Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I do not claim any rights to any of the characters or concepts created or owned by Viz Video or Rumiko Takahashi. This is just the work of one fan to the others. The only characters or concepts that I claim are the ones I created or introduced. That said, I bring you:

Ranma ½: When you are lost in a sea of grief, look for a light to guide you home.

Chapter 18: The wise man knows that the person you know the least is yourself.

Amaya refilled both of their cups with a fragrant, calming Chinese tea and settled back in her chair before she gave Xian Pu a thoughtful look. "So, all of that happened, then? I mean…. It is rather hard to believe and all."

Xian Pu laughed softly and nodded. "Things like that were pretty normal where I came from. I didn't realize how they might look to others until I actually started to live in places that were…. Quieter."

"So, not the strange backwoods of China?" Amaya asked.

"And not Nerima, either. It's a…. Odder place than where I live now. Where we live." Xian Pu said with a smile.

Amaya leaned forward as she tucked her feet underneath herself. "So, is it okay if I ask you about Ranma? I have to admit that I am a bit curious about both of you."

Xian Pu laughed as she slowly turned her cup in the palm of her hand before taking another sip of the tea. "Of course, and I hope that you don't mind if I ask you a few questions as well?"

"Of course, you can ask me almost anything. I honestly hope that we can become friends. And I want to help you with this as much as I can. I know how difficult it can be for friends and family when you are facing these situations." Amaya said with a friendly smile before she topped off each of their cups.

"You realized that you were…. Were…." Xian Pu started to stay before she hesitated and Amaya smiled warmly before she filled in for her with a gentle smile and a small shrug of her shoulder.

"That I was trans?" Amaya said easily.

Xian Pu blushed and nodded. "That you were trans early in your life, then? How old were you?"

Amaya paused for a moment before she answered. "Honestly, when I was very young. I mean, I had felt like something was…. Wrong, that I didn't fit since I was probably five or six… I fit in better with the little girls instead of the boys my age. I didn't really like the games the boys played, or the stuff they talked about. I was…. Eight .. when I had my own revelation, that I was a girl. It was a shock, but I didn't feel like I could tell anyone. That I could ask the questions that I wanted to."

"So, no one else knew? No one… noticed?" Xian Pu asked as she leaned forward a little.

"I didn't think anyone had. I felt like I had kept my dirty little secret from everyone, even when I snuck in to wear my mother's clothes. But, she had noticed. Of course, I didn't find that out for a few years. Not until it was honestly almost too late.". Amaya said with a bittersweet smile.

"You said that you had tried to overcompensate? That you had tried to hide it by…. Trying to be what you thought of as a man?". Xian Pu asked slowly, as she felt like she was standing on the edge of a minefield.

Amaya smiled and nodded. "It's not uncommon, at least amongst those that don't feel like they can be themselves. Sometimes you do it to hide who you are from others, but sometimes it's to hide it from yourself."

"So…. This probably is rather personal, and I have no clue if I should even ask this…. But how did you get to look like…. Like …" Xian Pu blushed as she trailed off again.

"Like this?" Amaya asked as she ran a hand down her side and Xian Pu blushed as she noticed that certain things seemed rather… bouncy.

After a very red Xian Pu nodded, Amaya smiled and answered her. "It was a lot of work, honestly. When I first came out, I started a process that took years. First, I started to dress publicly as my true self, and introduce myself as Amaya. Then, lots of therapy started, and medication. Eventually, I started the surgeries that would let me have the body I always felt like I should have."

Xian Pu bit her lip and fiddled with her hair a little. "So… it's all real? Your breasts and…. Everything? What about .. ummmm…" she trailed off, red faced.

Amaya smiled understandingly. "I had both top and bottom surgery. My body fits my mental image of myself as closely as possible.". Amaya smiled softly. "So, do you mind if I ask a question, then?

"Of course, if I can answer I will." Xian Pu answered.

"You said that you are… cursed… like Ranma? Does that mean you change sexes as well?" Amaya asked.

Xian Pu smiled and relaxed a little. "I was also cursed, yes, but that isn't the curse I have. I turn into a cat." She answered, once she was sure that it was unlikely that Ranma could hear her say the forbidden word.

