Yami's koi: I'm alive! Here's the update! I've found my writing self again now… I want to write this now. Whereas with some of the other chapters… I dunno… Things just weren't working out… Um, here's chapter seven!
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Unable to shake off the complex plagues of guilt and nervousness, Noodle reluctantly stepped out of Russel's people carrier, careful not to slip on the black ice.
2D smiled warmly at her, and offered her his hand in a brave moment. She took the man's scarred one gladly, happy for any excuse to be close to the vocalist.
As it was near Christmas, the parking area allocated for visitors was full of cars, and finding a space had been difficult, and now they had to face a slow, five minute walk across to the main building. 2D smirked slightly at this thought, and started up a quiet hum, feeling Noodle's chilled hands against his own. In their haste to visit Murdoc, they had forgotten most of their warmer clothes and accessories, which led to a very impatient Russel. Furious, 2D had stormed into the car, his top half exposed to the freezing air, grabbing yesterday's t-shirt as he went.
Noodle felt the thickness of 2D's fingers between her, and also the faint scratchiness of the man's woollen gloves, feeling slightly more at ease.
'2D is right… Why would Murdoc blame me? I didn't force him to drink anything, apart from water, but that was to help a hangover, not to make him throw up.'
Another little voice began to reason with the predominant one in Noodle's mind.
'But since he had his stomach pumped, which helped him more than the water, you did all you could. No matter how much water you could have given him, we'd still be here. And don't you forget it.'
With this in mind, and feeling less responsibility over the entire situation, Noodle grinned, too, and concentrated fully on keeping her footing. In her mind's eye, she would see herself falling, but 2D would be there to catch her, smiling and kissing her lips as she thanked him hurriedly.
Sadly, that did not happen. The three band mates crossed the car park with little difficulty, the soft little crunching noises that accompanied their footfalls fading as they trudged inside, heading up to the ward where Murdoc had been last night, admiring the fairy lights and tinsel hung on the walls. Russel was almost distracted by the canteen, until Noodle tugged him away, barely listening to the man's groaning as she asked a Nurse if Murdoc was still in the same place as last night.
"She said he is still recovering, and that we can see him," Noodle said after a moment, striding towards the end of the corridor, past wandering patients with numerous tubes sticking from their arms and walked into Murdoc's room.
What she saw almost immediately made her guilt deflate. Murdoc's dark, mismatched eyes blinked blearily up at her, and, ignoring stubbornly the sounds of a bleeping machine near to his head, held his arms out to her.
"C'mere, love."
With barely enough time to nod, Noodle rushed forwards and embraced Murdoc, trying hard not to squeeze or pull out any of the tubes that were sustaining the bassist. She inhaled his usual smell of tobacco, sweat and alcohol, and felt tears rise in her eyes.
"I thought... I thought you were going to die," She confessed, fisting the back of Murdoc's flimsy gown. "I thought it would be all my fault… I knew I shouldn't have left you and I'm so sorry…"
Murdoc understood enough about women to allow Noodle a few moments to compose herself before speaking, summoning up words of comfort.
"Look 'ere, Noodle," He said firmly, his voice gruffer than usual, "It ain't yer fault. I drunk maself silly las' nigh', an' I don't want you thinkin' it's all your fault, cause it's not, all righ'? It's my fault for bein' a big dick'ead, an' you can't help that. If I was gonna die, it woulda 'appened las' nigh', and… If you're that worried about me… I promise… Yew won't ever need to go to hospital for me over drink again. I promise."
Noodle stood back, her face reflecting the damage Murdoc had caused right back at him, and he flinched inwardly. She had simply been an innocent bystander that he had been stupid enough to bring into this, dragging her into a mess that was not her own. For that, Murdoc was guilty.
"Plus, Noodle, it was a good job you found this bastard before his time was up, otherwise we'd all be really sad righ' now." Russel continued, voicing what Murdoc could not. The bassist nodded and grinned at the two new arrivals, thankful that they had respected him enough to make things right with Noodle before approaching the man with chastisement.
Yet the berating never began. Noodle's face of fear and guilt, desperation and concern had been enough punishment for the man on this occasion, and Murdoc was glad that 2D and Russel recognised that.
2D… Murdoc's eyes rested on 2D for a moment, and read the emotion there through his still blurry eyes.
"You ain' got nothin' to worry about, 'D," Murdoc assured him quietly, when no one seemed to take note of the glance. "I don' hold anythin' against yew. I'm glad I did what I did because it's showed me 'ow stupid I've been. But I'm pissed that Noodle got involved, an' that's why I wished I'd kept me gob shut. Jus'… Don' mention it again and I'll be okay, righ'?"
