Certainties Chapter 3, a rugrats/all grown up! fanfic

Certainties

an All Grown Up fan fiction story

by Lord Akiyama

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Chapter Three

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School lunch for Wednesday was spaghetti. The delicious choice of the twins. And it was because of this little fact that their class schedules were such that they had differing lunch periods. As a result of a certain incident during their freshman year that Phil was more than proud to have on his school record. It had become common knowledge that Dil had been looking to pull something that would outshine that particular accomplishment. All the more reason why he didn't get to hang with the others because of their schedule. The one thing the girls were happy about in regards to the adjusted schedule was that they would have lunch together. Perfect time to catch up on the day's gossip and chit-chat they might have missed earlier.

"Should we even be surprised?" Susie gently laughed. "Only the boys would consider seeing a kung fu flick a good time. And since it was meant as a celebration for Tommy, I can see how you wouldn't get the chance to suggest anything else."

"It actually turned out pretty good," Kimi said, slightly giggling in the hope that the others wouldn't look down upon her for such a comment. "It wasn't like those badly dubbed movies they used to watch a while back. This one was actually kinda romantic."

"How can a movie with a title like House of Flying Daggers come off romantic?" Angelica argued.

"Well, if you actually look up what the movie is about you'd be surprised," Kimi responded. "It goes like this. A police officer is assigned the task of infiltrating a rebellion clan by rescuing the blind daughter of their leader. But as their journey progresses, he begins to fall for her and even to the point that he might be willing to defect to the other side for her."

"Whoa, that's pretty dramatic for a kung fu movie," Lil noted in a verbal awe that expressed what the others thought also.

"Watch the film and you'll see just how really dramatic it is," Kimi said with a smile, content with convincing the others about her recommendation. "You know, it kinda tells me that maybe some of the flicks these guys watch isn't as bad as we perceive it to be just because the guys like it."

"Hold up, are you saying we should actually start watching these mindless action extravaganzas and horror fests?" Susie asked with a curious tone and raised brow.

"I was thinking more of a compromise," Kimi replied with a grin. "We let them drag us into one of their movies a couple times. And then we return the favor ten-fold. Who knows, they might actually start liking the stuff we love."

"Because if there are some films these guys like that are actually something we'd tolerate, there's bound to be something we love that they might actually enjoy," Lil said in agreement.

The four girls looked at one another for a moment, their grins growing wider with each passing second. "MOULIN ROUGE!" they cried in unison as they leapt from their seats. They laughed along together, not caring if others glanced over at what they were doing or talking about.

"While on the subject of music," Angelica began to say as their laughter died down, "I take it you're all set for tonight's concert. Boy, you sure did get over boy bands and in a hurry."

"Sure boy bands are cute," Kimi noted. "But, oh there's just something dreamy about guys who have this handsome dirty quality about them. And Johnny is as handsomely dirty as they come. Not to mention his music is beautiful to listen to."

"Just don't stray too far into that whole alternative grunge scene," Lil began to giggle. "Remember your pink mohawk?"

"Oh God, don't remind us, girl," Susie moaned along with Angelica. Kimi simply sighed with a shrug. "Honey, just remember that drooling over him and listening to his music is the best way to go."

"Hey, we're teenagers and teenagers go through phases and experience to try and discover themselves," Kimi reasoned. "I dunno how long my obsession with the Goo Goo Dolls will last, but the fact that I experience it is what matters most."

"Getting all philosophical on us, Kimi?" Susie asked with a grin.

"Suppose I am," Kimi replied with a bit of laughter. "I don't mind passing on a piece of wisdom from time to time."

"I doubt it would do us any good," Angelica mocked.

---

"Now remember, Dil," Tommy began to say as they entered Suncoast, "just restrain yourself as much as possible and mom and dad won't know that you're breaking your punishment by hanging out with us while I look for a DVD to buy."

"No problemo, bro," Dil replied with a smile. The elder brother waved a stern finger at him to make sure that he meant it before they followed Phil and Chuckie into the store.

"So what kind of DVD are you looking to get tonight, Tommy?" Chuckie asked as his eyes skimmed through the various cover boxes. "Another one of those artistic independent flicks like Waking Life or something?"

"Or maybe you're banking that we could find another Ziyi Zhang flick," Phil said with a bit of excitement. "I was so stoked when you found Musa The Warrior a few months ago. That was an awesome movie. Still jealous that you saw House of Flying Daggers without us."

"I was thinking of seeing if there was something that would just pop out in front and catch my attention," Tommy responded as he took his time flipping through the various titles the store had to offer.

"So you're going the completely random route, eh bro?" Dil asked, as restrained as he could be.

"Pretty much," Tommy replied with a chuckle.

"What did you get the last time you went random, Tommy?" Chuckie asked curiously.

