Oh boy, another "I couldn't say it better myself" post.  And it's true, for
most of this I really doubt I _could_ say it better.  For space purposes I'm
going to snip the parts that are like that, and just insert a couple of
comments.

[snip]

Actually, the situation was created by Soun and Genma.  In order to 
avoid being rushed into the marriage, R&A agreed to pretend to keep 
fighting, while actually just getting to know one another.  At the time, 
this was a not-unreasonable solution, given the fathers' obsessive 
prodding.  Remember that when each of the subordinate suitors showed up, 
their primary prupose was the death of either Ranma or Akane.  Yes, they 
could be called friends *now*, but that took time.  Until that occured, 
they had to be assumed to be threats. 

Exactly right on.  In addition, having shown that they were threats in the
past, the only rational way to handle them is to assume they could become
threats again and try to avoid that outcome.

[snip]

Who?  No one is going to enjoy the end results of this.  I'll find the 
fic pretty unbelieveable if _any_ of these people are ever willing to 
talk civilly to Ranma or Akane again.  This level of deception is just 
unforgiveable.  I know if someone pulled something like this on me, I 
would never ever trust them again for any reason.

Even Mousse isn't going to be pleased.  You see, it turns out Ranma 
_has_ been stringing Shampoo along, just like Mousse always claimed!

This one I'll give you, to an extent.  Some of the characters are NOT 
going to react well, and at least a few might very well never speak to 
the couple again.

You are almost certainly right about that.  While it would be real nice if
everyone involved here could hug, forgive each other and make up, I don't
think it's very realistic given some of the people involved. I think that's
partially why Ranma and Akane put off trying to do something extraordinary
to resolve things for so long.  I mean... it's not completely out of the
question to consider that they like and even admire some of these people. I
wonder how adults would handle this situation.

[snip]

Likewise, Akane and Ranma are concerned about *their* well-being.  While 
they don't wish harm on the others, in many cases, those "others" cause 
their own problems, largely with self-deception.  I will concede that 
certain incidents are going to require exceptional explanation, however, 
most notably the "Reversal Jewel" arc.  (Actually, I can think of the 
overall reasoning behind it, but not the reason that Ranma chose the 
exact course that he did.)

I'm not sure exactly how to handle that one either.  Consider that Ranma
Saotome has real good reasons to dislike magic and the way it can affect
people.  You could say he has a distaste for magic that amounts to horror.
Remember the "Koi On Her Breast" story arc?  I honestly don't think he could
see an acquaintance under the influence of possibly toxic magic and just
walk away.  Do you?

[snip]

Actually, the author has dropped some very dark hints about "other 
secrets" that may be lying around, that Akane and Ranma have no clue 
about.

It's real gratifying for a writer to see that someone has read his story
carefully. Thanks!

[snip]

Best,

Bob Barnes
rbarnes@moscow.com
Moscow, Idaho

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