"So… You've got a Jusenkyo curse." Ranma stated, he and the kid were sitting in some park splitting a bag full of burgers.

"Mmm-hm, you could say that. But I wouldn't call it a curse considering it saved my butt back there, and I've had it since I was born. And don't bother saying it, I know you've got a curse too." Ranma stiffened at this, wondering if the kid had been spying on him or something.

"It comes with being born with the curse, you just kinda know. Cursed people just feel different than others, especially when in they're in their other bodies." He explained, looking meaningfully at Ranma. Her answer was simply.

"How old are you?" The younger red-head reached for another burger and Ranma followed the example.

"Thirteen or fourteen I guess, I don't really keep track." Ranma stopped in the middle of a bite and looked the girl beside her up and down again. Standing up she would've been no more than 5 feet tall, probably less tops.

"No way, you're too short." The elder red-head scoffed in disbelief and resumed eating.

"It's a growing thing or somethin'. I've always been this short." The kid was shuffling in the bottom of the bag for any last bites unsuccessfully, and sighed before crumpling the bag. She got to her feet then and bowed slightly to Ranma.

"Thanks for the food, I oughta be going." She turned to leave but Ranma snatched to edge of her shirt.

"Where, exactly, is your destination?"

"A place where I can sleep in relative comfort," She gave the taller martial artist a rueful smile.

"Come on then. I got the place." The smile grew till it stretched ear-to-ear and there was a new skip in her step as the younger girl followed beside her.

"What's your name anyways?"

"Hmmm, it was Tairen in the last town, but I tire of that, so let's say… Chiru." Chiru nodded an affirmative and seemed pleased with the title. Ranma smiled and didn't comment.

The Tendos were in for a surprise when they arrived.