Love is in the Air, if Not in the Salt... 
--------------------------------------- 

by: Anand Rao 
  

a Colliding SYmphonies production 

___________________ 
  

"I can't believe it!  School's finally out!"  Ranma exclaimed, bursting
out 
of the front doors of Furinken High School. 

Ranma stared out into the blue sky for a moment, his face glowing in the 
sunlight. 

He had not felt such pure joy in a long while. 

"It -is- amazing, Ranma, that you didn't fail any of your finals." 
Akane 
said from behind him. 

"Yep!  It's gonna be a completely work-free summer for me!  No summer 
school!" Ranma said as he walked towards the front gates. 

"Speak for yourself Ranma-kun."  Nabiki said from behind the pair.  "I
still 
have to get packed for my six-week internship in the States, THEN come
back and study 
for the Univeristy entrance exams..." 

As the school year had come to an end, Nabiki had diligently gone
through a 
series of tests, essays, and interviews to get an internship with a
multinational 
investment firm; which just happened to be headquartered in the U.S. 

(note: can't think of a name of a firm... sigh:  and my dad's a mutual
fund guru too) 

Ranma gave Nabiki a smug look. *Six weeks without her is gonna be
great!  I 
might actually save some of my cash*  Nabiki noticed the look, glanced
at Akane and 
smirked back at Ranma. 

"You know, Ranma-kun, it truly is amazing that you passed all your 
classes... Must have been all that help Kasumi has been giving you
lately, huh?" 

Ranma noticed Akane tense up and continued walking casually.  "Yeah, 
Kasumi-oneechan has been helpful." Ranma had been using 'oneechan' for
Kasumi for a few 
weeks now. It was as if he was trying to convince himself (and everyone
else)  that she 
was like a sister to him. 

Ever since the 'Love Salt' incident, Kasumi and Ranma had gotten closer. 
Before, they had been cordial at best.  Their lives did not intersect at
anytime; except 
for meals.  Kasumi was a homemaker, concerned with taking care of her 
family; while Ranma wasn't interested in anything that was not related
to martial arts. 

Yet since their "engagement" had ended, they were spending more and more
time 
together.  For once, Ranma actually started helping with the household
chores 
and Kasumi would provide Ranma with some occasional tutoring in math,
history, 
and some of the other subjects he had trouble with. 

The rest of the family (except for Akane) thought that this was just a 
beneficial side-effect of the whole situation.  False passion had turned 
to friendship and Ranma was getting the female guidence that his mother 
thought that he needed, and from someone in his own age group.  Soun 
and Genma couldn't be happier.  By accepting Kasumi as a serrogate
sister, 
Ranma was bound to take the next step and marry into the family.  Nabiki 
wasn't too concerned about what was going on.  She trusted Kasumi's 
judgment and knew that Ranma was too much of a wimp to actually try
anything 
with her; that didn't stop her from relentlessly teasing Akane and
Ranma, 
however. 

Akane was suspicious; not of Kasumi, but of Ranma.  After all, hadn't he
groped 
and tried to hit on Miss Hinako often enough?  She felt that he had a
perverted 
fetish for older women and she was keeping a close eye on him.  She
wished that 
Ranma -had- failed a class or two, at least to keep him busy.  (With
everyone 
else gone for at least a week, who knows what he might try?) 

Nabiki was not the only person that was going to be out of town. 
Happosai had 
half threatened - half dragged Genma and Soun on another training trip. 
What 
he had not counted on was Nodoka going along to keep everyone in line;
and to 
cook the meals.  Akane was going to be on a week-long trip with some of
her 
friends in celebration of the end of the school year.  They had been
planning 
it for months and Akane was looking forward to it.  Now, she had
seriously 
considered dropping out, but her friends were adamant that she go along. 
(That pervert better not do anything to Kasumi, or I'll kill him!) 

Ranma kept walking in silence.  He knew what Akane was thinking, she had 
warned and threatened him enough in the past few weeks.  (Stupid tomboy. 
If I didn't do anything when Kasumi was in love with me, why would I do 
anything now?)  Ranma thought bitterly.  He still remembered the kiss
Kasumi 
had given him that night when she was finally cured.  She had not
repeated 
the action since, and Ranma had wondered if it was some kind of joke on
her 
part. 

A part of Ranma was disappointed at that prospect. 

