Chapter two at your service. :D Ah, this one was hard to write. o.o I tried to have it out before school started, but that didn't work out. The chapter was too long to write in just one day. x3 Anyway, in some ways I feel like this chapter isn't written well, so there is a possibility of a rewrite. If I do rewrite it, I'll be sure to tell you guys, so you can read the perfect version. You deserve it, 'cause you're the best! Less than three~! :D Review replies at the end.

Question: Since I'm having an issue on figuring out who the White Queen will be, I need your help. I feel like if I make it Rido, that will be too cliche. But if I make it an OC, I feel like it would be a Sue-ish type of character. So, what do you think?

You should know:
* Three days in the real world is one day in Wonderland. (Yes, Zero will be there for a long time. xD)
* Sayuri is not Sayori.
* Some things may be confusing, since I'm not all that good at explaining things. (Take Zero's dress for example)

Sorry for the long, useless words. xD Anyway, story time!


Kaien was in a bind.

He had successfully managed to convincingly lie to Yuuki. His adoptive daughter had come storming into his office during her lunch hour the day he returned, demanding to know where Zero was – if he had returned from his mission. She had quickly rambled something about not being able to find him on school grounds. The former hunter's heart nearly broke at the sight of the girl. She looked as if she had not gotten a wink of sleep in the miniscule amount of time she was able to. Her eyes had taken up a darker hue, filled with unadulterated panic and worry. It looked like she was unable to breathe correctly from the way her arms occasionally folded at her chest and gave it a slight squeeze. Over all, Yuuki looked lost – like something had died inside of her.

Kaien's words had formed a ball in his throat at the sight of her. He had planned on telling her that he had yet to return, but that he was fine; the mission would have to take longer than expected. Instead, to calm her (even if it was just a little bit), he had told her that he did return and rested a bit, but the Association called him for another mission overseas. He had expected for her to be angry and even more worried about his wellbeing, but he quickly added that he did not go alone. He reassured her that Zero was accompanied by two more hunters, who were slightly more experienced with more challenging assignments.

The male had the satisfaction of seeing Yuuki's eyes light up and her posture return to what it had been before her partner was given his assignment. It was almost as if a visible weight had been lifted off of Yuuki's shoulders. She inhaled and sighed in relief before hugging him, asking to keep her updated on him, and jetting off to class.

Yes, Yuuki had been rather easy to fool. Kaien mentally winced at his choice of words, but quickly pushed that thought out of his mind. He needed to be focused on his current situation.

It may have been easy for him to lie to Yuuki, but lying to Kaname was another story. After years of working together and spending time together because of Yuuki, the pureblood learned how to distinguish the difference between the former hunter's truths and lies.

The two male sat in the Chairman's office, across from each other – Kaien behind his desk and Kaname in one of the chairs ahead of it. Knowing wine orbs bore into honey hues, demanding that it be said out loud.

"Kiryu-kun is still here, isn't he?" Kaname repeated; his voice cold and hard.

Kaien sighed in defeat. His fingers intertwined, forming a bridge for him to rest his chin on, "Yes. Kiryu-kun is still on campus."

Kaname knew it from the very beginning. He remembered smelling the ex-human's blood. He could still feel him. He could not quite comprehend why it agitated him to know that Cross had thought it would be okay to lie about the hunter's whereabouts. Kaname did not care for him in that sense, yes, but he was Yuuki's guard and he needed to keep tabs on him at all times. It did not help that, though she tried to hide it and did not look as disheveled as she had the first day, Yuuki was worried about him.

"Why would you tell her that? She'll be expecting him back soon."

"You know the answer, Kaname-kun," Kaien stated softly. "It was the only way to explain his absence."

It had been three days since Zero had returned from the mission. Three days in which the hunter slept. To Kaien's surprise, his wounds had healed even though the hunter had not fed in a while. Or perhaps while Kaien was working, Zero had woken up, fed from anything but a human (Kaien secretly hoped it was Kaname), and went back to sleep. Given his condition before he left and after he returned, Zero was in need a good sleep. But Zero had not woken up. He had not spoke or even groaned. Hell, the boy did not even move! The only thing that let Kaien know he was still alive was the steady rise and fall of Zero's chest.

