ALTERNATE FUTURE

By: James Lee

Disclaimer: These are not my characters. Suing me will get you nowhere.

*Spoiler Warning*

Part 8
"I'm gonna kick your ass this time Hydrosexual!" Said Asuka as she and Ranma walked to the NERV pilot fitness center. Although she meant every word of it, Asuka had the sagging feeling that she was going to be on the learning end again. Ever since they had started practicing three weeks ago, Ranma had proven, if anything, that he was an expert martial artist. No matter how fast, how agile, or how sneaky she got, Ranma would always pull something on Asuka that would throw her off. It was frustrating as hell. Still, she had to admit that she was beginning to feel better about her combat skills and herself in general. And besides he looked really good when he took his shirt off to cool down. *Where did that come from!?*

Asuka looked back at Ranma. He was becoming a mystery to her. Why was he trying to help her? Since he'd gotten here she had treated him like shit, yet here he was trying to help her be a better pilot. Then there was that stunt he pulled during the attack of the 14th angel. Why had he done that? Why had he put himself in danger just to keep her from getting her head cut off? Why did it bothered her that he had done that? *I...he ..couldn't...NO! You don't need anyone Asuka!*

Ranma looked at Asuka as they walked. He was quite surprised when he started teaching her. He found that she already knew some basic hand-to-hand from her EVA training in Germany and she was in great shape. But what he had to really admire, was the way she put her all into it. Once Asuka put her mind to something she gave it everything she had. As that she now had her mind set on "kicking his ass", Asuka would stay up late practicing and taking her body to the limit.

Asuka was getting better too. She was proving to be a fast learner and a very sneaky opponent. Just yesterday she nearly got a few good hits in when she had come to practice wearing a very revealing Gi. (Think Mai from Fatal Fury) *Hope she wears that outfit again.* Suddenly Ranma felt a chill come over him. Grabbing Asuka, he stopped.

"Hey!? What's the big deal!?" Yelled Asuka.

"Something's not right."

"What do you mean som..."

Asuka stopped as she saw two men approaching them. The men were wearing standard NERV uniforms, but had on ski masks. Deciding to take another route, Asuka and Ranma turned around only to see two more men behind them. The leader, who was dressed in a blue uniform, snapped his fingers and pointed to them. At that command one man from each side charged Asuka and Ranma, each armed with a spray can.

Asuka saw the spray can the man was carrying and decided that what ever was in it was not good for her health. Using her newly acquired skills, she kick the can out of the man's hand before he could use it. She then tried to use a judo throw on him. This proved to be a mistake as she was used to doing this with Ranma. This man unlike Ranma however, was twice her size. Instead of throwing him, Asuka ended up tripping him on top of her.

While Asuka fought the man that charged them from the front, Ranma turned to fight the man in back of them. As he turned however, he got sprayed in the face. Ranma could feel himself getting dizzy and he started to stagger.

The man looked at Ranma in surprise. One dose of this stuff could bring down a horse, yet this kid was still up. It looked like he was going to need another dose.

Although his vision was slightly blurred, Ranma could see the man approaching with the can again. Dispite still being dizzy, Ranma was ready this time. Striking the can out of the man's hand, Ranma punched him hundreds of times in only a few seconds. He then threw the dazed man into the leader.

Suddenly Ranma heard a loud bang. Turning towards Asuka, he could see that the man that she was fighting was no longer moving. Asuka had crawled out from under him with a smoking gun in her hand and blood splattered on her school uniform. *Where the hell did she get that!?* The man that was still standing drew his gun and aimed it at Asuka. Ranma could see that Asuka wasn't moving. She just sat there looking at the man she'd just shot with a stunned look on her face.

"ASUKA!!" Realizing that Asuka wasn't going to react in time, Ranma threw himself in front of her. He heard another loud bang and felt a sharp burning pain in his left shoulder. Ranma could feel himself being thrown back onto Asuka's lap.

