This fanfic is part of the Altered Destiny series, which includes the
works "Most Unlikely of Friends" and "A Scary Thought". These and other
fanfics in the series can be found in Wade Tritschler's fanfic page,
shown at the end of this post.

Here is the introduction to my fanfic:

Free food always leads to trouble when it comes to master Happousai. And
in this reality, it is the start of something big indeed. When a young
Kuonji Ukyou is orphaned after the death of her father, loyal customer
Happousai makes her his official heir to the Anything-Goes School of
Martial Arts. Taking off with the okonomiyaki cart that he "inherited",
the master leaves the rearing of Ukyou up to the Saotomes and the Tendos,
specifically leaving Genma in charge of her training which leads to Ukyou
taking a certain training trip with him to China. The rest is history...

---

Switching Heirs:
An Altered Destiny
Part One

By: Dreiser

This was inspired by the works of Rumiko Takahashi, Wade Tritschler, 
Jim Robert Bader, and others. Thanks for reading! 


-Prologue-

        "Pops would you stop being stupid? We're going back
and that's final."
        The irate young man who said this warily stared at the
panicked panda which stood before him. The panda waved its
arms in a hurried motion that expressed a feeling of desperation
at these words. Sighing the boy paused to push a loose lock of
oak brown hair out of sandalwood eyes. Shoving the panda to one
side he ignored its increasingly strange gestures.
        "I told you, quit it! We're going back home! I want to see
the others.. I'm not about to let you drag me on another stupid
training journey. This one lasted ten years."
        At this comment the panda released a low growl and
stood firmly in front of the boy who groaned. "Pops! Quit it!" The
panda refused to budge and the boy reluctantly moved into
fighting position. Mimicking this action the panda backed away
as the boy flew into a strong frontal assault. Blocking every
attack with more skill than any normal animal was able the
panda managed to hold it's own against the angry boy. As this
occurred several citizens began to gather around the scene, after
all, a panda battling a boy was not something you saw every
day... even in a district like Nerima.
        Wearing a face of annoyance the boy yanked the large
spatula which had rested on the top of his backpack. Pulling it
back in a quick motion he slammed it into the panda's furry
midsection sending it sprawling. Smirking at this he drawled.
"Hah! That's what you get. Stupid old man." The boy returned
his odd weapon to its place and began to walk away.
        Meanwhile the irritated panda had yanked a nearby street
sign from its place and was preparing to hit the young man in the
back of the head with it. Just as it was about to strike a strong
hand gripped its furry paw.
        "I don't think so Ojisama." The panda released an
anxious sound as it stared into luminous sandalwood eyes.
Squeezing the panda's wrist tightly the boy hissed. "Don't forget
who I am old man. I'm sure the master wouldn't appreciate his
heir getting such treatment."
        At this statement the panda widened its eyes and began to
look extremely nervous. Snatching the street sign away the boy
tossed it aside carelessly. "That's what I thought. Now listen
here. I'm going back home and that's final. It's up to you
whether or not you follow."
        Saying that he took off quickly down the street before
bounding on the rooftops to move along at a fast pace. The panda
formed a shocked expression at this before taking off in earnest,
trying to overtake the boy.

        "At last!" Cried Tendo Soun in joyous tones as he
clutched a postcard tightly to his breast. On it lay the words he
had been waiting to hear for so many years. "After all this time
they are finally returning home!"
        Walking out onto the porch where Soun stood crying with
emotion Saotome Nodoka questioned. "Are you all right Soun-
kun?"
        "Nodoka!" Soun turned to beam with happiness. "The
master's chosen heir, the daughter of our own dear departed
friend Kuonji Akira, little Ukyo, has written me saying she is
returning from her long training journey with Genma! Isn't it
fantastic? Finally our school will be complete! And you will be
able to live with Genma as man and wife!"
        "That is good news," replied Nodoka in surprise. "I
thought they might never return. Ranma and Akane will be so
happy to see Ukyo again... they got along so well as children.
Should I go tell them of the news?"
        "Of course!" Soun exclaimed. "Where is everyone?"
        "Kasumi is in the kitchen preparing dinner. Nabiki is in
her room doing homework. I think Ranma and Akane are in the
dojo training. I'll go fetch them." With that Nodoka moved away
to retrieve the children while Soun continued to stand in place
gazing into the sky with a happy expression on his features.

