ALTERNITE FUTURE

By James Lee

Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine. They are the property of their respected owners. Etc., etc., etc.

PART 3 Home and School

Ritsuko opened the door to her apartment then looked back at Ranma. He looked a little worse for wear, and she couldn't blame him. After he had awoken from his Asuka-induced slumber, he'd gone through a full battery of medical tests in both forms. Afterwards Ritsuko had taken him shopping for clothes and school supplies.

"Welcome to your new home Ranma." Ritsuko said as she entered her apartment. Ranma followed her in. The apartment was well kept and clean. There were cat collectibles all over. Cat pictures, cat calendar, cat pillows, cat clock, cat rug, toys that looked like cats.

"Well, what you think Ranma?...Ranma?" Ritsuko turned to see Ranma standing nervously just inside the room. He seemed to be eyeing all the cat collectibles everywhere. "Something wrong Ranma?"

"I-I don't know. Something about this place makes me uneasy."

"Oh? What?" Ritsuko couldn't see what there was to be uneasy about. The place wasn't a disaster area like Misato's had been when Shinji arrived. All her cat things were neatly arranged. There were no bags of trash all over the place.

"I-I don't know."

"Well your room is two doors down the hall, on the left. Why don't you get unpacked and get a bath while I make dinner."

"OK." Ranma left for his room. Ritsuko went into the kitchen and started to work on a meal. As she worked she thought about the boy that was now staying with her. She was a little worried about this. Before, she didn't have a cat because she didn't think she had the time to take care of one. Now she had a boy to take care of and she wasn't exactly sure if she could handle it. She thought about asking Misato for advice, but didn't want to go crawling to her yet. She also still didn't know if Ranma was human yet. Truth be told, she was a bit nervous about having Ranma in her home. However, Ritsuko was also a little excited.(No, not like that! Get your minds out of the gutter!) Although she wasn't sure about Gendo's decision, she had to admit that Ranma may prove useful. If Ranma was human and he could synchronize with an EVA, he could provide valuable data on the differences between male and female pilots.

A while later Ranma entered the kitchen to find Ritsuko sitting at the table, she was writing on a small note pad. On the table were two plates of food. Sitting at the table, Ranma began to eat.

Ritsuko watched as Ranma inhal...er ate his dinner. *If he eats like that all the time I'm going to have to ask for a special food bonus!* "Okay Ranma. I think I've worked out how we'll handle the chores. Are you ready."

"Mmm Hmm" Ranma nodded, not slowing down on his eating.

"OK here's how it will go. Everyday each of us will do half of the chores. Who does a certain chore will alternate each day. So I'll do dishes Monday, you'll do them Tuesday, I'll do them Wednesday, etc., etc. That's sound's fair, ne?"

Ranma swallowed. "Umm sure I guess so."

"Good! now it's getting late, so you better get some sleep. You'll be starting school tomorrow. You'll be in the same class as Asuka and the other pilots."

"Oh joy." Ranma dryly as left the table. After he left, Ritsuko put the note pad down and started to eat her dinner. *WHAT THE HELL!* She found her plate already half empty. *Why that little....I'm definitely going to have to ask for that food bonus.*

*****

The next morning Ritsuko awoke to a noise. At first she thought it might have been a prowler, but then remembered Ranma. Putting on a robe, Ritsuko went to Ranma's room. Opening the door she found Ranma had cleared a large space on the floor and appeared to be doing some sort of shadow boxing. Noticing her, Ranma spoke. "Ritsuko, I remembered something!"

"What Ranma?"

"This!" Ranma did another more complex kata. "I was a martial artist!"

"I see Ranma. Do you remember where you learned that?"

Ranma thought for a moment then looked down. "No, I don't. All I can remember is the moves. I can't remember when or how I learned them. Nor can I remember anything else. I stayed up half the night trying to figure out just who I am. But I can't remember anything. I can't remember my parents, where I went to school, nothing at all."

"It will be OK Ranma, perhaps you'll remember in time. Now I think you should get a bath and get ready for school. I'll start on breakfast." Ranma nodded and headed for the bathroom. Ritsuko went to the kitchen and started to cook. On a hunch she made a double portion for Ranma. Entering the kitchen dressed in his new school uniform Ranma, true to form, tore into his meal. *Um-Hm. Definitely need that food bonus.*

Ranma finished his meal(and a quarter of Ritsuko's) and was about to leave when Ritsuko stopped him. "Ranma wait. There are some things I need to give you."

Ranma sat back down. Ritsuko then put a bag on the table. Reaching into the bag, she pulled out a cellular phone and a piece of paper. "Keep this phone on you at all times. This is how we will reach you in case of an emergency. That piece of paper has the numbers for headquarters, and the apartment." Ritsuko then took out a small packet and handed it to Ranma. "Keep this on you at all times also. This contains your emergency orders. In case headquarters is destroyed, there's a power outage, or you're hurt, or any other thing. If you don't know what to do and can't reach us, open that packet and read. It will tell you what to do hopefully."