After she had accidentally tripped the man on top of her, Asuka and the man had struggled. The man was trying to pin her down while Asuka was trying to get out from under him. While she squirmed, Asuka felt a handgun. Without thinking, Asuka pulled the weapon out and squeezed the trigger. Only after the gun fired and the man stopped moving did she realize what she had done. After she crawled out from under him, Asuka couldn't move. She could only look at the corpse.

*What the hell's wrong with you Asuka!? You've been in combat before!* Thought Asuka, but before it had always been some hulking monstrosity at the other end of a view screen. This was a human being. Asuka had seen the man's face when she pulled the trigger. She saw the look in his eyes. She had felt his breathing stop. For reasons she couldn't understand, she felt that she had done something horribly wrong.

Asuka heard a gunshot then felt something crash into her lap. Turning to where the gunshot came from, Asuka could see the thug that was behind them reaiming his gun at her. She then heard two more gunshots. She could see two small red holes appear on the mans chest before he fall backwards. Asuka looked over to where the two shots had come from. She could see the leader getting up, his gun smoking. As he got up, he took off his mask. "K-Kaji?"

Kaji looked at Asuka with an apologetic look on his face. He then heard something moaning at his feet. Pointing his gun down, Kaji shot the last thug twice in the back. He then ran off. Asuka could only watch him leave.

"A-Aus-ka.." Asuka looked down to find Ranma on her lap clenching his shoulder. She could see blood coming from where his hands where at. More blood came from a wound on his back. Her brain finally catching up with her, Asuka grabbed a school bag and started begging through it. Wether it was hers or Ranma's, she didn't know or care. Taking out a cel-phone, Asuka began dialing the number for headquarters. Her hands were shaking so badly that it took three tries to get the number right.

<Central Dogma, Ibuki speaking.>

"H-Help. We need help."

<Asuka?>

"W-We've been at-attacked. S-Section 4. P-Please s-send help." Asuka placed the phone down as the shock of everything that had just happen overcame her.

<Asuka?.......ASUKA!?>

Kaji ran into an elevator that would take him to the surface. As the doors closed, Kaji started pounding the walls with his fist. He cursed SEELE, his orders, his incompetent help, and himself most of all.

Kaji's plan had been simple enough. Grab the Saotome kid, find out what SEELE wanted with him, then somehow get him released. Instead Ranma had turned out to be an even more powerful fighter than he expected. Then that fool Kitazaki let Asuka get hold of his weapon. What had been a simple snatch and grabbed, quickly turned into a blood bath.

Kaji took out his gun and loaded in a fresh magazine. If he was lucky he could be out of NERV headquarters before anyone found out what exactly had happened. He would then have to leave the city. Where he would go he didn't know. He couldn't go to SEELE and it was about to become Kaji season in Tokyo 3. He was sure that if NERV intelligence didn't get him, Misato would hunt him down. "Kaji, I think it's time for you to disappear."

*****

Shinji and Rei, finally on their "date", were at a restaurant. Shinji was eating a small seafood platter while Rei was working on a large plate of vegetables. After a while Shinji, who was not to sure what to do, decided to at least start some conversation.

"Umm, How's your meal?"

"It's good." Said Rei not looking up from her food. Secretly, she was glad that Shinji had started talking to her. She was somewhat lost on what to do herself.

"Oh. Umm That's good. So, what movie do you what to see?"

"What movies are there?"

"Uhh well there's 'Gojira 2015'. Then there's that movie everyone's been talking about, 'THE BIG MOVIE'."

"What about the rerelease of that one Disney movie?"

"You mean 'Fantasia'?" Rei nodded. "Hmm. I heard it was one their good ones. OK." Shinji was actually glad she choose that one, he had been hoping to see it himself. Although he told Asuka that the only reason he played the Chello was because they told him to, he did like to listen to classical music.

"So um what's happen since I was 'away'?"

Rei blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Well I noticed Toji had a bruse on his face."

"Onna-Ranma punched him when he got too close to her. I think she is..." Rei searched for the right words. "...losing patience."

