Switching Heirs:
An Altered Destiny
By: Dreiser
A basic summary or what has happened so far: Ukyo is the official heir to the
Anything Goes school of martial arts. Named so by loyal customer Master
Happosai after she was orphaned by the death of her Father. Ukyo returns with
Genma from their ten year training journey revealing their curses. Genma turning
into a panda and Ukyo into a boy with a splash of cold water. Attending school
Ukyo is met with the confusion of Kuno romancing her natural girl form while
declaring her male half, 'the ponytailed boy', a sorcerer whom he must destroy. As
this occurs Ukyo finds the Akane/Ranma engagement rescinded as she is the new
iinazuke for Ranma leaving Ukyo with the responsibility of continuing the Anything
Goes school through literal procreation with Ranma through marriage. Luckily for
Soun and Genma they actually get along. So here we are... Ukyo is engaged to
Ranma and she's happy as a clam. Things are looking up and the way she see's it
her life has never been better. Too bad trouble is slowly coming her way...
-Five-
Dust from the desert winds filled the air as two hooded figures solemnly trooped through the
wasteland. The person that was leading the way paused a moment. Looking down at the small town
below the plateau on which they stood. Pulling down a pair of dirty goggles the ragged face of an
otherwise beautiful young girl was revealed. She had spiky chocolate colored hair that was bound
back by a long white bandanna which flew in the wind. Her companion fell in step to stand beside
her. Pushing down the dark brown hood to the cloak the equally worn face of a young boy is seen.
Having thick black hair that was also bound back by a bandanna but instead of white it was yellow
with black dots.
Turning to the girl he questioned, "Is this Nerima?"
"Dunno," the girl replied. "After that little detour of yours to Kobe we could be anywhere."
The boy sighed at this. "I'm sorry. I really tried to keep you in my sights at the street fight but
I just.."
"It's fine," the girl interrupted him with a soothing smile. "Lets just find out where we are.
After all," her voice suddenly turned bitter. "We have business to attend."
"Yes," snarled the boy. "I'm going to repay you for our suffering Kuonji Ukyo. I swear it!"
"I swear I shall destroy you vile fiend!!" Screamed Kuno as he pursued the fleeing figure of a
male Ukyo.
"Yeah, yeah. You say that every time you see me Kuno and I'm still not destroyed." Called
Ukyo with an arrogant smirk. The constant chasing on the part of Kuno involving both his male and
female types had been annoying at first but now Ukyo almost found the chase fun. It was like an
variant form of tag. There was also the fact that Kuno didn't extend much of a threat to him with his
duel emotions of love and hate for Ukyo.
Rounding a corner at mach speed Ukyo's smile deepened as the wind whipped through his
hair. Several weeks had passed since he first returned to Nerima and Ukyo was beginning to get into
a daily routine and he loved it. For the first time in years he had a home and a relatively peaceful life.
Yes, Ukyo thought while dodging another attack from Kuno, he had finally found happiness.
A warm breeze filled the salt water air as two hooded figures wearily pushed down the
hoods to their dark cloaks. The person that was leading the way paused a moment to stare at a
shaved ice vendor. Pulling off the heavy cloak in a hurry revealing the healthy figure of a young girl
wearing a traditional school girl sailor fuku along with red hightops and a pair of red wrist bracers.
Her companion followed suit, removing their own cloak to show the muscular form of a boy wearing
a yellow shirt with ripped off sleeves, dusty purple pants, and a pair of matching yellow shoes with
tied laces running up his powerful legs.
Turning to the girl he questioned, "Is this Nerima?"
"Dunno," the girl sighed heavily. "After that little detour of yours to Sapporo we could be
anywhere."
The boy grimaced at this. "I'm sorry. I really tried to keep you in my sights when I was
fighting but.."
"It's fine," the girl interrupted him with an understanding smile. "Lets just find out where we
are first.
Say," she turned sparkling green eyes to him. "You want to get some shaved ice before we take off?
"
"You bet!" The boy exclaimed. He paused face furrowed deeply in thought. "But do we have
time?"
