Sorry I was a day late. I got ten reviews the very day I posted the last chapter, so I feel bad that I didn't post this sooner, but I was still typing it up. I hope you all like it. Be sure to point out mistakes... I hate mistakes. XP

IMPORTANT!
FYI, I am going to be changing the rating of this story to M, for various reasons, but don't let your mind jump to the conclusion that things are going to happen in the next chapter, 'cause thing aren't going to happen… at least not the things I'm sure you all want. Calm yourselves… you might spontaneously combust. And then, how will you read? Just remember, when chapter 31 is posted, the rating is going to change!

Thanks for the support everyone!

As the light of the morning sun crept into the lighthouse, hitting everything with a warm touch, Noodle finally woke, her body tired and numb, and she didn't want to leave this unfathomably comfortable spot just this moment, so she stayed where she lay, 2D's arms around her waist as he continued to cling onto his sleep for just a few moments longer. Her face was blank, and her eyes seemed tired as she looked around the room before her, most of her vision blocked by 2D's body in front of her, but she still refused to move. She could still feel the demons pricking beneath her skin, their presence was thick and foreboding. As the feeling persisted, she could hear one of them laugh at her distress, and she closed her eyes, trying to shut them out, but her effort was in vain. She bit her lip, her eyes becoming heavier as time past by slowly, and though she could still feel them, they seemed to not dare draw any closer. With a long, drawn out sigh, Noodle pulled back slightly, but her movement caused 2D's mind to stir. His eyebrows perked as he struggled to open his heavy eyes, and he rubbed his eyelids, attempting to wipe away the blurred vision.

Once Noodle came into his focus, he smiled as she stared back at him, and he moved his face toward hers. As he came close enough to kiss her lips, she shifted her face away, and his lips met her warm cheek. He scrunched one of his eyebrows in confusion, but he kept his lips against her skin, figuring she just wasn't in the mood for his contact. Noodle frowned to herself, knowing 2D might've been hurt by her actions, but she didn't want to send him the wrong message. She needed to distance herself when she was so unstable; she couldn't afford to allow 2D to feel safe around her, or she may end up hurting him. Furiously, the other half of Noodle's mind fought hard, trying to make her understand that 2D's presence kept her sane, and his touch drove them away, but she chose to ignore her heart's pleas. She didn't feel safe, and she couldn't allow herself to give in, and let herself go. She didn't want to feel vulnerable.

"Good morning, love," 2D's soft voice cut into the nostalgic silence. He kissed her cheek again, brushing his fingers over the bruise that marred her skin.

"Good morning, 2D" she answered back as he nuzzled his face into her skin. Her eyes shifted from place to place, and she desperately wanted him to continue. She wanted to close her eyes, and let him touch her all morning long, but she couldn't. She bit her lip, her face continually impassive, and she finally pulled away. 2D's smile wavered, but he kept his focus on Noodle as he watched her move away, standing to her feet as she left the bed.

"Whot's on yo mind, love?" He asked as he sat up, combing his hand through the knots of his hair.

She looked to him, meeting his eyes. "Nothing… I'm just tired is all," she spoke quickly. She gave him a reassuring grin before turning away, and picking out her outfit for the day.

He nodded to himself, then grinned back. "Awright… Are yew gonna grab some breakfast?" He asked, watching as she moved to exit the bedroom.

She turned to 2D, and shook her head. "No. I'm not hungry right now."

"I am. I'm 'ungry," he finished as she left, and made her way to the bathroom, locking the door.

She could hear from the bathroom as 2D left the lighthouse, and with a sigh, she began to run the hot water, watching the mirror as it began to fog up, and she finally climbed into the shower, and scrubbed her skin until it began to sting, then she washed out her hair. When she finally felt clean, Noodle dried herself with a towel, and wrapped it around her hair as she got dressed, then dried her hair out as best she could before brushing through it with a comb. Once she was satisfied, she left the room, and the lighthouse. She wandered outside, shivering as the warm air hit her skin, but it felt good. All too soon, she could feel the demons again, and they stalked close to her side now that she was alone, and she did her best to drown out their noise. She did so by concentrating on the noise of the island, such as those two birds, and the swaying of the ocean, along with the gentle wind pushing the plastic leaves of the fake trees.