"Oh." Shinji didn't liked the idea that Ranma was beating up on his friend, but had to admit that Toji was being very thick headed about it. Shinji then saw Rei wince in pain.

"Are you okay Rei?"

"I do not know. I have been feeling pain in my leg. They have scheduled me for a doctor's appointment."

"I hope it's nothing serious. Umm I've noticed Ranma is teaching Asuka how to fight now."

"Yes, Ranma is teaching her Martial arts. How did you know?" Rei saw a look of displeasure appear on Shinji's face. "Do you find something wrong with that Shinji-kun?"

"Oh! Umm no. It's just....."

**BEGIN FLASHBACK**
Shinji hit the floor hard. Asuka looked down at him in contempt. "Honestly Shinji! How am I supposed to kick Ranma's ass when all I got for a sparing partner is you."

Shinji groaned. Shortly after he got back from the hospital, Asuka had asked him to help her with her practice. Shinji really had no choice in the matter, as Asuka had attacked him several times before asking, so he agreed to be her 'sparing partner'. *Practice Dummy's more like it.*

"Get up Shinji! This time use more force. Sometimes I think that penguin has more fighting skill than you."

Shinji looked over at the couch to see a bruised and battered Pen Pen sitting there, more than glad to watch someone else get the crap kicked out of them.
**END FLASHBACK**

"...she's become a little over enthusiastic. Do you think there's something more to it?"

Rei looked a little flustered. "I-I do not know."

Suddenly Shinji's and Rei's cel-phones rang. Taking their phones out, both pilots answered.

"Yes?"

[It's me, are you guys still at the restaurant?] Asked Misato at the other end.

"Umm Yes ma'am."

[Listen. Something's happened. We need you to report to headquarters right now. A car is coming to pick you up. Have you noticed anyone following you?]

"Ahh no ma'am."

[Good. There will be someone you know with the car. If any strangers come to you saying they're here to pick you up, do NOT go with them. Stay in the restaurant and try to get as much information about them as possible. What they look like. Where they're from. Who supposedly sent them.]

"Umm Misato what's going on?"

[I can't tell you right now, I have to leave. Remember stay in the restaurant!] Misato hung up.

Shinji looked over at Rei. "What do you suppose happened?"

Rei just shrugged. A while later Shinji was quite surprised to see Gendo walking up to the table. Shinji noted that his father looked somewhat relieved to see him. "F-Father!?"

"You're both okay. Good. Come, we must leave now."

"Ah Father what's going on?" Asked Shinji as he placed some money on the table and followed his father out of restaurant.

"I'll explain in the car." Said Gendo as he lead them to a NERV limo that was parked outside. Once inside and rolling, Gendo spoke to the two. "About half an hour ago, someone attempted to kidnap Ranma and Asuka. Soryu is unharmed but...Ranma was shot..."

Shinji gasped. He had heard that NERV had it's enemies. After all it wasn't the angels that had cut the power during that one attack. He had not however, thought about them coming after the pilots. Shinji looked over at Rei. She looked slightly concerned. He looked back at his father.

"W-When did this happen? Where?"

"Section four. While they were on their way to practice."

Rei's eyes widened and she moved closer to Shinji. "Commander Ikari. That is inside NERV headquarters!"

"I know. Most of the kidnappers are accounted for. They were all NERV personnel with security clearances." Gendo watched his son's own eyes widen at that. For once he couldn't blame his son. The idea of traitors so deep inside NERV was enough to disturb even himself.

*****

Nerima Present Day
Nabiki took a sip of her tea as she worked on the Nekohanten's books. After the fight with her family, Nabiki had gone out in search of Ranma. She wanted to show him at least someone cared for him. She had first gone to the Ucchan only to find Ukyo not there. Konitsu said that Ukyo left Nerima to figure out what to do concerning Ranma and that he had not been by.

Nabiki then went to the next obvious place, the Nekohanten. Much to her dismay, Ranma had not been there either. Having nowhere else to go, Nabiki ask if she could stay there in exchange for doing the books. Although the Colone was suspicious, she wasn't stupid. She hired Nabiki and now the Nekohanten was booming. Nabiki had even managed to arrange business visas for them. Colone also had her doing some waitressing. The old ghoul knew how to get the most of something.

