
"So different! He's so different than when he's fighting or training. He's as different as night and day. Maybe this is to much for him? Maybe..."
Misato enters her room and closes her door, as the end of her thought is sent adrift amongst so many worries and queries.
Monday
Shinji is currently on his way to school when he checks his watch.
"Oh, crap. I'm going to be late."
He quickly breaks into a run and turns a corner running smack dab into Ranma and Akane who's also running at a blistering pace.
"You guys running late too?" he casually asks.
"Yeah, this idiot here got wet again!"
"Hey, I'm telling you that old woman has it out for me!" Ranma yells.
"Whatever, so Shinji has was your weekend?"
"Um... nothing special... homework and you guys."
"Ranma, here, went to his duel with Kuno but won't tell me what happened."
"That's right? So, what happened? Don't tell me he beat you?!"
"Shut up! I don't want to talk about it! Anyway, we're here and here comes the idiot brigade!"
The three focus as they approach the gates of Furinkan High and the army of disgruntled schoolboys waiting for them.
"Akane Tendo's here with her fiancé! And his cousin's with them!"
The trio makes short work of their attackers and continue forward as Kuno makes his presence known. While Shinji comes to a halt, Ranma and Akane push on threw trampling the misguided swordsman.
"Man, those two are ruff. Hey, are you all right?"
Shinji leans over checking on Kuno and finds him in a daze mumbling something about his pigtailed goddess and the pure and true Akane. Figuring that means he's all right, Shinji turns to enter the school and spots that kid with the camera along with that girl he was with the other day during their fight with Kuno.
"I guess I better go introduce myself... I was kind of rude the other day."
Noticing that Shinji is heading their way, Nabiki begins to panic.
"Oh God, he's coming over! Does he know? Did they tell him about the engagement even though I told them not to? I got to get out of here."
"Hey, Nabiki? Where you going?" Kensuke asks, noticing her sudden departure.
"Um, I got things to attend to. I'll see you later."
"Um, sure. See ya."
Kensuke is puzzled by her actions of late and this only adds to the list of inconsistencies he's been noticing lately in Nabiki's behavior.
"She sure has been out of it lately. Oh, Ikari's coming this way... I bet that's why she left?"
"Hi, I'm sorry about the other day. It was rude of me to run off like that." Shinji instantly begins his conversation by apologizing.
"Hey, no problem... but, if you don't mind I'd like to ask you a question."
"Sure... go ahead. I guess?"
"Great, so do you know a girl named Nabiki?"
"No, I don't. Wait, I think I've heard that name... yeah, Ranma mentioned it. Who is she?"
"She's Akane's older sister."
"Oh, okay, and why did you want to know if I knew her?"
"No reason, just wondering." Kensuke answers, trying to hide his true intentions.
"All right, well, I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, later."
Kensuke watches as Shinji enters the school and momentarily follows, he continues to mull over what could be Nabiki's interest in this guy. He doesn't believe it's only because he's the cousin of her sister's fiancé like she'd have him believe. Unnoticed by Kensuke but Nabiki witnessed their entire conversation, she is now worried that Kensuke may suspect that something's up. She is now determined to talk to Shinji about their engagement before anyone catches on to the truth.
The first half of the day goes by without a hitch. The gossip mill continues to churn out rumors about the new arrivals ranging from their relationships with the boy-hating Akane, to their rivalry with Kuno, to the hidden truth behind their journeys abroad. As well as a particularly interesting rumor concerning the identity of the pilot of that mysterious robot from the other week. But, as the day reaches it's midpoint things have quieted down with everyone enjoying their lunch break.
"Ranma! Kuno wants you!" Nabiki cheerfully announces upon entering class 1-A.
"Who cares! I'm waiting for Shinji, I forgot my lunch and he's going to get me one."
"Well, at least except this."
Nabiki throws a stuffed panda doll into Ranma's hands, convincing the pigtailed boy to grudgingly agree to go. Meanwhile, seconds later, Shinji enters the classroom looking for Ranma.
"Hey, Akane. Have you seen Ranma?"
"Oh, he just left with Nabiki."
"Your sister?!"
"Yeah, she said something about Kuno looking for him."
"Did you happen to see which way they went?"
"Yeah, they went out that door and to the right."
"Thanks..."
