A basic summary: 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Ukyo finds the Akane/Ranma engagement rescinded as she becomes 
the new iinazuke for Ranma. Soun and Genma arranging this because 
the pair actually get along, unlike Ranma and Akane who are more like 
siblings than lovers. Ukyo is now engaged to Ranma and they are 
starting their newfound romance when Ryoga finally reaches Nerima. 
He attacks her along with his best friend Sakura, a street fighter who 
had a past romance with Ukyo. Ukyo manages to work out her 
problems with Sakura but has no idea why Ryoga is so angry. They 
disappear on another lost journey while Ukyo works out her torrid 
past with Ranma's patient help. Arriving at Furinkan the long awaited 
duel of Ukyo vs. Ryoga begins only to end unresolved due to the pair 
accidentally giving Akane a haircut. So the story goes on... 

Switching Heirs:
An Altered Destiny

By: Dreiser

-Eight-

	Limping down the street at a slow pace Akane paused to rest. 
She leant against a high cement telephone pole staring into space, 
thinking about the recent events. For how long had she been growing 
her hair out? All for the attention of a man who never noticed her. It 
was silly to think that her hair style would ever make a difference in 
Dr. Tofu's  feelings for her but still.. for Akane it was a strange source 
of pride and hope. And now it was gone. 
	Light brown eyes darkened at this reality and Akane pulled 
her fist back to pound it deeply into the cement pole before her. 
Wincing at the slight pain this caused the dark girl lost her balance, 
falling to the ground in a heap. 
	Holding back a strangled sob Akane carefully pushed herself 
to her feet. Cautiously making her way down the street she made plans 
for visiting Dr. Tofu. She needed to do something about her injured 
ankle, but first she would go home and fix her hair. Akane could only 
imagine what Kasumi would have to say about it. 

	"Yup," began Ranma as he peered at the fist shaped impact in 
the cement pole. "Akane is still mad." 
	"Can you blame her?" Ryoga asked softly. "She suffered the 
effects of a fight that wasn't even her own." 
	Sighing Ukyo studied the empty street the four companions 
were standing in. "She's going home." Locking his gaze with Ryoga he 
continued, "We can apologize there to Akane again and make sure 
she's okay." 
	The lost boy nodded his assent but remained still as Ukyo and 
Ranma left them to walk down the street. Standing next to Sakura he 
questioned, "Is this what you meant when you told me that nothing 
good comes from allowing anger to control your actions?" 
	"In a way," replied Sakura dryly. "However, I was alluding to 
a more serious situation then a horrible hair cut. But in essence, yes, 
this is a prime example of the damage uncontrolled anger can cause." 
	Stepping closer to her friend Sakura gripped Ryoga's 
shoulder. Gazing deeply into his brown eyes. "You really like her, 
don't you?" She queried. 
	His dark head jolted upwards and Ryoga stammered. "I-I.. 
she.. it's like..." Trailing off he sighed at the bemused expression on 
Sakura's face. "Yeah," he admitted slowly. "I like her. Akane is a nice 
person Sakura. Much too nice for someone like me.. look at what I 
did to her!"
	"Ryoga!" Exclaimed Sakura exasperated. "Honestly, all you 
did was give her a bad hair cut and Ukyo is also partially to blame for 
that. Just apologize to her. Make her feel better about the situation."
	"How do I do that?" Questioned Ryoga as Sakura slung her 
arm around his shoulders. The pair were now  walking steadily down 
the street towards the Tendo dojo.
	"Simple," Sakura began with a smile. "Tell her the truth. You 
still think she looks pretty, right?" Ryoga nodded nervously in vigorous 
agreement. "Well, just tell her that. All you need to do is tell the truth, 
that you think she looks beautiful no matter what and her hair cut 
doesn't matter." 
	"That's it?" Ryoga asked still doubtful. 
	"That's it. And when in doubt turn to flowers. Flowers always 
do the trick," assured a smirking Sakura. Shaking her head she 
continued wryly. "Honestly. You really don't know the slightest thing 
about girls, do you?"
	"Well, before this you were the only one I knew." Offered 
Ryoga lamely. 
	Laughing at this comment Sakura stated, "And I'm not exactly 
a normal girl, right?" Still chuckling a bit Sakura murmured, "Lucky for 
you neither is Akane." 

