Red String of Fate

By: James Lee

Disclaimer: Nether Ranma ½ or Oh My Goddess belongs to me.

Part Three

            A short while later the group reached the hotel room that Megumi and Ranma had been staying in. Ironically, it was the very room the goddesses had arrived in.

            “So how’d you guys get here? Did you fly or take a boat?” asked Keiichi’s sister.

            “Actually we traveled a more unconventional way, Belldandy answered. “I think if we break into pairs we should be able to carry everyone back.

            “What about all our stuff and my bike?” At hearing this, Keiichi hit the floor. He knew his sister was the queen of drag racing and that she loved her bike, but to carry it across the Western Pacific?

            “I guess we’ll just have to make multiple trips.”

            “Ok, while Ranma and I are packing our cloths, you guys can start with the souvenir bags in the closet. A lot of that stuff in there is for you anyway.

            “Really, what?” asked Skuld excitedly.

            “Just some nick-nacks we picked up in Okinawa, Singapore, and the Philippines.”

            As Megumi listed off the places she had been to on her “honeymoon”, her brother’s eyes widen. “Um Sis, I know I’ll regret asking, but how did you manage to afford all of this?”

            “Oh, motorcycle races and betting on Ranma in pit fights.”

            “Betting on races and pit fights!? That’s dangerous!”

            “There was nothing to worry about. Ranma was with me the whole time,” said Megumi smiling. She remembered the last guy that had threatened to bash her head in with his helmet. {I wonder if he’s still in a coma.} Oddly, the people at the fights didn’t give them too much trouble. Maybe it was because they saw Ranma kick the crap out of their best fighters.

            Keiichi just shook had head as Urd and Skuld started gathering the bags. Ranma and Megumi were a little surprised to see the two goddesses disappear into the television and bath tub, but quickly got over it. In short order all their stuff was sent back. Skuld had even managed to carry Megumi’s motorcycle through the tub.

            “Well are you ready?” asked Belldandy.

            “Umm, are you sure this is safe?” asked Ranma.

            Belldandy nodded her head.  “Yes, why Keiichi came here this very way.”

            “Sorry, it’s just that for me, magic always leads to trouble.”

            “Don’t worry nothing’s going to happen,” said Skuld, dragging Ranma to the tub. “Now come on!”

            “Wait…” was all Ranma got out before both he and Skuld disappeared. At the same time Urd took a rather nervous Megumi through the TV. Belldandy and Keiichi left shortly afterwards.

                                    *****

            Belldandy and Keiichi emerged from the mirror just in time to hear Skuld cry out. “Who are you?”

            Rushing into the bath, they found Skuld facing a redheaded girl about her size.

            “It’s me, Ranma,” said the red head.

            “Ranma’s a guy,” said Keiichi.

            “I am a guy. I got this curse in China. Cold water changes me into a girl, hot water changes me back.”

            “You could have told me you had a Jusenkyo curse,” said Skuld.

            “I would have, if someone had given me the time.”

            “What’s that supposed to mean!” yelled the small goddess. Before Ranma could answer her however, Belldandy decided to step in.

            “Ranma, after we remove the enchantment we might be able to remove the other curse.”

            Ranma looked thoughtful for a moment. “You know, if you had asked me that a few months ago I would have jumped for it. Now though, I really don’t mind my girl form. Beside, Gumi likes to play all sorts games with it.”

            Belldandy and Keiichi turned red at the thought of what types games the two played. Skuld, who didn’t quite get it asked, “Oh really? What types of games?”

            “That can wait Skuld. I’m sure Ranma would like some hot water now.” Ranma nodded and started to reach for the tap. However, Belldandy stopped him. “I’m sorry, the hot water has been broken. I’m going to have to heat some up in the kitchen.”

            Ranma nodded once more as she followed Belldandy out of the bath. Entering the living room they found Urd and Megumi, who had just emerged from the television set.

            “That was incredible…Oh, Ranma. I see they know about your curse now. Want to go home and play Amazon warrior and slave girl?”

            “Ah maybe later Gumi,” said Ranma turning slightly red. Urd just smirked at the two. {A Jusenkyo curse huh, and girl curse too. Lucky Megumi, that’s sort of like getting two for one.}

            “Ranma I’ll get your water,” said Belldandy as she continued on to the kitchen. “Urd, why don’t you get started on the cure?”

            “Sure, shouldn’t take too long,” said Urd as she went to her lab.

                                                *****

            About two hours later, Urd emerged from her lab carrying a beaker of blue florescent liquid. Everyone was watching TV. Belldandy and Keiichi were on the floor while Ranma and Megumi snuggled on the couch. Urd cleared her throat to get their attention. “It’s ready.”

            “Finally,” said Keiichi. He didn’t know how much more of his sister and this guy cuddling he could take. Now hopefully they could break the spell and put this all behind them.

            “Ranma, before we begin, I would like to probe your mind,” said Belldandy. “you too Megumi.”

            Ranma became a little nervous at this. “Um, why?”

            “I would like to see if I can find out who was responsible for this enchantment.”

            As both Ranma and Megumi nodded, Belldandy placed her hands on Megumi’s head. Her face turned red a bit before she nodded. The goddess then placed her hands on Ranma’s head.

            “Oh my,” said the goddess with wide eyes.

            “What is it Sis?” asked Skuld.

            Belldandy shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

            “Did you find out who did it?” asked Ranma.

            “Yes, it’ll be best to tell you after you are cured,” answered Belldandy turning to her sister Urd.

            “Umm, right,” said the dark skinned goddess as she handed Belldandy a beaker. {Belldandy, we have to pour this on their marks at the same time.}

            Belldandy nodded when she took the beaker. She then sat herself in front of Ranma as Urd did the same with Megumi.

