Misato Katsuragi was on her second hour of pacing back and forth in the control room of NERV. Dr. Ritsuko Akagi and her staff were checking, scanning and analyzing data as if their lives depended on it. Gendou Ikari was sitting in his usual chair silent and cold, merely observing but if one looked close enough they would see the worry inherent in his eyes.
"Well?! Have you found anything yet?!", Misato said frustratedly to Ritsuko.
"Nothing yet. All scans show negative. The EVA's have completely disappeared. They are nowhere in Tokyo-3 at the current moment. We are expanding our search to outside Tokyo-3 and reviewing the final moments of the battle in case we missed something. We'll find them!", Ritsuko said never once taking her eyesoff the screen in front of her.
"Find them soon.", Gendou said quietly from his seat. Misato continued her pacing once again and thought over and over about the image of the three EVA's starting to run away from the downed angel only to get caught up in the light when it exploded and then vanish completely.
{Where are you guys?! Wherever you are try and let us know! Hurry back. Without you Tokyo-3 is defenseless!}, Misato thought to herself and turned heading for the exit. "Ritsuko let me know the moment you find _anything_! I'll be in my office.", Misato said as she left, Ritsuko only nodding in response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning broke over Nerima and the sun slowly began it's daily ascent into the sky. The Tendo household was slowly coming awake with the usual morning sounds. Ranma and Genma out sparring in the front yard while Kasumi went about preparing breakfast. The latest additions to the Tendo household were just waking. Well one was anyways. Rei had been awake when Kasumi had gotten up and had been sitting quietly at the table since. Shinji was still blissfully asleep in dreamland. Asuka was the one just waking up along with Akane. The two yawned in unison and looked to each other blinking a bit and ending up laughing.
"Did you sleep alright Asuka?", Akane asked as she got out of bed and stretched a bit.
"Hmmm? Yeah! Slept like a rock!", Asuka said with a bright smile and got up as well stretching lightly herself.
"Good. I'm heading for a bath. Care to join me?", Akane asked gathering her clothes for the day.
"A bath? Sure thing! I think I could use one!", Asuka said with a slight laugh and the two went off to the bathroom. Downstairs Ranma and Genma's sparring match ended with Ranma splashing down in the koi pond outside. Ranma-chan grumbled to herself and trudged inside pausing a moment to glance at Rei, who had been watching the match passively from her position.
"Yeah? What are you looking at?", Ranma-chan asked a bit defensive.
"You.", Rei stated.
"......Whatever.", Ranma-chan replied after a pause and turned heading upstairs muttering to herself. A few moments of silence descended upon the house.
"PERVERT!!!!!", suddenly came the double cry of Akane and Asuka followed by the sounds of violence. A few moments later Ranma-chan came tumbling down the stairs and landed with a crash at the bottom groaning.
"Tomboys. Both of them.", Ranma-chan muttered to herself and sighed just laying there. She looked up a bit to see Rei sitting staring passively at her.
"Hey. Rei right? Where's Shinji?", Ranma-chan asked beginning to get up.
"Sleeping.", Rei said.
"Oh. I'd better wake him before those two do. First though. Hey Kasumi! Is there any hot water in there I can borrow?", Ranma-chan called out heading for the kitchen.
He was lost and scared. He didn't want this he just wanted to be alone for a little while. Maybe find a place no one else knew about that he could come back to when he wanted to think. Now he was lost and scared and everything looked so different. He was never going to get home ever ever again.
"You okay little guy? Are you lost?", a calm woman's voice called out to him from just behind him. Shinji turned around and looked way up into the smiling, yet concerned face, of a young woman. He blinked a bit as he stared at her taking in her kind face and long black hair held back in a ponytail. He found himself staring a bit more than he meant to. She was beautiful.
"Ummm....yeah. Kinda.", Shinji said nervously.
"I thought so. You looked it. Come on. I'll help you find your way home. What's your name Sugar? How old are you?", the woman said with a smile and held out her hand. Shinji blinked a bit and smiled lightly before he reached out and took her hand.
"Shinji Ikari and I'm eight.", Shinji said with a smile.
"Shinji huh? Well I'll bet your hungry huh? Would you like to get something to eat before I help you home?", the woman said with a smile. Shinji paused a bit and thought. He wasn't supposed to talk to strangers but she was nice and he was hungry.
"Okay.", Shinji said a bit nervous.
"Alright then Sugar. We'll go to my restaurant and I'll make you a couple of okonomiyaki. Oh you can call me Ucchan kay Sugar?", the woman said with a smile leading him down a street.
"Ucchan. Okay Ucchan. Thank you.", Shinji said with a smile and followed the nice lady. Suddenly he was doused with a bucketfull of ice cold water and snapped awake looking around frantically.
"Shinji you moron! Next time wake up when I yell at you!", Asuka shouted at him and tossed the bucket aside before she turned and exited the room. Shinji sat there soaking wet and blinked a bit in shock. Remnents of the dream returned to him and he swallowed a little.
"Ucchan.", Shinji whispered to himself and then sighed a bit and got up to go get changed and dry off. Ten minutes later he was dressed and downstairs. He sighed a bit seeing he was dressed identical to Ranma as they were both wearing a red chinese style shirt and black pants. He sat down at the table and just looked down at his food wondering about his dream.
"Hey Akane look. The twin perverts!", Asuka said nudging Akane before cracking up laughing. Akane blinked and looking over and began to snicker as well.