2D nodded, his blackened eyes reflecting somewhat of a grin. He pushed his hand forward and waiting until Murdoc shook it before speaking.
"Good tew 'ave yew back, Mud's."
Russel's bewildered, calculating look did not go by unnoticed, and 2D quickly saved himself by asking Murdoc about the general state of the hospital and when the Doctors expected him out.
"Well, I did me kidneys and liver some bad damage, they said," Murdoc said casually, rolling his eyes, "But a wanna be outta here at the latest by tomorrer. This place is drivin' me crazy and I ain't even bin ere all that long." He scowled up at the plain walls, and Noodle simply sighed. She had once been confined to a hospital bed, and although it had been for but a short while, it had seemed like an eternity before the Nurses had discharged her, allowing her back into the freedom and colourful outside world.
"I've brought yer some DVD's, anyway, jus' to keep yer occupied for a bit," 2D said brightly, taking the bag from Russel and handing it over to the bassist. "I got yer the Crow, South Park series three, and Land of the dead."
Murdoc snorted. "Thanks. I'm sure that's the kinda thing the Nurses'll want me watchin'."
Noodle smiled at the band member, feeling everyone slowly relaxing and acting as they would back home. "I'm sure you won't have a problem with that." She replied sweetly, just as a Nurse entered the room.
"Hello there!" She said brightly, glancing down at her clipboard for a moment before addressing the group. "I'm so glad he's got visitors, he's been moaning all morning about how lonely he's been."
"Bored," Murdoc corrected her, "Not lonely. Jus' bored."
The Nurse nodded. "My name is Selphie and I've been watching Murdoc since his arrival," She informed the group, her young face twitching into a smile, "He's quite the character. He informs us that someone was there to help him and for that, I am thankful. You couldn't have prevented what was going to happen, but you dehydrated him long enough to last until we took him into care. Thank you."
Noodle blushed, staring down at her feet for a moment before voicing the question Murdoc desperately wanted answering.
"When will he be allowed out?"
Selphie looked down at her notes once more. "The Doctors say that he is making a speedy recovery, but we might have to keep him in for observation for up to two more days."
Murdoc groaned and pulled his pillow over his face. Selphie chuckled.
"It's not all bad. We're just making sure that there are no long-term effects on your vital organs, Mr Niccals. We don't want you back here in tree days' time, complaining that your liver has packed in. I am sure that your friends don't want to be here any more than what you do, however the Doctors may change their mind." She informed him softly, sympathy in her emerald eyes.
Murdoc mumbled something from beneath the pillow, and 2D shook his head.
"Don' worry 'bout 'im, love, he's always a miserable git."
"'D, language," Russel warned, offering the healer an apologetic glance, much to her amusement.
"It wouldn't be a normal day if I didn't hear some form of curse from either a patient or a family member," She said, grinning, "I just hope that this has made you realise, Mr Niccals, that you shouldn't drink excessively all the time. It would do you some good to stop smoking, too." She added as an afterthought.
Murdoc's face emerged from beneath the pillow. "It's hard!" He whined, looking through the DVD's and selecting the South Park DVD's, "And whilst you're ere, could yer be a doll and put this on for me?"
Noodle gasped, fearing that Selphie would take the man's nature as being rude, but she just laughed and did so, inserting the disc into the DVD tray and making sure that the TV worked before leaving.
They stayed like this for a while, simply watching the toilet humour before Russel stretched, yawning, surprised when almost three hours had passed since their arrival. Murdoc raised an eyebrow.
"You 'ave to be somewhere, fat-ass?"
Russel glared at the man but chose to ignore what he just said.
"I'm jus' thinkin' about the roads an' about what to make for tea."
For some reason, that stirred within 2D a strange thought. After he and Noodle had had a snowball fight, he had used his computer to order some Shaman King, Hello Kitty and Pucca merchandise for the girl, ensuring that the packages would get to him quicker by paying the seller just a bit extra. He wondered for a moment if they had arrived, when Murdoc growled low in his throat, distracting the vocalist.
