Yo peeps! Sorry for the very VERY long delay! I've been swamped by work and was updating Ace's fic called The Wandering Heart so do check that out too if you like!

I really appreciate all the reviews (Thank you guys SOOO much!) and feeling motivated, I've been trying my best to plot for this chapter ever since which unfortunately nearly hit a writers block because there were so many details I have yet to figure out T-T. But i've managed somehow so hope this chapter won't be too confusing for you :P.

I've also set up a POLL for you to tell me which fic of mine I should update next! So make sure you vote if you want to see this story updated first ya! Or else I'll pay more attention to another lol!

The characters may be a bit OOC because remember, EVERYONE is suppose to hate Alice here XD! So without further ado and to compensate for all the time you've waited, I present to you (especially my reviewers ^^) a extra EXTRA long chapter :D! So get ready!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HnKnA except for my story T-T

Guideline to take note of:

"Italics and open inverted commas" - Telepathic conversation and open thoughts

Italics only - Closed and guarded thoughts

"Bold italics and open inverted commas" - Conversing aloud... you'll know what I mean later *wink!*

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Chapter 3: The Unexpected

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"What is the meaning of this. And how did you learn of my True Name?"

Alice could hear Blood ask in a dangerously low voice. So this was the telepathic link the teacher was talking about... but since she has never made a Contract before, this disorientating experience was a first for her.

"I don't know! The name, it just came to me when I touched your gun."

She replied him in her head as she glanced down at the black and white gun with a single blood red muzzle and a fully bloomed red rose attached to the side. And on the top of the machinery was the same crystal orb containing a small blue flame, just like the one her substitute white gun had.

And just when I thought I was finally getting my True Name, how the hell did this happen? But this is considerably light for a machine gun... Alice wondered in amazement as she turned and inspected the beauty of the firearm about with ease. She also realized that her previous wounds on her hands have disappeared, including her other injuries.

Could that be due to the summoning? Alice wondered in awe.

"Came to you? Only the bearer can give away his or her true name. What are you trying to play at young lady? Release me, now." Blood commanded and Alice could feel his magical energy that had been mixed in with her own seethe with such fury it was distracting.

"I'm not trying to play at anything you rude, egoistic idiot!" She yelled at the gun, unable to contain her annoyance at his behavior. Alice gripped the handle hard, wishing she could get her hands on his neck instead.

"I'm just as confused as you are so stop getting angry at me!" She continued telepathically only because the onlookers were giving her queer looks. " And trust me if I knew how to release this summon I would! You've been in this school longer than me, shouldn't you know how?"

A few seconds of silence passed as she waited for his response.

"No I don't." Blood begrudgingly replied but this time his tone held a hint of puzzlement. "Because I've never come across this stage of the summoning before."

"Stage?" Alice thought, her mind running through the things she have learnt so far in class, but before she could further interrogate Blood, she heard one of the twins whistle a note.

"Fweet~...Boss actually became a shield!" Dee said cheekily while placing his hands on his hip, eyes wide with interest at the fair-headed girl.

"Heh… didn't think Boss would give his True Name to anyone, and especially not Onesaan."

Alice looked at Dum who grinned at her while folding his arms casually. And like his brother, he still held on to that big and long axe of his, maneuvering it so effortlessly that Alice was beginning to think that Blood was feeding the boys steroids.

"What kind of man do you think I am? I did no such thing." Blood retorted humorlessly, reminding her that she wasn't guarding her thoughts carefully from him.

"Well you're mafia, and that says a lot." Alice replied, mentally rolling her eyes at him.

"Watch your mouths you pipsqueaks!" Elliot rebuked the younger boys before turning his eyes onto Alice. She never knew it was possible for a color such as violet to induce a feeling of impending danger, till now.

"Knowing Blood, he would never…"

"But that's a Stage 3 Shield Summoning you stupid chicken!" The red-eyed twin intercepted much to the hare's displeasure. "No one in this school has ever achieved that before."

"It's the final stage that is only attained when the trust and bond between the Master and the Shield are at the highest. Unless…" his identical brother cupped his chin with his fingers and trailed off thoughtfully. "… Boss and Onesaan actually have a secret relationship behind your back!"

"What!" Alice reacted apprehensively and she swore she could hear Blood snort in derision.

"R-really?" Innocent shock registered on Elliot's face before the blond man shook his head vigorously in disbelief. "I-I mean that's not possible! I would have known about it! And besides she doesn't look like she's Blood's type!"