On an upper level of Plastic Beach, 2D was having a smoke as he popped a couple of his pills, and took a seat at the kitchen table. Today felt odd, but then, everyday did he supposed. But there was something particular about today, and yesterday as well. Since Noodle had come back, she'd always been battling with herself, but the past couple of days seemed particularly difficult for her. Was it because of him? He sighed, wondering if Noodle was fairing any better in this moment, now that he'd left her alone again.

He rubbed his face, taking a deep drag from his cigarette. He couldn't get her off of his mind. She'd seemed so hurt yesterday, and she had even started cutting herself again. A tear streamed down his face as he thought about the forlorn look she had worn the night before. She'd seemed so lost and dejected, but she relaxed whenever he had touched her. Was she simply trying to hide it from him? He couldn't believe that he'd actually helped her in any way. It was unfathomable. He had already accepted that his love for her would never be returned, like a dead-end relationship, but he was okay with that, as long as she would allow him to be near her, he could handle it. But now, she was giving into him… should he feel happy for that, or should it worry him that she may turn around and break his heart once more?

He shook his head, knowing Noodle would never do that to him, even if she wasn't the same girl she used to be, she was still in there somewhere… but he didn't know how to help her. He felt as though his intervening would only make matters worse, and he would hurt her again.

Noodle now sat on the shore, tossing random bits of debris her fingers came across into the water. She sighed, "I guess the water could not get much dirtier," she spoke to herself.

"I don't think so either," Kazuno chirped, now sitting next to Noodle. Noodle looked down to the child, her eyebrow arched questioningly. "What are you thinking about, Noodle-chan?" Kazuno questioned.

Noodle breathed out, and stared out into the horizon. "I do not want to be here anymore… it does not feel right… I feel like something bad is about to happen… all of the time…" She spoke, hoping that her worries would be put to rest, but knowing they never would. Kazuno only nodded, so Noodle continued. "I dislike being on this pile of rubbish… I want to be far away from here, and never come back… I could stay lost forever… Every moment, I could feel free and home, wherever I was… And… I would take 2D-kun as well… We do not belong here –especially not him… He doesn't deserve this…"

Kazuno grinned, "You should do it."

Noodle gasped, and looked at Kazuno, "How could I? ... I mean…"

Kazuno held Noodle's hand, "You are too scared."

Noodle bowed her head, and tried to change the direction of her thoughts. "I sometime wonder what 2D-kun is dreaming about… I wonder…"

"…does he dream of you," Kazuno finished her thought.

Noodle shook her head with a short laugh, "I thank the heavens that I have him… I could have never gotten through this life, and live without him... I do not deserve him… He could be without me… He does not need me here for him."

The child shook her head, and stood to her feet. "Noodle-chan, I want to show you something."

Noodle looked to Kazuno, "What?" She was about to stand to her feet, but the child moved her hand to Noodle's shoulder, and then pressed her other hand to Noodle's temple. "Kazuno-chan, what are you –" Noodle sucked in a sharp breath as she seemed to be pulled into her own mind, and was now watching a scene unfold before her.

Mike the monkey was busy making himself at home in Noodle's bedroom, which meant destruction to everything he touched. "Aya! Dame! Bad monkey! My room! Knock it off," Noodle began to scold him, throwing her water bottle at him, which flew across the room to hit the troublesome monkey in the head, and he was thrown back off of her bed, hitting the floor headfirst. He grunted, and began yammering on, seemingly chastising Noodle. She sneered, yelling back, "Iie! Urasai, baka!" He bit his lip, and bowed his head, then walked up to Noodle, holding out his long, lanky hand. She took it, and he shook her hand. "Good boy," she whispered with a grin. "Please stop destroying my room," she told him. She bent down to his level, smiling at him. He smiled back, and gave her a thumbs-up, and she giggled, standing to her feet as she pet his head. "Arigato, Mike-chan."

"Noodle? Baby-girl? Watchew doin, kid?" Russel's voice called from down the hall. She smiled widely, and ran out of her room towards his voice. She skidded to a stop once she saw him, and bowed as he smiled down at her.

"Hallo, Russel-sama," she greeted him. He opened his arms, and she grinned as she rushed forward and jumped into his arms.

"Do you know where everyone's at, baby-girl," he asked, not expecting a clear answer. He knew how hard it was for her to speak English.

She nodded her head, "Murdoc-san just got here a couple of hours ago, with his bird, Cortez. Cortez tried pecking Mike, my monkey, but Mike bonked him on the head," she made a motion with her fists, showing how Mike hit the bird, "And then, after Murdoc-san yelled at Mike, he went to his winnebago, and started cleaning it. And…" Russel just stared down at Noodle as she talked on, his jaw agape widely. He shook his head, and closed his mouth, waiting for Noodle to finish. "…But 2D-kun hasn't gotten here yet. I don't know where he is." She finished with a frown.

