Reports of my owning Ranma 1/2 and Sailor Moon are exceedingly exaggerated. I don't own Kung Fu Panda, either.
[Panda signs]
Sound Effects
'Thinking'
"Computer Talk"
"Timegates, report success of applied temporal countermeasures."
"Affirmative, Princess Pluto. Success of temporal countermeasures: two percent."
Setsuna could just feel her blood pressure increasing.
"Two percent."
"Correct, Princess Pluto."
"Grrr…"
Two percent! Two measly percent! The combined efforts of a Transcendent Computer and the power of a fully awake Planetary Monarch had resulted in a pitiful two percent probability rise!?!
"Update: Timeline 001 probability rating now 80 percent, plus/minus1.56 percent."
A rise they had immediately lost.
Grumbling, the green-haired Senshi flopped down on a freshly-materialised easy chair. "Goddess curse whatever bureaucrat prohibited alcohol in the gate room."
Dragging her fingers over her face, Setsuna attempted to pull herself together.
'Ok, so direct pressure on the timeline doesn't do much, I can't locate the cause of the interference with my usual methods and…I have a headache. Grrr. Back to basics, I suppose.'
"Timegates, display the readings on signal drift and probability of timeline 001, graphical representation."
"Affirmative."
Ok, let the eyes scan and the brain interpret. Patterns, patterns, pat-
Huh.
Interesting. While the probability drop showed as a relatively smooth line, the line for the temporal contamination was a little more…erratic, showing nine very clear bursts of acceleration over the past two weeks. Now that was significant. As events influenced a timeline, peaks and troughs tended to be smoothed out through natural random influences. For a timeline focused that far in the future to experience spikes in temporal contamination, the cause would need to be either extremely large (and therefore, noticeable) or be directly influencing the key figures of said timeline.
Who were the leading figures and instigators of Crystal Tokyo? The Senshi. It followed, therefore, that the cause of the perturbations to the Crystal Tokyo timeline was either close to the Senshi or directly affecting them.
It was speculation balanced on guesswork, but at the moment it was all she had to work with. Time to get back to Juuban. The game is afoot!
"Update: Timeline 001 probability now 79.63 percent."
But first, a drink.
"Timegates, continue temporal countermeasures as default. Increase probability rating as much as possible. Record and analyse all further contamination spikes."
"Confirmed, Princess Pluto."
As the flash of the teleport lit the room, deep within the techno-mystic circuitry of the Timegates, programs began to run.
Meanwhile, at the Tendo Dojo, the sound of fist slapping palm filled the air.
"Come on Onee-chan, put some force into your punches!"
"I'm…trying…Akane!"
Noting the heavy puffing and the sheen of sweat on her sister's face, the youngest Tendo allowed a final few punches and stepped back.
"Ok, we'll take a break now. Walk around for a bit and loosen your muscles-"
Thump
"…or you could collapse on the floor. That works too."
It would be wrong to say that Kasumi was regretting the agreement to train in the Tendo-Ryu. Indeed, for the most part she was delighted with the results. Just looking at the changes training and being trained had worked on her little sister and father would make the venture worth it! Having more in common with Ranma was wonderful as well. And true, she could sense the increase in strength and flexibility as she went about her day.
And yes, she had to admit, practicing Aikido and Judo grappling moves with Ran-kun had a certain…appeal. So yes, all in all she was pleased with the effects of the training, both before and after the daily practice sessions.
No, it was during the sessions that she had second thoughts. During the training, graceful, collected, talented Kasumi became clumsy, awkward, gawky Kasumi.
It wasn't fair! The second she set foot in the dojo all her grace and economy of movement somehow deserted her! It was almost enough to make her frown.
Of course, it did Akane's self-confidence no end of good to find something in which she was superior to her sister, so it wasn't all bad, but still-!
Kasumi's introspection was broken as Soun arrived.
"I take it you have both warmed up, students?"
"Hai!/Eeh."