"Of course we do. All the time in the world." She smiled in consent then muttered under her
breath, "We'll find you eventually Kuonji Ukyo. Just you wait."
"Wait up! Ucchan!!" Cried Ranma as he dashed down the walkway to the Tendo dojo after
his iinazuke.
"You're the one who slept late Ranchan!" Ukyo reprimanded. Turning around to reveal a
wide smile as she ran backwards. "Why should I wait? You even skipped out on our usual morning
practice with Pops!"
"I was up all night studying for the math exam!" Groaned Ranma explaining. "Give me a
break, huh? Even Mom understood!"
"She did?" Ukyo said thoughtfully. "Well.. I guess if she understood than so can I. After all,
who understands you better than your own iinazuke?" She stopped to offer an impish smile at Ranma
who was bent over breathing deeply. Concerned at this she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Ranchan? You okay?" She queried.
Suddenly a pair of hands shot out to grab her hips and Ukyo found herself hanging upside
down on Ranma's shoulder as he took off in a dash.
"I guess that means yes?" She questioned playfully while waiting for a reply. None came.
Ranma simply kept running at a steady pace. "Uhh.. Ranchan? Let me down."
Ukyo could almost feel the smile forming on his face. Realizing the embarrassing situation she
was in she hit his broad back. "C'mon! This isn't funny!" Still no response from her iinazuke. She was
positive Ranma was thoroughly enjoying the experience of having one of the most powerful martial
artists in Japan slung over his shoulder.
While Ukyo knew very well she could get herself out of this situation she couldn't muster the
anger within her to attack Ranma. He was just playing as they often did. More than anything Ukyo
loved the easy banter they shared and the fact that of late they had formed a comfortable bond with
each other. She found herself trusting Ranma as she trusted no other. Because of this Ukyo merely
sighed quietly and hoped that Ranma would release her before they reached Furinkan. If he didn't
she knew she would never hear the end of it from Akane and Nabiki...
The stench of gasoline filled the air as two hooded figures clenched the hoods to the cloaks
they wore to cover their noses and cough. The person that was leading the way paused a moment to
stare at the gaping sight that was Tokyo Tower. Releasing their grip on the hood it fell away revealing
the smiling face of a pretty girl. Her companion next to her followed suit releasing the hood showing
the similarly smiling face of a handsome boy.
Turning to the girl he questioned, "Is this Nerima?"
"Nope," the girl said, her smile deepening. "This is Tokyo. You're looking at Tokyo Tower."
The boy looked on in awe at this. "Really? We finally made it to Tokyo? Nerima is close
then.."
"Really close," the girl interrupted him in an excited tone. "Soon we'll be there and all debts
will be settled."
"Finally.." Breathed the boy. "Finally Kuonji Ukyo will punished for her crimes against both
of us."
"Yes. She'll pay for ruining the lives of Kurasawa Sakura and Hibiki Ryoga," Sakura
murmured with a slow smile. "Very soon... she'll pay."
"Pay up," declared Nabiki with a confident smirk. "All of you who bet on the time limit on the
Ukyo/Kuno fight not going over a minute pay up!"
Flopping on the soft earth Ukyo gazed at the figures of Akane and Ranma as they hovered
over her. "Yeah?"
"Are you and Nabiki setting up these duels?" Akane demanded, hands on her hips. "This is
the second time its taken you this long to beat Kuno."
"Long?" Ukyo quirked an eyebrow, favoring Akane with a wry look. "It took me exactly one
minute and thirty five seconds to defeat Kuno. Some would call that quick."
Settling down next to his iinazuke Ranma offered a charming smile. "Some aren't you
Ucchan."
"You're sweet," Ukyo purred to him before focusing on Akane. "And to answer your
question Akane. No, I'm not setting up the fights with Kuno. He might be getting better or I might be
getting bored."
Akane looked skeptical at this but dropped to sit next to her two friends. "Well, you really
punted him into orbit. That's for sure. He'll probably land in Osaka I bet."