"Now your shape shifting ability has been deemed classified by NERV. I don't think you really want people to know either." Remembering the girl Asuka, Ranma nodded. Ritsuko handed Ranma a umbrella and a thermos. "Here's an umbrella in case it rains. We've already explained to your school that you can't take part in swimming classes. This is hot water to change back. DO NOT change back in public. If your stuck in a crowd pretend to be someone else."

Ranma looked at the thermos. "Umm...OK."

"Now hurry. You don't want to be late."

*****

Meanwhile at the Katsuragi Institute for the Mentally Unbalanced:
"Hurry up Third Child we're going to be late!" Yelled Asuka as she dragged Shinji to the door. Suddenly Misato stepped in front of them. "HOLD IT you two. I need to talk to you."

Asuka and Shinji went back to the table. Once they were seated Misato spoke.

"OK. Starting today Ranma will be in your class."

"WHATT!? The Hydrosexual is going to our school!?"

"Yes. And that's another thing. Ranma's shape shifting ability has been deemed classified and is considered a NERV secret. That mean's you're not to discuss it with anyone. Not your teachers, not your classmates, not ANYONE. Is that understood?"

"Umm Yes Ma'am."

"Yeah yeah."

"That goes DOUBLE for you Asuka!"

"All right all ready! I get your point!"

"Good! Now get to school."

*****

Ranma was walking on the fence headed to his new school when he heard a voice he didn't care to hear again anytime soon.

"What the hell are you doing up there!?"

Ranma looked down from the fence to see a girl with long auburn hair in a blue and white school uniform. *Oh oh. It's that witch Asuka.* There was also a boy and another girl with her. The boy had dark hair and was dressed in the same uniform he was. The girl had very pale skin and blue hair and was dressed in the same uniform as Asuka. *They must be the other pilots.*

"I said what are doing up there!?"

"I'm walking to school. What's it to you?"

"Are you stupid!? That's what they make sidewalks for!"

"Well maybe I like walking this way, especially if means I don't have to walk next to YOU!"

"GRRR FINE! I hope you fall and break your neck!" Asuka turned and start stomping to school. "Stupid hydrosexual."

"Uh hi I'm Shinji Ikari." Ranma looked back at the boy who was holding his hand up. Ranma knelt down and shook it.

"Hi Ranma Saotome."

"Yeah I know. Umm why are you up there?"

"I don't know. It just feels right that's all."

"Oh."

With that they started walking to school. While they walked, Ranma tried to get to know his fellow pilots. Asuka gave Ranma the cold shoulder treatment, to which Ranma replied with the I don't care look. Shinji seem to a bit nervous but otherwise all right person. The other girl Rei seemed to be the silent type, the VARY, VARY silent type.

*****

"Uhh Hi I'm Ranma Saotome." Said Ranma in front of his name on the chalk board. "I look forward to class here."

"Now I expect to you all to make Mr. Saotome welcome here. Mr. Saotome, you may sit over there next to Mr. Aida." Said the Teacher. Ranma moved to the desk he was pointed to. He was next to a boy with glasses and freckles. The boy was talking to Shinji.

"That's the new EVA pilot isn't it Shinji?"

Shinji looked at the boy. "Umm how did you know?"

"That's all my dad was yelling about last night. Couldn't you have put in a good word for me!?"

"Put in a good word for you?"

"Yeah! I do anything to pilot an EVA." The boy looked at Ranma. "What's he got that I don't"

*Besides proper flesh to bone ratio?* Thought Ranma. He then heard a voice behind him. "Don't mind Kensuke, he's got EVAs on the brain."

Ranma turned and saw a tall boy dressed in a sweat suit with short spiky hair. "Hi, I'm Toji Suzuhara."

"Umm hi."

"So you into any sports?"

"I think so."

Asuka watched as Ranma and Toji talked. "Figures, he get together with the three stooges."

"Is he really the new EVA pilot?" Asked Hikari.

"Yes, unfortunately!"

"So what's wrong? He's cute and he seems like a nice guy."

Asuka turned to Hikari. "Are you joking!? He's an idiot, a jerk, and he's weird!"

"Weird? What you mean?"

"HE...he.." Asuka remembered what Misato told her. "he's just weird all right!"

Before Hikari could ask Asuka for more clarification, class started.

*****

Ritsuko entered Gendo's office carrying a file. Approaching Gendo's desk she placed the file in front of him. Opening the file Gendo began to look through it. "Well?"

"We've gotten all the tests back. They all say he's human."

"And the girl?"

