Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.
Hints at Darkness close to the end.
He extended his hand and I raised mine as well from force of habit.
"I have waited far to long for you." He said and turned around and started walking away. I walked up beside him, he was the first semi-human person since my fall and I wasn't about to let him hop out of my sight.
"My name is Kagome, do you have a name?" I asked, hoping he would slow down because one of his strides equaled three of mine.
"I am called Sesshomaru." Well a blunt man is better then no man at all.
"Well can you tell me where I am?" I tried again.
"Wonderland."
"Is that in Amarica?" He stopped then and gave me a expression that showed he must have liked the scum on his shoe better than me.
"It is left of Time and right of Death." Oh why thank you sir you have just cleared that all up! Did I fall into some kind of spring?
I looked up and all I could see was blue skies and a few birds. The Rabbit Man stopped and pushed me behind him when a bush to my left rustled. Two small men fell forth and I watched as they looked up and got a fearful expresion of my protector.
I gently peeked out from behind his vest sleeve and the boys eyes settled on me and then they started talking.
"It couldn't be!"
"But it might, but might not..."
"But what if it is!"
"Is it she?"
"Could it be?"
I tried to keep up but they continued to talk to one and other while Sesshomaru and I watched. I than walked forward and offered my hand the small one up front shook it and said in my politest voice, my name.
"Tweetle Dee."
"Tweetle Dum."
"I'm Tweelte Dum!"
"No your Tweetle Dee!"
"But I'm Tweetle Dee!"
The Rabbit hushed hem both with a growl.
"I'm also called Ginta."
"And I am Hakkaku."
"Nice to meet you." The said in unity.
"You as well!" I said before looking back at Sesshomaru. A sword appeared at his hip and without looking at me he spoke:
"When I say run, run." Tweetle Dee and Tweetle Dum started panicking and ran into eachother. I knew we would have to leave them so I was fully prepared for the whispered "Run!" and sprinted in the opposite direction that he was facing.
I looked back and saw the underbrush rattling and an army of giant cards flew forth. But Sesshomaru didn't miss a beat. He sliced and decapitated the black and red soldiers as they surrounded him. I spun around and called out his name.
"Sesshomaru!" My voice echoed and all the men spun and ran at me. I gripped my hands into my apron and my fists found crumbs of the cake. The Cake!
I pulled the scraps out and ate a small bit. My body grew with each bite. Soon I towered over the guards and started chasing them. Many fled but others poked at me with large heart-shaped spears. Most of the remaining men were killed by Sesshomaru.
A patted my pockets and also found the vial. I thought I had lost it back in the door room or the sea of tears. I tilted it back so I just got a small drop on my tongue. I could feel my body reverting.
My protector gave me a raised eyebrow and I just shrugged. What would I tell him, I am starting to get the hang of potions and manic cake? I don't think so.
Sesshomaru continued our walk along the rocks and we soon came to a dense forest. The trees held thick, ropey, vines that seemed to dance and the flowers seemed to lean in as if to whisper secrets into our listening ears.
"Be carful." Was the only warning I got before I was bombarded by a Hare-Woman. She had large rabbit eArs atop her head the color of her thick dark hair.
"Well hello! I'm Sango Hare! But you may call me Sango!" The bunny said before pointing to the man pouring tea into cracked cups. "That is Miroku Hatter! nd that," She pointed to a sleeping pile of fur, "Is Shippo Mouse! We are all so glad to meet you!"
"Well it's nice to meet you as well!" I said before being pushed to the rickety old table and sat a chair from the front. The man stood up strait and walked to the head of the table.
"Miroku!" He introduced himself before leaning down to inspect the painted tea kettle. It was a pretty blue and had small, what appeared to be bees fluttering around on it. He picked it up lightly then smashed it into the table. The shards flew every witch way and Shippo flew for the cover of a nearby cup while I hid behind Sesshomaru.
Sango just laughed as she held out her cup for him to pour the nonexistent tea into. Miroku jumped up onto the table and shuffled down to were we sat at the end. He leaned in close and I stumbled backward only to be caught by a large-backed chair. It was also blue, but so dark it almost looked black with deep messy stitches al over the place. Sesshomaru's looked like a throne, with bright golds and deep violets.
