"Freemage ." <freemage@hotmail.com> wrote:

   Ranma-chan and Akane arrived home just as Kasumi was coming
out.  She looked at them and smiled.  "Oh, wonderful.  _Ranko_,"
she said, stressing the pseudonym just enough so that they would
know who was still within earshot, "you're just in time.  Nabiki
called, and said that Ryouga was visiting her at the hospital. 
She asked if you could go and pick him up.  I guess he asked to
stay in the Dojo tonight."  She handed him one of Ryouga's
outfits.

Doesn't Kasumi (or Akane) think it's a bit strange that (1) Ryoga needs
to have clothes brought to him (2) Ryoga's clothes are lying around
where Kasumi can find them?

   "I'm not sure, Nabiki told me to send them.  When I asked her
why, she just started snickering and saying something about a
draft."

Greetings! By order of martial artist selective service act...

   Just as they entered the family room, Nodoka Saotome entered
from the kitchen, bearing a tray laden with a teapot and cups. 
"Ah, just in time."  She paused, looking at Soun and "Mr. Panda"
at the Go board.  "You know, I would almost think Mr. Panda knew
the rules."

He does; he just doesn't follow 'em.

   Nodoka turned to Akane, who was watching the Go game with a
disinterested look.  "So, dear, have you and my son set a date,
yet?"

   Akane sprayed a mouthful of tea all over her father, then
looked at Nodoka in shock.  {Thanks, Kami, for nothing.}

Her reaction seems a bit strong here. Maybe if Noddy added something
like "How about next Thursday?"

   {Hmmm... I suspected Saotome to put up more of a resistance
than this, but there's no sign of him,} thought Soun Tendou to
himself as he lowered the staircase that led up to the attic. 
{Perhaps he has finally come to realize that I only wish to
carry on the Master's work, in my own way.}

   He spoke in low, even tones, to ensure that his voice would
not carry into the bathroom.  "You cannot stop me, Saotome. 
Already I have grown far more powerful than you could hope to
imagine."

The revelation here might be a bit too abrupt.


Gary Kleppe
http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics