It wasn't a very good story. It was only a thinly veiled excuse to 
bash. http://www.theaskguys.com/%7Epics/flamebait.jpg

I disagree. But, it's kinda complex.
It starts out trying to be canon, but hits a bump on the tracks and 
falls deep into... the Alternative Zone. Ukyo is obviously a parasitic
pod person, created by Them to take down Ranma Saotome, the
last obstacle between Them and Their goal to turn the entire humanity
into cheese!

Which is kinda sad, because I agree with the basic concept of this story, 
which is that Ranma probably wouldn't be happy with Ukyo, because 
their goals conflict too much. 

This fic... I think it would be better, if you really really tried to make 
things work with them, e.g. Ukyo being completely without blame
(see:Saint Ukyo), etc... and things _still_ wouldn't work out.
As it is, the concept is OK, and the first person view sort-of works, 
but the plot needs work(E.G. the Akane-disappearing etc.)
If you would do this into a continuing series, i'd make this alot darker, 
(See: Ukyo Can Cook (the fic) and Ill Met By Starlight)
You _still could have a happy ending, getting there would just be more 
interesting.

Of course, another interesting concept would be where Ranma and Ukyo 
a) End up together
b) Still have completely opposite goals and
c) work things out and live happily ever after

Well.... speaking as someone that really doesn't have a preference for who ends up with Ranma... I have this to add: 

The concept that a person's goals can poison a relationship is more than just plain wrong, it's not having a realistic view of life as an adult.
Life is full of compromises, little and big.

But, ultimately, it's the choices that one makes that makes or breaks a relationship. 

Personally I'm for making Ranma's life all the more complicated, like I'm trying to do in my fic I'm working on :D
Gotta remember folks, Nodaka only said that she wants the
wedding held off until the Fiancee mess gets straightened
out. She did not say that Ranma needs to choose one.

Maybe its a nitpick, but strictly speaking Ukyo has the
strongest claim on Ranma, both legally and based on giri. 
She has an actual Marriage pledge, and her dowery was
accepted as a gift. That places a big responsibility on
the Saotome's to make good, or lose big chunks of family
 honor. 

Besides, the pledge between the Saotome's and Tendo's
was to unite the schools by blood. I honestly don't
remember them actually saying anywhere that that
 condition HAD to be met via marriage, it was merely assumed.

The letter of the agreement is open to interpretation.

Nodaka could very easily get Ranma married to Ukyo, and
place the burden of honor on the Tendo's, requiring
Akane to be Ranma's mistress.
*pictures how Akane would take that suggestion... oooo
scary.. it'd look a lot like Mt Fuji waking up.)

(Then again, a mother in Japan is the one that decides
who their children marry in arranged marriages... so 
Nodaka might just decide that Kodachi is the best match
(good family, samurai stock, rich, and with her "unique"
 view of 'manliness' she might get the idea into her
 head of "Ohhhh she's a gymnast, so flexible.. just the
 one for my manly son.")

Anyway, since no official omai was conducted, she might
, on a point of detail, invalidate ALL of the fiancees.
 
The one that Nodaka would most likely have a real 
issue with is Shampoo... If Nodaka is as traditional as
 she seems, the idea of her son marrying a gaijin would 
horrify her.

The thing is, in Japan there is even codified law that
 gives concubines certain legal rights for themselves
 and their children in relation to their paramour. 

You see, even into the late 1800's and into 1920's when
 multiple wives were outlawed, having a concubine was a
 big status symbol. 

However, back to topic... Ukyo does love Ranma, and
 she's shown in the manga that she'd throw away her
 okonoiyaka fetish, to be a good wife to Ranma. 
(the whole "sauce" story in the manga showed this)
I think it's highly unreasonable to say that she'd
 become the dominant figure when she has so frequently
 shown her desire to drop the "tom boy" act that she had
 to put on when masquerading as a boy, and fill a more
 "womanly" role (at least as the Japanese see it), being 
subordinate to Ranma, as his wife.
 

So, I think it's more reasonable to say that Ukyo would 
try to be cognizant of Ranma's personal needs, and see
what he wants out of their marriage, as well as trying to
match her goals to his.

Also, their differences could just as easliy work to
their advantage. Just because they get married, it
doesn't follow that they have to settle down. 
In fact, Ukyo might want to travel and see Japan, just 
like she did as a child with her father. 
You know, get out in the real world, and give their 
child a taste of adventure, that sort of thing.

Consider, if they had a child, Ranma could go on a
training journey (We are all doomed to become our parents)
and Ukyo could come along, okonomiyaki cart at hand. 

Hey... thats an idea... 
(Ranma several years later, on the road with his son)

Ranma:Son, stop whining so much I'm doing this for your own good. you do want to be 'the best' right?
Ranma's son:*sniffle* Yeah dad, but they keep scratching me when I'm in the pit. 
Ranma:Stop acting like a girl... 
Ukyo:(walks up) Whatcha doin Ranchan?
Ranma:Well... ya see...
Ukyo:You aren't trying to teach him the Neko-ken are you?
Ranma:Ummm.. well... 
Ukyo:Raaaaannnn-chan. *clong* *clong* *spang*
Ranma's son:Wai! wai!.. daddy's making a funny face again, do it again mommy!

heh.


Just a thought

-Steve
	     .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'