"Nah.." Ranma chuckled. "I don't see the trajectory being that specific. Maybe the outlining
area around Osaka but exactly in the Osaka city limits? No way."
Raising her head slightly Ukyo smirked. "Put a lot of thought into this have we Ranchan?"
"Have to. You've been punting Kuno an awful lot lately," returned Ranma while giving
Ukyo's flat stomach a gentle poke. She grabbed his hand at this and held it in her own. "At this rate
the guy is going to get permanently lost."
"One can only hope," said Ukyo with a sigh. Rising to sit she ordered playfully. "C'mon you.
Help me up."
Standing gracefully Ranma pulled his iinazuke to her feet then turned to help Akane similarly.
The three comrades walked out of Furinkan in compatible silence.
Shifting her gaze to take in the forms of her companions Ukyo smiled softly. She had friends.
She truly belonged with a group of people. It was amazing to Ukyo that there were now those who
would care if something ever happened to her. Her smile widened. Things were perfect as far as she
was concerned. All was well and life was good. Nothing could disturb it.
The air was filled with the chattering voices of students as they exited the school grounds as
two hooded figures approached. The person that was leading the way paused a moment to stare at
the bronze plaque that rested on the school wall before them. Running limber figures over it a smile lit
up normally solemn features as they pulled down the hood to their cloak. Revealing the exalted face
of Kurasawa Sakura. Her companion pulled their hood down in a smooth motion and a face of
triumph was shown on the features of the formidable Hibiki Ryoga.
Turning to the girl he questioned, "Is this Nerima?"
"Yes," Sakura said. "This is Nerima. Furinkan High School more specifically."
Ryoga smiled victoriously. "Then we made it!" Averting his dark brown gaze he darted his
hand outward to grab the shirt of a male student passing by. "Where is Kuonji Ukyo?" He snarled in
intimidating tones.
With wide eyes the student shakily pointed out the oncoming Ukyo who was accompanied
by Ranma and Akane.
"Kuonji.." Ryoga growled releasing the student with a powerful jerk of his wrist. "I've found
you." And saying that he leapt through the air swiftly yanking the heavy bamboo umbrella he carried
for emergencies from his back.
Watching this action with a smile of satisfaction Sakura waited a moment before taking off
after him.
"KUONJI!!! Prepare to die!" A maniac voice filled the air and Ukyo blinked in surprise as a
boy leapt towards her and landed with a sonic boom.
Hands atop a large bamboo umbrella the boy knelt inside the crater he had created from the
force of his own impact. Raising dark flashing eyes he hissed, "I've found you Kuonji Ukyo."
The boy rose slowly to his feet and as he did this a lithe girl landed softly next to him. "We
found her," she amended with a small smile.
Gently pressing a hand against his chest to hold the boy back. "Or," the girl tilted her
chocolate brown head to one side. "Have you forgotten me already my dear Ukyo?"
"Sakura?" Whispered Ukyo in disbelief as she took in the cloaked figure before her.
Whipping off the dark cloak to reveal the well known school uniform of so long ago Sakura
took in the form of Ukyo with hungry eyes. "You were expecting someone else?" She queried
wearing a sexy smile.
Ukyo wanted to say she hadn't been expecting anyone from her old school but the boy next
to her suddenly flew into the air screaming, "Enough talk! It's time for you suffer for what you've
done Kuonji! Suffer like we have!!"
Gripping his bamboo umbrella as if it were a sword he descended upon Ukyo who
instinctively unsheathed her battle spatula and moved into a defensive pose. Before the boy's blow
could connect she found herself in the familiar warmth of Sakura's arms who held her as she leapt out
of danger.
Placing Ukyo down on the ground several meters from the enraged boy Sakura gently
cupped Ukyo's cheek. They stood frozen like that. Lost in each others eyes in a remembrance of
days lost past.
Before she knew it Sakura was murmuring tenderly to Ukyo, "Are you okay love?" In shock
the okonimiyaki chef could only nod dumbly. Taking this in with soft green eyes Sakura suddenly
whirled around to cry, "NO! Ryoga! I can't do this to her. Let me settle my score with Ukyo my own
way then you can settle yours!"
