No, the demented domino's need not know that little tid bit of information.
Leaning back in his chair, he tried to relax as he thought about the situation. His son might be at the top of his list of problems currently, but he was by far the least of his worries. He was here, within his realm of influence, and thus a measure of control was evident. His limp threat against the members of SEELE didn't concern him, after all what were the odds the boy could even gain enough information to carry thru with it? Negligible as far as he was concerned, such information as their location certainly wasn't left lying around, nor was it present within NERV headquarters itself. No, the boy was the least of his concerns. He was certain of one thing, however, as his son left with Fuyutsuki and a contingent of guards he had started singing something that eerily enough made sense.
"Yui.. our son's insane." he mumbled to himself.
---
"Remember when you ran away and I got on my knee's and begged you not to leave because I'd go bezerk?" Ranma chirruped in song, rather off key. "Well.. you left me anyhow and then the days got worse and worse and now you see I've gone completely out of my mind."
Fuyutsuki twitched, a little unnerved by the boy's singing and maniacal laughter.
The four guards surrounding the boy on all sides just glanced at him nervously. They were only slightly relieved by the fact he wore a straight jacket, but for some reason they couldn't get the strange feeling of doom off their minds.
"And.. they're coming to take me away, haha, they're coming to take me away, hoho, hehe, haha to the funny farm, were life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and their coming to take me away HAHA!"
Fuyutsuki couldn't wait to get this nutcase locked in his room. He made a mental note of suggesting elctro-shock therapy to Dr. Akagi for the boy, he certainly needed some help.
---
It had taken her awhile, but after getting lost for twenty minutes before running in Maya and getting directions, she was nearing the end of her current journey. After leaving Ritsuko's office, her mind began to ponder just what she was doing, and whether or not this was a good idea in the first place. The kid was a lot like her, too much in fact, at least with the way they dealt with things. At least he hadn't reached the breaking point like she had and closed himself off from human contact, yet.
"Okay Misato." she turned the corner, looking up the long deserted hallway. She needed a plan, just coming out of the blue and saying he'll live with her was bound to fail, or at least she thought so. During the short time she had with the boy he seemed rather independent, if a little impulsive and uncaring of his actions, except for that brief, brief moment in the Evangelion where his rough exterior had melted and showed the nervous uncertain child beneath it all. It was nice to see, and further proved their was a nice boy in him just trying to get out. If it was the last thing she'd do, she swore right then she tried to bring that boy out to shine.
".. to the happy home, with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and their coming to take me away HAHA!"
Misato blinked as Fuyutsuki turned the corner with four guards huddling precariously close to the walls as some one she immediately recognized as Ranma in a straight jacket and singing rather badly. What the heck was going on now?
"Sir?"
Fuyutsuki looked up, glaring at the woman unintentionally. The boy had been really, really testing his patience with his singing. "Captain."
"Hey Misato!" the boy chirruped. "I'd wave but.." he motioned to the straight jacket, "Pop didn't wanna play much today."
Misato sighed, shaking her head ruefully. Don't let it get to you Katsuragi, this was just an obvious cry for attention. It had to be.
"If there's nothing you need, Captain.." the older man snapped, impatiently. He just wanted to throw this kid in a padded room and be done with it!
"Ah.." Misato smiled nervously, "I was.. uh.. just going to pick him up and take him home."
"Home?" Ranma blinked, before tearing the straight jacket off like it was nothing and handing it to a nearby guard, who just stood their gawking. "Fer yer information, I coulda done that at any point."
Fuyutsuki didn't dare let his happiness over the prospect of getting the kid out of headquarters sneak unto his face. "I see.." he intoned, darkly, before nodding. "Very well. See to it for the remainder of his time here he does not bother his father. The Commander is a busy man, and doesn't need silly interruptions."
"Yes sir." Misato had to wonder, even if only briefly, what the kid had done to get this type of treatment.
"Carry on." Fuyutsuki waved the woman off, turning around and dismissing the guards, who left the two standing in the hallway by themselves.
Ranma watched them leave with a happy little grin on his face, one that quickly faded away into a frown as they turned the corner. "Sour puss's." He gave Misato a glance, "Eh.. thanks."
"For what?" The woman asked innocently.
"Gettin me outta that." he shrugged, "Didn't wanna go back in lock up." he lazily saluted the woman as he walked down the hallway.
"Ah." she grinned, skipping a bit to keep up with the boy, "But I didn't do it just to get you out of trouble."
