Magic and Mushrooms ch5

Ranma stared into the starry night sky. She was laying on the roof of the Tendo dojo, the borrowed book laying open beside her. She had read and re-read the section on the mushrooms but still couldn't accept what it had to say. There had to be a mistake, maybe the ones she ate just looked like these...

She sat up and studied the picture. It was no good, she was certain that these were the same ones. "Dammit!" She cried as she slammed the book closed. Her carefully constructed denial pile had been washed away and now everything she didn't want to confront was staring her in the face. Every thought she had had that night was playing through her mind, taunting her and generally making a mess of everything she had ever believed about herself.

The truth was right there in the pages of that infernal book. The mushrooms didn't make you a sex crazed deviant as she had previously assumed. No, it was so much worse. They strengthened your subconscious mind, allowing you to find your deepest, most secret desires, even ones you hid from yourself and eased your inhibitions long enough to act upon them. This could have mild or devastating consequences. They could bolster your courage and allow you to confess to your heart's desire or they could free a person's most violent fantasies, allowing him to kill without fear of the consequences.

Ranma supposed it was a good thing that she hadn't gone on a killing spree. No, what she had found was that, she, Ranma Saotome, self proclaimed man among men, had a crush on and was sexually attracted to her best male friend. At least while in the body of a girl, but there was no escaping that body now. Because I'm... She couldn't even think the word. Dammit! Why couldn't I have just been a guy at the time?

"Why does weird stuff always happen to me?" She wailed in frustration.

"You do have a knack for getting into trouble." Ranma jumped back, startled. She hadn't expected a reply.

"Akane! What'd ya sneak up on me for?" She asked as she righted herself.

"I'd hardly call it sneaking. It's not my fault that you were spacing out." She replied as she took a seat beside Ranma.

"I wasn't spacin' out. I was just thinkin'."

"Whatever you say Ranma. Do you want to talk about it?" Akane asked.

"No."

"Well if you change your mind, I'm here for you." Akane really wanted to know what was going on, but she had promised Dr. Tofu that she wouldn't pry too much.

Ranma only made a grunting noise in response.

"So, you got back just in time, school starts tomorrow." Akane tried to change the subject.

"Like I care about..." She trailed off. "I can't go like this! I'm a girl!" She whined.

"So? Everyone at school knows about the curse already. It should be no big deal." Akane really didn't think anyone would care, well except Kuno.

"Of course it's a big deal. I could change back before!" And you're gonna get big soon, her mind supplied. "Aaahhhh! I hadn't even considered that!" She screeched out loud as she tugged at her hair.

"Considered what?" Akane was disturbed by Ranma's outburst, she was usually more collected than this.

"Nothin', I gotta go." She answered, then leapt off the roof.

Akane huffed angrily. How am I supposed to help him if he won't tell me what's going on? She noticed then the book Ranma had left behind. What's this? She wondered as she took it back to her room.

Ranma was sitting quietly in the room she shared with her father, he was still downstairs with Mr Tendo, probably playing shogi.

I don't feel any different, if I really am, Her mind skipped over the word, thinking it would make it feel too real, wouldn't I feel it or something? She searched her mind for everything she knew about the subject. It wasn't much. First came sex, check, she sighed internally. After that the women on tv often threw up a lot, none of that so far... their bellies blew up like balloons. My figure! Her mind screamed. Not what's important right now! Another part of her mind yelled back. The last step seemed to be cursing and screaming in a hospital bed whilst crushing the hand of the man responsible. Ryoga...

She had been able to admit to herself, in her own head, that she had a crush on him, sometimes. That didn't mean she wanted a -shudder- relationship with him though. Her pride as a male, while tattered, wouldn't allow it. Like that's your biggest problem right now... besides he was happy with Akari, a real girl. Me? I'm just some freak of nature!

Ranma really wished she could make this all just go away. She rolled onto her side and saw the knapsack that she had yet to unpack. I wonder... The sketched woman was right where she'd left her. "Hey, can you only transport people with your magic, or can ya do other stuff?"

"I can, but please don't ask me to find panties." She replied.

