Before we get all moralistic here, about who lied first and who lied the
most and whatnot, we need to consider some things.  Maintaining your

privacy

isn't lying. An acceptable response to a nosy question is a punch in the
nose, but suppose you don't want to resort to violence? A whole lot of what
Akane does to Ryouga/P-chan relates to maintaining her privacy. Also, a lot
of guys may need to be reminded of this: sneaking into a woman's bed under
false pretenses victimizes her.  Watching her dress and undress when she
doesn't know it's happening victimizes her. Tricking her into sharing her
private thoughts victimizes her. These are crimes that make lying rather
pale by comparison. Don't take my word for it.  Go read some feminist
literature.

Actually, Ryouga always tries to look away rather than see Akane naked, even
as P-chan.

I was about to stick this into the conversation before I read your message,
Ken.  Ryoga doesn't try to look at the naked Akane - actually, I've always
thought it was pretty clear that he does what he does simply to try to
protect her from Ranma, who, in his views, does things like creep in from
the window and try to force himself on Akane.

Now whether or not Ryoga is 'victimizing' Akane is, of course, a subjective
point.  If he victimizing her, he's just doing it for her own protection -
protection he couldn't offer otherwise - so I'd say he's justified.

Hunter Kid
http://www.serve.com/guilds/ranma/
guilds@mail.serve.com

open hk.sig

    The older man, Genma, snorted.  "Believe me, boy.  The Conerians aren't
the brightest bunch around, but they know a Pravok name when they hear one.
 One whisper of our real names to them, and we're goners."  He made a
gesture of a sword slicing through a neck, which was enough to quell any of
Ryoga's complaints.
    "Fine, fine," Ryoga consented with a sigh.  "I still think it's sort of
a dishonorable thing to do, hiding our identities and all."
    Genma smirked.  "Better dishonorable than dead, boy.  You'd best
remember that."
					 	-from Song of the Lute, chapter 1
[hk.sig; errors-0; file terminating]