"Shut up you stupid tomboy!", Ranma snapped back at her.
"Ranma!", Akane shouted scowling.
"No it's okay Akane.", Asuka said with a grin on her face and looked to Ranma.
"What?!", Ranma asked suddenly.
"You think I'm stupid hmmm? Well I got news for you pal! You happen to be talking to Asuka Langrey Soryuu, Second Child! I, unlike you, am a genius. Compared to you Shinji's a genius and everyone knows what an idiot he is. As for being a tomboy I have more sexual appeal in my little finger than you have in your whole body. Either of them! As a matter of a fact I have men TWICE my age falling all over me so don't even try to insult me you macho perverted jerk! You'll never be able to think of one even remotely good enough.", Asuka said and then smirked. Ranma just glared for a minute and then turned and ignored her concentrating on his food. Nabiki clapped lightly from across the table and smirked.
"Point to Asuka. Very nicely done.", Nabiki said and Asuka just smirked more and bowed lightly.
"We aim to please.", Asuka said and then went back to her discussion with Akane intent on continuing when a sudden sound came from the doorway.
"Bwee!", the small black piglet that had just entered called out.
"P-chan!", Akane cried and held her arms out as the piglet rushed over and hopped into them. Ranma glared over at the piglet.
"Welcome back. Where'd you go and get lost to this time? Hokkaido?", Ranma said sarcastically to the P-chan who merely bweed back angrily in response.
"Ranma! Quit picking on P-chan! He's not Ryouga you know!", Akane said and glared at Ranma. Asuka merely blinked a bit and looked to Akane.
"Ryouga?", Asuka asked curiously, something nagging in the back of her mind.
"Huh? Oh. Ryouga's just a friend that comes around. He has a really bad sense of direction and gets lost a lot. I wonder where he is?", Akane said to Asuka.
"Probably closer than you think.", Ranma said in a low tone of voice all the while glaring at P-chan. P-chan however took note of the three new guests and bweed questioningly, ignoring Ranma.
"Oh P-chan! I almost forgot. This is Asuka. That's Shinji and that's Rei. They're from the future and we're trying to help them get back home! Isn't that exciting?", Akane said to P-chan who blinked and bweed back in response looking confused.
"Hey! Don't tell him that!!", Ranma shouted.
"Why not?! He's just a pig Ranma! Honestly!", Akane said with a light glare and turned to Asuka while Ranma just looked frustrated.
"I don't believe this. Well are we going to get going or not?!", Ranma said annoyed. Akane sighed and stood up.
"Fine Ranma! I'm just going to go and put P-chan in my room and then we'll leave!", Akane said and turned stomping off up the stairs. Asuka turned and glared at Ranma who glared right back. Shinji swallowed a bit and coughed a little nervously hoping to distract the two from fighting. It didn't work. He sighed to himself and thought back on his dream for a moment and then looked at Asuka.
"Ummm.....Asuka?", Shinji asked nervously.
"What do you want now Shinji?", Asuka said annoyed at having been disturbed from her glaring match with Ranma.
"Uhhh....I was just....wondering if you....really need me to go see this Cologne person or not. I was kinda hoping to....go look around the area a bit and maybe....", Shinji said trying not to look at Asuka's face.
"Go and see your darling Ucchan?", Asuka said mockingly and smirked as Shinji blinked in shock and turned a bright red and began to stammer.
"You know Ucchan?", Ranma said suddenly surprised and looked to Shinji.
"Not personally. We saw a billboard near the lot we woke up in. I think Shinji got a crush on her.", Asuka said and began to laugh as Shinji turned even more red.
"Asuka! I do not!", Shinji whined but didn't look up.
"Oh then why did you keep saying her name in your sleep huh?! You pervert!", Asuka said enjoying Shinji discomfort at the situation.
"I...I...I was just remembering something that happened to me. I think I...met her before....in the future. I just wanted to....check for sure.", Shinji stated a bit meekly.
"Oh alright do whatever you want Shinji. It's not like we need you anyways! Just don't tell anyone else we're from the future. And whatever you do don't talk with anyone, don't touch anything, don't do anything and don't get involved in any events! Got it?!", Asuka said and fixed a glare at Shinji. Shinji looked up and gulped but nodded.
"I will...I mean won't...I mean yes! I'll meet you back here later.", Shinji said and got up quickly leaving. Asuka waited til he had left and cracked up laughing once again.
"Why are you so mean to him anyways?! He doesn't do anything to you!", Ranma said not looking pleased with Asuka.
Oh shut up HydroBoy! You wouldn't understand!", Asuka said with a glare of her own. Ranma would've responded had not Akane come back down the stairs.
"Okay I'm ready. Let's go you guys. I better warn you though Asuka. Shampoo might think you're out to get Ranma. Better keep an eye on her.", Akane said as Asuka was getting up.
"What?! Yeah right! As if I'd want anything to do with him!", Asuka said and turned heading for the door. Rei remained silent as she followed Akane, Ranma and Asuka outside. The four walked along slowly heading for the Nekohanten. After a while of walking Asuka looked over to Akane. Something had been bugging her since they left.
"Akane?", Asuka asked.
"Yeah?", Akane replied.
"Who's this Ryouga guy you mentioned earlier? What's he like?", Asuka asked.