        "Stop jumping around like that and fight me!" Cried
Akane in angry tones as her annoying iinazuke dodged yet
another attack at her hands.
        Sticking out his tongue Ranma teased. "I don't fight girls.
You know that. Besides you gotta move faster than that to catch
me Akane. C'mon, let me see some of that famous brute strength
of yours!"
        Akane growled at this and made another attempt to punch
Ranma who leapt over her fist with ease. "I wouldn't have to use
my `brute strength' if it wasn't for you Ranma! Why won't you
just talk to Kuno about leaving me alone?"
        "Hey!" Ranma said, sounding slightly wounded. "I talk to
him plenty but he won't get it into his head. What am I supposed
to do about it? The sap is crazy for you Akane. It isn't his fault he
takes it a little far..."
        "A little far?!" Akane cried incredulously. "He has half
the male population fighting me every morning! And don't think
that me dating Kuno will change anything about the engagement.
They won't ever listen to our side of things. Anyway, you know
that I hate him!"
        "You hate everyone," replied Ranma while rolling
expressive blue eyes. "Kuno is my buddy so stop picking on me
about his weird habits okay? I don't bother you about Kodachi
and her poison collection do I?"
        "Ranma? Akane?" A polite voice questioned in soft
tones. They looked up to see the figure of Nodoka accompanied
by a smirking Nabiki.  "Would you come inside? Soun has
something he wants to tell both of you."
        "Oh yeah? What?" Asked Ranma curiously.
        "That is for him to say. Come." Nodoka said in calmly,
turning to exit the dojo.
        "You guys are going to love the news." Nabiki drawled.
"Especially you Ranma."
        "Oh yeah?" Ranma queried. "What is it?"
        "Nothing much," Nabiki said smiling widely. "Just the
imminent return of your father and the official heir to the
Anything Goes school of martial arts."

