Chapter 2-

"So... what is the new Mad Hatter like?" Alice asked cautiously. She was being dragged through the masion by the twins. Ace had gotten lost some time ago. The foreigner was worried for him, and her fears only hightened as she heard Elliot screaming about 'not supposed to be in the mansion.'

Dum pursed his lips and thought for a second. "Well, for starters, he's nothing like the old boss."

"Yeay,' Dee agreed. "He's really nice-"

"But completely insane."

Alice sighed. At least he's nice, apparently. However, I don't know if I'll be able to handle any insanity.

"We're here!" the twins shouted. "Can we come in, Boss. We brought the Lady!"

The door to what used to be Blood's office opened. In the doorway stood a man about three inches taller than Alice. The girl's eyes widened as she met a pair of emerald green orbs. The man's hair, which was tied in a loose side ponytail that hung over his shoulder, was platinum blond. The chin lenght bangs he had lazily parted to the right were the same color as his startling eyes.

On top of his head lie a tilted black fedora. The King of Spades and two green feathers were sloppily placed on just above the rim of the hat. He wore a white dress shirt that was not, under any circumstances, neatly tucked into his wrinkled black dress pants. Not only that, but his shirt wasn't even buttoned properly.

Alice was horrified as she took in the man's appearance. What the-? He's a complete slob!

The man smiled. "Hello! It's a pleasure to met you! I'm Leo Grant! Will you come in and sit? I've been wanting to meet you for a while but I haven't gotten the chance, but now you're here! I insist! You must come in at once!" he greeted, much too loudly.

The girl winced but nodded and walked into the room, distantly aware of the twins shutting the door and leaving. Yet again, as she looked around the room, she was shocked. The room... it was a complete wreck. Books scattered everywhere, pillows out of place, random documents lying on the floor, and teacups by the plenty littered the work space.

"Sit, sit. You must sit." Leo gestured to the couch.

After moving all the books and papers from one cushion and onto the other, Alice sat.

Leo sat in a chair across from her... ignoring the trash that seperated him from the soft chair. "I've heard you've had quite a bit of trouble with the previous Mad Hatter. Is that true?" he asked.

Alice nodded. "He wasn't exactly, very kind."

The Hatter only looked up at the ceiling. When he looked back at Alice there was a wide smile on his face. "Tell me, do you know why a raven is like a writting desk?"

The girl bit her lip. "No clue?" She wasn't sure what brought this up or if she was really expected to answer.

"Oh, come now. It's very simple if you just think about it." Leo waited but Alice just shook her head. With a sigh he answered, "They both have feathers."

"I don't understand," Alice said, fooled beyond comprehension.

"A raven has feathers and on a writting desk, there are quills, which also contain feathers."

"That's true, but not all writting desks have quills."

The Hatter grunted. "This is no good, no good at all." That was when he picked up a random teacup and shouted at the top of his lungs in a singing mannor, "I need a clean cup~!"

Alice's eye twitched.

With a huff of breath from Leo, the atmosphere changed into a serious one. He looked Alice dead in the eyes. "I know who is stalking you and I'd be willing to help with the problem. For a price."

The foriegner gulped. She did not like the man's tone of voice. It spoke of, death, without meaning to. It spoke of danger and blood. Of pain and suffering. "W-who is it? H-how do you know?" she asked.

Then laughter circled around the room. "Wouldn't you like to know! Haha~!" the Hatter chuckled.

Alice stood up abruptly, agrivated. "If all you're going to do is mess with my head then I am leaving!" Alice shouted.

"Wait! Hold on a minute! I meant what I said! I do know, and I will help, if you pay my price."

The girl turned back around, saying, "Then name your price and tell me everything you know."

Leo grinned a mad and crazy grin. "I'll warn you, the price I want will not be an easy one to pay."

I'm so sorry this took soooo long to update, but I'm working on the next chapter now. As always, please review and thank crazzy2000 for requesting this story.