"Uh… Noodle… how in hell is you speaking English like that right now," he asked, aghast by her profound expanse of vocabulary. She'd had almost none of that when he'd last saw her. Now she was speaking the language as if she had all of her life, and she didn't even throw in a little Japanese accent. No, it was all smooth and clear.

She smiled, "When we split up, I went back home."

He scrunched his brow, tilting his head to the side. "Home? Here?"

She shook her head, "No. I went to Japan, to search for my past: why I was having such strange dreams, and feeling as though I was missing such a large part of myself," she began, her eyes seeming to glaze over as she told her story. "Most of my searching was in vain. Every trail I stumbled upon went cold, or became a dead-end, and I would be forced to start from scratch once again. Finally, after weeks of fruitless tracking, I decided to enjoy my time in my home country, and wandered through Tokyo, and came across a nice little restaurant. I ordered my food, and one of the waitresses had an accident, and starting muttering, and then yelled out the words 'ocean bacon'." Noodle paused, looking up at Russel with a grin, as if he somehow knew the rest of the story.

He grimaced. "'Ocean bacon'? What's that? How does that have anything to do with any of this," he gestured to her.

She giggled, "That is my code-phrase." She explained. He seemed to want to ask another question, but she beat him to it. "It's a phrase that unlocks my memory. Before I came to Kong, my memory was erased, and 'ocean bacon' unlocks my memories for me. After I got my memory back, everything made sense once more. I could speak every language, I remember who I used to be, and why I was created, and why I was orphaned. And lucky me, my mentor Kyuzo was the head-chef at that restaurant I came to, and he further explained everything, and told me I was the only one of twenty-three children who had survived, while all of my comrades were slaughtered… Kyuzo-sensei… He saved my life," Noodle's smile faded, and her lips seemed to tremble as she thought of it, but she quickly composed herself, not wanting to sully the happy mood with her brooding.

"That's a lot ta take in at one time, baby-girl," Russel told her. He took her hand, and then led them to the lounge, and they both sat on the sofa, with them facing each other. "Alright. You tell me yo story, an' I'll sit here, an' listen," he suggested, wanting her to explain everything. Noodle smiled, and then began to tell her tale of searching, and the adventures she had before she crossed paths with Kyuzo, and the things he told her. She told Russel about how she was a trained soldier and everything she knew, and he nodded. He'd always known there was something special about her. Sure, anyone could see it, but he saw further, that she was more than special… she was spectacular, and no one could ever come close to matching her. After a good hour had gone by, Noodle took a deep breath, and looked up to Russel, waiting for any response. He smiled with a chuckle, "Dat sounds like ya had a good time, baby-girl… I'm glad ya foun' everythin' you was looking for."

She nodded with a grin. "Arigato, Russel-sama."

"Does Muds know you speakin' English?" He asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Noodle nodded again. "Yes, but he didn't ask how or why. All he said was 'It's about time you stopped muttering in Asian, duck. Now go be a good girl, and get Uncle Mudsie a beer.' So I did," she told him, not even bothering to try and imitate Murdoc's voice for the moment, but she felt she should have just for the fun of it.

Russel chuckled, shaking his head, "Figures…" Next he stood, but before he made a move to go anywhere, he looked down at Noodle, studying this young girl before him, as if she were a total stranger. He noticed how she'd thinned out, and grown taller. He noticed how her hair had grown long and wild, and changed in colour. "Yo beautiful, baby-girl."

She bowed her head with a grin, her face flushed, "Thank you… er, Russel-sama?"

"Yeah, baby-girl," he spoke, looking at her curiously, now that she seemed to want to tell him something more.

She smirked. "I have something for you," she chirped, and then ran off, only to return moments later, and she handed him a notebook.

He looked at it, confused, but never opened it. "What's dis, Noodle?"

Her eyes grew wide beneath her fringe as she told him with excitement. "Our newest album! I wrote it all myself! It has all our parts and our beats, and the music and lyrics." She smiled widely.

He studied the pages of the book carefully, and an impish smile grew on his lips. "You wrote this?" She nodded. "Damn… But, we're still missin' somethin' kid." Her face dropped, and her head tilted to the side questioningly. "Stuart."

