** I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.**

** Author's Note: Didn't mean to leave the last chapter on a cliffhanger that long. Sadly, things got really crazy at my work and I couldn't get back to write this out. Don't worry! Akane is not dating Hiroshi! She just went on one date to get one under her belt and test it out. I noticed a lot of speculation in the reviews about Miyuki and a lot of anger about Ranma's behaviour. He's a teenaged boy and, in my experience with teenaged boys, they make stupid decisions with their sex organs rather than their brains especially when they are experiencing trauma/anxiety/depression. I have a teenaged son who is almost 20 and have dated boys/men most of my teenaged/adult life who have made lots of questionable choices they have justified to themselves. Or is Ranma enchanted? That's been mused, maybe maybe not. What is Miyuki and why is he drawn to her? Some answers finally emerging in Chapter 8. Thanks for sticking with me! **

Ranma sat in stunned silence. Did that actually just happen? After a few non-threatening moments passed, he started to look around to assess the situation. I.. I need to talk to Miyuki. What the hell is going on? What just happened? Ranma was starting to freak out internally. He could feel his anxiety rise, his breathe became heavy and his heart started beating faster. He held his chest and tried to breath through the anxiety, trying with all his might to prevent an attack.

Just then, Ranma heard a knock at the front door of the Tendo residence. Ranma answered the door quickly, hoping it was someone he could drag along to figure things out. Ranma's face lit up when he saw Ryoga, who returned his expression with a look of questioning. Ranma smirked. "Hey there Ryoga. Great to see ya!"

Ryoga stepped back, "Uh oh. What are you planning, Ranma?"

Ranma grabbed Ryoga by the hand and started dragging him along behind him, "You need to be my escort. I'm sorry, but I'm still in trouble and I need you to help me leave the house."

Ryoga tore his hand back. "You're not getting me in trouble, are you?"

Ranma shook his head, "I don't think so. I am pretty sure my parents will be fine if I tell them it was you that brought me out. You're not about to let me drink alcohol, which is their biggest concern at the moment."

Ryoga raised an eyebrow at Ranma, "True, but that doesn't sound very reassuring, Ranma. What's going on here?"

"I'm sorry. I'll explain on the way. Promise." Ranma signaled for Ryoga to follow him.

Ryoga sighed and started to follow Ranma. What's the worst that can happen?

Ranma and Ryoga were walking through Nerima toward Miyuki's house. Ranma had just finished explaining to Ryoga what had transpired outside the dojo earlier, and Ryoga looked confused.

"So, is your girlfriend.. supernatural?" Ryoga asked, confused and bewildered.

"I honestly have no idea what is going on. That's why I needed you to help me," Ranma looked determined. He looked up and could see Miyuki's house in the distance. "Be ready, Ryoga. I don't know what we are walking into."

Ryoga nodded, noticing Ranma didn't deny the 'girlfriend' word he had just used to describe Miyuki. He was missing this excitement in his life since their return from China, so the thought of something crazy happening almost sounded inviting. "What's your plan?" he asked.

"I.. don't have much of a plan after finding Miyuki," Ranma laughed nervously.

Ryoga smirked, "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

Ranma and Ryoga approached Miyuki's house. Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other and nodded before they made their up up the walkway to the front door. Ranma knocked. There was no answer. Ranma knocked again, louder. Still nothing.

"Maybe she isn't home," Ryoga suggested.

Ranma braced himself to knock even louder before Miyuki swung open the door. "Get inside. Fast." She grabbed Ranma by the arm while giving Ryoga a look that told him, in no uncertain terms, to hurry up and get inside.

Miyuki shut the door behind the two men, then turned to look at them. "What's up, handsome?" she said nervously.

Ranma looked Miyuki up and down and could see she was in a state of panic. "I had to come figure out what was going on. After we spoke on the phone, someone appeared at the dojo claiming to be your sister."

Miyuki looked away, nervously. "Oh. That's Arashi. Definitely my sister. She's looking for me. That's why I couldn't talk earlier. I was dealing with some family matters."

"Does your sister not know where you live?" Ranma asked, quite confused.

"Yes and no. It's complicated." Miyuki stated.

Ranma put her hands on her shoulders. "Miyuki, what is going on?" he pleaded.

"My sister, well my family, want me to go home," Miyuki explained, "but I don't want to."

"Is this not your home?" Ryoga asked, looking around at the home that has clearly been lived in for a while.

Miyuki sighed. "What did my sister tell you, Ranma?" she asked.

"She didn't tell me anything," Ranma replied.