Shinji quickly exits the classroom drawing the attention of several students including the class rep, a camera-touting military faniac, and a window-gazing beauty.
Moments after exiting the classroom, Shinji spots a girl with short brown hair walking towards the stairs. He shouts out to her and gets her attention, she turns to see him coming and nearly stumbles down the stairs, but before she can Shinji quickly grabs her wrist pulling her to safety.
"Are you okay? That was a close one... sorry if I startled you." Shinji quickly apologizes to the young woman currently leaning against him as she tries to catch her breath. Before she even realizes what she's doing she has snuggled up against him, as Shinji struggles not to panic from the close proximity to this, as he's quickly realizing, attractive young woman. Who, once calm enough to realize what she's doing, quickly pushes away from a now puzzled Shinji.
"Um... are you all right? I'm sorry if I scared you." he mumbles, trying to end the awkward silence that's descended upon them.
"No! No, it's all right. No harm done... thanks to you." she quickly replies, avoiding eye contact with the young man who just saved her from a horrible fall.
"No problem. Um, actually I wanted to ask you if you've seen Ranma or Nabiki Tendo around here?"
"Nabiki?! Why are you looking for her?"
"I was told she was taking Ranma to see Kuno."
"Well, actually, I heard Ranma say something about meeting behind the school."
"Thanks." Shinji yells, as he begins to take off but stops to look back at the brown haired girl. "Are you sure your all right?"
"Yeah, thanks. Don't worry about me."
With her assurance that she's fine, Shinji gives a quick nod before dashing down the stares leaving the girl alone atop the stairs. She takes a deep breath and exhales deeply trying to calm her nerves.
"That was a close one. He sure is fast and... strong." she says, rubbing her wrist as she thinks of how strong his grip was as he grab her and pulled her into his strong arms.
Blushing slightly at that last thought, she quickly shakes it off and leaves to follow them as Akane steps out from around the corner.
"Oh, Nabiki?!" she says, disappointed in her sister's actions.
Shinji quickly runs behind the school carrying a tea kettle he borrowed from the school cafeteria. He serves the area as the sound of a falling tree catches his ear, running towards the sound he finds a sight so sad it's funny... as Girl-type Ranma struggles to escape the grasp of a obviously love struck Kuno.
"Should I help him... or should I let him suffer a little?"
"Hey, let go! Will ya?!" Ranma yells out as Kuno only tightens his grip yelling... "I will never let you go, my love!"
"I better go save his butt."
Shinji walks over to the enraptured Kuno and with a tug of her pigtail removes Ranma from his grasp causing Kuno to fall over as he places Ranma down behind him.
"Who dares separate me from my love?!" Kuno shouts, as he jumps to his feet and comes face to face with Shinji.
"I guess that would be me?" Shinji replies as he slides the tea kettle behind his back to Ranma and whispers... "Use this while I distract him."
"Thanks. I'll be right back." Ranma whispers, as she quickly makes her escape.
Shinji steps forward placing himself between Ranma and the enraged Kuno.
"Answer me! Why do you interfere, Ikari? What worry is she of yours?!"
"Well, actually..."
"Oh! I see..." Kuno says interrupting Shinji, who's puzzled by his sudden grasp of the situation.
"You and the pigtailed girl are... together. Am I not correct." Kuno stoically says pointing his sword at Shinji like something out of a samurai film.
"Me and... Together?! No! No way?!" Shinji yells, realizing what he's implying and quickly denies it. To which Kuno appears upset, sensing that he's said something wrong, Shinji quickly tries to make amends.
"I mean... No, we are not together but she is an acquaintance of mine as well as my cousin. I am merely stepping in on her behalf."
"Ah, I see. You wish to challenge me on her behalf."
"Um, something like that."
"Very well, as I had to do so anyway... I accept your challenge." Kuno announces proceeding to produce from seemingly out of nowhere another wooden sword.
Shinji is surprised by the sudden unveiling but quickly catches the sword as Kuno throws it to him. As the two drop into a fighting stance from a nearby bush Ranma watches and is surprised to be joined by Nabiki and seconds later Akane.
"Hey, what are you two doing here?!"
"I followed Shinji after he left class in such a hurry." Akane answers, looking to Nabiki whose eyes speak an unspoken question to which Akane nods in response. Nabiki goes to speak but is silenced as a sudden yell signals the beginning of their dual.
