(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ - that means we're in Wonderland

DISCLAIMER: characters – Kishimoto, in honor of mu149

I make my way through the front door and with the little energy I have, make it to my room. I drop the uniform on the floor and collapse on my bed. If you couldn't tell, I was just dead tired.

Jiraiya had made me stay with him to lock up since the other girls had to leave early. I didn't like it, especially since I also had to clean up too after my shift. I look at the clock to see that it was almost midnight. I had to walk all the way from work to home. I was going to call Naruko but my cell phone battery had died. That was just peachy.

My eyes are heavy and I feel energy ebb away and sleep overcome me quickly. I have just enough energy though to sigh out, "Damn Ero-sennin… making me stay late with him tonight."

I clench my hand a little and feel the check in it. I had almost forgotten about it. With the little energy I had, I place it on my bedside table so that way I could remember it would be there in the morning. I would remember to get the tips out of pocket later and add a little bit to my stash of money.

Most of my money went to paying off the debt but I also saved some up for myself.

Sleep finally came over me…

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

"Alice. Alice, it's time to wake up now."

I groan softly and turn to my side. I hear a deep chuckle and warmth beside me. Both of them combined are a comfort and I try to snuggle up against it. The body next to me doesn't seem to have any complaints; in fact, it welcomes me.

My eyes are shut but I smell something. No doubt the source of the aroma was coming from whoever was beside me. I smell… vanilla. It's sweet but also smells musky at the same time. No doubt it's coming from someone masculine and I love it. I want to be bathed in it.

It's heaven.

"It's time to wake up Alice. You'll be late for tea and you know how March Hare gets when you are late." The voice repeats.

I groan again and try to go back to sleep. No, I want to stay like this. Whoever this March Hare is, he or she is going to have to wait.

The chuckle is heard again and this time I feel a hand caress me. It starts at my face, cupping my cheek and travels down. Long fingers drag over my skin, brushing against my pulse, smoothing down my arm, and stop at my waist. The hand gives me a squeeze and I know that I can't sleep in forever.

I sit up and rub my eyes. I'm displeased that I had to wake up.

When I finish rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I see who was beside me. The stranger lay on his side, propped up by his elbow and giving me a smirk. I took in his appearance; he had raven hair, dark eyes, pale skin, and he wore a hat. The hat was jet black with a card tucked in the velvet wrapping.

To say the least he was handsome… and familiar.

"Who are you?" I ask.

At lightning speed he is up on his feet and his hand is extended to me. I take his hand and he helps me up. I look down to see myself wearing the uniform. That's strange, didn't I take it off? Why am I back in it?

He wears a smirk but it is sad. "You've forgotten me. I'm so sad Alice."

"Alice? Hey, that's not my name!" I shout at him.

His arms circle around me and though I am not completely familiar with him, I don't want to step away. In his arms, I feel strangely secure.

I pull away from him to look at my surroundings.

I wasn't in my house. I was in some strange forest. It was eerie and things seemed to be dying. The tree branches were hung over, as if they were mourning. Everything looked dull but I could imagine that if this place had color, everything would be alive.

"What is this place? Where are we?" I mutter.

"This is your land of wonder. You are our Alice, and I am yours." He whispers close to my ear. It's so intimate, like he's saying it to me as if I'm his lover and I can't help but blush.

Once again I am caught in a hug, his arms wrapping around my waist. I glance up into his eyes, seeing them pierce right into me. They were a dark, onyx color… again it seemed familiar. I can't help but think that he's really beautiful.

His beauty is dark and mysterious. I wish I was like that.

"You and I are eternally bound to each other. I am yours forever. You made me a promise Alice." He says.

Hearing myself being called Alice, I try to correct him, "My name isn't Alice, teme!"

"My name isn't teme."

"I don't care! Just stop calling me Alice!" I screech at him.

His eyes softened and suddenly I feel guilty. Maybe I look like this Alice and he thinks I'm her. But it feels like I am the only Alice he knows. And it feels right; I want to be the only Alice in his life. "It has been too long…" he whispers.

"Of course it has!"

I turn my head towards the source of the voice. It's that damn white rabbit again! He is glaring at us and once again he has the pocket watch in his paw. "Alice is extremely late! He missed the important date and now his memories are gone!"

Gone? My memories?

No, I remember everything… what I am forgetting?

"You mean he doesn't remember anything? Not even me?" the stranger asks.