"A cat? How .. Does that even work?" Amaya asked, wide-eyed.

"Magic. When you fall into one of the cursed springs, you take on the form of what or who drowned there." Xian Pu answered.

"So, you become… a cat? Like .. a house cat? What color is your…. Ummmm…" Amaya asked and blushed.

"The same color as my hair. And yes, it's natural." Xian Pu said with a smile.

Amaya thought that over and nodded. "How…. Does it feel? When you become your… cursed form?"

"It's… scary. I'm a lot weaker and more vulnerable. I have to struggle out of my clothing, and try to find someplace safe. And find a way to get hot water so I can change back." Xian Pu said honestly.

"Is it the same for Ranma? I mean, obviously not exactly the same…. But equally as terrifying and disorienting?" Amaya asked.

"It's.. Not quite the same, I don't think. Ranma is very adaptive, and fluid in his thought processes. Adaptation and improvisation, making everything part of the Art… Those are the cornerstones of the Art that Ranma was taught. It really shapes everything about who Ranma has always been." Xian Pu answered honestly.

"Okay…. Does your other form make you think like a cat, then?" Amaya asked thoughtfully.

"Well, you have the knowledge and skills to use your other body, yes. So, I knew how to balance using my tail, and run on four paws. Another person from my village knew how to fly. Now, very specific ones might affect your mindset while you are in that form, like if you fell into 'the spring of drowned Buddhist monk' for instance." Xian Pu explained.

"Okay… Then I have to ask,.is the spring that Ranma fell into one of those?" Amaya asked.

Xian Pu shook her head. "It isn't. Ranma is…. Just Ranma. And I get the feeling…. That things might not have started in China at Jusenkyo."

Amaya nodded and refilled their tea again. "You might be right. So, what would you like to ask me now?"

"How… Do I help Ranma? What can I do?" Xian Pu asked.

"Keep doing what you have, honestly. Be there for them, and be supportive. Be their friend, and listen when they need to talk. When they are ready to talk.". Amaya smiled warmly. "Just stay true to yourself."

Xian Pu laughed a little. "I used to be such a bitch to Ranma, and everyone else. I guess we both have changed quite a bit."

"Well, I would say that the person you are now, here, is a good person. And if you need anything, I am here for you. Here, let me give you my contact information." Amaya said and the two women exchanged contact information. After that, they just sat and engaged in small talk, mostly about the shows they liked and books they had read until a slightly drained looking Ranma-chan emerged and smiled wanly at Xian Pu.

Doctor Jones stepped out behind Ranma and smiled warmly. "We have two meetings a month. The first Sunday and the third Thursday of the month. You can attend whichever one works best for you. If you have any questions or need any immediate help, just use the number I gave you "

Ranma smiled and nodded before Xian Pu stepped up next to them, then the pair bowed and left. The Jones's watched them go, then exchanged a look before they sat down and talked over a cup of tea.

There was quite a bit to talk about, after all.

Xian Pu looked over at Ranma with a worried look on her face. "Are you okay?"

Ranma-chan gave Xian Pu a smile that didn't quite make it to her eye. "Yeah, just…. We talked a bit, an' I guess it still hurts, ya know?"

Xian Pu nodded as they walked, and opened her mouth to ask a question, but what she had been about to say was drowned out by a yell from above, and a figure plunging into the spot where the two had been until a moment before.

"Ranma! Because of you I have seen hell! Prepare to die!". The figure said as he stood back up.

"Ryouga, how have you been?" Ranma answered as she looked at the cursed martial artist.

Xian Pu stepped between the two of them. Ranma had not assumed any sort of stance at all, and she didn't think that Ranma had any intention to fight back. It was obvious that no matter how far Ranma had come, they were not ready to fight to protect themselves yet.

Ryouga stopped and looked between the two of them, then held up a hand as he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. "Akari? No…. No, I think I'm still in Tokyo. Yes, I have the GPS on. No, I am sure I'm not in the United States again. I might be a little late, okay? I ran into some old .. well…. Friends, I guess? Yeah, I will try to catch the last train. …. You know I can't say that around people! Yeah, you too. See you soon."