At any rate, the two of them had become closer.  Ranma felt more
comfortable 
around Kasumi than any other female; any other person actually.  The
more he 
thought about it, the more he realized that she had never judged him or
had 
jumped to any conclusions about him.  She accepted all the craziness he
had 
brought to the household with quiet grace and perceverence.  For the
first time 
since moving into the Tendo Dojo, Ranma realized how much work he had
caused 
Kasumi.  It was for that reason that he started helping out around the
house; 
besides, he liked being near her. 

Ranma sighed as he continued to walk. 

Nabiki, noticing the sigh, spoke up. "Oh don't worry Ranma-kun, Akane
will 
be back in a week.  You won't miss her TOO much. . ." 

Ranma glared at Nabiki then blushed; not in embarrassment but in guilt. 
Truth 
be told, he wasn't really thinking of Akane all that much. 

"Aw who would-"  Ranma started, then stopped.  It really wasn't worth
the 
effort. "Aw, never mind..."  he finished lamely then quickly continued
on home. 
  

                        ***************************** 

Kasumi sat on the back porch, taking a break from her work.  Her long
brown 
hair was flowing freely over her shoulder.  She had removed the ribbon
that 
had held it in a ponytail and had let it out.  She stared out at the
pond 
as she ran her fingers through her hair.  (It's getting a bit long,) 
She 
thought to herself.  It was becoming a bit difficult to manage and wash,
but 
she was not ready to cut it yet.  She glanced up at the clock.  (They'll 
be home soon.) 

Kasumi sighed and waited.  She really didn't have that much to do until
dinner time. 
The house was empty without the Saotomes and her father.  She felt
alone, 
and realized how big their house was.  She wished there was something
she could 
do, some task that was missed, but everything had been completed.  Ranma
had 
helped her clean up in the morning, just like every morning for the past
few weeks. 
She almost wished he would stop, just so that she get back on schedule. 

Deep down, she really didn't want him to stop.  It felt good to have a
man help 
her around the house.  For a few moments it felt like *home*;  Not her 
-father's- home, but _her_ home.  A home she hoped to setup one day with
a husband. 
Her thoughts returned to Ranma.  (Nothing ever stays the same.  I guess
I can't go back.  But 
do I want to?)  Kasumi remembered everything she had done when she was
under the 
spell of Shampoo's salt. 

The funny thing was, she was not embarrased at all at the incident.  In
fact, 
the best way to describe what she was feeling would be...relief. 
Unfortunately, 
or fortunately, there -were- some after-affects of the 'love salt'. 
Kasumi 
still felt a hint of the mischieviousness that was present in her
thoughts when 
she tried to ensnare Ranma.  She was also more spontaneous now and did
things 
that suprised her when she did them. 

She ran fingers across her lips, remembering the time she had kissed
Ranma 
even considered.  She smiled at the memory of the look on his face.  He
had 
looked so cute, sitting there, concern for her evident in his eyes.  She
just 
had to kiss him. 

Even stranger was the fact that she did not feel uncomfortable around
Ranma at 
all, and he didn't seem uncomfortable around her.  That was on the
surface, at 
least.  He had started calling her 'oneechan' now.  She winced when she
thought 
about it.  The term only served as a reminder that she was older than
him.  She 
knew there was some tension between them and was hoping that this next
week 
would give them the opportunity to talk things out. 

She took another look at the clock, tied back her hair, and walked into
the kitchen. 
  

                                *********************** 

When the trio finally came home from school, Akane and Nabiki went up to
their 
rooms to pack while Ranma headed directly to the dojo.  He changed into 
a white gi and started warming up. He had been working out and
practicing his 
katas more than usual lately.  The exercise helped clear his mind from
the 
confusion and occasional guilt he felt over Kasumi and Akane.  (I'm such
an 
idiot. . .) Ranma mentally sighed.  (Here I am, engaged to three women,
none of whom I 
want to marry, and I'm already thinking about another girl.) 

Ranma performed a spin-kick, a little faster and more forceful than he 
intended.  (And it's Kasumi fer cryin' out loud! That's almost
incestual.  She's like a 
sister, or a mother to me.) 

Ranma breathed in deeply and let it out.  He forced all confusing
thoughts out 
of his mind as he continued the kata.  After what seemed like a few
seconds, a 
voice interrupted him. 

"Ranma-kun?  Dinner is ready." 

Ranma turned towards the voice, startled.  (Dinner already?  How long
have I 
been in here?) 