Seeing his long brown ears flopping from left to right, Alice's instincts kicked in before she could hide it.

"So cute…" she squealed inwardly, rubbing her fingers together into imaginary soft fur unconsciously.

"I didn't know milady was the type for such… fetishes…" said the amused Mafioso, breaking into her daydream.

"I-it's not a fetish! I just…er… happen to like cute animals."

"So you think that Elliot, the dangerous second-in-command of the Hatter Mafia, is 'cute'?"

Alice could practically visualize him arching an eyebrow at her.

"N-not him! It's his ears, his EARS!" She blushed and brushed off Blood's who was apparently not convinced and stifling a chuckle. Alice focused her attention instead on Dee who was speaking again.

"Then how did they forge the Contract-"

"ARGH! How should I know!" Elliot burst out and ran a hand through his wavy hair. Feeling frustrated and confused, he glared at Alice and pointed his gun at her forehead in one swift motion.

"Oi! You've got some explaining to do before I blow your brains out!" He demanded as he unclipped the safety mechanism of the gun.

"What? ! But I don't have any answers either!" Alice blurted desperately as beads of perspiration trailed down her forehead. This is unreasonable! Think Alice… think your way out of this!

"Why bother when we could just cut her up and study her later?" The blue twin suggested playfully as he raised his blade at the Foreigner. It came so close to her face that she could even see her pale reflection on it.

"I agree brother! Explaining is boring and cutting is so much cleaner than shooting." The red one enthusiastically added, the maniacal gleam in both of their eyes caused a prominent spine-tingling chill.

Madness! They're just kids for god sakes! Alice thought to herself, unable to comprehend how such young children can turn into killers.

" Y-you can't! If you do that who knows? You'll probably end up killing Blood too!" She tried to reason with them, hoping that it would work.

The boys look at each other, contemplating a bit before turning back to their 'game', looking even more excited than before.

"But we won't know unless we try, right Onesaan?" They said simultaneously in anticipation as they inched closer to her…

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"How many times do I have to tell you guys not to be reckless?"

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"Whoa! Did Blood just talk?" Elliot asked, mouth agape as everyone began to lean in closer to the gun, surprised.

"Uh huh!" The twins nodded their heads in confirmation.

"Dee, Dum, your salaries and break time will be cut by half."

"Aw Boss! Don't do that! We'll be good!" Whined the twins who lunged themselves at Alice, hugging at her arm and pleading so tearfully that she was having a hard time keeping her guard up against their weapons. So, they're still children deep down after all... she sighed and gave a small affectionate smile despite their earlier none-to-pleasant intentions.

"Ha ha ha! Serves you brats right!" Elliot clutched his stomach as he doubled over with laughter.

"You too Elliot, there won't be any carrot cakes for tea tonight."

That froze the hare on the spot as the twins snickered and stuck their tongues out at him, satisfied with the retribution served.

"Tea at night? I thought they were usually held in the afternoon?" Alice inquired curiously.

"I don't see anything wrong with doing what I want, when I want it." Blood telepathically stated as-a-matter-of-fact.

That high-and-mighty air around him was seriously getting on her nerves.

"Pompous ass…"

"I heard that. And my my, such a way with words too. You're forgetting who you're talking to aren't you, young miss." He cautioned her before turning his attention to his subordinates.

"Listen carefully. This is a fully merged state. Nobody knows what will happen so she may very well be right in this. Therefore, the young lady shall not be harmed. That is, UNTIL I am released from her summon which she is unable to do so currently."

Alice cringed inwardly at his insinuation, recalling that she was treading on dangerous waters with the Mafia.

"Do not make me repeat myself. Talking to you in this form is draining my energy."

With Blood ending his instructions, the trio looked at each other, unsure of their next step.

"Eh…! So we can't kill Onesaan…" noted Dum disappointingly.

"Nor can we get Boss back…" Dee scratched his head.

" And Blood sounds pissed. Man… this is really bad!" Elliot concluded with a frown, his hand messing up his orange locks further.

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"Oh really? But I guess that's good news for us then."

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All four of them turned their heads at the voice, reminding them that they weren't alone. Most of the students in the mob have already taken the chance to scatter and those that remained were all wearing the same sleeve band with an ornamented red heart design.