"Ryouga? Oh well he's a really good friend of mine. He's nice and mature and kind. He's a martial artist too. Almost as good as Ranma. He gets lost a lot though. It's a shame really. He's such a nice guy but he's so lonely a lot of time.", Akane said and shrugged.
"Oh. What's he look like?", Asuka asked curiously.
"Well he's big, a little taller than Ranma. He usually wears a plain yellow shirt and dark green pants, laced up around his shins. He also wears a yellow a black spotted bandana around his head and carries around a big pack and a red umbrella all the time.", Akane explained as the group walked along. Asuka slowed a bit and stopped thinking to herself Why did that sound so familiar? An image leapt unbidden to her mind of a warm smile and a friendly face. A helping hand. She shook her head to clear the images and smirked confidently continuing on her way.
"Are you alright Asuka?", Akane asked a little worried.
"Never been better Akane! Don't worry. Just a little thinking to myself is all.", Asuka assured Akane and the group continued on their way.
Cologne looked up as the doors to the Nekohanten opened. Her customers didn't usually come until later. She blinked a bit seeing who it was that came. Ranma and Akane stood there with two other younger girls, no more than fourteen by the look of them. The reddish haired young girl looked around the place with obvious confidence. She was one that was used to giving orders and getting her way. She also had a look in her eyes that said she could back up her confident exterior. The other one was most strange. Cologne had sensed the approach of them before they even entered the place, but she had not sensed this one. This one had short blue hair and unless her sight was going, red eyes. She seemed to stand, expressionless and passively take in their surroundings. Cologne was very good at judging people with a passing glance and these two new girls were, needless to say, a mystery to her. The red-headed one held herself like she was used to fighting and being in danger quite a lot but she did not have the look of a fighter. The other girl she could read nothing about. It was as if she just existed and nothing else. The Tendo girl was good at hiding her feelings but not this good. With a smirk Cologne leapt onto her staff and bounded over to the group.
"Well well Son-in-Law. To what do I owe this visit?", Cologne asked and regarded the group.
"Uhhh...we need your help Cologne. That is...Asuka, Rei and Shinji do.", Ranma explained.
"That's Cologne?! Where'd you find her Ranma, a museum?", Asuka scoffed and said with a light chuckle. Cologne turned and scowled lightly at the young girl who didn't seem in the least fazed.
"Show a little respect for your Elders child.", Cologne said threateningly.
"Whatever. HydroBoy here said you could be the only one to help us. Can you?", Asuka said confidently earning a groan from Ranma.
"HydroBoy? I see you know of Son-in-Law's curse. Well then what is your problem? I may be able to help.", Cologne said and moved over to the counter hopping off her staff and resting there. Asuka nodded and then quickly told about their dilemma, being from the future and the Second Impact as well as the fate of the world being in their hands. Cologne listened stoically all throughout Asuka's story and nodded briefly at the appropriate times.
"...so you see we have to get back as soon as possible. The future of all humanity depends upon us. Can you help us?", Asuka finished up and stared at Cologne whose expression hadn't much changed during the whole explanation. Cologne remained silent for a few moments before she nodded to herself.
"You pose an interesting story Miss Soryuu and an even more interesting problem. The only safe way I know of to traverse time and space is with the NanBan Mirror, and that has been broken.", Cologne said, her voice crackling like dry leaves.
"What?! Great! This is just perfect! The only way home is broken!", Asuka shouted back, her mood having been ruined.
"Child. Do not jump to conclusions. I said the only _safe_ way I know of was broken. There are, of course, other ways to traverse time and space, but these have considerable risk to the travellers, possible even ending in their death.", Cologne said gravely. Akane gasped in shock and Ranma just stared. Asuka and Rei didn't even flinch.
"Listen lady. I know here you might be a big deal but to me you're probably already dead. We are Eva pilots and as such we risk our lives everytime we go out to fight an angel. If we don't get back to our own time and soon we might as well be dead because the rest of humanity will be after the next angel attack! Now what is the best possible way for you to get us home!", Asuka responded and crossed her arms over her chest. Cologne raised a brow at the spirit of the girl before her. She was proud and confident and most definitely capable but she also could tell this was one that had to grow up too fast. She mentally shook her head in pity for the girl and cleared her throat, her expression having remained entirely neutral.
"Very well. I have none of the artifacts which are most commonly used for time travel. They have been kept by those who guard them and to retreive them now would be a waste of valuable time to you. I believe the quickest way for you to get back to your own time is for you to find that which brought you here and force it to return you.", Cologne stated and then stared back at the faces of Asuka and Rei.
"What?! I knew coming to see you was a big waste of time! The angel that brought us here was destroyed! It sent us here with some kind of self destruct mechanism!", Asuka shouted back.
"Are you so sure? You arrived here yesterday. It was yesterday I felt....something. I was not sure at the time but now I believe it was your arrival. It was a sudden disruption of the normalacy that pervades this place. This disruption was sudden and then it flowed into four distinct point of disturbance. You and your friends are three of those points. The other point is still quite far away and I have since lost what little tracking I had of it. Would you care to guess what that other point is, Miss Soryuu?", Cologne stated and grinned at the shocked look on Asuka's face.
"The angel! You said you lost your tracking of it?", Asuka asked urgently.
"I have. It just seemed to...fade away.", Cologne stated back.
"Damnit! That means it's healed itself. When we were fighting it back home it just kept appearing and disappearing all over the place. We couldn't get a lock on it's position! We have to find it! It might try and destroy mankind now and without NERV or the Eva's to stop it....", Asuka's voice trailed off.