I look up and see how sad he had become. I felt responsible for it as he released me. He steps back and looks at the ground. "You promised…"

"I… I'm sorry. But I'm-" I begin but he cuts me off.

"You promised me Alice!" he yelled.

I jump at the sudden volume of his voice. He seems like the kind that would be calm and collected. But I see now that he is getting angry. Now those dark eyes have turned crimson in rage.

"How could you break your promise Alice? You said you wouldn't forget me! You lied! How dare you lie to me!" he screams.

He steps toward me and I am afraid of him. He was so serene just a while ago.

"Hatter!"

Hatter… that is what he's called?

At the sound of his name, Hatter blinks and his eyes are back to that cool color. "I'm sorry."

The rabbit looks at me and shakes his head. "It's not enough. His memories won't come back willing and it won't help either if we try to encourage them. We have to bring him back."

Hatter turned away from me and uttered, "You know the Rules. No one can go into his world. Only Alice can travel between the worlds. That is what the rules state."

"I can still go but I cannot physically convince him there. I will nothing more than a mere illusion."

"Then you are of no use," he says and casts his gaze on me, "He is already too lost."

Something about his gaze seemed to have set my memory off. "Wait! I know you! I've met you before!"

Hatter's eyes seemed alight at my realization. He now looked hopeful. "You have Alice! You need to remember!"

I close my eyes and try to think. But there's only one thing I remember. And it was that one word that was spoken to me by him. It was deep and sultry. All I can hear was the sensual way that he had said, "Thanks."

"That's all I can remember…" I mutter.

"No!" he roared.

I jumped at the sudden loudness of his voice. He was getting upset again. I didn't want to make him upset but I can't seem to remember him.

"Don't forget me! You can't forget me Alice!"

I shook my head and I was suddenly getting nervous. It sounded like he was getting desperate. He really wanted me to remember. "I'm sorry…"

Strong hands grab my shoulders and I am looking up at his face. He looks scared… very afraid. "Remember me!"

It was all so fast and slow at the same time. Suddenly our lips had met in a kiss and I couldn't find myself fighting back. It was electric and it sent a pleasurable jolt into my body.

"Hatter! That is against the rules!"

The outburst from the rabbit instead spurred him to deepen the kiss. But he finally releases me and I find myself becoming dizzy. I feel hot and my vision begins to blur.

But Hatter's eyes were the sharpest, despite my blurring vision. "You have to remember me. Come back to me, you promised. Now wake up. Wake up, Naruto…"

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

"Naruto! Get up!"

I fall off my bed at the outburst and find myself staring up at the ceiling.

It was morning? But wasn't I just awake? Or was it a dream?

Naruko looks down at me, exasperated. She heaves a sigh and says, "Naruto, you're still sleeping! Get up and get dressed or else you'll be late!"

I roll my eyes but get up. "Yeah, after all, the teachers would be so disappointed if their favorite demon were to be late."

"Just get dressed quickly! And remember to be at Jiraiya's at-"

"Five! I know already! Stop treating me like I'm stupid!"

Naruko sighed behind me and left. She had already graduated from high school but had to turn down the university to help pay off the debt so instead she went to a lesser college. She didn't want me paying off the debt all on my own while she went to school.

It's just the compassion of a sibling but people liked to think of it as me holding her back.

And sometimes I felt like they were right.

There's no more time left to waste. I have to rush to school, Naruko had already left but that's fine with me. I don't really want to deal with her. Not after that strange dream. I make sure I'm properly dressed and have everything I need in my bag.

I walk out the house and make sure to lock the door. I tuck my hair into a ponytail and then I hear the soft whisper. "Alice."

My eyes widened and I twist my head around. There's no one nearby but yet I hear it again, "Alice."

I whip my head around again and I see the white rabbit again, pointing at his watch expectantly. I shake my head and when I look up again, he's gone.

I really needed to stop daydreaming.

I started jogging to school.

It really calmed my nerves. It got rid of some of the stress I had. But my mind still freely wanders.

I think all about the 'what ifs'?

What if Daddy didn't die? What if I died? What if Naruko went to college?

All the 'ifs' are suffocating me now and I'm getting a headache. If I stay in this town any longer, I'm really going to want to kill myself. Some days I really can't handle the pressure.

The thought occurs to me that I used to handle it better when I was younger. I wonder how I did it back then and if I could remember it.

I remember Naruko had burst in my room in hysterics. She was crying and demanding to know where I had been. I didn't remember leaving, I just remember lying down to take a nap and then I woke up. But she insisted that I had been gone for a week.