The ones from the Hearts committee...Alice remembered, holding Shadow Rose closer to her chest. They're supposed to be pro-school… so why do I have a bad feeling about this…

"Cheh… They've called for back-up." The March Hare scowled, whispering as his highly sensitive ears easily picked up more footsteps heading their way. On the stairs, he positioned himself protectively in front of Alice while the gatekeepers shifted automatically to the fore front with well practiced coordination.

"So the mighty Blood as fallen…" Declared a faceless guy wielding a katana that started to glow with green flames.

"And to be taken in by that pathetically weak Foreigner no less!" Mocked another who was swinging a chained whip with a spike at its end in momentum. And although he was silent, Alice could feel Blood's energy boiling with rage.

"So all we have to do is just kill her and we'll kill Blood? That's too easy!"

"If we do that, we'll get promoted from 'soldier' to 'knight' rank for sure!" Another two discussed greedily at the possibility, already high on adrenaline and summoning their own weapons, preparing to launch an attack when suddenly…

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"Onisaan…"

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Dum greeted as he appeared ominously from behind with such speed neither was able to notice.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

Dee followed suit and the next thing they knew, the two faceless were sliced into half from behind.

Alice could only stare in horror, covering her mouth. She looked away as blood gushed out from the collapsed bodies. Even though she had already known that the students could easily be replaced, she wasn't used to it yet and it didn't settle with her to witness such murder, even if it means her survival.

BANG!

"Ah!" She jumped at the noise as another faceless member fell with a bullet hole blossomed in his head.

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"Sorry to burst your bubble, but that ain't gonna happen when I'm around."

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The hare had his gun aimed sideways, with fresh smoke coming out of the barrel. Elliot's mauve orbs narrowed treacherously at the group as he smirked.

"Don't be intimidated by them!" Encouraged a faceless girl who was armed with a flamethrower. "They've been released from Blood'summons since the Foreigner's would have overridden it, they won't be as powerful!"

"If you think we have to rely on our Master to take you weaklings down, you bloody well thought wrong!" Elliot challenged hotly, annoyed at the insult. Eager to prove them otherwise, the three Hatter Shields charged at the large Hearts faction and a uneven battle ensued…

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Bloodshed.

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It was as brutal as that. Alice backed to the top of the stairs as she observe the rabbit-eared man fired his gun with high accuracy and agilely dodging bullets and landing a high powered kick in the chest of an approaching faceless. And watching the twins was like watching a synchronized dance. Every step they took and every damage they spawned equaled to the precision of a reflected mirror.

It was gruesome and ruthless, but Alice couldn't help but feel the admiration for them gradually rising within her, her eyes focused on the brilliance of the action.

"They are, after all, my men for a reason." Blood acknowledged plainly. But the girl was right.Though the difference was subtle, he could see that without him to enhance their own powers, Elliot and the Bloody Twin's performance wasn't at its best and the increasing number of opponents was beginning to take its toll on them.

"Damn it they're persistent! Hey girl!" Elliot called out as he panted heavily before swinging a punch at a stomach and shooting twice into his assailant's chest at point blank.

"I'm not 'girl'! My name's Alice!" She cried out from above the noise. Miss Liddel, Nameless, No-Name, Foreigner, Outsider, Young Miss and now I'm just 'Girl'? ! Alice fumed.

"Sheesh! Fine!" Elliot resigned in exasperation, his sight never wavered from his opponents that just seem to double the original amount. "Alice you better start firing cos' they're breaking through! You've got Blood's gun don't you? Put it to good use then!"

"Oh right!" Alice obediently obeyed as she hoisted the gun onto her arm unsteadily. But suddenly it occurred to her that…

"I haven't been taught to use this type of gun before! Blood what should I do?"

"Shouldn't you have taken your Ballistics class yet."

"No, not yet!"

"Then that's not my problem, figure it out yourself." Blood unhelpfully pointed out, unwilling to submit to a Master who couldn't even hold his gun. However, before he could reject, he felt Alice's magical energy entwine into his and taking control.

What the-! She's deepening the bond! Blood realized but despite his efforts to remain stubborn, he couldn't pull his energy away from hers.

Alice on the other hand had no idea what she was doing. One moment she was filled with anger and the next she could feel Blood's energy being absorbed into her mind and body, conditioning her with a bit of Blood's knowledge and physical practice.

Though still unsteady, she managed to lift the gun and take aim correctly as three faceless students flew towards her. In a spilt moment, three distinct shots were heard in rapid sequence and Blood's Shields spared a knowing glance towards Alice.