"It will succeed.", Rei finished Asuka's thought, her voice even.
"So...what are we going to do?", Ranma suddenly asked.
"_You_ aren't going to do anything HydroBoy! Leave this to the professionals!", Asuka said to him.
"Hey! This is our city too you know. If something is going to try and destroy it, it's going to have to go through us!", Ranma shouted back.
"Yeah Asuka. I know a lot of people who would help and they are all very good martial artists!", Akane added. Asuka paused a bit and glanced over to Rei who merely was watching everyone.
"Alright fine, but if you guys get hurt, don't come crying to me! First we need a plan and for that we need Shinji here. I don't want to have to explain myself twice. HydroBoy? You know where this Ucchan's is?", Asuka asked.
"Yes I do, and stop calling me HydroBoy!", Ranma growled back at her.
"Okay okay. HydroGirl. Go get Shinji and bring him here!", ASuka said with a grin. Ranma blinked a bit and growled more, looking almost ready to hit her.
"Come on Ranma!", Akane said and grabbed Ranma by his pigtail, pulling him out the door. Asuka laughed and shook her head a bit before turning to Rei.
"Wonder Girl. You said you knew the way to that lot where we appeared right?", Asuka asked.
"Yes.", Rei replied.
"Well how do I get there from here?", Asuka asked. Rei paused a moment to recalculate the proper direction in her mind and then relayed them to Asuka, who nodded.
"Got it. You stay here, I'll go alone. I don't need you slowing me down. If Shinji and the others get back tell them to wait for me! Got it?", Asuka said and ran out the door without waiting for a response. Rei merely watched the doorway for a moment before turning to face Cologne. The two sat staring at each other, both of their faces a total mask of no expression.
"It appears it is just you and me, Miss Ayanami.", Cologne said calmly.
"Yes. It does.", Rei replied just as calmly back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shinji was glad he was alone as he walked along quietly into the market district of Nerima. He had his head down as he shuffled along thinking about several things. The main thing on his mind was that girl. The one in his dream. He paused to remember the time he had met her and smiled lightly. She was so....nice to him. She reminded him of his mother.....what he could remember of her that is. He didn't care how much taunting Asuka would give him, he just had to see her again. To make sure it was the same girl....and to thank her for her help.
He stopped in mid step and turned his head, finding himself standing in front of the Ucchan's. He turned and faced the doors, swallowing. This was it. He took a few moments to compose himself before stepping inside the restaurant. He stood at the door and looked around at the moderate busy place and soon his eyes found who he was looking for. She stood behind the counter wearing an okonomiyaki chef's outfit, complete with the black leggings. Shinji could blink in shock as he watched the girl's hands move at a blindingly fast speed while okonomiyaki's flew from the grill across the room in several different directions, only to land squarely on the plates of those who were waiting. The small crowd cheered and clapped. No matter how many times they saw this, it was still amazing.
Ukyou had been having a rather good day, as business was steady and no one complained about the service or the food. Not that they ever complained because she made the best okonomiyaki in all of Japan. She had just served everyone that was waiting when she noticed someone standing by the door. She turned with a wide smile on her face and was about to welcome the person when she noticed the clothes and smiled even more.
"Ranchan! Come in, can I fix you the.....huh? Wait a minute? You're not Ranchan!", Ukyou said seeing it wasn't Ranma, but a younger boy that couldn't be more than fifteen. He was shifting nervously and staring at her with a strange look in his eye...almost like he knew her. He was wearing one of Ranma's usual outfits but it was obvious just from looking at the way it hung loosely on him, he wasn't a martial artist.
"Uhhh....no. I'm not Ranma. Hello. I'm....Shinji.", Shinji said nervously, not moving from the spot.
"Shinji? Well Sugar, you'll have to come in, cause your blocking the door just standing there.", Ukyou said with a warm smile.
"What? Oh...sorry.", Shinji replied and quickly moved away from the door and took a seat at the counter.
"That's okay. So, you know Ranchan I take it. You're wearing his clothes.", Ukyou said.
"Uhh...yeah. I guess I do know Ranma. Sort of. He's helping me and my friends...uhhh....get back home.", Shinji replied and nodded mentally to himself. That sounded innocent enough. Asuka shouldn't get mad at him for saying that.
"Helping you get back home huh? Well that's my Ranchan. Always helping out those in need. So you hungry Sugar?", Ukyou asked as she began to make him an okonomiyaki.
"Oh...yes please.", Shinji replied and looked at her hands as the became a blur. {Wow. She's....something.}, he thought to himself as he looked back up at her smiling face and found himself smiling a little as well. Ukyou soon finished and laid the food down on a plate in front of Shinji.
"Eat up Sugar.", Ukyou said with a smile. Shinji nodded and took a few bites of the stuff and smiled a bit more. It tasted just like he remembered. It really was her. It had to be.
"It's...very good.", Shinji replied.
"Thanks Shinji. So where do you and your friends live?", Ukyou asked a little curious. Shinji paused in mid bite and swallowed what little food he had in his mouth.
"Uhhh....very far away. You...probably wouldn't know it.", Shinji answered hesitantly and kept his head down.
