Okay, so this chapter was really… hard for me. I don't know why, to be honest. I knew everything I wanted to happen, but I think it's way too short. In my honest opnion, this chapter is pure shit, and I can only hope that when you guys read, it, it doesn't move too quickly, and it actually makes sense. So here's to hoping, since I kinda owe this chapter to you guys. I apologize that it's not very good though. I promise I'll try to make the next one as best as I can XP Thank you to everyone who's been reviewing, by the way. I feel bad for what I'm about to do with the story. You guys made me feel guilty, but I forced myself to do it :(
Okay, I have a couple of responses to some of the reviews I got last chapter.
Wordwryhta: you crack me up. I'm not very good at guessing either sometimes.. and also, I like mindfucking with people, so there you go. You've been mindfucked, LMAO. Love you chick!
Leah: Pregnancies often kill a story for me as well, so I know how you feel. I'm doing my best to keep the story good ^.^
Prettypinkpoodle: Konstantine isn't in a dictionary, but it means somewhere along the lines of: a person whom you love unconditionally. Thanks for the love!
Sweetums128neo: I shouldn't have to say anything ^^ you always put a smile on my face with your reviews. I love the randomness, and the clear excitement and enthusiasm you always display. ;D
LiberT.E.A: How are you reading the story of you're banned from the computer ^.^ lol. Anyhow, I must say, I love it when I'm right too. Which, not to be a gloat, happens often… lol, JK!
SweetcherryCandy: I'm glad I 'made your day', and I'll try to always be there when you need it.
NickyRockit: Always one to be thorough, thanks for the constant encouragement. And again, with Kazuno, I always love keeping people guessing, but then, who doesn't.
Again, sorry for such a shitty chapter, but thank you everyone for the support and encouragement!
Two days had passed since Noodle had discovered her pregnancy. Now early into the evening, and now drunk, by his calculations that meant three days since Noodle had set up his cyborg with that dehumidifier. Murdoc stared down at his creation, taking a deep swig from his bottle full of rum. He'd have to get more soon. Now that this crossed his mind, he scratched his head, realising that they were running low on many other things, other than just his alcohol. Three days was about the same as a week, right? Murdoc shook his head, grumbling. This robot was so seemingly insignificant in the wake of all that had been happening around him, but though it should have occurred to Murdoc that this cyborg was unimportant and blatantly useless, he couldn't help but want the damn thing to come to life again. This cyborg was the only thing in his life that seemed to have remained the same in the few years that had transpired since he'd created it. While everyone else had grown older, moved on, become aware of what they were missing out on, Murdoc remained set on his lifelong passion of music. He wanted to, in a sense, take over the musical world, and possibly all of the world, if he could manage. He knew the others still lived for their music as well, but their lives were getting in the way. He could see them falling apart, and though he'd never admit it, it scared him. That's why he refused to leave; that's why he'd been so keen on tricking them into believing they wanted to be on this remote island in the middle of nowhere, on a deep-sea landfill. He didn't want them to change. He didn't want to allow them to leave this all behind. This was all he'd known for years.
And this cyborg –this wretched robot –since he'd given it life, it had never changed. It was his body guard, and his band mate. This cyborg could never change, and could never leave him, unless he allowed it to. This cyborg remained a constant while everything and everyone else shifted. He would never admit that he wanted the familiarity and sense of peace the damned thing brought to him. Cyborg Doodle –as he'd fondly named her –remained his stepping stone on a world that was moving on without him, and forgetting that he was a musical god who walked among them. Or at least, that's how he saw it within his mind. In the time he had spent down here, he had taken the liberty of reattaching all the gear 2D had removed from her uniform months ago, including her hand gun, and her double-barreled shotgun was rested on the floor beside the table she laid upon. Murdoc grimaced, his mind made up. He'd waited long enough to get his most prized possession back, and he figured he shouldn't have had to wait a moment longer. He stepped forward, removing each wire that was fastened to her charging body, and her eyes stopped glowing once the energy flow ceased. He looked her over, satisfied with the work that had been done in repairing her, and he stepped forward, flicking the obscured switch behind her ear. Her hands twitched, and he smirked as her eyes fluttered open, looking around the room with analytical eyes.
