Authoress Note: I'm so sorry for putting the story off for so long guys. School started back up and I'm a freshman in college now. I apologize sincerely for the long wait and the unexplained AWOL, so hopefully this chapter will make up for it. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me because I didn't forget about the story. I recently have been going through a bit of writer's block lately and been trying to get rid of it. Luckily I think it's clearing up. I also recently had a medical emergency with one of my dogs (he's okay now) and I take two honors courses at my community college.

But enough about the story of my life. How are all of my reviewers out there? I noticed while I was gone some more reviews came in and A LOT of people favorite or subscribed to the updates on the story! Thanks to you all. Well, here's the long awaited chapter 12.

Reviewer responses will begin next chapter. I promise. Right now I don't have time to answer them all, but don't worry, I didn't forget about you guys. You're the reviewers! You make the story happen!

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Disclaimer 1: I do not own the rights to Alice in Wonderland. It is purely copyright of Lewis Carol. The original characters: the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, The Cheshire Cat, The Dormouse, The White Rabbit, The Queen of Hearts, and of course an Alice are all owned by Lewis Caroll.

However…I have my own character ownership too.

Disclaimer 2: This story I wrote is my original idea, please do not steal it. The original characters in this fan fiction: Harlequin Hatter, Henrietta Hare, Chevalier Cat, Delmont Dormouse, Reginald Rabbit, Seth, The Heart of Darkness: Justine, Seth, the 'white heart': Tabitha all belong to me.

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Finding Justine had never been a chore for Seth. He actually had enjoyed her little games of hide-and-seek since she was a child. The fact that she ran around and hid was just enough of a challenge for him. He usually had no problem finding her and this time was no different. He paced around her room and searched her closet thoroughly (putting everything back the way it was lest she throw a tantrum) and them the washroom.

"Little one, I do realize that you love this game but don't you think you're a little too old to be playing this game?" Seth asked.

His ears twitched and he spun quickly to have the shower curtain thrust open in front of him. Justine's brows were knit together in annoyance. "OLD?"

"For your age, my lady." He said, with a sort smirk. "Hide-and-seek is for little girls."

"I AM a girl, silly." She pouted, and then realized from his grin he had found her. "Oh. Poo."

"Gotcha." He chuckled, grabbing her from around the waist with both arms and spun her around. "Haha."

"Sethy! Put me dowwwwwn. Nuuuuu!" She giggled before she snapped. "Oh put me down now!"

Seth, though reluctant, obliged and set her right back onto the floor. "As you wish, my lady. Hm, if I do recall you promised me a present did you not?"

"You cheated. Cheaters don't get presents." Justine huffed, crossing her arms childishly.

Seth gave a deep frown. No present from his lady? Very well. "You'll have to excuse me my lady, duties call to me soon."

As he turned his back to leave the washroom, she caught his wrist suddenly. "Sethy. You're not leaving me yet are you? I…I don't want you to work yet. You promised to take me shoe shopping."

"Ah, my lady. I cannot fulfill that promise right now. Later, if that is acceptable." He said, bowing to her apologetically.

Justine's face turned into a scowl and she brushed by him in annoyance. "No. It's not acceptable. I won't have it!" She kicked at the foot of her bed. "I won't have it! I won't have it! I won't HAVE IT!" She began yelling and stomping her feet.

"It's not fair!"

For a moment Seth gave a short growl and then stopped himself when he realized what he had just done. Had he…become irate with his lady's behavior? In such a manner?

"Hmmm…" He muttered. "Ah, very well. Since it puts my lady in such a foul mood." Seth said to her, turning towards her closet. "But we must dress you first." He threw the doors open. "And for that to be done you must be equipped with what you desire in your outfit."

Justine's scowl quickly disappeared and her tantrum stopped, her tone became sweet as she wrapped her arms around Seth's waist affectionately. "Oohhh. Sethy. You always treat me right. I can never thank you enough."

Seth glanced back at her and then his gaze returned to the closet as another memory came back once again.

--

"It was an untimely death for the beloved queen."

"Truly. Her poor children must be devastated. The youngest especially. Princess Justine…I wonder if the child even knows that she has to be coroneted as the next Cardigan Heart queen?"

The conversations were mostly dreary and with concerns for who the new queen would be. Seth didn't like any of it. For the most part Queen Idina's death had been shocking to him on the inside, but Seth was more concerned for Justine's welfare than of the late mother to the child.

He was holding Justine's hand firmly as the viewing was held for the queen and Justine's sisters were all there too. They were beside Justine as well while they stood by in silence and looked on as distant cousins and family members were all there in the great funeral parlor.

