Thoughts on 28

Spoilers here for chapter 28.

Just some thoughts on the chapter now that it's up, and I've received a few reviews.

I had been considering bring Kodachi into the story eventually, although not necessarily as another molester, and this was definitely sooner than my original intent. However, it did give me the opportunity to set up a few things, in a way which might have worked better than the approach I first planned. A couple that I can reveal right now - first, I could let Ryoga's Jekyll side out for a while and even allow him to be tortured in a minor way, to remind everyone that he still exists inside the guy. Second, this provided a means to keep Ryoga away overnight, which is the night of the New Year, a very important night in Japanese culture and one where Gosunkugi had extracted a promise from Akane regarding what she'll be doing at midnight.

Neither of those things required Kodachi, but I wanted Ryoga with someone, and it was too soon for him to play with Ukyo again. Putting Kodachi in the scene also allowed me to set up something that I haven't fully made up my mind about, but if I go with it, it should slowly emerge over several upcoming chapters.

As for the question from "Anon" as to whether I will bring Shampoo into Haido's clutches, the answer is no. The Joketsuzoku are in China, will stay in China, and will not be appearing in the story. They - particularly Cologne - would be too upsetting to the balance of power, both as it exists right now, and where I want it to end up. I don't object in principle to their presence in Ranma porn, and may even use them in some future story, if I ever manage to finish writing this one.

Next chapter should have the night of the New Year (back at the Tendos), the morning after for Ryoga and Kodachi, Ryoga's return to the Tendo home, and more of the dragon's whisker saga.