Once her gaze shifted to Murdoc, her eyes narrowed and she sat upright, her mind racing, and her head shook as she went through every command he had previously given her, now burned into her memory. Her eyes twitched, and she scowled, throwing herself off of the table and standing to her feet. Murdoc watched her intently, now realising he should have strapped her down first, but she didn't seem to be any threat as she lifted her firearm to her chest. She looked to him, holding her shotgun at her shoulder like a soldier as she saluted him, and took in a lungful of air to allow her to speak. "Yes, master," she told him. His face dropped as she turned and marched away.
He scratched the back of his neck, "But I didn' tell yer ta do anythin," he spoke, hiccupping as he rubbed his chin in wonder, confused. As she came to the lift, stepping inside, Murdoc finally took action. He didn't know what she was up to, but he knew if he didn't stop her, there was no telling what would happen. "'Ey! Where the fock'r yer goin? Get back 'ere," he growled, marching toward the lift. When the doors began to shut, he stuck his hand in the way, and the doors opened once more, but the cyborg leered at him, lifting her gun and pointing it to his torso. He dropped his rum, the bottled shattering on the floor, and he lifted his hands in the air as she shoved the gun at his chest.
"You are a threat to my orders. A halt of your interference is requested," she spoke darkly. He backed off, nodding as he stepped back, and she pressed the button to the next level the lift would carry her to. Her master had told her to eliminate any unauthorized persons on the island, and she would do as he demanded.
"So, while yew wos in LA, yew met some bloke named Connor," 2D asked Noodle, flinching as she sent another punch at him, and he blocked it with the focus mitts she had fastened to his hands. She sighed, panting heavily, as she tensed herself, giving 2D a split second of warning before she slammed her elbow into him, and though he blocked it again, he was jolted backwards, but he found the right footing to keep himself grounded without falling over. She smirked, knowing she was supposed to be following his lead, but it was much more entertaining for her to keep him on his toes. She figured then at least he would be able to defend himself somewhat. Though, he shouldn't have needed it in the first place.
Noodle pursed her lips, mulling over 2D's question for a moment before answering, "Yes… we met at a club… and he was very, um… gentlemanly," she repeated the same words she had told him earlier. 2D grimaced, now pushing back as Noodle punched the mitts he carried. Before he'd started doing this with her around the middle of the day, he was sitting against the wall of the shack, watching her intensely in her shorts and tight tank top, but she didn't have that for long.
"An' why awr yew tellin' me t'is, love," he asked, he voice tainted with a hint of worry. Noodle sighed again, taking a step back, and she dropped her arms to her sides, resting for a moment. She took in a steady breath, trying to think of a clear explanation that would be easily understood for 2D. When she stopped her ongoing assault, sweat crawling down both of their bodies, 2D tilted his head to the side with a slight frown upon his lips, his arms held up to his chest cautiously.
Finally, Noodle looked to 2D once more, answering him, "Well, for one, I would not want to keep it from you, and make you feel… ano… well, like I hid it from you," she spoke as if it were a question. "And also, because I would like for you to be able to maybe meet each other eventually," she finished. Noodle had told 2D about Connor earlier that day, but for reasons Noodle had yet to figure, 2D kept shifting back to asking her the most basic of questions. She thought she'd pretty much summed it up for the singer, and though she knew he'd ask questions, she didn't think he would actually ask ones she'd specifically explained beforehand. After a moment, 2D removed his mitts, tossing them in the corner of the room where Noodle had them earlier, and he massaged his knuckles.
"But like, why tell me now," 2D questioned, wondering who this mystery man was, and why Noodle felt so compelled to talk about him.
Noodle shrugged, removing her own gloves now. "I don't know… I hadn't really thought about it much until now… You're not upset about it are you," she asked him nervously, absentmindedly petting her stomach as it began to ache once more. 2D watched her, and grinned as he shook his head. She smiled, her eyes tired as she looked up at 2D, "Then can we drop it, please," she spoke quietly. 2D bit his lip as her words reached him, and another random thought popped into his head, one that he wasn't about to let get away. He smiled, rushing forward, and Noodle gasped as he pushed her back, falling down onto the soft floor of the room. Just as he was about to land on top of her, pinning her down, she shoved her feet into his hips, throwing his body over hers, and he yelped as he landed on his back. She growled, her eyebrows scrunching together, "What the hell was that for?"
