Chapter 4 is up! Yay~!

Disclaimer: I do not, have not ever, will not ever own Joker/Clover/Heart no Kuni no Alice.

Now enjoy!

Looking at the mirror in my room, I saw how thin I'd become. It wasn't too noticeable, right?

"…"

Suppressing my hunger was becoming more and more difficult by the hour.

"Ugh, all that traveling with Ace was a waste of energy." I sighed as I threw myself onto the bed.

After that stupid incident with Ace, we took so many time periods trying to get back to Hatter Mansion.

Shame on me for not learning by now…

"Alex, can I come in?" I heard Alice ask while knocking on the door to my room.

"Sure thing," I said while sitting up.

I forced a smile as she walked into the room and sat down beside me.

Hopefully she wouldn't notice that I wasn't exactly in good condition.

"Have you heard about the assembly?" Alice asked with curious eyes.

I tried my best not to drool while staring unconsciously at Alice's neck.

Bet she's a virgin.

"Alex. You there?"

I snapped back to reality and wanted to punch myself in the face for what I was thinking just now.

"I-I'm sorry, what?" I asked while laughing nervously.

"The assembly," she responded while giving me a confused look.

"The what?"

-CHAPTER FOUR-
-SHOPPING WITH ALICE-

I looked at a neatly dressed Alice in a clothes store that was referred to her by Blood. Apparently this assembly would last several time periods, and it was held in this place called Clover Tower. During that time, role holders were supposed to try to not kill each other.

Alice looked impressed by her outfit. It was an adorable indigo blue dress, and she wore a black ribbon on her head.

"How pretty," I said in awe.

"Don't be ridiculous," Alice said shyly. "Now we need to find a dress suitable for you," she then said as she grabbed my hand and led me through the aisles.

"There's a dress right there," I said while pointing at a simple blue, sleeveless dress.

"It's cheap too," I silently added.

"We're finding something else," Alice said, deciding the dress was too plain.

"Oh, what about that one?" I asked as I pointed at a dress with a white top, red bottom, and black sash around the waist.

Alice studied it for a while.

"Another one. That one won't suit you."

"Alice-"

"If you're talking about the simple gray one with white sleeves, then no," Alice said as she twitched. "I know you're only paying attention to the low prices."

I laughed nervously.

So I was caught.

"Sorry… Just felt a little guilty. You're buying my dress after all," I said a little nervously. Alice was buying my dress, because I didn't have any money. I didn't have any money, because I didn't have a job. Why don't I have one? Because Alice wouldn't let me.

*sighs*

But she won't let me, because she's concerned about my health; Which would be better if I had food in my tummy.

"Oh please. I have plenty of money, so don't worry. We're going to find you something cute," Alice said with determination in her voice.

I wonder if Alice is more like a sister or a mother to me? Since I have no memories of a mother, I just don't know.

Grr this is hard!

Alice gasped as her eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh?" I asked, while wondering what had gotten her so excited.

"This one!" she exclaimed as she dragged me over to this one dress.

I stared at it in awe. It was a ruby-colored, knee length dress with sleeves that only covered the shoulders. A white shawl was wrapped around the shoulders and stopped about an inch above the elbows. There were two wristbands with white lace as well. A red headband came with the dress with a pretty bow on the left side.

"You don't think it's too much?" I asked while still somewhat mesmerized by the outfit.

"Excuse me, may she try this?" Alice asked; ignoring my question while waving at the lady closest to us.

"Why of course~. You have good eyes, miss," the faceless said excitedly.

"Wait, what about my decision?" I asked nervously.

"Hurry up and try it," Alice said while shoving the dress into my arms. Both her and the faceless then dragged me to the changing room and forced me in there.

"I'll be out here," Alice said merrily.

I sweatdropped while staring at the closed door.

I never knew she liked this kind of stuff.

-3RD PoV-

"Is she your sister?" the faceless asked.

"N-no, she's not," Alice said as a blush crept on her face.

"Does it look that way?" she asked shyly.

The faceless nodded immediately.

"It's just that you two looked so close. You looked like you adored her so much, it made me wish how I had a sister who could love me just as much," the faceless explained.

"I see," Alice said with a shy smile, not knowing a proper way to respond.

A sister huh?

Alice knew that she could never be the perfect elder sister that Lorina was. She felt drawn to Alex, though. There was this unexplainable urge of wanting to protect and take care of her. Maybe even mother her.

"Oh but we're almost the same age," Alice thought, silently laughing at her silly thoughts.

But maybe this was how her elder sister was like?