Of course being a waitress at Nekohanten meant knowing martial arts. It was one of the attractions of the place. So Nabiki had to relearn skills she thought she had forgotten. She wasn't even as good as Akane, but she could catch a flying bowl of ramen. Nabiki could also see why Ranma didn't like working there. *The old ghoul really is a slave driver!*

Still working for a slave driver was more desirable than going home as far as Nabiki was concerned. She had never thought her family could be so stupid. Actually she could expect it from her father, who was living in the past almost as much as Kuno. She also wasn't surprised by Kasumi who had been raised to be a proper Japanese housewife. It was Akane that was the disappointment. Nabiki had thought that at least her younger sister had more sense. But no, Akane had thrown away the best thing she ever had and why? Because of a stupid belief. A belief that had no place in the modern world.

Nabiki at least understood the real world. To her, what happened to Ranma was pure stupidity. She heard of many nations and companies that had lost great advances to other nations simply because the inventor had the wrong skin color or was the wrong religion. Ranma was no doubt the greatest fighter of his generation and now they were just going to throw him away because his ancestors didn't have good jobs.

*I wonder where he is now?* Thought Nabiki. Ranma had not been seen since her father had kicked him out. At first Nabiki had thought that maybe he had run off with Ukyo. She had later found out however, that Ukyo was still roaming the country side ALONE. He had last been seen near the canal. There were those who even said he might have killed himself, but both Nabiki and Shampoo refused to believe that. If anything Ranma was not a coward. Still it was strange for him to just disappear without any trace. Nabiki did suspect her family knew something, but they were being very tight lipped about it. They obviously didn't want her to find Ranma, it would spoil there good name.

"You lucky me not Great Grandmother, Nabiki." Shampoo said as she entered the backroom. Nabiki jumped at being caught daydreaming. She was glad that it was Shampoo not Colone. If it had been there would be hell to pay.

Shampoo poured herself a cup of tea and, not bothering to sit down, started drinking. After working at the Nekohoten for the past few weeks, Nabiki had become friends with the Amazon. During that time Nabiki had discovered a few things about Shampoo that many people didn't know. The big thing being that she was alot smarter than she pretended to be. Nabiki had to admire Shampoo's perfect use of the stupid bimbo act. "Damn shift change already!" *Was I out of it for that long!*

"No, stupid Stick Boy here to see you." Said Shampoo shaking her head. Nabiki frowned, what did that stupid jerk want? Nabiki wasn't very pleased with Kuno. After Ranma had disappeared, Kuno had gone about saying how Ranma had obviously run from his noble sword. He then made sure everyone knew the "horrors" of the burakumin.

"Great. I bet my 'family's' out there, to make my day too." Shampoo shook her head. "No, Tendo's busy having another yard sale."

"There having another one? What is there left to sell?" Her family had run out of money a while ago and had resorted to selling things to get by. They have had five such yard sales and were now running out of things to sell. Not that Nabiki cared. As far as she was concerned, Nabiki had helped her family enough by convincing Shampoo not to hunt down Akane and kill her. She had done that because she didn't want to see Shampoo deported. This did not however, stop Shampoo from putting Akane in the hospital.

"They sell TV, furniture, and cooking pots."

"Kasumi's selling her cooking stuff? Sheesh they must really be getting desperate." *Good.*

"More desperate than Nabiki think, look." Said Shampoo holding out a flier. Nabiki took the flier and started reading it.

"Grand reopening....Tendo Dojo......be a martial artist like Akane..." Nabiki smirked while she read the flier. The real world was now catching up with her family. *Finding that your little samurai world isn't paying the bills, Daddy?* Nabiki then sighed. "Well I guess I'd better go see what Blue Blunder want's. The sooner I get this over with the sooner I'm ride of him."