Though 2D wanted to take the time to laugh, being that Noodle was clearly displaying more signs of being pregnant, such as her constant attitude shifts, which he hadn't noticed before, he was too perturbed with himself. He crossed his arms over his chest as he laid on the ground, huffing as he spoke, his face impassive. "Yew do tha' crap te me… I f'ought I'd try 'et," he explained. She arched her eyebrow, tilting her head back to look at him. He looked up as well, watching her, and once her eyes met his, his gaze shifted to the ceiling once more. "An' yew asked ta drop te subject anyways," he told her, then smirked, "So I figured I'd try ta drop yew," he sniggered, and she giggled, smiling with his simple reasoning, still watching him from where she lay. When he looked up again, his eyes meeting hers, he smiled widely, and she giggled again, blushing as she saw the fire brimming within his entrancing gaze.
She lifted her hand, placing it on his cheek as she gazed at him with a blank face. "You are so… weird," she told him quietly, and his face dropped. She smiled again, caressing his face with her fingertips. "I love you," she told him. He grinned to himself, and rolled onto his stomach, standing to his feet. He walked over to Noodle, and she gasped as he quickly bent down and picked her up, gently throwing her over his shoulder. "What are you doing, 2D-kun," she asked him, breathing heavily as he carried her out the door, and towards the lighthouse.
"Being spontaneous, love," he told her brusquely, and she shivered, biting her lip. "Yew need a shower anyway," he chuckled. She flushed, her stomach beginning to flip as they made it inside the building swiftly, and 2D took his time as he locked the door, and then strode into the bathroom. Once that door was locked as well, 2D slid Noodle down his chest, pulling her shirt over her head as he stood her to her feet. He pulled his own shirt off now, and placed his hands on her hips, drawing her into him as he leaned forward, capturing her lips with his own. Noodle took in a steep breath, panting as he took control, leaving her breathless. Though sometimes it scared her when he let his fervor take control, she knew he'd never hurt her, and she loved how exhilarated he made her feel as his lips parted from her, only for him to pull his face to hers again, kissing her eagerly whilst he removed her bra from its place around her chest. Once their upper bodies were bare, he hooked his finger over Noodle's shorts, and crouched low to the ground, kissing her stomach as he pushed both her shorts and panties down her hips, and she stepped out of them once they fell to the floor. As he gazed at her stomach absently for a moment, Noodle watched him, her entire body filled with adoration as he grazed his fingers against her flesh. He looked up to her, love in his eyes, burning within the want he held for her, and Noodle shivered as 2D stood to his full height, and bent his face low to hers, kissing her deeply as his hands left her body and moved to his own trousers. He fumbled with the buttons, and pulled his face away with a grunt, trying to dispose of the offending garment. While he was distracted, Noodle moved away from him toward the shower, running the warm water and chuckling as 2D cursed to himself. "Erm… love," 2D's voice broke her trance, and she turned to face him, his body much closer than she'd expected. She gasped as he cupped her face with his hand, kissing her gently. "I fink I 'ave a problem," he whispered against her lips. She giggled, and he shuddered as she brought her hands down to his jeans, hooking her fingers over the buttons, and pulling the fabric loose from his body. With a relieved sigh, 2D maneuvered the last shreds of clothing from his body as he kissed Noodle, and they both stepped into the shower, letting the water run over their heated bodies as they melted together.
Now dry and dressed, Noodle remained in the lavatory while 2D had wandered off a short while ago. She now stood, watching her reflection in the mirror as she combed through her short hair, pulling out any knots she could find. Her thoughts, as always, drifted back to 2D. She was just about finished cleaning off, and she wanted to spend time with him, though they did that constantly lately, she couldn't seem to get enough of him. She rubbed her stomach as it began to ache again, and when she gazed back into the mirror, she grinned warmly when she saw the reflection of her young companion. Kazuno smiled back, walked up to Noodle now that she seemed to have received an invitation. "So what do you wish to tell me today, Kazuno-chan," Noodle asked her, assuming correctly that the child wanted to talk. She always wanted to talk –teaching Noodle about herself.
