A/N: Oh God, I am an idiot. -_-;; I made a big error in the last part of 'The Straw that Broke the Dancer's Back.' Okay, ya know when Ranma, Perfume, and Nabiki come bursting in from wherever they were (which will be revealed in this chapter)? Well, Nodoka was there and Ranma was _male_. O_O;; Baka, baka, baka, baka, BAKA!!! Let me just give you my sincerest apologies and tell you I am an idiot. I make stupid mistakes. Please feel free to beat me with a foam bat. *cough* ANYWAY, Ranma should be female and everyone should be calling him 'Ranko' in that scene. Okay?
I would like to dedicate this chapter to the workers repaving the road outside my house. Guys, you have thoroughly creeped me out, feel special.
As always, thanks for reviewing!!
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Akane?"
"Um, we want to go out tonight, so can we borrow the old dojo van?"
Soun burst into his traditional wail and latched himself on to his youngest daughter's navy blue, mid-length skirt that fringed at the bottom. Burying his head in her sleeveless, powder blue blouse, he let tears of joy stream down his face. How happy Mr. Tendo was!
"Um, is that a 'no?'" Akane asked, confusion ringing clear in her voice. Soun looked up at his baby girl, glowing with pride.
"Akane, it does my old heart so much good to see you make yourself so beautiful for your date with Ranma!" Akane gave him a 'huh?' expression, but her father didn't notice as he stood next to her daughter, put a hand on her shoulder, and pointed the other hand forward. "This date signifies the start on your journey down the path of love with Ranma at your side. Go forth, daughter, and make us all proud!"
"DAD!!" Akane cried, turning her beet red face to her father. "It's not a date, okay?! We're, as in _all_ of us, are going out, as in _together_, to cheer Natsuko up, okay?! So can we borrow the van or not?"
Soun stared at his youngest daughter trying to process the information that she and Ranma were _not_ going on a date. Sighing at her father, Akane looked to her eldest sister for permission. Kasumi was sitting at the family room table, reading a book. As if sensing her sister's incoming question, she looked up at Akane on cue.
"Kasumi…?" Akane asked. Kasumi gave a smiling nod.
"Of course, Akane," she replied.
"That's all I needed to know," Akane responded, detaching herself from her father's waist crushing embrace. "Thanks, Kasumi," she said gratefully, heading out of the family room.
"Akane," Kasumi said, rising next to her sister. "Who's driving?"
"Um, Nabiki."
Kasumi didn't say anything (and it would have been very un-Kasumi-like if she did), but Akane could see she looked relived. The youngest Tendo blushed.
Okay, so Akane couldn't drive very well. Let's face it, she drove the same way she cooked: fast, sloppy, and it needed a 'danger' sticker on it. But, compared to Ranma's driving style, Akane drove like an old lady. If that didn't say something, not much else did, hence it is extremely understandable why the eldest Tendo girl would be relieved at knowing Nabiki was going to be at the wheel.
"What time will you be back?" was Kasumi's next question.
"Around eleven, twelve tops."
"Alright, just making sure."
"Uh, do you wan to come Kasumi?"
"No, it's quite alright, but thanks for asking. I was planning to see Dr. Tofu tonight anyway. I have to return one of his books."
Hope he doesn't have any patients, Akane thought.
"Have fun," Kasumi told her.
"You too, Kasumi."
Kasumi smiled and nodded before Akane went bounding up the stairs. When she saw her bedroom door was closed, she didn't go in. Perfume was in there getting Natsuko ready for their little 'surprise.' Akane had found out what was planned when 'Ranko' told her, Kazuma, and Hotaka. Of course, everyone had to swear that if they _did_ tell Natsuko the other's would be able to beat them with foam bats, wet noodles, and/or blow-up furniture. Knowing this, Akane prayed Perfume hadn't given any hints (mainly because Perfume had been hovering around Natsuko since she got out of the bath). Not wanting to disturb the two girls, she walked into 'Ranko's' room.
Banna was sitting on one of the futon with Mrs. Saotome, having her long black hair done in two French braids. On the other futon 'Mr. Panda' was fast asleep. In the far corner of the room, Ranma-chan, Hotaka, and Kazuma sat talking over a game of *snap. Akane walked over to the three 'men' and sat down in between Ranma-chan and Kazuma.
[*Snap is a card game where the objective is to get the ace with any two of the jack, queen, king, and ten all in the same suit, but you can only hold three cards in your hand. Jack, king, queen, and ten are all worth ten point, ace is eleven, and any other card is the same as its number value. The first to thirty-one or the person who has the most points after someone knocks on wood (thinks they have a good enough hand to win) wins. It's also called 'Thirty-One.']
"Do you really think this is gonna work?" Hotaka asked.
"Hotaka, chill," Ranma-chan said. "From what you guys have told us 'bout Natsuko, this will definitely work."
And if it doesn't, I'm sendin' Natsuko on a one way trip to the big dojo in the sky 'cause even with Nabiki's 'discount,' we still have to pay 'er for drivin' and it's costin' us a small fortune! she mental added.
