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

Akane approached Ucchan's. It was a long night last night. Ranma was a shell of himself, which made it hard for Akane to be as mad at him as she felt he deserved. She still was quite mad, very much, but she put it aside for the night knowing it wasn't going to help either of them. She almost felt bad for snapping at a tennyo like that and had to wonder how that would affect her when her time was up on Earth. She did not in any way expect Miyuki to get that upset and vanish like that. She didn't think she was good for Ranma, but she didn't actually hate her. Akane started to wonder what this disappearance would mean for Ranma and her, but quickly pushed those thoughts aside. I can't even think about that. Ranma doesn't deserve me. Even if there was some enchantment she wasn't being fully honest about, I can't condone the way he shoved me aside. There are lots of guys that would worship me, not treat me like a consolation prize. He hasn't even looked me straight in the eye since. Does he blame me for her leaving? Probably. Oh well, it doesn't matter. This is not my fault. I am allowed to have feelings about all this. Ranma and I came so far just for it to come crashing down when things got too hard for him and a pretty face showed up. He's weak. I can do better. Akane smiled at herself. Knowing her self worth meant her happiness would not depend on any man, especially an immature child like Ranma. Akane opened the door to Ucchan's to find her friend smiling up at her from behind the counter.

"Akane! Hey Sugar! You want something to eat?" Ukyo offered.

"Sure! I could use some sustenance. It was a long night last night," Akane explained.

"How did that meeting go? I wish I could have been invited, but I get it. I'm not one of the cursed people nor am I a family member," Ukyo frowned slightly.

"The meeting itself was fine. Pretty quick, actually. It's what happened after that shook everything. Well, shook Ranma and mildly altered the Jusenkyo plans," Akane looked at the food being served in front of her. "Thanks, Ukyo!"

"No problem, Sugar. My new specialty, hope you like it!" Ukyo smiled. "Now, what happened?"

"Well, I don't know what possessed her, but Miyuki had this bizarre idea to invite me out for a girls night," Akane explained.

"I remember her mentioning that she was going to invite you. She invited me, too. I told her if you wanted to go and wanted me to go, then you can let me know. I never heard anything after that, though." Ukyo rested her elbows on the counter.

"Well, there's a reason for that. I kind of snapped at her. I am pretty sure she deserved it, but I've fought with myself over that a lot since it happened. She got really upset," Akane continued.

"She couldn't handle it, eh?" Ukyo giggled. "I wouldn't think Ranma would be hanging around such a weak person."

"Well.. I guess no one has told you, yet," Akane looked a little confused as to why Ranma wouldn't tell his best friend about Miyuki's non-human state.

"Tell me what?" Ukyo looked concerned.

"She's.. not really a 'person'. It's been revealed that she's a tennyo, a 'Celestial Maiden'. She wants to be human. She was going with them to Jusenkyo because she wanted to jump into the Spring of Drowned Girl to be an actual human. At least, for the most part as we all know that water can be tough to avoid." Akane explained the story to her friend.

"Oh, well, I think that probably explains a lot," Ukyo looked a little stunned.

"Yeah, I think it does. Here's the thing though.. After I snapped at her, I could hear a commotion downstairs. After a couple minutes, I had to go see what was going on. I saw Ranma and Miyuki kissing, which of course made me more mad than I already was. Then, they were saying goodbye. She said she loved him, then she literally vanished into thin air. She's gone," Akane finished the story.

Ukyo's jaw dropped, "She left?!"

Akane nodded. "I think Ranma might be losing it again. I don't know if she had some sort of spell on him, she says she didn't, but he is definitely broken right now."

Ukyo frowned. "Who does this chick think she is? She comes down here, gets in our way when it comes to Ranma, and then leaves?!"

Akane nodded again. "I have no idea what her angle is. I don't even know how to handle what's going on. It's a lot to process. Basically everything we know has been from taking her at her word. Should we even trust her? It's my understanding that a tennyo wouldn't deliberately lie to a human or try to hurt them. Is she even telling the truth about being a tennyo?" Akane ranted.

Ukyo thought for a moment. "You know who would be a good person to ask?" Akane shook her head no. "Cologne. She knows everything, right?" Ukyo suggested.

Ryoga walked into the front of the restaurant, "What does Cologne know?" he asked.

"Everything!" Ukyo laughed.

Ryoga rolled his eyes. "What do you girls need to know?" he asked.