	Folding her arms on her desk Akane buried her head  in the 
cool warmth. Trying to forget the events of the day and replacing them 
with thoughts of old. 
	When was it exactly that she had decided to grow her hair 
out? The need had been a part of her for so long that Akane never 
considered its origins. Stretching the recesses of her memory she 
brought herself back to her early youth. 
	She must have been barely six years old. Once again she had 
gotten into a scrap at school with the other kids. Back in those days 
Akane hadn't learned how to take teasing in the slightest. Any attempt 
by a fellow student to ridicule her would result in a brawl. 
	As always, she went running to Dr. Tofu when school ended. 
Comforted by his kind words and understanding, she loved his 
attention more than any. It seemed to Akane that only he 
comprehended who she truly was and why she did things. He never 
scolded her for fighting with Ranma or the other children and he 
always listened to her side of things. 
	The doctor had just bandaged her knee and was about to 
walk her home when Kasumi appeared. Long hair pulled back and 
blowing in the wind she softly exclaimed at Akane's injury. Instantly, 
upon seeing Kasumi, Tofu turned into a babbling mess. 
	Staring up at Kasumi she wondered at this. She wondered at 
why Tofu seemed to focus all his attention on  her older sister 
whenever she appeared. As she pondered this reality she listened 
partially to another of Kasumi's lectures. 
	Oneechan was saying that Tofu wouldn't like her anymore if 
she kept up the constant fighting. Akane was terrified at this thought. 
The only one who understood her would turn from her? She couldn't 
let this happen. Gazing at Kasumi she considered his reaction to her. 
	Maybe, she thought carefully. Maybe if I grow my hair long 
like Kasumi does Dr. Tofu will like me again. 
	"So that's how it started," sighed Akane quietly. "It was stupid 
of me to think that. Even if I was little at the time. Dr. Tofu will never 
see me as anything other than--" 
	Akane ceased her verbal wanderings at hearing a light tap on 
her window. Glancing up she was met with the surprising sight of 
Ryoga hanging upside down. He was wearing a goofy smile on his 
handsome features and had his arms clasped behind his back. 
	"Ryoga?" Akane questioned incredulously pulling open her 
window. "What are you doing out there?" 
	"Uhm.." He started nervously. Suddenly his hands shot 
forward to present Akane with a large bouquet of flowers. "These are 
for you." 
	"Ryoga," breathed Akane taking in the enormous amount of 
flowers he handed her. Looking at him with puzzled eyes she 
continued. "You didn't need to do this."
	"I wanted to," Ryoga replied quickly. "I'm really sorry about 
your hair Akane. It was all my fault. This is my way of apologizing for 
it."
	Pausing a moment Akane gave him a small sad smile. "It's fine 
Ryoga. Really," she said gently, slowly rising to her feet. "I've been 
meaning to cut my hair short again for a while now. Don't feel bad 
about it, okay?" 
	Saying that she carefully made her way from her room leaving 
Ryoga hanging upside down with a perplexed look on his face 
wondering what he had said wrong.  