            “This stuff might stain you clothes so we need you to take off your shirts.” The two blinked at this but did as they were told.

            “Keiichi do you mind!” said Megumi holding her top closed.

            “R-Right,” replied her brother, turning around quickly. “Hey, what about him?”

            “We’re facing away from each other,” said Megumi. “Besides, there isn’t anything he hasn’t seen before.”

            {That was entirely too much information, Sis.}

            “Okay,” said Urd. “Are we ready?”

            Belldandy nodded, “On the count of three: One. Two…”

            “OH NO!” Megumi suddenly yelled out.

            “What is it?” asked Urd.

            “We forgot to check out of the hotel!”

            Everyone took a calming breath. “We’ll worry about that later, let’s get you cured.”

            “Okay.”

            “At the count of three: One. Two. THREE!” Belldandy and Urd poured the liquid onto the heart shaped marks. At first Ranma and Megumi just blinked in surprise. Then their faces took on a look of absolute horror.

            “Oh shit,” said Ranma. “Wait that string. Megumi said it burst into flames when she touched it.”

            Belldandy nodded. “Yes it was known as the Red String of Fate, a very powerful love charm.”

            “B-But that would have meant it was…”

            Belldandy simply nodded once more in response.

            “Oh God, what have I done.” Megumi said in a small voice. Ranma turned to see that she had curled herself into a ball and was rocking back and forth. As soon as the two made eye contact, they froze like deer in headlights.

            “Well, I see you two have some issues to go over,” said Urd as she grabbed Skuld and dragged her out of the room.

            “We’ll just leave you alone now,” said Belldandy likewise grabbing Keiichi. Dragging him out of the room, she closed the door behind her.

            Ranma and Megumi just sat there for a while, before Ranma finally spoke. “W-What are we going to do?”

            “I-I don’t know. I…just don’t know.”

            “Megumi, I don’t want things to go back to the way they were.”

            “I know Ranma. I know”

****

            “Why are we leaving her with that guy?” asked an irritated Keiichi.

            “OK Keiichi, lets get one thing straight,” said Urd in a firm voice. “That boy is just as much a victim as Megumi.”

            “A victim?”

            “Yes, someone gave Ranma that string to force him to fall in love with a person of their choosing.”

            Belldandy then stepped in for her sister. “Worse, it was someone he trusted.”

            “All right, that still doesn’t explain why we’re leaving them in that room.”

            “They need some time alone to figure out what they are going to do and if they want to stay married.”

            “Stay married?” asked Skuld. “But didn’t you just remove the love spell?”

            Urd shook her head. “That wasn’t enough. If we had given it to them within a few hours or even a few days that might have been it. Now however…”
            “You mean that the cure didn’t work?” asked Keiichi.

            “I’m sorry Keiichi; I could only remove the enchantment that was forcing them to love each other. They still have the memories of the last three months.”

            Belldandy took over once more. “Keiichi you must understand that while they have been living together, Ranma and Megumi have been intimate in a way most couples aren’t. They have told each other their deepest secrets, darkest fears, their greatest hopes and dreams. You just can’t wash that away Keiichi. Their time together has even started to slightly affect their behavior.”

            “Can’t you erase their memories, like Urd did to me when she first arrived?” Keiichi regretted asking, as soon as he finished.

            “No Keiichi, erasing ten minutes is one thing, three months is quite another.”

            “Keiichi, you must have faith in Megumi…” said Belldandy. “…and Ranma too. I can assure you he will stand by any decision she makes.”

            “I-I just don’t know. This is happening so fast. What can you tell me about this guy?”

            “Well, he’s one of the most powerful martial artists in Japan. Also despite his poor upbringing and attitude, he is one of the most honorable and kind hearted souls around. He will do all he can to help those he cares for.”

            “Really, so how powerful are we talking about here?” asked Skuld.

            “He has already defeated a low level demigod.”

            “WHAATTT!!” yelled Urd, Skuld, and Keiichi; Urd then started mumbling to herself.

            “Jusenkyo cursed…powerful martial artist…defeated a demigod? Wait a minute, he’s not the same mortal that killed Saffron?”

            “Yes, the very same.”

            “He killed a god?” Keiichi asked, worried that his sister had married some sort of murderer. He also wondered why they weren’t more upset about this. Just how does one kill a god anyway?

            “A demigod, you see about five months ago a phoenix named Saffron, became corrupted by his own power and threatened Jusenkyo, if not all of China, with destruction. Ranma defended the people of Jusenkyo, fighting Saffron in fierce combat. During the battle Saffron threatened to kill everyone, including several of Ranma’s friends who happened to be there. Ranma had no choice but to destroy him.”

            “I see.”

            “Keiichi I ask that you not bring this up, unless he wants to talk about it. It was the loss of his innocence and something that has haunted him ever since.”

            “All right,” said Keiichi. Ranma and Megumi then emerged from the room. They stood very close, as if each was relying on the support of the other. Taking a deep breath, Megumi spoke.

            “Ranma and I have come to a decision. We can’t imagine out lives without each other so we will remain married. Ranma will be moving in with me.”

            Hearing this and remembering Belldandy’s words, Keiichi put on a brave face and smiled. “All right, Sis, if you two need any help don’t hesitate to ask.”

            “Thank you, brother,” said Megumi as smiled with teary eyes. “I might need that help sooner than you think.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “Well you see…” Megumi stopped unsure of herself. She was thankful when Ranma placed his hand on her shoulder. “You see we’re going to have a baby.”

 

To be continued