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

DISCLAIMER: in honor of mu149 – characters belong to Kishimoto


(ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧

"Is she alright? She's not moving! Do you think she could be dead?"

"You better watch your tongue!"

I rolled on to my side, thinking of Sasuke. I was starting to think that real life wasn't so bad as long as Sasuke was with me. He's the best thing that ever happened to me and he would never let me go. I heard people talking again, "She looks dead."

Someone scoffed. "Alice just moved not too long ago. And you continue to say she looks dead!"

"Hmph… Very well, I take it back. I suppose that if she was actually dead then Wonderland would be gone already."

Oh yes, I recognize that tone; I had met her not too long ago. I open my eyes slowly, still feeling sleepy. I didn't want to move from where I was, I was very comfortable. I looked up at the two rabbits and asked, "Don't you two have something better to do?"

"You're late Alice!"

For some reason, I'm not even surprised to hear that anymore.

I sat up and I realized that I was inside a house. Combing my fingers through my hair, I looked at both the white rabbit and the March Hare and asked, "What time is it?"

Hare shrugged her shoulders. "Time enough. You're still here so what does it matter?"

Again, I wasn't surprised by the answer.

Glancing around, I realized that I was actually on a couch in the middle of a sitting room. It had a very homey feel to it and I felt comfortable in the room. But I had to say anyway, "You like green a lot, huh?"

The room wasn't overwhelmingly green but… it didn't hurt to put other colors in the scheme. But then again, I kind of couldn't say the same thing. My room was a bright orange.

The white rabbit nodded his head and smiled. "You like it? I just remodeled and I certainly find this color more attractive!" He stepped away and pulled out a pocket watch again. "But once again, you're late Alice! You've missed morning tea! Time does not like to be late you know."

I grinned and stood on my feet. I fixed up the couch I rested on before turning back to the others. I followed them as they walked out of the room. "Is it possible for Time to be late?" I asked.

The Marche Hare looked back at me and smirked. "You don't even have the idea of something as trivial as that! Ha! I really have to wonder what Hatter sees in you." We walked out of the house and down a path.

I rolled my eyes and pouted. "Yeah, you're really nice Hare." I said with sarcasm. She huffed and walked away from us from an opposite path from us. Was she really jealous of me? I guess so with the attitude she was giving me. I didn't even do anything to her!

It couldn't be bothered though. I looked back to the white rabbit and gave a small smile. "Sorry, did you have something planned today?"

"I presumed that you would want to see Hatter again, as he would with you. I'm sure if you came to Wonderland and left without his notice, he would be furious! I was going to teach you how to navigate through Wonderland but you arrived late!"

"I apologize." I say sweetly, "please lead the way."

He nodded and I walked behind him as he led the way. I thought that we might lose March Hare but I figured with Wonderland we would only run into her again.

This place is so strange but yet you continue to willingly come back.

I smiled when I heard Kyuubi. Where have you been all day?

Ha, as if I'd want to stay around to hear you and that pretty boy mess around. I just tucked myself away after such an exhausting day.

You 'tucked' yourself away? What, you mean you tuned us out?

Even beasts grow tired you little twit.

I frowned at Kyuubi's jab so I didn't say anything back. Instead, I turned my attention to the White Rabbit. "Hey," I said quietly. He heard me and turned his head slightly toward me to show he was going to listen. "What's on the outer regions of Wonderland?"

At my question, his steps faltered. But he answered me with some sort of urgency in his tone, "It's best that for me to not tell you. Hatter might follow up on his threat if I do so."

I nodded in understanding but I was irritated anyway. "Could I ask another question then?"

"Go ahead."

"You're just a rabbit while the rest of Wonderland I've seen look like regular people. Only some of them have protrusions from their body to show what they are, like March Hare. Why not you too?" I asked. I tried to word it as best as I could but it was a little confusing.

"I prefer to stay like this. I feel that it comes more naturally and plus it keeps him away." He answered.

