James Champagne wrote:

One second, two seconds, three...

"Oh, my!"  "Growf?"  "My daughter, a murderer..."

I agree that their reactions are somewhat OOC. Ranma's is better,
though. There have been enough DARK dark fics for this scene to pass
muster, though.

Soun, especially, has been getting objections.  Perhaps if I left him
out, and just had Kasumi and Genma in here?  (This might, in fact,
work well for a continuation, giving Genma a reason to act nervous
around Akane, then argue with Soun about what Genma "saw".)

"I overheard Shampoo plotting to make Akane kill Ukyou."  Glance

towards

the dead body.

This twist is a bit much. Doesn't anyone suspect that KK might not be
the most...reliable witness?

Anyone?  But of course.  Ranma?  He's the only one she has to
convince...

I was not originally planning on continuing this story (as I typed, it
only took me about three hours to write), but now I think I will.
Kodachi's attempts to head this problem off is definitely an issue that
will be explored as the fic progresses.

It took me a long time to learn that.  A very painful long time.  But,
learn it I did.  If Nabiki thinks I have not, then I will manipulate
her with that misinformation, just as she as done to so many others.

Heh, heh. Another thing you have to suspect about KK is that she and
Nabiki really aren't all that different. Maybe that helps explain the
"logic" of the Nabiki-Kuno match you so often see in fics... As an OOC
note, do you really think Nabsie would go along that readily, given how
protective she is of her family? She'll exploit them, but not hurt them,
or let them be hurt. Kodachi needs to do a better job of convincing
Nabiki that this turn of events is really for the best in the long run.

Perhaps I should have Kodachi add, "I was not the one who hurt Akane.
Ukyou, and Ranma, were.  One is now dead.  I will deal with the other,"
to her declaration just before she offers her brother to Nabiki?  With
getting revenge for her sister out of the way, Nabiki would have no
reason to tell Ranma...especially if Kodachi asked for this as part of
her "dealing" with him.

...why is Ranma reaching for a glass of water?

*SPLASH*

...

"Pig-tailed one?"

"Like I said, my 'sorcery' only affects me."

My mouth can barely work.  "R...Ranma?"

"Yes, Kodachi.  Cold water changes me to this form.  Hot water changes
me back.  That's the only 'sorcery' I have, other than martial arts."
Now it is his turn to stare daggers, at my brother.  "Don't say it.  I
can not release my hold over this body, any more than you could over
your own hands.  I wish I could be rid of this; of course, your
pig-tailed goddess would then be gone forever."

Tatewaki's impression of a goldfish is rather ill-timed.

And would either Kuno be so quick to see the truth, even laid out before
them like this?

Good point...which is why Tatewaki only agreed to investigate, not
believe, at the fic's end (so far).

Perhaps I should have Ranma demonstrate his reverse change before
Kodachi talks as if Ranma is there, then have Kodachi trying the change
for herself...for a few hours straight...before accepting it?

A slight smile.  "If anyone's going to injure Ranma, it will be me."

"Uhh...Kodachi..."

Wink.  "And I won't unless you let me.  I wish you could enjoy the

pain,

Ranma...I only do it to pleasure you."

"Right..."

Great.  Looks like I will not get to use that rack after all.  Not

until

I get him adjusted...and that could take a while.

But that is just another type of training, is it not?  And, Ranma, I do
so wish to train you.

I take it back yet again. THAT was definitely the scariest line in the
story.

Thank you, thank you.  I'll try to do better...or worse...err, how about
just plain more kowai? ;)