Info about the challenge Afterwards.   Hopefully format is
correct.
        _________________________________

    Mr. Tendou looked down at the postcard in his hand, the candle light
in his quarters flickering.  It cast strange shadows upon the painting
of his beloved wife. "Hm hm hm, so.  My old friend Genma does verily
bear a swift wind to the shores of Japan.  Indeed, to fulfill the
promise of long ago."  Tatewaki placed the postcard on the vanity,
brushing a hand through his hair as he considered himself.

    "Hm, but which of my fine progeny shall be heir to the Tendou
School? Which shall be destined to wear the mantle of our fine heritage
and wield it forwards, aye, into the misty future! Clasped by the hand
of my Comrade-in-arm's Son, which of the three shall take on the
honorable name of Saotome in order to fulfill the promise made afore
even their conception were a glimmering in mine mind's eye?" Tendou
mused, his arms crossed with his eyes downcast.  Silence overtook the
Tendou patriarch for a long moment as he considered the ramifications of
such a difficult decision.  Truly each of his daughters were fine
specimens worthy of a strong warrior that his friend Saotome was sure to
have created in his son.

    *Shall it be Kasumi, with her modest and cordial fashion? Aye, she
is the very model of a humble japanese woman, content with her place by
her man's side and the very image of her darling mother.*  Tendou, with
eyes closed, pictured the image of Kasumi.  Dressed in the white of a
western wedding dress, clutching happily to a faceless man whose
physique and build was impressive, even beneath the tuxedo.  "Yes,
perhaps?"  Frowning, Tatewaki Tendou then contemplated Kasumi as an Heir
to the Tendou School.  Images of her getting injured, and breaking a
bokken, and being thrown across the dojo by a faceless man were suddenly
conjured.  "No, methinks not.  Such a delicate flower of beauty as
Kasumi is would fare not well with the rigors of the art.  Especially
since she has neglected even the most rudimentary of training in favor
of the more proper role of a Japanese woman."

    Looking up, at the ceiling as he puzzled, Tatewaki tilted his head
slightly to the side, "Perhaps Nabiki.  Surely, with her dexterity of
wit and resourceful nature she would make a fine wife for Saotome's son.
Truly, she would compliment him, and mayhaps with some prodding, be
urged to expound upon our sacred family heritage by helping her fiancee
to develop new, useful skills for the school! Certainly, her versatility
and intelligence would serve to better the joined Saotome/Tendou school,
while taking the burdens of finances off of my son-in-laws back." Images
popped up quite suddenly, invading Tatewaki's train of thought.

    Images of Nabiki Counting money while her faceless husband begged
for finances for the school.  Images of students shelling out wads of
cash for tutelage under the joint Dojo.  Images of Nabiki, laughing like
the Kunou girl as she spent all the money on jewelry and clothing.

    Tatewaki smiled brightly for a moment, "Yes, yes, a perfect-" He
shook his head.  "No, of course not.  Saotome would never stand for it,
I am sure, no matter how wealthy my middle daughter would make the
family, I must honor the agreement in a fashion befitting one of such
noble blood as I!  To the utmost of mine ability as a gentleman."
Thinking again of the piles of cash, "Still, it would be nice..."

    Coughing, he looked at the oil painting of his beautiful, deceased
wife.  "Oh, my darling Angel! Whither should I turn but unto you? I must
choose amongst my children to carry on the proud tradition of the Tendou
House, yet also give over to union with my long-time friend and comrade,
Saotome, and his school of Martial Arts!" Pausing a moment, Tatewaki
lifted the glass of cognac from the vanity, sipping it thoughtfully.
"There is always Akane, but the girl is more masculine than some men I
know.  With a temper to rival that of a boar, and a will of steel sharp
as the family blade!"

    Pausing, Tendou sat the glass of cognac down, licking his lips.
"Hmm, prithee, could it be possible that Akane would be the perfect
match for a martial artist? She, too, has the art running thick through
her veins.  Aye, sometimes too thick for even her Father!  Even such
that I declined on numerous occassions to teach her the ways of Kendo,
or introduce her into the kempo tradition, she verily did defy me in
learning from the texts of my father and his before him!"