I was relieved that he understood my question but I perked that he put an emphasis on "him", which I had no idea who that was. "Who are you talking about?"

"A man of pure evil that you will never want to meet…"

I laughed a little but stifled it down when he glared at me. I continued walking behind him, remaining silent the rest of the way.

"Here we are!" he announced.

I glanced up and saw a giant house painted black but had vibrant colors adorning it. We were already there? I looked the house up and down and asked, "This is Hatter's house?"

"Yes. Now I have to make my leave – important business to attend to. I will see you in a few minutes." He announced.

I looked back at the White Rabbit. "You mean hours?"

"Time passes by rather quickly in the Queen's land. What will be hours to you will be just a few minutes to me. Now I make my leave. Good bye Alice!"

I waved to him as he left. I wondered if I shouldn't bother asking questions and just welcome everything strange in Wonderland. I turned my attention back to the house and smiled; I would get to see Hatter! I jogged my way up to front door and knocked, waiting eagerly.

Are you hoping that he will open the door and invite you in for tea? What if he is out or doesn't want to have business with you?

I sneered at Kyuubi's comments and knocked on the door again with more force. Maybe I knocked too quietly the first time. Instead of the door opening and my hope of seeing Hatter greet me, it opened slowly to reveal a long hallway. With caution I stepped inside the house and announced, "Hello! The door was open so I'm coming in!"

You're not going to narrate your entire walk through this house are you?

It's the polite thing to do!

Hmph, you're a moron.

I frowned at Kyuubi's attitude. Why was he so cranky?

I shook it off and walked down the hallway, glancing at open hallways. One of the rooms I saw was well… dismantled. I'm sure at point it was lavishly decorated and beautiful. Instead the room was just a shell of what it once was; the couch was overturned, bookshelves were destroyed with wisps of books just barely hanging on, and tables and stools were destroyed. I wonder what happened.

He must have thrown some sort temper tantrum.

The next room I peeked into was unlike the last; it was incredibly neat. It looked a bit like a study. There were many neat stacks of books around the room. I stepped inside the room with caution and walked up to one of the stacks of books. I made a face when I saw the cover of the book. I picked it up, trying to make sense of the title.

"It reads 'scisyhP nmutnauQ'. What is that?" I ask to Kyuubi.

Jibberish…

"Ha ha Kyuubi. That wasn't helpful."

I put the book down and moved to a book that I found on the desk. I looked over it and made the same face that I gave when I picked up the first book. I picked it up and read the title out loud, "This one says 'dnalrednoW in elicA'. Is this Russian or something?"

Actually… I think it may be backwards Kit.

Spotting a mirror on the wall nearby, I take the book and hold it in front of it. In the reflection, it makes sense now. "It's Alice in Wonderland! Why are all the books written backwards?"I ask in awe. What kind of books were these?

You are asking the wrong person. I have no clue whatsoever.

"You can't be serious!"

I jumped at the sudden outburst and twist myself around. There was no one around me so the outburst came from outside the room. Or maybe… I ask, "Am I hearing things Kyuu?"

There's a room next door.

Setting the book down, I look around to see that he was right; there was another door in this room. Putting my hand on the knob and I slowly peeked inside and the first person I see is Temari – or Tweedledee. She is glaring at someone, and that someone happens to be Hatter who is sitting in a large chair. Her glare is fierce but he remains unfazed. "Don't you even care? You know as well as I do that things are getting out of hand! What are the rest of us supposed to do?"

What were they arguing about?

Leaning against the door more, I was hoping to listen better. But instead I put too much weight forward and I fell inside the room, becoming the center of attention. I look up and gave a sheepish grin to Tweedledee and Hatter staring down at me; she looked irritated while he looked amused. I didn't need anyone to tell me that I was definitely blushing in embarrassment. I stood up hurriedly, bowed, and messily said, "S-sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt and- I'll just be going now!" I make an about face.

