Ranma's instincts were set against telling Akane. A Jusenkyo curse like that was a weakness, and Ryoga was a martial artist. It would mar his honor to speak of it, particularly with the pig departed.
For her part, Nabiki had no honor-compulsion. Fresh in her mind was her inaction toward the Hentai Hoard, and the damage that had caused Akane. If it meant her absolution, she would shout her secrets from the rooftops. But all she could see now was to do it would hurt Akane. Ignorance was her sister's shield, and Nabiki could live with the guilt for her sake.
And so decided the days progressed. Nabiki turned the rumor mill with an expert hand, Ranma struggled to catch up for years out of school, Kuno's glorious quest to free his loves was thwarted at every turn, and Ryoga wandered on the far side of Andromeda, wondering where Ranma had run off to this time. Normalcy, such as it was, ensued.
Nabiki shrugged slightly. "Ranma had to train Akane, and it was a light day at school. You said you wanted to talk about something...personal?"
"Yes," Nodoka said slowly, leading Nabiki to a seat and fetching a teaset, the kettle steaming gently. "Ranma's spirit form...you never mentioned her hungers."
Nabiki froze as she watched Nodoka pour the tea, accepting her cup automatically while her mind spun at full speed. She did not want to tell her potential mother-in-law about improper relations. Thoughts of a wedding by week's end galvanized a response. "Well, he eats in his human form. It's not that important."
Nodoka gave Nabiki a bemused look. "She went without food while my ex-husband swam the Sea of Japan?"
Nabiki nodded. "That bastard has taught him how to thrive in hardship, at least."
"No doubt." Nodoka paused to sip at her tea, watching Nabiki do the same. "So you're saying you haven't slept with my son?"
Nabiki coughed on her tea and took a few moments to recover. "What?"
"My dear, did you think I was not going to research succubi as well?"
Nabiki gave out a strangled squawk and tried to think of a good answer. "He...I mean she...wait...yes?"
"I was worried that his father's delusions of manliness would have stopped him from...from being able to survive."
Nabiki ran truth and lies through her mind and tried to invent a good balance. "I had to talk her into it," she admitted. "And she only let me pleasure her starting last week. She's afraid if she gets too, ah, into it then she'll lose control."
Nodoka frowned. "She? You've never bedded him as a man?"
Nabiki flushed again. "I don't want to get pregnant, and I can't get pills because if word got out..."
Nodoka nodded. "I can help with that. My reputation is already beyond repair with Genma's abandonment."
Nabiki started. "You...you want me to have sex with your son?"
"Young lady, last time I let honor and tradition make a decision for me I lost Ranma for over ten years," Nodoka said sharply. "Ranma has needs, true genuine needs, that you are fulfilling. I may not be overjoyed by the circumstances, but I'm not about to criticize."
"But..but sleeping with him won't..."
"You're the empath. Do Ranma's feelings about you change with his form?"
Nabiki gulped and nodded slowly.
Nodoka sighed. "That's why. When I realized what you two...what had to be done to keep Ranko healthy, I worried over him developing that kind of...fixation. Also," she added with an air of melodrama worthy of Kuno, "I desire grandchildren, and lots of them. Which won't happen if my son is a lesbian."
Nabiki gave this declaration the stunned look it deserved.
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(Posted Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:32)
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