Lorina was always like the perfect sister and mother for Alice and Edith; Always doing her best to give them the happiness and lives she felt they deserved. Because of that, Alice would act like an innocent, dependent, and adorable younger sister to please her. She, in return, wanted Lorina to be happy as well.

"…"

Alice missed her elder sister dearly. But if she left Wonderland, she feared she might constantly worry over Alex.

For starters, vomiting blood wasn't exactly normal. The doctors couldn't find anything either. But something had to be wrong.

*sighs*

"Sorry sister, but I have to stay in this world a bit longer. Please don't worry too much," Alice thought.

"Miss, are you finished yet?" the faceless asked while knocking gently on the door to the changing room.

"Is everything all right?" Alice asked while snapping out of her thoughts.

"She isn't responding," the faceless said with a frown.

Alice walked over and knocked on the door.

"Alex?"

No response.

"Alex, answer me."

Still nothing.

Alice froze; fear building up inside of her.

"Don't tell me…" she said as she quickly opened the door that, luckily, Alex had forgotten to lock.

Fear overcame Alice at the sight before her.

A pale Alex was lying unconsciously on the floor.

Oh no…

Nightmare vomited blood on his desk and fell to his knees.

"Urk… Ugh, that stubborn girl," he said as his body shook.

He had been drinking coffee in his study in the Tower of Clover when he sensed that Alex had fainted.

Alice's mind had become a complete mess.

"And she's not the only one who's stubborn. It's becoming more difficult to block her sister out," said an irritated Nightmare.

Suddenly, Nightmare could feel the presence of an unwelcome outsider.

"Heh…"

-1st PoV-

Alex~

"…"

Oh Alex~

My eyes snapped open.

Laughter could be heard in the distance.

I wearily lifted myself up and took a look at my surroundings.

A void?

Is this a dream?

Over here!

I look forward to see a small child with long, black hair in a red dress run off.

This way~

"A man's voice?" I thought to myself while following the girl. I didn't really know what else to do at this point.

The child suddenly disappeared.

"Huh?"

Looking down at myself, I notice the blood stains all over my clothes. I saw that my hands were covered in blood as well.

"Why?" I asked, feeling surprised, while staring down at these hands of mine.

You're a bad girl, Alex.

I suddenly felt someone grab me from behind and spin me around.

I looked up in surprise at the young man who was now holding me in his arms.

"Red eyes," I thought to myself as the caramel haired man stared me down with a mischievous smile plastered onto his face.

"Who are you?" I hesitantly asked.

"Don't you know?" he asked while grabbing a handful of hair. He then gave it a gentle kiss. "We made a pact."

"Ah…" I blushed slightly. His scent smells… familiar…

ALEX!

I froze as I heard Nightmare's voice in my head.

Don't trust him! He's dangerous.

The man suddenly screamed in pain as he let go of me and took a few steps back.

"The hell is this?" he asked in anger.

Alex, wake up!

"Nightmare? !" I shouted while feeling confused.

The world around me suddenly became dark.

"Nightmare, wait!"

But it was too late.

I could hear a familiar voice.

"Alex, please wake up."

Alice?

I opened my heavy eyes and saw a concerned Alice staring at me.

Besides her, everything else in the room was somewhat blurry.

"Alex," Alice said in relief.

"Miss, are you all right?" said an unfamiliar, male voice.

Who… is that?

And wait…

Is he holding me? !

After completely gaining my vision, I saw a man with raven-colored hair and golden brown eyes. The black lizard tattoo on his neck was also noticeable.

"…"

"She's awake," said Alice as she held my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you so much, Gray."

"It's no problem," the man said as he smiled at her.

These two know each other?

The man placed his fingers at the side of my neck.

"Her pulse is low."

Ah… hungry.

"She needs help," said Alice.

The man agreed.

"Indeed. She's abnormally pale."

I started to lose myself. It truly was a wonder I lasted so long without a bite to eat but now…

"Alex?"

"Hold on miss."

Ah… throbbing.

My throat… my head…

I have to hold it in but…

…head… chest… throbbing… this pain.

I could feel myself being lifted.

So dry… throbbing…

It hurts… I can't take it…

"Where are we taking her?"

I'm sorry, Alice…

"Lord Nightmare wanted me to bring her to the tower."

I'm sorry, but I can't take it anymore!

*bites*

I became oblivious to everything around me.

All that mattered right now was the warm, delicious liquid seeping into my mouth.

This scent… this taste…

Completely consumed by hunger, I continued to drink.

Feeling my entire body heat up… right now, it felt so good.

Aaaand that's the end of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. x3