"Oh? Okay. So, who are your friends? What are they like?", Ukyou asked. She couldn't place her finger on it but there was something about Shinji....something that just....stood out. He just seemed so....different, so helpless. She found herself wanting to help him. He needed help. Her help, and she wasn't going to rest until she was sure he would be alright.
"....wish Asuka wouldn't be so mean to me all the time. Then there's Rei. She's nice but....she's so quiet too. She doesn't talk too much.", Shinji said having been talking while Ukyou was thinking to herself. Ukyou snapped out of her reverie and smiled a bit, hoping to set him at ease.
"Oh. Well I think maybe Asuka is just being mean to you because she doesn't want to admit that she likes you.", Ukyou teased a bit with small laugh. That should loosen him up. Shinji's eyes widened and he nearly choked on his food.
"A...Asuka? Like me?!!", Shinji responded and swallowed as he picutred a friendly Asuka. He couldn't help himself and shuddered lightly as he found that thought very....scary. He had gotten used to Asuka always being mean to him. He wasn't sure if her suddenly being nice would be a good thing. It would probably freak out too many people, himself included. He shook his head a bit to clear his thoughts and saw Ukyou was laughing and shaking her head lightly.
"Maybe not Sugar. I mean I don't even know this Asuka. I was just thinking, that's all.", Ukyou said and laughed a little more.
"Yeah. Uhhh.....right.", Shinji said and forced a small smile back as he tried to relax. Ukyou glanced around and noticed that the rest of her customers had left and they were alone. Now was as good a time as any.
"Shinji?", Ukyou asked sounding a little serious.
"Yes?", Shinji replied.
"Shinji. Is something wrong? You seem....nervous. Is there something you're hiding from me?", Ukyou asked, her voice holding concern. Shinji blinked a bit and winced lightly lowering his head.
{Great. She knows I'm lying. Now Asuka's going to be mad at me again. Oh well. She did help me before and she is one of Ranma's friends....so I guess it's alright to tell her.}, Shinji thought to himself and then slowly looked up at Ukyou.
"Uhhh....this is going to sound really weird....", Shinji began when Ukyou interrupted him.
"Shinji. I live in Nerima. The center of weirdness for the whole world. Whatever it is, I can handle it.", Ukyou assured Shinji.
"Okay then. Well...it's like this....", Shinji said and begn the lengthy explanation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asuka ran down the streets, heedless of the people in her way as she darted around them. She had to go back to that lot and check something out. She just had a feeling but if she was right, it would definitely help them get back home. She rounded a corner quickly and ran into the vacant lot skidding to a stop. She paused to catch her breath and quickly looked around. Seeing no one else in the area she nodded to herself and slowly approached the center of the lot. She paused a few feet from the exact center and swallowed a bit. She slowly reached out with her hand as if to touch something that wasn't there. A sudden arc of bluish energy just appeared out of thin air a few inches away and zapped Asuka's hand, which she quickly drew back.
"I knew it!", Asuka said to herself and rubbed her hand, which was slightly numb. She had been the first to wake up and when she looked around she saw Rei and Shinji still out of it. She immediately took note of there surroundings and their positions. They were laying on the ground like they had surrounded the angel. They had formed a trianlge with themselves each at a point facing the center. The angel had to have created the temporal portal which brought them here using itself as the center. After they had arrived it had fled to heal leaving them behind.
Asuka remembered back to her classes in Temporal Dynamics that as long as something or someone was not in it's proper time, it would be in a state of flux. This state of flux would radically change whenever that something or someone came in contact with the point of arrival. She had just found their point of arrival. Now all she had to do was inform the others, then find the angel and, somehow, force it to return to the future along with them. She nodded to herself about to turn and head back to the Nekohanten, when the far wall of the vacant lot suddenly exploded.
"Where is it?! Where did they move that stupid restaurant!?", a voice shouted from the hole as a shadowed form entered the vacant lot. Asuka lowered her arms from her face aend peered at the form as it came into view and she saw the person clearly. She gasped suddenly in recognition.
{It's him.}, She thought to herself, her mind replaying old memories.
Asuka was angry and scared and she just didn't want to stop running. She knew if she stopped running she'd have to face what was waiting for her back home and she didn't want to do that. She couldn't face that. She ran as fast as she could feeling the braches whipping at her as she ran past. She had left the city over fifteen minutes ago and was running through the forest now, not caring about the dangers. She just wanted to get away....away from what was waiting at home. Her foot caught a tree root and she stumbled fallign to the ground, scrapping her knees and elbows, but she still didn't stop running as she was quickly on her feet again, moving through the woods.
Why did this happen? Why? Was it because of her? It had to be. This wouldn't have happened unless she did something to deserve it. She had to run, get away, away from what was waiting at home. Just run, far far away. Was that a light up ahead? Just keep running. Don't stop. Whoever it is might take her back. Back home....to what was waiting for her. Suddenly she fel pain as she slammed into a tree and began to fall backwards, but she never made it. Someone had caught her. She groaned a bit and shook her head looking up into the face of the person holding her. She realized that it wasn't a tree she ran into but this person. She blinked her eyes a bit, her vision clearing and there looking down at her was a man.
He had kind green eyes and shaggy black hair held back by a yellow and black spotted bandana. He smiled a bit showing off what looked like fangs and she could only stare at his face in awe. She felt herself being laid down on a blanket or something soft anyways. Her mind was still a haze of conflicting thoughts so she remained quiet and merely watched as this man moved over to the fire and came back with a small bowl of miso soup for her. He held it out and waited for her to take it. She blinked a few times and looked at the soup as if she didn't know what it was.