Shampoo nodded as Nabiki walked out into the customer area. It didn't take long for Nabiki to pick Kuno out. He sat at one of the Nekohanten's long tables like a king on a throne. Putting on a false smile, Nabiki walked up to him. "Welcome to Nekohanten. What can I get for you?"

"Do not trifle with me Nabiki Tendo, times are serious."

Nabiki smiled more. "Oh? How's that Kuno?"

"No sooner have I freed the fair Akane from the low birth Saotome, has that cur Hibiki taken her." Nabiki frowned at that. It hadn't taken long for Ryoga to move in on her sister. What was worse was that her sister actually accepted him, even after finding out about his curse! She had forgiven him for everything, saying it was likely Ranma's fault. It was more proof to Nabiki that Akane really didn't deserve to have Ranma. Kuno continued talking. "But it is not the sorcerer Hibiki that brings me here."

"Really? So what does bring you here?"

"I search for my pig-tailed goddess. She has not been seen since I banished the foul sorcerer Saotome and I fear for her safety. Have you any word of her whereabouts?"

Nabiki was about to tell him no and get stuffed, but an even better idea came to her. She smiled as she walked around the self proclaimed samurai warrior. "I don't know if I could give you that info Kuno-chan. It would cost you a lot."

"I'll pay any price for my Goddess! Tell me now!"

Nabiki put a finger to her chin. "Ummmm 20,000 yen."

Kuno growled at her then pulled out a large wad of money. He Pulled out 20 bills and handed them to her. "There now tell me!"

"Are you sure you want to hear this Kuno? You're not going to like it."

"I care not!"

"Very well. The truth is that she left with Ranma."

"WHAT! My goddess with that dirt! It cannot be! What spell does he have on her!? Why!?"

"You do not want to know that Kuno! Besides you couldn't afford to pay for such a dark secret."

"Dark secret? You must tell me! I'll pay any price!"

"Are you joking? It would cost you at least 40,000 yen!"

Kuno pulled out more money. "Done!"

"Are you sure Kuno? This is going to hurt."

"I DON'T CARE!"

"Well it's because of your anti-burakumin campaign..."

Kuno blinked. "It is my duty as a noble lord to warn the public of such evil things. Lest not that another such as Saotome reside here. I fail to see what this has to do with my pig-tailed goddess.."

Nabiki smirked. *Now for the coupe de grace.* "Well Kuno the pig-tailed girl's real name is Ranko Saotome. She's Ranma's sister. You see she's BURAKUMIN too.."

Nabiki watched as Kuno's face went white with horror. It then became red with rage. Throwing the table out of the way, he drew his bokken. "YOU LIE!!"

Kuno started to attack, destroying everything in his path. Nabiki dodged his attacks. "Why else do you think she left with him?"

"It is his foul sorcery!" Yelled Kuno as he destroyed another table in an attempt to strike Nabiki down. Kuno was so angry that Nabiki could easily read his moves. She was able to dodge his attacks and get in a few good hits. Kuno was so enraged however, that he didn't even feel them.

"Yeah right Kuno! And how do you explain the fact that she and Ranma look alike!"

"ALL LIES!" After destroying six tables and over a dozen chairs, Kuno finally got her in a corner. Nabiki braced for the blow that would bash her skull in. It never came however, as a mace impacted on the side of Kuno's head sending him out of the restaurant. Shampoo, who had been watching the proceedings from the kitchen, had decided to jump in. Walking up to the door, she sneered at Kuno.

"Stick Boy too stupid no see truth in front of him! Why you think Shampoo and Ukyo never go after Ranko when she so close to Ranma!? It because she same blood as Ranma. Now you no come back!" Said Shampoo as she slammed the door in his face.

"Thanks for the save Shampoo." Said Nabiki as she got up off the floor. She then heard someone clearing their throat. Nabiki knew who it was, sighing she looked around the restaurant. The place was a wreck. What customers that had been there had run for the hills when Kuno had started his attack. Aprouching the small figure on a stick, Nabiki handed her the money she had gotten from Kuno. "I'm sorry Great Grand Mother."

