For Every Action Part 10, 

Still being produced in bite-sized chunks...

Most characters and situations in this story are the
property of Takahashi Rumiko and are used without consent
but without the desire to give offense.

Akane begins this section in a male body.  But she'll
hit me if I call her, "him".  

Please, for the love of Kasumi, if you see ANYTHING
that can be improved, tell me!

David Johnston, rgorman@telusplanet.net  
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Akane grimaced.  She was soaked down to her underwear and 
all too uncomfortably aware that her claim to the female 
gender at the moment was purely psychological.  *Maybe I 
should have borrowed some underwear from Ranma along with 
the t-shirt?*  She reluctantly adjusted herself, something 
she'd always thought was disgusting when she'd spotted 
Ranma doing it.  *I hate that...thing.  It's just so gross 
to have one between my legs--what am I thinking!?*    

Ranma looked over at her.  She was bright red, blushing
deeper than he'd ever seen her blush before.  He decided
to subtlely lure her into telling him why by saying, "Hey!
What's with you?  You didn't even blush that much when
you were still doing your kawaii routine for Doctor Tofu."

In a way she welcomed the distraction, "I'm NOT blushing,
and I don't have a 'kawaii routine'!"

Ranma falsettoed, "Oh Doctor Tofu, I wouldn't...hurt
myself," as he shuffled his feet and looked down at 
the pavement.  "I'm a sweet little girl who never
pounds people into the ground.  I never get mad
at _anyone_!"  He looked back up at her with a silly
little smile.

"I never acted like that!"

"Hey, I was there.  I saw it all.  That was exactly
how you acted the first time I met Doctor Tofu," 
Ranma blandly assured her.  

"Oh yeah, sure, I did.  Liar."  Akane grinned in
spite of herself, and then was surprised to see
Ranma start to look a little uneasy for a moment
before he grinned back.

While she was doing that, a little old lady tossed a 
ladlefull of water at Ranma, who automatically stepped 
to the side.  "This joke is getting old, _so fast_!" 
Akane could barely get the complaint out through her 
clenched teeth, as yet more water splashed off her.  

"You know, she doesn't usually do it this late in the 
day..."  Ranma mused, as he evaded a second ladlefull, 
which seemed suspiciously purposeful in it's aim.

*And she doesn't wear running shoes*  "Mizu!", Akane 
snarled, reaching out to grab a handy mail box and 
lofting it over her head.  

*Uh oh* Kouchi thought.  He dived out of the way of the 
unsubtle assault.  *It seems this guy doesn't like water.
I really should be going now*  Shedding his old lady 
disguise instantly, he tossed it in his attacker's face
and ran for it.  

"Miiizuuu!"  Akane tossed the shabby dress aside, glowing
with rage.  

Ranma thought he smelled scorched cotton, as he took hold
of her shoulder, "Calm down, I don't think that was Mizu.
He moved like Kouchi.  We'll have a long 'talk' with him 
tomorrow, OK?"  Akane nodded reluctantly, and Ranma let
go. 
   
The rest of the walk home was uninterrupted by further
dousings, but Kasumi still greeted them with a startled,
"Gracious!  What happened to Kaneda?"  Still soaking
from four water attacks, the white t-shirt Akane had 
borrowed was virtually transparent and clinging closely
to the musculature her transformation had endowed her
with, and her shorts were similarly adhesive.

Ranma non-explained, "He had a little accident, or 
three.  Could you get a towel for him?"

"Oh of course," Kasumi turned to get the towel, then
glanced back for a moment, as she suggested, "Perhaps you
could lend him some dry clothing, Ranma?  It wouldn't
be healthy to stay in those things."

A chill ran down Akane's spine.  No, she had to be 
imagining it.  Kasumi would never look her like that.
Kasumi would never look at anyone like that.  
Kasumi was Kasumi.  
__________________________________________________________

And Now For A Word From Our Sponsor

You know, really I prefer the characterisation of 
Ranma and Akane earlier in the series.  She sort of gets
excessive later on, as the comedy seems to get broader.

How much do you think it would change Kasumi's character
perception if "Ara!" was routinely translated as "Hot 
damn!"? 

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