Here is an idea I had a while back, and am just putting into words.  Tell
me what you think.

A Matter of Perspective
By:  Phillip Masters

Part One:  Through Another.

	The old man stared down at his treasured collection.  It was double what
it was last week, he was so happy!  Never before had he so many darlings at
one time.  This was the high point of his life.  Now, only one thing could
make it better.  He pulled a small pendant from his pocket and studied it. 
A multi-faceted crystal wrapped in gold wire was supported by a platinum
chain.  The material value alone would be in the thousands.  However, the
one who held it now had no thought of money.  Only that with this magical
device he would finally get the one female he couldn't have.  Happosai's
laughter rippled through the Tendo household.
	Downstairs, in front of the open back door, sat Genma and Soun.  They
were, of course, playing a, relatively, friendly game of Go.  Genma,
actually in his human form, was just placing a white bead in the winning
spot, when suddenly the win had no meaning any more.  Both men shivered
instinctively as their Master's harsh and maniacal chuckles traversed their
frames.  
	Soun looked up at Genma with a stern gaze.  "This does not bode well
Saotome."
	The man in the white handkerchief nodded solemnly.  "No Tendo, it does
not."  Then, he placed his winning piece.
	Nabiki and Kasumi, in the kitchen, heard the laugh as well.  Nabiki kept
her bored look throughout the insane outburst.  Kasumi turned to Nabiki, a
smile plastered on her face as usual.
	"What do you suppose made Happosai so happy?"  She asked of her younger
sister.
	"Hmm, I have no idea.  However, I am sure to make a profit off of it."  
	Kasumi simply smiled as she turned back to the stove.  'Good thing too,'
Nabiki added mentally, 'for I'm sure we'll need it to repair the structural
damages.'
	Neither Akane nor Ranma heard it though.  Ranma was too busy worrying
about the fist lodged in his right eye.  Akane was just contemplating where
to put the other.  Before she could think of one, Ranma crumpled like a tin
can.
	She looked down at him in disgust.  "You call yourself a martial artist?" 
Then, she left him on the floor groaning.
	A few moments later, Ranma came into the kitchen.  Only Kasumi was there
by this time, Nabiki having gotten what she came for, and leaving.  Kasumi
turned as her instincts said someone was entering the room.  She laid one
eye on Ranma and gasped.
	"Oh my!  What happened Ranma!?"  She quickly rushed to the freezer to get
some ice.
	Ranma, his eye dark blue and black simply replied, "Tomboy."
	Kasumi shook her head.  "What did you say this time?"
	Ranma got defensive.  "Nothing!  She just up and slugged me!"
	Kasumi looked dubious.  "I don't think so Ranma.  I know Akane is a
violent person, but she wouldn't hit you without provocation."
	"Yea, she's violent."  He sighed.  "Okay, I might've let somthin' slip
about her none too feminine figure."  
	Kasumi smiled again.  "Oh, Ranma, when will you learn?  Akane would be so
nice if you would just be nice to her."
	Ranma grumbled, though his thoughts were brewing a bit.  It seemed as
though it was too normal to stop now.  He and Akane were just that way.  If
he's nice to her, she gets suspicious.  If he taunts her, then she hits
him, everything's normal.  
	Ranma had a hard time dealing with his thoughts sometime.  He turned to
leave the kitchen, mumbling thanks to Kasumi for the ice pack.
	Unfortunately, a wall of water was barring his path.  This wall, being
made of water, was highly unstable.  So, it proceeded to fall upon the
unsuspecting, and very surprised, Ranma.  Of course, it was cold water.
	"What the heck!?"  Cried out the now female Ranma.
	The same laughter rang through the air that did a matter of minutes ago. 
Happosai quickly flew from the other room to place something around Ranma's
neck.  However, being the hyper-pervert he was, he couldn't help but cop a
feel on his way through.  Needless to say, this infuriated Ranma to no end.
 He instantly sent a fist toward the old lech.  The wrinkled stump of a man
dodged the blow easily and made for the window.
	"No you don't!"  Yelled Ranma, forgetting where he was.  He built up his
chi with practiced clarity.  He extended his hands toward Happosai and
bellowed, "Mouko Tokobisha!"  Instantly, an intensely blue energy wave
lanced from his hands.  
	"Um, should you be doing that in the house Ranma?"  Questioned Kasumi as
she watched the fight.  A gasp escaped her as she realized the chi blast
was heading right toward her.  She quickly grabbed the iron skillet from
the stove and held it in front of her.  However, she would never know if
this would have been enough to save her, for Ranma had thrown himself in
the way of his own blast.
	The energy ball struck him right in the chest, where the small crystal now
lay.  He was thrown backward into Kasumi, then they both were smashed
against the wall.  Both of them fell to the ground, unconscious.