"Ryoga?" Breathed Ukyo flabbergasted. "Ryoga? Why are you here with Sakura? What is
this all about?"
"Be quiet you!" Snarled Ryoga as he thrust his bamboo umbrella in her direction. "You have
no right to ask questions after the suffering you've put us through!"
"And I'd say you have no right attacking my iinazuke for no reason buddy," said Ranma in
low dangerous tones as he glared at Ryoga. Looking at Ukyo out of the corner of his eye he asked
gently, "You okay Ucchan?"
"I'm fine Ranchan," nodded Ukyo while sheathing her battle spatula. "Fine but very confused.
Sakura.." She trailed off locking sandalwood eyes with shining green ones. "Please tell me what is
going on."
Lowering her head Sakura released a deep sigh. Tilting her head up to gaze at Ryoga she
said, "I'm going to talk to Ukyo. Stay here." He opened his mouth to protest this and she said in
clenched tones, "Ryoga! I mean it. Stay here. Do it for me.. please."
At the please Ryoga softened his harsh glare then nodded solemnly. "Thank you," Sakura
whispered then turned to Ukyo. "Take me somewhere private."
"You got it." Facing Ranma now Ukyo pleaded, "I have to do this on my own Ranchan. I'll
be okay.. trust me."
"Watch Ryoga. He has a tendency to wander off." Sakura stated coolly, her green eyes
burning.
Expressing his combined worry and anger with his bright blue eyes Ranma none-the-less
nodded his concession.
Content with this Ukyo took hold of Sakura's arm then bounded away stealthily. Leaving
Akane alone in the tension filled school grounds with Ryoga and Ranma who were shooting each
other looks that could kill.
Running like the wind Ukyo increased her grip on Sakura but shifted it so she held her hand.
The action bringing back the few good memories she had while living life on the road. So taken in her
thoughts of the past and current events Ukyo did not notice running past Genma in his panda form as
he swept in front of Dr. Tofu's clinic.
Staring wide eyed as they ran away the panda held up a sign which read. <That wasn't who I
think it was. Was it?>
Bounding through the air confident Sakura could follow her stride Ukyo ended their short
journey. They landed atop one of the tallest buildings in the Nerima district. "Why Sakura?" She
asked in hushed hurt tones with her back to Sakura. "What did I ever do to you?" Turning around
Ukyo murmured, "I thought we were friends.."
"Friends?" Asked Sakura pained. "We were a lot more than just friends Ukyo. We were
lovers." Taking a step forward with each word green eyes glittered with unshed tears. "I.. loved..
you."
Releasing a choked laugh Sakura tipped her head back. "I loved you! Hell. I still love you.
And you said you loved me too if I recall. Then what happens? Hmm?"
Forming a fastidious face of contemplation Sakura continued sarcastically. "Oh wait. I know!
You dumped me. Then you disappeared off the face of the planet. And I have to threaten school
official after school official, until I finally beat up the fucking district superintendent, all just to find out
where you went off to."
Pacing now Sakura offers a mockingly happy exclamation, "And what do I discover? That
low and below! My love is continuing on her oh so infamous training journey. Except now she has
crossed an entire ocean to land in China. Not once sending me word of this."
"Why did you leave me?" Sakura whispered, stopping to stare at Ukyo with questioning
eyes. "Why didn't you at least tell me? I would have come with you. I had already started street
fighting. You know very well I could have survived on the road."
Wearing an ironic smile Sakura corrected, "Have survived on the road. Why Ukyo? I need
to know."
"I thought it was for the best," Ukyo sighed, rubbing her forehead in her hands. "You could
have survived, yes, but you had so much more going for you than I did."
"You were being trained by the master Karate champion Ryu for the Kami's sake!"
Exclaimed Ukyo meeting Sakura's eyes with her own. "I didn't want you chasing around the globe
with me starving half to death and fighting for money. Not when I knew you could have better. And
you could have. You should have."