Although the bassist had let the man know that their were no hard feelings, 2D could tell the man still harboured feelings for him. Emotions such as lust, anger and resentment, no matter how much a person insists, never vanish in the instant that they atone for what they supposedly did. Murdoc wouldn't say it, and would not express it, but the feelings for 2D would always be there, building until the sexual frustration built up and they were vented on some willing passer-by, leaving them broken hearted and used in the morning when they found out Murdoc was gone. 2D suppressed a sigh at these troublesome thoughts, almost wishing that he could prevent this from happening, although he was not willing to do the things Murdoc asked of him.
He silently cursed whatever Gods were listening for making the emotions within a human so complex. The vocalist could feel a migraine approaching, and his lack of food was not helping the matter. As if to taunt him, his stomach emitted a loud rumble, causing Murdoc to snort.
"Yer ain't gonna find any food worth 'avin' ere. S'all shit unless yer like it when yer can taste the paper."
2D shuddered. "Gross," He muttered, his stomach aching once more, "But I definitely need some food."
Russel looked over at him. "You wanna take off and grab something to eat?"
2D gave Murdoc a glance, giving the bassist an opportunity to voice his opinion on the idea, but he just shrugged, acting indifferent.
"Okies." 2D agreed, taking out his wallet and counting up how much money he had brought with him. In total, he had £23.49.
"I think we should split it," Noodle suggested, bringing fifteen out and adding it to the amount in 2D's hand before he could protest. Russel took out a twenty and handed it to 2D, giving the man a look that let him know that if their money was lost, his head would roll.
2D gulped.
"Well, thanks fer seein' me," Murdoc growled, giving only Noodle a hug before turning back to watch the animated cartoon, letting them know he had slipped back into his usual broody self. The three left the room without a further word, smiling to Selphie as they passed, darting around other patients to get out quickly.
"Shit…" Russel cursed, looking outside, Noodle's eyes widening happily.
Whilst they had been inside, another wave of snow had fallen from the sky, with just a few lonesome flakes drifting onto the scene below. The cars were decorated with the white, crunchy substance, a thin layer protecting those –
SLAM!
2D's snowball connected soundly with the side of Russel's face, the ball separating upon connection and scattering Noodle with snow ever so slightly. Already 2D was gathering up another, getting ready to aim before Russel caught onto the game and darted behind a nearby car, Noodle following suit. The girl gathered some snow in her trembling hands, patting it to make sure it would not break during flight, before emerging from her hiding place and throwing the snowball with all her might.
It connected with 2D's arm, and the man grinned before throwing one in her general vicinity, despite knowing she had already changed position. He narrowly missed one from the drummer, just a few flakes slicing his cheek. The man edged his way around the large car, taking a risk as he moved to where Noodle had been but moments before, hurling a fresh snowball at her, whilst being assaulted by Russel from behind. He moved to the left, dropping to a crouch as he darted in between cars.
The car park was quiet, except for the occasional shriek when a snowball connected with bare skin. By this time, Noodle's fingers were raw and red, trembling as she forced herself to gather more snow into a snowball. The yuki, as it was called in her native language, seemed to sink through her frozen skin, chilling her insides as she threw it, managing to hit Russel square on the head, giggling.
"NOODLE!"
Noodle continued to chuckle quietly from her hiding place, which had ended up being a small area behind a car and a few small bushes. She kneeled down on the floor and slowly poked her head out from the side of the car, her eyes scanning the area for signs of her band mates.
"Noodle, we can team up against Russel, ya know!"
Came a somewhat close voice. Noodle glanced to her right, and crawled over to where the voice was coming from – That is, two cars ahead. 2D sat there, grinning at her like a little boy on his birthday, his bangs dripping with melted snowflakes. He waved her over, and the two swapped battle plans.
"I think, judging from where Russel threw his last, he's over there." Noodle decided after hearing 2D's thoughts, huddling close to the man in her cold state.
2D nodded. "Good girl. Now all we need is a plan to get 'im out, and we're announced the winners!"
Noodle nodded and, mustering the remainder of her strength that wasn't being exerted on warming her poor body, lobbed a fresh snowball behind a red car, hearing a loud shout.
"FUCKIN' 'ELL! IT'S INSIDE!" Russel screamed, standing up and wriggling, trying to get the cold substance from beneath his clothes.
At this point 2D stood also, and then began the assault of Russel, tiring only when the snow began to drift down more frequently, the drummer sighing as the two emerged from their hiding place, grinning at the soaked musician.
((At Kong))
2D leapt forwards and grabbed at the slip shoved into the letterbox haphazardly, its edges fluttering in the wind. He scanned it quickly and rolled his eyes, growling. He had missed the mailman, meaning that the post would be delivered tomorrow morning… With every possibility that Noodle would reach the post before him, resulting in one very embarrassed 2D.