"Akane, have you been able to talk to her yet?" Kazuma asked her, a hopeful yet pleading look in his eyes. Akane sighed and shook her head.
"Perfume's had her locked up in my room since she got out of the bath. I haven't gotten the chance to yet." Kazuma looked crest fallen. "I think it's sweet the way you care about your sister." Kazuma still didn't look any better. Hotaka put his cards face down, and put his hands on his rival's twin's shoulders. Kazuma looked up at him.
"Kazu, she'll bounce back, she always does. Remember when she ran away it train with Sensei whatshisface? It took her a while to go home, but she finally did," Hotaka pointed out.
"She and Pop still haven't completely made up over that," Kazuma added grimly.
Akane and Ranma-chan exchanged confused glances.
"Did I miss somethin' here?" Ranma-chan asked. The two boys exchanged grim glances, making a silent, understood agreement, yet said nothing. Ranma-chan, miraculously, picked up the hint and dropped the subject. "So, do we have the van for tonight, Akane?"
"Yup," she replied with a nod. "Dad thought I wanted it for me and yo-- Ranma, but when I told him it was all of us, he sorta went blank on me, so I asked Kasumi. She said yes."
"When in doubt, count on Kasumi," Ranma-chan agreed.
"Did you say your father thought you and Ranma were going out together?" Nodoka asked, tying off Banna's braid. "Does that mean Ranma really _is_ coming home soon?"
'Ranko' tensed up. 'Mr. Panda' woke up and looked nervous. Akane had to answer for her fiancée who was stunned to stupor.
"No, Auntie. Ranma and Mr. Saotome just left the day before you came, so they shouldn't be back for a little while."
Nodoka looked crestfallen. "Oh." She straightened up and put on a smile. "Well, I really should leave tomorrow morning. If they're not back by then, I'll just come to see them next time."
Akane nodded in agreement. Ranma-chan nodded vigorously in agreement. 'Mr. Panda' nodded so vigorously in agreement that it looked like his head was going to come loose.
"You're sure you don't mind watching Banna, Mrs. Saotome?" Hotaka asked. "'Cause if you do, I could always stay home…" All the teens in the room sent him a 'you're-coming-whether-you-like-it-or-not-or-else-we'll-make-your-life-a-living-hell' glare. He gulped. "Or not."
"It's okay, Hotaka. Banna and I are going to have a good time while you all go out, right Banna-chan?"
"Right!" Banna agreed.
"NO WAY!! I AIN'T WEARING A SKIRT!!" Natsuko screeched as she threw Akane's door open and stomped into the hallway, wearing nothing but panties, a red top with black and white designs and spaghetti straps, and a pair of socks. Perfume came out wearing a khaki mini skirt with a dark green camouflage belt and a matching dark green shirt with a low v-neck collar and sleeves that went three quarters of the way down her arm. She launched on Natsuko, knocking them both over, and attempted to drag her back into the room.
"Natsuko, you're only half dressed!"
"I don't care!! I ain't wearin' no skirt!!"
"You're starting to talk like your father!"
Natsuko froze.
"Aw, hell no."
Perfume took advantage of this time to drag her friend back into Akane's bedroom and close the door. Everyone across the hall in Ranma's room sweat dropped. The three 'boys' just kept staring at the closed door.
"Wow, she has great legs," Ranma commented.
"The tomboy's legs aren't _that_ great," Hotaka commented, eyes still glued to the door. "Even if they are thin and long and pale and… Damn, Kazu, your sister has great legs."
"Hey!! That's my _twin_ you're talking about!"
"Yeah, and she has great legs."
Kazuma tackled Hotaka. Even as a dust cloud (don't ask where it came from) rose and covered the fighting boys, Ranma-chan kept staring. After Akane tried snapping in front of her face, knocking on her head, and pulling her pigtail, she got frustrated and pulled out her hammer.
"RANKOOOOOO!!!" she screamed before sending Ranma-chan into the wall via 'Hammer Flights.'
['The other only way the martial artists fly!' I like making up airline slogans, okay?! Besides, I couldn't resist.]
"Whaddya do _that_ fer Akane?!"
Nodoka stared at the two fights going on, the brawl between Kazuma and Hotaka and the argument between Ranko and Akane. Banna, on the other hand, seemed unfazed and looked up at her 'aunt' with an innocent smile.
"What do ya wanna do now, Auntie Saotome?"
"…"
***
Natsuko sat on Akane's bed next to Perfume. She wasn't (thank goodness) wearing a skirt. After the little attempted escape, Perfume had caved and let her wear the white capris instead. Now the purple haired girl was doing the make-up of her blue haired friend.
"Natsuko, hold still," Perfume ordered. "I'm going to smudge."
"Sorry, I just get kinda freaked out when you put on the mascara. I keep thinking you're going to poke my eye out with it or something."
[Hey! Me too!]
"Natsuko, how long have you known me?"
"Sixteen years and…" She counted in her head. "Two months, give or take."
"Right. Would I _ever_ poke your eye out with a mascara applier?"
"I guess not, but you never know. Some psycho could come bursting through the wall attacking us with 'Martial Arts Make-Up Applying' or something."
