Yami's koi: OMG. You gain esteem from trivial things. I've gained confidence because I now have bright pink in my hair. O.O

2D: Just get on with the story.

Noodle: Be nice!

Yami's koi: Be nice AND truthful. :P Here's the latest chapter. Duh.

Sure, Noodle knew she could wrap Murdoc and 2D around her little finger. Sure, she knew they would do anything to make her happy. But would such things be enough? No, she needed a plan before doing anything.

She sat in her room, nighttime kimono on, swinging her legs beneath the small desk that she had. She had wanted to draw something, but had only ended up doodling. She stared down at the small oekaki she had drawn of herself and the rest of the band. Sure, she'd spent a lot more time on 2D than anyone (fifteen minutes more, to be exact), but it was nothing she particularly liked.

Now she was writing song lyrics. So much for formulating at least a half decent plan before the night was over. Sighing, she glared at her reflection moodily.

2D wasn't with her, the weather was cold and she was trying to spend more time with him by doing stupid little things that were probably scaring him away… even more so. Looking in the mirror made her think like any other girl for a moment, and she panicked.

She was ugly. She was too small. She was fat. She always said the wrong things. She acted the wrong way around men. She was nothing any sane man would want. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she grabbed the nearest thing – a hairbrush – and hurled it right into 2D's waiting hands.

Noodle blinked, staring up into black eyes. Great. Now he would either think she was schizophrenic, or just plain pissed off. She couldn't decide which she would rather have him believe.

"Hello, 2D," She said normally, as if nothing had happened. She took the hairbrush off of him and began to pull it through her already groomed purple hair. Noodle dared to look at 2D's reflection, and saw his eyes gazing intently at her. She lowered the brush and sighed.

"Yes, 2D-sama?"

2D shrugged, sitting himself down onto Noodle's bed idly. "I jus' thought you looked a bit distant at dinner."

Noodle smiled ever so slightly. So he had noticed. That didn't mean he would find out why she had been distant. Noodle was very, very well trained in the art of keeping her mouth shut, especially when the time was right.

"No, I wasn't. I'm just tired… It must be the cold weather, right?" She half asked, glancing down at her kimono, ensuring that it hadn't fallen open again. She blushed at the memory.

2D seemed to interpret her blush differently. "D'you 'av a crush on someone, Noodle?" He asked before thinking. He suppressed a groan as her eyebrows shot into her hairline, and the blush on her cheeks grew. 'Well done, asshole,' 2D thought to himself dully, 'Now she thinks you're comin' onto 'er. Nice one.'

But instead of calling him an asshole (he had doubted she would do that anyway), Noodle smiled.

"No, I don't have a crush on anyone at the moment."

Noodle was neither lying nor telling the truth. She didn't fancy someone… No, she loved someone. The thought intensified her blush, but she did not allow 2D to question its sudden flare. "And anyway, what about you, 2D-san? You seemed very firm today with Russel when he asked about Murdoc." She noticed 2D's body tense ever so slightly when she mentioned his name, and knew she had struck gold. "Have you two had another falling out?"

"No!" 2D said, a little too quickly. Now it was his turn to blush as Noodle turned the tables on him.

"So, you've fallen out with him, huh?"

"No! I ain't!"

"Then how come you're blushing!"

"Uhh… I'm not! It's your kimono colour reflecting onto my face!"

"Oh, okay then. I think I'm gonna go talk to Murdoc now." Noodle said in a determined, final kind of way, pushing herself off of her chair to head off in the direction of the door.

"Wait," 2D called desperately, causing the young Japanese girl to pause. She turned to him, a smug smile on her face.

2D examined her face more closely whilst this took place. There was an aching, burning curiosity in her eyes, as well as… Jealousy? No, couldn't be. Noodle wasn't the kind of person to get hung up on something so trivial as an argument… In fact, why would anyone be jealous of two people engaged in what they thought to be a fight?

A fight… Ahh, how 2D only wished it could be that. Long had he spent brooding in his room, his meditation time interrupted by the recent events. All he could see was the scene replaying in his head over and over, just like an old, scratched record. Murdoc moving closer to him… Their lips touching each other… Then Murdoc pulling back… Explaining to 2D why he had done what he did… Then the bassist storming out, refusing entry to his Winnebago even to Noodle.

