[Snip!]

And as for magic overriding biology, that'd work too, and the
complications and potential complications of magic should be obvious
enough.

Interesting. I could also claim that a Shimeru's systems go haywire

when

the hormone is absent (sort of like menopause, but far more severe).

Not to mention that any *science* based cure will have required that at
least 1 Shimeru was the subject of a detailed and almost certainly
prolonged examination.  Something that would not be Welcome.

I'd think that the Shimeru's wouldn't be that interested in finding a
permanent cure - Futaba is the *ONLY* Shimeru shown who seems
to have a problem with the condition and if he'd get over that
juvenile crush on Misaki...

Seriously, I'd take it for granted that the Shimeru's would make
some use of mood altering drugs to help them control their
condition, but on the available evidence only Futaba would *WANT*
a permanent cure.

Do remember that the transformed body of the Shimeru is
described as "enhanced".  They get some bonuses with the
change - to the point that most of them seem to find it a
more than equitable trade-off.

What the Shimeru's would actually want is *NOT* a way to lock
themselves into *shudder* one unchanging body, but a way to
better control the change so that they can pick the body under
*ALL* conditions.

In all seriousness, I can well imagine Futaba or Akane telling
Ranma he has it better than them, *HE* can avoid or control
his changing with a little care and effort.  After all, the "Water
Magnet" effect of the Jusenkyo curses isn't immediately
obvious.

Ranma will be secretly trying to find a way to "cure" Akane of her
transforming,

Given that Akane's male form is probably a better fighting body
(given Shimeru "enhancements") Akane is, on the whole, unlikely
to welcome such efforts if she finds out.

Akane would probably see accepting such a "cure" as a
betrayal of her families way of life and even if part of her
welcomes it, she is not going to tamely accept it.

A method of control that let her remain female at "those
moments" but still free to be male at other times... that
I think she and every other Shimeru would welcome.

so I need some cure that can be used as a literary device.
Any other ideas?

Given that this is Ranma searching, then any cure he finds
will either be magic or chi based.  He simply can't come up
with anything else, he wouldn't even know where to start
looking.

Of the 2 options...

Magic could be anything you want it to be.  If you use it, just
make sure it slots into the story the way you want it too.  Think
about it's ramifications a bit as well.

Chi is trickier.  The first thing that comes to mind is some
meditation technique that builds the chi and enables the
practitioner to control themselves absolutely.   Perhaps
some technique similar to the Hiryu Shoutenha in that
there is a way to draw in and utilise external Chi to hold
form for a while.  Again would require a bit of thought as
to what your story would want and what it's ramifications
would be.

--------

One final issue I would like to raise, there is a lot of talk about
"curing" Akane.  But the Shimeru condition is not a disease or
a curse, it is a part of the Shimeru's life.  If Ranma starts talking
about the Shimeru condition as if it is the above, then he is not
going to be welcome.

I would say that it would be equally valid for the Tendo's to try and
work on getting Ranma to accept his changing and teaching him to
live with being both male and female.  Mind you, Ranma is *NOT*
going to make such efforts easy. ^_^

By putting forward only *1* option in this regard you simply show
that you have a limited view.  If you can come up with an Akane-
Ranma match-up in which they've learned to get along despite their
changes...

Don't think in a limited fashion.  Even if you decide an idea won't work
as it stands, keep it in mind for future reference, a slightly modified
version may be just what you want down the track.

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"The Major"             |  "Funny Games, Strange Cartoons, Confusing
David Bateson           |     Computers and too many Books!  No
                        |     wonder you're weird."
majorb@one.net.au       |       - My Sister.
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