	"That went well," commented Ranma to Ukyo who chuckled 
at this. The pair were sitting atop the large rocks surrounding the koi 
pond with Sakura and had been watching the interaction between 
Ryoga and Akane.
	"I don't know Ranchan," Ukyo said thoughtfully. "Akane 
doesn't seem angry to me. More contemplative. I think she's using this 
to consider some things."
	"That would make sense," Ranma replied. Locking his blue 
gaze on Sakura he interrogated. "What exactly is going on with Ryoga 
anyway? Why is he so interested in Akane?"
	Raising a chocolate brown eyebrow Sakura mocked 
derisively. "Oh my, do I hear a touch of jealously?" Shifting her green 
gaze to Ukyo she purred. "You ought to keep this one under lock and 
key it sounds like he gets around. Can't be too careful what with the 
ex-girlfriend still present."
	"Sakura..." Ukyo said warningly. 
	"Someone is no fun," Sakura pouted. She was met with an 
admonishing sandalwood gaze. The street fighter rolled her eyes and 
sighed loudly. "All right, all right!  I'll leave your little iinazuke alone." 
For saying this Sakura was rewarded with a soft smile on the part of 
Ukyo. 
	"All right Mr. Curious," drawled Sakura moving her attention 
back to Ranma. "What is going on with Ryoga is that he thinks Akane 
is nice and holds himself responsible for her hair getting chopped up. 
He wants to make her feel better about it. End story. My!" She 
exclaimed sarcastically. "Wasn't that sooooo intriguing? A thrill a 
minute story." 
	"Ha. Ha. Very funny," muttered Ranma sourly. 
	Sighing deeply at their exchange Ukyo focused on the 
approaching figure of Ryoga. The lost boy neared the group with a 
solemn look on his features. Settling down next to Sakura he bore his 
brown gaze into Ukyo.
	"I don't think she's angry anymore but something is bothering 
her," Ryoga stated coolly. 
	"So why didn't you follow her and ask what it was?" 
Demanded Ranma with disbelief. "You were right outside her window. 
Surely you saw where she went."
	"I did," began Ryoga slowly. "I followed her from her room 
and down the stairs but..." Averting his eyes he finished in low 
sheepish tones. "But I got lost." 
	Ranma groaned loudly at this while Ukyo simply rolled 
sandalwood eyes. Sakura meanwhile was on her feet and staring off 
into the distance. 
	"Somebody just left the dojo," she stated. Turning to look at 
Ryoga she continued. "Lets go see if it's Akane." 
	Immediately the lost boy was on his feet and running after 
Sakura who bounded over the high walls surrounding the dojo. Staring 
after the pair Ukyo and Ranma met their mutual gazes then shrugged. 
	The couple sat in compatible silence for several moments 
when Ranma broke it by questioning. "Did they expect us to follow 
them?"
	"I honestly have no idea," returned Ukyo. 
	"Hmm," Ranma responded.
	Another long stretch of silence passed when Ukyo turned his 
gaze to Ranma. "I can apologize again to Akane anytime, right?" He 
asked uncertainly. "I didn't really feel comfortable running around with 
Ryoga. What with him wanting to kill me before and everything." 
	Thinking on this explanation Ranma nodded. "It's okay," he 
began. "You live with Akane, you see her everyday. You can just 
apologize to her when she gets back. I'm sure she wouldn't want you 
fighting with him again."
	"Uh-huh..." Trailed off Ukyo.
	Again a period of silence overtook the couple when Ranma 
turned his gaze to the male Ukyo and stared at him for a moment. 
Coughing a bit he scratched  his cheek. "Hey, Ucchan?" Ranma 
started cautiously wearing a somewhat nervous smile.
	"Yeah, Ranchan?" Ukyo asked, meeting his gaze.
	"Lets boil some water, huh?" Suggested Ranma carefully while 
rising to his feet. 
	Startled at this statement Ukyo stared at his still male form and 
jumped. "Yeah!" He exclaimed leaping upwards. "I definitely want to 
boil some water." 
	And the air was still filled with silence around the koi pond as 
the couple ran inside the dojo to boil some water. 