"Uh.. OK Kasumi-oneechan." 

Kasumi hesitantly walked into the dojo towards Ranma; she was carrying a 
large towel. 

"I'd say you should take a bath first, but then the food will get cold. 
You 
better just towel off." 

Kasumi, slowly and gently, started wiping the sweat off of Ranma's face
and 
neck. She felt strong muscles in his neck and shoulders through the
fabric.  She 
slowly started wiping the sweat off his chest when Ranma stopped her,
placing one 
hand on hers  and one hand on the towel. 

"Uh. . .Thanks Kasumi-oneechan, I'll be ready in a few minutes."  Ranma
said 
stepping back. 

"Ok, fine. . ." Kasumi replied stepping back. 

Neither one could meet the other's gaze.  Kasumi turned around and
walked 
out of the  dojo, her face starting to flush and her hands trembling
slightly.  
(What was I DOING?!) Kasumi frantically asked herself as she left the
dojo.  Things 
had been going smoothly so far, and all of a sudden she did something
unexpected. 
She had started out innocently enough, really she did.  She just wanted
to 
help him get ready for dinner; that was all.  Kasumi had almost
convinced 
herself of that as she entered the kitchen. 

Ranma stood in the middle of the dojo; a reoccurring chill sporadically 
climbing up and down his spine.  Whatever else had happened in the 
past, Kasumi was not just teasing him THAT time.  (Oh man, I DON'T 
want to deal with this,)  Ranma thought to himself.  (Why did everyone 
have to pick NOW to leave the house?)  The family, at least, had
provided 
a buffer between him and Kasumi.  For at least one week, that buffer
would 
be gone.  Ranma sighed as he walked out of the dojo.  (Guess I'll just
have 
to avoid her. . .) 

The three Tendo sisters and Ranma finished dinner quietly. Both 
Akane and Nabiki were excited about their respective trips and had run
off 
to make any last minute preperations that were needed.  As the two
sisters 
ran upstairs to their rooms, Ranma, against his better judgement,
decided 
to help Kasumi clean up. 

The pair quietly cleared the table and started washing the dishes in the 
kitchen.  As had become common, Kasumi washed while Ranma dried. 
Normally, 
they would talk; just inane conversation over the day's happenings.  It
was 
a pleasant experience for the both of them.  Ranma never got to "just
talk" 
with anyone, and Kasumi, despite finding household chores fulfilling,
was 
sometimes lonely. 

This particular night, however, they cleaned in silence.  As the last
dish 
was dried, Kasumi finally turned towards Ranma as said, "Ranma, we. .
.we 
really need to talk.  There are some. . .things. . . that need to be
said, and. . . 
well, with everyone gone this week... it will give us a good opportunity
to-" 

"Well, I'd love to, " Ranma interrupted in a rush.  "You're right we
really 
need to talk, of course, I'm gonna be kinda busy next week, ya know, it
being 
summer and all...but I'll be sure to make some time to...talk." 

Ranma quickly left the kitchen and ran up to his room, leaving a
bewildered 
Kasumi behind.  (Oh, man... I really don't need this!) Ranma whined to 
himself when he reached his room.  He stepped into his room and lay down
on 
his futon.  After a few seconds he got back up and started pacing the
room. 
Ranma had always avoiding talking to all the girls who where after him
whenever 
they got serious.  If he talked to them about his feelings, it would
invariably 
lead him to be forced into some kind of a decision, which would then
lead 
him to some kind of a commitment.  The ONLY thing Ranma was committed 
to was martial arts; besides, if he made a decision, he would hurt a lot
of 
people, and he just couldn't do that. 

Ranma lay back down on his bed.  He thought about the different women in
his 
life.  Ukyou and Shampoo were cute, Akane was cute when she smiled,
Kodachi? 
Ranma shuddered at that thought.  Kasumi... Kasumi wasn't cute; she was 
beautiful.  Ranma sighed then forced himself to try to fall asleep. 

                        ***************************** 

Kasumi stared intently at the unoffending carrot as she chopped it into
bits. 
Actually, she was hacking at it rather than cutting it.  For the first
time 
since her mother died, Kasumi was mad;  not just upset, or angry, but
MAD, and 
a little hurt. For the past four days, ever since Akane and Nabiki had 
left, Ranma was rarely seen at the Tendo home.  He woke up before
Kasumi, and 
came home well after she went to bed. 