Kazuno frowned now, and Noodle's face dropped. Noodle took a step back, sitting on the lid of the toilet and Kazuno trained her burning eyes on Noodle. "I will have to leave soon," she spoke softly, seemingly saddened, but then she smiled once more. Honestly, the child did not mind having to leave –she wanted to in fact. She just didn't like the matter in which she would be required to leave. Noodle's mouth popped open, and she stared at Kazuno blankly, unwilling to believe the words she'd spoken. Kazuno had been like her guide since she'd first met her, and she could not imagine having to find her way by herself. If she were to backslide, or find herself in a place of darkness, who could she look to, if not Kazuno, the child who had guided her, and helped her find her feelings for 2D.
"Why do you have to leave," Noodle questioned, her voice just above a whisper.
Kazuno's face grew serious, "Noodle, do you understand the difference between a kindred spirit and a soul mate?"
Noodle shook her head, her brows scrunching together. "No, but what does that have to do with anything?"
Kazuno grinned, "Well… a kindred spirit is like a lifelong friend –like 2D-kun," she pointed out, smiling widely, "But a kindred spirit is only ever that, a safe harbor and a friend with whom you may choose to be intimate with or not." As Noodle took in her words, she realised what the child was saying, but she was shocked, and slightly saddened. If she understood correctly, Kazuno had said that she and 2D were not soul mates. "That is not what I said," Kazuno interfered. Noodle looked to her, wide eyed. "That's right. I know what you're thinking, Noodle-chan… I did not say such a thing. Yes, 2D-kun is a kindred spirit to you, but I never said he was no soul mate, Noodle-chan," Kazuno explained, "I mean, Connor-san is a kindred spirit to you as well…" Noodle shook her head slowly, her eyes narrowing with confusion, wondering why Kazuno had decided to take the time in explaining this to her now. "In order for you to discover your soul mate, Noodle-chan, you must bind your soul with your true soul mate. It varies from pair to pair, though…" Kauzno looked up to Noodle watching her face carefully, and she noticed Kazuno's face was uncharacteristically somber as she spoke. "But someone has already bound their soul to you," she whispered, "Of course, you cannot know for sure if you are soul mates unless your soul binds with his… and they accept each other…"
"Who… I mean… how," Noodle muttered, attempting to ask too many questions at once. What had provoked the child to begin speaking of such matters at a time like this? Her thoughts could only clutter and shift wildly as she tried to conceive any importance behind the child's words. Of course these matters were important to Noodle, but didn't she already deal with her feelings for 2D when she'd given herself to him.
"You only gave your body to him," Kazuno told her. Noodle gazed at the child, staring at her intently, waiting for her to continue. "2D-kun is the one who's soul has tried to connect with yours…" A tear crawled down Noodle's face, and she bit her lip, wondering how or why her soul hadn't done so with his, and whether they were truly supposed to be together, or whether they were forced, because all they had was each other on this island. Kazuno sighed, her head beginning to ache as Noodle's stress grew and her heart pounded with worry. "Your soul cannot connect with his, unless you feel the same connection with 2D-kun the day his soul made contact with yours… then they will bind…" Kazuno explained. "Then, I will have to leave."
Noodle shook her head, closing her eyes as everything began to sink in. She wanted to ask too many questions, but the look Kazuno gave to her had her asking for one specific detail. "How did 2D-kun…"
Kazuno looked away, seemingly through the solid walls of the building, and out to the sky beyond. "The day he found out that his decisions had led to the circumstances that led you to be dragged to hell… That's when he realised he loved you…"
"But… I know I love him…" Noodle began.
Kazuno shook her head, "Yes… you do… but the reason 2D-kun is bound to you is because he felt the pain he caused you when he found his love for you. He realised he loved you when he discovered that he almost killed you, because of the decisions he had made, and he made a vow to stay by your side as long as you would have him." Noodle took in a deep breath, rubbing her forehead. She didn't fully understand the gravity of Kazuno's words, but the way the child spoke made her realise who exactly this child was. As she met Kazuno's eyes once more, and the child smiled, "2D-kun is waiting for you,' she spoke.