At that point, it had registered in Kaien's mind that Zero had fallen into a coma.

He supposed he should have taken him to a hospital or brought some medical attention over to the house, but word would spread to the Association and the last thing he needed was for them to be on his back and worry that Yuuki would find out through them, though, she had no ties to the Association whatsoever. But somehow, the Association always found a way to exploit secrets, even if it was in a discrete manner. It almost made the Association seem like it run by the cunning vampires of the Council. Kaien truly did not see how the two branches did not get along well.

"I want to see him," Kaname snapped him out of his reverie.

Kaien's eyebrows furrowed – partially in concern and partially in confusion, "W-would you like to repeat that?"

Kaname stood, his face remaining stoic, and turned towards the door. He twisted the knob, "I want to see him. You don't have to tell me where he is, I can find him."

The pureblood exited the room.


A cacophonous symphony of glass cracking echoed off of the maroon walls. Kaname struggled to contain his anger and pain. The whole tore at his heart, slowly, piece by piece, only to stitch it back together to repeat the process. The ripping drummed against his ear drums, blocking out all sound. Growls rippled through his contorted mouth; his canines fully lengthened. His fingers had transformed into claws.

It seemed to little Yuuki that Kaname's eyes would permanently remain the dark crimson – nearly black – color they had taken up. She shuttered, gripping the fabric of the couch she had been hiding behind. Her ears drooped, in case Kaname decided to begin tossing things around. She had never seen her brother behave like a…monster. He looked as if he wanted to tear the palace apart and leave nothing but ashes behind. She cleared her throat, swallowing the ball that had formed there. She took a deep breath, desperately trying to use her shield against the frightful aura radiating off of Kaname, but he had not taught her enough.

"You lost him?" Kaname snarled. "Why is it that I can't find one damn soul to bring that boy to Wonderland? And why the hell is he so stubborn? Why can't he just be an obedient level D and follow his superiors?" He added, more to himself than to Yuuki.

Yuuki blinked, realization suddenly hitting her. Kaname thought she lost him when she was trying to bring him here. She giggled dryly, silently. Perhaps she had not been very specific in her report to him. She cleared her throat once more, managing to choke out, "Onii-sama, he's here, in Wonderland. I lost him in the woods, I don't know where he went, but he's here."

Through the noise filling Kaname's ears, he had somehow managed to hear the little voice's words. His anger evaporated almost as quickly as it had come. A calming sensation waved over him. He pulled his hand from the wall he had punched, though he did not remember doing so, and drifted over to the couch. He winced guiltily, witnessing the tiniest flinch backwards Yuuki made. He did not mean to scare her. He never wanted her to see that side of him.

He lifted her, smoothed the skirt of his dress and sat down, cradling the small girl in his lap. He rubbed her back, soothingly. Her small trembles slowly faded into nothing. His lips pressed against her silky hair, "I'm sorry, Yuuki. Forgive me for jumping to conclusions. Forgive me for scaring you."

Yuuki shook her head, "It's okay. It was my fault. I didn't tell you the story right. I though you would know, because you're always watching him."

Kaname chuckled softly, his fingers trapping her chin. He lifted her face. He wanted to make sure she had not been lying to him, though he knew she never would. "Are you sure that Zero is here?"

Yuuki beamed and nodded, her head cocking to the side slightly, "Of course. I never let my Onii-sama down, ne?"

"No, Yuuki. You never let me down." Kaname's lips roamed around her face, planting grateful butterfly kisses along his trail. He thanked Kami for giving him such an angel. He truly did not know what he would do without her. It seemed she was the only one who could get things done.

He tightened his grip on her, hums drifting out of him as he was pulled into his thoughts. He allowed a smile paint its way onto his face. Zero, his life, was in Wonderland. Mission one was complete. Mission two, though had changed severely. Initially, after Zero slipped into Wonderland, Yuuki was to find a way to keep his interest to bring him to the palace. Losing him was in no way part of the plan, and Kaname did not have a back up. Thousands among thousands of ideas swarmed through the queen's mind, but none of them worked. For the first time in his life, Kaname did not know what to do and it burned him.