"Then can we just leave it alone and go back to having fun?" Miyuki asked nervously.

Ranma gave Miyuki an intense look. "Miyuki, she disappeared right in front of me and looked like she was glowing."

Miyuki's eyes widened. She looked away and silently cursed her sister. "Ranma, I can't tell you why she did those things. I'm sorry."

Ranma took a deep breath. "What if I tell you something crazy about me?" he asked.

Miyuki looked at Ranma confused. "I don't know if that would change anything. This is a pretty serious matter."

Ranma looked over to Ryoga. "Ryoga, would you mind getting a glass of water out of the kitchen. I think you can figure out what I want you to do with it."

Ryoga nodded and walked over to the direction Ranma pointed him to. Ranma called out, "Bring some hot water, too, while you're at it!" Ryoga gave Ranma a thumbs up as he disappeared into the kitchen. Ranma returned his eyes to meet Miyuki's. "Listen, I know all about weird stuff happening. I promise you, I can handle whatever it is that is going on."

Miyuki stood silent.

Ryoga returned with a glass of water. "Ready Ranma?" he asked. Ranma nodded just before Ryoga tossed the water at him and Ranma transformed into his girl form.

Miyuki's jaw dropped. "You're Jusenkyo cursed?!"

Ranma-chan nodded, shocked. "Yes, you've heard of it?"

"I have," she nodded, as well. "I know about every magical or spiritual thing on Earth. Listen, my sister is.. special. She has some powers, but I promise she's harmless." she explained to them.

"That really doesn't explain anything. Why is she looking for you? Why are you hiding from her? Where is home?" Ranma-chan's head was spinning. Ranma-chan looked at Ryoga expectingly.

"Right, sorry." Ryoga tossed the hot water at Ranma-chan, transforming him back into a male.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?" Miyuki winced as Ranma shook his head no, water flying off his hair where Ryoga splashed him. "Alright. My sister is what is known as a tennyo. Do you know what that is?"

"They are spiritual beings," Ryoga replied, "a divine kind, also known as 'Heavenly Women.' Are you saying your sister is.. like an angel?"

Miyuki nodded to Ryoga.

Ranma looked at Ryoga, then returned his gaze to Miyuki who turned her eyes back to look at Ranma. "So, your sister is an angel. What does that make you?"

Miyuki lowered her head. "I am trying to be human," she said quietly and with obvious sadness.

Ranma continued his interrogation. "So, that means you are a tennyo, too? Why can't your sister find you?"

Miyuki returned her gaze to Ranma. "I've been hiding a long time, Ranma. I have been using a random family name and living in this house alone."

"How was she able to find me? She obviously knew that we are known to each other," Ranma asked.

"I don't know, honestly. I have been hiding my divine energy to keep myself from being located. The divine energy is what you were seeing as a glow around her. If she has figured out our relationship, then it's only a matter of time before - " Miyuki stopped as she heard a loud crashing sound, like a lot of lightning crashing in multiple places around one area- the same sound Ranma heard in the Tendo yard. "Dammit. She's good."

"Miyuki!" Arashi's voice boomed as the crashing sound continued.

Ryoga looked around in bewilderment. Ranma looked nervous, but stood by Miyuki. The crashing sounds stopped and Arashi appeared before them, inside the house.

"You always need to make an entrance, eh big sister?" Miyuki asked, annoyed.

Arashi smirked, "I am known for storms, Miss 'Beautiful Snow.'" Arashi winked at Miyuki, then looked around and spotted Ranma. "Thank you for leading me to my sister," she smiled at him.

Miyuki looked at the men. "This is my sister, Arashi. Arashi, this is Ranma and Ryoga."

Arashi glanced at the men. "Charmed," she greeted.

Ranma and Ryoga stood in stunned silence.

"Arashi, I'm not going home. Please stop trying to force me." Miyuki pleaded.

Arashi looked sternly at Miyuki, "Mother and Father insist. You know you can't stay here forever."

Miyuki looked sad. "I hate it at home. I am not like you. I can't spend my entire life serving and entertaining the inhabitants of heaven. I want to live a human life full of fun, excitement, love, passion and more!" Miyuki continued to plead her case.

Arashi approached her sister, causing Ranma to move out of the way. "Little one, you know you can not live out a pretend human life forever without it deteriorating you. You will perish. Our parents, and myself, do not wish to lose you forever."

Miyuki's eyebrows lowered in thought. "What if I find a way to be able to live a full mortal life?" she asked.

