----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Kleppe <kleppe@execpc.com>
To: <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Friday, September 24, 1999 12:24 PM
Subject: [FFML] [C&C] Travel, Training and Trials, chapter 2

"KaraOhki" <karaohki@snet.net> wrote:

Before Soun could continue, Kasumi held up her hand.

"Father, I know I acted badly yesterday.  Forgive me."

"That's all right, Kasumi. I'm sure they'll still let you stay in

the

play."

I think I'll ignore that one, Gary. ^_^

"Daddy?"

"I'd like to talk to you for a minute, Nabiki."

Hmmm... this isn't turning into a rewrite of "Smile," is it? ^_^

Nope.

"Liar.  You were scared.  My friend Yuka is allergic to cats.  Her
eyes swell up, and she sneezes like crazy.  If you were allergic to
cats you would have started sneezing last night when you got here.
Mind trying the truth?"

Ranma sighed.

"Close the door and I'll tell you."

IMO, Ranma should be taken a bit more aback at this, at least

initially.

No one likes to be called a liar, flat out, even when he is one. :)

As I see it, Ranma knew he wasn't going to get away with it...so he
let Akane's remark slide.  His excuse was rather lame.

Akane sighed.  She loved Tora dearly, and this wasn't going to be
easy.

"I'm going to give him to the little girl next door."

"The one who eats cats? Ewww!"

Naw, she eats Kleppes...

"It's okay.  I've been so busy lately that I haven't paid him very
much attention anyway.  Besides, Midori really likes Tora, so

she'll

take good care of him."

"M-Midori?"

"Yes. Ever since I got this cat, she's wanted it for herself. She's

been

green with envy."

Akane, may I borrow your mallet for a sec?

"So Father asked me to pretend to go along with the arrangement.  I
don't like it much, but it's hard to say no to him."

"That kid better not lay a finger on you, or he'll answer to me!"

This is a pretty uncharacteristic thing for Tofu to say. Is he so

very

different in this continuity?

He's just upset...he's really the nice Tofu (not the evil one)

"What were the two of you talking about?"
"I think Dr. Tofu wanted to make sure I wasn't going to take your

Missing a line space.

thank you!

Akane trailed off, blushed, and turned away.

"What?"

"I like you better than the boys at school.  They...they BOTHER

me!"

Ack. Can you change that last bit? It brings back memories of old

SNL

skits.

It does?

"Upperclassman Kuno, my name is Ranma Saotome.  It was your idea

that

whoever defeated Akane would have the right to date her?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever defeated her?"

"Alas, no."

Ranma dropped his bag, and cracked his knuckles.

"Akane.  Defend yourself."

A very clever idea, but it seems a little too convenient for Ranma

to

have thought it up in about three seconds.

It's instinct.  Akane said she was being bothered.  He likes her
enough to want to prevent that...unfortunately he has NOT thought of
the consequences.

Ranma had taken Akane by surprise, but she recovered quickly.

Kuno's

mouth dropped open as he watched the two battle each other.  It was
obvious to him that neither was holding back, and that they were

very

evenly matched.

She must've improved a lot in this continuity... or else Ranma

really is

holding back but Kuno doesn't see it.

If you check the previous chapters you'll see that Akane has been
training hard with her father since she was very small.  She's not as
good as Ranma, but she's close.

Overall, pretty good. I'd like to see some more credible threat to

Ranma

and Akane, though. Things are still going too easy for them.

Be patient.

Thanks a lot, Gary.  I always appreciate your comments.

June