What he did know, however, was that he had to find Zero before he did.


The male was in unadulterated ecstasy. He groaned. His lips were latched onto someone's – he really did not care who – throat, pulling their life liquid out of them. This was his fourth meal today. At least in his mind it was. He lost count after the second one, allowing himself to be fully overpowered by the vampire inside of him. He was so lost in the sweet nectar that, rather than put out the flames in his chest and throat, left him aching for more. He wished for nothing more than to swim through the stream if this sanguine fluid for eternity.

Unfortunately, the limp body tangled in his arms had other plans. His sustenance had ceased. He growled and tossed the body to the side, ignoring its thump against the wall.

His crimson eyes glazed over the room, a twisted smirk playing onto his blood stained lips. He certainly had enjoyed himself too much, judging by the massive amount of eternally unconscious bodies among the room. He sighed, painfully. This was his favorite room, too. Oh well. There were plenty of other rooms that needed to be used.

A small wave of fear broke him from his thoughts. It looked like he missed one. His eyes landed on the girl standing in the doorway. He frowned. It was only Sayuri, his spy. From the slight fragrance of olives in the room, it seemed as if she had been there for quite some time.

"May I ask why you bothered to attempt to interrupt my meal?" He stood from his seat in the middle of the room. There had not been a chair in here, and though he had requested one, he figured his servants were smart enough not to intervene. He had already been lost. He slowly stalked his way over to her, making sure to hide his extending claws.

The girl bowed apologetically, reporting, "The boy, Zero, is here."

Any trace of anger in the male diminished. The Red Queen had finally brought him to Wonderland. He smirked. How much more weak could the Red Queen get?

"Are you sure?" He had reached the, now, trembling girl, his hand cupping her cheek. He resisted the urge to lick his lips as a pink tint colored her cheeks. Really, she smelled absolutely sinful and her actions towards him made it even better. Her breathing hitched as the male planted kisses along her neck going as far as her collarbone. She silently begged for more, but would never ask. She always waited until he offered.

Sayuri nodded feebly, coughing out, "I'm positive. The White Rabbit was with him at first, but she lost him as did I."

Ah, Zero was alone. He gently ran his fingertips along her arms, never removing his lips from her neck. He inhaled her scent. He grinned at her shudder when he grazed his fangs along her sensitive flesh, just at the contour of her neck. This was why she was his spy; she always came back with something positive.

"Come, Sayuri. You did an excellent job," He lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He nuzzled his nose into her neck, occasionally licking the tender skin. She moaned softly, biting her lip rather hard as he slowly began to grind against her. The smell of her blood hit his nose. He quickly lapped up the blood, kissing her lightly, reprimanding gently, "No, no, Sayuri. Wait just a bit."

He carried her across the hall, kicking the door to the previous room closed. He would find Zero. He would make Kaname grovel at his feet.


Zero twisted his head to the side, groaning. The light coming in from the window was certainly irritating him. He wanted to sleep a little while longer. Why the hell could he not do that?

The silver headed hunter wrinkled his nose at the feeling of something grazing upon it. He swatted whatever it was away, but it came again. He huffed, turning his head towards the sun despite the intensity. Again, he felt the grazing against his nose. He growled and resolved to open his eyes. He squinted, allowing his eyes to adjust to the sudden light. He turned onto his side, wincing at the small tug from his legs. Why was he suddenly so uncomfortable?

He kicked at his legs, but whatever cloth was wrapped around them would not budge. He stopped his struggles with another growl.

His amethyst eyes roamed around the unfamiliar room. The walls were painted a forest green, stopping at the beige carpet. It was bare; the only piece of furniture was the bed he was currently occupying. He studied the room for a while longer, wondering where he was. The dorms did not look this way and as far as he knew, the Chairman's house contained only four rooms. He had been in all of them as a child and he doubted Kaien changed the way they looked.