"That's impossible. The environment will slowly kill you while you walk with divine energy within you," Arashi insisted.

Miyuki looked at Ranma. "What if.. I went to Jusenkyo and jumped into the Spring of Drowned Girl?" she asked, directing her gaze back to her sister.

Ranma and Ryoga looked shocked. Ranma spoke up, "I'm not sure if they are ready since our last trip to China. They were destroyed when I saw them last."

Miyuki smiled at Ranma, "The flooding has receded and the springs are back to normal."

Arashi crossed her arms. "This seems like it could potentially be dangerous. I am not willing to risk your life so that you can rebel." Arashi said to her sister with concern.

Miyuki smiled brighter. "Ranma can come with me! We can find his cure while he is there!" she announced.

Ranma looked at Ryoga with excitement. "Ready to go back?" he asked.

Ryoga looked back at Ranma. "What about your punishment from your parents? Will they even let you go?"

Ranma sighed. "We either have to wait it out or hope they will forget about it once they learn that the springs are restored. It's worth a try. We will have to tell the others, too," he said. Ryoga nodded at Ranma. Ranma looked over to Miyuki, "We are in. I just have to talk to my parents first."

Arashi looked scared. "Miyuki, you know our parents are not going to like this. A mortal life still means eventual death. Either your cursed form, if it even works on you, will die from old age, illness or accident or you will shift back to the same problem as now. We don't want to lose you."

Miyuki smiled at Arashi. "Sister, I do not fear a mortal death if it means I can live a mortal life. This is what I've always wanted, I just never realized a way to do it properly."

Arashi smiled at her sister. "You know I love you and want your happiness. I will not tell our parents your plans, yet, under one condition," she announced.

Miyuki smiled brightly at her sister. "What is your condition, Arashi?" she asked.

Arashi put her stern big sister face on, "I will keep quiet as long as you stop hiding your divine energy, at least a little bit, so I can find you and check in with you. Our parents are not looking for it, as they know you have been hiding it and have sent me to find you."

Miyuki thought for a moment. She nodded her head and put her hand out to shake her sister's hand in agreement.

Arashi giggled. "You really are a pain in the ass, you know that?" Arashi returned the handshake in amusement.

Miyuki pulled her sister into a hug. "Thank you, big sister!"

Arashi pulled away and looked down at her. "Promise me you'll be careful. There is a lot that can happen between here and Jusenkyo- we don't even know how the cursed springs will react with divine energy since no one has ever tried before, so I want to be there once you arrive to make sure you'll be okay."

Miyuki nodded, "I will call for you once we get there, I promise."

Arashi smiled. "Then go. Be quick, though. Mother and Father will start to ask questions soon. Farewell, little sister."

Miyuki smiled back. "See you soon, big sister! Maybe you'll come visit to have fun with us once this is all done!"

Arashi smiled and rolled her eyes at her sister with a hint of annoyance, then turned her body and vanished.

Miyuki turned to Ranma. "Thank you. I'm sorry you got dragged into this, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity to see if this will work."

Ranma approached Miyuki again and looked into her eyes. "I can see how much this means to you. Going back to Jusenkyo means a lot to me, too. However, there are others that are Jusenkyo cursed in my life that will want to come on this trip to find their cure. I have to tell them."

Miyuki nodded and smiled. She hugged Ranma tightly. "Thank you so much. Please call me after you speak to your parents. I promise I will answer."

Ranma and Ryoga arrived at the Tendo residence once again. Ranma entered through the front door, Ryoga following behind him.

Nodoka looked up from her tea. "Ranma! Where were you?" she demanded.

"It's a long story, mom, but Ryoga was with me. I hope that was okay." Ranma sat down across from his mother. Ryoga followed suit, sitting beside Ranma.

"I trust you, Ryoga. I know you wouldn't let Ranma get into trouble after you returned him to me last time," Nodoka smiled at Ryoga, who nodded. Her expression hardened as she turned her gaze back to her son. "I'll ask again, where were you?"

Ranma smiled nervously. "We went to see Miyuki."

Nodoka's face dropped. "Hasn't that girl caused enough trouble?" she asked.

Ranma sighed. "I understand your feelings, mom, but I promise that it was important. Is Dad here?" he asked.

Nodoka nodded, "Genma!" she called.

Genma ran to the living room, hearing the frustration in his wife's voice and having no desire to upset her further. "Yes, dear?"

Nodoka motioned for him to sit next to her. "Your son was out with that girl, again, and has something he wants to say to us," Gemna glared at Ranma for upsetting his wife.