She knew he was coming home each night because she stayed awake until he
did. 
She knew he was avoiding her and had considered confronting him, but
decided 
against it.  If he didn't want to talk to her, she wouldn't force the
issue. 
If he wanted to be immature about the whole thing that was his
business.  What 
on earth had made her think that she could get involved with a younger
man, not 
even a man at that, but a boy.  "Insensitve jerk!" She growled out as
her 
knife slammed on to the cutting board. 

She looked down and sighed.  "Oh my... I'm starting to sound like
Akane." 
Kasumi said and then started laughing. 
  

                        ****************************** 

"Thank you, come again!"  Ranma-chan said sweetly as a customer left. 

She had been working in the Nekohanten for the past few days; ever since 
everyone had left him alone with Kasumi.  Normally, Ranma wouldn't look 
at this kind of work as a way to escape his problems but there were
several 
reasons he had decided to ask Cologne for her old job back.  First, all 
the work kept her busy, and when she was busy, she didn't have to think 
about Kasumi.  Second, Cologne was a slave driver, working Ranma to the 
bone, day and night.  Because of this, Ranma was able stay away from 
the dojo without getting bored or really having the time to feel guilty. 
Finally, Ranma was at the Nekohanten as a type of pennance.  Deep down, 
he knew his was treating Kasumi badly, and staying as a girl and working 
for the 'old ghoul' provided him with a sort of punishment.  *Maybe I
can 
make it up to her. . .* 

"I don't pay you to take breaks son-in-law.  Three orders of ramen,
coming 
your way!" Cologne called out. 

"Got it, got it..." Ranma-chan mumbled.  She walked towards the counter
as 
Cologne tossed the bowls of ramen to her with practiced ease. 
Ranma-chan 
leaped into the air, caught a bowl in each hand, caught the third 
with her right foot and landed gracefully back on the floor on her left
foot. 
The crowd in the resteraunt clapped and cheered at the display. 

After Ranma-chan finished serving the order, Shampoo glomped onto her. 

"Ranma is getting good at being waitress!"  Shampoo exclaimed. 

"Thanks, Shampoo."  Ranma replied dryly. 

"After work, you take Shampoo to date, yes?" 

"No, Shampoo, " Ranma said, sounding like he had explained this several
times 
already. "Like I keep tellin' ya, I'm not interested in takin' ya on a
date!" 

"If Ranma no like Shampoo, why Ranma come work here?"  Shampoo
challenged. 

"Well. . .It's kinda hard to explain..." Ranma lamely replied,
scratching her head. 
(God!  I can't tell HER about Kasumi, she'd kill her!)  Ranma thought to
herself. 

Shampoo smiled knowingly.  "Shampoo not stupid.  Shampoo understand." 

Ranma gulped nervously and weakly said, "Understand what?" 

"Ranma not ready to tell Shampoo he love her.  It's OK.  Shampoo can
wait." 

Shampoo gave Ranma-chan a hug, stepped back and said, "But not too
long." 

Shampoo giggled, turned around and bounced into the kitchen. 

Ranma-chan stared at Shampoo with a look of shock and realization. 
(She- 
she can wait.) All the girls he was involved with have been waiting for
him.  They were 
all the same age, and despite of everything, they were all still young. 
Ranma 
always figured that he could wait a few years before coming to some kind
of 
a conclusion.  After all, he was still in high school.  But he could
not, would 
not do that to Kasumi.  Kasumi wasn't old; far from it, but she was
ready to 
move on to the next stage in her life, a stage Ranma wasn't ready to
deal 
with.  To be honest, it was a stage that none of Ranma's fiances' were
ready to 
deal with. That's why, after almost two years, they were willing to wait
and why 
Kasumi, after only a few months, needed to talk. 

(Yes...I need to settle things with Kasumi once and for all.) 
Ranma-chan said 
to herself as she picked up another order. 
  

                        ****************************** 

Kasumi lay in bed staring up the ceiling.  She glanced at the clock on
her wall. 
(Five minutes till 10 o'clock.  He'll be home soon.)  She had decided
that 
enough was enough.  She was going to confront Ranma tonight and they
would talk, 
whether he liked it or not.  She was going to wait for him in the living
room, 
but then decided that she wanted him securely in the house before she
sprung 
on him. She admitted to herself that it was a sneaky way of handling the
situation, but 
it  would serve Ranma right after the lack of maturity he had been
showing. 