Ryouga ended the call and stretched as Xian Pu and Ranma exchanged a confused expression as Ryouga didn't make any move to actually fight Ranma. After a moment, Ryouga bowed to the two of them. "Sorry about that, old habits are still kind of hard to break."

"It's okay, I mean, I'm sure that I probably deserve it." Ranma said with a shrug.

Xian Pu slowly relaxed as she kept a watchful eye on Ryouga. "So, what was all that about?"

"Umm, the call or the aborted attack?" Ryouga asked honestly.

"I'll take answers to either of those." Xian Pu said as she locked her gaze on Ryouga.

Ryouga nodded and looked around. "Maybe we can have this talk somewhere else?"

Xian Pu thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "We will just head back to the apartment. As long as you promise you won't blow up the wall or anything?"

Ryouga laughed and nodded. "Destroying walls was much more your thing, though."

To Ryouga's surprise, Xian Pu laughed. "Mostly if I was riding my bike. I think I will call a cab. No offense, but that way we don't have to worry about losing you, Ryouga."

Ryouga started to look offended, then hung his head and nodded. "Please."

The ride to the apartment was quiet, as all three of them acted like if they said anything, the peaceful interlude could be shattered like a delicate glass. And, when you looked at their shared past, it was not an unreasonable assumption. Xian Pu looked at the other two, and sighed.

"You two, sit. I'm going to make us some tea and then we can get those answers, okay Ryouga?" Xian Pu said as she gave the eternally lost martial artist a piercing stare. When he paled and nodded, she smiled and made her way into the kitchen.

Ryouga leaned a little closer to Ranma and spoke in a soft tone. "Is it just me…. Or is a coherent Xian Pu much more intimidating?"

Ranma-chan laughed a little and fiddled with her hair. "Yeah, a bit. It was a lot easier to act like she was a stupid bumpkin when she used to talk, well, like she used to?"

Ryouga laughed and nodded as he watched Ranma-chan. Two years had brought about a lot of changes for himself, and it would seem for these two unlikely roommates as well. A coherent and intelligent Xian Pu, and a quieter and more reserved Ranma. Of course, he didn't really have room to talk.

Xian Pu brought out tea, and sat down on the couch next to Ranma. Ryouga couldn't help but notice that there wasn't a great deal of space between the two, and Ranma didn't seem to mind that at all.

A lot of changes, indeed.

At the expectant Xian Pu, Ryouga cleared his throat and took a drink before he started his take of the last two years. "So…. After what happened in China…. I didn't really want to ever see the Tendon dojo again. I figured I would just wander, and let myself go wherever I ended up. I.. felt lost. Lost and angry. I ended up in all sorts of places…. Russia, Africa, back in the US. And I ended up at the Unriyo farm again. I seemed to keep ending up there, and finally just… Stayed for as long as I could."

Ryouga laughed and shook his head. "I was welcomed there, something I wasn't used to except the few times I made it back home. Eventually, I decided I could give Akari a chance…. Give us a chance, you know? It hasn't always been easy, but it's nice to know that there is someone waiting for you.". He stopped to take another drink, and then looked at Ranma-chan. "I also realized that I…. Hadn't exactly treated you right, Ranma. It was easy to just blame you for everything, and not really think about why things ended up like they had. My anger and depression were issues, they made it hard to just…. Accept what Akari offered me. So, I started to wander again, as I tried to escape from my thoughts. Akari…. Suggested that I should find someone I could talk to about… Everything."

"Does that mean…. You're seein' a shrink?" Ranma-chan blurted out, and Ryouga stiffened, before he took a long, slow breath. The pair on the couch watched in stunned silence as Volcano Ryouga defused himself.

"I am, in fact, seeing a counselor.". Ryouga said before he fixed Ranma-chan with an intense look. "Is there a problem with that?"

Ranma-chan shook her head and held her hands up. " 'Course there isn't! I mean…. That was why I was there after all.". Ranma-chan hesitated for a moment before she pushed onwards. "I.. have a few issues. I don't really know who I am anymore, or who I want to be…. I don't know…. I don't know how to forgive myself…. For all the things I've failed at. For the people I've let down….". Ranma-chan trailed off, then relaxed a little when Xian Pu pulled her into her arms and settled the smaller redhead against her in a protective manner.