Ranma nervously put up his hands in defence. "I swear it was important. Ryoga was with me," Ranma took a deep breath and looked at his father, "Jusenkyo is restored."

Genma's stern face shifted quickly to a smile full of excitement. Nodoka's hardened face softened, too.

Ranma continued, "Miyuki needs to go there for her own reasons and has asked us to escort her. I would like to get all the Jusenkyo cursed people together again for this and come back cured this time."

Genma jumped up with excitement. "Why didn't you say so, my boy?! When do we leave?!" he asked.

Nodoka stopped him. "Husband, sit down," Nodoka instructed as Genma returned to his seat. "Son, I would like to discuss this futher and I wish for Miyuki be here to answer some questions, too. You will ask her to meet us here, along with your other cursed friends, tomorrow after school. If I choose to allow this adventure to happen, then I have my own conditions. First, you will not leave without at least one more appointment with Dr. Sato. Second, you will not leave until after your birthday party and punishment."

Ranma sighed. "Mom, I don't need a birthday party. I've never had one before," he said, "and I don't need one now that I'm older."

"Ranma, I have missed most of your birthdays. I have been looking forward to this and you are not going to be in China for it. It's only next week, you will be fine to wait," Nodoka put her foot down.

Ranma smiled at his mom, as he knew he wasn't going to win that argument. "Okay mom. I will call everyone right now and have them here after school tomorrow. Thank you for understanding and giving this a chance."

Nodoka smiled lovingly at her son. "You know I only care about your wellbeing, son. I also think that some of these conversations might be better in person. As long as Ryoga is willing to escort you, then you may go back out to the Nekohanten to discuss with Elder Cologne, Shampoo and Mousse."

Ranma looked at Ryoga, who nodded. "This mission is for me, too. I'll help any way I can."

"Why would this mission be for you, too, Ryoga?" Akane asked from behind him.

Ryoga's face dropped, as he turned to look at Akane.

Ranma turned to look at Akane, as well, and chuckled nervously. "Akane! How long have you been there?"

Akane's eyes lowered. "Long enough. Why is this for Ryoga, too?" she asked again.

Ranma waved it off. "Oh, you know, he just cares so much about his friends that he takes this very personally," Ranma suggested.

Akane looked between Ryoga and Ranma several times. "No, that's not it. What's going on? Why are you lying to me?" she asked.

Ranma looked at Ryoga and shrugged. Ryoga looked back at him and sighed. "I guess it's time, especially if we are about to be cured. She's going to wonder where he went."

Ranma looked nervous. "Are you sure, man? She's going to be pissed."

Akane glared at them. "Why would I be pissed?!"

Ranma and Ryoga looked at Akane with a fake, nervous, big smile. "Akane, you know, Ryo-" Ryoga cut Ranma off with a wave of his hand. Ryoga looked at Akane, "Do you think we could talk in private?" he asked.

Akane looked at him with suspicion. "Fine, let's go outside." she ordered.

Ryoga nodded and followed her outside, leaving a worried Ranma behind looking after them.

Akane looked at Ryoga sternly once they were outside and alone. "What is going on, Ryoga?" she demanded.

Ryoga took a deep breath. "Akane, please hear me out. You're going to be upset with me, but please just know that I had my reasons and care about you a great deal." Ryoga explained.

Akane crossed her arms and eyed him suspiciously. "Go on." she instructed.

Ryoga took another deep breath, preparing himself for the worst. "Akane, I am also Jusenkyo cursed. I didn't just go with everyone to China to help. I went to find my own cure." he stepped back, scared of Akane's reaction.

"What do you mean, you're Jusenkyo cursed? Why would you not tell me? When did this happen? Does everyone know?" Akane grabbed her head with both hands, confused and hurt.

Ryoga winced. "I've been cursed almost as long as Ranma. Yes, Ranma knows and so do the other cursed people. Akari also knows." he explained.

"Why am I the last to know and after all this time? I know everyone else's curse, so why would you feel the need to hide it from me?" Akane demanded, returning her hands to her sides.

"Because it's a little more complicated than that," Ryoga braced himself. "You have seen my cursed form many times before. I was in a different place back when you first saw me and couldn't trust anyone. You.. treated me with such kindness. I got in so deep that I couldn't find the courage to tell you anymore. I was so scared that if you ever found out that you would hate me." Ryoga explained.

Akane looked him up and down. "Why would I hate you?" she asked.

"Because.." Ryoga looked Akane in the eyes and took another breath, "I'm P-chan."