In case it was in question, I don't own Ranma or any of the characters used in this story.

Thanks for giving this a read, feel free to offer whatever advice or input you desire, I'm always listening~3

Ranma sat, eyes closed, and legs underneath him an a meditative position. He could feel the pleasant warmth from the firepit dance on his knees and face. To his right was Ryoga, wearing his usual ratty yellow tunic with his usual yellow and black bandana. He looked hopeful and Ranma thought he might have even seen tears in the corners of his eyes. Genma, his father, was on his left wearing one of his many well worn gis offwhite from years of use. He was clearly giddy but trying to hid it under a mask of manliness™. In front of the trio on the other side of the flames stood a woman wearing a white and red kimono holding a staff that was said to purify even the most powerful of curses. Her kimono was simple but elegant, and her makeup was flattering. Something Ranma noticed with a slight pang of… something. (Envy, guilt, and confusion would all apply here.)

Ranma couldn't help but feel disinclined to believe the stories that somehow this whole charade was going to cure his curse. Instead he had accepted this as a way to placate his parents. His mother had been growing frustrated with his apparent unmarried status and sometimes female body. She had even begun carrying her family's honor blade again. Not like threats have ever really worked on me… Just gotta smile and nod with the old man and mom though, Ranma thought with a rueful chuckle.

There was a solid rap on his crown. "Now whadd'ja go'an do that for?" Ranma sputtered, ducking slightly and holding his head.

"Don't interrupt the ceremony again, child; the last thing we need is for something to go wrong," the woman before them croaked, then stepped around the flame walking behind the three. As she passed behind them she let one droplet of water fall to each of their foreheads. Then she returned to her original position and began again from the top. Ranma grimaced as he realised that the whole thing was starting over again.

Ranma stifled a sigh, reigning in his annoyance, and regained his composure. This is going to be a very long and very boring night... He could feel the chagrin in the ki of his two companions. It was directed at him.

Ranma felt light. He was told that the ritual would send him deep into his own mind while the energies pulled him to his true form. Whatever that means, Ranma thought. Ahh well, at least I can get a moment to myself somewhere comfortable.

The area around him was not unlike the Hallelujah Mountains of china, one of the many sights he'd seen during his ten year training expedition. However the fog that seemed to dance around the tops of the strange peaks was impenetrable to his senses. Even when he pushed out with his ki he could not see beyond the mist, something he had thoroughly tested. He stood on a solitary peak, with a tiny lush forest surrounding him.

Ranma knew that there were five peaks in total. The closest held a black pond, with a white koi swimming in idle circles. The farthest peak held its opposite, a white pond with a black koi swimming at unrest. Within them they held the energies of Yin and Yang. In the center there was a large peak with a dojo, surrounded by torches that seemed to thrum with his pulse. Opposite from him on the other side of the dojo a dark storm cloaked one of the mountain peaks. Something about that place set his hackles on edge. Despite all the times he spent here he'd never set foot on that peak. He decided it was for the best.

He looked about the peak he was on. It was beautiful, alive, and comforting. Around him were six stones set in the ground. Each held a few simple Kanji and Hiragana, the names of those he drew power from. He knew this circle well as he frequently had to remember the people within it. He looked at the names, Akane, Kasumi, Hiroshi, Daisuke, Ukyo, and his fathe- Ryoga?

When did that happen? Apparently Ryoga had somehow wormed his way into his inner circle without him noticing it. He had even managed to replace his old man. Granted the bastard hadn't been doing anything to stop the rising contempt Ranma was feeling for him. For a long time there was just one stone, and it was all encompassing. The only person he thought he needed, was told he needed, and now he wasn't even part of the circle. Ranma smiled despite himself.

He turned his attention to the dojo, and felt his surroundings shift to its inside. She was waiting as usual, his shadow, taking the shape of his cursed self. I wonder if pops has a panda silently judging him in his mind palace, Ranma thought, Ha, that's unlikely. Ranma eyed his shadowed companion for a moment. She seemed slightly more real, this time around. Had he been feeding her that much?

He shrugged and stepped out of the dojo eyeing its surroundings. The mountains were almost a jungle, and it held all the warmth of his ki. This place was something he was proud of, something he'd built. Granted he was more or less alone here he could still enjoy it. This was a sanctuary all for him.

He was pulled from his reverie when he felt a cool breeze pass around him. He could feel his Ki at unrest within himself, is this the ritual? He looked up when he saw that the sky was growing darker. Cold wind swept through him. Lifting him partially of the ground. Suddenly it picked up and he was pulled away from the peak, rising high above the dojo. He could hear muted sobbs, they seemed to echo off of walls that didn't exist, pulling at his heart strings. He craned his head trying to find the source as they grew in volume and frequency. He looked skyward and felt water roll down his face, small droplets misting his face and body, there was a loud crack and then the sky seemed to drop. He fell with the rain, hitting the ground of the dojo peak with a hard thud. The area around the peak seemed to fill with water and his mountain peak became an island. He shook his head feeling disoriented thanks to the storm tearing through him. He pushed himself up and walked into the dojo. At least I have a place I can wait out the storm. He slid the door closed behind him. In the dojo the sobbing and the rain was only a memory. He looked at his shadow again as he walked to the closest wall. Her eyes met his and watched him as he moved to sit against the wall. He shook his head and tried to ignore her. Perhaps when all was said and done she would be gone.