She frowned, her stomach aching and turning itself as she thought about how she had missed him, her closest friend. "But I do not know where he is," she spoke in a low voice.

Russel smirked, and reached into his trouser's pocket, pulling out his cell phone. "His number's in d'ere. I bet if you called 'im up, or sent 'D a text, sayin' it's you, he'd come from wherever he was. Even if dat's from the other side o'the world."

Noodle smiled brightly, taking the phone from Russel's large hand with great care. "Really?" He nodded, and she squealed, then rushed forward to give him a hug. "Arigato gozaimasu!" She squeaked. She opened the device, and quickly scrolled through the numbers, and found 2D's listed number easily. She bit her lip, wondering how best to try to contact him, and decided he wouldn't recognize her voice, so she went with a text, typing it out and sending it to him quickly, praying he would get it, and he would believe her: 2D, need u back at Kong 4 our next album. Plz come home –Noodle

Days had passed by at Kong Studios, and with no word or response, after hours of tears, and gut-wrenching hurt, Noodle felt as though all was lost. He wasn't coming… he didn't care. So she remained quiet and reserved as the days progressed, and she was now in the kitchen, by Russel's side as they both cleaned the dishes. She gave a small sigh, and readjusted her fringe, then went back to wiping the little buggers dry. She seemed to drown everything out all around her, and therefore didn't hear as Russel called her name. He nudged her in the side, maybe a little too roughly because she stumbled over, catching herself on the counter. She flashed her eyes to him, wide-eyed. He chuckled, "Sorry, baby-girl… Come on… I think someone's 'ere," he said with a smirk.

She tilted her head to the side, "Who?"

Russel shrugged. "I dunno. Let's go an' find out," he suggested. She gave a nod, and then followed him to the lift as they made their way to the car lot. You'd think by living in a place as expansive as Kong, it would make it difficult to hear much of anything, but Russel guessed even the vast space of Kong Studio's couldn't hide Murdoc when he yelled a complaint. Once Russel had heard Murdoc blabbering about noise, and well, the usual, Russel knew something was up, so he had to go and see if his suspicions were correct.

Noodle looked around the lot curiously, and noticed a vehicle that had not been there before, but she guessed maybe it was Russel's. She hadn't exactly been down here since Murdoc had gotten back, and she never questioned how either of them had gotten home, so she shook it off quickly, but became confused when Russel made a beeline to 2D's room. She began to panic. She couldn't go into 2D's room, especially when he wasn't home, and she didn't have permission.

Of course, Russel paid no mind as he went on his way, and swung open the door so that it hit the wall. Noodle couldn't see anything, as she was standing directly behind Russel, but she could definitely hear as a high-voice yelped, and then the voice began to speak. "Fuck, Russ. I didn't fink yew were 'ere yet. Yeh nearly gave me a 'eart attack," he said as he clutched his chest with hand. Noodle scrunched her brow, confused. This person certainly sounded like 2D, and that was overwhelmingly exciting for the young teen, but his voice was lacking in the awkward, stuttering man she once remembered… His voice sounded confident. She peeked around Russel, and her heart nearly exploded, so she dug her hands into Russel's shirt, keeping herself firmly in place as she studied 2D from a distance, biting her lip nervously. He sure had changed… his hair seemed to have gotten brighter, he was wearing a small grin as he looked up at Russel, and he stood up straight. Who was this new, brave 2D? Was he still the same man she called her best friend?

He caught a glimpse of a young girl standing behind Russel, and his face dropped. "'Ello? 'oo's tha' Russel," he looked up to Russel again. "S'she a new band membah? Where's Noodle?" He asked, now realising he hadn't seen the tiny girl since he'd arrived. But the girl standing behind Russel quickly caught his attention again. She stared at him from behind Russel, a grimace on her face, or what he could see of it. Most of her small, cute face was covered by that fringe she wore so low in front of her eyes.

Russel frowned, looking down to Noodle by his side, and almost began to laugh to himself when he realised 2D wouldn't be able to register that Noodle would have grown while he was away, so of course he wouldn't recognize the Noodle he saw now. It was as if she was a complete stranger. "Um," Russel scratched the back of his head. He looked back to Noodle. "I'mma go an' make us all some lunch, baby-girl," she nodded, and began to follow him as he walked out the door. "Oh no," he stopped her in place, and pushed her back, turning her to face 2D. She bowed her head, hiding her hands behind her back as she bit her lip. "Yo gonna stay here, an'… introduce yoself," he chuckled, then closed the door behind him, trusting that 2D wouldn't try anything that would get him into trouble. He knew that 2D wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything with Noodle, even if he didn't know that's who the girl was, he wouldn't try that with a girl who was so young… Now, any girl over that age of sixteen was a different story.