"The tests say the same thing for his female side. We still haven't figured out how or why he changes. The only thing we have found out, besides that water activates it, is that the change is complete down to the DNA level."

"What's this request for a FOOD BONUS?"

Ritsuko looked a little nervous then sighed. "He's got the right name sir. He eats like a horse. You saw him at hospital. It's nothing compared to what he's like at home."

Misato snickered while Gendo raised an eyebrow. "I'll think about it. Major Katsuragi?"

Misato stepped forward. "We haven't been able to find any Ranma Saotome in the records. The closest we've come is a Genma and Nodoka Saotome. They however were killed in a car crash shortly after they were married in 1979, no children."

"I see." Gendo began to think. Although he wouldn't admit it, he was very unsure about making this boy an EVA pilot. All the medical test stated that Ranma was human, but the fact that there was no record of him made Gendo uneasy. "Major schedule Saotome's polygraph test for tomorrow. I also want it backed up with a true serum test afterwards."

"Yes sir." Said Misato who then turned and left the office.

Gendo then turned to Ritsuko. "Unit 03 has arrived from the United States. Schedule the activation test for three days from now."

Ritsuko nodded and left the office. Gendo leaned back on his chair and began to think some more. Even if Ranma passed both the polygraph and the serum test, there would still be problems. Namely how to explain his decision to SEELE when they found out.

*****

It was raining outside when Lunch time came at the high school. Thus the pilots, Hikari, and Kensuke were eating in the classroom. Ranma was eating his lunch with the usual gusto. Asuka looked at him disgusted.

"Your a real PIG, you know that Ranma!"

"Who asked you!?" Retorted Ranma.

"Just pointing out the obvious. Doesn't Ritsuko feed you?" *Why doesn't Shinji put more food in these things!?*

"Sounds like love." Whispered Hikari.

Asuka turned to Hikari "WHAT!?"

"Nothing." Said Hikari smiling and shaking her head. She then returned to her lunch. *Strange? I could have sworn I put four meatballs in here.*

Kensuke decided to change the subject. "Man! It was real bummer, it raining like that in the middle of gym class. Hey Ranma. Where did you disappear to? I thought you were out on the track when it started."

Ranma stopped eating and looked at him. "Umm I was close to one of the entrances; so I-I just ran in when it started."

"Oh. I was just curious. It was like you just vanished." Said Kensuke. *Funny? I thought I had more rice than this.*

Toji walked up and flopped down on his desk. "Aww Man. I lost her."

"Lost who?" Asked Shinji looking up from his bento. He didn't notice the lightning quick hand that snatched an unsuspecting pickle from his lunch.

"The girl of my dreams. I saw her after gym class running inside from the rain. I tried to follow her, but she disappeared. I've checked all the classrooms, but I can't find her anywhere."

Hikari narrowed her eyes. "The GIRL of your DREAMS!?"

"So what's the girl of your dreams look like?" Asked Kensuke.

"She had this killer body. I mean she could give Misato-sama a run for her money. She had these big blue eyes and bright red hair done in some sort of pigtail."

"Urk!" Shinji choked on his tea. Rei raised an eyebrow. Hikari glared at Toji. Ranma looked nervous and a little pale. Asuka snickered.

Toji noticed Asuka. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing (snicker) nothing."

"You know something don't you!? Come on Asuka tell me about her!"

"Yeah Asuka, tell us about her!" Said a darker Hikari.

"Sorry (snicker) can't tell you. (snicker) Classified, (snicker) need to know information. (snicker)" With that Asuka ran from the room and burst out laughing.

*****

Later the four pilots were walking home from school. It had stopped raining and Ranma was walking on the fence again. Asuka was still snickering whenever she looked at Ranma.

"You know Ranma, (snicker) that's some boyfriend you've managed to catch. (snicker)"

"Awww shut up! I told you I'm a guy!"

"Yeah right! Honestly, I don't understand why they make a freakazoid like you an EVA pilot. What's next? They gonna put an angel in the cockpit?"

"At least maybe the Angel won't be a stuck up witch."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY"

"I SAID YOUR AN UNCUTE, UNSEXY, STUCK UP WITCH!"

"THAT'S IT! ARRGH" Asuka swung her bookbag at Ranma's feet, trying to take them out from under him. Ranma however, jumped over the swing. Landing back on the fence, he stuck out his tongue and went "NYYAHH". Ranma then took off down the fence running.

"COME BACK HERE YOU STUPID HYDROSEXUAL!" Asuka followed Ranma in hot pursuit. Shinji and Rei watch the two quickly disappear down the street. Shrugging, they continued on their way home.

To be continued.

Epilogue:
Six Blocks Later:
"come (huf) (huf) back (huf) (huf) h-here (huf) (hyaaahhh)" An exhausted Asuka collapsed onto the street. "H-He can't be human. No one can move that fast."