It was strange but I think being away for that one week supposedly was the last time I was happy.

She cared for me back then but I wonder if it's different now.

I arrived at school but when I checked the time, the first hour had already started. That's okay; I wasn't really looking forward to being in that class anyway. Plus I don't want all eyes on me as I walk in late.

Easily sneaking through the hallways and up the stairs, I arrive at the door to the roof of the school. No one is allowed to be here without a teacher's permission but they don't really monitor that often. I use the spare key that I had stolen and made a copy of from staff office.

I open the door and wait to move until I hear the click of the door. Without a key to that door, you wouldn't be able to get on the roof unless someone opened it for you. I drop my bag on the ground and decide to use it as a pillow. I'm feeling a little tired and could use a little nap. I shut my eyes slowly and feel the breeze blow.

"You're late Alice."

My eyes snap open and I see someone looking down at me. He had raven hair and onyx eyes… it was that guy from the library. "You know no one is allowed on the roof." He said.

I blink and stamp a glare at him. "Is that so? Then why are you here?"

He sat down beside me and looked up into the sky. "I was excused from class."

"So you came up here?"

"Yeah, and I suppose you have the privilege of being up here too."

He was teasing and it gave me a little laugh. I smile but then I remember that this guy could be trying to pull something mean on me. "Why are you talking to me?"

"Am I not allowed to talk to you?"

"Don't you know who I am?"

"Do you know who I am?"

I'm silent but then I hear the soft whisper again. "Remember me Alice."

I glance at him and see how intent his gaze was at me. I look away and fold my hands together. "You're new here aren't you?" I see him nod from the corner of my eye. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto."

"So you were the one that showed me where Edgar Allen Poe was. Thank you. I'm Uchiha Sasuke. Yesterday was my first day here. You looked scared of me."

I laughed. I wasn't scared of him. He was just so damn beautiful he intimidated me. "I wasn't scared."

He smirked and he leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "Well maybe you should be Uzumaki Naruto…"

The way he said my name so sensually, it made heat rush to my cheeks. He pulled away but I could see that smirk still in place. I think I could like him…

"You know, you look like a girl." He commented. I don't really react to it. I don't know whether he means it in a bad way or a good way. But either way, it makes me upset on the inside. I'm a guy, I just have to look like a girl so that I can keep my job and get paid.

I turn to complain to him but then I notice how close he had become. He leaned close to me and I could smell that musky vanilla. I feel myself relax and almost leaning towards him. "I almost thought you were a girl at first until the librarian told me otherwise. You're very beautiful for a boy."

"I could say the same about you…"

His smirk is devilish but it's charming. The barrier that I've used to keep everyone out is being torn down so easily by Sasuke. I meet him in a kiss and shoots pleasurable tingles throughout my body. It was strange of me to just give up my first kiss to this person who I just met. But I felt like I've known him my entire life for some reason.

My hands come up and my fingers curl into his hair. He tilts his head to the side to kiss me at a different angle, pushing me back almost. But his hands are strong and they support me.

He pulls back and gazes at me. I know for sure he felt that pleasurable shock just as I did when we kissed. One of his hands come forward and cups my cheek. He tilts my head back again and readies to kiss me again…

The bell goes off and startles us both. We jump away from each other but I ached to be back into his hold. I have no doubt that he wanted the same thing.

Sasuke stands up and holds his hand out to me. "We should get to class."

I accept his hand and he pulls me up. I blush at what he had just done not too long ago and how easily it had been broken. But that happiness I felt with Sasuke, I know it won't last long. Sooner or later he'll conform to everyone else's thoughts of me: that I should be dead. And even if he didn't, they would make it tough on him somehow. I didn't want him to suffer.

"People will talk if they see us walk together." I say.

He raises an elegant eyebrow, confused. "And why does that matter?"

I sigh to myself. I walk up to him and kiss him on the lips. He tries to deepen it but I move away quickly. "I don't want to ruin your life." I say softly.

I move away and go towards the fence. I look back at him and wave before jumping off. I hit the ground with an inaudible thump and look back to see him staring at me. I just push through the crowd silently, my wall back in its place.

That's how it should be.

"Hey Kyuubi!"

I whip my head around and look to see who had called out at me. There's a group coming towards me, one of the 'in' cliques. I can't help but feel a little afraid. I didn't do anything but they'll go away faster if I just look sorry and apologize.