The house was very quiet at night and Kasumi was easily able to hear the
front 
door open.  She nearly jumped out of bed right then, but decided to wait 
until Ranma had at least come upstairs.  She sat up in bed as she heard
his 
footsteps come up the stairs.  By the time he had reached the top of the
stairs, Kasumi 
had gotten out of bed was about to open her door. 

As her hand reached the door knob, there was a knock on the door. 
Kasumi jumped 
back, a little startled.  "Kasumi?"  Ranma-chan's voice queried.  "Are
you 
awake?" 

Kasumi slowly opened her door and looked at Ranma-chan.  Ranma-chan took 
a deep breath and and said, "I hope I didn't wake you. . ." 

"No, I was still up."  Kasumi replied. 

The two stared at each other for a few moments.  Everything Kasumi had
planned 
to say was lost the minute she opened the door.  She couldn't believe
that 
Ranma was actually approaching her.  Ranma-chan finally took another
deep breath 
and bowed to Kasumi. 

"I'm sorry Kasumi.  I should not have left you alone in the house for
all 
these days. I've been avoiding you when you needed to talk, and besides
that, it 
is my duty to protect you since no one else is around.  I have failed in
that duty.
I hope you can forgive me." 

Kasumi just stared at the diminutive red head in front of her. 
Ranma-chan 
had not risen from her bowed position.  Kasumi finally understood
something that had 
been confusing her for the past two years.  She understood why this
sex-changing, 
rude, crass, conceited, quick-tempered, insensitive young man had four
women chasing 
after him.  She definitely included Akane in that count; Kasumi wasn't
blind. 

In spite of all his short-comings, Ranma was a -good- person.  He
protected 
those who could not protect themselves.  He never backed down from
anything he 
considered to be a challenge.  He fought hard for those who loved him,
even if he did not 
feel that same for them.  He forgave most of his enemies rather easily,
even 
when they had given him reason not to.  Kasumi realized then that Ranma
was not 
immature; just frustrated and a bit cynical.  By the age of 17, he had
faced more 
adversity than most people did in a lifetime.  And yet he still had
hope; he never 
gave up. 

All these things were good qualities in a husband.  Realizing that,
Kasumi fell 
into the same trap as the four women before her.  "Oh my. . ,"  She said
in a 
resigned voice. She suddenly realized that Ranma was still bowing in
front of 
her. 

"Let's go downstairs Ranma. I'll get you some hot water and we can
talk." 

"Sure, Kasumi." 

The pair went down stairs and Ranma sat in the living room while Kasumi
went 
to the kitchen and started boiling a kettle of water.  It was fortunate
that 
this particular task needed to be done; it gave Ranma and Kasumi a
chance to 
gather their thoughts. 

Ranma-chan was trying to relax on the sofa.  She had planned to tell
Kasumi 
that she was family, a sister really, and that he really didn't have
any 
romantic feelings for her.  Ranma figured, that given the time, he could 
actually convince himself of this as well.  Once that was done, Kasumi
could 
move on to someone who deserved her and Ranma would look back on this 
situation as a nostalgic part of growing up.  This was the first time 
Ranma had thought things through, and she was actually proud of the
results. 
*Yep. . . just gonna set her free. . .yeah. . .that's what I'm gonna do.
. .yep. . .* 

Meanwhile, Kasumi was in the kitchen, staring at the kettle which was
beginning 
to heat up.  She knew that Ranma was not ready for any kind of
commitment; to 
her or to anyone.  If he was ready, he would have choosen a fiance a
while back 
and she wouldn't be in this situation right now.  She was more patient
than most 
people, but she felt the passage of time more keenly than a 17 year old
boy.  At 
age 20, she was hardly old, but she was a traditional woman and she
wanted to 
be married.  She wanted a husband who could guide her and protect her. 
Someone 
she could nurture and grow with. 

She was forced to grow up the day her mother died and her life was in
limbo 
ever since.  She knew that people looked to her to see what the ideal
feminine 
wife should be, but she took little pleasure in this, for in some ways,
she 
did not feel feminine at all.  At least until she had eaten Shampoo's
love 
salt.  Those feelings of passion and desire, repressed for so long, had 
finally been released and she could no longer deny them. 