Noodle looked toward the bathroom door, and then back to Kazuno, and she jumped when she found that the child was gone. She stood to her feet, and headed out the opened door, exiting the lighthouse. She was certain now… Kazuno was, in some fashion, Noodle's heart… but not just her heart… she wanted to delve further. The child had shown her so much, but her attention was quickly captured by the man she was now approaching as he sat on the shore of plastic beach. They would have gone up to their spot on the garden patio, but there was shade down here, and today was too warm a day to sit in the sun for an extended time. His gaze turned to her when he heard her approaching, and he smiled warmly. She grinned as she came close to him, setting on the ground close by his side. He wound his arm around her body, pulling her against him, and she rested her head against his shoulder as they stared out at the bright sky in front of them.
"Love?" 2D called for her quietly, hugging her to him and she looked up to meet his eyes. "Do yew fink 'avin a baby will change a lot o' fings? Like… do yew fink maybe we cou' still try a lot o' fings we wonted ta do?" He asked her.
Her eyes moved down as she began rubbing her stomach, and 2D placed his hand over hers. She grinned, looking back up to him, and he bent forward, catching her lips with his. When they parted, Noodle smiled, "Yes… I think having a baby will change everything… but… I also think that at the same time, even though things change, we can still be who we want to be," she told him. He grinned, kissing her lips again. "What kind of things do you want to try, 2D-kun?" She asked quietly, their lips still skimming together as she spoke.
He nuzzled his nose against hers, and she smiled as his breath washed over her. "Lots of fings, love," he told her, kissing her lightly. "Like… I've always wanted ta learn 'ow ta surf…"
Noodle pulled back with a smirk, "You? Surfing? I thought you hated the water, 2D-kun." He smiled back, leaning into her as she leaned back slightly and kissing her deeply. She sighed, kissing him back, and running her fingers through his hair.
"I only don' like te water wiff te whales in 'et 'oo geh too close," he spoke, the both of them laughing together. She locked her gaze with his once more, and they stared into each other's eyes as they kissed again, but once Noodle heard an audible click, she jumped forward, clutching to 2D as she rolled them over, and a hole blasted into the ground where she had just been sitting.
She looked up, crouched protectively over 2D, and Noodle gasped when she saw the cyborg smiling at them malevolently. Noodle's face fell into a fierce scowl, and she glared at the cyborg as it cocked its firearm. Once the cyborg pointed the gun at her, 2D yelped, and Noodle dove forward, twisting and landing on her back, kicking her foot into the gun as the cyborg pulled the trigger, and the gun now fired off into the air far above 2D. He bit his lip, rolling over and now getting to his feet as Noodle quickly pulled back, standing to her feet and backing away from the dangerous robot. The cyborg continued to smile devilishly, and she reached around her back, slowly pulling out her hand gun and pointing it directly at Noodle's head. Once Murdoc's voice was heard firing off, Noodle's irises focused on him, not daring to make a move as the cyborg had her in its sights. Murdoc strode to a stop when he was close enough, now able to see Noodle on the other side of his robot. "'Ey! Put the bloody fockin gun down," he barked, growling at the cyborg, who only chuckled.
Within a second, everything within Noodle's life seemed to become altered, and darkened dramatically. She now saw Russel, who had been on his way to the lighthouse in hopes of catching her, to be able to talk to her about everything, and hoping they could make up. And just as her eyes focused on the cyborg once more, 2D saw as the cyborg's finger tightened around the trigger, and he rushed forward, throwing his body at Noodle. She yelled as she was thrown far out of the way, landing on her shoulder feet from where she once stood, and she howled as she closed her eyes with fear and pain as she heard an explosion fired. But she became bewildered, her pulse racing when she realised she didn't feel the expected pain of the bullet, but rather the pain of being pushed into the ground. Tears welled up, and poured down her face when she saw 2D, his face now smashing against the ground of the beach as he fell forward, clutching his side, and his body began shivering, the pain of his wound not quite reaching him yet, but it would soon reach him once the adrenaline faded.