    Tendou rose suddenly, his budo outfit whisking as he began to stride
in an aggrivated manner.  "Aye, mayhaps it seems daft as well as a
measurable portion insane to consider, my most defiant daughter married
to a man of honor and duty?  Would such a pairing be reasonable to ask
of my friend to receive?  If only such answers could, by some divine
light, be bestowed upon me!"  Suddenly he returned to the painting of
his late wife.  "Oh, my darling, what would you have done? Wisest of my
hearts desires, what decision would you make?"

   Tendou nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his face.  Clutching a
fist tightly in front of him, "Of course, my love! Your genius shines,
even through the dark veil seperating you from me! I shall let the boy
decide, for as a man, he has ultimate right in what the fates decree for
him! Surely, just on sight, he shall know where his heart is destined to
tread!"

    Lightning flashed outside, the crash of thunder followed after.
    _________________________________

    "Akane, could you come in please? Father wishes to speak to us about
something.  He says it is very important," Kasumi called from the
doorsteps of the house, her voice carrying through the Dojo.

    "I'll be in in a minute, Oneechan." Akane, garbed in a kendo
uniform, concentrated with her bokken before her.  Moving all tumultuous
thoughts from her mind, she struck, "KIYA!" swinging the boken, the
cinder block made a harsh cracking noise.  For a moment it seemed to
hang, then it split in two, falling to each side of the two supporting
wooden blocks.  Akane breathed.

    Allowing herself to smile, she walked to the entry, turning and
bowing to the family shrine.  Slipping her shoes on, she walked to the
house, bokken over her shoulder as she hummed quietly.

    Entering the house, she slipped her shoes off, walking to the dining
room.  She wondered what her father could want to talk to her about.
Stepping into the dining room, she blinked as she saw Nabiki, decked out
in proper silk kimono.  *Correction, what does Father want to talk to
ALL of us about?*

    "Ahh, my youngest and most precocious daughter, please, have a seat
so that I might regale you with a tale which you may find most
intriguing: One that includes a proposition for one of my fine
daughters," Tatewake descended the stairs, Kasumi not far behind.
Dressed in her red and peach silk kimono, with her hair properly
arranged.

    Nabiki arched a brow at Mr. Tendou's comment, "I do hope this is
worth the effort of getting dressed up, Daddy.  You know I don't mind
formal attire, but it is something of a pain to get into." Turning her
head, Nabiki smiled at Akane.  "Do have a seat, little sister.  Unless
you would rather go change?"

    Akane glared at Nabiki.  Her sister was always trying to play the
favorite with her father, knowing that her skills with gaining money
were a favorite with their father.  She took in her father as he took
his seat, and Kasumi as she glided to her own beside Nabiki.  *Whatever
it is, Father is plotting something.*  "No thanks, Nabiki.  Not yet
anyways, I will humbly hear what Father has to say first." She bowed to
her sister, then to her father before taking her own seat opposite of
Nabiki.

    "As well you should, my darling Akane.  For it is something of great
import to your future, and the future of the Tendou line!  For lo, down
through the line of our ancestors, has the School of Tendou Martial Arts
and Kendo been highly revered and honored! Ever since-" Tendou began to
babble, as he was so frequent to do, about the lineage of the Tendou
name.  Speaking of honor, and duty, and obligation.

    Akane yawned, looking at both her sisters.  Kasumi seemed attentive,
paying attention to her father with silent acknowledgement.  Nabiki was
only half paying attention, occassionally studying her nails as she
nodded absently to the mention of the family sword and the warriors who
died to preserve the Tendou name.

    "-And, to summize, my most precious of progeny.  One of you must now
take upon yourselves the most sacred duty of joining the Tendou school
with the school of my honored and esteemed friend of old, Saotome Genma.
To be wed unto his son, and be his wife and mother to his children, in
order to preserve the cherished name of both Tendou and Saotome.  This
union shall also ensure the revered teachings of the Tendou School of
Kendo and Kempo." Tatewaki seemed to stare off into nothing with a
brilliant, obsessive glare.  Seeing the teachings of the Tendou school
spreading across the land, whispers on the wind of the great
Tendou/Saotome school of Martial Arts.

    Nabiki stretched a bit, then folded her arms, "So you want one of us
to marry some stranger you picked out for us before we were born to
fulfill some honor promise you made to a drinking buddy of yours."