"For what, telling that fool the truth?" Colone looked around the demolished restaurant. "We're not going to get anymore business tonight. Start cleaning up."

Nabiki nodded and started picking up the debris.

*****

Tokyo 3 2015
"We appreciate your cooperation Major." Said the NERV intelligence spook as he accepted Misato's weapon and ID. He then turned for the door. "If you would follow me please. Ah Major? Major Katsuragi where are going!?"

Misato ignored the man. She knew they wanted to put her in quarantine, but right now she wanted to be with Asuka. The intelligence men where beginning to pull their weapons and force her to come with them.

"Major Katsuragi! You must..." The NERV spooks didn't have time to finish as they came face-to-face with a furious Ritsuko. "How could you let something like this happen!? INSIDE this faculty no less.

"B-but it was inside job..."

"Don't give me some damn excuse. What are you doing about it!?" Ritsuko continued to yell, scream, and generally tear them new assholes. Misato mentally thanked her friend as she continued down the hall in search of Asuka's room. After a short while Misato finally found her room. Entering, Misato could see Asuka on the bed curled up in a ball. She was in a hospital gown, her blood drenched school uniform was in a mound in the closet.

"Asuka?" No response.

"Asuka please. I think we should talk."

"Go away." Asuka muttered.

"Asuka If you think shutting everyone out is going to help, then your making a mistake..."

Suddenly Asuka's head shot up, her eyes flaring. "I'M making a mistake!? I'M not the one whose been sleeping with the enemy!"

(SLAP) Misato lowered her arm and quickly grabbed Asuka in a hug."Gomen nasie Asuka, Gomen nasie. I shouldn't have done that."

Asuka began to struggle out of Misato's arms. Misato tightened her grip on the child. "L-Let me go! I don't need your help! Ju-Just leave me alone!"

"Asuka please. I know you think you don't need anybody, but your wrong. Closing yourself off from the world won't help. I know. I've tried it." Misato looked down at Asuka. Asuka wouldn't look at her, but she had stopped struggling. Misato continued. "You see, when my father and the others died in Second Impact, I just shut down. For two years I didn't talk to anyone. When someone finally did snapped me out of it, I cried for hours. After a while however, I realized that pushing away the rest of the world hadn't helped. That I didn't start feeling better until after I started talking about it. So please Asuka. Talk to me."

For a moment things were quiet, then Asuka began sobbing. "W-Why Kaji? (sob) Why did he d-do that?..."

Misato stroked Asuka's hair as she cried. "I-I don't know Asuka. I don't know."

"B-But I...I..l-lov.." Misato held Asuka tighter. She could feel tears welling up in her own eyes. "I know you did Asuka. I did too." *Kaji you son of bitch! If I ever get my hands on you...*

"I-I don't know who to trust anymore Misato." Misato looked at Asuka. She could see why Asuka would feel that way. Kaji was Asuka's idol. He was also one of the closest of the few friends she had. Misato thought for a second. "Well you still have me, and Shinji, and Hikari, and Ranma.."

"BAKA!" Asuka pounded her fist on Misato's shoulder while she cried on the other one. "Stupid hydrosexual baka! Why does he do stupid shit like that?"

"Saving your life is not stupid Asuka. As to why he did it? Maybe it's because deep down Ranma cares for you."

"C-C-Cares for me?"

"Yes I think he cares for you. It's not a crime Asuka. Maybe you should give him a chance."

"I-I don't know Misato. I don't know."

*****
Nerima Present day
Dropping the broom and dustpan, Nabiki collapsed onto one of the few remaining chairs in the Nekohanten. After Kuno's attack, Colone had decided that it was Nabiki's sole responsibility to clean up the restaurant. Colone, Shampoo, and Mousse were right now shopping for new tables and chairs. Nabiki then felt something land on her chest.

"AAARRRHHHAAAA! GET OFF LEECH!!"

Happosai jumped back from Nabiki's strike. He was surprised when he found Nabiki alone in the Nekohanten. He was even more surprised when he found that she had seemed to have learn martial arts. "Nabiki! What you doing here all alone?"