"Wait!" Hatter called before I could take a step forward away from them.

I flinch and turn my head back to see Hatter, his hand was out to me and it was motioning me to come back to him. "Dee was just leaving."

I glanced towards Tweedledee who looked ready to maul Hatter. But instead she bowed and stood stiffly and left without a word. When she was out of the room I faced Hatter and asked, "Was that okay? She didn't seem very happy about-"

"Where did you go?"

Obviously Hatter wasn't focused on his previous conversation with Tweedledee. Though it seemed like he didn't care about what happened anyway. So instead of trying to push him, I ignored it. "What do you mean where did I go?"

"Rabbit said that you disappeared on your way to his house which I find to be quite rude. After all, he went through the trouble to offer you the hospitality of his home and yet on the way you just leave." Hatter stated.

"Oh… yeah I guess I did." I look up in thought, trying to recall the day's events before answering. "Hm… well I was at my old sensei's house and I was going to stop by during school but my…"

At the next memory, my face heated and I stopped talking. I remembered what Sasuke and I had done and it was embarrassing to talk about. "I… I was busy…"

Hatter raised an eyebrow and began to stalk towards me. "Busy?" he echoed.

I could only nod while he stepped towards me. He continued to loom closer and I was growing more nervous. "Busy with what Alice?" he asked, in a politely frightening tone.

Strange enough, I felt some exhilaration the closer he came towards me with the added mix of his husky voice. Once he pressed himself against me, he repeated the question in a whisper right next to my ear. "J-Just things…"

He smiled… well smirked before leaning down to bite my neck. A moan just carelessly slipped out and I regretted it; I knew it would only fuel him more. So I pushed against him with as much force as I had and said, "No! Stop!"

Hatter stumbled backwards and glared at me. He came forward again and grabbed at my hands, holding them firmly. "Why? You enjoy it! I know you do!"

"But… I don't want you!" I blurted. It was probably the wrong thing to say. I did want him but there was someone else… Sasuke. I met Sasuke first.

He froze but pulled me against him and whispered against my lips, "You're lying!" He took my mouth in a firm kiss but I pushed away before I knew I would melt into it.

"No! I have someone already! I'm seeing someone who is really important to me!"

"No… you're lying Alice." Hatter whispered. But he looked as if he didn't believe what he just said. He just stared at me and I wanted to take him into my arms again. I knew I just crushed him but when I tried to reach out, I began to feel myself slip.

I was leaving Wonderland already. I tried calling out, "Hatter…"

He doesn't move and I'm already leaving.

(ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧

I sit up with disappointment just to see that I'm in my room. I don't think he took it so well…

He'll get over it.

I shook my head. I had a very strong doubt he would; he looked so brokenhearted when I said I didn't want him.

Taking me out of the moment, my stomach growled loudly. Yes, I was very hungry.

I'm not surprised. After all these events, you did skip out on meals quite a bit.

I jumped off the bed and made my way towards the kitchen. "Ramen will definitely soothe me!" I assure myself. I took out a cup and poured water into a microwavable mug. I set the time on the microwave and just waited. And while I waited, my mind drifted to more important things to think about.

Ichiraku's new flavor of ramen is not considered "more important things".

"How would you know? You've never had one of their delicious bowls of ramen! Ramen is the greatest food ever made!" I praised.

You can't live off of ramen forever! There is little to no nutritional value to those things!

"Says you!" I said as I grabbed the mug and poured it into the cup. I waited briefly for the hot water to cook the noodles. I tested the noodles to see if they were done and smiled when I saw that it was complete. I grabbed chopsticks and put my hands together. "Ittadakimasu!"

Idiot…

The doorbell rings before I can even put a noodle in my mouth. I take my cup with me as I go to answer the door. I take a mouthful before opening the door to see who was on the other side. I swallow the hot noodles and though it burns down my throat, it didn't really catch my attention. "Sasuke?"