"Mother wouldn't have wanted us to be sad."

"I can't stop crying…"

"We can't worry about mother now…we have to worry about each other. We have to take care of everyone else…."

Justine said nothing while her sisters spoke between each other. Her face got a little red and her before she broke her hand away from Seth's and darted off away from the crowd of people.

"My lady!" Seth yelled out to her.

"Where's Justine going?"

"Hey! Don't run away Justine! It'll be okay…We're here-"

"Enough of this." Seth said to them. "Your sister has been affected harder than you believe." He ran after her as he watched the little girl dodge and move through the crowd of people in the parlor until she pushed a backdoor open and made her way outside to the gardens.

Her little feet pounded against the cobblestone walkway before she came to stop and Seth was just behind her.

"My lady-"

"Nobody's sad mummy is gone!" She yelled out. "All everyone can talk about is how she's in a better place and not care! All my sisters can do is talked like…she's gone forever, and she is…" Justine's lower lip quivered. "All anyone cares about is if…who becomes queen next."

Seth listened to the soft cries of the small child and he knelt down next to her. "You know, my lady," He began. "Back in Egypt. We do not truly believe that when people die they are gone forever."

"They can't be…" Justine sniffled. "Mummy can't be. She has to come back and rule the land!" She began stomping her little feet. "It's not fair! Nothing's fair!"

Seth gave a sad frown and he put his arm around Justine and pulled her to him. "Come with me, I'll tell you a tale." He picked her up into his arms and carried the child on his shoulders.

They walked through the garden for a while as he began his story. "When kings and queens die back in Egypt-"

"Mummy said that's where you're from." Justine cut him off.

"Yes. I am from there. May I go on?"

"Yes."

"Back in Egypt, when kings and queens die, we hold grand parties for them even after they have gone." He explained. "However, before the festivities begin we must prepare the body for its journey to the afterlife."

"Afterlife?" Justine said, confused. "I'm a little girl…I don't know that stuff…"

"In your culture: heaven." Seth clarified.

"Preparing them spiritually for a journey they must make without the help of their friends and family in the realm of the living. They have to cross a river and have their souls judged by a special god in order to become gods themselves."

"Mummy's going to become a god?" Justine said, intrigued now. "I want to be one now…" She pouted.

"Well little one…they are not really 'gods' but they become very much associated with the gods in the afterlife. They must pass three tests in order to get to the afterlife. If they are good of heart and intention they will pass. If they are greedy, evil, and do nothing but cause suffering to all around them they shall fail and be sent to be eaten by the gatekeeper of hell." He explained to her.

Seth took her from his shoulders and placed her back down on the ground. "My lady, Justine, your mother will most certainly pass the tests." He assured her.

"And she'll have tea parties with the gods?" She asked.

"Yes. She will." Seth explained. "For now, the best thing that you can do is…take care of yourself and let your sisters handle your mother's death in their own way. For now…we'll have our own party for her."

Justine held her arms out to Seth and hugged him tightly. "Sethy, mummy's not here anymore to take care of me. You have to take care of me always and promise not to go to pass any silly old tests. You have to come back to me. I order it."

"Always, my lady." He said putting his arms around her in a gentle embrace.

--

"Sethy…? Sethy! Sethy, are you listening to me?" Justine called to him. "Sethy!"

"Hm?" Seth snapped out of his memories and glanced back at her. "Sorry, what was it my lady?"

"You weren't even listening to me…" She pouted. "What's wrong with you?" Justine huffed.

"I'm not sure." He answered her. "Perhaps I am merely reliving some old memories." He shrugged. "But alas, they are nothing of great importance."

"Oh good, for a moment there I thought you weren't listening to me. Silly thing."

"I may not have gotten everything you said to me, my lady. You wouldn't mind going over your needs for your outfit again would you?"

"UGHHH!"

"I guess you…would." He chuckled softly. "Am I still getting that present of mine or not?"

Justine had balled her hands into fists and she clenched them in annoyance. "Why should I give you any presents Sethy? You weren't listening to me, you were off in some la-la-world, and you obviously cheated at our game of hide and seek. So no, you will not get a present." This was becoming just a tad bit pressing on his patience with her tone of voice and the way she chided him.

He spun suddenly and caught her wrist and yanked her close, arms around her waist and his mouth set into a thin line. "Sethy! Ooh! You're not fair! Let me go! Release me!"

"Only if I may have my present." He whispered softly. "Please, Your Majesty, I did promise to take you shoe shopping and I do have to do everything for you today since none seem to satisfy your endeavors."