He had tried talking to her in the past, tried comforting her, to learn about her. But she had never spoken to him. She had simply stood and judged him. Found him wanting. At least that's what Ranma saw in her. He gave up trying to understand his "palace" a long time ago, it was useful for meditation and as an escape, but spending too much time in here was dangerous.

He sulked looking at the floor of the dojo, chilled from the storm, when something warm touched his shoulder and he jumped trying to pull back. His shadow was standing above him one hand on his shoulder and smiling protectively at him. I'm not usually this on edge, I hope somthin' ain't happenin' out there. He thought as he gave his shadow a inquisitive look.

"I can keep ya company while we wait for the rain to pass." She said through a bright smile.

Ranma looked at her with wide eyes and nearly shot to his feet. "Wh… Y-you talked!"

She rolled her eyes. "An' why shouldn't I talk! Didja think I was some kinda statue?"

"I mean… naw. But I've tried talkin' to you before and you never said anythin' back. I just assumed you… were mute or something." His hand found the back of his neck, an old habit that he never broke.

She giggled back at him shaking her head. "I couldn't hate you, I just…" She sighed, taking her hand off his shoulder and stepping back. "How do I explain this."

Ranma took a moment to look her over. She was a perfect semblance of his cursed self. She also wore his favorite Chinese silks, though the ones she wore seemed to fit her better than his own fit his cursed form. She wasn't completely solid, instead she seemed like fog had taken on human features. Her colors washed compared to those of a normal human. He sighed and shook his head.

She raised her hands from her sides and bopped a closed fist in an open palm. "I got it! I'm ain't really yer negative, I'm more like what you don't want people to see." She smiled nodding at her successful explanation.

"Right. But why didn't ya ever talk to me?" Ranma asked.

She gave him a slight smile and shrugged. "That's easy, ya never needed me to."

Ranma's eyebrow raised at that.

She shrugged and held her smile, while ranma shifted a little at the unease of realising how much he had dumped on this… representation… of himself. What a load she happened to be burdened with. He stood for a moment longer, looking her over guilt painted on his features. She seems to be taking it well. Better'n I would, that's for sure. She was staring at him expectantly. Waiting for something.

Ranma sighed "Ahh what the hell, I'm stuck in here for a while anyways…"

"Huh? What was that?" She asked. Ranma got the feeling she already knew exactly what he'd meant.

"Wanna spar or something?" He asked as a smile started to take over his face.

She simply shrugged with a grin and took a fighting stance. Seeing the acceptance he did the same. For a while they stood measuring each other up, and then he made the first move. Suddenly the room lurched. The dojo roof exploded into splinters and the cold winds from before grabbed him again. It felt as though time was slowing as he lost his footing as the floor slid beneath him. And then his sanctuary went dark.

The chanting came to an end. Ryoga was the first to open his eyes, taking a tentative took at his surroundings. The priestess lowered her staff and wilted, her ki was drained. Genma sat in his meditative position for a moment longer. Ryoga noticed Ranma was slumped over his own lap. Looks like someone fell asleep. Honestly Ranma you would… Ryoga rolled his eyes and stood while stretching. As he did so the priestess offered him a bowl of water. He took it eagerly and began drinking. Suddenly he was hit firmly on the shoulder, causing him to inhale a small amount of water, sending him into a coughing fit and making him spill the water over his head.

"H-hey! What the heck!?" Ryoga shot a glare at whatever hit him.

It was the priestess' staff and holding was the grumpy looking woman who'd just spent the last two hours chanting and focusing to help him. He immediately went from aggression to guilt.

"That water wasn't to drink boy. Though it looks like it ended up where it needed to be…" She choked through a rasped laugh.

Ryoga raised an eyebrow, "Wha?" then it hit him like one of the boulders Cologne had used in his bakusai tenketsu training. That water was cold! He was damp, his hair dripping, and he was himself. A shiver rolled up his spine and he jumped high in the air with pure joy.

"YES! I'm free!" He spun when he landed and held his fist in front of himself. "Akane here I come!"

"What was that, boy?" came the gravelly deep voice from behind him.

Ryoga recoiled and held his hands up for warding. "N-nothing, Saotome-san J-just happy to be free from the curse" Ryoga tried to hide his embarrassed blush.

Genma nodded and shook his head. His bandana was wet and there were tears in the corners of his eyes. He was clearly beside himself. "Indeed, boy, this is a glorious return to form for all three of us!"

The priestess cleared her throat. Ryoga and Genma looked back over their shoulders, celebrations coming to a halt. Ranma sat still slumped over his crossed legs, hands palm up in his lap.

Ryoga walked over to Ranma and leaned over him. "Come on Saotome, time to wake up!" He poked him solidly for good measure.

