Tofu sighed. He had hoped, well, never mind what he had hoped.
"Kasumi, look at it this way," he said. "assuming that your sister was not speaking in a metaphor," which Tofu though was the most likely explanation, "then she is not doing anything that will further imperil her soul." The second most likely explanation was that Kasumi's sister had decided to push back against Kasumi's religious influence by pretending to be involved in the occult. Nabiki most likely chose a succubus because she thought it was a demon, dealt with sex, and was the same sex as her, in order to get the most reaction from Kasumi.
"Even if Nabiki falls in love with another woman, that is not a sin. She would sin only if she acted on her desires to fornicate with another woman. Of course, this would be a sin because it is sexual intercourse for purposes other than procreation, a sin that many people are forgiven for every day. Nabiki is unable to enter the bounds of matrimony with another woman. However, given your father's preference, she would most likely have a Shinto wedding. Even if she had a western style wedding, I doubt a Catholic priest would be the officiant. So, she would not be married in the eyes of God anyway. Finally, Nabiki's lover will never return to Heaven, so Nabiki could not expect to spend eternity with her. However, as Nabiki has not been baptized or confirmed, she will not enter Heaven anyway. In fact, she might prefer Purgatory, as her lover may be able to travel there.
"A succubus would not be a good spouse for a Catholic, but unless Nabiki converts, I don't believe her soul is in any danger."
"But no matter how hard I try, I can't get my sisters to see God's truth," Kasumi protested, still upset.
Tofu sighed. This was what drove them apart and kept him from acting upon the desire for his student. He had hoped that now she was woman, not a girl, she would have matured past this and, well, he hadn't taken vows, so the joys of matrimony were still open to him...
"Kasumi," Tofu replied, "it isn't our task to make others see God's truth. Such an understanding is deep in the heart, and the only heart you can change is your own. Therefore it isn't your fault or failing if others do not convert. Live a good life, help others, and teach those who ask. Your good example will sway people more than words ever will."
Kasumi thought over Tofu- Brother Ono's words as she walked home. She still couldn't understand how an otherwise righteous man could just stand by while people he could help damned themselves. Letting a man die was just as bad as killing him yourself. Letting a man go to Hell was just as bad as damning him yourself. She might not succeed, but she had to try.
Still, Tofu's words contained wisdom, and the situation was not nearly as dire as she feared. Nabiki wasn't consorting with a demon; an immediate resolution wasn't needed. As Tofu had said, Kasumi needed to get her priorities straight. First get Nabiki baptized, then worry about her urges. As long as Nabiki's relationship didn't become serious, Kasumi should treat it as the teenage romance it probably was, like dating someone of another faith: okay for practice, just not for anything serious. Now, she just had to find a boy to set Nabiki up with...
Telling off Kasumi had felt good. She was always talking about Heaven and Hell, usually as part of a comparison where Nabiki was the one found lacking. Nabiki didn't want to deal with whatever Kasumi's response would be. Nabiki hadn't gotten much sleep last night, so perhaps a nap was in order.
Nabiki woke to her father calling her downstairs. So, Kasumi had said something to Daddy, had she? It wouldn't be the truth, her father wouldn't believe that, and Nabiki couldn't even prepare a defense until she learned what she was accused of. Not that it mattered all that much. Her father had trouble punishing his children beyond a token amount, and Ranma could come see her in the house anyway. Nabiki headed for the ground floor.
Akane and Kasumi were already sitting down near their father when Nabiki arrived. Perhaps this wasn't about Nabiki's deviant almost dating life. "Girls, an old friend and his son are going to come stay with us at the dojo. Back when we trained under the same master, Genma and I agreed that our children would marry and unite the two schools of Anything Goes Martial Arts.
Akane's response was predictable; anything that had a whiff of coercion and a male met with her strong disapproval. Kasumi was unusually silent, though; Nabiki had expected an ultimatum about only marrying a Catholic. Nabiki didn't bother to protest. She wasn't going to get married against her will, and if she just ignored the promise between the families it would be hard to get her to abide by it.
"What's his name? Is he cute?" Nabiki asked. The whisper of a plan tickled the back of her brain.
"I have no idea," Father responded.
"What?" The three girls asked as one. Sure, Daddy was the kind of guy who would make elaborate plans and then spring them on you at the last minute, but he was so protective of them that she was sure he would have carefully vetted a potential husband.
"About his name, I mean," their father hastily clarified. "I have a picture right here." He held out a photograph stapled to a piece of paper.
Nabiki snatched the photo and paper. The boy in the picture was attractive and well toned, although the photographer had chosen to take a snapshot of an unflattering pose: asleep, sprawled across the bed. Nabiki quickly read the attached letter before passing both items on to her sisters.
Soun - Bringing Boy from China. Unexpected delays, may be late a month or more. Included photo.
Genma
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(Posted Thu, 26 May 2005 22:53)
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