Ahem... I hardly ever get involved in these argument threads, but this time
there was something about it...  Because of the ideas here, I went back and
reread Zen's story.  Damn good story.  Holds up real well and is not painful
at all to reread.  Truth to tell, I think David Johnston is right.  At one
point he says:

In this story the real
big moment...Akane realising what she's thrown away and how, 
has already happened.  Nothing else which happens is going to 
change that.  

He is right. This really is the dramatic climax of the story.  Since someone
evoked Robert Heinlein let me point out that he once said that there are
really only three stories: "If this goes on..." "Boy meets Girl." and "The
Man who learned better."  Zen fooled us into thinking we were reading a
romance story but "Long and Winding Road" is really "The Man (well Japanese
Girl named Akane) who learned better."  What she learned was the hard lesson
that some mistakes can't be taken back or corrected.  Sometimes it just
doesn't work to say, "I didn't mean it!"

Consider some of the possibilities for how the story might procede.  Ranma
has formally asked Ukyou to marry him and she has accepted.  It's a done
deal. Barring some unforseen accident or death of one or both of them, it
will happen, eventually.  So it's a matter of time.  If Akane finds Ranma
after only a week, then we get a tearful scene of "I didn't mean it, Ranma.
I'm sorry!"  and "I'm sorry, too, Akane.  It's too late."  Suppose it takes
Akane five years to find them.  They are probably years married and may have
children at this point.  If, in the event, Akane has decided she hates them
and is seeking revenge... well, it get's pretty dark and fast.  We've seen
how fiercely Ranma will defend an innazuke he didn't even pick for himself.
Can you imagine how _dangerous_ he'd be if someone threatened his wife
and/or children?

Most of the possibilities I can see for future confrontations between the
characters end up either very sad or very dark.  Well, maybe if they meet
again in twenty-five years they'd be able to have a good belly laugh at how
dumb they were as kids, but that would be a pretty short story.

As for what fcasper wrote:

Also, what about the fate of the other finacees and possible suitors? 
Will Mousse finally have a chance to convince Shampoo that he's the best
man for her?  Will Ryouga finally confess his love for Akane?  There's a
lot of if's here and the second part is likely to deal with some of
them.  While Part 1 could be made into a stand-alone story, it's better
to tie up all the loose ends so you know for certain that Ranma and
Ukyou will live a happy life.  

These are all interesting questions, but none of that really has anything to
do with what this particular story is about.  And your last point: "it's better
to tie up all the loose ends so you know for certain that Ranma and Ukyou
will live a happy life."  I couldn't disagree more.  There are no
certainties in life.  Maybe Ranma and Ukyou will be happy together or maybe
they won't.  I for one rather wonder how Ukyou will react when she realizes
marriage isn't perfect, but by leaving the future unresolved Zen's story is
more, not less, interesting. Imagine your own continuation.  They end up
running a combination restaurant and martial arts dojo making lots of good
meals and teaching lots of students and raising many happy, healthy children
who all grow up to be world class martial artists.  It's certainly a
possible and supportable future.

Oh yeah, and least I forget: When I said I could only think of dark or sad
possibilities for the future if Zen continues this story, I should add
loudly "In My Opinion."  I would be just thrilled to tiny little bits if Zen
proved me totally wrong and utterly lacking in imagination by writing an
interesting, moving part 2 that takes the story into territory I'd never
have imagined in a thousand years.  How about it, Zen, am I wrong?  Please?

Best,

Bob Barnes
rbarnes@moscow.com
Moscow, Idaho

When opportunity comes, the trick is to CATCH the red hat.