"Good" he nodded approvingly (ignoring Kasumi's groan of dismay). "Alright. Kasumi-chan, begin the first kata. Akane and I will observe and correct you as you go."
The eldest (and currently, most exhausted) Tendo daughter climbed to her feet and assumed the ready position, thanking her lucky stars for the brief rest.
"Move your right foot a little further out, Kasumi. Good. Alright, begin!"
The first kata was designed simply to teach proper movements, strikes and transitions. Drawing a deep breath and mustering her concentration, Kasumi moved through the opening stages. Straight right, straight left, front kick, side kick-
"Stop! Akane, advice?"
"Um…keep your left hand over your sternum on the side kick, Kasumi. Otherwise you have a hole in your defence."
"Correct!" smiled the tendo patriarch, moustache bristling with cheer. "Good. Continue, Kasumi."
That was one of father's better ideas. He would periodically quiz Akane on the subtleties of the Art during their training. Akane herself had admitted to surprise at how much she had forgotten.
High block, left straight kick, side block to the right-
"Stop!"
Kasumi suppressed an unladylike growl of frustration.
"The side block is too high Onee-chan. Keep your elbow a little closer to your body. Ok, go."
Turn right, left straight punch, passing step back, left side kick, passing step to the right-
"Stop!"
Grrr…
"Turn your body a little Kasumi-chan. You're too front-on."
Her heart sank as she realised the hardest part was approaching. Right hook, straight left kick, left side kick to the torso, high crescent kick to the face-
"Eeek!"
Thump!
The audience have a resigned sigh. Poor Kasumi. For some reason the older girl just could not seem to manage that part of the kata. It was baffling that Kasumi, graceful, deft Kasumi, had such trouble with the basic elements of the Tendo-Ryu.
"Alright", said Soun, gently aiding a disheartened Kasumi to her feet. "I suggest we finish for the day. Training when upset is generally less than effective."
"It's ok Onee-chan," said Akane with a sympathetic look. "I know you'll get it soon."
It was all Kasumi could do to nod to her sister as she left the dojo. Why? Why was she having such trouble? It wasn't as though the kata was overly difficult, after all. It didn't require any leaping around or bouncing off the ceiling, she wasn't expected to smash bricks or catch thrown daggers, and it wasn't as though it used any movements she didn't use in her day-to-day life (except for those dratted kicks!), so why…?
She sighed, gazing at the koi pond from the veranda where she sat. Perhaps it was conceitedness to expect to learn the kata so quickly. Almost everything else came easily to her. Was that why her failure here was so galling?
Hmm. Not a very warming thought, that.
'Perhaps I could ask Ran-'
"Hey Kas-chan!"
"Yeek!"
Picking herself up from the ground as a newly-arrived-home Ranma frantically babbled apologies, Kasumi thanked her brain but pointed out that she really didn't need all that adrenaline, thank you, and worked to get her heart-rate back to normal.
"-so sorry Kas-chan! I thought you heard me coming, and-"
"It's alright, Ran-kun. You just startled me a little."
Tension drained from the young man's frame, being replaced with an air of sheepish apology. Sitting next to her, Ranma paused a moment before speaking.
"So, um, what were you thinking about? You looked kinda down."
"It's that dratted kata!" Ranma jerked slightly at the vehemence in his beloved's tone, but listened attentively. "It's so aggravating! Every time I try it I mess up! I get all clumsy, and, and, awkward, and I keep falling over, and-"
Sensing the worsening mood, Ranma swiftly drew the older girl into a gently hug. Kasumi let out the final…well, it would be uncharitable to call it a growl, but…before relaxing onto Ranma's shoulder.
The two sat for a few moments before he broke the silence.
"Y'know, a while ago I discovered a pretty good cure for training-related frustration."
"…What would that be, Ran-kun?"
"Ice-cream with friends!" replied the young man in a declaiming tone.
"But, Nabiki ate the last of it last night, Ran-kun."
