KK:YES! My loyal readers, you've asked for it: the next chapter. And, as another little way to say "thank you", I'd like to tell you that I didn't hurt Muds. I just locked him in my closet.

Murdoc:Yeah. Long enough to completely memorize your wardrobe. And ya really need to update it.

KK:I'll lock you back in there, you ignorant Satanist.

Murdoc:If it means not 'avin' to see anymore of ya skull shirts and L.A. KITTY track jackets, then I'll shut up.

KK:Glad you see things my way. Hehehehe... Anyway, when I told you that romance is gonna flourish, I sure as hell meant it. And, with the most unlikely couple. Remember: don't think who it's gonna be between yet, 'cuz you might be disappointed. Or, you could be right. Just keep reading the story, goddammit!

Chapter 5: A "Wicked" Mall Adventure

"I hate crowds," Noodle muttered as the five walked into the mall, another mob of fans surrounding them.

"IT'S THE GORILLAZ!"

"MURDOC'S HERE! MURDOC'S HERE!"

"Awww! 2D's so CUTE!"

"Lookit; it's Noodle an' Russ!"

"What's your plan now, love?" 2D asked Adria.

"It'll be a good one," the girl reassured him. "Don't freak out at what's gonna happen right now, 'k?" With this said, she slipped her arm around his,doing the same to the bassist on her other side. Both of their arms stiffened up, but nonetheless, they stayed very close to her.

"Hey, look, everyone!" a familiar green-haired teenager called out in the crowd. "It's the new Paula!"

Everyone in the crowd laughed. Adria remembered that this certain "Paula" was 2D's ex-girlfriend who had cheated on him with Murdoc in the Kong Studios restrooms. 2D's arm tightened around Adria's, so she could tell he was angry. Or rather, infuriated.

"Just ignore them, 'D," Adria said. "She's a thing of the past."

With Noodle and Russel following in the back, the other three walked ahead. While they were walking, the crowd diminished, little by little, until they finally all left.

By now, Murdoc was now ready to strangle a certain blue-haired dimwit (I know he's dumb, but he's cute, right?). How dare that dullard not only 'ug Adria, but now, walk arm in arm with 'er, he thought. Wait, she's not my girlfriend. Yet. For the love of Satan, why can't I stop thinkin' 'bout 'er!

"Okay, you guys. You can let go of me now,"said Adria, slipping her arms away from the two boys. "Now, let's split up; I don't want you guys to see what I get you."

"2D-san, can I go with you, please?" Noodle asked. 2D looked down at her, who looked back up at him with huge, innocent eyes. How could he say no to that?

"Of course ya can come wit' me," 2D agreed.

"I'm off to the CD store," Russel broke in. He then walked off in search of a mall directory.

"I'm off to Victoria's Secret," Murdoc said, about to take off.

Adria quickly grabbed the hood of his black jacket before he could leave. "Not so fast, slick. You're coming with me."

"SHIT!"

"Now, remember, guys. Russel said in the car for everyone to meet him at the food court in two hours. People get pissed if you don't arrive on time."

"Do not worry, Adria-san. I have already set my watch." Noodle scratched the back of her neck casually. "Me and 2D-san will either be in the arcade, or meeting Russel-san."

As soon as 2D and his young companion left, Adria slowly turned her head to face Murdoc, a grin across her lips.

"I don't like that look on ya face, Garrison," Murdoc commented, taking a step back.

"I'm not gonna hurt you or anything. It's just that I'm not gonna let you outta my sight." Her grin turned more into a smile. "Next stop: SANRIO!"

"Oh, christ. Not that place! Why the 'ell do we 'ave to go there?"

Adria scoffed at Murdoc's panic attack. "I never said you had to go in Sanrio, you jackass."

"...Oh. Well, if ya put it that way, let's go. Who's gift are you buyin' there, anyway?"

Adria started to walk with Murdoc to the shop. "Noodle's. It's not like I was going to buy you a Hello Kitty doll."

After three minutes, and another crowd, the two safely arrived at Sanrio. "I'll be in and out in less than five minutes," Adria lied, knowing that she was going to end up in there for more than ten. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone." She then walked into the shop.

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"I think I'm in heaven," Adria gasped. It seemed a little juvenile for a 23-year-old to be in a doll store, but she couldn't help that she was a huge Hello Kitty fan and that she looked nearly seventeen. Walking up and down the isles, she kept watch on her friend, who was checking out some passing women. Adria's fists tightened when she saw one of them blow him a kiss and giggle.

Damn her, she thought. If Muds goes after her, they'll both be meeting the business end of my fist. Then I'll beat that girl with a stick and hide the body in the underground mall parking lot. She gritted her teeth, then tried to calm herself down.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Noodle's ideal gift. It was a stuffed, blue bear sitting on a shelf named BaBu, with a silver bell hanging from a pink ribbon around its neck. It was about three feet tall, and when Adria walked over to pick it up and feel its fur, she smiled at how soft it was. She just had to get this for Noodle. Placing it under her arm, she walked to the counter,placed it down, and paid for it. The original price (plus tax) was $51.76, but Adria placed a hundred dollar bill down on the counter, picked up her bag and walked away. For anyone who knew her, they would know that Adria over paying for anything wasn't rare, and practically everyone in her hometown knew who she was.