"I work and live here now!" Nabiki frowned, there was no way she could take Happosai on. Yet another draw back to Ranma's disappearance, there was no one to keep the old pervert in check. Colone didn't bother with the freak and Pantyhose hadn't been seen for months.

"Living here now? Why aren't you living at the Dojo?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Oh? What? Does it have anything to do with Ranma? How is my student anyway?" Happosai hadn't been around for the past few months, so he hadn't heard about the whole burakumin incident.

"He's gone." Said Nabiki eyeing the panty thief nervously.

"What?"

"My family kicked him out. For good this time."

"Kicked him out? For good? What did he do this time?"

"He didn't do anything, my family found out that he was burakumin."

"Burakumin hmmm." Happosai frowned for a moment, then he face lit up. "That means Akane's undefended! YIPPEE!"

Nabiki watched as Happosai bounced out of the room. *hmph! Have fun.* Nabiki then looked at the phone. *Maybe I should warn them............NAHHH.* She then felt her stomach growl. After spending five hours cleaning the Nekohanten, she was just realizing how hungry she was. Looking at the kitchen, Nabiki shook her head and walked over to the phone.

The food at the Nekohanten was good, but after eating it three times a day, seven days a week, you tend to get tired of it. Taking out the phone book and counting what little money she had on hand, Nabiki start looking for some good take out.

"Let's see..Ucchans is still closed.....too pricey....not that hot......no.....no.......hmm, Pizza Inn." Nabiki opened a drawer and pulled out a piece of cardboard that had been taken off a box. Picking up the phone, Nabiki dialed the number.

(Ring)(Ring)(Click) "Hello.."

"Yes, I have on of your buy two large two topping pizzas for 1600 yen coupons."

"You have reached the Goddess Technical Help Hotline. A trouble consultant will be with you shortly..."

Nabiki hanged up the phone. *Opps. How did I get the number wrong?*

"Nabiki...."

Nabiki eyes flared and she whirled around. "Dammit Kasumi for the last time...huh?" She found herself looking at a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes. The woman also had strange marks on her face. "Oh! Excuse me, I thought you were someone else...Umm sorry we're closed.."

"I've come to see you Nabiki Tendo." said the strange woman.

"Ahh me? Umm who are you?"

"I am the goddess Belldandy and I have come to grant you a wish. But only one wish."

"Ahh Right." *She's either loony or she's pulling my leg.*

"Oh I'm not loony Miss Tendo. Nor am I pulling your leg."

"Whhaahh!?" *Great she can read minds. Well this is Nerima so there's no reason why she can't be a goddess, after all we have everything else roaming around here. Now what would Ranma do when faced with a goddess? He was the one who usually dealt with that kind of stuff. (heh) Hell he was a pig-tailed goddess.*

"Who is Ranma?" Asked Belldandy.

"Would you please not do that."

"Sorry."

(sigh) "Ranma was just this guy I knew."

"Oh would you like to talk about it? It might make you feel better." Said Belldandy with an honest expression on her face.

Nabiki looked at the woman skeptically. She didn't now why, but she felt she could trust this Belldandy. It was like this aura of trust surrounded her. Taking a deep breath, Nabiki began.

"Ranma's father was a friend of my father. They had decided before any of us where born that their children would marry, bringing the Tendo line and Saotome line together. Ranma was engaged to my sister Akane. At first I didn't care for him.."

"When did you change your mind?"

Nabiki looked at her then sighed. "It started....."

**BEGIN FLASHBACK**
Kobungo slammed Nabiki against the wall and pulled back his fist. "This for all the money you took from me bit....Wah!?"

Kobungo was suddenly pulled off Nabiki by a very angry Ranma. Nabiki backed away as Ranma pushed the boy to the wall. Bringing his face up to Kobungo's Ranma growled.

"How dare you beat up on a girl!"