I couldn't believe that he was here at my doorstep. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were very zeroed in on me. From his condition, I was a little hesitant to let him inside. He seemed… a little riled up from something.

"Um… did you run here?" I ask.

Sasuke nods. "Y-Yeah…" he says breathlessly. I notice that his hand is scratching at his pants, as if trying to grasp them. Was he getting fidgety? Was he nervous? He clears his throat and asks, "Can I come inside?"

I moved aside and let him inside. "Sure! Come in." I welcome to him with a shy smile. I couldn't believe that Sasuke was here in my house!

I don't know Kit… this doesn't seem like a good idea. Your sister will be home soon.

It seems like Sasuke has something important to do. And plus, Naruko will be at work until midnight. She's working an extra shift today.

I followed after Sasuke to see him just standing in the middle of the living room. I set my cup down and walked to him. "You don't have to stand you know. You can-"

"Naruto! Are you seeing anyone?" Sasuke suddenly shouted.

I jumped at his outburst. "Wh-What?"

His gaze wavered slightly but then he kept a firm sight on me. "I was wondering because… it's not like either of us made anything official and…"

"That's ridiculous Sasuke! Who could I possibly-"

"Is it Inuzuka? Is he the one?" he shot back angrily, his hand tightening into a first.

"He's a friend Sasuke! A friend! What the hell are you thinking?" I yelled at him. This was ridiculous; I told him how badly I'm treated by everyone else. How the hell did he come to what he was thinking?

"Answer the question." Sasuke muttered but his anger was still the same.

I grew angry and stomped my foot. "Why would you even think about such a thing Sasuke! You already know my situation! But if you're really serious, then no I am not seeing anyone else. Where did you get that idea in the first place?" I growled.

Sasuke's head snapped to me and he was glaring. "But you said that you were seeing someone that was important to you!"

"I never said that to you!" I yelled.

I only said that to… Hatter.

The room was silent but the air was tense. Sasuke sighed and sat himself on the couch. He dropped his head into his hand and combed his hair back before letting it fall back into place. "I was so sure…"

I wanted to continue to be angry at him but seeing him look defeated, I softened my gaze. My anger drained and I sat down right next to him, close. I put my hand on his leg. "You were so sure about what Sasuke?" I asked.

"About us." Hatter's voice whispered clearly in my ear. But I gave no indication that I had heard him.

Kyuu…

I know what you're thinking. Perhaps Sasuke and Hatter are one and the same.

Is it possible?

You did tell Hatter what you said and Sasuke said the same thing. Perhaps they are the same person.

It was really Sasuke? I thought Hatter looking similar to him was a coincidence. But if they're the same then… I was never really cheating on Sasuke in the first place. I stared at Sasuke and smiled. I was so glad I didn't have to choose between two people. "Maybe that place is nothing but an illusion. It shouldn't become a reality…" Sasuke whispered.

I wasn't exactly sure what he was talking about. But if he really was Hatter, and I had a very good idea he was, then perhaps he was talking about Wonderland. "Whatever world you want to live in Sasuke, you have to create your own reality. Create what is real to you."

Sasuke's head rose and gazed at me. To my surprise, his eyes were lined with tears looking almost ready to fall. I frowned at such a sad face. This wasn't the Sasuke I knew; I wanted him to be smirking at me and holding me.

Slowly I reached out to cup his cheek and gave a gentle smile. He grabbed my hand and kissed the palm of it, causing my heart to flutter. He glanced at me and leaned in to kiss me before I could even think about anything else. I froze for a moment but then put my arms around his neck.

Kit, you shouldn't do this. Something bad will happen.

I ignored Kyuubi's voice, just wanting to be lost in Sasuke. But I promised myself that I just wanted to indulge shortly before sending Sasuke away with my reassurance that I only belonged to him. Sasuke leaned back, causing me to land on top of him. I pulled away and breathlessly sad, "You take my breath away."

Sasuke smirked and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. "I'm the one who should be saying that. You're too perfect… too perfect for me."