Through her eyes, Blood looked down at the three students who were knocked out from the impact, their shoulders bleeding.

"Your aim was off. You didn't even aim for their heart." He chided, but he certainly wasn't prepared for her answer…

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"I wasn't."

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Alice told him straightforwardly. Movement on the left caught her eyes as another faceless pounced at her, ready to bring down his menacing looking saber on her. Alice took aim once again but when the trigger was pulled, this time, there was only an empty click.

"Crap! I forgot I only had three bullets!" Fear and panic finally kicked in when she saw that the crystal orb on the gun was empty now. Fortunately, she managed to roll away from under the blade in the nick of time.

"You can't be serious." Blood replied, his voice dropping and octave lower and laced with scorn. "Isn't energy supposed to be ever present?"

"Well I'm sorry if my magical energy don't work the way yours do! And I don't think I can reload the gun anytime soon." Alice grimaced at the ironic situation.

Well there goes my first impression…Just when it was a one-in-a-million chance to meet someone who looks exactly like him, not only did he not like her but she was making him despise her with everything she does!

Conversing with Blood, Alice was caught unaware as her enemy swung his saber at her a second time, the tip slicing across her arm at the last moment, cutting deep into her flesh.

"Argh!" "Urgh!" She heard Blood concurrently cry out as the burning pain of the wound surfaced, confirming her theory that Stage 3 summoning links them physically as well.

BANG!

The saber-holder rolled back his eyes and fell backwards, revealing Elliot with his gun pointing straight ahead. The twins had their hands full, taking on eight trespassers each.

"Elliot! I don't have any more ammo! Don't ask me why!" Alice yelled out to him in desperation.

"What? !" He yelled back, flabbergasted at how the situation was turning from bad to worse. A rifle shooter ran towards Alice and Elliot jumped in, wrestling arm to arm and gun to gun.

"Then take Blood somewhere safe! And I'm not gonna let you off if you get yourself killed ya' hear me Alice! Now go!" He ordered through clenched teeth as he struggled to hold back her pursuers.

She nodded and took off. It was a funny feeling, but she felt happy that she was trusted to help in any way at all. And to meet with all these new people who was beginning to treat her differently for once, Alice wasn't about to let all that disappear too.

"If I die Blood dies! I can't let that happen!" She told herself resolutely, wanting to finally be able to do something right.

CRASH!

The wall beside her broke into smithereens. She peered back, shielding her eyes from the debris and spotted the katana, chain-whip and flamethrower user hot on her heels. Instinctively, she focused her sight and senses on each incoming projectile and tried her best to avoid it with each twist of her body as she ran down the corridor.

Unknown to her, Blood was observing his new-found Master very closely indeed.

She cares if I die? That is unheard of. And there's something about the way she moves… It's too fluid and flawless... even for a beginner... he guarded his thought's against her mind, watching the flow of her body as she dodges, frowning deeply while he tried to put a finger on what was so unusual and peculiar about the Foreigner.

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"Stop running. I do not run from a fight. Ever."

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Blood insisted after a long bout of uninterrupted silence in her mind that she was almost sure he wouldn't talk to her again.

But when he does, it just makes me want to shut him up! Alice grumbled to herself.

"Are you nuts? ! Didn't you hear me? We're practically in a defenseless situation unless I can get more energy to get your gun working!" She explained aloud to the voice in her head as she ran and made a sharp turn left, evading the razor-like air-cuts the katana produced.

"Hmmm… more energy you say…"

Alice could sense the gears in his mind churning at the hints those words held. Out of the blues, rain of fire raced over her head, falling to the ground in front of her and creating a rising wall of hot flames. Alice stopped in her tracks abruptly and turned around, prepared to face the committee members.

"You didn't think we'd let this chance of killing you escape us did you?"

"Hahaha… never thought I'd see the day Blood Dupre has to run with his tail between his legs!"

"Who's the dog now huh?"

The three goaded at their ease of success in cornering the Foreigner, their weapons poised and ready in their hands. And if they had eyes, Alice was sure it would be filled with blood-lust.

"I'll kill all of you for that. Mark my words."

Blood drawled aloud, each word dripping with poison and the promise of death.

"Blood?" Alice cried out in astonishment, feeling the gun in her hand grow warm as Blood's magical energy loaded the gun and the crystal orb began to fill with swirling black glow.

But he didn't stop at that. She could feel his energy grow and spread till it engulfed her entire being.