2D snapped himself back to earth long enough to register what was happening. Noodle was casting him a half-amused, half-irritated look. Confused, 2D finally understood why she was looking at him so. Evidently, he had blocked her voice out when recalling what had happened.

"Okay, you've either got to tell me what's happened, or you've got to go talk to Murdoc." Noodle said matter-of-factly, folding her arms.

2D sighed, running a hand distractedly through his blue locks. "I should, probably, but 'e don't want to see me righ' now."

Noodle turned around fully, swinging her legs off her chair ever so slightly. "Okay, so are you going to tell me what happened?"

2D sighed, and fixed the young guitarist with a look of both defeat and sadness. Defeat because he knew that what she was saying was both valid and truthful. Sadness because he knew he would be unable to confide in her, reassure her.

"I wish I could, Noodle-girl." He said at length, throwing himself onto her bed fully, black eyes staring at the ceiling. The scene reminded Noodle greatly of a shrink's office. She leaned closer ever so slightly.

"There, there. Admitting to something is the first step towards solving the problem." She reminded the man quietly. To complete the look, all the needed was a clipboard and some glasses…

"But there's nothing to admit to…"

Noodle rolled her eyes, sadly. "No, you just mean you won't admit to it, which makes me sad, knowing you can't trust me." 2D's eyes widened.

Noodle had not meant to say that, by any means. Because if Noodle wasn't acting like any ordinary teenager would when in love, then what the hell was she acting like? 2D wasn't the brightest person she had ever come across, but she was pretty certain that by that comment, she had given away more than an 'I love you, 2D-san' ever could. It could have been interpreted in a number of ways – Each way less desirable than the last.

On the one hand, that could mean that Noodle just felt that she was very close and important to 2D, making him see her as an overly possessive bitch. On the other, it could have been translated as a conniving, deviant way of getting 2D to talk… But surely, 2D knew her better than to do something like that.

Didn't he?

Worrying her lower lip between her teeth, and finding nothing more to say, Noodle turned back to her mirror, resting her fringe-covered forehead on the cool glass, as the room had suddenly gotten a lot hotter. She groaned inwardly when she imagined 2D's horrified responses, regretting ever saying a word.

"Noodle?"

A quiet, whispered invitation to turn around. When Noodle did nothing more to respond than to freeze, she heard rustling sounds from behind her – 2D had lifted himself up off the bed. As she registered this, Noodle felt a hand lightly touch her shoulder, nudging it very softly, asking for the girl to look at him. Reluctantly, and with her face still glowing a dark pink, Noodle did as she was silently being asked.

She looked at 2D's face not directly, but by using the mirror. She found that he was doing the same, as was shocked by the amount of emotion that was being kept in his face. The fear, the hope, the curiosity, the misery, the shame… All of it combined to make one mysterious, pent up sensation that could no longer be defied by its human host.

2D's hand slowly slid off of Noodle's shoulder, sliding halfway down her back, before the chair rest obstructed his path. He retrieved the brush from its position and began to comb Noodle's already silky smooth, flawless hair.

Noodle watched this silently, seeing the quiet thoughtfulness captivate the vocalist for a few moments before he sighed, looking back into Noodle's eyes sadly.

"It's 'ard to explain. I promised Murdoc I wouldn't." He said bluntly, breaking through the deafening silence that had taken them both to the realm of thought. "Well, actually, I didn't promise 'im, I jus' know… He'd 'ave me hung up by my balls if I told ya. And as selfish as it sounds… I hope ta 'ave kiddies one day."

Noodle smiled and giggled at 2D's blunt but truthful way of wording his current situation.

"But I ain't gonna let 'im, or what he did, get in the way of my Christmas." He went on, resuming the slow, gentle brushing of beautiful hair. "I'm gonna be visitin' the shoppin' center sometime these next two weeks… D'you wanna… Ya know…" 2D stopped brushing her hair, acutely aware that Noodle's eyes were intently fixed on his reflection, burning into his own, even as his eyes fell to a close. "… If ya won't be doin' anythin'… I was wonderin' if… You'd like to… Maybe… Come with me?"