I blushed and hid my face in his neck. But his hand brought my face up for another kiss, which I didn't deny myself of. One of his hands made its way up my shirt, caressing the skin of my back. Suddenly I found myself on my back, Sasuke hovering over me. I was grabbing onto his hair and deepening the kiss. I could feel us melding into one another.

I know I promised that it would only be short, but I was starting to get lost in it.

That's enough.

Kyuubi's command still didn't stop me.

Now.

Reluctantly I pulled away but Sasuke only chased and pulled me in for another kiss. I turned my head away from the kiss but Sasuke just latched onto my neck. "S-Sasuke please… we need to sto…" I brokenly whispered, but his touches were stopping me from completing what I had to say.

Sasuke's mouth trailed up to my ear and whispered, "I'm possessive."

Hearing him talk to me in that tone, I lost it again and pulled him in for a kiss.

"Naruto?"

My eyes snapped open and my heart stopped skipped a beat, but in a bad way. I pushed Sasuke away and looked to see my sister gaping at us. I immediately panicked and sat up, making Sasuke sit straight as well. I looked back and forth between them, tried to dig through my mind for an excuse but… what could I say?

"Um… Naruko this is Sasuke. Sasuke this is my older sister…" I said quietly.

Sasuke straightened himself a little and nodded to her. "Hello…"

Naruko glared at me, ignoring Sasuke. "What is this?" she asked harshly.

I bit my lip. And looked at the wall past Naruko. "Sasuke, you need to go." I managed to say. I pleaded to her with my eyes.

Sasuke made to move but was stopped by her voice. "You stop. Naruto, does he know?"

I tensed and looked to the ground. I couldn't keep my gaze with her. "Sasuke, you need to go!" I said more firmly. I hoped that he would move quickly. I knew where this was going if he didn't move fast out that door.

Naruko shot a look at me before stepping me forward and pulling me towards her. "He doesn't know and you have the nerve to manipulate him!"

"Please stop!" I begged. I didn't want her to tear me apart in front of Sasuke.

"You think you can just ruin lives? How dare you?" she shouted. Her hand around my arm tightened and I winced – she had a tight grip on me.

Sasuke stepped in between us and put me behind him, protecting me from her. "Stop! Don't blame Naruto for something that I did!"

I had tried to block out my ears from the noise but I heard Naruko say something about me seducing Sasuke with my chakra. This was all too much to handle. The next thing I knew I was struck across the face and Naruko yelled at me to apologize. I held my cheek but didn't do anything else when she started to manhandle me.

Sasuke yanked me away from her and yelled not to touch me. I brokenly heard myself say, "Please leave… Just leave Sasuke…"

I could feel his gaze on me and I wanted to meet his eyes. I rose my head up slightly to look at him. But then I turned my head away and scrunched my eyes close when Naruko yelled again. "Why don't you tell him, Kyuubi no Kitsune! That boy isn't human!"

I wanted to beg, plead, throw myself onto my knees, or even kill myself to make this all go away.

But nothing I could do would stop what was happening.

Naruko grabbed me again and put me behind her. I put my hands to my ears; I didn't want to hear what she was going to say… I knew what she was saying.

I'm a monster… garbage… I shouldn't be alive.

I found the strength to look up again at Sasuke. He stared at me and maybe it was just my (hopeful) imagination but he looked ready to reach out for me and hold me. But then something in his eyes stopped him, almost startling him.

He turned away and left.

Finding my voice I yelled, "Sasuke!"

I ran right out the door, searching frantically for him. But it was dark, and he was probably blended into the night already. I looked around again, squinted my eyes to see if maybe he was still close by. But there was no such luck for me. My days with Sasuke and my happiness reached the end of its road.

I crumbled onto the asphalt, and let myself cry. "He left…"

Kit…

"Kyuubi…" I whispered, "Please tell me things will be okay…"

He didn't answer.