Akane looked at Ryoga and put her anger toward him aside for a moment, "We are trying to figure out if Miyuki is actually a tennyo, and, if she is, then if she is being truthful about not enchanting Ranma," she explained.

Ryoga raised an eyebrow, "From what I gather, she is. She has shown all the signs of being one. When she showed up to the meeting, I realized she was wearing a kimono. I've read that tennyo wear special kimonos to be able to take flight. She likely wore it so she could come and go as quickly as she needed to. There are legends of tennyo coming down to Earth only to have their kimonos stolen by men who want to marry them so that they can not return to the heavens. There's also a lot of legends about tennyo falling in love with human men rather quickly. The sister seemed very obviously tennyo, especially with her divine energy showing. I think she's being truthful. As for the enchantment, well, she admitted that she naturally pulls him in just because she's a tennyo, which does make sense given what a tennyo is. Ranma recognizes this now, too. He's going to evaluate things once she jumps into the Spring of Drowned Girl. If she's human, she shouldn't have that same pull and he can sort everything out. At least this is what he was telling me yesterday," Ryoga explained.

Akane flinched. Ryoga looked at her. "What is it, Akane?"

Akane took a deep breath. "She's gone. She left yesterday. She said she was going home."

Ryoga's eyes widened. "Wow. Wait, what? How's Ranma?"

Akane looked away. "Not great. I mean, I shouldn't feel bad for him after everything, but a part of me does. I can't help it. It's hard not to feel sorry for someone who is obviously hurting a lot."

Ryoga looked confused. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would she leave? She seemed so happy with the way things were."

"I guess it's partially my fault. I mean, it's not my fault at all, but I gave her the push. I kind of lost it on her yesterday after the meeting." Akane admitted.

Ryoga looked a bit shocked. "Oh, Akane. I knew this was all very upsetting for you, but I didn't expect that. Are you okay?" he asked her.

Akane smiled at him. "I'll be fine. You two should probably check on Ranma at some point, as his friends. I'm not ready to have anything further to do with this. I don't need to see him all broken up over some other girl."

Ryoga and Ukyo nodded. "That makes sense. You shouldn't put yourself in that situation. It would be pretty painful. You deserve so much better." Ukyo pulled her friend into a hug. "One day, you will find someone who worships you the way you deserve," she finished.

Akane smiled at her friend. "Same with you, Ukyo. We both deserve that." She turned to Ryoga, "Just so you know, bub, I'm still upset with you. We will talk about you being P-chan soon."

Ryoga dropped his head. "Okay, Akane. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be there."

Ranma sat almost comatose in the living room watching TV. He didn't even know what he was watching. He was simply existing. The pull he felt for Miyuki and knowing he may never see her again was breaking him down mentally. He had no idea what to do with himself at the moment, so he just sat there.

Nodoka approached her son. "Son, I can't help but notice your mood all day today and last night. Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

Ranma didn't look up. He just shook his head no while he continued staring at the screen.

"Okay. Can I ask you a question, though? Nodoka asked.

Ranma slowly looked over to his mother and nodded his head.

"Miyuki said that you knew her reasons for going to Jusenkyo with everyone, but that she would allow you to decide to tell me what those reasons were. Could you possibly tell me?" Nodoka asked, curious.

Ranma looked back to the screen. Tears were starting to well up in his eyes, despite his best efforts. He had no desire to cry in front of his mother because that wouldn't be very manly in her eyes. Nodoka noticed all of this and became very confused. "What is it, Ranma?" she asked.

Ranma sighed heavily. "She's gone, Mom. It doesn't matter anymore."

Nodoka looked even more confused, if that were possible. "What do you mean gone? If you've had a disagreement, could you not just go talk to her? Why are you getting so upset? You look like someone just died." Nodoka asked.

Ranma shook his head. "It's not that simple, Mom" He wiped his eyes in an attempt to stop any tears from actually falling out.

Nodoka knelt beside her son. "Can you please tell me what's going on?" she asked with concern.

Ranma took another deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Fine." He started to explain the whole story to his mother.

Akane let her curiosity get the better of her and decided to check on Miyuki's house to see if she had actually left Earth or if she was just hiding out. As Miyuki's house came into view, she saw a tall, blonde haired, green-eyed, young man with the body of a what she could only describe as a god. Akane wiped the touch of drool she realized was forming at the side of her mouth and watched as he closed Miyuki's door and locked it. He started walking toward the street and stopped when he noticed Akane staring at him.

"Hello Miss, can I help you?" he asked.

