Okay, so this chapter is a fancy and schmexy legal battle. 2D, Murdoc, and Russel vs the government of Japan, the UK, AND the US...Oh boy. But usual-ehh never mind. I'm just going to leave it up to you guys to guess which side wins.

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Chapter 10

Noodle was better three days later when they went to court. None of the men were allowed to adopt her for some reason, possibly because she belonged to the government, or maybe it was because if she lived in England with them again she'd be legal in another couple of years. So the girl went through all that trouble- five days of hitchiking and hiding out with barely any food or water- and they're just forcing the girl back to Japan. Back to the orphanage where Noodle wasn't allowed to be the person she wanted to be- adventurous, frill-and-lace-free, and able to do things boys can do too. The people running the orphanage convinced all the girls that girls are not as able as boys. The only exception was Noodle. She had a flashback to her escape day.

"And make sure Kimi doesn't find out I left," Noodle told her friend Aiji as she slid on the knickers he lent her.

"I won't. I'll tell her you...uh...died."

"Died? She's not going to believe that!"
"That's why we put your sister in your place right? She looks just like you."
"Hai, but she's ten! I'm fourteen! She's less as mature as I am."

"Well, someone can tell Kimi you're sick. I placed objects in your bed so it looks like a person."
"Aiji, I really hate to admit this but, you're a real idiot sometimes."
"I was born to be an idiot, Noods."
"Un, migi. That's so true."

"Can't you take a little sarcasm?"
"Maybe I can."

Aiji put his hands on Noodle's shoulders. "You're a brave girl, Noodle. Unlike any other girls in the world, you dare to be different. But stay safe, please. The last thing we need is the government of Japan coming after me because you got killed!"
"Or you went crazy."
"Haha," he laughed sarcastically,"No. Really, stay safe." He held out his hand and Noodle shook it.

"Sayonara, Aiji."

"Sayonara."

Noodle picked up her bag and set off for the craziest hitchhiking, boxcar-riding adventure ever.

"Noodle?"
"Hmm, what?"

Russel cocked his head and narrowes an eye slightly, "We've been here five minutes! Come on!"
"Oh! I'm sorry! Sumimasen ga." Noodle stood up and greeted 2D at the other side of the car. They entered the courthouse with government officials from the US, Japan, and the UK. Only them, nobody even had a lawyer, and a judge, who inroduced himself as John. Noodle was nervous.

2D was just as nervous, maybe even more nervous. If Noodle was forced back to Japan, he was going to go crazy. Noodle, though six years younger than him, [[A/N: Remember, I made 2D 20 in this story and Noodle 14.]] he loved Noodle more than anyone ever. Sure they were all given homes by the ocean as a reward for their discovery, but 2D wasn't going to be happy without Noodle in his life. She was always so positive, always adventurous, and she was the most unique girl he had ever met. And by god was she ever cute. The judge slammed the gavel on his podeum.

"Court is in session!"

Noodle shakily put her small hand into 2D's large hand. She bit her lip to prevent crying.

"This is a custody battle over Noodle, deciding whether she should go back to Japan, stay in the United States of America, or live in the United Kingdom with a trusted adult." He glared at Murdoc with a stare that said, 'And I don't mean you, Mr. Niccals'. Murdoc scoffed, and the judge continued. "I'm making this session a bit different. Whoever has the most valid reason for sending Noodle to Japan, keeping her here in the US, or allowing her to live in Britain will win this case. Mr. Johnson, you may go first."

His name was George Johnson, and he was in the state government of North Carolina.

"I believe Noodle should stay in the US because of the freedom. She will get a fair education because she knows English well according to her friends, and will live in a good home with a loving family."

"But-" Noodle cut in, "I'm scared about it. What if I'm not liked because I'm Japanese and I want to be different? What about the segregation? It won't make a difference, I'll still be miserable."

"You do have a point, Miss Noodle."
"Arigato."

"Well, what about you, Mr. Richardson?"

"Noodle should be allowed her choice of where she lives. She seems afraid of living here in America, maybe because of all the chaos that is happening. I do feel that she will just be plain miserable if she goes back to Japan. I believe she should be able to choose where she goes though."

"Also a good point. But let's see what Mr. Tanaka has to say."

"I do believe that Noodle should go back to Japan. She was born here and Ms. Yamamoto still has custody over her, and there are no adoption papers written for her, hai?"

"I love your point, Mr. Tanaka. I have come to a decision-"

2D began biting his nails violently. The judge had the most enthusiasm about Mr. Tanaka's reasoning, which made him afraid. "And that decision is-"

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A/N: MUAHAHAHAAA I'm leaving you guys on the hanger of cliffs[: and you're going to need to keep yourselves occupied, somehow, while I write the 11th chapter. There isn't very much left to go, but this may be the most torturing wait for you yet. [: Anyways, toodaloooo! *goes to the kitchen for more Pocky*