Noodle smiled softly, and 2D's black eyes reopened. "I'm sorry, 2D-chan, but I didn't quite hear what you said… Could you speak a little louder?" Noodle asked playfully, but with a hint of feigned innocence in her voice.

2D's smile soon became a smirk as a naughty idea entered his head. He leaned down until his head was level with Noodle's, making sure to keep eye contact as he slowly moved. His lips were almost touching her, when he whispered huskily into her ear;

"I said… Would ya mind if I took you out for Christmas shopping again sometime?" 2D murmured, the gentle, deep vibrations sensitizing the ear greatly, drinking in Noodle's flushed, but obviously turned on reaction. Her breathing had quickened ever so slightly, and her eyes fluttered to a close when he whispered, "That is, if you ain't doin' anythin'."

With her eyes still closed, Noodle shook her head ever so slightly, pink tongue wetting her lips slowly.

2D smiled against her ear, letting her know how pleased he was, and pulled away very slowly, eventually coming back up to his normal height. Noodle's eyes opened after a moment or two, and she smiled up at the hazy-eyed vocalist behind her.

"Thank you, 2D…"

2D grinned, wishing her a good night's sleep as he went to leave her bedroom. "Not a problem, love," He said quickly, before shutting the door behind him, leaving Noodle with her now hazy, lust-filled, dirty thoughts…

2D's room

After that little rendezvous with Noodle, 2D had retired to his room. For him it was still early, but he wanted to keep track of a few bids he had put on very important items on ebay. He signed into the online store, and was pleased to see that no one had topped his bids yet.

2D idly scrolled down the page, smiling faintly. Oh, Noodle would love her Christmas. He had placed bids on two official Shaman King plushies of… Hao and Yoh, was it? Then, he had found an acoustic guitar that he knew Noodle would love, purely for the dark purple body it possessed. Then he found yet even more anime merchandise, including several Shaman King DVD's, all of which he knew would amount to one very happy, very ecstatic Noodle.

Oh yes… He could almost picture her face now. Flushed, beaming, beautiful… Just the way she always acted when doing the things she loved the best. 2D grinned as he leaned back on his seat, spinning around as if bored. Life was great for him right now.

Just so long as no one outbid him, he would be just fine…

Murdoc

Murdoc had not yet left his room from earlier. He felt like such a pussy for actually crying over 2D, and had already consumed more than his usual dosage of alcohol. The room hadn't yet started spinning, but when the bassist closed his eyes due to tiredness, he felt something beneath him move. His eyes snapped open, naturally, but he found nothing.

This, he knew, was the first omen to sickness. Rolling his eyes, Murdoc staggered to his feet, holding onto the thin walls of his Winnebago for slight support. It didn't help that the walls appeared to be moving… Wasn't that a bad sign? Murdoc shook his head, in an attempt to rid himself of the dizzying sight, but to no avail… If anything, it only worsened his state.

A few moments later, Murdoc felt a watery substance fill his mouth. Eyes widening, the Satanist rushed to the bathroom, feeling his stomach ache as its contents spilled out into the toilet, staining the previously white porcelain an awful brown colour. All he could feel was a stinging aftertaste burning in his throat when his stomach heaved its insides up once more.

After a few moments, the sickness stopped, the alcohol rid of the man's body, and Murdoc promptly began shaking. It wasn't from the cold… Oh no… But from the reasons why he had been sick, and quite violently, at that.

He hadn't eaten a thing… And then had decided to get drunk. Now, doing anything on an empty stomach is highly unadvisable, as everyone undoubtedly knows, but when consuming alcoholic beverages without any food to help process it… The outcome, especially after excessive amounts, is highly predictable.

Murdoc's head began to pound, after a few minutes of lying on the cold tiles of his bathroom floor. He threw his soiled shirt with disgust into the bathtub, running the tap to wash away the dirt. He found nothing to wash away the smell effectively with, and so just flushed what felt like half his innards away.