"I wouldn't be so fast Ranma! Take a look at what she's been selling around," gasped Kobungo as he pulled a picture out of his pocket. Nabiki became nervous when she caught a glimpse of the photo. It was a picture of a topless Ranma-chan sleeping. Ranma looked at the picture for a moment then looked at Kobungo. "It's one of the pictures of my girl form she sells. So what?"

Kobungo gasped. "Yo..You knew!?"

"Of course I knew! I get attacked by the best martial artists in Japan on a nightly basis! Do actually think she can sneak up on me with a camera!? Yes I know she takes those pictures of me! I also know that the money from those pictures helps support her family!" Ranma slammed the thug to wall knocking him out cold. Ranma looked down at him and snorted. "Humph wimp!"

He then walked over to a stunned Nabiki. "You OK Nabiki?"

*He knew!?..He let...* "Um yeah."
**END FLASHBACK**

"Before then I thought Ranma was just some insensitive, freeloading, jerk. That day I saw what all the other girls saw in him. The fact that Ranma cared. I guess that's when I first fell for him." Nabiki was now leaning on Belldandy's shoulder as the goddess listen intently.

"So did you try to make him yours?"

"Yes I did."

"It didn't work?"

"Oh no! It worked. (heh) I got Akane so mad that she just gave him to me."

"So what happened?"

Tears started to well up in Nabiki's eyes. "I-I found out that he was already in love with someone else. Someone that I thought loved him too. My own sister."

"So what happened then?"

Nabiki started crying. "Af-After a while they found out something stupid about him. S-Something so stupid. T-They kicked him out. Then h-he disappeared. No one knows where is."

"I see."

"I just wish I could be with him, (sniff)knowing that he was OK. I....Huh....YAAAAAAHHH!!"

*****
Tokyo 3 2015
Gendo sat at his desk thinking of the days events. He was sure that what happened today was SEELE's doing. Although the only person that could confirm that was now missing. Mr. Ryoji was not stupid. Still Gendo had to wonder where Kaji would go. From what little they could get from Soryu, Kaji shot the other two men. This made Kaji a traitor to both SEELE and NERV. Not a very good idea.

There were more important problem's however, than Mr. Ryoji's whereabouts. Namely the fact that NERV was now down to one pilot. One that currently may be emotionally tramatized. Gendo had unit 01 on freeze orders and wasn't about to use it anytime soon.

Ranma's wound did look worse than it actually was and he was out of the hospital. However he was going to be out of action for at least a week.

The worst however, was Rei. Rei's medical appointment had been moved up and after an examination, it had been found that her leg was developing complications. It was not healing properly and would have to be reset. This meant that Rei was going to be out of action for a much longer time than expected and even then she may not be able to walk straight.

It became apparent to Gendo that NERV was going to need a new pilot to act as an emergency backup and possible replacement for Rei as primary pilot for the new EVA if necessary. Turning to his computer, Gendo brought up the file "Maldock Report". He then looked up the name at the top of the list. *Hmm Kaoru Nagisa.*

Gendo then picked up the phone. "Major Katsuragi, Dr Akagi. I want to speak to you now." Not looking at his computer screen, Gendo didn't notice it blur then refocus.

A short while later Misato and Ritsuko both walked into the office. Gendo looked at them as he spoke. "As of now no pilot is to walk outside alone at any one time. They are to travel with other pilots or trusted NERV personnel. Major Katsuragi, there are some other security arrangements that are needed. We will discuss them tomorrow." Misato nodded her head.

"Also I am transferring Rei to your apartment, Dr. Akagi. Along with the new pilot. Rei doesn't have much, so there should be room. Do you have a problem with this?"

Ritsuko blinked "Ah No. I don't think so. Umm new pilot?"

"Yes. As a result of what's happen I've decided that NERV is in need of a backup pilot. The new pilots name is Kaoru Na....Huh How did I miss that?...Umm Correction the new pilot's name is Ms. Nabiki Tendo."

To be continued

Next:
Ritsuko looks suspicious!

Asuka looks jealous!

Asuka and Nabiki face off!

And Nabiki finds out just what she's gotten herself into!