"Um… hi," Noodle whispered, blushing madly as she bit her lip again and she dug her foot into the floor.

2D smiled, and chirped "Ello, love. Whot's your name?"

Noodle looked up at him, letting her hands rest at her side. She wore a frown, but 2D couldn't see the sadness in her hidden eyes. "You do not recognize me… do you?" She asked.

His head tilted to the side, "Um." He began to scratch his neck nervously. "Should I?" Her lips trembled, and his face fell when he saw the dejected look on her face. "Aw, I'm sowwy, love." He told her, not wanting to see her cry.

She grinned slightly, her chest still aching. "Daijoubu da, 2D-kun," she told him.

His eyes grew wide, and he smiled goofily. "'Ey… wait, yew jus' spoke Japanese like…" His face dropped, and he seemed to be thinking a moment before he nodded to himself, grinning again, and looked to her. "Noodle! Look 'at yew, my lil love! Yew're so beau'iful!" She smiled, and stepped forward, then ran into 2D's arms, now opened widely for her. He hugged her tightly. "I missed yew so much, love," he cooed. "I can't believe I wos dumb enough ta let yew go an' explore te worl' awl by yoself when yew wos so li'l… but yew're so big now," he told her, pulling away to look at her face. He lifted his hand, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "My Noodle is awl grown up."

Her lips trembled again, and she buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I missed you so much, 2D-kun," she cried. "I was scared that you did not get my text, and you would not come back. I was so scared I had lost you," she told him, sniveling.

He pulled away, his face somber. He wiped her tears away. "I would never let yew lose me, Noodle… I'm glad yew texted me when yew did, so I could come 'ome… I woulda never came back if I f'ought yew wouldn' be 'ere. I dun wanna be 'ere wiffout yew. Yew light up me life." He told her with a sad grin. Abruptly, a thought occurred to him, and he stood up straight once more. He seemed to be examining her as he brushed his hands through her hair, and he ran his thumb beneath her eye, as if he were checking to see that it was the right colour. "Noodle? How did yew come ta be speakin' English so well?"

She giggled, leaning her head to rest against his chest. "That is a long story, Stuart-kun."

He smiled, hugging her to him again. "Yew know me, love. I 'aven't changed. I love a good story… even when I dun undastand ih awl tha' well," he laughed.

Noodle let out a deep breath, as if she'd been holding it for hours. Her eyes shifted, and she saw Kazuno smiling down at her from where she sat on the ground. "That was from so long ago," she spoke quietly. "Kazuno, how did you…" she stopped, and shook her head, deciding it best not to question how any of what she'd just seen was possible. She smiled, closing her eyes as tears streamed down her face. She'd not remembered the joy she'd had when 2D had come back to her. But how odd was that at the exact same time?

There had been a time in their lives, when 2D had left her and found himself, and she in turn found out her past. He came back a better and stronger person, but she was still the most important being in his life. But on the other hand, when she had left him, she came back broken and lost. She came back and only hurt him in a continuous cycle… but, at least it seemed to be calming down somewhat. Kazuno frowned as she felt Noodle's ever changing emotions, and her eyes dimmed. She knew she would have to deal with this, in some way or another.

Noodle stood to her feet, and began to wander once more, not caring for anything as the darkness descended on her again. They would never leave her be. The question was, how far would they go? And could she handle it once they did…

Weep for yourself, my man
You'll never be what is in your heart
Weep little lion man
You're not as brave as you were at the start
Rate yourself and rape yourself,
Take all the courage you have left
Wasted on fixing all the problems
That you made in your own head

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear?
Didn't I, my...

Tremble for yourself, my man
You know that you have seen this all before
Tremble little lion man,
You'll never settle any of your scores
Your grace is wasted in your face,
Your boldness stands alone among the wreck
Learn from your mother
Or else spend your days biting your own neck

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear?

Well it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear?

Didn't I, my dear?

Ahhhhh...

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear? (x2)

Didn't I, my dear?

Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man

You know the routine. I hope you all like the chapter, and the flashback as well. I thought it was kind of cute, maybe a little…

O.o

Until next time everyone

~Hazel