"Yeah, I know" muttered Ranma, a blush forming on his suddenly nervous face. "So, I thought…you know…we might go and…get some…together?" By the end of the sentence, all of Ranma's normal cockiness had faded into a shyness of near Ryoga-like proportions. Kasumi (fighting an urge to glomp her fiancée while squealing "Kawaii!") responded equally shyly.
"You mean, like a…date?"
Ranma (by now quite a nice shade of red) nodded wordlessly.
Cheer completely replacing her former frustration, Kasumi bounced to her feet and, with a cry of "wait right there!", raced up to her room to change. She reappeared a few minutes later in an attractive sky-blue sundress, only to come to a halt at the sight of her betrothed holding a glass of water.
"What's that in aid of, Ran-kun?"
Ranma grinned sheepishly. "It's something one of the girls said, that with my curse I could be a better friend and fiancée for you. "The best friend and the boyfriend" she said. So, I thought I'd let you choose who I'd go as. A romantic date with Ranma or just a fun outing with Ranma-chan. Well," he said with a wry smirk, "there's also the fact that sweets taste better to me as a girl."
"But I thought you disliked your girl form, Ran-kun" Kasumi pointed out in a puzzled tone.
"Well," the dark-haired youth replied, "it's more what happens to me because of my girl form than the form itself, really. Kuno-baka, Herb, Shampoo…Anyway," he broke off his musings with a shake of the head, "this is about you. So! Which would you prefer, Kas-chan?"
The older girl considered for a moment. The idea was strangely appealing, actually. Friends had been rather scarce since high school had finished. And she did enjoy 'Ranko's' company. Visions of window shopping danced in her head, of laughing and ice-cream. Of cheerful conversation with a…friend.
Of course, she did want to spend time with Ranma as well. And having a romantic date with her fiancée would be…squee!
Decisions, decisions…Ah!
"How about both, Ran-kun? We could go for ice-cream with you as Ranko, and afterwards as Ranma. That way I get the best of both" she finished with a giggle.
Never let it be said, gentle readers, that Tendo Kasumi couldn't compromise.
There was a splash as hair became red and 'burly' became 'buxom'.
"Ok Kas-chan," chirped the newly-arrived Ranma-chan. "Shall we go?"
She nodded, a gentle but undeniably happy smile gracing her face.
"Yes, lets!"
---
"So, what was it that had you down, Kas-chan? Training not going well, huh?"
Kasumi took a moment before answering, being occupied as she was in staring in awe at the size of the sundae Ranma-chan was devouring. Snapping out of it, she responded.
"Oh yes. It's not just the kata, it's everything! I just can't seem to manage the movements. No matter how much I try, I just can't work them out."
"Murf."
"Swallow first, Ranma-chan."
'Mm-hmm" –gulp- "Sorry Kas-chan. You could be concentrating too hard, maybe. Try to concentrate on too many things at once, you can mess it up."
"But how can I learn the moves if I don't think about them?" Kasumi asked with a confused frown.
"'Thinking without thought, moving without motion.'" Quipped Ranma-chan with a faux-solemn look.
Kasumi merely raised an eyebrow, an old-fashioned look on her face.
"Sorry," the redhead chuckled. "There was a master me and Oyaji met who always gave advice in riddles. I thought it was kinda cool but it drove Oyaji crazy. Anyway, it basically means to learn the moves, but when you're in practice you just try to move. Not "I do this and then this" but just "I will do this.""
Noting the growing comprehension on her fiancée's face, but perceiving also the rather sober mood accompanying it, Ranma-chan finished her delicious icy treat and stood.
"Tell you what Kas-chan, I have an idea how we can fix this, but for now let's just head out and have some fun, ok? Can't have a good time being all sober and thoughtful, after all."
Taking in the encouraging smile on the redhead's face, the older girl couldn't help but smile in turn.
"You always cheer me up, Ranma. So!" she said, abruptly cheerful. "Shopping?"
On the whole, thought Ranma as they returned to the Tendo home a few hours later, it had been a great outing.
Completely uneventful.
While that would likely be considered a flaw by most, Ranma was coming to view uneventfulness as a rare and beautiful thing.