"Requiem for a Dream," Tommy said with a bit of a sigh. "I'm telling you, it wasn't a horror flick, but it sure did scare me. You guys ever want to see a good reason why you shouldn't take drugs, watch that movie. Brilliant movie, though."

"Maybe we should get Dil to watch that someday," Phil joked. The younger Pickle just gave the other a glare, knowing that he promised his brother that he would restrain himself. "Was there anything you've been meaning to see?"

"Well," Tommy began to think aloud. "I've always wanted to check out Christopher Nolan's version of Insomnia. You know, the one with Al Pacino and Robin Williams."

"You mean there was a version that film was based on?" Dil asked.

"Yep," Tommy replied. "A foreign film. Forgot which country it came from. Had that one guy in Good Will Hunting who got Robin Williams to examine Matt Damon." Quite suddenly, he found himself in a bit of an ironic situation. In talking about a foreign film, he just so happened to be standing before the foreign films section. And there was a title that seemed to have caught his interest.

The others noticed and looked over his shoulder to get a good look at the DVD he picked up. "'Battle Royal'?" Dil said as he tried to read the title. "Isn't that supposed to be some kinda wrestling match?"

"It's not 'Battle Royal', Dil," Tommy said. "It's 'Battle Royale'. Royale, like 'Royale with Cheese'."

"Oh, I see," Dil responded. "So it's French?" The others glared at the younger Pickle for a quick moment. "... What?"

"No, it's not French," Tommy replied with a sigh. "It's Japanese."

"Doesn't look like it was ever released officially," Phil said as he examined the cover. "Looks like it was imported. Does it say anything on the back?"

The elder Pickle flipped the cover over to the back and then shook his head. "Nope," Tommy replied. "Doesn't even list who's in the movie." He turned it back and looked at the cover for a moment before shrugging. "I'll give it a shot."

"This should be very interesting," Chuckie said as they made their way to the cash register so Tommy could complete the purchase. "You're gonna hafta tell us what it's about and all."

"Not to mention if its any good, bro," Dil added. "Because I was thinking if I could get first dibs in borrowing it once my two weeks are up."

"That's only if your parents don't find out you hung with us today," Phil chuckled. "What would that be? Another week? Two? Maybe even a month?" He continued to laugh as the other just glared at him.

---

She couldn't wait to start dreaming the minute she closed her eyes. It was a truly amazing concert, everything she hoped for and more. The smile on her face widened as she tried to sleep, dreaming of that one particular moment. When Johnny Rzeznik held her hand, even if it was only for a short second.

He wasn't expecting to have any sort of dream that night. Battle Royale was definitely a different kind of movie, but a good action suspense feature nonetheless. The other guys were sure to enjoy it as much as he did. He turned out the lights and climbed into bed, not really in a hurry to fall asleep.

Her dream couldn't have come fast enough. Surrounded by swirls of color that breathed with life, glowing brighter as they went along with the beat of the music. She loved practically all the songs, so she didn't mind which one was playing. Her dream self spun with glee and soon began to dance along to the song called "Slide."

It started out as not being a dream at all, until the blackness dissolved into the jungle landscape upon the island seen in the film. He could see that it was raining. Remembered this scene. Probably one of the more dramatic moments of the film. He hoped to remind himself of how the scene was written and shot. It was very well made.

As she continued to twirl, she saw a figure standing before her. Much of the figure's face was covered, but she could see that it was smile. It had male features. Certain had that handsomely dirty quality that she loved about Rzeznik. Perhaps the figure was him. She smiled in return and stepped forward, hoping to see if they would dance to the song.

He remembered how amazed he was at how the shots and editing were made. How it was clear that the hero dragged his heavily scared and damaged body to reach the heroine. Struggling to keep moving, but not giving up. Even when he fell and landed hard on his back, he continued to move. Not until she came to him.

Her smile widened as their dance seemed to lift them off of gravity's pull, giving the feeling of limitless flight. The words of the song continue to blaze about. "Put your arms around me. What you feel is what you are, and what you are is beautiful." She felt a gush of energy just flowing out of her upon hearing those words.

It may not have been a strong enough emotional scene that would cause him to cry, but he had to admit it was powerful watching the hero struggle to speak. "I'm weak and useless... But I'll stay by your side..." The heroine shedding tears, overwhelmed with the impact of the hero's words. "I'll protect you..."

The figure scooped her into his arms. She felt an incredible sense of warmth that was unlike any other. The figure's mouth then began to mouth, or perhaps sing, the words that continued along with the song. "Do you wanna get married..." She soon got a better view of the figure's face, leaving her in great shock and awe. "... Or run away..."