Voices swarmed around in his mind, memories projecting themselves before his eyes. He remembered the child Yuuki, jumping into the lake, and leaving from a pool. He remembered following Yuuki before losing her in the woods. He remembered following an intoxicating scent. What happened after that, he did not know, but he remembered seeing Kaien and Ichijo in the room. Kaien and Ichijo…so he was with the Chairman. Perhaps not the Academy or the Chairman's house, but he was somewhere. The question was where.

Something grazed on his nose once more. His eyes caught a silver hue contrasting against the navy blue bed sheets. He blinked for a moment, confused, but brushed it off of his shoulders. His eyes fluttered shut. It was just his hair. His hair…

Zero's eyes flew open as he jolted up, groaning when dizziness overwhelmed him. He grabbed a fistful of his hair from the back, bringing it slowly to the front. His eyes widened. His hair was long, much too long. It stopped just at his hips. Looking down, he noticed that he was not in his Day Class uniform, either. His eye twitched as he tossed the blanket off of him. What he thought was just a top was actually a dress. The dress had baby blue and white stripes, stopping at the white frilly cuffs at the end of the long sleeves. Poking out of the hem of the skirt was white lace. Covering the dress was a white apron with large pockets at the sides and pleated hem. His eyes trailed down his legs. He shuddered involuntarily. He was wearing white knee high socks.

Zero stood, heading towards the open door across from the bed to the connecting bathroom. Lucky for him, half of the wall above the sink was made of glass, reflecting his appearance to him. The dress stopped just at his knees and had a revealing white collar. Or at least to Zero, it was revealing. It left his neck wide open.

His jaw dropped; his attention drifted to the large accessory at the crown of his head. Slightly tilted to the side was a baby blue bow rimmed with white lace.

Zero studied himself in the mirror before rage waved over him. His pulled at the bow, but it would not move. He lifted the dress, trying to pull it over his head only to be given the same results as the bow. The dress would not come off. It was almost like it was glued to him. Zero tugged at it, ignoring the slight burn at his neck from the cloth rubbing against it. He growled and released the skirt, allowing it to fall into its original position. He tugged at his hair, desperately hoping it was a wig, but the hiss that escaped his lips told him otherwise.

How did his hair grow in a matter of hours? Who changed his clothes to this…this…monstrosity? Who… The Chairman slipped into his mind. His eyes narrowed.

The hunter twisted on his heels, power walking angrily towards the closed door across the room. He zipped out of the room, following the scent of chamomile tea. Zero did not take in his surroundings, his mind solely focused on his hands clasped around the Chairman's neck.

The trail of tea led him to a small kitchen on the same floor. A silent rumbling formed in Zero's chest. Kaien was sitting at the table, sipping tea and munching on a piece of cake. It angered Zero further to see that the male was acting as if he had done nothing. He stomped over to the table, slamming his hand on it, nearly breaking it in half.

Kaien jumped, barely managing not to spill his tea. He set the cup down, his gaze shifting to the young male. He smiled, "Ah, Zero-kun, you're awake. Are you hungry?"

Zero's eyes narrowed, glaring daggers at the former hunter. He lifted the apron with two fingers, almost as if he were disgusted by it – which he partially was. "What the hell is this?" He spat.

Kaien blinked, arching an eyebrow in confusion, "A dress?"

"I know that! I meant what the hell is it doing on me?" Zero gritted his teeth.

Kaien chuckled, "They're your clothes, Zero."

Zero growled, rolling his eyes, "I didn't come here in this. Where is my uniform?"

"Zero, you don't have a uniform. That dress is yours." Kaien took a sip of his tea, his eyes never leaving Zero's. He inhaled, and then sighed, "It would probably make more sense when I tell you what's happening." He gestured towards the empty seat across from him. "Please, sit. I'll explain while you eat. You are hungry, correct?"

Zero pulled out the chair he had been standing behind and sat down. He nodded in sync with the large growl that erupted from his stomach.

Kaien smiled, suppressing his chuckle. He snapped, summoning his servant.

Zero was slowly beginning to notice a difference in the man. For one thing, he did not shout for joy and try to hug him when he came down, happy that he was alive. Secondly, he had a somewhat serious demeanor compared to how he usually acts. Third, he called him Zero. Cross called him Kiryu, unless he was being serious. Lastly, he did not offer to cook for Zero. The last observation was the one that sent shivers down Zero's spine. Even if the Chairman was joking or dead serious, he would always offer Zero his neck or to cook some of his special concoctions for him. His eyes followed the little penguin robot slide into the room, halting at the table.

