'How did this story get so long?' is what I think every time I start a new chapter. Then, secretly, I giggle that I've managed to pull-off writing it.

(To be honest, if I didn't have all of you reading, I never would have kept with it!)

THANKS!!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: Hey! This is the 21st chapter, get this story a drink!!

Distractions

Ch 21: Meeting Again, for the Very First Time

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Akane was hurt, which made her mad, which caused her to get annoyed with herself for getting hurt in the first place. Shoving everything she had into her bag once more, she lifted the straps to her shoulders. A barrage of memories, each only a flicker long, flooded her head as she turned to go.

"No," she ground out, fighting against the onslaught, "I don't want to remember him anymore!"

Bracing herself against a wall, she made her way out of the building.

Walking toward the forest in hopes of finding her sister and leaving, a length of chain suddenly lashed out, pulling her leg out from under her.

"Tendo Akane! You cannot leave like this!"

Sprawled on her back, she rolled her eyes.

"Mousse, I am MORE than finished with this whole experience. Just let me go." Reaching down, she began to tug on the chain.

"He was not supposed to say that, he must have misunderstood! He was supposed to confess to you, and leave Shampoo to me!"

Freeing her ankle, Akane stood, silently resuming her departure.

"W-wait! What about Saotome?"

"Heh…what about him?" she answered ruefully, continuing to walk away.

He needed her if he was ever to be rid of Ranma, and he needed to be rid of Ranma.

"Uh, excuse me!" he shouted in desperation.

She stopped, turning ever so slightly to call back a flat, "What?"

"Uh…You called me 'Mousse' just now, you did not pronounce it as MuTsu. Does this mean you have more of your memory back?"

Letting out a deep sigh, she finally turned fully around.

"Unfortunately. I guess a fabulous experience like this does wonders for bringing up the past."

"But, do you not feel as if those memories show how unlike himself Ranma's actions were??"

"I don't know. What I saw was like flipping through a book without reading any of it, I guess I picked something out…Just not a lot. I don't know why I called you Mousse and I certainly don't want to try and figure him out. I've wasted enough time here, I just want to go home."

Knowing that he couldn't win the argument, he decided instead to leave it to someone with more experience.

"Your sister is this way."

…

Spying over the boulder for a moment, Ryoga sat back down in a huff.

"Where's Akane? Everyone's leaving. This is infuriating! Why couldn't that idiot have chosen a spot where we could actually hear what's going on?"

"Because," replied Mousse calmly, "perhaps that idiot has better hearing than someone who's main technique is to blow things up in his own face."

Ryoga smiled sheepishly, "Oh, you heard that?"

Nabiki shook her head, "Nice one."

"Well, if he wasn't always sneaking around," Ryoga contested.

"You wouldn't have gotten caught," Nabiki and Akane said in unison.

Nabiki looked up, confused. "What was that?"

Stepping out from behind Mousse, Akane answered quietly, "It was me, Oneesan."

"Akane!" Nabiki genuinely smiled, "You needn't be that formal, you know. I'm not Kasumi."

Akane blushed and looked at her feet, "Okay."

"I don't normally do this sort of thing, but," Nabiki said, moving tentatively forward and wrapping Akane in an awkward hug. "I was worried about you," she whispered.

Akane closed her eyes and squeezed her sister tight, "Thanks for coming to get me, Neechan."

As they embraced, memories of her childhood drifted softly into place. Different from the previous memory flashes, these left her feeling warm inside. Her life wasn't in pictures, but full memories with meaning and feeling behind them. And best of all, they were permanent.

Opening her eyes, she pulled back with a smile, "I remember you…and Dad and Kasumi, even the Dojo! I remember it all!"

"What about me?" called Ryoga happily, "What do you remember about me, Akane-San?"

Squinting her eyes, she looked him over thoughtfully for a moment, then shrugged. "Have we met? I'm sorry, but I don't…Wait! You were the boy in Hell, weren't you?!"

He sagged, "That's all you remember?"

"Is there more? How did you get out, anyway?"