He noticed that the scene wasn't quite piece by piece exactly like what he saw in the movie. It was quite strange, really. This was especially so in regards to the facial appearance of the hero. It wasn't close to what he looked like in the movie. And the face of the heroine. That one stunned him, along with what came out of her mouth. "... Tommy..."

She woke with a quick start. Her breathing was a little fast and she wasn't sweating, but she knew her cheeks were increasingly warm. After a moment of collecting her wits together, she looked over to see what time it was. However, the first thing she was the plush doggy. She fell back into the pillow and sighed.

He took his time sitting up, not really sure of what to make of his dream. Although it didn't take him long to realize what it really meant. He didn't bother looking at what time it was before he slowly fell back and rolled to one side. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He had a feeling the next few nights were going to be very difficult to sleep through.

---

"I really need to hit the mall before it closes," Kimi said in a hurry to her mother. "I promise to be right back as soon as I'm done." She gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek before heading down the stairs.

"Are you sure you can't wait until tomorrow, Kimi-chan?" Kira asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm sure it can't wait until tomorrow, okaasan," Kimi replied as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Well... okay," Kira said with a bit of concern in her voice. "Just be very careful, alright."

She came to a stop and turned to face her mother with a reassuring smile. "I will," Kimi said. They each gave the other a wave before she turned and headed for the door.

"What's so important about being at the mall on a Saturday night?" Chuckie asked curiously from the couch, turning away from the television show he was watching. "There a movie playing that I wasn't aware of."

"It's not a movie, Chuckie," Kimi said as she opened the door with haste. "I swear, it's nothing to be worried about." She was about the close the door behind her when she stopped herself and thought about what she had just said. After a moment's thought, she opened the door just a little more to face her brother. "I'll tell you all about it later. I promise."

Her older brother took a deep breath. He finally shrugged and turned back to the television. "Okay," Chuckie said.

Satisfied, she stepped out further and quietly closed the door. Taking a deep breath, she rushed over to her mother's Acura, which she just had the permission to use. She quickly stepped in, buckled her seat belt, and started the ignition. Moments later, she was rolling out of the driveway and began her trek to the mall. It wasn't long before she arrived in the nearly empty parking lot of the mall. She slowed her speed down once she recognized two familiar figures. A Maxima and its driver waiting patiently. She parked the car beside his and slowly stepped out the face the other.

"Sure you wanted to meet this late?" Tommy asked. "I wouldn't qualify 8:30 in the evening being a good time unless you were busy with something."

"Oh, no, I'm sorry about that," Kimi said with a sigh. "It's just that I couldn't think of an earlier time to slip out of the view of my family." He nodded in understanding as they each give nervous chuckles and giggles.

"Well, um..." Tommy tried to begin, bringing a free hand to the back of his head and rubbing his neck. "Well... it's, um... been a week and all..." They both knew they still had trouble speaking about the subject of what previously happened.

"Yeah... a week..." Kimi somewhat repeated in a nervous tone of her own, looking down to watch one of her feet play on its toes. "Well... um... Oh boy... Can't even figure out what exactly to begin with..."

"I know..." Tommy responded with a nervous chuckle. "Um... Well, I guess... um..." He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. He figured that he might as well be the one to speak up. "I, um... I kinda think that... my feelings for you... um... Well, they... um... My feelings for you... kinda... grew... over the week..."

"Really?" Kimi replied softly, looking up to face him. "So, um... So, you really wanna give this a shot?"

"Yeah... yeah, I really do," Tommy replied, feeling a little more confident with what he wanted to say after getting the important one off his chest. He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. "How about you?"

"Oh, well... um..." Kimi began, noticing that her eyes were trying to dart away from his view and her cheeks were turning pink. "I, um... well..." She stopped herself short and took one really deep breath. "I... I think my feelings for you... um... Well... I think my feelings for you grew... also... over the week..."

"Really?" Tommy responded with a bit of delight. He smiled gently and gave a light chuckle. "Wow... guess we kinda decided on what we're gonna do next."

"Yeah, really..." Kimi replied with a giggle, her smile widening a little with relief. She took a deep breath and watched moments later as he slowly took one of her hands into his. They lightly laughed. "Well... now that we're gonna be officially dating, what do we do now?"

"I dunno," Tommy shrugged. His attention was suddenly turned to something that was behind her. "Well, um... I think maybe we should let the others in on what we've decided."

"Really?" Kimi replied curiously. "Don't you think that's a little quick to just say we're gonna be dating when we've just decided to do so?" She didn't catch on that he wasn't quite facing her.

"Under normal circumstances, yeah," Tommy replied, motioning his head to what he was seeing. "But I don't we have a choice." He watched as she curiously turned to see what he was talking about.

She squinted her eyes a bit, trying to figure if her eyes were playing with her. They weren't as she looked straight as the figure hiding behind her car. "Chuckie?" Kimi said.

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October 7, 2005