'I've gotta be pretty unique in that attitude' he thought with a slight grin.
---
Several realities away, on a flat world supported by four elephants on the shell of a giant space turtle, a skinny man with 'Wizzard' on his pointy hat sneezed abruptly.
"Ook?"
"Nothing. Just some dust, I think."
"Ook."
"Thank you."
---
Yep, uneventful. No sign of the Kuno crazies, Ryoga, hitherto unknown fiancées, challengers or (and this was the important one) youma. Just Ranma, Kasumi, some shopping (Ranma had been talked into trying on any number of outfits. Curse the puppy-dog eyes!) and a movie. Bliss!
And now they were back in the Dojo, Kasumi in her pale blue gi, Ranma in his usual silks.
"Ok Kas-chan. Show me the kata and I'll tell you my idea."
With a small sigh, she began. Straight right, straight left…
'Hmm.' The young man thought as he watched the movements. 'It's not a physical problem, that's for sure. She's learned the sequence well enough, just has a problem with execution.'
Thump.
Waiting a moment as he helped the eldest Tendo to her feet, Ranma cleared his throat.
"Alright. Tell me how you're feeling right now, ok?"
"Upset, annoyed…frustrated. I should be able to do this kata!"
Ranma nodded, his expression sympathetic.
"How about while you were performing the kata?"
The downcast look grew. "Graceless, clumsy, awkward. Angry too. I know I can move better than this." The last was said in an almost petulant tone as she folded her arms in annoyance.
"Right," said Ranma encouragingly. "You can move better than that. And that is how you will be moving after we get finished. A couple more questions first though, ok? How do you feel about the Art, first of all?"
Kasumi placed a finger to her chin as she considered (the inadvertent cuteness of the look raising Ranma's pulse slightly).
"It scares me a little, to be honest. Hurting someone, getting hurt, that thought scares me. I know I have to learn the Art again to be with you, but I don't like it."
Forcing down the lump in his throat Kasumi's admission had caused, Ranma continued.
"Well, there's part of the problem right there. If you don't like doing something, you're naturally gonna have a harder time of it."
"But how can I fix that? I can't just force myself to like something."
"That's true enough" replied the younger boy. "So we're gonna focus on making the experience more enjoyable. Take the ready stance, ok Kas-chan?"
As his fiancée assumed the basic opening stance of the Tendo-Ryu, Ranma slowly dropped the pitch of his voice as he continued speaking.
"Now, just concentrate on your breathing as you hold the stance. In, out, in…out…"
Waiting patiently as his fiancée's breathing deepened and slowed, Ranma began quietly walking around her, speaking once again.
"Ok Kasumi. I want you to go back in your memories to the last time you felt graceful and relaxed. Imagine it as clearly as you can, down to the temperature and the smell in the air."
'Graceful, relaxed. The last time I felt graceful and relaxed…'
Unbidden, an image came to the Tendo girl. Standing in the kitchen, preparing Ranma's 'Encouragement Dinner'. Stirring, chopping, reaching high and low, every motion smooth, every movement purposeful-
'Should I be worried that I seem to be most graceful in a kitchen?' she thought for a moment before returning to the mental image.
-a feeling of peace. Anticipation of the honest appreciation Ranma always showed her food. In this kitchen, she was in control. All the factors known, all the variables controlled. In her kitchen, she was the ruler.
Ranma's voice, now low enough to be verging on the inaudible (yet all the more compelling in spite of the fact), made itself known once again.
"Focus in the feeling you're experiencing right now. Take those feelings, of being graceful, of being relaxed and in control, into your heart."
Concentrating, Kasumi felt her muscles loosen as the peaceful feelings flowed through her limbs.
'I could get used to this.'
"Concentrate on that feeling until it fills you up, flowing into your arms, your legs, your whole being. Then, without losing the feeling, perform the kata."
Peace, grace, relaxed feelings. Such a nice sensation. Cool and soft, like…water. Yes, like water.