Ryouga blinked and suddenly found his drink very interesting. It was very clear to him that things had changed in fundamental ways between Ranma and Xian Pu, and the nosebleed that those thoughts would bring on would be inappropriate and, probably epic. He was no longer the blushing, useless virgin he used to be. He had a partner who he lived with, and was going to marry soon. It was just…. He got the distinct feeling that neither of them was aware just how intimate that moment had seemed. And how telling of just how much their relationship had changed.

Ryouga cleared his throat and smiled at the two awkwardly. "I just want to say… Ranma? I don't blame you for what happened, not anymore. You did what you could, and no one could have done more. What happened…. It was because of Saffron, not you. And if you had t been there, if you had t stopped him? I think that the region would have been the least of the losses. You did good, Ranma…. And I just wanted to tell you that.". Ryouga stood up and bowed deeply to Ranma. "Thank you."

Ranma-chan fidgeted and looked unsure of what to say so Xian Pu spoke up. "Thanks, Ryouga. That means a lot, coming from you. You know, if you are not going to blindly try and kill Ranma… Then maybe I can ask a favor, for both of us?"

Ryouga straightened up and nodded. "Anything, if I can help. Oh…. But I don't have any leads on another spring…".

"I think…. Right now we would rather have you come by and spar with us from time to time. Maybe even bring Akari over sometime." Xian Pu said as she shifted her arms around Ranma-chan without even realizing it.

Ryouga blushed and nodded. "I would happily do that…. But I should probably be heading home before I worry Akari anymore ..."

Xian Pu nodded and reluctantly detached herself from Ranma-chan. "I'm going to take Ryouga to the train, and make sure he gets on. Why don't you go ahead and take your bath, Ranma? I promise I will be back soon."

Ranma-chan smiled and nodded before she stood up and bowed to Ryouga. "It was good seein' you again. I kind of missed your big, stupid face."

Ryouga laughed and slapped Ranma-chan on the shoulder. "I missed your arrogant, smug face as well. Next time we can spar and I can see how rusty you have gotten. Maybe I will even beat you."

Ranma-chan smiled and shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not… You just get home to Akari, okay?"

Ryouga nodded and walked out with Xian Pu. "I will do my best."

Once Xian Pu and Ryouga were on their way to the train station, Ryouga looked over at Xian Pu. "So, why did you really want to take me to the train station?"

"Oh, part of it was to make sure that you did make it onto your train, Ryouga. But.. Also, I wanted to make sure that I could actually trust you around Ranma. I… Don't know if Ranma would actually fight to protect herself right now. And it worries me when I think about any of the old groups that attacked first and thought about it never." Xian Pu said as she fixed Ryouga with a stare. "And yes, I know I used to be part of that group, as well."

Ryouga thought about it for a minute, then nodded. "Honestly, I would like to have things go back to how they used to be, before I started this whole mess with that duel. Ranma… Was a really good friend, and put up with me. I.. Honestly, I owe him a lot. And I think it would help me, if I could face Ranma honestly again."

Xian Pu mulled that over and nodded before she held out her hand. "Let me see your phone for a minute. I'm going to exchange contact information with you, and send you our address." She gave him one more warning look. "If you share any of this without asking me first, I will treat you like an obstacle." She said flatly.

Ryouga swallowed and nodded, not wanting to be on the receiving end of the former Amazon's anger. "I promise. I will see if Akari can visit, and make the arrangements as soon as I can, okay? I mean, that should prove that I am trustworthy, right?"

Xian Pu smiled sweetly. "We would love to have her over."

Ryouga smiled and climbed on the train after he bowed to Xian Pu again. She watched the train leave, then started to make her way back home. She hoped that allowing Ryouga back into Ranma's life proved to be a good thing. She honestly needed more people to help anchor Ranma to this world. Ranma still seemed like a fleeting dream that would fade away if you looked away for too long.

And she wouldn't lose Ranma again.