Kaien pulled him from his thoughts, "What would you like, Zero?"

"Anything would be nice," Zero replied in a small voice. He was not in the mood to object to any food offered, he just wanted to eat. He began to follow the penguin again, slightly amused. It looked like a child, but a child with the maturity of an adult. It was cute.

His gaze turned to Kaien, watching as he poured himself some more tea. This could not be and was not the man who had taken him in when he was younger, even if he looked like him. Or perhaps he was, but was giving Zero a break after seeing the condition he was in. Zero shook that thought out of his mind. That was impossible, the Chairman always acted like a child. "You're not Cross," he stated.

The dirty blond male took a sip of his tea before setting it down gently. He sat back, folding his arms across his chest and smiled slightly. His honey orbs connected with Zero's amethyst. "I am Cross," He corrected. "I'm not your Cross, but I am his equivalent."

"You act nothing like him," Zero muttered, silently thanking the penguin, who had set a plate of unfamiliar food in front of him. He mumbled another thank you when the penguin poured him some water. Suddenly, aware of his thirst (and not just for water), he took hold of the cup and took a few gulps.

Kaien chuckled lightly, "No, I am not like him. We have different personalities because we live in different places."

Zero was reminded that he did not know where he was, "Where am I?"

Kaien paused in the process of lifting his cup. He gazed at Zero, questioningly, "Don't you know?"

Zero shook his head, swallowing something that had tasted somewhat like bread. How did Cross expect him to know something like that? He was just brought here, technically against his will, by Yuuki. He repressed a growl at the thought of the small girl. She ran off without giving him the chance to ask her where he was or why he was here. She did not give him the chance to ask her who she really was. It frustrated him beyond knowledge.

"Well then," Kaien smiled, mimicking his counterpart's disposition. "Let me be the first to welcome you to Wonderland."

Zero paused, nearly dropping his forkful of what seemed to be eggs. He was in Wonderland; the place where that girl went to when she was taken down the rabbit hole. What was her name?, he thought rummaging through his childhood memories. He remembered reading it once for school. Personally, he thought it was idiotic. Whoever wrote it was obviously a lunatic to think that there was a parallel world where animals could talk and everyone was…well, mad.

Zero shook his head in disbelief, "So what you're saying is I'm stuck in a fictional world?" The hunter snorted, chewing the last of his food and gulping down his drink. "There is no such place as Wonderland. It's a fantasy world with talking flowers, grinning cats, and ridiculously idiotic trials that have no evidence against the victim whatsoever. I have no idea what you've been drinking, Chairman, but maybe you should stop. It's messing with your already harebrained head. Now, would you please quit playing games and get this dress off of me? It's very uncomfortable and I'm not a girl. You can tell everyone else to cut the act as well, I'm not buying it."

Kaien feigned hurt, continuing to copy his counterpart. He wiped an invisible tear away, frowning and sniffling, "I'm hurt. Zero doesn't believe me and he insulted me." In an instant, he settled down, washing away any playfulness, "Zero, this isn't a game. Wonderland is real and you are in it. I'm aware that there is a book about Wonderland, but it is entirely fiction aside from the characters. You know that a girl named Alice was brought here by the White Rabbit, but because she found it strange, not because she needed to be here. The dress belongs to you because you are Alice. Here in Wonderland, certain people have certain titles. Yours is Alice. That dress will not come off of you unless you are changing into another one."

For a moment Zero forgot how to breathe. His body told him that what Kaien was telling him was true, but he refused to believe it, "Yuuki is the…"

"The White Rabbit," Kaien partially nodded. "That part of the story is true, but the White Rabbit is not the only one that can bring people into Wonderland. The rest of them can, too."

"The rest of them?" Zero's eyebrow furrowed, "Can you?

Kaien shook his head, "No, I can't bring people into Wonderland. Those who work for the Red Queen and those who work for the White Queen can only do so." Kaien studied Zero's stoic face.