-One-

        Soun was still wearing a happy expression as the group
gathered to hear the important news. Everyone was trying to
interpret his stumbling excited words, except Kasumi who was in
the kitchen trying to finish cooking their dinner. She was heading
from the kitchen to announce dinner was ready when she heard a
knock at the door. Opening it cautiously her eyes were met with
the figure of a very handsome boy. Kasumi blinked at his
appearance. There was something familiar about him but she was
not sure what.
        "Kasumi? Are you Kasumi?" He questioned in soft
almost shy tones as sandalwood searched her gaze.
        "Oh my." Kasumi breathed in wonderment at this
familiarity. The boy was very attractive, with long oak brown hair
pulled back in a ponytail. He dressed in a Chinese style short
sleeved blue silk shirt, which was covered by a strange belt
holding what looked to be small spatulas, along with loose
flowing black pants, and black slippers.
        She stepped back in alarm, for out of nowhere, a large
panda reared its furry head behind him. Rather then react in
similarly the boy wore an annoyed expression. He didn't turn as
he pulled out a large spatula to quickly hit the panda on the head
with it. "Don't bug me Pops. We're finally home and you just
better deal with it."
        "Pops?" Blinked Kasumi in confusion. Was this boy
actually calling the panda his father? And what did he mean by
calling this his home?
        "Long story beautiful." Drawled the boy as he ignored the
panda which seemed to be throwing a fit behind him.
        "Kasumi," said the boy again. "I know this seems
incredible but I'm Ukyo.. the heir to the Anything Goes school of
martial arts. I was taken in by your family along with the
Saotomes when I was just a child at the request of the master."
        Gazing deeply into the soulful eyes before her Kasumi
smiled softly. "Ukyo?" The boy nodded his assent slowly. "Oh
Ukyo!" Exclaimed Kasumi happily. "I'm so happy to see you.
This must be the news father had. But what about  Genma?
Where is he?"
        Ukyo was about to reply when the smiling figure of Soun
rounded the corner. Taking in the figures of the two he
exclaimed. "Ukyo! Is that our heir finally returned?"
        "Uh.. yeah. That's me." Ukyo began tentatively.
        "Ukyo!" Cried Soun as he lunged forward to embrace the
boy who uncomfortably returned the hug. Behind Ukyo the panda
released a gruff sound that resembled laughter.
        Catching sight of the panda at this noise Soun stiffened
and backed away in fear. Noticing this Ukyo pronounced calmly.
"Relax Ojisama Tendo," the boy smiled. "That's just Ojisama
Saotome."
        "That's.." Soun began in shock.
        The panda pulled out a small wooden sign and shoved the
boy around who protested loudly. Searching through the boy's
backpack he finally pulled out a black felt pen.
        "What is it doing?" Questioned Kasumi in wonder.
        "Looks like it's writing to me." Put in Ranma who had
suddenly appeared with Akane, Nabiki, and Nodoka.
        "No way!" Exclaimed Akane critically.
        "Wait for it.." Remarked the boy with a smirk. Soon after
he said this the panda held up the sign. <Sadly, I am Saotome
Genma. This is Kuonji Ukyo.>
        "Genma? Ukyo?" Gasped Nodoka as she took in the
altered form of her husband. "Is that really you?"
        The panda turned the sign over. <Long story.>
        "That's an understatement Pops," the boy began
impatiently. "Its been a really long trip. We'd like to take some
hot baths if you wouldn't mind."
        Upset at the rude tone the boy was taking Akane
demanded. "Who are you anyway?"
        "I'm Kuonji Ukyo." The boy replied. "You're Akane,
right? We used to play when we were little kids."
        "Ukyo?" Ranma queried in astonishment. "But? What the
heck happened to you?" He asked his blue eyes searching for the
childhood playmate he had known so well. "That panda isn't
really my father is it?"
        "Yeah," remarked Ukyo. "I'm afraid he is your father
Ranma. For what it's worth."
        "From what I recall Ukyo was a girl. You appear to be a
very fine example of masculinity sir." Stated Nabiki in cool tones
with a touch of humor.
        "We're under a curse." Interrupted Ukyo wearily. "A
curse which would be a lot easier to explain if we could have
some hot bathes."
        "I'm sorry," said Kasumi, recovering her manners and
wit. "But we've had some difficulty with plumbing lately and the
hot water in the furo doesn't work."
        Ukyo groaned at this. "Figures." Turning to Kasumi he
asked amiably. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble could you
possibly boil some water? I'd appreciate more than words can
say."
        Flustered by the engaging manner in which the boy spoke
Kasumi stammered. "Of
course.."
        <Charmer.> Read the panda's sign as Kasumi departed.
Ukyo growled at this. "Don't push it old man."
        "Uh.. Ukyo?" Began Akane.
        "Yeah?" Ukyo returned in tired tones.
        "No offense or anything but what in the world happened
to you? I mean, you all don't look anything like you did when you
left. How do we know it really is you?"
        "Hey!" Ranma cried. Turning to Ukyo he said
apologetically. "I'm sorry. She's not usually like this but we
haven't seen you both for so many years..."
        Holding up his hand to cease the apologies Ukyo smiled
softly. "It's perfectly fine. I understand completely. I'd feel the
same way if I were you. Look. Is there somewhere we can go to
talk?"
        "We can go to the dojo," Akane suggested. "I could use a
workout.. maybe you can help since Ranma refuses to fight me."
The pair followed Akane to the dojo.
        Ukyo turned sandalwood eyes curiously onto the figure of
Ranma and questioned. "Don't tell me that Nodoka raised you to
believe in that `I don't fight girls' routine?"
        "Uh.." Ranma faltered. "Actually she did. Why?"
        "Seems like a waste." Ukyo shrugged as they entered the
dojo. "How are either of you supposed to improve if you aren't
able to go all out against each other? Besides, girls are hardly
made of glass, I assure you."
        "You study Kempo right?" Ranma questioned.
        "I study Kempo, Tai Quon Do, Mu Tai, and some basic
Karate," stated Ukyo. "My main talents lie when fighting with
weapons but your father focuses on unarmed combat training.
He's a good Sensei if nothing else."
        "What do you mean?" Asked Ranma sharply.
         "I meant nothing." Gazing at the dark boy next to him
Ukyo said warily, "Other than to state the fact that I've traveled
with your father for over ten years. All at the master's request. In
that amount of time you get to know a person really well. The
master and your father have basically been my only companions
in life..."
        "Really?" Ranma questioned curiously. Suddenly very
interested again. "You know my father really well then?"
        "Yes. Really well." Ukyo gazed into those searching blue
eyes feeling himself becoming lost in their depths.
        "Do you want to spar or not?" Interrupted Akane.
Meeting the gaze of the girl Ukyo seemed hesitant. "If you've
been training all these years you should be up to it." Akane
pressed wearing a competitive face.
        "I don't fight without a purpose." Ukyo pronounced in
clear calm tones.
        "But what about practice?" Ranma asked.
        "Oh that." Studying Akane with cool sandalwood eyes
Ukyo finally murmured. "Very well. For the sake of practice."
Moving into fighting position Ukyo said. "Lets spar, shall we?"
        Akane started her attack as she always did. With a strong
offense. Charging at Ukyo with speed and a fierce spirit Akane
soon found that her target had bounded over her head to stand
behind her. Resting comfortably on the tips of his toes Ukyo
commented. "You rely on your strength quite a bit don't you
Akane?"
        From the wall where he was leaning Ranma chuckled.
"That's the understatement of the year Ucchan."
        Grinning at the comment and the use of his old childhood
nickname Ukyo turned his attention back to the snarling Akane
as she approached with feet flying at him in a vicious attack.
Dodging the flurry of feet. Ukyo quickly grabbed her ankle,
steadying it in his grip. Akane's eyes widened at her attack being
stopped.
        Wearing a mischievous grin Ukyo quickly tickled the
bottom of Akane's foot before dodging another sharp punch
aimed at his face. "Quit playing with me!" Growled Akane as
Ukyo continued to dodge. "You're not Ukyo!!" She hissed as she
managed to land a solid punch to the boy's midsection.
        "Oh?" Questioned Ukyo curiously. "Why do you say that
Akane?" Dodging a number of attacks Ukyo popped up in
Akane's face wearing a wide smile.
        "You're a guy stupid!! Ukyo is a GIRL!"
        "Don't believe everything you see Akane." Sighing
slightly Ukyo muttered. "Enough of this." Ukyo suddenly shot
his left leg forward to send Akane flying at incredible speeds at
the dojo wall. Terrified she was going to hit it Akane had her
eyes closed. Then warm arms gathered her up and she found
herself being set down by Ukyo.
        "That was great!" Exclaimed Ranma giving Ukyo a
friendly pat on the back.  "You looked like you flew across the
dojo. You learned a lot traveling huh?"
        "Yeah.." Ukyo said softly. "A lot."
        Sniffing Akane retorted. "If he's so great why don't you
fight him Ranma?"
        "I told you. I don't fight girls." Ranma said.
        "Doesn't look like he's a girl to me." Remarked Akane
while staring at the broad shouldered Ukyo very plainly. Ukyo
sighed with despair at this.
        Rolling his eyes Ranma retorted. "You're just trying to
egg me into a fight tomboy. Unlike you I don't like to beat up old
friends." Akane snarled at this and made an attempt to punch
Ranma which he ducked quickly.
        Curiously watching this exchange Ukyo questioned.
"Aren't you two engaged?"
        The pair both wore scowls at this. Ranma answered first.
"Yeah we are but its a dumb idea. Akane and I aren't anything
more than friends. Besides, she already has--"
        Before Ranma could finish the rest of his statement a pair
of high pitched screams were heard echoing throughout the
household.
        "Mom!" Cried Ranma as he dashed off.
        "Kasumi!" Exclaimed Akane following closely.
        "That idiot," muttered Ukyo as he darkly stalked after the
disappearing pair. "I should have known he wouldn't be subtle
about this."