Straight right, straight left-
Yes, this sensation was quite pleasant. Like swimming in a pond in summertime.
-front kick, side kick-
It was almost fun, this feeling. Kasumi felt a grin appear.
-high block, left side kick-
It was like her body was moving on its own! The grin became a giggle.
-side block to the right, turn, left straight punch-
The giggle became an outright laugh. So very fun!
-passing step back, left side kick, passing step right-
It was coming. The part she always failed was approaching. She knew it.
And she couldn't care less!
-right hook, left straight kick, left side kick-
Here it was!
-right crescent kick!
Joy filling her, Kasumi settled into the left-leading ready stance that was the final position of the kata and opened her eyes to behold the beaming face of her fiancée, his blue eyes fairly burning with pride.
"Perfect, Kas-chan. That Kata was absolutely perfect."
"I…did it?" she whispered, staring at her now-shaking hands.
"I did it." Her fringe hung over her face and the trembling had spread up to her shoulders. Ranma took a cautions step forward, concern impinging slightly on pride.
"Er…Kas-chan?"
"SQUEEE!!!"
Ranma would later reflect that, when it came to high-level glomping techniques, Shampoo still had a lot to learn.
"I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT! I did the kata. Thank you thank you thank you!"
At first, long-engraved conditioning had prompted Ranma to struggle and flee. He had grown in the past few weeks, however, and the inner voice that screamed at him to "escape, run, flee, beware the Hammer!" was silenced by another, a voice that pointed out that being hugged, snuggled and furiously kissed by his ecstatic and dearly loved fiancée. Was. A. Good. Thing!
Gently wrapping the joyful girl in an embrace, Ranma smiled. Kasumi's happiness at her success was like resting in a pool of sunlight, so strong and palpable it was.
"…thank you, Ran-kun." The young woman's voice was almost a whisper, her breath warm on his shoulder.
"No problem, Kas-chan," he replied, voice just as soft as hers. "For you, anything."
A comfortable silence fell over the scene as the two lovers simply relaxed in each other's presence.
It was about twenty minutes later that Kasumi finally spoke.
"Ran-kun?"
"Yes?"
"Can you show me another kata?"
'Kami, I love this woman.'
"Sure, Kas-chan."
"Kasumi seemed pretty happy this morning, didn't she?"
"Mm-hmm."
"I mean, yeah, she's usually cheerful, but she was almost glowing at breakfast."
"Mm-hmm."
Eyebrow twitching, Nabiki placed her bento onto the table with more force than was strictly necessary and glowered at the blissfully-chewing Ranma.
"Dammit Saotome, swallow that mouthful and give me a proper answer already!"
Blushing, Ranma mentally shrugged and did as instructed.
"Whaddaya want me to say, Nabs? So she's happy, what's the problem? Thought you'd be glad for it. I certainly am."
Nabiki smirked gently. "Of course you are, Saotome. A happy Kasumi means a larger bento for you." And it was bigger, she thought. Fully twice the size of his normal one (which was itself capable of feeding any two normal beings). There was even a heart shape in the rice…
"And I am glad Onee-chan's happy," she continued. "It just seems oddly fast is all. She seemed pretty down yesterday." The middle Tendo frowned slightly in thought.
"Actually, now that I think about it, I didn't see her for most of the afternoon…"
"Oh yeah. I saw she was feeling down, so we went out for…ice-cream…" replied Ranma absently, his attention split between the wonderful Food before him and a rosy daydream of sweet, frozen goodness.
It has been observed before that, were 'Jumping to Conclusions' a competitive sport, the inhabitants of Nerima could field an Olympic team. Though less susceptible than most, one Tendo Nabiki was by no means free of this trait.
Observe.
'Waiiiiittt wait wait. Radiant Kasumi. Bigger than normal bento with love heart design. Distracted Ranma. Unexpected outing. Suspicious pause before "Ice-cream", and goofy grin afterwards.
Oh. My. GOD!'
And a perfect ten for Tendo Nabiki!
"Y-you…! And Kasumi!"