"Why the heck would I want panties?" Ranma struggled not to yell, she didn't want anyone to get curious about what she was doing.

"That has been what I've done for over sixty years. Month after month that disgusting old man used my magic to track down the most delicate and dainty of panties to add to his collection." She said sadly, "Look, he even drew me in underwear!"

"He drew you? I thought you said that you were a fox spirit?" Ranma asked curiously.

"I was once, but he sketched me using a magical pencil. It trapped my soul within this parchment." She answered.

Ranma decided that sucked, but she had get this conversation back on track. "So, with your magic... could you turn me into a boy?"

The sketch shook her head, "No, the power of your curse is stronger than my magic. Even before my imprisonment I doubt I could have helped you."

Damn... Ranma tried to look at the problem from a different angle. "I'm... could you get rid of... I don't wanna be..." Since she couldn't even think the word, saying it was impossible.

The sketch seemed to know what she was asking though, even though Ranma hadn't told her what was going on. "I cannot meddle in the magic of life and death, nor in affairs of the heart."

"Useless..." Ranma muttered as she shoved the parchment into the drawer where she kept her boxers. The Old Freak wouldn't find her there.

Akane had read and re-read the section of the book that was marked. Shows you your secret subconscious desires and allows you to act on them? Ranma! Did you discover that deep down you wanted to be a girl and you found a way to do it? Akane gave it some thought.

Ranma did spend an awful lot of time as a girl. He enjoyed eating ice cream parfaits and other girly treats. He liked talking vendors into giving him free food, going so far as to hit on them. He'd even accepted a date with a guy once for free coffee! He dressed up as a girl to play tricks on boys and accepted martial arts challenges as a girl frequently. He was also vain, he touted his beauty constantly and fought to defend it once when called ugly.

That's it, Ranma wanted to be a woman, but his stubborn pride is fighting with his decision (Swing and a miss). Akane wasn't sure how to deal with this revelation. Ranma was supposed to be a guy and her fiancée. Deep in her heart she knew she liked him, maybe even loved him, he just made her so mad sometimes. She had taken for granted that they would marry one day. She couldn't decide if she should be mad at Ranma for doing this to her, sad that she'd lost a fiancée, sympathetic toward Ranma who would no longer be living a lie, or happy that she could have the friend she thought she'd found in Ranma when they first met. She had a lot to think about that night as she laid in bed.

Ranma woke up to a terrible smell, something was burning, or rotting, or burning and rotting. Her stomach heaved. "Urrg." She dressed and slowly made her way downstairs. The smell was getting stronger with every step she took, her stomach was practically doing somersaults.

"Ranma, you're up! I made you breakfast." Akane thrust a plate of something unidentifiable under her nose.

"Uuuurh..." Ranma turned and ran to the washroom, knocking Nabiki out of her way. She made it to the toilet just in time, there wasn't much in her stomach but it came out anyway.

"Tried Akane's cooking did you?" Nabiki asked.

"Hey!" Akane yelled at her sister. "He- she didn't even try it yet, it's not my fault. He- she must be sick." She grabbed a washcloth and handed it to Ranma to clean up. "Come on, let's get you back to bed."

Ranma shook her head, "Outside, fresh air..."

"Sure, whatever you want." Akane held her and guided her into the back yard. "Better now?"

Ranma nodded.

"Good." Akane stood, "So, do you want the food I made now? To get your strength back?"

"No!" She flailed her arms in front of her.

Akane narrowed her eyes, "What was that?" One eye twitched.

Ranma realised her mistake, "I mean, because my stomach is unsettled. I don't think I can eat anything right now."

She calmed instantly, "Oh, ok. Well I've gotta go to school, you better stay home for the day."

Ranma agreed.

There was an expression for this, killing someone with kindness, that's what Akane was doing. Every morning she made some foul concoction that would send Ranma straight to the toilet. Thankfully Akane seemed to be convinced that Ranma had the flu, and was trying her hardest to help Ranma get better. She was being so nice that Ranma was beginning to feel the weight of her repressed guilt for cheating on her fiancee.