    Tatewaki blinked, focusing his eyes upon Nabiki.  "Nabiki! My
dearest, middle daughter... how could you say such a thing? Saotome-San
and I are not some louts who had occassional misbegotten bouts of
alcoholic intake, we are fast friends and comrades in arms! Aye, I would
risk my honor for the man, as he would his I am sure!" Tendou's voice
was full of vehemence and bluster at the notion that the situation was
as simple as Nabiki would suggest.

    "Oh dear, Father.  I do not wish to seem rude or question your
authority, but what if he is too young?" Kasumi adjusted her hair,
trying to make sure it looked right.  "I wouldn't want to marry to
someone who is too young for me."

    "Maybe he'll be cute," Nabiki giggled, pulling out a pocket-sized
mirror and touching up on some of her makeup.  She had a tendency to
cling to the material, especially when trying to impress someone.

    Akane shook her head, "What is wrong with you two?  Do you really
want to get married so soon? I mean, Nabiki, you aren't even out of High
School yet."  Akane baffled at how her father's idea seemed to be
playing off of her sisters.

    "Hey, I'm not saying I'll marry him.  If he's cute, though, and has
a lot of money, then what could it hurt to consider?" Nabiki smirked,
snapping the mirror closed, it vanished somewhere into the voluminous
folds of her kimono.

    "It is an honor to have two daughters so concerned for the well
being of our family! I am sure you shall come around, Akane, when you
realize the import it would have for our lineage.  It is an honor
pledge, after all, and Honor is something to be praised and valued as a
rare commodity in this day and age.  When I was a child, there was far
more respect held towards honor and promises, your word was your life-"
Tatewaki paused as there was a knock at the door.  "Ahh, that must be my
friend Saotome now, with his Son."

    Nabiki hopped up, "Oh, I've got to go meet them!" She hurried out of
the dining room as quickly as she could in her kimono would allow.

    Kasumi rose, following after, "I do so hope that he is not too
young, it would be horrid to disappoint father."

    Tatewaki rose as well, brushing a hand through his hair, "Hm, it
will be good to see my old friend, we will have much to discuss that has
happened in lieu of his departure some ten years ago.  Yes, my darling
wife, I will ask him of his sweet Nodoka and how she fairs.  It is kind
of you to remind me."

    Akane gave her father a strange look, "Father, you're doing it
again," She chided gently.  He had taken to addressing her mother since
she had passed on.  Of course, he had gotten a bit better, but he would
still occassionally fall back into his old habits.

    "Come, my daughter! Let us fly to greet my old brother in arms!"
Tendou offered his arm to his daughter, his eyes focused with resolve.

    Akane shook her head, taking her father's arm as they both walked
out to the hallway, following in Nabiki and Kasumi's wake.

    Rounding the corner, Akane and Tatewaki found Nabiki and Kasumi
frozen in puzzlement.  The door was open, the smattering of rain on the
stone walkway outside echoing down the hall.

    In the doorwar stood a young woman with a pair of coke-bottle
glasses, luxuriant red hair tied back in a ponytail that ended right
above her hips.  She was dressed in some fluid chinese robes which
seemed to fit a bit loose on her.  Behind her was a seemingly gigantic
pile of black and white fur, it took Akane a moment to realize it was an
unconcious Panda.

    Reaching up, the girl lifted the glasses and addressed Tatewaki, her
brilliant blue eyes turned towards him.  "I hope I did not shock you.  I
am Mu Tsu Saotome.  I'm sorry about this."
    _________________________________



*    *    *    *    *    *

Okay, so, the challenge is a bit... bizarre.  A few people expressed it
seemed a nice idea, but that it wasn't in their taste.  So I'm posting
it to the FFML in hopes that some of you might take an interest.  =)

Here's the Criteria:

1) Start of the series.

2) Swap at least one character with another, or two characters with two
others.

3) The characters personalities should be, mostly, the same as they were
in the series.  Small changes due to different situations makes sense.

4) Go wild if you want.  =)

Hope everyone who takes part has some fun! Think outside the box, run
wild.  =)

--
Sin.
Shimitsu Kaori
Lost "Dragon-Gal"
of Shimitsu-Ryuu.
Author of the Predigious Fanfic
"Fragile Clay"
http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/chaos.htm
"What makes a curse is simply the view, a blessing to some is a curse
unto
you.  Cast off that doubt and the fear you hold high, with acceptance
comes
peace, are you willing to try?"
                        -- "Kaoru" from Fragile Clay.


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