Akane put herself back together and nodded. "I'm looking for Miyuki," she explained.

"Ah, I'm sorry to dissapoint. She's gone home to be with her family. I don't know when she will come back." he told her.

"Oh, so it is true. Can I ask who you are? Sorry to be so nosey, but we are just very confused about her sudden departure," Akane asked.

The man looked into her eyes. Akane melted in those perfect eyes and realized her mouth was open while she stared like a love sick puppy. She quickly shook herself back into reality. "You wouldn't happen to be Akane, would you?" he asked.

Akane looked shocked. This beautiful creature knew who she was? She nodded slowly.

"Nice to meet you, Akane. I am Kaze, Miyuki's brother. I understand that you know that we are tennin. Well, I am, she is a tennyo." he introduced.

Is everyone in her family this beautiful? "Nice to meet you, Kaze." Akane smiled, still a little stunned at how gorgeous this man in front of her was. "Will you be staying here a while?" she asked, hopeful to have time to learn more about this man.

Kaze chuckled, "I'm just putting some of her affairs in order down here. She'd like to keep the house for now, just in case. I volunteered, as she seemed pretty adamant that she couldn't return right now. Strange, since she's always been the rebel of the family who longed to live as a human. I've always found it quite strange, but now she wants to stay in the heavens. Anyway, it's been a long time since I visited Earth, so I thought I'd take a mini vacation down here. Kind of stinks, to be honest."

"Stinks?" Akane asked.

Kaze chuckled again, "Of course, you wouldn't smell it. Compared to the heavens, it stinks down here. Your air is not that clean, you know."

Akane was still very much in shock at the situation and didn't know how to handle it. What she did know was that she didn't want this man to leave. She wasn't sure if she just wanted to help Ranma or if she was drawn to him the same way Ranma was drawn to Miyuki. "While you are here, did you want to come over for tea and meet Ranma?" she offered. She thought maybe using Ranma as an excuse would help. Surely Miyuki mentioned Ranma if Miyuki mentioned her name.

Kaze smiled brightly. "Why not? That actually sounds nice. I don't know if a human has ever invited me for tea before. Shall we go now?" Kaze seemed eager, not letting Akane know if he knew who Ranma was or not.

Akane nodded. "If you'd like. My house is this way." She began to lead the way.

As Kaze and Akane were walking along, Kaze started asking her a bunch of questions about life on Earth. He seemed genuinely interested.

"It's quite a different lifestyle down here. I can see why my sister was choosing to slum it," Kaze told her.

Akane raised an eyebrow. "Slum it?" she asked.

Kaze laughed. "You have to know that the heavens are not going to be matched in beauty by any place here on Earth." he told her.

Akane nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense," she said.

Akane and Kaze approached the Tendo residence. "Here we are. This is where we live." Akane stated.

"It's charming." Kaze smiled.

Akane led him inside and to the living room where she saw Ranma and Nodoka. Ranma still had tears in his eyes, although he trying desperately to will them away. Nodoka was obviously quite concerned with what she had just learned from her son. "Auntie Saotome, I am home. I brought a guest for tea." Akane announced.

Ranma looked over and quickly wiped any tears left out of his eyes. He stood up, his face a bit red, and looked at the man Akane had brought home. Who the hell is this? Why does he feel familiar?

Nodoka looked at Akane and was quite impressed with the look of the man she brought home. She still wished Akane and Ranma together, but she was a healthy female human and knew a gorgeous man when she saw one. "Hello, it's nice to make your acquaintance. My name is Nodoka Saotome, this is my son, Ranma. Please, make yourselves comfortable and I will put tea on for you." Nodoka smiled at the guest.

"Pleased to meet you, as well, Nodoka Saotome. My name is Kaze." Kaze bowed. Nodoka returned the bow and then left to get tea.

Ranma looked at the stranger. "Nice to meet you." Ranma extended his hand.

Kaze took Ranma's hand and gave it a firm shake before releasing it. "Ranma Saotome. I've heard so much about you."

Ranma looked a little confused. "How would you have learned a lot about me? Have you known Akane long?"

Kaze chuckled. "Akane hasn't told me anything about you. My sister, however, has had a lot to say. She was quite taken with you."

Ranma raised an eyebrow. Akane interrupted, "He's Miyuki's brother."

Ranma almost fainted. "What?"

Kaze smiled at Ranma. "Don't worry. I haven't come to cause trouble. I was just getting some things sorted for my sister when I met Akane, who was kind enough to invite me for tea." Akane smiled at Kaze, who turned to her and smiled back.