	Sakura and Ryoga rounded a corner then promptly screeched 
to a halt. "Ryochan," started Sakura. "Is that Akane up ahead?"
	Narrowing dark brown eyes Ryoga studied the petite girl 
ahead of them. She was wearing the light blue uniform of Furinkan high 
school. He barely offered Sakura an affirming nod before dashing 
down the street.
	"Akane!" He called loudly. "Akane, wait up!" 
	Leaping high into the air Ryoga landed in front of the girl. 
Landing softly he began to speak but stopped to stare at her features. 
This wasn't the Akane he knew. The person before him looked like an 
entirely different girl. "I'm sorry miss," he said apologetically while 
backing away. "I thought you were someone else." 
	"Wait," the girl exclaimed stepping forward. "Who were you 
looking for?"
	Pausing Ryoga took another look at her. Blinking several times 
he studied the soft planes of the feminine face before him and finally 
rested on her warm brown eyes. 
	"Akane?" He whispered. All was quiet as he continued to 
stare at her with some level of shock.
	"What?" Akane demanded. A bit peeved at the wide eyed 
look he was giving her. "What are you staring at?"
	"N-nothing!" Stammered Ryoga. "It's just.. look nice that way. 
I think you look really nice with short hair Akane. Akane..." He trailed 
off sadly. "I'm so sorry that you had to get involved in my duel with 
Ukyo. It was wrong." Hanging his head low Ryoga murmured. "I 
apologize." 
	"Ryoga," sighed Akane. "I already told you its fine. I don't 
blame you for it and neither should you." 
	"Hey you two," Sakura stated, drawing their attention to 
where she stood atop a nearby fence. Studying the way Akane had 
shifted her weight in standing she queried. "You hurt your ankle back 
there? Going to the doctor then?"
	Moving her gaze from Ryoga to Sakura the dark girl 
reluctantly nodded. The last thing she wanted to do was admit her 
injury because she was positive what reaction it cause on the part of 
Ryoga. 
	As if on cue Ryoga exclaimed passionately, "Akane! Allow me 
to escort you there safely!" Ryoga moved forward to clutch her hands 
in his own. For a moment Akane thought he might sweep her into his 
arms but the lost boy remained still merely boring his pleading gaze 
into her. 
	"All right," relented Akane. "I suppose I could use some help 
getting to Dr. Tofu's." 
	Ryoga's response was immediate as his face was wreathed in 
smiles. Tilting his gaze upward he locked eyes with Sakura then jerked 
his head in the direction of the Tendo dojo. Subtly telling Sakura that 
he wanted to be alone with Akane. 
	"Well then," Sakura murmured. "I guess I'll be heading back. 
Ukyo and I still have a lot of catching up to do." She formed a 
mischievous smile. "Make sure you watch Ryochan carefully Akane, 
he tends to wander." Finished, the street fighter disappeared in a cloud 
of dust, her long white bandanna flying in the wind. 

	"You know," said Ranma thoughtfully. "I think Yohko really 
needs a boyfriend." 
	After boiling Ukyo some hot water the couple had settled 
down to relax and watch some television. Currently they were 
involved in viewing a Devil Hunter Yohko marathon a local station was 
airing. 
	"I'm with you Ranchan," Ukyo agreed while giving him a sly 
look. "But it's not as easy as you think to find a nice boyfriend. After 
all, not every girl is as lucky as me to have an arranged engagement to 
a great guy like you." 
	Playing along Ranma formed a smile of arrogance. Blowing on 
his fingernails he then dusted them off on the thin material of his cotton 
t-shirt. "Yup," he said smugly. "I'm hot goods all right." 
	Giggling at his act Ukyo pretended to swoon over him. 
Making a series of silly looking kissie faces at Ranma with her lips 
puckered up. "Oh! You're so cool," she said breathlessly. "I don't 
deserve you." 
	Ranma paused to stare at Ukyo. Even with that ridiculous face 
she looked beautiful to him. Before he even realized it he leaned down 
to capture her lips with his own. At first Ukyo was in shock that this 
was happening but soon she gave into her own need and responded in 
full. The kiss was sweet and seemed never-ending. 
	Never-ending until a gasping sound shifted their attention and 
the couple broke apart to look upon the figure of Sakura. The street 
fighter wore a pained expression on normally confident features. 
	"Sorry," Sakura said shakily. She stumbled backwards 
nervously, almost tripping over the table. "I'm really sorry..." She 
trailed off before leaving in desperation. 
	Groaning loudly, Ukyo dropped her oak brown head to rest 
on Ranma's shoulder. "See?" She started despairingly. "This is what I 
meant when I said that things are always difficult and nothing is ever 
simple." 
	Smiling slightly Ranma rubbed his iinazuke's back reassuringly. 
"We didn't do anything wrong Ucchan," Ranma paused to arrange his 
thoughts. "You can't live your life constantly considering the feelings of 
others. You have to do what is right for you and if really people care 
for you they'll understand." 
	"I know," Ukyo sighed. She had her face buried in the crook 
of his neck. Before pulling away she planted a soft kiss on his skin and 
felt Ranma shiver at the contact. "But that doesn't make it easier to see 
her hurt."
	Blazing blue eyes met sandalwood ones knowingly. "Go after 
her," Ranma said encouragingly. "You know that you want to. Go after 
her and explain." 
	Ukyo broke into a glorious smile and Ranma knew instantly he 
had said the right thing. "Thank you," Ukyo whispered in his ear, 
drawing him into a quick hug. 
	"You're welcome. Now," Ranma said, pulling Ukyo to her feet 
with him. "Get going. She's probably halfway to Osaka by now." He 
was blessed with another beautiful smile from Ukyo before she 
bounded away in pursuit of Sakura. 
	Ranma watched her lithe figure exit until he could no longer 
see her. Sighing, he turned back to the television and settled into his 
original place, watching the animated figure of Yohko as she killed 
several devils. "Yup," he murmured staring at her. "You need a 
boyfriend like me." 