As the kettle began to whistle, Kasumi wondered how Ranma would fit into
her 
hopes and dreams for the future.  (I'm going to have to handle this 
carefully.  He's more skittish than a wild animal.) She turned of the
stove, 
picked up the kettle and walked into the living room. 

                        ***************************** 

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?"  Ranma-kun as nervously. 

The two of them were sitting on either end of the sofa, trying to relax
and 
sink into their respective corners.  They each had an arm stretched out 
on the top of the sofa, their fingers almost touching. 

Ranma figured that he would let Kasumi lead the conversation and talk
about 
anything that she needed to and then he would react to her statements. 
For 
once, he figured that there was no need to jump the gun and stick his
foot 
in his mouth. 

"Just. . .just tell me about you."  Kasumi suggested. 

"Huh? What're ya talking about Kasumi?  You know all about me. . . the 
important stuff anyway. . ," Ranma replied. 

The request confused Ranma.  Whatever he was expecting, this certainly 
wasn't it. 

"Ranma, " Kasumi began patiently, "I think we both can admit that we
feel a 
certain... attraction to each other because of what Shampoo did.  Am I
right?" 

Ranma opened his mouth, ready to refute her statement, but the look in
her eyes 
DARED him to disagree, so he only nodded mutely. 

"Okay,"  Kasumi said, relaxing slightly.  "After what happened, I
realized that 
I know nothing about you.  Oh, I know about most of what you've gone
through, 
but I don't know how -feel- about anything.  Do you talk to anyone
Ranma?  I 
mean, really just talk, about what you want, what you fear, what you
dream. . ." 

"Hey!  I ain't scared of nothing!"  Ranma said defensively. 

"See?  That's what I mean!"  Kasumi shot back.  "Everyone has fears
Ranma. 
Everyone. And I'm not just speaking of cats. . ." 

Kasumi took deep breath and continued.  "I'm not pressuring you into 
anything here, Ranma.  I'm just giving you a chance to talk, and
hopefully, you'll give me 
the same opportunity.  In spite of all the craziness around here, we're
both 
lonely Ranma. What do you say?" 

Ranma relaxed completely after Kasumi finished talking.  (She didn't
wanna talk 
about marriage, or love, or any of that stuff!  She just wants
to..talk.  heh. 
What do I have to lose?) 

Ranma looked at Kasumi, gratitude evident in his eyes.  "Thank you
Kasumi, I 
guess. . .I guess I'd like that." 

Kasumi smirked, then gave Ranma an innocent look, "Ranma-kun, you looked 
relieved!" 

"Well, I am, " Ranma started, not thinking (as usual), "I thought you
wanted to 
talk about-"  Ranma suddenly stopped, realizing what he was about to
say. 

"About marriage? Being in love? Having a relationship?"  Kasumi
helpfully 
offered. 

Ranma paled, then weakly nodded.  Kasumi laughed easily then said,
"Well, we 
still have time for all that.  Besides, don't you know?  Nothing EVER
gets 
resolved around here!" 

Ranma laughed, then teasingly said, "What ever you say, Oneechan." 

Kasumi gave Ranma a pained look and replied, "PLEASE don't call me that
Ranma, 
I feel positively ancient when YOU say it." 

Ranma repressed a grin as he stood up, ready to run. "Oh?  Do you prefer 
'Obasan' then?" Ranma asked as he ran up the stairs laughing, Kasumi
following 
close behind. 
  

***************************************************************** 
THE END 
************** 
Ok, thanks to all the people who responded to 
Kasumi and Spice and Everything Nice.  I really appreciated 
the feedback and it motivated me to actually write the 
sequel.  I had mentioned that this one might be a lemon, 
but I backed off from that idea.  I just couldn't write 
a sex scene that seemed....plausible.  Oh well. 

Special thanks also to Matt Posner who gave me lots of 
well thought out and constructive feedback on "Kasumi and Spice" 
Sorry Matt, I made most the same mistakes this time around... 

And finally... thanks to all the FFMLIRC people you took the 
time to listen to me talk about about my writing... 

as always, C&C is appreciated, anandr@earthlink.net 
  
  

-- 
_______________________________
| C  S |                      |
| O  Y | "If you can't fight, |
| L  M |                      |
| L  P | and you can't flee,  |
| I  H |                      |
| D  O |   flow."             |
| I  N |                      |
| N  I |  ----Robert Elliot   |
| G  E |______________________|
|    S | Anand Rao            |
|______|______________________|