So far, Zero knew that he was Alice and that Wonderland was ruled by two queens. How that was possible was beyond his concern, he truly did not care. What he wanted was to get home. Kaien had said that he needed to be here, but he did not see why. Whatever happened in Wonderland was the Red Queen's and White Queen's problem, not his. Zero's thoughts faltered. This was impossible. It had to be a dream. Kaien was just lying because he wanted this prank to go smoothly. Zero would not accept that Wonderland was real. "Yuuki brought me through this pool. Could I go back the same way?"

"No. Once you're in Wonderland, you never leave unless granted permission," Kaien stated bluntly. He sipped the last of his tea before forming a bridge with his hands and resting his chin on it. He watched as Zero's eyes briefly darkened with anguish. He understood that Zero's wish to leave. The boy had a home and people he cared for. "There are only three people who know of the exit; the Red Queen, the White Queen and the White Rabbit," He continued.

Zero racked his hand through his hair. This nightmare just kept getting worse and worse. "I need some air," he mumbled, standing from his chair.

Kaien nodded. It was a lot for Zero to take in at once, he understood. He snapped, calling for the penguin robot. He gestured toward Zero, silently asking to see him out. The robot peeped in response and began to lead the hunter towards the main entrance.

"Oh, Zero," Kaien called out before the two were out of earshot. The penguin skidded to a stop, nearly tripping Zero. Zero turned around, his normal glare on his face. Kaien smiled and gently slid a silver object across the table, "This fell out when you were hit in the head. Take it with you; you'll need to be extra careful out there."

Zero retreated into the kitchen. His snatched his Bloody Rose from the table and shoved it into one of the apron's pockets, "What do you mean?"

"The country is at "war"."

Zero could hear the air quotes around the word 'war'. "I was brought into a death trap?" He questioned sarcastically.

Kaien continued, "The White Queen and the Red Queen are at odds. They both want the same thing and will do anything to retrieve…what it is they want." He struggled to find the right words. He would not say that they were fighting for him; that would push the boy into unadulterated rage. "The White Queen regularly sends spies to do his work for him."

Zero did not miss the 'his'. Kaien had used the White Queen and 'his' in the same sentence. The White Queen was the subject of the sentence, so 'his' was referring to the White Queen. Zero's mind swarmed with so many questions that he did not know where to start – or if he wanted to know the answers at all. Wonderland seemed so simple in that book, but when it came down to it, the place was so complex, that even Kaname would not understand it. "Him? Isn't a Queen supposed to be a she?" Zero voiced his thoughts.

"Everything is what it isn't in Wonderland, Zero," Kaien answered. "You'll understand."

The hunter turned on his heel, trying to ignore the headache that had formed. He silently followed the penguin and released the breath he had not known he had been holding. He did not watch or know where he was going; he just needed to be away from the house. He would find it later or ask someone for directions. At the moment, he needed to think about what he was doing here and how he would get home. A shiver trickled down his spine as the thought of being stuck in Wonderland crossed his mind. No, there was no way he would stay, he thought as he followed the path into Wonderland's only city.


iBunnyxD: That's the plan. :D I like long chapters, too, but they kill me when writing them. D: xD

kanze4ever: I'm not sure if it will be KxZxK. For me, its easier to write KxZ than ZxK, but we'll see. :D

i'mthenewCAKEPIG: Yeah, I know she's scary. xD Since she's a pureblood (as the White Rabbit), I tried to weave in her personality as one.

simply anonymous: You get a cookie for your Zero-falls-into-a-coma thought. :3 That's how I had planned it when I started the story. :D (gives virtu-cookie)

mpiedz: Kaname and Queen Kaname only look alike. Other than that, they're completely different. In personality, Queen Kaname has more temper tantrums and openly shares his anger. He's very demanding and very selfish. He doesn't hesitate to get rid of those who anger him or betray him unless they're close to him. For example, in the prologue, he could have killed Aidou, but since he's one of Kaname's inner circle, he cares for him and didn't do so. Hope that makes sense. o.o

BIG thanks to everyone who reads and reviews. You mean the world to me. :D