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A Love Immortal
Author's Notes
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	When I first read "Mermaid Forest" by Rumiko Takahashi, I loved 
it- not necessarily for the plot, or even the characters, but for the 
emotional responses that the story invoked.  I had never read a story 
that was so full of despair, yet at the same time strangely 
uplifting... it was both happy and sad at the same time, and in my 
opinion it was a magnificent work of storytelling.

	I set about wondering if I could duplicate that same 
emotional duality in a fanfic.  As I was surfing the web for 
more information on the Mermaid Saga, I did come across one fanfiction 
that also crossed Ranma and Mermaid Forest- but I believed I could do 
it better.  Whether or not I succeeded, I do feel that this story is 
different enough to justify its continued existence- it is in no way 
inspired by or based off of similar, previous works.

	Anyway, after I noticed the similarities between Cologne and the 
old women in Mermaid Forest the story practically wrote itself, over a 
span of not much more than two days.  My goal- as I stated earlier- was 
to invoke certain emotional responses in the reader, more than to tell 
a cohesive story.  I sincerely doubt that I succeeded at even 
apporaching the level of Takahashi's storytelling- sections of it are 
too WAFFy, others are confusing, and in the end telling a full story 
should probably have been higher on my priority list.

	I haven't given up hope, though.  Revisions and expansions are 
planned.  At least two (possibly more) sequels are in the works, and 
one or more of them may be merged into the existing story.  At the end 
of it, I see a series of oneshots- each of them stories on their own, 
yet coming together to paint a larger picture- much like "Mermaid 
Forest", "Mermaid's Gaze", and "Mermaid's Scar."

	My goal at the end of it all is not a happy ending (though that 
may be what happens), but rather to tell a good story, maybe expand my 
own writing skills a bit, and- hopefully- let the reader get something 
out of it too.  So bear with me.