Chapter 2: Tweedle-dee… Wolves?

Kagome and Marki wandered their way across a checkered field of red and white grass. It didn't seem very long until they reached the forest before them.

"Did he go through here?" Marki looked at his friend.

Kagome sighed, "I think so… I kind of lost him when he went human again."

Marki groaned, "Alright, let's go through the woods little red. Maybe we'll find a lead to the white, weird wolf."

The girl laughed, "Little red riding hood?"

"I couldn't think of anything else!" The shorter boy began running again.

"Why must we run?" Kagome groaned while following.

They ran deep into the woods until finally collapsing in a clearing to catch their breath. Kagome laid on her back with her eyes closed, "GOD! Why… do you insist… on running?"

"Because…" Marki laughed while resting on his knees.

"THAT'S NOT AN ANWSER!" Kagome laughed as well.

"WHY ARE YOU YELLING?"

"I'M HYPER AND TIRED!"

"WELL THAT'S NEVER GOOD!"

Both of them began laughing harder.

"Do you think they're broken?" One voice spoke.

"I don't think so. They're probably getting affected by The Madd." Another joined sounding a bit older and ruff, but still pitchy.

"Already? That's really quick for the pace it normally goes." The first voice spoke, it sounded somewhat younger and shrill, like it was starting to develop.

The laughter had stopped and both girls were very still.

The sound of footsteps was heard coming towards them; Kagome's closed eyes tightened as the footsteps drew closer.

"Hi!" A boy with red-brown hair chimed peering to look at Marki, who had his head tilted back from trying to catch his breath.

He screamed, "AH!" Then fell back looking terrified.

"AH!" The boy screamed jumping back.

Kagome scrambled up then helped her petrified friend, "What are you doing? Don't just pop out like that."

The boy looked frightened "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you; I just wanted to see if you were affected yet."

"'Affected?'" Kagome echoed, "What the hell is that? And who are you?"

"Ya know," Another boy with light brown hair shrugged moving closer, "By The Madd. Your new around here aren't you?"

Marki nodded, "Yes… We were following the white wolf boy and-"

"Kiba!" The boys cried in unison.

Both girls jumped, "Y-yes…"

The boys exchanged a look before sighing.

"We're beginning backwards-" The older said.

"-how do you do? And state your name." The younger finished.

Marki frowned, "We asked you first!"

"Oh," The younger smiled, "Well then my name is Toboe and this is my older brother Hige."

Hige smirked, "It's a pleasure to meet you, and it's about time we had some new faces around here… especially a girl."

"Whatever Hige, why are you talking like your single; when you already have Blue?" Toboe tried not to whine as he sighed.

Hige shot him a look, "Shut up! Don't talk about her like she's here! You and I both know King Darcia-"

Toboe tackled him and covered his mouth, "Shush…!" The woods grew extremely quiet as both boys sat back up and looked around carefully.

The newcomers exchanged a look before Marki crouched down, "… I don't know what just happened but my name is Ma-"

Hige covered his mouth this time, "If you don't want to get stuck here like us, then don't say your real name." He whispered quietly addressing both of them.

Kagome looked confused, "Does the reason have something to do with your lord?" She whispered back.

Toboe only nodded.

Marki removed the hand, "Alright… then my name is Yuki."

"And I'm Ikier I guess." Kagome shrugged. "Now could you answer our questions?"

"Sure!" Toboe jumped up his tail wagging happily.

It was Ikier's turn to scream, "Ah! You have a tail! And ears?" She looked at Hige who had the same new features, but in a lighter, duller shade of brown.

The brothers nodded, "Of course that's what happens when you get stuck here and affected by The Madd." Hige shrugged.

"Well, what is the madd?" Yuki patted Ikier's shoulder letting the girl know he was just as shocked.

"It's The Madd and it's what starts to happen if you're here for too long." Toboe frowned with a sigh, "It affects each person differently, but it always starts the same…"

Yuki frowned "That's weird."

The boys laughed while moving towards the forest, "Everything is weird here, nothing will be normal for you two after this." Hige shook his head.

"Well, are you coming or not?" Toboe smiled waving the two new friends forward.

Ikier shared a look with Yuki, "Where to?"

"We're going to help you find Kiba…" Hige shrugged. "In return you help us find a way out of here and save Blue."

Yuki pulled Ikier over to a tree, away from the boys "What do you think? Should we follow them?"

"Well what else can we do? You have a horrible sense of direction just getting to my house, let alone around a weird place like this." Ikier shrugged.

"Ha, ha thanks… but you have a point."

"Yay! So let's go." Toboe jumped happily behind them causing both of them to jump.

"Will you please stop doing that?" Yuki held his chest trying to regulate his heart.

Ikier shook her head pinching the bridge of her nose.

Toboe took a hold of their wrists and pulled them where Hige was waiting, "Come on we haven't the time to lose. The walrus and the carpenter will be walking through here soon and if they spot you-"

"-Then we'll never see you again." Hige spoke quietly.

"Don't need to tell us twice. Let's go!" Yuki smiled as he began walking.

"Your going to get us lost." Ikier laughed as they all followed.

Yuki paused before turning to walk backwards, "Then why are you following and letting me lead?"

"I'll lead!" Toboe chimed happily running in front of Yuki.

"Are you kidding? You're the reason we got lost in the clearing." Hige ran a head of Toboe.

"I don't care who leads as long as we get out of here." Ikier laughed.

The boys smiled and nodded, "No problem. Let's find your white wolf." They spoke in unison.