"Sakura.." Ground out Ukyo painfully. "I didn't tell you I was leaving because of what is
happening now. I didn't want you hurt. Nothing good came of me in those days. I was so confused
and lost. I don't even think I knew what love was back then. I'm a different person now. I have a real
life now. A home, friends, and.. and.. someone I care for. Someone who I think cares for me too."
Taking a step forward to clasp Sakura's shoulder Ukyo whispered, "I'm not the person you
fell in love with."
Releasing a shuddering sigh Sakura broke away from Ukyo's grip and strode to the far edge
of the building. "Thank you," said Sakura. "Thank you for the truth."
"I love you still Ukyo," Sakura murmured taking a pause. "None of what was just said affects
that. Know that your iinazuke has a rival for your heart. I never was one to give up easily. If I was I'd
be dead by now."
"This isn't over," stated the street fighter, tipping her head back to lock their gazes. "While
my own debt has now been settled there is still the matter of Ryoga. And I regret to say his grudge
has as strong a bearing as my own." Saying that Sakura favored Ukyo with a fond smile then took a
step forward to plummet downwards.
Ukyo didn't even need to look to see if she made it safely away. Sakura was one of the best
street fighters in the world. Having been trained by a man many thought legend but Ukyo knew to be
reality.
Ryu had installed Sakura with the deepest sense of honor and if Sakura said Ryoga had a
grudge against her as serious as hers was Ukyo knew that meant trouble. What she didn't know was
what she could have possibly done to Ryoga to make him so angry.
Several minutes had passed since Ukyo and Sakura's departure. Akane managed to ease the
tension between the two boys somewhat but what really got to her was the behavior of the stranger
Ryoga.
He was simply staring off into space in the direction Sakura and Ukyo had disappeared into.
Not making a sound other than an occasional morose sigh. Akane found him thoroughly intriguing
and almost shy in a strange way. He just seemed so desperately lonely.
Moving forward to gently touch his shoulder Akane was met with wide brown eyes. "Hi, I'm
Akane. You're Ryoga? It is Ryoga isn't it?" Akane questioned tentatively. He blushed then nodded
mutely at this and she couldn't help but smile. "Good! Could you please tell us what is going on
between you and Ukyo?"
Ryoga's eyes darkened and he said, "I have sworn to destroy Kuonji's happiness."
Akane blinked at the emotional transformation. Ryoga was a cauldron of boiling emotions.
"Okay," she began slowly. "Exactly why is that?" Prodded Akane.
She wasn't about to let him off with such a mysterious reply as that. While this was happening
Ranma subtlety moved in making sure he could hear every word uttered from Ryoga.
"Kuonji dishonored and broke Sakura's heart. She left her desolate with no word of her
location." Ryoga paused to gaze at a perplexed Ranma. Seeing the other boy's confused expression
he formed a harsh smile.
"What? Didn't know your `iinazuke' went both ways? She has done much worse. Believe
me." Ranma snarled at him and Ryoga merely snorted in disdain.
"Anyway," started Ryoga carefully. "Sakura still had feelings for the scum and went in search
after her. I accompanied her due to my slight problems with directions. Ever since we were little
Sakura has been my sense of direction. Without her I would be, literally, constantly lost." "So
rather than be separated from her I chose to
come along. After all," Ryoga's eyes glazed over with anger. "Kuonji had already run out on one duel
with me. No doubt she needed to be punished for her own good. The tracks of destruction Kuonji
left behind led us to China. Once there I experienced such horrors that they sent me into the depths
of hell and back. I will never forgive Kuonji for what happened to me there. NEVER."
Before Akane could question him further a sharp whistle sounded and the svelte figure of
Sakura was sighted standing atop the wall surrounding Furinkan. In an instant he was flying through
the air. "Farewell Akane," called Ryoga over his shoulder, wearing an almost affectionate expression.
"We will meet again."
To be continued...
This was inspired by the works of Rumiko Takahashi, Wade Tritschler, Jim Robert Bader,
and many other cool folks. All characters in this are from Ranma 1/2 except from Sakura
who graces us from Street Fighter.
Send comments to: Dreiser3@ix.netcom.com
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