	Inside the clinic Akane observed as Dr. Tofu carefully 
wrapped her sprained ankle. On the other side of the curtain sat 
Ryoga who was instructed implicitly by Akane to not move an inch. 
With his horrible sense of direction he could wander off and be lost for 
months. Akane didn't even want to think what Sakura's reaction would 
be to that. 
	"Dr. Tofu..." Began Akane hesitantly. She didn't want to ask 
this but the need was overwhelming. "Do you like my hair?" She 
uncertainly touched the ends of her now short dark locks lightly. 
	"Of course Akane. I like it a great deal," Tofu responded with 
a smile. "Short hair becomes you. I never did understand why you 
started growing it out." 
	Akane wore a small smile of triumph as Tofu returned to 
wrapping her ankle. "I knew it," she whispered to herself. 
	Before that day with Kasumi, when she was little, Akane had 
always had utmost faith in herself and in what she knew to be true. But 
when her older sister told her that her constant fighting would upset 
Tofu? Well, her life changed forever and she lost some of that faith. 
With his kind words now she felt it being restored. 
	And yet.. and yet despite all that she knew he could never love 
her as she loved him. Then again, was it really love? She never felt that 
jolt of electricity she had with Ryoga when Tofu touched her. With the 
doctor it was more a warm comforting feeling. Ryoga came into her 
mind again. She felt drawn to him like a magnet. He was so much like 
her. A gentle person hiding their true self under a fierce persona. 
	Suddenly without knowing it Akane burst into a flood of tears. 
Startled, Tofu moved to sit next to her. "Akane," he said gently. She 
felt a reassuring touch on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. Is it your ankle? I 
should have been more careful." 
	"No," blubbered Akane. Hastily wiping away her  tears she 
slowly met his gaze. His eyes met hers and comforted her as they had 
done since her youth. "They just won't stop. Oh Dr. Tofu!" She cried, 
clutching to his shirt with all her strength. 
	The doctor said nothing. Simply patting her back gently and 
murmuring soothing sentiments. After a long while she finally pulled 
away to give him a grateful smile. "Thank you," she whispered. "I really 
needed that." As a response Tofu merely nodded and smiled in turn.
	And from behind the curtain sitting frozen in his assigned place, 
where they had forgotten about him, was Ryoga. Hearing the entire 
instance his eyes were filled with unshed tears. He didn't know what 
was causing Akane to cry like that but he was going to find out. 
Because if anyone deserved to be happy it was her. 
	Standing immediately when she emerged from behind the 
curtain Ryoga smiled softly at her then followed Akane obediently out 
of the clinic. 
	"A good cry really makes you feel better," remarked Akane 
happily, breaking the silence. 
 	No response came from Ryoga and Akane stopped her pace 
to whirl around. He couldn't have possibly have gotten lost already! 
She thought anxiously. Akane breathed a sigh of relief when she saw 
his muscular figure standing on top a nearby fence. 
	"Ryoga?" She questioned with concern. From his body 
language she could tell he was upset. "What's wrong?"
	Staring out into the small stream below Ryoga did not answer 
at first. Finally gathering all his courage he asked quietly, "Are you in 
love with him?" 
	Akane was stunned at this question. Blinking several times she 
thought on his query. Was she ever really in love with Dr. Tofu or had 
it just been an adolescent crush? She didn't know, but whatever it had 
been it was over now. 
	"No," Akane replied firmly. "I'm not. I might have been once 
but he loves Kasumi." For the first time in her life Akane actually 
smiled at that fact. "I'm over him." 
	Ducking his head Ryoga blushed. He didn't where he gained 
the courage to ask Akane about her feelings for Tofu but he was now 
glad that he did. Looking at Akane he took in the sight of her slowly. 
Sensing she was curious about his gaze Ryoga smiled softly. 
	"Your hair really looks better that way," he explained. 
	Akane blushed at this, resembling Ryoga a bit, and murmured 
quietly. "You didn't have to say that." 
	"I know," Ryoga said softly. "But it's the truth. I think you're 
beautiful Akane." 
	"Thank you," whispered Akane in response. Turning around 
she started her way down the street confident that Ryoga was closely 
following her. 
	"You know Ryoga," Akane began shyly, moving her gaze 
back towards him. "I think you're.." The dark girl trailed off as she 
stared into the empty street before her. 
	"Oh no," breathed Akane in shock. "I lost him." 