	Kasumi awoke to see Akane looking down at her with a worried gaze.  Her
head felt like a fireworks display was going off inside it.  She was able
to groan softly, but not much else.  She had to close her eyes again.
	Ranma looked up to see Soun bawling his eyes out.  Well, that was typical.
 Then his thoughts turned to Kasumi.  Was she okay?!  He shot up suddenly,
looking about the room with wide eyes.  This scared the heck out of Nabiki,
who was sitting right next to him.  
	What's up Kasumi?  You look as though you've been to the other side or
something."  Nabiki breathed as she felt her heart settle back into it's
normal pace.
	Ranma's eye's fell on Akane.  What was she doing over there?  He felt a
bit of jealousy.  Then, he looked at the form she was sitting over.  He had
to blink a few times.  This couldn't be right.  He rubbed those same eye's,
however the scene remained unchanged.  
	"What's the matter oneechan?"  Akane asked Ranma, looking right into his
eye's.
	Ranma looked down at his own body, only now moving slightly.  He then
looked down at the one he was in.  He found himself staring at a pair of
breasts that were definitely not his, in either form.  The apron didn't
instill him with any confidence either.
	Kasumi sat up abruptly, feeling rather wheezy.  She looked over at Akane,
who was staring over her to the left.  The first thing she noticed was she
was now shorter then her sister.  That wasn't right.  Then, she turned to
see what was so interesting.  She was rather amazed to see herself staring
back.  
	Both Kasumi and Ranma's brains took a moment to register the fact that
they weren't really looking into a mirror.  Upon that conclusion, they did
the only thing that seemed appropriate.  They screamed.
	Needless to say, everyone around them was scared half out of their wits. 
When the two finally stopped, they just stared at one another, gasping for
air.
	"What happened?!"  Akane asked, getting tired of being in the dark.  
[Author's Note:  From this point on, 'Ranma' will refer to the body he is
in, as well with 'Kasumi'.  Thank you, this is just to alleviate any
confusion.  I now return you to the regularly scheduled fanfic.]
	Ranma turned his gaze to Akane.  "I have no idea."
	She turned to Kasumi.  "Ranma?  Do you remember?"
	"I didn't say I didn't remember!"  Ranma snapped.  "I said, I don't know!"
	Soun stopped crying.  Genma's glasses fell down to the end of his nose. 
Nabiki dropped her wallet, which she had out looking for the wall repair
shop.  Akane simply sat, stunned, staring at her sister.  "Kasumi?"  She
asked, her voice almost a whisper.
	"What are you talkin' bout Akane!?"  He looked down at himself.  "Oh. 
Yea.  Um... I'm not Kasumi."
	Kasumi turned to Akane.  "He's right.  He is now in my body, and vice
versa.  I don't know how it happened though."
	Akane was befuddled.  Nabiki's eyes narrowed.  She looked at Ranma.  "So,
your Ranma now?"
	Ranma nodded.  Akane gasped.  Soun turned the faucet back on.  Genma
pushed his glasses back up onto his face.  Nabiki continued the search for
the business card.
	"What are we going to do?"  Akane asked finally.
	Ranma knew exactly what to do.  He looked down at the crystal about his
neck.  Then, he remembered it wasn't really his neck.  He panned his gaze
to his former chest.  "That crystal, it has ta be what's doin' this."
	Kasumi looked down at the pendant.  She picked it up and studied it for a
moment.  It seemed to glow with an odd rainbow light.  "Hmm,"  She began,
"it seems to be the key allright.  However, what do we do now that we know
the source of our trouble?"
	Ranma stood up.  He got a determined look on his face.  "We go to the
owner of it!"  He announced as he cracked his knuckles.
	"Um, please don't do that to my hands."  Kasumi pleaded.
	A startled Ranma looked down at the long fingered hands he now had.  "Oh,
sorry."  He said sheepishly as he let them drop down to his side again. 
Though, they were still clenched tightly.
	"So, Ranma, who's the owner?"  Akane asked.
	"The old fart."
	"Your dad?"
	Ranma and Genma hit the deck.  Ranma leapt up and cried, "No!  Happosai!"
	"Okay, no need to get huffy Ranma!  So, where is Happosai?"
	This brought Ranma up a little short.  Good question.  "I have no idea."
	"Thought so."  Replied Akane smugly.
	"Hey!"  Ranma defended, a bit disgruntled.  "Why don't we find him,
instead've askin' stupid questions?"
	Now it was Akane's turn to be disgruntled.  "Don't push it Ranma!"
	"Or what?"  He challenged.
	"Or nothing!"  Came a voice from next to them.