"That, Sis, is a long story that we don't have time for," Nabiki cut in. " So you don't recall Hibiki, do you remember Ranma?"

Her face going red, Akane's anger made itself tangible as an aura of flames rose around her, "What about him?"

"I see they've met," Nabiki said to Mousse, not making any attempt to hide the amusement in her voice.

"Yes, we did. And if I ever see him again in this or the next lifetime, it will still be too soon!!" Akane growled.

"Now, now, Sis, do try to keep that temper in check. I was only trying to get a gauge on what you could and couldn't remember. If you know your family, what about…your fiancée?"

Akane's aura flickered out instantly, "I-I have a fiancee?"

She blinked several times as Nabiki's words hit home, her heart letting out a pang of regret as they did. 'We were never meant to be from the start.'

"Good," she murmered quietly, "It serves him right that I have a fiancee! I-I didn't need him in the first place."

"Whoever could you be speaking of?" Nabiki asked sarcastically, folding her arms with a grin.

"No one important. And we certainly don't need to talk about him anymore. So tell me, what's my fiancee like?"

"Oh, he's someone you really have to meet to appreciate, I believe," Nabiki grinned, having fun with the new situation.

Mousse looked between his three companions, growing nervous that they might just decide to leave Ranma in China.

"Excuse me, but you are still planning on taking Saotome with you, correct?"

"Yes, Mousse," Nabiki replied with a small huff, annoyed to end her game.

"Why?" Akane demanded. "If he's so tough , why can't he just find his own way out of this mess? It's all his fault anyway!"

"I agree with Akane-san," Ryoga interjected.

"If you value your soul, you'll leave the decisions to someone who doesn't," Nabiki said evenly. Turning her attention back to Akane, she let a calculated smile stretch over her lips.

"Akane, Daddy and Ranma's father are good friends. We can't come all this way and simply leave without him, now can we? Besides, he's saved your life more than once, so even if you don't want to help, it's the honorable thing to do."

Akane folded her arms.

"Honestly, Nabiki, it's only the last couple of years that I'm forgetting. I certainly remember enough to know when I'm being manipulated by my own sister."

"Hmm, either way," Nabiki shrugged, "you can't turn your back on doing the right thing, can you."

Akane frowned at her, then threw up her arms. "Whatever! It was never my choice to begin with, was it?"

"Oh, Akane. In life, there is always a choice…I'm glad you've made the right one."

"But, I never-"

"Okay, people! Let's move along!" Nabiki happily cut in. ""But first, Mousse, I need you to do me a favor."

Akane watched her sister, an uneasy feeling settling into the pit of her stomach as to what the next few days had in store.

…

Downstairs a party carried on to celebrate Ranma's consent to marry Shampoo, a party that the groom himself had no desire to be a part of. He sat upstairs, alone, and brooding miserably . Staring out the window, he half hoped to catch a glimpse of the very girl who had caused him his pain in the first place, knowing full-well that he'd shove his pride aside in a heartbeat to get a second chance. "I'm an ass," he mumbled, running a hand over his face.

It had all happened too fast, everything about their relationship had. But to toss her away like that…

He thought it was the revenge he'd wanted, but now he wasn't so sure he'd even wanted revenge at all. He needed to hear her side of the story, even if it wasn't the truth. As long as she kept it going for the rest of their lives, he could be happy living her lie. Silently, he cursed himself for needing her so badly.

Hearing the celebration grow louder as the door opened, he buried his face further in his hands. Whoever it was, he was sure it wasn't the one person he wanted it to be.

"Saotome, there is something I need to tell you," whispered Mousse urgently, silently closing the door behind himself.

In a flash Ranma was in motion, kicking Mousse to the floor and pressing a knee to his throat.

"Save your breath, cousin. You'll be wishin' you had more of it when I'm through with ya."

"S-Saoto-me," Mousse choked , attempting to knock the other boy off. Realizing it was futile, he stopped struggling. He'd known Ranma was strong, but he'd never fought him when he was truly angry before; now he didn't stand a chance.

"P-please! You have to l-listen to me!" he gasped.