	Ukyo found Sakura in the park sitting alone on a swing that 
was moving at a morose pace. When they were a couple in middle 
school Sakura would always end up in parks when she was upset. She 
appreciated the beauty of mother nature more than anyone. 
	"Hey," Ukyo greeted, smoothly sitting next to the street fighter 
on an adjacent swing. 
	The air was silent as the two girls sat next to one another on 
their swings. "I'm sorry I interrupted you and Ranma. It looked like 
you were having fun," Sakura said, trying to make an attempt at 
humor. "To tell you the truth it would have been far better for me if I 
had never seen it."
	"Oh yeah?" Ukyo questioned. She sensed that Sakura needed 
to get this off her chest. 
	"Yeah," began Sakura. "If I hadn't seen that kiss I could have 
kept on believing that this engagement of yours was fake. But no," she 
sighed. "I see the kiss. Now I'm forced to realize you really feel 
something for him and nothing at all for me." 
	"Sakura!" Burst out Ukyo. "Don't say that. I do care for you. 
It's just.. I.." The okonomiyaki chef lingered unsure of how to say it 
without hurting her feelings again.
	"You love him," Sakura finished for her. 
	"Yeah," Ukyo admitted. "I do." 
	Another period of silence embraced them as Sakura pushed 
her powerful legs back to increase the momentum of her swing. 
Standing up she gazed down at Ukyo and had a fond smile on her 
features. 
	"Remember how we used to come to the park in Kyoto every 
day after school to practice?" She reminisced. "I thought we would 
give that groundskeeper a heart-attack one day." Sakura chuckled at 
remembering how the old man had reacted to their brutal sparring 
tactics. 
	A soft smile spread across Ukyo's features. "The first few 
weeks he chased us around with that rake of his. `Scat! Scat! I'll get 
you darn hooligans'!" Ukyo imitated the rasping voice of the 
groundskeeper. 
	Sakura giggled at this. "Ugh... that's his voice all right." Tilting 
her head to lock their eyes she murmured, "But eventually he got used 
to us being around so much." 
	"People can get used to anything Sakura," affirmed Ukyo. "I 
know you're hurt by the relationship I have with Ranma but please 
don't leave. You're one of the few people  I can trust. I don't want to 
lose that and really I don't want to lose you." 
	"Well," Sakura sighed. "How am I supposed to respond to 
that?" 
	"Simple," Ukyo said. "You agree to stay in Nerima. C'mon 
Sakura.. it'll be like old times. You know you want to say yes." Ukyo 
flashed a wide smile.
	Feeling herself give in to the will of her companion Sakura 
searched for a feasible excuse to refuse. Part of her wanted to be with 
Ukyo more than anything. Then the sensible half of her brain warned 
her against this. Saying she would only fall more deeply in love with the 
okonomiyaki chef if she remained. 
	Sakura sighed again thinking about it. Ryoga did like it here 
and something appeared to be going on between him and Akane. That 
was a definite reason for staying in Nerima. Eventually a worthwhile 
