Nodoka raised an eyebrow at Ranma’s appearance as she was led to the living area. Ranma’s hair had been undone and hung freely about her shoulders, and had been styled in a flattering and feminine manner. She’d seen a hint of makeup on her face when she’d first opened the door, including some odd markings that brought back memories of Mother. Such things could probably have been easily explained away; however, her clothing would be more difficult to rationalize. She wore a not-so-modest sky-blue blouse and navy miniskirt; the underwear lines showing from beneath her clothes, as well as the dark hose she wore, obviously showed a clear comfort with femininity. The body and spoken language, however, proved it; had Nodoka not known her son, she would never have been able to tell her as different from any other young woman. Patience was promised; however, concern was necessary.
“Ranma... why are you this way? Why have you turned away from manliness?”
She stopped for a moment, just before entering the room, and gave a deep sigh. “Come in, Momma. I will tell you everything along with the others.”
“Others?” Nodoka blinked at the comment before entering the main living area.
The others Ranma spoke of were mostly women, though one man sat in the middle of all of them. The looks between them screamed of liasons unspoken; a sudden chill moved through her as she saw Ranma take her place next to another woman, and the glances they shared. Had Ranma been seduced from his manly life?
“Momma... sit down. Belldandy, I don’t mean to intrude, but...?”
Belldandy nodded. “I’ll get some tea ready for everyone. This may be a long conversation, after all...” The others nodded, as though Bell had made some understatement.
Nodoka, however, was not so patient. “Ranma... what has happened to you?”
Ranma took a deep breath. “Momma... someone killed my male side.”
Nodoka blinked. “Excuse me?”
Ranma wrung her hands together, a body language trait she’d never had as a man. “Momma... the night of the divorce, I was stabbed in the back. I was too drunk to realize what had gone on. I made my way here, but, due to other events going on, they didn’t notice my presence until it was too late. When my male body died, that part of me - body and soul - was lost.” She swallowed. “I’m sorry, Momma. I’m not a man among men anymore.”
“I... see,” Nodoka replied. This was an odd turn of events; however, she could sense that more needed to be revealed. “What ‘other events’ were going on here?”
The one whom Ranma sat next to coughed nervously, then shifted in appearance. A moment later, a handsome man sat where the woman had been, her minidress now a sharp black suit. “Saotome-san, I am Urd, goddess of the past and a love goddess of sorts. I had put a powerful aphrodisiac in the punch; everyone had imbibed. Including Ranma, once her male body had died.” He licked his lips. “Ranma and I made love, Saotome-san... and she is expecting with my child as a result.”
Nodoka nodded slowly at this turn of events. “My son... my child... pregnant?”
Ranma sighed, and gently rubbed her abdomen; Nodoka’s eyes widened at the gesture. “Momma... there’s more to it than that. What was your mother like?”
Nodoka touched Ranma’s forehead, noted the indistinct marks forming there, and sighed. “You’ve discovered your heritage, I see. I never expected this to happen...” She closed her eyes. “Who did it? Who killed you?”
Ranma bit her lip nervously. “I don’t know. The police officer investigating your case said he had an idea; Nabiki also said she had an idea. Who it is, I don’t know, but I think it was one of my fiancees.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I... see...” She pondered the situation for a moment; during the wait, she found a mug of tea in her hands. Considering earlier comments, she decided to wait before drinking.
“Ranma...” She paused at the still-male Urd. “If you become a goddess, would you be able to change back into a man?”
“Only in body,” Urd replied. “My heart is still feminine, even in this body - even with this masculine responsibility.” He touched a hand to Ranma’s abdomen; the smile the two shared told the details of any stories given. “Ranma will probably learn to change; however, it would only be physical. She would still be a woman - and a mother.”
Nodoka nodded slowly. “I... I see. Ranma?”
Ranma bit her lip. “Yes, Momma?”
“You are my daughter. Now, considering the... unusual circumstances of your pregnancy as well as your new occupation, I understand if no formal marriage takes place. However, there are some things that I must talk to you about, things only a mother and daughter share.”
Ranma let out a sigh of relief. She’d been fearing that Nodoka would disown her - or worse. “Yes, Momma.”
See other episodes by Nightelf
(Posted Sun, 29 Dec 2002 07:56)
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