Perfume started laughing.
"'Martial Arts _Make-Up_Applying_'?!"
"Well, ya never know," Natsuko huffed. Then she started laughing along with Perfume. "That does sound stupid, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, but watch the next random person we go into battle with use it."
"I can see it now, 'STRIKE OF A THOUSAND PIERCING EYE-LINER PENCILS!!'"
"Wait, wait, I got one. 'SUFFICATING LIP STICK STRANGLE!!'"
The two girls were rolling on the floor, hugging their sides in laughter. Perfume struggled to stand, leaning on the bed for support.
"Don't laugh too hard, or you're gong to smudge and I'm going to have to redo _all_ your make-up." Natsuko froze and looked frightened. Perfume laughed. "C'mon, it's not _that_ bad. Let me finish so we can get going."
Natsuko nodded and sat back down on the bed. She closed her eyes so Perfume could start applying eye shadow, which she did.
"So where are you guys taking me anyway?" Natsuko asked. Despite what Akane had thought, Perfume hadn't breathed a word of where they were all going tonight.
"That, my best friend, is a secret."
"But secrets are only fun if you _tell_ someone."
"Nice try, Nats, but I ain't saying."
"o/" And what do you think you'd ever say? I won't listen anyway. You don't know me, and I'll never be what you want me to be. o/"" Natsuko sang. Perfume looked at her like she had three heads.
"_What?_"
"'I'm Still Here.' Ya know, the song?"
"Uh huh…" Perfume said skeptically. "You don't have a bad voice by the way. You should join choir."
"Huh, yeah right. You're the singer of the group, not me. I'm the dancer who won't let even her own father stand in the way of her passion, remember?"
"Can we forget about that? Just for tonight at least? Besides, we're going out to cheer you up."
"I guess you're right."
"Natsuko, open your eyes." She did as she was told. "I _am_ right, okay?"
"Okay."
"Now that that's settled, your make-up's done, my make-up's done, let's go out and face the world!"
"Yeah! So where are we going again?"
"We're going to-- Nice try Nats. But what do I think I'd ever say? You won't listen anyway. I don't know you, and you'll never be what I want you to be."
"Not funny! You stole my song quote!"
***
Akane and Nabiki led everyone out to the backside of the dojo to the seldom-used garage where the dojo van had been stored all these years. The van was a big, blue, the type that a school would use to take its sports teams to away games; this thing looked like it could fit seventeen people in it, _literally_. The words 'Tendo Dojo' were written on the both sides in big, bold, red letters. A green dragon head and neck was painted on the hood, and the rest of the body and tail continued to snake across the roof and down the back.
"Wow," said Ranma-chan, Hotaka, Kazuma, Natsuko, and Perfume all at the same time.
"Akane, I've been living here for over a year now, and I had no idea you had something like _this_ in here," Ranma-chan said.
"What did you think would be in our garage?" Nabiki asked. "The demon lord of cars and lawn mowers?"
"Considering it's me we're talking about, probably, yeah."
Nabiki sighed and walked over to the van, opened the driver side door, and jumped in. She put the key into ignition and turned it. The second the car was on, she cranked up the radio so much that it probably could have been heard in China.
"Well, the most important part of the car works!" she yelled over the booming music. The rest of the crew smiled at one another. "Climb in and let's get going!"
"I call shotgun!" Akane said and plopped herself next to her sister before anyone could protest, pushing Ranma-chan out of the way in the process. Ranma-chan grumbled and climbed in the back.
In the van, there were three rows, not counting the front seats. Ranma-chan had claimed the entire middle row for herself because when she got in, she leaned against the side of the van and spread her legs out. Since there was more than enough room, no one opposed the busty red head. Perfume practically dragged Natsuko into the back with her, so Hotaka and Kazuma took the first row.
"Operation 'Cheer Up Natsuko' begin!" Nabiki cried as the car pealed out of the garage and onto the street.
A/N: Sorry this took so long to come out. I meant to get it out yesterday at the latest, but mass went a whole lot longer than I expected. (I had to stay for an extra half-hour to pray in the 'Church Garden' because it was Holy Thursday, but did anyone tell me? Noooo…)
Anyway, the ever present 'Why are Natsuko and her father fighting ANYWAY?!' is still present and unanswered. Yep, I mention it a lot. It has a lot to do with the story. Yep, it does. Yes, I know Ranma is female in this scene, but (s)he's supposed to be. And Perfume is actually pretty nice and non-distant/non-cold among people she's known since she was three months old. Wow, they've known each other for a long time, huh?
Will we finally be going to the *GASP* FABLED KARAOKE BAR?! Probably not…
I know it's taking me a while to get to where they're bringing Natsuko, but I promise it'll happen next time! Please review!!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own 'I'm Still Here.' The Goo Goo Dolls own it. I take no claim to it.
ALSO: I have no idea if there is an actually 'Martial Arts Make-Up Applying.' Maybe it will show up in later chapters. *snort, pause* Hey, that's a good idea…
Natsuko: She's got that look again…
Hotaka: *groan* Oh no…