She’d thought about coming up with a spell to change Ranma back to male, but knew the problems with that. As she helped Ranma with the initial shock, various methods came to her mind, none of which would solve the problem to anyone’s satisfaction. However, with this most recent discovery, not even that would be possible.
“Nabiki-san?”
Nabiki looked up from her fallen position. “Yes, miss...”
“Belldandy. Nice to meet you.”
Nabiki blinked, recognizing the name. “As in... one of the Norns?”
Belldandy’s smile widened. “You’ve heard of us? How nice!” Her smile strained. “Could you please look after Ranma for a minute? I think we could all use a cup of tea right now.”
Her body walked out to brew the tea; however, her ears were still listening in the living area. She heard Ranma’s quiet sadness at the loss of her male form. Much would need to be discussed in that regard; not only did Ranma’s male body die, but the male aspect of his soul departed, as well. The changes in that regard wouldn’t be obvious at first - but they would come.
And, with Ranma’s other problem, they would likely come sooner than anyone expected. She finished brewing the tea, walked back out to the living area, and smiled.
Belldandy could see Nabiki’s soul; she could see the barriers erected deep within to stop the pain. Nabiki was reaching beyond those barriers as she gently cradled Ranma in her arms. There was hope of recovery for her - and that may be one of the reasons for all of this occurring.
Everything was a part of Kami-sama’s plan, after all.
“Excuse me,” she quietly interruped, then set the tea and cups down on the table. “Tea is ready whenever you’re ready for it.”
Ranma carefully disengaged herself from Nabiki; the pair exchanged a look, and accepted the tea. The look Nabiki gave Belldandy was a slightly-different gaze from the icy stare she usually gave; this had all the intensity, but emotion besides. She had named herself Ranma’s protector.
Belldandy nodded. Rannma would need protection.
“Ranma... what I have to say will be extremely disturbing. You may not wish to hear all of it, but it must be said. Lies are the tool of the other side; only the truth will alow for genuine love.”
Ranma gulped; Nabiki grasped her hand. “Tell me, Belldandy. I... I can take it.”
Belldandy sighed, and took her own cup of tea. “I know you were probably hoping for a way to change back into a man. My sisters and I have several spells that could; however, some... complications have occurred.”
She took a sip of her tea, then continued. “First of all, Ranma, how does your body feel to you?”
Ranma blinked at the question. “It feels... like my girl-body.”
She took a deep breath. “Does it feel wrong?”
Ranma’s eyes widened; her hand gripped Nabiki’s tightly. “N... no.” She gulped. “Normally, when I was a girl, it felt... a little wrong. Now...”
Belldandy nodded. “When you had two forms, your soul had a male aspect and a female aspect. Your male aspect felt uncomfortable with your female body; your female aspect felt uncomfortable with your male body.” She took a deep breath. “Your male aspect left with your male body when it was murdered.”
Ranma took a deep breath. “What does that mean for me? Are you saying that I’m a girl now, body and soul?” Belldandy nodded. “So what will happen to me now? Will I start dressing up in frilly skirts and mooning over some guy?”
Belldandy chuckled. “No, nothing so silly.” Her face turned serious. “However, there will be more subtle changes, ones more fundamental than clothing or behavior. Deep inside, you will be a woman. That will start to affect you in other ways; however, that will depend more on how you deal with this change than in the change itself.”
Nabiki’s eyes turned to the handhold they shared. Belldandy could sense what Nabiki was thinking - that perhaps Ranma was dying in a different way. “So... Ranma’s going to change - she’s going to be a girl deep inside.”
“I already am,” Ranma whispered hollowly. “It’s not something I can describe... but I am.” She let out a deep breath; a single tear rolled down her cheek. “That's why I can't change back... isn't it.”
Belldandy gave an even stare to her, to grab her attention. “That is the second reason why we couldn’t use a gender-changing spell to help you. You would be a woman in a man’s body; eventually, you would long for your current body as much as you longed for your old one.” She set her teacup down on the table. “The first reason... is of more concern. Should we change you... it would mean the death of an innocent, and Kami-sama would frown on that.”
Ranma frowned. “How? How would it be a death?”
Nabiki had no such illusions; she understood instantly. “Ranma... you’re pregnant.” She turned to Belldandy. “That’s it, isn’t it? Ranma’s pregnant, and her changing into a boy would kill the child.
Belldandy nodded. “That is correct, Nabiki. Moreover, the father... is my sister, Urd. She had always been an adventurous sort and, as a love goddess, could easily procreate in either form.” Her fingers rubbed against the teacup. “What this means is that two other things should occur as a result of the pregnancy.”
Ranma frowned. Belldandy was delivering the news slowly and evenly - at just the right pace for her to take it. Strange; the thought of being a mother... it didn’t bother her all that much. “What will happen?”
Belldandy sighed. “The first is that your child will be a deity. He or she will have the heritage of her parents, and be one of our kind. The other... relates to your grandmother.”
Ranma blinked. “My grandmother?”
“Your mother’s mother is Kishijoten, the goddess of luck,” Belldandy supplied. “As your child develops, so should you. Your divine heritage will slowly manifest itself; within six months, Kami-sama will likely wish to talk to you.”
Ranma took a deep breath in order to get her bearings. She was female - for good, it seemed. She was pregnant - with a deity, no less, and a goddess as the father. Finally, to top things off, she was the grandchild of the Goddess of Luck, and was soon to develop into a goddess herself.
She gulped. While she was used to strangeness in her life, this took the cake. “So. What happens now?”
See other episodes by Nightelf
(Posted Sun, 22 Dec 2002 08:10)
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