Ranma watched the exchange, confused but hopeful. "Where is she?"

Kaze turned to look at Ranma again. "She is at home."

Ranma frowned. "Not her home on Earth, I assume?"

Kaze shook his head. "No. Not today, anyway."

Ranma sighed deeply. "That's what I figured."

Nodoka quickly returned to set the table for tea, then returned with the heated tea pot. She happily sat down and turned to admire the handsome man seated with them. Akane sat on Kaze's opposite side and couldn't stop staring at him. Ranma saw the looks in both girls' eyes. Oh boy. This is just great.

After tea, Kaze invited Akane to take him on a tour of Nerima. Akane was happy to oblige, while Ranma watched them leave with a raised eyebrow. Akane and Kaze took a walk through the town and decided that today Kaze would try okonomyaki at Ucchan's. They walked through the door.

"Twice in one day? Can't get enough of me, can you, Sugar?" Ukyo laughed. She then noticed the man who came in with Akane and her eyes widened. "Who is your friend, Akane?"

Akane smiled at Kaze then turned to her friend. "This is Kaze. Miyuki's brother. We just met today."

"I should have know that someone who looked like that couldn't actually be human," Ukyo said. Ukyo started blushing with embarassment after she realized she said that out loud.

Kaze chuckled. "Thank you, ma'am. And who might you be?"

"My apologies, I am Ukyo Kuonji. It's lovely to meet you," Ukyo introduced with a bow. Kaze returned the bow.

"No apologies necessary. I hear you make the best," he turned to Akane, "oko.. no.. myaki?" Akane nodded.

Ukyo laughed nervously. "I sure do! What kind would you like to try?"

"Whatever Akane likes will do just fine," Kaze smiled.

Ukyo started up the grill. Akane and Kaze took a seat. Kaze and Akane continued chatting at their table while they waited for their food. A few minutes later, Ukyo brought two okonomyakis over and placed them on the table. She leaned over to Akane and whispered, "Wow, Akane. He's gorgeous. Where can I get one? Does she have another brother?"

Akane chuckled quietly and waved Ukyo off. She agreed with Ukyo, but she didn't know much about this man except that he was celestial, Miyuki's brother, and drop dead gorgeous. She didn't know if she would see him again after this. She didn't know anything at all yet. She did know that she could feel herself being drawn to him and realized very quickly that this is likely a result of his divine energy. However, he was so good looking that she wasn't sure about that at all. Am I being shallow? I don't usually go for looks, but his are way too hard to ignore. He's really polite, too. He doesn't act like his sister at all. He seems much more.. put together than she does.

Ukyo heard the phone ring. She peeled her eyes off the handsome stranger and moved to answer the phone, cursing whoever it was. She picked up the receiver and greeted the interruptor. "Thank you for calling Ucchan's, how can I help you?"

"Ukyo, are you busy?" Ranma asked her from the other end of the phone.

"Hey Ran-chan. Nope, just served Akane and Kaze some okonomyaki, so I'm good for a minute. What's up?" Ukyo asked.

"They are there?! Oh man. That guy is way too good looking to be taking Akane out to eat," Ranma felt like an idiot the second the words left his mouth.

"Are you jealous, Ran-chan?" Ukyo laughed.

"No. Of course not. I just.. he's not human, Ukyo. I don't want her getting drawn in the same way.." Ranma trailed off, not realizing that Ukyo knew about Miyuki being a tennyo.

"The same way Miyuki drew you to her because she is a tennyo?" Ukyo asked.

"You know?" Ranma seemed shocked.

"Yeah, it's come to my attention. Listen, from what I've learned about them is that they are genuinely good creatures. It seems that Miyuki was a bit of a rebel, though. Not entirely sure what was up with her. I am sure Akane will be fine. I mean, I could just watch him all day.." Ukyo stared at the gorgeous man in her restaurant as she trailed off.

"Ukyo? Not you too. I get it. He's good looking. Just please make sure she's okay. I don't want her getting hurt any more. I've done enough to her." Ranma sighed.

"Don't worry, Ranma. She's a tough cookie. She can handle herself." Ukyo assured him.

"I know. I was actually calling to see if you wanted to come by later and chat. A lot has happened." Ranma invited.

Ukyo nodded, although he couldn't see her. "Sure, Ranma. After I close up, I will come by for a best friend chat. I hear you could probably use one." she told him.

"Thanks, Ucchan."