When Ranma didn't respond Ryoga did the only sensible thing to do when someone wasn't waking up. He punted Ranma out of the small temple garden they were in, a distant splash could be heard.

"That ought to wake him up. I swear, only Ranma could sleep through getting his curse lifted." Ryoga crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head feeling satisfaction. Genma stood behind him and nodded.

Ryoga and Genma had waited a long while for Ranma to come sputtering up to them with complaints and celebrations. When there was no comotion and no celebration they grew worried and went looking for him. They had found a few of the garden attendees pulling him out of a shallow pond, as they placed Ranma in a loose stretcher Genma thought he had gotten a glimpse of red hair before they took him off to the temple's medical wing. Ryoga had been too worried to notice any of this. They shared a tense glance and begane to follow the monks carrying the unconscious redhead.

Ranma was still out and it had been two days. Worse yet, no matter how much hot water was poured over the sleeping child somehow she stayed locked as a girl. Genma and Ryoga were going to have to face the music at some point, this was supposed to be an easy end to an arduous journey. Find the staff, bring it to Ito Etsuko, and have her combine her power with that of the staff. It was all pretty simple and seemed like for once they would have a solution.

But it did work, just not the way it was intended, at least for one of us. Ryoga sighed and shook his head, pulling his gaze off of Ranma. Just what I needed. Ranma really can ruin anything.

Ryoga turned and left the room. He was happy to be cured of his curse, he was happy for the training he'd received while searching for the staff. Hell, he was even happy for the company of his rivle. But all of that joy was short lived when once again Ranma had managed to get the short end of the stick.

And the priestess had just said, 'The gods act in strange ways', over and over again when she was questioned as to what could have gone wrong. The pand- Err… Genma… Was taking this all very poorly. He'd lashed out at a few of the temple caretakers and even a few of the monks the day after the ritual, and had taken to brooding in his room for the rest of the time. Though he was still willing to partake of their food, and the comforts they were offering him.

Ryoga rolled his eyes at the thought. Honestly how does Ranma put up with that bastard. He let out another sigh.

Ryoga sat up with a start in his room. There was a commotion coming from Ranma's room. He groaned and got up tossing on his old shirt and heading towards the source of the noise. His sense of direction wasn't getting him anywhere fast so he followed some of the monks as he headed for to his destination.

When he arrived at the door he could hear Genma's voice shouting over muted pleading.

"My son will not be stuck as some… some kind of… weak disappointment!" His voice carried through the halls. Ryoga pushed the door open to see Genma yelling at the priestess who had healed them. They were standing at the foot of Ranma's bed.

She could only look up at Genma with shock. Tears freely rolled down a bruised cheek. Even from here Ryoga could smell the stink of sake. He shook his head and clenched his hands at his sides. He moved up to Ito-san's side startlingly fast, glaring at Genma from beneath his messed hair.

"Now isn't the time for this… Old man…" His voice was leaden. The priestess took a step back, recoiling.

Genma let out a hollow laugh. "Are you threatening me, boy?"

"If it were a threat I wouldn't have waited. No, consider this a warning." Ryoga shook his head, "I know Ranma can beat you easy, and I'm the only one who can still beat Ranma."

Genma's face was stone, save for one tiny crack in his smug little smirk. Gods it would be so easy to just break his jaw. And I doubt anyone would stop me at this point. Ryoga suppressed his urge and instead stood firm. Eventually Genma scoffed and turned.

"I'm going to find a way to get my son back." He said as he left the room, defeated.

Ryoga faced the priestess. "I'm… Sorry. He's unstable and it seems he might have cleaned out your sake."

"By how he smelt he might have cleaned out the town." She jested.

Ryoga let out a tired chuckle. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. I... " He couldn't believe he was about to admit this to someone. "I don't have the best directional sense… It's a family curse."

Ito tilted her head questioningly. "I would think if it were a curse you should be cured of it… After the time I put into healing you and your friend."

Ryoga shook his head. "I'm not sure of that, considering my 'friend' there." He nodded towards Ranma. "Stuck as he is…"

The priestess shook her head and stepped over to the Ranma's side. She fussed at the blankets and pillows. A motherly gesture that made Ryoga long for a home he hardly knew. Ito glanced back to Ryoga. "You know, standing up to her father was a brave thing. But restraining yourself like that shows wisdom."

Ryoga scoffed and blushed though he hadn't missed her use of the word 'her'. "Yeah well, the old man's not worth the trouble anyways. You should probably have someone here looking out just in case though. He's only trouble when he gets like this."

The middle aged woman looked him over knowingly. "You are man of many strengths Ryoga. Ranma is lucky to have a friend like you." She smirked at him.

Ryoga gave a tiny nod. He wasn't really trying to help Ranma, but he'd take the praise anyways. He just hated seeing women get hurt. Seeing what Genma had done to Ito-san had set him off. He sighed, and looked to Ranma.

Who was sitting up in her bed, looking completely lost. "Wh- What the hell happened… P-chan?" Her eyes rolled up into her head and she fell back into her bed.