Noodle watched him, a sense of hatred overcoming her body as she looked back to the cyborg from where she was, its face impassive at it stared down at the singer on the ground, whom she'd just shot. She shrugged, not giving any attention to Noodle as the guitarist stood to her feet, her teeth bared and her vision red as she marched up to the cyborg purposefully. Murdoc now began stepping forward as well, and the cyborg seemed surprised when Noodle snatched the gun from her, quickly twisting the barrel and lifting her arm to the cyborg's face as she pulled the trigger. Murdoc's jaw dropped as the fire went off, and the robot now fell to the ground, dead once again. He looked up to Noodle with a scowl, but she glared back at him with much more ferocity, and he grunted when she pulled his shirt, bending his face down to hers, and he swallowed as she pushed the gun into his face, a deadly intent burning within her eyes. "I'm going to fucking kill you," she screamed, hate-filled tears streaming down her face. Just as she tightened her grip, she roared, screaming as a rough hand pulled her away, grasping the hand gun and pointing it away from Murdoc just as she fired it, and Russel tossed it away once he took it from her tight grasp. She writhed, kicking and screaming as Russel pulled her from Murdoc, wrapping his thick arms around her waist as she struggled to get free. "You fucking bastard," she screamed, "I told you! I told you not to turn the fucking thing on! She tried to fucking kill me!"
"How was I bloody supposed ter know she'd go awl mental," Murdoc fired back.
Noodle bared her teeth once more, writhing and clawing at Russel's arm as he pleaded for her to calm down. "Baby-girl, chill out fo' a second," he yelled, but she ignored him, screaming out again.
"I fucking told you not to do it, you piece of shit! How hard was that to get? I fucking told you it would short circuit," she yelled, shrieking again as she continued to try and escape Russel's firm grasp. "I'm going to fucking kill you!" She howled.
"NOODLE!" Russel growled, shaking her, and she sneered, refusing to meet his eyes.
"What," she yelled.
"2D," he spoke in a low voice. Just that name was enough for Noodle to go numb, and she stopped struggling. Russel let her go once her attention had shifted, and she stepped away from the drummer, looking down to the singer who was now moaning in pain, oblivious to the scuffle that had gone on, and she went to him. She began to cry once she dropped to her knees by his side, and she rolled him onto his back, clutching her mouth with her hand when she saw the blood collecting on his shirt. He looked to her, his eyes glazed over, and he opened his mouth, crying out with the pain. Noodle sobbed, hugging herself around his neck.
He placed his hand on her face, and she looked to him, grasping his hand within hers. "Noodle," he cried quietly, shaking his head as his eyes became enveloped with fear, but he kept them locked with hers, "I dun wanna die."
This is not the end
This is not the beginning
Just a voice like a riot
Rocking every revision
But you listen to the tone
And the violent rhythm
And though the words sound steady
Something empty's within 'em
We say yeah
With fists flying up in the air
Like we're holding onto something that's invisible there
Cuz we're living at the mercy of the pain and the fear
Until we dead it, forget it
Let it all disappear
Waiting for the end to come
Wishing I had strength to stand
This is not what I had planned
It's out of my control
Flying at the speed of light
Thoughts were spinning in my head
So many things were left unsaid
It's hard to let you go
I know what it takes to move on
I know how it feels to lie
All I wanna do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got
Sitting in an empty room
Trying to forget the past
This was never meant to last
I wish it wasn't so
I know what it takes to move on
I know how it feels to lie
All I wanna do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got
What was left when that fire was gone?
I thought it felt right but that right was wrong
All caught up in the eye of the storm
And trying to figure out what it's like moving on
And I don't even know what kind of things I said
My mouth kept moving and my mind went dead
So I'm picking up the pieces, now where to begin?
The hardest part of ending is starting again
All I wanna do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got
This is not the end
This is not the beginning
Just a voice like a riot
Rocking every revision
But you listen to the tone
And the violent rhythm
Though the words sound steady
Something empty's within em
We say yeah
With fists flying up in the air
Like we're holding onto something that's invisible there
Cuz we're living at the mercy of the pain and the fear
Until we dead it forget it
Let it all disappear
Linkin Park - Waiting for the End
The next installment is coming soon, but maybe not for a couple of days, or possibly a week. I have a couple of things I need to get taken care of, which I may let you guys know about if things move as planned. Again, sorry for the crap. Type to you later… Let me know about any mistakes please…
~Hazel