"You want some soup?", the man, his voice as rough and ragged as his clothes and face looked, but also caring and concerned at the same time. She blinked several times again and then just took the soup from him and began eating, very sparingly. She really didn't feel like eating but she knew it would be rude to not accept. The man smiled back a bit and went over to the fire for a few moments returning with a small first aid kit. He began to take out a few bandages and other supplies while she watched.
"You seem to have taken a bit of a tumble there kid. What's your name?", the man asked as he looked up from his work.
"......Asuka.", she said to the man after a pause.
"Well Asuka. My name is Ryouga Hibiki. So what's a cute little girl like you doing out here in the forest. It's pretty dangerous out here you know.", Ryouga said calmly.
"I can take of myself! I'm a big girl! I don't need anybody!", Asuka suddenly shouted at Ryouga, who blinked a bit at the outburst. He then just smiled and nodded reasurringly.
"I know. I can see you are. Here you go. Some bandages for your scrapes.", Ryouga siad handing her the bandages and ointment. He watches with light amusement as she applied them, a bit sloppy but nonetheless effectively. He nodded to her when she was finished and smiled a bit. The two sat together just talking a little bit here and there, Asuka asking about Ryouga mainly and why he wasn't staying in the city among other things. After a while a silence pervaded the air between them while Ryouga tended to the fire and Asuka thought to herself.
"Mister Ryouga?", Asuka said timidly.
"Yes?", Ryouga replied.
"Ummm....is it....is it okay if I stay with you?", Asuka asked causing Ryouga to blink.
"With me? For the night?", Ryouga asked a little confused.
"No. I mean....forever.", Asuka said and looked down.
"Forever? Asuka....I....I'm not the best person to travel with. I get lost easily. Besides I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you.", Ryouga said trying to dissuade the young girl from her course of action.
"No they don't. Nobody cares about me. They're gone now. If they cared they would have stayed.", Asuka muttered to herself, sinking into a depression. Ryouga blinked a bit at the tone of her voice and the look on her face. He quickly pieced together what he thought happened to her and moved over to her side, putting an arm around her.
"Asuka. Listen okay? I know it seems that way but...it's not. I know for a fact that both of your parents love you. With all their hearts.", Ryouga said softly.
"Then why did they go away?! Why did Momma....why did she....", Asuka began trailing off as she began to cry again.
"I don't know. But I do know they didn't want to do anythig to harm you....it's...just the way things happen. You have to keep going though. Okay? I know all about what you're feeling now. I've been lost more times than you can count and the only thing that kept me going is that I knew if I stopped I'd never get to where I wanted to be. That's what you have to do. You have to keep going...keep living and you'll get what you want. You just have to be strong and fight for what you want. Don't let anybody ever tell you that you don't deserve the best. Don't let anyone get in your way either! You can get the best and be the best but you have to be strong and work for it. You understand what I'm saying, Asuka?", Ryouga said, his voice full of raw emotion.
Asuka was looking at Ryouga with wide eyes by this time her mouth hanging slightly open. He was just so....big and strong and right in her eyes. She found a small smile creeping onto her face, despite her situation and she nodded briefly.
"I understand. I have to be strong. I have to work for what I want and I want the best! I want to be the best!", Asuka shouted back at him, her voice full of conviction. Ryouga just smiled and nodded pausing to reach up and pull a bandana off his head. He brought it down and tied it around her head and ruffled her hair a bit.
"Good. Can you get home okay?", Ryouga asked and Asuka paused but nodded her face becoming serious.
"Yes. I can.", Asuka said evenly.
"Okay then. I'll be back to check on you sometime. Okay?", Ryouga added with a smile.
"I'll make you proud!", Asuka said with a small smile and then got up and took off back home. She knew what was waiting for her back there....but she had to face it. She had to be strong. Strong enough that she wouldn't need anyone ever again. Yes. She would be strong.
{It's him. It's really him.}, Asuka thought to herself as she stood and stared at Ryouga, who wasn't anymore than ten feet away. Asuka stared for several moments in awe at Ryouga, who had not noticed her and began to move off hoping against hope of being able to find the others. Asuka blinked a bit as she realized he was leaving.
"Hey! Wait!", Asuka called out and began to run for him. Ryouga stopped a bit hearing someone yelling at him. He turned around and saw Asuka running towards him. he blinked several times and then remembered her as one of the three at the house.
"Uhhhh....yes?", Ryouga asked.
"It's you. Ryouga Hibiki.", Asuka said with a smile as she stood looking up to him. Ryouga blinked yet again. She....knew him?
"Yes. Uhh....I gotta get going. I have to find Akane.", Ryouga said, getting a little uncomfortable.
"Oh! I know where she is. I can take you right there.", Asuka said with a wider smile as she glomped onto his arm. Ryouga swallowed as he blushed.
"Uhhh....okay Asuka.", Ryouga said, forgetting that she hadn't told him who she was. Asuka blinked at his words. This was the past. He shouldn't know her yet, and she hadn't told him her name. She looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"How did you know my name? I didn't tell you it.", Asuka stated.
"Uhhh....ummm....lucky guess?", Ryouga tried, but it was obvious Asuka wasn't buying it. She stared at him hard thinking who all knew they were hear. Her mind worked rather quickly with her memory and soon the answer clicked in her mind.