	They looked over at Kasumi.  She continued, "Let's just find him, okay?"
	"Fine by me."  Ranma and Akane answered simultaneously.
	"Okay, where do we look?"  Kasumi was not hot on the Master's hang out's.
	Ranma was a bit more knowledgeable.  "Allright.  Kasumi, you check
Ucchan's, we'll check the Nekohaten.  If he's not stuffing his face at
either of them places, then we'll regroup at the school, okay?"
	Kasumi and Akane nodded.  Ranma and Akane went off toward Shampoo's. 
Kasumi headed toward Ukyo's shop.  
	Before she could reach the door though, Ranma called to her, "Oh, and
Kasumi?"
	She turned to him.  "Yes?"
	"Try to avoid hot water."
	With that, he was gone.  Kasumi stood a moment, thinking about what he had
said.
	Nabiki spoke up, having just gotten off the phone with the repair company.
 "Sounds like good advice to me."
	Kasumi had to agree.  She resumed her journey.
	Genma looked at a still somewhat shocked Soun.  "So, Tendo, what will we
do?"
	"What can we do Saotome?"
	"Well, we could help find the Master."
	"Then what?"
	"Then he would... ah, good thinking Tendo!"
	"Up for another game of Go?"
	"As always!"
	So, they started yet another game.
	Kasumi had made her way around the corner, and was recalling which
direction Ukyo's was.  She saw a friend of Ranma's standing on the street
corner.  His name was Kuno, as she remembered.  He always wore that Kenpo
Gi, and carried a bokken.
	She came up behind him.  "Kuno?"  She asked.
	He turned.  "Ye..."  His eye's fell on her.  "Ah, pig tailed one!  Do you
require a service of me, my love?  I would be only too glad to offer any
assistance my humble self could afford."
	Love?  Kasumi wasn't sure what he was talking about.  "Um, yes.  Could you
take me to, or at least point the way, to the Ucchan?"
	Kuno seemed to radiate a proud light.  "My goddess doth wish me to chariot
her to her friend's eating establishment?!  Of course!"
	He seemed a bit over excited, but if he was to help...  "Yes, Kuno.  That
would be appreciated."
	He offered his arm, which Kasumi took, mostly out of habit.  Kuno seemed
to grow somewhat taller,  his smile definitely wider.  They began to walk
toward Ukyo's.  "So, my goddess, what hath happened to that vile sorcerer
Saotome, that lets you be in my presence without resentment?"
	Kasumi was a bit taken aback by that one.  "Vile sorcerer?"
	"Yes, that wretched Ranma!  Has he fallen to some ill, yet suitable, fate?
 Or has he let slip, even ever-so-slightly, his hold upon you?"
	It seems Kuno just couldn't get the true connection between Ranma and his
'pig tailed goddess'.  "Kuno, I'm not Ranma."
	He looked at her a bit curiously.  "I admit even I doth detest the fact
that you must share the name of that most hideous of fiends, but did you
not proclaim with your angelic voice that your name was Ranma before
defeating my unstable sister in combat?"
	"No, you don't get it.  See this pendant around my neck?"  She lifted it
slightly for him to examine.
	"Ah, a true beauty!  Worthy of your heavenly neck and supple breast.  Is
this magnificent gem what I owe thanks for allowing us time together by any
chance?"
	"Well, in a way.  You see, I am really Kasumi.  My soul has switched
places with Ranma's."  There, that was forward enough.  Even for Kuno.
	"The eldest Tendo sister?"
	She nodded.
	"Hmm...  So, you are not truly my pig tailed one?"
	"Afraid not Kuno.  However, I am trying to find Happosai, who's fault this
it.  We are hoping he knows how to switch us back."
	Kuno's eye's darkened.  "The most evil Master of them all.  I do not doubt
that this is his doing!  Very well, I shall aid you on your quest."
	"Thank you, Kuno."
	"Worry not, Kasumi.  For I have even, on occasion, thought of courting
you, for your elegant beauty and traditional grace and style.  However, you
seemed to ignore those of a younger age than your own, so I instead focused
on Akane.  I hope you are not dishonored by this?"
	Kasumi was blushing by the time he had finished.  "No, of course not!  I
am sorry if I have ignored you in the past.  I didn't realize you had any
kind of attraction to me."
	Kuno looked at her and smiled.  "You have had a household to maintain. 
One devoid of true motherly affections, I know the burden well.  With that
detestable ogre, Saotome, there, I have much respect for your skills as a
homekeeper."
	"Well, thank you."  Her blush had only deepened.  She could understand why
both Ranma and Akane would be repulsed by this man, other than the fact
that he couldn't get a clue half the time.  He was a true smooth talker! 
