Oh crap. I forgot the Disclaimer in the first chapter! But, you would have to be an idiot to think I own Heart no Kuni no Alice in any shape or form (I only own my Ocs and original plotlines) and you, my dear reader, are no idiot, right?

So here, enjoy the second chapter of Sidelines!

Chapter 2

I was never considered "normal" back at home. For one thing, I refused to wear corsets and my dresses were always a bit shorter than the average woman's (They say that bearing my knees to the world is immodest, but I think it's quite comfortable). What really sticks me out like a sore thumb, though, were my ambitions. Between my violin lessons and Mother's "Proper Etiquette" lessons, I would often dream of being a traveler, a doctor, a professor, and, once, even a pirate. I expected to live a life that was steered away from the social norm.

But really, this was too much.

Never in my life, would I have imagined myself jumping into an oversized rabbit hole to rescue my best friend from the clutches of a madman with furry ears. And I did not even stop to think that my heroic act would just be wasted away anyway by the imminent death that waited below.

'I'm falling for an awfully long time.'

A very, very long time indeed. Is there ever such a rabbit's hole this deep? A speck of dirt flew into my eye as I continued my cascading.

Blink

Was that a canopy bed?

Blink Blink

And a rack of kitchen spices?

Blink Blink Blink

Suddenly, the darkness that had surrounded me earlier dissipated, only to be replaced by the more sylvan landscape I had become accustomed to at home in the gardens. But what was I doing on top of a tower? Moreover, where, in the name of Davy Jones's locker, did this tower come from? The possibility that I was in some underground lair was impossible, as there was a sky, and I was fairly certain that I did not fall all the way to China (I've seen the grainy pictures Father would bring back from his trips).

'And where's Alice?'

I scanned the perimeter and finally saw the familiar locks of brown hair. I was about to call her name, but wait…

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO ALICE YOU PERVERT?"

That damned rabbit…I was going to maul his pretty little face for forcing himself onto Alice! As I ran, my hands curled into a small fist and aimed (a funny scene, if one were watching as a third party, seeing as how I resemble the image of the everyday elementary student). It was the perfect aim, the perfect momentum. I would know. I've been in countless of brawls. My fists of fury would dent his little nose, just like it did for the other cocky boys that would always try to "put me in my place."

And yet, those fists were enveloped into his own.

"Tch. How the did a cockroach get in?" He jerked his arm (twisting mine) and flung me to the side.

"Emma!"

"I'm going to kill him, Alice!" I coughed, clutching my side.

"That wouldn't happen in a lifetime, dirt," he grinned.

As I got up to attempt another punch, I noticed that my palms were translucent, almost see-through.

"Goodbye," he said in a disgustingly sweet, sing-song voice.

"A-Alice?" I shrieked, "What's going on? My hands!"

Alice ran towards me, only to fall right through my dematerializing body. She looked up in horror, only to see a severed-like head and legs.

"You!" Alice pointed at her captor, "What's happening to her?"

The rabbit-man smiled. "Oh, love, she doesn't belong here. She'll disappear soon."

"N-No," I stammered, "Alice!"

By now tears had begun streaming down my face as Alice could only watch me slowly fade away.

"Do something!" she screamed at the man. Alice began to hyperventilate as my right leg completely vanished, leaving only my head.

He looked at her and then at me (my head) and sighed.

"If it's for my sweet, then I guess I have no choice."

He reached into his red blazer and revealed a glass tube. He shook the tube, swishing the pink liquid and flicked it onto the ground.

"I refuse to help a germ."

Alice glared at him and pick up the bottle.

"Oh, but not you Alice my love! I will be glad to willingly assist you with anything on any day!"

Uncorking the bottle, she tipped the potion into my mouth. It tasted like raspberry tarts. Tingling warmth spread throughout my body as my arms and legs and torso reappeared.

"Alice!" I cried.

Before I'd the chance to run towards my friend and hug her, there was suddenly a-

BAM!

The area beside my left foot burst small chunks of concrete. I realized that I was nearly shot with a gun.

And who else would have a gun at that precise moment than Mr. Crazy right over there?

"Don't you touch my Alice!" he snarled.

I glared at my attacker. Alice was silent with shock.

"But I won't kill you," he said, retreating his gun, "it seems that Alice is very fond of you, and I find it very hard to believe that a mere child can be her lover."

My instincts told me to hold my tongue on the "child" reference. If given a chance to live, I'd take it, dignity or not.

"The others would probably get you first anyway," he said.

My eyes widened.

'Others?'

"You weren't invited to this game in the first place. You've no right to be here," he sneered, "Even if you are a foreigner, you'll be hated."

He turned and began to walk away, but stopped and turned his head.

"I am Peter White, by the way. I hope to see you dead the next time we meet, Emma."

He looked at Alice and clasped his hands together in an adoring fashion.

"And I shall see you soon my dear!"

With that, Peter White vanished.

Author's Note: I would like to thank AnimeAngel23 for leaving the first review (and it was helpful too!) Please read and review!