"Well, yeah. I mean, I hate to see Kas-chan feeling so down, so I decided to help her out. She just had to get over the mental part is all. The physical part was easy."
The Gentle Reader will not be surprised to know that Ranma is referring to Kasumi's progress in the Art. Nabiki's thoughts, however, are taking a slightly different track.
"Ah, um, I'm…glad…you're helping, but don't you think it's a bit…soon?" she sputtered, face crimson.
Ranma couldn't help but smile. Under it all, Nabiki really did care for her sisters.
"Ah come on Nabs, I just took her through the basic positions, that's all."
Once again, the Gentle Reader will note that Ranma and Nabiki are by no means on the same wavelength. Ranma is thinking of the Horse Stance, High Guard, Closed Guard and the like.
Nabiki is thinking Missionary, Upright, Cowgirl...
"-I don't plan to try any of the advanced manoeuvres for at least a month."
Ranma: aerial kata, dim mak, ki techniques.
Nabiki: the Helicopter, Frog on the Stone, Primrose Porpoise.
Ranma had turned back to his food by this point, thus missing the neon blush on the young woman's face.
"-really nabs, give me some credit. You can't just attempt the Angry Monkey without practice and a lot of stretching, after all."
Nabiki was by now quite sure that her blush must be visible from space. Images flickered in her mind's eye, flashes of skin, of rhythmic motion and bright blue eyes…
"Ran-niichan!/Nihao!"
Oh thank you, merciful god.
"Heya Ucchan. What are you doing here, Shampoo?"
The purple-tressed Amazon seated herself to Ranma's left. "Hibaachan sign Shampoo up for Japanese lessons. Here signing papers, stay to have lunch with big brother. Huh," she paused. "Why sister-in-law's face all red?"
"Ak! No-! I-! Angry Monkey position!"
"Ah! Shampoo try that once. Not stretch enough. Legs and neck too, too sore after." She giggled. "Work too, too good though. Partner not wake up for three hours!"
"Oh?" Ukyo looked up from her portable grill, set up to Ranma's right. "Is that anything like the Slippery Monkey?"
Nabiki blanched as Ranma answered in a tone of authority. "Yeah, it's similar, but the hip motion's circular, rather than thrusting."
"Ah," said Ukyo, a look of understanding on her face. "Sounds interesting. You'll have to show me sometime, Sugar" she continued, leaning around Ranma to address Shampoo.
That did it. Babbling something about "other business", Nabiki bolted, face furiously scarlet and vainly fighting a nosebleed.
A moment of silence passed for the remaining three.
"Wonder what that was about" ventured Ranma in a bewildered tone.
"Hope Sister-in-law not go crazy. Be bad thing."
"What were you two talking about anyway, Ran-niichan?" asked Ukyo, passing out okonomiyaki.
"Kasumi's training in the Tendo-Ryu is all."
"Huh. Weird."
"Yeah. Oh well, let's eat."
"How did you escape the chains, Saotome?!"
[Anything Goes Escapology] flip [Tendo! Ha ha ha] flip [Ha ha ha!]
"Don't laugh just yet, Saotome! I managed to restrain you once after all. I'll just do it again!"
"Growf!" [Bring it, Skinny!]
Without another word, biped and bruin charged. Punches were thrown, kicks were dodged, a rubber chicken was flung. A stalemate, until…
"S-Saotome! This hold…!"
[Oh, you know this hold?]
"The W-Wushu Finger Hold! Yes, I know it! B-but, where...?"
[Some valley near] flip [Jusenkyo, I think it] flip [was.]
Engrossed in their momentary conversation, neither heard the doorbell...
The sight that met Kasumi at the front door would, she reflected, have seemed very strange to her only a few years ago.
"Oh my. What can I do for you, Panda-san?"
"Uh, hi. My name's Po, and this is Master Shifu-"
"Good morning."
"-and we're looking for Saotome Genma."