Kasumi didn't think she'd ever been complimented so many times in so many
different ways before!
	By this point, they had arrived at the Ucchan.  The two entered the
restaurant, still arm in arm.  
	Ukyo looked up from her frying to see Ranma walk in the door, with Kuno?! 
"Hey, Ranchan!  Kuno!  Some sort of truce?"  Then she noticed they were
linked at the arm.  "Um, guys?"  She looked at them oddly.
	Kasumi disengaged from Kuno and walked over to the chef.  "Hello, Ukyo.  I
have something to tell you.  Something has happened involving Happosai, and
I think you may become involved as well."
	Ukyo could allready tell something was the matter, just from the sound of
his voice.  "Okay, let me close up shop."  Allready her steady customers,
which were all that was present at the time, were getting up and leaving. 
It seemed they were used to such happenings at short notice.
	Once the store was shut up, Kasumi related the story to Ukyo.  She was
rather shocked by the news.
	"Well, we have to find him at once!"  She cried out.
	Kuno nodded his head sagely in agreement.  
	"Where are we supposed to meet the others?"  Ukyo asked.
	"Furinkan High."
	So, they went.  When they arrived, they found Ranma and Akane waiting
outside the school.
	Ranma looked at Kuno a little agitated.  "What's he doin' here?"  He asked
with a sneer.
	Kasumi frowned at him.  "Now, Ranma, he only wants to help.  I think you
should be thankful."
	"Fear not pig tailed goddess.  I shall return you to your rightful
decanter, as soon as I smite the decrepit Happosai."  Kuno added.
	"Fat chance."  Ranma muttered, though too low for Kuno to hear.
	"Allright, where to next?"  Akane mused.
	A scream rang out from the direction of the girl's locker room.
	"Need you ask?"  Ranma yelled, and bolted for the source of the cry.
	The group followed Ranma until they came to a mob of women.  The women
were pounding a small old man slowly into the pavement.  A bundle of
feminine undergarments littered the lawn around them.  After a while, the
women got bored and left the blotch to decompose.
	The group approached the perverted master.  About five feet from him, he
hopped up, mumbling something about tripping.  He dusted himself off, then
noticed the five people coming upon him.  "Ah, Ranma my boy!  What brings
you here?"  He said with a smile.
	"You know exactly what I'm doin' here!"  Ranma cried, much to Happosai's
confusion.
	The old master's eyes went from Kasumi to Ranma, who were switched to his
knowledge.  However, it didn't take him long to add one to one.  "Oh ho! 
So, you found out an ability of the crystal!  Darn!  I knew I shouldn't
have provoked you, I guess I just can't help myself."  He shrugged.
	"What do you mean *an* ability of the crystal?"  
	"Oh, it's called the Dragon's Tear.  It was created in 1741 by a Japanese
sorcerer.  It was then given to me as a reward for removing the threat of a
monster from his home village the next year."
	"Well, that's all very interesting, but how do we change them back?"  Ukyo
yelled.
	"Patience girl!  There is only one way for you to switch two souls back. 
You see, the crystal not only exchanged their conscience's, but it also
holds them there.  So, you need but destroy the crystal."
	"Sounds simple."  Commented Kasumi.
	Ranma, having more experience with mystical items, asked, "What's the
catch."
	Happosai got a gleam in his eye.  "The catch, my boy, is that whoever
destroys the crystal will parish by the next sunrise.  The crystal is the
essence of dragon, and whoever breaks it brings the wrath of all dragon's
upon them."
	The group got eerily silent.  Never would they have thought such a great
price must be paid to correct this error.
	Ukyo looked at Kasumi.  "Well, be careful with that thing, that's for
sure!"
	Happosai laughed.  "You think it is so easy to destroy it?"
	Ranma narrowed his eyes.  "Why?  How do you break it?"
	"It can be simple, yet painful, if you know how.  For, one who has lost a
love very dear to him or her must hold it in their hand and cry out the
name of the one they lost."
	More silence ensued.  "What a horrible thing to create!"  Spit out Akane,
after a moment.
	"Horrible?!"  Happosai asked.  "How so?  It can do amazing things whole,
and it can allow you to join a lost love once broken.  How is this so
horrible?"
	No one could answer.  Happosai salvaged what he could from the ground and
stuffed it into his bag.  "Well, I wish you luck.  I will be on my way." 
With that, the demented old man leapt to the roof of the school and
disappeared.
	The group stood there for a while, digesting what had been said.  Finally,
Kuno turned to Kasumi.  "So, what shall we do?"
	Kasumi looked about at the various confused figures around her.  "I have
no idea."
END PART ONE
Coming soon!  Part Two:  Gender Crisis.  
Send all comments my way, thank you for reading.