His head began to pound again, this time much louder. Murdoc rubbed his temples, growling. "Fuckin' 'ell…"

"MURDOC!"

His eyes snapped open. In an instant he was at the door, vision still blurring at infrequent moments, pulling it open. He saw Noodle, arms wrapped around her evidently freezing body, light kimono doing her little good against the fury of the winter night outside.

It took Murdoc a few moments to process this information before he stepped aside and let her in. Noodle hurried in, slamming the door behind her, before Murdoc could clumsily do so. She tutted and sighed at the empty cans littering the floor of the Winnebago, and stared Murdoc in his mismatched eyes.

"Have you been drinking?" She asked sternly, much like a mother readying herself to berate a child that had been caught with candy.

Murdoc stared at her fuzzily for a few moments, mouth hanging open, before he nodded sloppily, holding onto the wall for balance.

"I am… As drunk as… A fuckin' dog…" He slurred, Noodle catching his other arm, beginning to drag him back into his bedroom.

"Don't be silly, Murdoc-san… Dogs don't drink…"

"Ha! They do what I tell 'em to!"

Noodle said nothing, but partially dragged, partially carried Murdoc into the equally as messy bedroom area of the Winnebago. She hauled him onto the bed, and rushed out of the room for just a moment before returning, a pint glass full of water in her hand.

"Here. Drink this… It will help stop the hangover." She advised, giving the bassist the pint glass. The man took it, and began gulping down the water. She prepared several more pint glasses, and smiled when Murdoc stumbled past to take a pee.

Now, the one question that still remained to be answered was: 'To take advantage of Murdoc in his drunken state, or not to take advantage of Murdoc in his drunken state.'

Either way, time was running out. But now was the perfect time to ask him… And if he said no, then that would be the end of it, right? Noodle nodded with herself, feeling slightly reassured.

But to ensure that that didn't happen, Noodle had to be sure she was going at this at the right angle. She needed to attack Murdoc, but subtly so… That way, he would never suspect a thing. And in the morning, Murdoc would be helpless to Noodle's blackmailing.

Not that she was THAT evil, of course.

"Murdoc… You've been very secluded from everyone today…" Noodle murmured, bringing the man's unfocused eyes to rest on her own. "Are you feeling all right?"

Murdoc's face slowly tugged itself into a drunken, smirking image. "Ahh… You're a perceptive gal, Noodle… But I dunno what ya talkin' about… I've been everywhere today!"

Noodle raised an eyebrow, making sure to keep her movements slow: she wouldn't want to disrupt the 'spell' with any sudden movements that may confuse Murdoc. "But Murdoc-san… You were not there to eat any dinner this evening! Were you not hungry?"

It took the bassist a few more sips of water for him to understand what Noodle was asking him. "Uh… Nah, I was 'ungry… Still am, actually… But dullard was there… An' I don't think he woulda appreciated my company…"

Noodle tilted her head innocently, widening her eyes sweetly, giving off the young, naïve look of a five-year-old.

"Oh? Why would you think that, Murdoc?"

Murdoc giggled, surprising the teenager above him ever so slightly with the girly sound. He pulled her closer, spilling some water over his bed sheets. The stench of alcohol burned onto Noodle's face, but she held her breath as he whispered:

"I've gotta secret… But don't tell!" Murdoc's eyes widened, and he shook his head energetically. "No, no, no… You wouldn't do that, would ya, Noodle?"

Noodle smiled pleasantly at her friend, shaking her head – again, going slow so Murdoc would not need to rush back to the sickening odour of the bathroom any time soon, and interrupt their conversation.

Murdoc's eyes focused on Noodle for just one moment, before sliding back out again, and he slurred: "I 'ave a crush on 2D."

Noodle's face paled.

Yami's koi: YO! An update, ready for Easter! Sure, it's shorter, but it's of high quality. :P Lol.

2D: She knows! I'm doomed!

Yami's koi: heh… Um, anyways, I hope that you all have a very happy Easter! May the traditions of the season bless you with whatever you want…

Noodle: …

Yami's koi: Um… Yes, well… I think I've shocked her. :D See you later! Please drop me a line! XD