It is fairly well written.  Details are quite good.  But I don't think 
you grasp Ranma's personality.  Moreover I don't think the whole family 
could just stood there and do nothing.  Suicide is suicide, there is 
nothing honorable about it.  His mother did not even know 
his curse and therefore did not have a reason to force to commit sepukku.

No one would question the judgement of one commiting Sepuku.  If is 
dishonourable to interfere in this at any cost and shows extreme 
dishonour both to the one commiting Sepuku and to the one who disturbs 
them.  In this case, there was no honourable way presented to be out of 
carrying through with Sepuku, and to maintain honour, Ranma did what he 
thought to be the correct thing.  It is the way of a warrior, and is 
worthy of respect.

     Yet another person to add to this debate.
     Let me start out by saying that the fic in question is an undeniably
well written, and emotional. It is very good, and I hope the author continues
to write more fics of this quality.
     Now, on to critizism. I'm not going against the non-interference of the
family. What I am against is the fact that Ranma did commit sepuku. It was,
as presented in the story, completely OOC. It was too sudden, and left me
saying "Why did Ranma commit sepuku?" I read his explanation, and it just
didn't make sense. It was too sudden a shift from the jubulent <SP> and
generally care-free Ranma that we all knew.
     And to make the above critizism constructive. If the author would kindly
write a prelude to this, or add something (possibly as a flashback at the
end of the fic?) to this story so that we understand why Ranma made a U-turn
in mentality, it would increase the effect of the story. Upon thinking about
it, a flashback would probably work the best. Maybe through the eyes of Akane
or Genma, or as a third-person omniscient setting would be the best.
     Anyway, just some ideas to expand on the C&C (and sorry I couldn't
remember who wrote it -- I'm also too lazy to look it up right now, as I've
got a lot of mail to go through).

I do not think a westerner could truly understand the meaning of Sepuku.

     Nothing against you, but I find this to be a very broad (and quite
incorrect statement). I think that's a lot like saying an easterner can't
understand the meaning of a sonnet. I know it's a rough (ok, gravel pit)
analogy, but it might serve to explain my point more.
--
Ben Kosse bmk7411@cs.rit.edu
BGC Otaku and worshipper of the Red-Eyed Goddess. Member of ShAS.
Anime, RPG's, computers, poetry (read/write), music (listen/compose).
Author of the Bubblegum Crisis theme pack (see the homepage below).
Homepage with anime and other interests. (http://www.rit.edu/~bmk7411)