They watch as Kuno and Shinji charge one another and quickly unleash a flurry of thrusts and slashes which they both manage to avoid. They both retreat momentarily as they circle each other looking for an opening, which Kuno finds as he charges forward and unleashes a slash which misses Shinji but cuts threw a nearby chain link fence. He is quick to recover and follows up with side-wards slash, which slices threw the air with a tremendous force catching Shinji in the stomach throwing him a great distance. But, Shinji is quick to redirect his momentum and rebound of a nearby tree, propelling himself forward. His sword aimed straight ahead at Kuno's throat, but at the last minute he pulls the sword back going headfirst into Kuno's midsection instead. The combatants return to their feet, each breathing heavily with a smirk across their faces.
"Interesting tactic, using your body as a weapon." Kuno states, dropping back into his stance.
"Well, I am a student of Anything-Goes Martial Arts... besides a schoolyard is no place for bloodshed." Shinji coolly replies, tightening his stance as that smirk returns to his face.
"That it is. Well, shall we continue?" Kuno agrees.
The three watching them are amazed as the fight resumes, each following the fight with their own set of concerns. None hearing the banter exchanged between the combatants from their viewpoint.
"They're so fast!" is all Nabiki can say as the fight continues.
"I knew Kuno was supposed to be good, but... Ranma, did you know Shinji could fight like this?"
"I had no idea... I mean... yeah, with his fist but... I knew he had some training, but this is news to me." Ranma answers Akane's query.
"So, um... who's winning?" Nabiki asks.
"Neither." Ranma answers.
"What do you mean... neither?!" she yells back.
"They're testing each other... I don't think either is going for the win."
"Amazing." Akane says, which is the sentiment shared by all three.
As they try to come to grips with what they're witnessing, the combatants prepare to launch what may be their final assault.
"Your quite skilled... in need of refinement but skilled." Kuno says, never dropping his stance.
"I'll take that as a compliment coming from the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High." Shinji replies, as big smile gracing his lips.
"That you should... now, let's end this!"
"As you wish!"
They charge once more each unleashing a final blow that staggers the other. They both freeze for a moment as if frozen in time before they both drop to a knee as they gasps for their breath, each breaking into a laugh of utter joy.
Seeing that the fight is over Akane and Ranma rush to Shinji's side, as Nabiki remains where she is. An interesting observation driving her thoughts...
"He's so different. He's usually so timid. But, when he fights..."
She watches as Shinji rises to his feet and walks over to Kuno extending his hand which Kuno gladly accepts.
"You are... what I've been waiting for! Someone of nearly equal skill to my own... Ikari, will you honor me by becoming my sparring partner?"
Everyone is caught of guard by the sudden change in Kuno's behavior, none more so than Nabiki who's made something of a career out of dealing with Kuno. Everyone looks to Shinji who seems to have blanked out somewhere in the middle of Kuno's request.
"Hey, Shinji. You all right, man?!" Ranma asks.
"What... um, yeah, I mean sure I'd be honored." Shinji replies, his surprise clearly seen upon his face.
"Perfect and now... for you Saotome!" Kuno points his sword at Ranma who looks surprised by his declaration.
"What?! What do you want from me?"
"You are the one who knows where my pigtailed goddess lies! Take me to her!" Kuno shouts his blind fury from before returning.
"Well, this is where I step out. Ranma, take it easy on him and Kuno... thanks."
"Ah, it is I that should thank you, noble Ikari. Now, Saotome... have at thee!"
Shinji laughs as he walks away leaving Kuno to be dismantled by Ranma, and there isn't a doubt in his mind that's how it's going to turn out. As he turns the corner he hears Kuno yell... "Her soul... and her body?!" ...and can only imagine what was said to get that reaction out of him.
"Kuno... if you would only focus as you did just now, all the time... you might even stand a chance against Ranma."
A sudden agonizing cry in the distance causes Shinji to stop and look back as he shakes his head ruefully.
"Then again... maybe not."
Reaching the school entrance, Shinji stops once more as a sudden sense of being watched overcomes him; he stands there for a moment before entering the school. In the distance, stands a track suit-clad young man, who's going to have a profound impact upon Shinji's future.
To Be Continued...