"You're the pig! You're P-chan!", Asuka half shouted. Ryouga paled and clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Shhhh!!! How did you know? Please don't tell Akane! Please! I....if she finds out....she'll kill me. I don't want to hurt her like that.", Ryouga pleaded with Asuka. Asuka paused for a moment and then sighed.
"Alright. I won't tell her. As for how, simple deduction. Other than people the only thing that knew about us was the pig and besides....both you and the pig wears the same bandana. You'd have to be blind not to see it. Anyways I guess since you know the basics I can tell you the rest. Come on. I'll lead the way to the Nekohanten and fill you in on our story as we go.", Asuka stated and once again with a smile glomped onto Ryouga arm and pulled him out of the vacant lot as she began her story once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the Nekohanten Shampoo and Mousse were sitting side by side at a table and actually talking pleasently. This wasn't very strange considering the fact the for the past half an hour Cologne had been locking in a staring match with the strange young girl who had been sitting staring back across the table at her. Neither one seemed even the least bit tired and ready to give as the silence hung thickly between them as the two expressionless faces just stared at each other.
"Aiyah. What you think going on Mousse?", Shampoo whispered.
"I don't know Shampoo. They were like this when I came home from getting the supplies for the week. I asked the old ghoul what was going on, but she didn't even hit me let alone say anything.", Mousse whispered back.
"Great-Grandmother no even hit you for insulting. Is very strange. Shampoo hope nothing wrong.", Shampoo whispered back when suddenly the sound of the door being opened drew both of their attention to the small group entering the restaurant. Shampoo saw Ukyou enter first, followed by Akane. She frowned and wondered what they wanted and then she saw Ranma enter and immediately was across the room glomped onto him.
"Airen! You come to date Shampoo yes?", Shampoo enthused and then blinked. She wasn't holding onto Ranma, but a small skinny boy dressed like Ranma who was staring back with wide eyes.
"Uhhhh.....", Shinji managed to get out.
"Shampoo! Let Shinji go.", Ukyou shouted a bit more harshly than she meant to. Shampoo did so though and frowned at Shinji.
"Where is Ranma, Imposter Boy!", Shampoo demanded.
"Uhh...I'm right here Shampoo and Shinji isn't an imposter. He just borrowed some of my clothes.", Ranma explained from near the door, and was immediately glomped by Shampoo. He groaned a bit and cast a nervous glance to Ukyou and Akane who were glaring at him.
"Hmph! Pervert.", Akane grumbled to herself and turned to look elsewhere.
"Shampoo. Now is not the time. we have more important things to worry about! Like the future of the world!", Ukyou stated. Shampoo blinked a bit, confused as she let Ranma go.
"What you talk about?", Shampoo asked curiously. Before anyone could answer Asuka's voice was heard approaching.
"See! There's the place. Come on.", Asuka's voice shouted and several moments later her and Ryouga walked in. Asuka immediately took stock of the situation and the glared at Shinji.
"Shinji! What did I tell you before you left! How many of these people have you blabbed to!?", Asuka shouted at him. Shinji winced a bit from the shouting.
"I....I only told Ucc....uhhh...Miss Ukyou. I'm sorry Asuka, but she knew I was lying.", Shinji tried to explain.
"Yeah yeah yeah. A likely story. I told you how dangerous it was to tell anyone else. You could be messing things up for us you know!", Asuka shouted at Shinji.
"Uhh....but you told me.", Ryouga said.
"Yeah but that's different! I'm the leader here and I decided it was necessary.", Asuka explained away and then sighed a bit.
"Asuka. We won't tell anyone else about you guys and besides...you'll probably need our help to get back home. Right now you've got the best martial artists in Nerima here to help you.", Akane said, trying to calm Asuka down.
"I suppose you're right Akane.", Asuka agreed. It was about that time that Cologne cleared her throat drawing attention to herself and Rei, who were both watching the group.
"I believe now that everyone is here we should get down to business. Miss Soryuu, if you would please explain what is going on to my Great-Grandaughter, Shampoo as well as Mousse, then we can plan our stragedy.", Cologne said evenly. Asuka nodded a bit and went into a briefer explanation for Shampoo and Mousse about their current situation.
"That's what we're doing. Also I have found our point of arrival in this time. Once the angel is discovered and captured we have to go back their to force it to return us to the future. Got it?", Asuka stated glancing around at everyone. Everyone nodded in assent, some a bit more hesitantly than others. After a few moments of silence Ukyou spoke up.
"There's just one thing I don't understand.", Ukyou said.
"What's that?", Asuka asked.
"How come you guys got...changed? I mean you said you weren't as strong as you are now. What happened? It just doesn't seem possible.", Ukyou stated. Asuka paused a moment and then just shrugged.
"I haven't figured that part out yet, but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.", Asuka said with a light grin.
"It is the Eva's.", Rei stated simply causing everyone to look at her.
"What?", Ranma asked.
"What are you talking about now Wonder Girl?", Asuka demanded.
"The reason we have had our bodies altered. It is the Eva's.", Rei said calmly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Misato nearly ran all the way to the control room after the call from Ritsuko came through. To say she was excited was an understatement. She had been a bundle of nerves for the past two hours since the disappearance of the Eva's and the pilots. She knew Ritsuko was doing her best for results trying to find out what happened to them, but it was still frustating to not know. That was why she ran into the control room and snatched up the phone, before anyone said anything to her.