Ranma eased off Mousse's neck, but just slightly.

"Well ain't you demandin' for someone who's about ta get a real close look at an ass-kickin'."

He smiled cruelly, pressing his knee down harder, "How 'bout this; you tell me your story, then I tell ya I already know the truth."

Mousse looked confused. "What? I-I have no idea w-what you are talking about!"

"Like Hell ya don't!" Ranma growled through his teeth, "I saw the two of you!"

Beginning to panic, Mousse gripped Ranma's knee in an attempt to get more air. All he needed to do was get Ranma to leave, but that plan was quickly getting as muddled in confusion as his last encounter with the pigtailed-boy.

"W-who are you referring t-to?"

Ranma laughed, a hollow, angry hiss. "AKANE! Ya don't gotta act like I ain't supposed ta know, I saw you!" Clenching and unclenching his fists, he finally let out a sigh and lifted his knee from the other boys throat.

Coughing as he rose from the floor, Mousse readjusted his glasses to glare at him. "WHAT is this all about?? First you insult Akane rather than tell her you love her, and now you attack me for no reason!"

"No reason?! Quit actin' so innocent!"

"I am not…forget it. This is an argument that you need to have with Akane-San, whom, by the way, has been kidnapped."

Ranma rolled his eyes, "Like I'd ever wanna talk ta that uncute…Kidnapped? Wait, what? By who?"

"I only have this," Mousse said, removing a slip of paper from his sleeve, "it is a map of where you must go. They want to speak only to you, Saotome."

Ranma took the paper, looking it over briefly before his head snapped back up, "We ain't finished yet, but I don't got time for you right now."

Mousse stepped in his path and folded his arms.

"Whatever it is that you think happened, you are mistaken. She is in love with you, so stop being an idiot."

"How do I know you ain't just lying?" Ranma asked tensely.

"You don't," Mousse smiled, "but Akane-San could be at the end of that map."

Ranma's jaw muscles worked under his skin as he debated trusting or punching Mousse. Deciding against the latter for the time being, he moved toward the window.

"Hey Duck-Boy!" he called out with a lopsided grin, "If you're not lying ta me, you ain't such a bad friend…but you really suck as a cousin."

"You are no good at either," Mousse grinned back. With a small waive over his shoulder, Ranma rushed headlong into Nabiki's plan.

…

Akane stared at Nabiki in disbelief, "So I should go back why, exactly?"

"Because, little sister, you can finally beat Shampoo using the Dougi," Nabiki answered tiredly. Convincing Ryoga to intercept Ranma had bee so simple, she should have known Akane would prove to be the stubborn kink in the plan.

"Can't we just go home? I don't want to think about Shampoo or Ranma. Let them be together for all I care!"

Nabiki let out a sigh, 'Time to reverse tactics.'

"You're right," she said calmly, watching Akane's reactions carefully as she pushed forward. "She's a better cook than you, and she acts so much more feminine. And, of course, who could forget her figure? I suppose you're right after all, she's better left forgotten."

Seeing Akane tense to the point of snapping, she put in the final blow, "You probably couldn't have beaten her in a fight anyway, now could you?"

Akane rose, Nabiki immediately answering her unspoken question, "The dougi is in the car."

Starting toward the SUV, Akane paused, "This isn't for him, you know. Shampoo had this coming."

"Obviously," Nabiki smirked. Once her sister was out of sight, she let out a long breath.

"Well, that took longer than usual. I do so hate getting off schedule."

The guide, who had thought it best to remain silent until now, moved closer, "She is your sister, correct?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I am just surprised to see you treat her the same as you would anyone, is all, miss."

"What can I say, I'm an equal opportunity employer," she answered dryly, rising to her feet. "It's been a while, I'd better check on Hibiki." Mulling over a thought, she lifted Akane's pack and started out.

"Be sure she doesn't come back until after we do, got it?" Then, softening for a moment, she added, "And tell her 'good luck'."

"Of course, miss."

