this is getting very interesting - I really haven't seen much of Nabiki's
softer side in the Anime and manga but I think you pegged it right.  She
keeps flip-flopping from money-bitch to lovestruck(lack of a better word). 
I like it.

The only thing that bothers me is the rest of the family sees that Akane and
Ranma are going out and they don't like it but to fix that problem they seem
set on getting Ranma and Nabiki to go out together more often, rather than
split Ranma and Akane apart.  I would expect Soun to really do both not one
or the other.  

Also, I think we keep seeing a glimpse of Ranma's backbone when it comes to
how he feels towards the engagement (ie. when he saw Ryoga and Nabiki
together - he was actually happy for them) but it keeps disappearing - I
hope he finally gets the nerve up to actually DO something about the
situation instead of just setting back and getting told what to do.
And, no, I don't think this is how he is in the real series - in that I
think he does want to date Akane, he just doesn't want everybody else
telling him he has to date her.

my $0.02
AlberCrombie
                                                                           
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                    cesnyd01@starbase.spd.louisville.edu                   
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              AlberCrombie ---- The One And Only Space Gopher              
                                                                           
  		"The vengence of heaven is slow but sure...."                          
  				- Tatewaki Kuno