Ranma was sick of being sick, she knew she needed to do something about the situation, but what? She found answer when Kasumi came to collect the laundry. Before handing over her clothes, Ranma always checked her pockets, ever since she'd ruined a coupon for a free sundae. That's how she found the forgotten business card.

Ranma crept downstairs after Kasumi left, she knew the girl would be busy, that should only leave her father and Mr Tendo in the house. The two were on the porch playing shogi, she passed them silently into the hallway where the phone was located. She peeked around to make sure the coast was clear then pulled the card from her pocket. Hesitating only for a moment, she dialed the number.

"Yes, I'd like to make an appointment."

"Ranma Saotome."

"Dr. Tofu referred me."

"As soon as possible."

"Please, it's urgent"

"This afternoon? Great."

"Thank you."

Nabiki, who was running quite late for school, had come up the hallway just as Ranma dialed the phone. What is he up to... As soon as Ranma left the hallway Nabiki picked up the receiver and pressed redial.

"Xiao Tao's Chinese medicinal midwifery clinic, how can I help you?" Nabiki hung up quickly. Stuck as a girl, vomiting, and a midwife? Oh. My. God.

Ryoga was running for his life. A pitchfork that had been thrown like a javelin narrowly missed him. The safety of the treeline was so close... just another few steps. A voice from behind shouted, "Get back here you pig. I'm gonna roast you on a spit!" A rock whizzed past his ear and a curse was muttered far behind him. Then the trees were all around him, he relaxed just a little, but he didn't stop running.

He had made it to Akari's ranch in record time, thanks to a farmer that had gone to town to sell his produce that had given him a ride. Akari had been heartbroken when he confessed to her what he had done. With eyes full of tears she had broken up with him. She would have let it go at that, she was too sweet a girl to be vengeful.

Her grandfather on the other hand had overheard and saw red. Determined to defend his granddaughter's honor he had taken it upon himself to bodily injure Ryoga. He'd chased him out of the house and across the property uttering curses and threats alike. Ryoga was quite sure that if he ever stepped foot on that ranch again he'd be a dead man.

No longer welcome where he was and not wanting to return to the Tendo's just yet, Ryoga decided to see if he could find his way home. It was a long shot, but what else did he have to do?

Ranma looked up and down the street before entering the clinic. If anyone saw me go into a place like this... She shuddered.

A pretty, young Chinese girl greeted her, "Hello, how can I help you?"

"I have an appointment, Ranma Saotome." She replied.

"Ah, yes, please take a seat." The girl gestured to a row of chairs along the side wall.

Ranma picked up a magazine off the chair next to her. She flipped it open to a random page, the article on the page started with, 'Sex during pregnancy? Yes you can, seven positions that will rock your world.' Ranma slammed the magazine down as if it had bitten her. What kind of crazy, perverted magazine...

"The midwife will see you now."

She was ushered into an examination room where a wrinkled old lady that reminded her of Cologne waited for her.

"Hop up on the bed dear." The woman instructed. As Ranma laid down, the woman continued. "Dr. Tofu has told me all about you, I must admit, I didn't expect to see you quite this soon. Pull up your shirt dear." The old woman put her hands on Ranma's stomach and Ranma felt chi probing her abdomen. "Hmm, yes, just over seven weeks along. Steady heartbeat." The probing chi washed over Ranma's whole body. "Yes, you're doing well yourself. Blood pressure is good..." She trailed off, What is this? How very interesting... her chi flow is most unusual. I haven't seen a chi like this since... The chi receded. "You are full of questions, I can tell. Sit up and ask what you would like to know."

She's good... Ranma thought to herself. "How did ya send your chi into my body like that?"

The old midwife was surprised, "You actually felt it?" Dr. Tofu wasn't kidding about the child's skills.

Ranma nodded, "Yeah, it spread from your fingers outward, like a spider's web."

"Impressive." Complimented the old woman. "It's a special technique of martial arts midwifery called the 'mama and baby wellness exam'."

"Martial arts midwifery?" There really was a martial art for everything...