Author's Notes:
Ok, first, ten thousand apologies for the long delay. All i can say is that Real Life, in all it's brutish and time-consuming glory, has made finding time to write a little tricky. Couple that with my Muse going on an unscheduled holiday (to Toronto, apparently), and you have the reason for the delay.
Expect the action to pick up a little in subsequent chapters. I've just about worked out the plan from here on out, which may speed things up a little.
Sorry again.
Ok, Reviews:
Narsil: Hey, thanks for the nice words (and the grammar advice). Much appreciated!
TegwenielWestwind: Glad you liked it!
Quathis: Well! Judging from you comments, the chapter achieved it's goal. thanks very much.
moritynz: Y'know, i didn't really consider where Artemis might have been. i think i'll have to bend some thought upon the matter. Cheers!
Dracaro: Thanks for the suggestions. some interesting ideas there, but i'm aiming to keep this as a one-crossover-only fic. any more would strain my ability to write dialogue. Maybe as a tangent story, though...
Teturo: Yeah, that darn white cat pretty much slipped out of my mind during that chapter. grrr. oh well, it leaves me an amusing intro to do later. Yay! And worry ye not. there will be at least one Genma/Senshi encounter...he he he...
aznblackhowling: well, here it is. hope it satisfies.
Dumbledork: Yeah, the standard "Heroes always fight at their first encounter" trope is a minor annoyance to me. Fangirling is far funnier, i feel.
Stoned Koala: Thanks! yeah, He'll probably get an answer pretty soon now. Though, whether it's an answer he'll be satisfied with is another story...
Celestial Indigo: Sorry. what can i say, Real Life has little regard for allowing time to write.
Firehedgehog: glad to hear it!
RanmaChaos: Will do! can't guarantee the speed, however.
Ookii Mamoru: Don't worry, my intent with the Senshi will be made clear. thanks for the kind words.
Jerry Unipeg: Glad you liked it.
Tergar of Konoha: Wow, high praise indeed! thanks a lot!
Minstrel Savant: Thankee. Yeah, i keep seeing those little errors that the spellcheck doesn't seem to catch. Guess i'llhave to be a little more careful.
borg rabbit: Nah, just "Black Furry Thing". i thought of having Ranma identify her with a Bandicoot, but "Black Furry Thing" seemed funnier.
Youko Rayah: Thanks very much.
Hero Slayer: It's a point to ponder, certainly. That's a thought. Neko-Ranma WOULD go to a different lap now, huh.
Ranma2387: Will do.
Megatyrant: I hope it lives up to expectations.
Gefallenen Engel: thanks.
: sorry to disappoint...
Ceridwen Kalamack: Ok, in order. Yeah, their reactions are a little off, but i was aiming more for 'funny' than accurate. Ya, Ranma's OOC, but that's rather the point of the fic, really. Ranma surpassing his limits and all. As for the last? Eh, i just had a funny thought and wanted to share it is all. based on the reactions of the readers, it's been recieved pretty well. Sorry it's not to your taste and all, but i happen to like it.
Squiffy8: Thanks for the kind wishes. Yeah, Ran/Kas is my favourite pairing.
Tri-Emperor of The Twilight: Thanks.
I Am Rolf: Thanks, and i will.
PhiloWorm: ...Pretty much says it all, really. thanks!
Cor Strike FX: Thank you very much.
GeorgeTobor: Yeah, i can see Kasumi doing that, in a very sweet, nice but terrifying way. Unohana-Taicho interacting with the Eleventh Division fellows springs to mind.
And i can really picture that scene, as well as the aftermath. "So, how did you become the god of Contortionists?" "Well, first you mess around with the life of Saotome Ranma". definite TangentFic potential there.
Love Psycho: glad you like it. but isn't the cake a lie?
hentai18ancilla: Dunno about that. i've always thought that Ranma without the curse isn't really Ranma. as for the magic, Fun Things are afoot!
RangerRico: Thanks. I will do so, indeed.
Well, that's all the reviews to date. again, sorry for the delay, and i'll do my level best to be faster.
Smylingsnake Out.