…

Ryoga crouched in the dark, his senses piqued to every sound and movement. If all was going well, Ranma would be passing this very spot at any moment, and he would be ready for a classic sneak attack. Hearing someone approach he sprang, grabbing at his victim's arms and pinning them to the ground.

"Hibiki," Nabiki mumbled against the dirt, "this is strike two."

"Oh, it's you! Sorry about that!" he grinned, scratching the back of his head.

"Just get off of me already."

"Right, sorry!"

As he stood, he found himself suddenly flying through the air, landing several feet away.

"Get away from her!" Ranma shouted, immediately launching into his next attack.

"Ranma? Dammit! I wasn't ready!" the lost boy called out between blows, trying his hardest to get back on the offensive. In the end he was simply too slow and Ranma too angry, his undoing an all-out barrage to the skull courtesy of the Chestnut Fist.

As Ryoga fell, Ranma crouched beside the small figure still lying on the ground.

"Hey, you okay, Akane?" he asked softly, lifting her into a gentle embrace. "Ya had me worried. He didn't hurt you or nothing', right? 'Cause if he did, he's got more comin' to him than that!"

Slowly lifting her face into view, Nabiki grinned mischievously. "Now I see why my sister always get's herself into trouble. It's the only time you say what you mean, it seems."

Ranma quickly dropped her, "You ain't Akane."

"And you're not as slow as I give you credit for," she said, brushing herself off.

"Tell me where ya got her and I won't have ta take you out too," he said with a nod in Ryoga's direction. Nabiki simply smiled.

"Nice try, Ranma, but you make it a rule not to hit girls. Besides, we didn't kidnap Akane, she is my sister after all."

"Y-your sister? So then why'dja do all this, and where is she?"

"Come now, if I told you everything then it wouldn't be much of a surprise, now would it?"

…

Ryoga blinked his eyes open slowly. With his thick skull it had been quite some time since he had last been knocked unconscious. As his eyes focused, he could see Nabiki and Ranma talking.

"Dammit, Saotome," he grumbled, rubbing his head gingerly as he got to his feet.

"Well look who's alive!" Nabiki beamed at his expense.

"Sorry I hit ya so hard," Ranma smiled awkwardly, "guess I got pretty mad back there."

"Yeah, well, if it'd been a fair fight, it would have been a different story," Ryoga scowled, moving his jaw from side-to-side painfully. "So, did Akane-San get back from fighting Shampoo yet?"

"WHAT?" Ranma jumped up, looking down at Nabiki, "Why didn't ya say she was with Shampoo?"

She shot a look at Ryoga before answering, "This is the only way, Ranma. Once she wins, Shampoo will stop hunting you down. She's only cleaning up your mess."

"Mine...? This is stupid! I ain't waitin' around for Akane ta get herself killed!"

"You said she wouldn't get hurt, Nabiki-San. She's got the dougi, right?" Ryoga asked, growing concerned.

"Yes, yes, boys…relax. Need I remind you both that you are dealing with a professional here?" she answered with an even stare. "Have some faith, Akane can do this."

"No, I couldn't," came Akane's voice from the darkness, turning all heads her way. "It isn't right, Nabiki. It would be one thing if I was fighting her honestly, but with this on," she tugged at the dougi's sleeve, "it's not the kind of victory I'd want."

"So nowD you're worried about what's right and wrong?" Ranma quipped coolly, not ready to concede just yet.

Akane staggered backward, more than a little shocked at the voice she knew she shouldn't have heard. Squinting in the dim light, she searched frantically over his features.

"Ranma…" she said softly, her emotions saturating her voice, "Why are you here?"

xxxxxxx

A/N: Well, that's it for now, kiddies! I actually had some extra time, so I added a little more to the chapter than was originally slated. I was happy with the results, and hope you are too!

I was ecstatic to see more reviews on the last chapter, so thank you all for taking the time to tell me what a schmo Ranma was! I will thank you individually soon, but I thought you'd enjoy a new chapter more!

NEXT TIME: Flip-Flops and Flounders, but it's no Day at the Beach!

p.s. Don't ignore that cute little green button...go on, give it a try and review!