Cheshire led her deep into the forest, the tall strange trees almost completely blocking out the sky. Occasionally his ears would twitch as they caught different sounds and Alice couldn't help but giggle. He turned and smiled at her, amused with her amusement. "So tell me Alice, how long have you been back?" He asked as he turned his attention back to the growing darkness ahead of them. She began to tell him her story, from the minute she arrived to the disastrous tea party with the Hatter. "And then he wouldn't let me go so I kinda…well slapped him." Cheshire snorted in disbelief, then let out a rumbling laugh. "You slapped the Hatter?" He gasped in between laughs. "You've got to be as mad as he is!" Alice straightened up in indignation. "I'm not mad!" She protested, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. Cheshire stopped laughing and cocked his head at her. "Well if you weren't you wouldn't be here. Besides, even if you weren't and you still came here you'll be as mad as any of us before long." He grinned wickedly and licked his lips. "Tell me Alice do you like games?"
Alice looked at the cat, puzzled. "What kind of games?" Cheshire opened his mouth to answer, but stopped. His ears perked up and he growled deep in his throat. "Cheshire what is it?" Alice asked. She could hear twigs cracking and leaves rustling, the noise growing closer and closer. The cat didn't answer, but took a hold of her arm tightly. He put a finger to his lips and pointed a large tangle of bushes to their left. Alice nodded her understanding and quickly wormed into the shrubbery, getting low to the ground so the leaves and branches would hide her. She peered through the narrow space at Cheshire, surpressing a shiver as he melted back into his fully feline form. The footsteps came closer and closer. Finally, they stopped. "Cat I didn't think I'd see you here," said a deep, masculine voice. "Ah, Knight of Spades, what are you doing wandering around so late?" The knight snorted and moved a little closer. Alice could see his outline now, tall and shadowy, the hilt of his sword glinting in the almost non-existent light. "I could ask you the same question." He replied. Cheshire grinned widely, showing off his fangs. "I felt like a walk," he purred. The knight laughed and moved fully into Alice's line of sight. "All alone?" He asked. Alice missed Cheshire's reply as she stared at the man, taking in his shoulder length dark hair, broad chest, and light grey eyes. She felt a leaf brush across her face, tickling her skin. She was so engrossed in studying the stranger, she move her hand to the spot without thinking. CRACK. A branch broke under her when she shifted. The knight looked over immediately. A smile flitted across his face. "Not so alone then Cheshire?" He strode over to the bushes and knelt on the ground in front of them. His eyes met Alice's through the leaves.
Sorry this chapter is kinda short, but I'm still debating what to do with Cheshire and the Knight of Spades :)