Outside the store, another small group of women-and teenagers, by the way-was surrounding Murdoc, who was too busy signing autographs and having his picture taken by what seemed to be like a million frickin' cell phones.

"Okay, that SO DOES IT!" Adria sneered. Working her way through the crowd, she grabbed Murdoc by the arm and pulled him along. "C'mon, ya douchbag."

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Murdoc groaned in frustration. "Now, where are we? Another of your magick stores!"

Adria just looked at her Satanic comrade and shook her head in disgrace. "We're at...", she read the neon lights above the store, "...THE DEVIL'S TOYCHEST."

At the sound of the name, Murdoc's eyes came up from the floor and stared inside the store, a grin plastering itself on his face.

"And you, my friend, are staying outside," Adria finished, seriousness in her tone.

"What makes ya think ya can just boss me around, ya bitch?" Murdoc was becoming rather pissed.

Thinking quickly, Adria developed a grin of her own. "Do you know what it's like to go more than a week without sex?"

Murdoc scoffed and chuckled. "Uh, no."

"Do you want to be in such a bad condition that you can't ever have sex again? 'Cuz I can sure as hell arrange that."

Murdoc gulped. Guess he was right; if he didn't play his cards right, he was going to be facing some serious hurt. With an exasperated sigh, he leaned against the store doorway, his hands in his jacket pockets.

"For the love of Hera- Victoria's Secret is down that way." She pointed to it. "Stay there until I come to get you."

" 'K, see ya later, love! Just try to take as much time as you can!" And with that, he made his way towards the lingerie store.

Adria just blinked in disbelief, and walked inside THE DEVIL'S TOYCHEST. As she passed through the isles, she eyed the endless amounts of candles, katana swords in large display cases, daggers, belts, and all of the other wonderful things in there. She coveted everything, but she had come here with a mission, and it wasn't to spend herself silly. She still had to choose a gift for Murdoc, and it had to be perfect. Stopping at one display case, she found something absolutely gorgeous, the perfect gift. It was alarge charmon a heavy golden chain. The charm appeared to be in the form of a miniature dagger with a skull head attached to its "handle". Under it, a small label read "24 Caratz".

Looking for a worker to open the case for her, she walked up to the counter and waited for someone to help her. Finally, a teenage boy, about the age of nineteen, came out the back door behind the counter, mouthing the words to what appeared to be the song "Chop Suey!". Walking to the counter, Adria could see what his T-shirt said, the terribly sad "TOUGH GUYS WEAR PINK" (Author's Note:Why doesn't Murdoc own one of those).

"What can I do for ya, honey?"

"Can you get something out of the display case for me?"

"Sure."

Retrieving the necklace from the case, Adria held the precious jewelry in her hand. "Is this made completely out of 24 Carat gold?" she asked.

"Yup. And the studs for the eyes are real garnets. If you want, I can engrave the person's name on the blade."

"Damn yeah, that'd be great."

The clerk laughed. As they walked to the counter to ring up the price, he asked her, "Who is this for, anyway?"

"Murdoc Niccals. My boss," she lied.

"You...you know the legendary Murdoc Niccals from Gorillaz! You work at Kong!"

"Um, yeah. It's just a little friendly gesture."

"In that case, since I know the address to Kong, I'll mail it there later on today. You should get it in a few hours. And the price is $789.15."

Adria put ten hundreds on the counter. "Keep the change, buddy. And if you don't mail that thing to Kong by Christmas, I'll hunt you down." She finished this with a quick laugh and walked out. The clerk, however, gulped, and put in a mental note not to forget this customer's order.

Adris walked out of the stoe just in time to see Murdoc walk down the way towards her, an evil grin still on his face. Adria ran to him, and almost knocked someone over in the process. "What are you so happy about?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Those women are so easy to seduce," he replied, slyly.

"And, I'm pretty sure you made out with each and every one of 'em. We gotta get to the foo court NOW!" Adria grabbed Murdoc's arm and pulled him along. But, just the thought of him palying "tongue hockey" with a girl who he didn't even know sickened her.

Arriving at the food court, the two saw Noodle, Russel, and 2D eating lunch at a small table. Murdoc walked over to them, but Adria looked past the table at a small stage, right in the center of the food court. On the stage was a sign that read "WICKED SINGING COMPETITION". Adria's jaw dropped. She then hastily ran to the table.

"GUYS! GUYS! Look at that stage!" she screamed, jumping up and down.

2D looked at her strangely, but knew what she was talking about. "Calm down, darlin'. I already know that the 'Wicked' musical is comin' to the U.K."

"Don't ya get it, face-ache?" Murdoc scoffed. "Garrison wants to sing in that contest."

"I'm gonna go sign up. See ya!" And with that, Adria sped off to find the registration table.

"She is really fast," said Noodle.

2D laughed. "Yeah, you're right, Noods." He stood up. "I'm gonna go after 'er, before she 'urts anyone."