        In the kitchen they were greeted with the sight of a fearful
Nodoka clutching to similar looking Kasumi. Before them was a
husky man wearing a white gi and adjusting a pair of horn
rimmed glasses.
        "Mom!" Ranma cried moving forward to touch his
mother's shoulder gently. "Are you all right?"
        The man moved forward to stare into the deep blue eyes
of the dark haired boy. "Ranma, my boy!" He exclaimed in
jubilant tones.
        "Genma!" Cried Soun as he entered the kitchen. "Old
friend! When did you arrive?"
        "Well you see Soun," began Genma in hesitant tones.
        "Yes Genma," said his wife. Now fully recovered Nodoka
was staring at him with hard eyes. "When did you get here? And
where is Ukyo?"
        "Yeah Pops," drawled the boy who walked across the
kitchen to his side. "Where is Ukyo?"
        Genma looked nervously into the boy's eyes. Nodoka
continued to stare hard at her husband. Ranma, Akane, and Soun
each wore looks of confusion. Nabiki was clinically taking in the
situation. And it ward difficult to tell what exactly Kasumi was
feeling.
        Genma came to life suddenly as the boy picked up a
nearby tea kettle in one hand. "No don't!!" He cried in nervous
tones as he rushed forward.
        "They have to know!" Snapped the boy in response,
pouring the last bits of water over his head. Suddenly his figure
slowly shifted and the sharp planes of his face softened. His
broad shoulders shrank with his height. All in all the boy looked
fairly similar to what he did when he first appeared before them
but his features were softer and his height had diminished. That
and slight curves were added.
        Watching the blank stares of his companions Genma
began to slowly back out of the room before the truth was plainly
revealed. Silently thanking the Kami for Ukyo's androgynous
features and style of dress as he went.
        "Not so fast Ojisama! They have to see this!" Announced
Ukyo as she quickly unbuttoned her blue silk shirt. Pulling it
open to reveal a pair of bound back but still very buoyant and
very feminine pair of breasts.
        Ranma's eyes bulged at this. Akane looked on in shock
as did Kasumi and Soun. Nabiki raised an eyebrow curiously.
Meanwhile Nodoka had grabbed the back of her husband's gi to
keep him from running away.
        "Ukyo?" Questioned Ranma incredulously.
        "How?" Breathed Kasumi in wonderment.
        "It's not my fault!" Screeched Genma.
        "Who are you?" Demanded Akane.
         "I'm Kuonji Ukyo, heir to the Anything Goes school of
martial arts," Ukyo said warily."Sorry about this."