"Hello?!! Hello!!", Misato nearly shouting into the phone.
"Oh my. Hello.", a soft and kind voice on the other end said.
"Who is this? Is it true you know where the Eva pilots are?!", Misato asked urgently. This call had just come into NERV and this person had stated that she had knowledge on the pilots. Despite the fact that this could very well be a prank call, any lead now was better than none.
"Oh yes. I do. They stopped by to stay for a little while and then went home, I hope. It was rather nice to have them. My name is Kasumi Tofu.", the kind voice said sweetly.
"Stopped by? Went home? When did they leave?", Misato asked surprised at how calm she was suddenly acting. Something about that voice just made her calm down.
"Oh...I believe it was....about twenty years ago. I think they should be home soon though. Oh my. Look at the time. I have dinner to prepare. Do not worry about your pilots. They are very nice children. Goodbye.", Kasumi said in her nicest tone of voice before the phone was hung up on the other end. Misato just stood there blinking in utter shock. The whole control room had heard the conversation, it having been on the speakers.
"Twenty years ago? But that would mean.....", Misato said her voice trailing off.
"That the were sent into the past.", Ritsuko finished her statement.
"Dr. Akagi! Look at this!", Maya, one of Ritsuko's assistants shouted suddenly. Ritsuko and Misato were suddenly crowded behind Maya looking over her shoulder at a display.
"What is it?!", Misato asked anxiously.
"It's the display of the last moments before we lost contact with the Eva's. All reading were normal until this point.", Maya said as she stopped the display. Ritsuko leaned in and scruntinized the rows of data and the multitude of numbers. Then she leaned back with a gasp.
"Is this the same for all three Eva's?!", Ritsuko asked.
"Yes Dr. Akagi. I checked each one. It's the same.", Maya responded.
"Well?! What is it Ritsuko!?", Misato demanded, getting impatient.
"Just before we lost all contact with the Eva's....something happened.", Ritsuko stated.
"Define something!", Misato said.
"In all three Eva's, the syncronization rates jumps from their nominal levels.....to over 1000%.", Ritsuko stated calmly.
"WHAT?! But....but...that's impossible! Can the pilots survive that level of syncronization?!", Misato asked, incredilous.
"I don't know. What I do know is at that level of syncronization, there would be no distinction between Eva and pilot. The two would be of one mind and body....", Ritsuko said, barely keeping her own calm. Misato gasped at that, eyes wide.
"One mind....and one body?", Misato breathed out in a whisper.
"Completely inseperable.", Ritsuko stated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So what you're saying here, Wonder Girl, is that somehow, when we got sent back here with our Eva's....we merged with them. That's why I'm stronger and your faster and Shinji is nothing but a glorified punching bag?", Asuka asked calmly. That would indeed explain some things she'd been wondering about.
"Merged?", Shinji asked, a bit confused.
"The Eva's are a part of us now. We are one with them. Inseperable.", Rei stated calmly. Silence prevailed for several moments as the implications sunk in.
"So how exactly do you know this, Wonder Girl?", Asuka asked a little annoyed.
"It is my connection.", Rei stated. Asuka blinked and was about to hurl more questions at Rei when an explosion sounded out just down the street from the restaurant, followed by several more as well as the sounds of screaming.
"What's that?", Ukyou asked to no one in particular.
"Trouble.", Cologne stated with narrowed eyes. Another explosion sounded out into the still afternoon air. The group quickly rushed outside to see what was causing the disturbance. Not more than thirty feet away was a man, glowing with a light blue battle aura and holding a sword in one hand. His eyes glowed the same light blue as he grinned seeing the group.
"What the...? It's just a guy!", Ranma said a bit surprised.
"No Son-in-Law. It's not.", Cologne said gravely.
"You mean...", Akane began to say.
"It's the angel.", Asuka said suddenly.
"Humanity....will perish.", the angel said with a dark chuckle.
"Like hell! You'll have to go through us first!", Asuka shouted back at it.
"Yeah!", Akane agreed.
"Nobody wipes out humanity while Ranma Saotome, of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts is around to say something about it!", Ranma replied.
"The same goes for Ryouga Hibiki!", Ryouga added.
"You said it Sugar!", Ukyou put her 10 yen worth in.
"Angel no win.", Shampoo stated as she set herself into a battle stance.
"I shall stand by my beloved in battle.", Mousse said.
"Boy I never thought I'd actually be missing being inside a hundred foot tall living robot.", Shinji said to himself mainly.
"You will be defeated.", Rei said simply to the angel, who all but ignored her as it raised the now glowing blue sword and leveled it at the group.
"If you think you can win this time Eva's....just try me.", , the angel sais with a sardonic grin to it's face.
"It seems pretty cocky doesn't it?", Ranma noted.
"Really? Reminds me of a certain sex-changing martial artist I know of.", Asuka said with a grin on her face.
"Hmph. Yeah, well there's one big difference between me and him.", Ranma shot back.
"Oh yeah?! What's that?!", Asuka asked.
"I don't lose!", Ranma stated before he suddenly leapt forwards and charged the angel. The angel grinned as Ranma got closer, pulling back on the sword lightly and thenswung it in a wide arc at the approaching Ranma. Ranma was in mid leap and couldn't stop himself as a wave of blue suddenly filled his vision, followed by an intense pain and then, pleasent blackness.