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"Up next, singing 'The Wizard and I' is Adria Garrison," a judge announced. Following this was the routine applause.

"Guys, that's me," Adria said, shaking a bit.

Russel patted her on the back. "You'll be fine, girl."

Adria got up from her seat and walked onstage. When the music started, Adria sighed deeply to calm herself. Soon, her cue came, and she had to start.

"Did that really just happen

Have I actually understood

This weird quirk I've tried

To suppress or hide

Is a talent that could

Help me meet the wizard

If I make good

So, I'll make good"

The four stared at Adria in amazement.

"Damn, she's good!" 2D blurted out.

"She's wonderful!" Noodle agreed.

"I 'ave never 'eard a voice like that," Murdoc quietly added.

Adria saw her friends talking about her, the way she was singing shocked them. She smiled and continued after the short rest.

"When I meet the Wizard

One I prove my worth

And then I meet the Wizard

What I've waited for since-since birth

And with all his Wizard wisdom

By my looks, he won't be blinded

Do you think the Wizard is dumb?

Or like Munchkins, so small-minded? NO!

He'll say to me 'I see who you truly are:

A girl on whom I can rely'

And, that's how we'll begin

The Wizard and I..."

No matter what, Adria continued to sing, never making a mistake in wording or key. Finishing the song, she took a deep breath and sang the last line, loudly but beautifully. The crowd that had grown bigger in size let out an impressively deafening applause. Most even started chanting "ENCORE, ENCORE!". After a few seconds, one judge got up from behind the desk and walked over to Adria.

"Well, Adria Garrison," the judge began, "it seems like your fans want an encore song from you. Are you gonna give it to them?"

"HELLZ YEAH!" Adria replied, a cheer coming from the crowd the minute she agreed.

"Then, can you sing 'I'm Not That Girl' for all of us?" To this, Adria nodded. But, something inside of her hesitated. It was too late; she had to sing now. Walking back to a small table with two other people sitting at it, the judge signaled to someone to start the music and sat back down in his seat.

Now, Adria totally regretted agreeing to singing this song. He didn't know, but she couldn't sing this particular song right in front of the person she most cared about. She took a large sigh, and started to sing against her will.

"Hands touch, eyes meet

Sudden silence, sudden heat

Hearts leap in a giddy whirl

He could be that boy

But I'm not that girl

Don't dream too far

Don't lose sight of who you are

Don't remember that rush of joy

He could be that boy

I'm not that girl

Every so often, we long to steal

To the land of what-might-have-been

But that doesn't soften the ache we feel

When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb

She who's winsome, she wins him

Gold hair, with a gentle curl

That's the girl he chose

And heaven knows

I'm not that girl..."

Noodle noticed something in the corner of Adria's amethyst eye. "Is she crying?" she asked quietly.

"It looks like it," 2D answered back. "I 'ope she's okay."

Despite her tears, which hadn't fallen from her eyes in years, Adria continued and finished the rest of the song.

"Don't wish, don't start

Wishing only wounds the heart

I wasn't born for the rose and pearl

There's a girl I know

He loves her so

I'm not...that girl..."

The crowd roared once again. Adria took a bow, wiping her eyes with her hand. Soon, the same judge she had met before came out with a two-foot trophy with a black witch's hat on top of it. Taking one last bow, and shaking the judge's hand, she walked offstage with the trophy into Noodle's open arms.

"Adria-san, you sang beautifully," Noodle said loudly and cheerfully.

Adria hugged her young friend tighter. "Thanks a lot,...Noodle-san." The two girls laughed and let go of the hug.

"I am shocked," 2D added, in awe as well. "Ya really did some singin' there, love."

"Damn!" was all that Murdoc and Russel could say.

"Shucks, guys; I'm speechless," laughed Adria.

The five then decided to leave the mall, after getting some ice cream, that is. Walking out to Adria's Hummer, the devious little Wiccan princess decided to taunt Murdoc even more.

"Hey, Murdoc," Adria called to him after taking a bite out of her ice cream, "You wanna play DDR later tonight?" She had a sly look on her face.

"I guess so."

"You think you'll beat me?"

"I'm gettin' better, so maybe." He ran his long sharp tongue over his ice cream. (Author's Note:God, I would KILL to see a picture of him doing that. Hehehehe.)

"You, beating ME? Yeah, hang onto THAT dream!"

Murdoc growled lowly, then came up with his own plan. "Okay, love, you'e sittin' in the back with me again, and ya gonna regret sayin' that."

"Oh, I'm shaking."

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After a tickle fight between Adria and Murdoc that seemed would never end, putting away the bass, bags from the mall, and the boxes of Christmas gifts that Adria had bought, Adria wanted to talk with Noodle, the only one who she felt could truly connect to her. She was going to talk about the reason she was crying, and it couldn't lead to something good...

Thanks for being patient, guys. I'm goin' for twenty reviews this time, and I know you won't let me down, 'cuz you guys are great fans! Until then, this is KK, signing off... okay, that sounded really corny. Sorry! (sweatdrop)