Thinking on this, the three separated their ways, Noodle rushing to her room and turning on her mobile phone, reaching a number she had dialled so many times before she had almost memorised in her phone book. She waited just a few moments before the person on the other end picked up.
"Talk to me, Noodle."
The voice wasn't unpleasant, meaning that Zell was having a fairly decent day. Noodle settled back against her headboard, mind wiped clean of her earlier thoughts that involved her leaving Kong permanently as she struck up a conversation with someone she considered a best friend.
"So, whatcha up to? Wanna go shopping for some prezzies soon? I haven't even started yet; I've been saving up for something special… If you know what I mean…" Zell said, seemingly all in one breath.
Noodle grinned, shifting on her bed. "I promised 2D I'd go with him, but if you want you could join us."
"Nah, I wouldn't wanna break up the happy couple now, would I?" Zell said airily, not quite missing Noodle's gasp from the other end. "So, has he popped your cherry yet?" He continued, quite nonchalant.
"Zell!" Noodle cried, flushed red from embarrassment, "2D-san is just a band mate and friend, he's--"
"'Like a part of the family, Zell, I see him like a brother and nothing more!'" The boy said with a giggle. He stared ahead at the various guns hanging from his wall, a tribute to his late Grandfather's memory. "Seriously, Nood's, you'd have to be a dickface not to notice how you feel about him. Sure, people think Murdoc and 2D have something-" Noodle suppressed a wince, "-But there's a pretty big faction out there saying otherwise, that he likes you and will one day make his move."
Noodle groaned, massaging her temple with still frozen fingers. "And I bet I know who leads that faction…" She muttered, making Zell laugh.
"Nah, but I'm a pretty big believer. Noodle, even Squall tells me he thinks there's something going on. And whilst I'm still thinking about it, how's Murdoc? I've heard his in hospital over something pretty big… What's up?"
Noodle cursed herself. How naïve she had been not to realise that such a story would reach the ears of those poised with pen and paper. She made a mental note to check out Russel's newspaper when she went down for something warm to drink.
"It's kind of a secret, but I'm sure at least half of the stories out there are true, it's just a shame half of the 2D and Murdoc fan girls will never hear the full one." She confessed, her tone of voice letting Zell know that this was one secret he would have to keep even from his closest of friends.
"Murdoc took 2D aside for a moment and, well, kissed him. 2D told him that he doesn't think that way of Murdoc… And kinda left in a hurry. So Murdoc went back to the Winnebago, and…"
By the time Noodle had finished, Zell was left totally speechless, a trait very out of character for the energetic boxing fanatic. After a long pause he released a slow, hushed word of awe.
"Shit…" Zell moved towards his door, poking his head down the stairs, checking to see if his Mother was still downstairs cooking, chatting away to her friend. Nodding to himself, he retreated back into his room and began to speak. "Seriously, this is huge. How are you feeling? Any guilt left over?"
Noodle shrugged. "Not really. 2D-san made me feel better after I tried to run away. I just had to listen, I didn't have a choice, but after I saw Murdoc he reassured me, too. He's a good gie at heart."
There was another voice then from Zell's end, and the boy returned before Noodle could question him. "Fuck, I've gotta go, Noodle. If you need me, you know where I live, you have my email address and you somehow know my phone number." He hesitated. "If you can, meet me tomorrow at twelve down town. We can catch up before Christmas and stuff."
"Wouldn't you rather meet with Squall… Or even maybe Irvine?" Noodle said slyly, almost feeling her friend's blush from down the phone.
"N-No! Just be there, okay?" Zell asked, hanging up.
((Eleven fifteen))
Noodle had woken up with a lot of time spare on her hands. Bored, she looked lazily around her room, and then rolled off her bed and onto a crouch on her floor. She reached out under her bed and fumbled around for a moment before her fingers clasped what she was looking for. She pulled out her most recent photo album, and settled back down onto her cushy bed to examine it.
The first few images were simply of the band whilst touring various parts of the world, with a few random shots of places that were of significant interest to the teenager. She then halted upon her friend's section, taking time to read what she had written beneath each one.
'Outside McDonald's, 25/4/05. I find out Zell has a taste for hamburgers as well as hotdogs…' This showed her blonde friend poised to eat a very large, very unhealthy piece of food, a brunette lurking in the background, his hand pressed to the side of his face in deep thought.