Alice gasped aloud as she felt invisible fingers wrap around her wrist. Her legs moved apart, as if on their own accord and she found herself pointing Shadow Rose at the enemy with the most stable and perfect form, unlike how she did before at the stairs.

The three faceless before them flinched a little at the sudden confidence in her pose before they burst out with laughter.

"Ha ha ha! Are you blind? You're in no position to threaten us Dupre. You or the Outsider."

Alice directed her glare at them and at Blood. "What do you think you're doing? You're going to get us killed!"

"I'm taking over whether you like it or not."

Her face flushed red as the masculine voice sounded even closer this time, as if he was physically wrapping his arms around her and whispering into her ears seductively. He then proceeds to guide her fingers onto the trigger as he explained briefly but passionately:

"Shadow Rose is a sub machine gun, an assault rifle made for close range combats like this. Hold it firm but not too tight and settle it against your arm and shoulder. Widen your stance and angle your front foot in the direction of the gun. The release is automatic and quick. It's a heavy powered firearm so the recoil will catch you off balance if you're not prepared-"

"No wait I can't!" Alice interrupted, feeling overwhelmed with the sudden knowledge he was overloading her mind with. Is he actually trying to help me now? But he's forcing me to kill!

"Haven't you learnt by now? Such hesitant actions will only get you killed here." Blood reprimanded harshly and Alice felt his energy surge forcefully through her, attempting to take control of her body fully.

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"Now Alice, shoot."

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Alice stiffened. My name, he called it for the first time…his voice sounding so much like the person she was trying so hard to forget...

Dumbfounded, the last of her resistance withered away and she felt her finger mindlessly squeeze the trigger.

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BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM！

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The corridor was filled with the loud succession of blasts and the suffocating smell of gun powder and smoke, accompanied by cries of agony as the bullets hit their targets.

When her vision cleared, Alice was taken aback by the amount of collateral damage the machine gun has made. The bullets gouged huge gaping holes everywhere; the pillars, floor and ceiling. No existing space was left unaccounted for.

But what shocked her most was that their pursuers still stood without a drop of blood.

"Huh? W-what was that!" Stammered the katana-guy, as he ran his hands over the supposed areas of direct hit on his body, yet there was no visible wound.

The three were definitely shaken, but very much alive.

"They're okay…I... didn't kill them…" Alice sighed as temporary relief washed over her. However something was off… and very wrong…her instincts told her as she gulped at air before she gathered her courage to ask.

"But I know the magazine was loaded with energy. Did we miss?"

"Miss?" Blood scoffed at her accusations. "I don't make such mistakes milady."

"Whoa! That scared me for a second!" The girl with the flamethrower picked herself off the ground and began laughing nervously.

"Ha ha ha! Guess your bark is worse than your bite!" The others joined in, trying to resurrect the brave front they had just a while ago.

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"Are you sure about that?"

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Blood leered with satisfaction.

Yes. Something feels very VERY wrong here.

And whatever it was, Alice dreaded to find out. But a shrill cry of anguish just made her fears come true...

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How was it? Hope it's not too confusing! ^^ And yes I did promise explainations from Nightmare but the more I write the chapter just got too long! T-T But don't worry! I'm already halfway intot the next chapter! I'll probably post it by this week but how fast? That depends on the numbers of reviews I get ^^!

Sneak Preview for Chapter 4:

"Noooo!" The faceless girl screamed.

"That's… just horrible!" Alice exclaimed as she looked that the gun in her hands, feeling as if the piece of metal just grew to weigh a ton. "Stop it Blood! Make it stop!"

"No."

"Blood please!" Alice pleaded aloud, tear drops falling non-stop on the steel of the sub-machine gun, but it did no use in softening the Mafia boss's heart.

They'll die at this rate! There must be a way to reverse his energy… If only he'd listen to me!

"Blood! As your Master I-"

"Master? Don't make me laugh. Do not expect me to obey you milady because I have never acknowledged you as my Master…" Blood argued back with words he had been wanting to say every since she audaciously binded him to her.

"… and I never will."

Was that enough sneak for you? LOL! And pls vote for my POLL on my profile people if you want me to update this fic next after chapter 4! (PS* And if you DO vote, you guys can also read a sneak summary of what I have in mind for chapter 5! ^^)

Thank you so much for reading, reviewing and tunning in to this story! And the reviews I got really helps! The more reviews I get the more I feel encouraged to update faster and longer chapters! So DO review and let me know what you think k! :) Till next time!