argument entered her mind.
	"Where would I stay?" Sakura asked triumphantly.
	Ukyo deliberated this carefully. "With me!" She exclaimed 
brightly. "You can stay at the dojo with me." 
	"With you?" Sakura raised a chocolate brown eyebrow 
dubiously. "Are you sure you would be comfortable with that? And 
what about Ranma? I don't think he would like that. Not to mention 
the others." 
	"Oh yeah.." Ukyo lightly pushed back her swing and mulled 
over this. She truly wanted Sakura to remain in Nerima and she 
wouldn't rest until she had found a solution to the housing problem. 
Tilting her sandalwood eyes upwards she looked at the passing figure 
of Akane. 
	Akane? She thought with confusion. What is she doing here? 
Wait a minute.. "Akane!" Ukyo declared to Sakura. "You can room 
with Akane! Nobody would have a problem with that." 
	"Except Akane," Sakura said dryly.
	"Pfff," Ukyo dismissed quickly. Standing, she grabbed her 
companion's hand. "Akane likes you. I'm sure she wouldn't care. 
C'mon, lets catch up with her."
	Flabbergasted by this sudden turn of events Sakura clutched 
to Ukyo's hand as they ran after Akane. They  quickly found the dark 
haired girl. She was standing at the end of the street wearing a 
distressed expression. 
	"Akane!" Called out Ukyo waving her hand vigorously in the 
air. Akane turned in their direction and immediately paled at seeing 
Sakura. 
	"I'm so sorry! He was right behind me, I swear, but when I 
turned around he was gone!" Wailed Akane as they approached and 
they saw tears shining in her eyes. 
	"Oh great," muttered Ukyo. "I assume you're talking about that 
jackass Ryoga, the champion of the lost?"
	Akane nodded in zealous agreement. "He just disappeared 
Sakura," she sniffled. Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand 
Akane continued, "One minute he was walking with me and the next 
he was gone."
	The street fighter gave Akane a gentle smile. "That's the way it 
goes Akane. Don't worry about Ryochan, he does this all the time. 
He'll find his way back to us." 
	"Really?" Asked Akane uncertainly. She still felt horrible about 
losing Ryoga that way. Especially after Sakura had warned her about 
his habit of wandering off. 
	"Really. He always finds his way back, its one of his many 
talents," Sakura promised. 
	Calming at this Akane focused on Ukyo. "What are you two 
doing out here anyway?"
	"Just sorting some things out," said Ukyo smiling at Sakura 
who returned the favor. "Akane, we were wondering if we could ask 
you a small favor..." 

To be continued... 

This was inspired by the works of Rumiko Takahashi, Wade 
Tritschler, Jim Robert Bader, and many other cool folks. All
characters come from Ranma 1/2 except Sakura who graces
us from Street Fighter. 

Send comments to: Dreiser3@ix.netcom.com

Visit other Altered Destinies at:
www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/attenborough/249/index.htm

Next up: 
Ryoga returns to Nerima and challenges Ukyo to a final duel, inciting 
Sakura into regaling their tale of woe.