He frowned, "What's that?"
Steeping in front of him with a brilliant smile, she chirruped, "I meant what I said! I'm going to take you home!"
Ranma sweated, her cheery attitude just throwing him a bit off guard. "Uh.. yeah.. whatever." he shrugged, covering his discomfort by acting apathetic, "My place all set up and ready ta go then?" there was a pliable sense of doom coming over him at that point, but he ignored it.
Misato smiled coyly, "Of course not!"
"What's the deal then?"
"Silly gus." she flicked his nose, "You didn't think we'd allow a minor to live by himself, did you?"
"Rei Ayanami." Ranma deadpanned.
Misato suddenly tried to impersonate a fish. "Wha.. how did you know about her?"
He sniffed in disdain, "Please. I ain't some type of kid ya could trick with that crap. I pay attention to stuff, y'know." he tilted his head to the side, smirking a little, "Didn't think I listened to ya talkin to the doc back before I got in the giant robo?"
"That's not what I meant!" she huffed, a little aggravated, "How did you know Rei lived alone?"
Ranma shrugged, "Didn't." before stepping around the woman and heading on his way.
Misato twitched. Now way! He didn't just outsmart her.. did he?! "Hey! I'm not done talking to you!"
---
There were few places in the world that Ranma would describe as paradise. It just so happened that this was one of them, and that was the Cafeteria. He shouldn't have been surprised to find it running twenty four seven, it was a military installation of sorts and they had to operate twenty four hours to keep a look out for the Angels or some such crap. He really didn't care for that. Pushing his empty plate aside, he leaned back in his chair and sighed in content. Eating was an entirely different experience now that his pop wasn't around. Now he could enjoy everything from the texture, subtle mix of spices, and the sharp taste of salt. It was nice, he guessed.
Eyeing the woman sitting across from him, seemingly lost in thought as she stared at a closed folder with his name on it, he decided it was time to really consider what he knew was coming. In the main line, Misato had taken Shinji and given him a home, along with a dysfunctional family. She meant well, she really did as far as he could remember, even if things didn't end on all that great of note in the Anime. The question was, should he follow that route? The only real con he could see to it was the fact it had failed in the main line, but again that was with Shinji and not him. The pro's were numerous. A place to stay where he wouldn't get lonely, to think about the future and what he could do to change it. Misato left Shinji alone for the most part, if he remembered, only really bothering him when something important came up.
The possibility he'd get stuck living with Asuka was another con, now that he thought about it. Well, maybe he could avoid that? After all, she had only gone to live with Shinji and Misato in the mainline due to that one Angel they couldn't beat. Hmm.. could he beat them? Even with out the timing training they had put Asuka and Shinji through? He didn't know. Frowning, he gave the decision some more thought, before figuring what the hell. At the very least he wouldn't get lonely, a fact he was going to be very grateful for. One thing he never had to deal with growing up with Genma, and then later with his time in Nerima, was being alone. There was always some one around, even if he never appreciated them all that much. The last three days, being stuck in that little room with nothing to do, and no one to talk to, had been a pure torture to him.
"Alright Misato." He grumped, leaning up on the table.
Misato blinked, coming out of her little daze, "What was that?"
"You followed me all tha way here, waited till I ate, figure I owe ya enough to listen ta what ya want."
"Heh." she crossed her fingers in her lap, "I just wanted to take you home."
"Right." he drawled a little, "And ya didn't answer my question."
"Hehe.. was hoping you'd forget it." she chuckled, a little nervous. "Rei.. she's a special case and prefers to live alone. Technically the Commander's her guardian in that respect, and he doesn't see anything wrong with it."
"Alright." he eyed the woman weirdly, "And what does all this an me have ta do with you?"
"Well, as Tactical Officer the pilot's health is my direct concern." she replied, quickly following up with, "And I just didn't like the idea of you living by yourself."
"O-kay." he grunted, "Where do ya suggest I live then?"
"Why, with me of course!" She chirruped.
Ranma made a point of musing over it. Hmm'ing every few seconds, as if he was really thinking it over. Finally he shrugged, "Sure."
"I know it's sudden, but it really wouldn't be a bother. I have so much room at my place I don't know what to do with it!" she explained hurriedly.
Ranma rolled his eyes. The woman hadn't even listened to him.
---
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(Posted Mon, 03 Jan 2005 09:36)
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