        "Genma!!!" Roared Soun in rage. "What did you let
happen to our heir?!?!" He approached Genma who was backing
away in wide eyed fear.
        "It isn't Pops fault. Really," intervened Ukyo wearing a
complacent smile. "He didn't know a word of Mandarin when
we were in China."
        "You know Mandarin?" Asked Ranma intrigued.
        "I do now. I learned the hard way that it's a bad thing to
not speak the language in a foreign land." Responded Ukyo with
an easy smile which Ranma blushed at.
        "Ukyo," Nodoka began. "How can you take this so
lightly? You.. you were a... a.."
        "A boy," replied Ukyo with a lopsided grin. She rested a
calm hand on Nodoka's shoulder. "I know. It's sort of weird but
I've learned to live with it. So has Pops. It really isn't that big a
deal once you get used to it."
        "But how did this happen in the first place?" Akane
queried in demanding tones.
        "I was trying to get to that," Ukyo said dryly. "We
journeyed to the cursed springs of Jusenkyo, China to go through
their famous regimen of balance training. The springs are
essentially several different pools filled by an underground river.
Each spring has a tragic story attached to it, having various
animals and things drowned in them. There is legend that says
the ancient gods created a curse which entails that anyone who
fall into a Jusenkyo spring will take the form of whatever first
drown there."
        Ukyo paused a moment to make sure Genma wasn't
trying to run off again. "I fell into the spring of drowned boy
while Ojisama fell into the spring of drowned panda," she
finished calmly.
        "Excuse me," interrupted Nodoka calmly. "Did you fall or
were you pushed?" She
questioned suspiciously as she eyed Genma who looked very
nervous.
        "Little of both," Ukyo replied watching Genma as well.
"We were sparring on the high bamboo poles. I attacked first,
kicking Ojisama into the panda spring. When he leapt out in his
cursed form he startled me leaving me open for his attack and
causing my balance to be lost. That's when I fell into the spring
of drowned boy. Cold water activates the curse while hot water
reverses it."
        "Is there a cure?" Questioned Kasumi softly gazing at the
figure of Ukyo.
        "Not according to the guide," replied Ukyo. Forming a
wry expression she continued. "Since then our lives haven't been
the most normal ones as I'm sure you can imagine." She turned
luminous brown eyes onto the figure of Genma and growled.
"Which means Ojisama that since I'm finally back home I'm
breaking my partnership with you. If the master wants me to
train, fine. But I'll do it with him from now on. You rant on
and on about how horrible he is but you've gotten me into more
trouble than anybody."
        "Trouble?" Ranma asked softly. Gazing at Ukyo with
kind eyes he asked. "Has life been really hard for you?"
        "No.. not hard," Ukyo sighed, trying to explain. "More a
series of horrible mishaps. I'd like to try and live a normal life for
once. Not to say that the curse doesn't have its own
conveniences."
        "Yes!" Genma announced in loud nervous tones. "The
natives in foreign lands are sometimes a bit confusing. Kissing
you minute, wanting to kill you the next. Being able to change
forms helps to avoid them.."
        This comment landed Genma a dirty look from Ukyo at
which he immediately silenced himself. The others simply looked
on, knowing instinctively that with this arrival their lives were
changed forevermore.

---

Comments, criticisms, etc. are greatly appreciated; please direct them to
either the FFML or to me personally at Dreiser@ix.netcom.com. 

You can read the rest of the Altered Destiny series by going to
http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/attenborough/249/index.htm