I thought Akane's power development seemed sort of tacked on, as you
two did, but when I thought about it some more, I found that it is
plausible.  It could perhaps be written in a little more carefully,
but it is believable.  [See bottom.]

The two do come together later on, like braiding a rope, you start 
out with smaller threads, and link them together to form a story.

Of course, I don't KNOW the real reason Akane develops powers, but I
think I have a good idea...  or perhaps a bad idea.  We'll not know
until the story's posted, will we?

Er.. you can ask and I'll tell you, but since it's  spoiler I won't 
post it here.

Ranma is so vulnerable that s/he can't stand being turned back into
a male... she destroys the hot water heater, blah, blah, blah... 
Akane's new powers seem to be based on the absorption of heat...
perhaps a subconcious move designed to stop hot water from touching
Ranma?  Doesn't Ranma's shoten ha drain heat energy?  What if
Ranma's ki is being channelled to Akane, subconsciously?  Perhaps
these newly developed powers could be short term protection methods
that Ranma himself is projecting?

WHAT?!?!  Where do you come up with these ideas...  Anyway, although 
you have the technique down right, your off base on where it comes 
from.

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Andrew Stodden <eos@ghost.cc.cmu.edu>
"But mostly, you learn to close your eyes and tell youself,
'This just isn't happening.'"
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