The themes behind the title are now coming into sharper focus, as each 
character deals with their problems and shortcomings with a 
relentlessness that matches that of the mysterious foe.  Nabiki, Akane 
the three travelers... even Tarou and, in his own, mildly distrubing 
fashion, Tendou Soun.

There are, however, a few characters who are more noteworthy by their 
relative absences.  Nodoka is the mild example of this.  More 
significantly, Genma and Kasumi's virtual non-appearances (the Panda 
serves, at most, as a bit of comic relief, while Kasumi is, I believe, 
limited to one scene and some off-stage cooking training.  I can't help 
but wonder how these two are reacting to this strange new world that 
they seem thrust into:  Nabiki not merely working, but acting with honor 
worthy of a martial artist.  Akane no longer looking for the quick 
route, the shortcuts of super-soba noodles and magic gis, but going the 
distance in her self-made Hell.  Soun acting decisively, even taking 
risks (the engagement, Happousai's wrath) in order to do what is right 
and needed.  And, of course, Ranma, the eye of the hurricane, absent and 
no longer there to pull the craziness from everyone else onto himself.

I hope we get to see these reactions, for I am sure the author will be 
able to craft them as well as he has the actions of the heroes.

I know who to beg  if I ever need someone to write a synopsis for
me.  You make the story sound really good!

About the characters who are absent...

Nodoka... that's one of my own limitation as a fanfic writer showing
through.  I simply don't have a handle on writing Nodoka at all.  I've
tried a few scenes, and they read like a lead slab.  It's not a statement
about whether she's a good character or not, I just haven't had enough
firsthand contact with her in the source to get comfortable with who
she is.  Since I don't have a plan for her in the story anyway, I've decided
to keep her off-stage entirely.

As for Genma... he's a bit player in the story, though he's got a little more
to do in the coming chapters.  Conceivably, he'd be worried about the
survival of his son, but I picture Genma as being very good at hiding
from realities he doesn't want to face (not unlike my own father).  
Perhaps a scene where that is demonstrated would be in order, though.
I'll contemplate it.

Kasumi has my love, and I've got a story in mind for her, but it just
doesn't fit into the scope of "Relentless."  One of these days I'm going
to sit down, hammer it out, and try to do her justice.  In the meantime,
she continues to be the silent bedrock of the Tendou family, which 
makes her more of a presence than an active participant in the events
that unfold.  Kasumi is one of these characters who has a strong 
presence in my head, and I trust her to speak up if she wants to be
heard.  So we'll just have to see.

Many thanks for your comments and kind words...

Grayson Towler
grayson@rigroup.net

http://www.rigroup.com/~grayson/relentless