"Yes, based on thousands of years of Chinese medicinal martial arts history. Speaking of which, you had questions for me?" She asked, trying to get the conversation back on track.

Oh, right, "Is there a way to change me back to a guy so that this," she indicated her stomach, "just goes away?"

"No, even jumping in the Nannichuan would likely do nothing at this time. That or it could kill you, as you would change but the fetus may remain. You are a rather unique case. Unless you want to be a guinea pig for future cases, I would recommend not trying any Jusenkyo cures." The old woman warned.

"There must be something I can do, anything. I'm a guy! This isn't suppose to be happening. Please, if you know of anything, anything at all... I'll do whatever it takes!" Never one to give up, Ranma knew there had to be something.

"Well, there is one option. It might be dangerous. You would again be a guinea pig, it's never been done before in a case such as yours." She really hadn't wanted to offer the child this option. While the chance of contacting hot water during the procedure was low, it was impossible to rule out, Jusenkyo curses attracted water at the most inopportune moments. If she should turn back into a boy during the procedure it could well be fatal. On the other hand if she discovered the possibility through another clinic without any experience in magic and curses, the girl would likely jump at it and would increase her risk exponentially.

"Whatever it is, I'll do it!" At this point she felt there was nothing she wouldn't do to get her life back to normal (as normal as her life got anyway).

The old midwife sighed, "So be it. The only way is to terminate the pregnancy, abortion. I cannot perform it for you. You will have to wait for a colleague of mine to return from abroad. He is most skilled and with the two of us, should things go terribly wrong, you will stand the best chance of coming out alive."

"When will he be back?" The sooner it was over with, in Ranma's mind, the better.

"In two weeks. You may make an appointment with my secretary. Until then I can keep you comfortable, have you had any nausea?"

"Just this mornin'." Ranma replied.

"Here," the midwife whipped a -lit- moxa roll out of nowhere and poked Ranma in the leg, "that is the ancient anti-nausea moxibustion technique." She handed the roll to Ranma, "use it on the pressure point I just showed you."

Ranma did as instructed.

"Excellent. Whenever you feel nausea, use that to relieve it." The old woman smiled, the child had hit the pressure point just right after having seen it only once. This one has potential. The she frowned. Such a pity... "Oh, and do try not to pick any fights. Any complications could be deadly." For you and your opponent both... then again, it may prove useful.

"I'll try." The problem was that fights often picked her. "Um, about payment..." Ranma didn't have any money, she hoped they could work out a payment plan.

"Seeing such a unique case is payment enough for me dear. Don't worry about it." It was a once in a lifetime opportunity after all.

"Thank you."

Ranma made an appointment to come back in two weeks and left for home. She didn't notice that she had a camera wielding stalker.

"Hello Ranma, I think you and I need to have a little chat." Nabiki said later that evening when the two were alone in the hallway.

"What do you want Nabiki?" Nothing good ever came from her 'little chats'.

"Not out here." She dragged Ranma into her room. "Explain." Nabiki said as she held up a photo of Ranma in front of the midwifery clinic.

"How did you...?" Ranma asked in a panic.

"I have my ways." She replied mysteriously. "I never would have expected this from you. Oh I know Akane says you're a pervert all the time, but honestly, the only person I know more sexually repressed than you is Ryoga."

Ranma balled her fists and her cheeks turned pink.

Appraising Ranma's reaction, Nabiki came to a new conclusion. "Oh, I see. So Ryoga is the baby's daddy, eh? It must have been quite a trick getting that boy to loosen up. I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise, he was the only company you had for weeks."

"What do you want Nabiki?" She repeated, rage and panic were warring within Ranma just then, fighting to get out.

"You haven't got any money, the only way I'll keep my mouth shut is if you do me a favor." She smiled slyly.

"What kind of favor?" Ranma asked with reasonable suspicion.

"If I told you, it would ruin half the fun. You should just agree and hold on to your little secret while it lasts."

Oh, it'll last. "Deal." As far as Ranma was concerned she only had to keep this quiet for two weeks, then it would be all over.