She was quite surprised by his suddenly and bold reaction, no matter how she struggle, Seth would not release his grip and she gradually gave up her fight. He HAD said, 'Your Majesty' and he only said that when he was in public with her or in important meetings. She had only heard him use 'your majesty' when he was trying to persuade her with something. "Ohhh…Very well. You win." She muttered.

"Ah, so I do get my present then?" Seth said with a grin.

She turned and kissed him on the cheek. "There, your present. May I go now?"

Oh. Such a poor present from her, but it was from his lady and Seth was happy with it either way. He let her go and sighed. "Yes, you may. I will still need your outfit explanations, my lady."

--

Chevalier's back hit the wall of the basement downstairs as Harlequin unleashed him and pressed him up against it. "You know Madame; I do really begin to enjoy these games of you getting frustrated with me." He grinned devilishly.

"Enough of this banter, servant." She said to him coldly. "I specifically ordered you to settle yourself which you refused to do so. Do not forget that it was I that released you from that wretched place. It was I that saved you. Never forget that you are indebted to me from that event."

Harlequin turned only to have Chevalier grab her by her wrist and suddenly pin her to the floor. "Ugh!"

"Oh I remember very well Madame…" He hissed in her ear. "I remember so…very…well." Chevalier flicked his tongue out. "But despite this fact, there is something contrary to your 'debt'. I'm a cat. Cats aren't like dogs." He explained to her. "You can't force us to learn tricks and eat treats we don't like to eat." He cooed and let his tail swished behind him. "I'm a beast by nature and it doesn't suit me to follow orders."

"All except mine…" Harlequin corrected him.

Chevalier released her and turned his back to the Hatter woman. "Don't try my patience, Madame Harlequin."

She stood to her feet, "Just remember, you are indebted to me for the rest of your life Chevalier, you can no more run away from me than you can run away from yourself."

His pupils widened in the dim light of the basement and he purred at her ear from behind. "Do I still get my tuna, Madame?"

A small can was produced from her pocket and she tossed it to the floor. "Finish it all."

Chevalier dove for the can excitedly. "Nyeowr!" He grasped the round tin object with anticipation before he realized that he would have to open it himself.

"This is a joke, right Madame?"

"We'll see…" Harlequin smirked as she closed the basement door on him.

"DAMN YOUUUUU!"

As she leaned against the basement door, Harlequin couldn't help but chuckle in amusement.

"That's what naughty kitties get when they're bad."

--

Tabitha was lost in her thoughts, trying to contemplate what had just happened. "Excuse me…Miss Henrietta?"

Henrietta's ears twitched as she was watering some mums and poppies around in Harlequin's Garden. "Hm? Oh, yeah?" She answered. "What's up?"

"I was just curious, where did Madame Harlequin take Chevalier exactly?" Tabitha cocked her head to the side in curiosity. "She's…she's not going to hurt him is she?"

"Hurt HIM? Oh please." Henrietta laughed. "Chevalier's more than likely to get a couple smacks from her but I don't think she could ever bring herself to hurt him. I mean, he IS indebted to her after all. She saved him."

"Saved him? From where? A fire? Something dangerous?" Tabitha's elbows were on the table, when suddenly Reginald hurried to her side.

"Waaah! No, no, no, no. M-Miss. Miss. Please, please. Ah. No elbows on the table cloth. Madame's not…fond of that habit. Chevalier does it all the time and…and Halviere to."

Henrietta's tail twitched and her eyes narrowed at Reginald. "Why you talkin' about Halviere, Reginald?" She asked him. "You seen him lately?"

"No…but, I just thought-"

"DON'T talk about Halviere.' Henrietta sneered, pointing her index finger at Reginald threateningly. "I don't like talking about my brother and I don't like anyone else to talk about him. Got it?"

Reginald gave a very affirmative twitch-nod of his head before Delmont stood to his feet. "Well, Reginald, I do believe that I should be heading back to our flat. But alas, I may need some help getting there."

Now when one looked closely at Delmont it was somewhat hard to tell what kind of shape his sight was in as he would doze off sometimes in public and none would be able to tell. In a more awake state-

"Wait. Help? Getting home, but…your home is close by here isn't it? Don't you know the way?" Tabitha asked.

"Ah, I do, however I cannot walk there on my own. Alas…" He turned to face her with his eyes fully opened.

Tabitha's mouth opened slightly in concern at what she saw. Delmont's eyes were very opaque and somewhat a very milky shade of blue. Delmont Desmond Dormouse was completely blind.