They come up to me and one of them asks, "You, what's your name?"

I look at them with distrust. "Uzumaki Naruto."

The one who asked my name, he's grinning. "Are you busy later?"

"No."

A few of them snicker, which only raises my suspicions. "We're going to the shopping district later on today. Do you want to tag along with us?"

For some stupid reason my hopes soared up. It was against my better judgment but I immediately said, "Sure! I know where that is! It is a few block down from the Maid Café!"

He gives me a strange look and I realized that I might have accidentally given myself away.

One of them steps forward. I almost think that it is Sasuke but he's not. His hair is much shorter and his eyes aren't the same. They are similar but not the same. "Sure, I know what café you're talking about. Do you go there?" he asks.

I shake my head and look down at the ground. "N-No. My sister works there and…"

He seems interested but doesn't ask any more questions. I feel relief.

"Good. Then we'll see you later then!"

I nod to them and watch them walk away.

I run home and with a stupid grin on my face. I'm happy that someone had finally approached me and wanted me to hang out with him. I wasn't expecting a new chance to be accepted but I jumped at the opportunity as soon as it arrived.

I rush the door and stand by Naruko's side. "Guess what?"

She looks up at me and stops her sewing. "What is it?"

"I've been invited to hang out with some kids today!"

She glances at me and then to her sewing. She's skeptical. "You hate shopping…"

"Who cares? They're finally accepting me!"

"But you have work." She says softly. She seems unconvinced that people actually asked to hang out with me.

I cross my arms and say back, "It's after work!"

"Is the shopping district even open that late on a school night?"

"Of course it is! I have to get going to work now!"

Naruko is quiet but she looks at me and says, "Okay, be careful."

I fail to notice the worry in her voice. I nod and give her a squeeze. I rush up stairs, grab my bag with my dress in it, and run to work.

Everyone notices my cheerful attitude at work. They are either annoyed by it, don't care, or catch wind of it and are cheery too. I couldn't wait until my shift ended that way I could go!

"Naruko, why don't you go tend to that guy over there?" Sakura says, pointing towards a table in the corner.

I nod to her and turn to face the table. I'm surprised to see that dark haired guy again, sitting alone. I hope that he wouldn't recognize me. I walk up to him and put on a sweet smile. "Hello Master. What can I get for you?"

He glances at me and says, "I would like to have the green tea."

"May I suggest the flan, Master? It has just been added to our menu and it's very delicious." I say.

He nods and smiles at me. "Yes, I think that would be nice."

I walk away with his order written down.

I just can't wait to leave.

I take the tea and flan to his table, setting it down in front of him. "Would that be all Master?"

He looks up at me and asks, "What's your name?"

I'm startled by his question but I don't let it show on my face. "My name is Namikaze Naruko. What is your name Master?"

He's studying me but then looks away. "My name is Sai." He answers.

"Will that be all Master Sai? Have you taken a liking to me?"

"No, I need nothing else. I just thought that you looked like someone from my school." He says.

"I think I would remember seeing someone like you at my school. I can't miss you." I say, giving him a little wink. I shudder a little when he smiles back.

I was relieved when Sai had left and I was ecstatic when my shift ended. However when I checked the clock, I realized I was late. "Shit!"

I rush out and begin to run. I reach the district but it was all dark. There was barely anyone present. I realized that they had fooled me. My heart fell and I hung my head. I couldn't believe I was actually stupid enough to believe them.

Tears gathered in my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

"Alice… Leave."

I look up and see three men stumbling along together, laughing loudly.

"Go… Run now!"

I shut my eyes and try to will that voice away. I'm in not the mood for hallucinations. When I open my eyes I see the men gathering around me. I become scared and try to run.

But despite their obvious intoxication, one of them grabs my hair and pulls. It hurts and I'm so panicked that I don't register what they are saying. But I have a feeling in what they want. One of them tries to kiss me but I spit in his face and curse at him.

They become upset and I'm thrown into the ground. I feel their shoes kicking into my stomach and I begin to cry. I just want to disappear.

Their blows stop and I register that they're screaming. Someone must have come to save me. My vision is blurry but I try to see who the one who stopped them was. But it's hard to move and I groan in pain.

Gentle hands cradle me and I'm looking into familiar dark eyes.

"Alice…"

"Hey! Are you alright?"

"Don't worry… I'll protect you."

It's all too much and I just shut my eyes and let the darkness close in on me.

"Looks like you need help."