"Tea anyone?" The Hatter asked, holding the handle of the shattered tea cup. I just shook my head and watched in amusement as the Rabbit picked up a cup and handed it to Miroku.
He tilted the handle forward and watched in a Mamet as tea spilled lightly from the cracked china. My protector took it from him a sipped it lightly before looking my way.
"Believe in the unbelievable." Was all he said and returned to sipping his drink.
I was itching to question him on the Card-Men, but then he himself is a Rabbit. I might have to ask the Hatter, he looks human if not somewhat insane.
"We were chased by cards on our way here, if you could kindly explain what-"
"Oh dear! The Deck? Those nasty buggers work for the Queen of Hearts! She is fierce and protective!" He said before giggling and kissing Sango's hand. The Hare just smacked his cheek before crossing her hands over her chest and pouted. Her ears twitched.
(A/N: It gets...darker here. You've been warned.)
A thick food seemed to creep slowly into the clearing. Sesshomaru stood up and blocked me form seeing what lurked in the shadows. The happiness and convivial mood quickly died. Shippo quickly hid under a rouge cup and the Hare and Hatter shrunk in there seats. I watched in horror as the tables legs bucked and kicked and took off into the mist. The chairs and there inhabitants took off with them. I turned around as a blue street flew across my vision. A black that was darker then the cloudy sky skipped past my peripheral. I stood my ground but my hand seeked out Sesshomaru's.
A frail cat crept from the shadows, his teeth sharp and jagged, his eyes wide and bloodshot. His coat was smooth and rippled as he moved. He turned sideways and disappeared completely but his voice floated through the air.
"Walls have ears.
Doors have eyes.
Trees have voices.
Beasts tell lies.
Beware the rain.
Beware the snow.
Beware the man
You think you know. "
It was thin and frail, the voice. The cat shimmered back into existence and Sesshomaru let out a load growl.
"Leave her be, Cheshire."
The trees leaves shriveled under the thick fog that now looked to have a purple tint to it. The skinny creature weaves its way threw the trees.
"Call me Naraku." He purred. "I have come to warn you, the Queen comes ridding her red stallions, it's you she comes to slew. With her, many pawns, Card-Men." It seemed as if he tried to rhyme but his voice cracked and sounded dry ruining the effect.
"Why do you warn us?" I asked, it seemed that most likely he did what he felt like for little reson at all. "What is your price?"
"Smart little girl, seeing what I bring to the table, I have the pearl, the key to her castle, it can be yours if you answer my question: What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?" his grin broke across his face in a jagged line that caused me to flinch.
Sesshomaru's browns knitted together before he pulled a small bag from his side. From it came a carrot. I was about to smack him before I watched the orange vegetable grow into a flaming sword.
The feline just laughed as I scrambled my brain for the answer. Run, but never walks? Maybe rain? I looked up and saw the Naraku grow to a Cat-Man, tall and dark.
"A river!" I blerted. "A river runs but never walks, it has a mouth but never talks, it has a head but never weeps, it has a bed but never sleeps." Sesshomaru's eyes went wide and he shook his head, I guess I was not to answer the question.
"Good answer girl, and a correct one at that. Here." He said before tossing me a shiny pink orb. I glittered and shined as I moved it between your fingers. The Cheshire smiled before the thick miasma blocked out his visage.
"We are entering dangerous territory, but if you want to go home, the Queen of Hearts is your only option." he said slashing with his sword and clearing the purple mist.
"Then let's go. I will get home." I said as Sesshomaru handed me the sword from his hand and retrieved his other one from the ground when the table ran away.
"Why are you helping me?" I asked, he had no need to assist me.
"The Queen took my housemaid Mary Ann Rin. She was dear to me." He started walking and tried to hide his face but I saw his face flash with anger. We would both get what we wanted. I would make sure of it.
The housemaid is a real character in the book and fit my purpose. I will go more into the darkness of Wonderland next chapter. Enjoy!