Both lead some complicated love lives, Noodle realised. Squall was a very closed and subdued person by nature, labelled by those who did not know him as a 'miserable bastard.' He wasn't very good at showing his feelings, which Zell happened to be extremely good at. He always said whatever came into his head, usually finding out what the consequences of doing that a few seconds later. He would be full of energy and ready to take up new challenges, and Zell would never hold back his own opinion on any matter.
Ever since she had arrived in England, Noodle had attended school. Insisting that she went to a mainstream, public school, she enrolled and wondered if she made a bad decision, only when she cast her eyes over her new classmates.
The only person who had spoken to her was Zell. At the time, Noodle could only speak broken English, and Zell was prepared to be patient, for once, and take his time with the girl, using his limited knowledge of Japanese to help interpret what she really meant when people misunderstood her. It was slow moving, but after a few months, Noodle picked up English quickly, and she only had Zell to thank. They had been friends ever since, and Noodle began to socialise with those the blonde considered to be friendly, finding each of them very different from the other.
This way of interacting in school had made things somewhat difficult for Noodle at one point. Targeted for being famous and befriending who were considered freaks, those who were popular and everything she did not want to be confronted her, using pathetic taunts and the usual bullying techniques to try and scare her away.
Upon hearing the news, Zell had donned his boxing gloves, the sport a big passion of his, and fought the 'shit riding cock masters,' as he had called them, a bold statement no one had dared make before. Even Squall raised an eyebrow at this, fazed by the sudden outburst of violence. It was something the blonde did not exercise often, and it earned him a bad reputation, but he didn't care. For once, he had found someone he could genuinely relate to, in more ways than one, although Noodle was oblivious to this obvious yet startling connection.
Noodle sighed, returning to the present, and glanced at her alarm clock. Her eyes widened when she realised how much time thinking could take up. She grabbed the coat and shoulder bag she had laid out the night before, tugging on a beanie and gloves as she passed the doorway, watching as 2D signed for some bulky items. The man glanced at her and cried out, trying desperately to hide his packages. Noodle stared.
"Um, hi, Noodle." 2D said, stuttering. He fidgeted on his feet for a moment. "You goin' ta meet Zell now?"
Noodle nodded. "What have you got there, 2D-san…?" She asked suspiciously, craning her neck to see what he was holding. 2D shifted so she could not see.
"Jus' some things little girls shouldn't see."
"Oh, so you've bought a porno?"
"Noodle!" 2D cried, aghast. A blush formed on his cheeks and he wanted to turn to hide it, not doing so only at the last moment in case Noodle saw what he had brought her. "Jus'… Jus' go out and 'ave some fun. Don't forget to save some money so we can go out in a few days, awrigh'?" 2D chided, almost pushing her out of the front door.
Noodle pouted, shivering against the cold outside despite her thick, warm coat.
"No hug?"
2D grinned. "I'm not falling for that one. Now go, and make sure you tell that young man I said 'Hi.'"
Noodle nodded, hurting just a little bit by the refused hug. "Okay…" She said, turning and walking down the driveway to Kong, now really in a hurry.
2D growled low at himself as he watched her figure getting smaller and smaller, battling her way slowly through and against the elements. He slammed the door shut, glaring down at the presents he had brought her. He opened up the packages and smiled at what he saw.
Inside one was one special edition Shaman King graphic novel, alongside two doujinshi. They were written in Japanese, but the fan-made comics contained stories that involved Yoh and Amidamaru, the two who Noodle believed to be in love. He flicked open a page idly, his eyes widening when he saw the samurai and Shaman kissing hotly… Naked… With a certain appendage halfway inside Yoh's…
Forcing himself to look away, 2D turned his attentions to the other packages. Inside was various merchandise he had won, including Hello Kitty jewellery and a Pucca handbag. Although some of the Hello Kitty collectibles were slightly babyish, he knew that Noodle would adore them, having seen her gush over similar items when they had been out shopping together.
The man sighed. That day seemed so long ago now. Since then, he had been kissed by Murdoc, had prevented Noodle from running away, had to visit the hospital because of the man and make some ragged form of apology, as well as enduring endless questioning from Russel, doing his best to hide away his feelings from the both of them.
It was all becoming a bit taxing. The man glared at the wall in front and without a single yelp of pain, hit the wall with his fist.
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Yami's koi: Yes, Zell, Selphie, Irvine and Squall are the same ones from Final Fantasy VIII. I just liked to add them in as a bit of a subplot, nothing too serious though. Plus, Noodle needs a gay friend, right:P I shall write soon!