"Oh. Oh! Oh, I-I'm so sorry I-I didn't know, please if I may-"She stammered apologetically.

Delmont only smiled at her. "Oh, that's all right. I'm actually used to it. Been blind my whole life. I mean, I CAN walk home on my own, but I think it's best to have another set of eyes with me just as a precaution. Reginald and I are roommates."

"You mean 'Steven'." Henrietta snickered.

"Etta! That's a horrible thing to talk about. That was a one-time thing only." Reginald assured, "I was drunk on brandy-wine which someone had slipped into my punch!" He glared at his cousin and Henrietta made faces at him.

"You needed to get a little liquor in you that night. So I didn't know you'd get wasted on it." Henrietta held her arms out defensively. "Seriously, you need to try and be a little more open-minded Reginald. Where'd your back-bone go anyways? Earlier you put Chevalier off like he was nothing and now you're 'Captain Wet-My-Pants' again."

Reginald frowned and turned, ignoring Henrietta as he put a hand on Delmont's shoulder. "You know Henrietta; this may not be a good time. Why don't you and Reginald sort this out later." Delmont suggested wisely.

"Yeah…later." Henrietta muttered. "Sure."

Delmont gave her a grateful nod and waved in Tabitha's direction. "We'll meet up later, Reginald's taking me home. I actually have an appointment to keep."

At the word 'appointment' Reginald's ears pointed skyward and he nearly freaked out but restrained himself. "A-appointment?" He asked him.

"Ah yes, I chose not to inform you of this because it is not your appointment to deal with Reginald. I didn't think it wise to upset you due to it being a personal matter of my own. I will have to discuss this with you later though when we get back to the flat."

Reginald's ears twitched. "Uh…discuss?"

"It's of very important matters." Delmont answered. "Now, if you don't mind Reggie, old boy. I'd really like to get back home."

"Right…See you later Etta." Reginald waved goodbye to Henrietta and she in turn gave a curt wave back to him.

"Later."

Reginald put his hand on Delmont's shoulder and led him away down the cobblestone pathway out of the garden.

Tabitha was now alone with Henrietta. "I had no idea your friend was blind, you know just…"

"Ah, shut it." Henrietta waved a hand at her casually. "Don't worry about it. Del's so used to it by now that he doesn't really care anymore."

"Oh. Um…if you don't mind me asking are you and Reginald half-siblings?" Tabitha asked curiously.

Henrietta's ears perked atop her head and she began laughing out loud suddenly. "Aha. Aha! Aha! Ahahahahaha! Ahaha! Us? Brother and sister? Hell no!" She had to stifle her outburst somewhat and when she had subdued her laughter Henrietta took a deep breath.

"We're actually cousins."

"Of course you are," Came Harlequin's voice with a chuckle."Rabbits and Hares of the same bloodlines in a sense." The Hatter woman strolled towards them casually.

"Where's Chevalier?" Tabitha asked with concern.

"He's…incapacitated with food at the moment. He won't be bothering us for a while. Now, I'm sure you're quite famished Miss Tabitha and if you wouldn't mind we'll be having supper soon. Would you care to join us?" Harlequin offered.

"Join?" Tabitha said. "Oh, right. Haha. I don't have anywhere to go, it's not like I can actually leave this place. I suppose I have no choice. What are you cooking for supper?"

"Carrot stew and Chicken pot pie." Henrietta answered.

"Correct. Now, if you'll follow me inside we can set up." Harlequin informed, turning on her heel to lead Tabitha inside.

"YOU'RE A MAD WOMAN HARLEQUIN HELENA HATTER!"

"Was that Chevalier?"

"As a precaution: Do not open the basement door."

--

Delmont fumbled with his keys for several moments before he found them and struggled with the lock a bit more before he unlocked the door to their little abode and stepped inside. Reginald turned the lights on and he heard an agitated squeak from their kitchen.

"Aah! Del! There's someone here!"

"I know…" Delmont sighed, handing Reginald his small set of keys before he guided himself towards the kitchen where a small young lady sat in Delmont's usual seat, staring ahead at the pair as they entered. There was some unintelligible babble from the girl before she stood up to greet them both.

"Diana." Delmont said with a small smile, as she took his hands in her own and began making several hand motions in his palms.

"Oh. Del, I didn't know you're sister was here to visit." Reginald said in surprise.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." Delmont turned to face Reginald with a small frown.

"Eh?"

Diana Dior Dormouse looked up at Reginald in silence and gave him a small wave.

"Oh. M-Miss. We haven't been introduced. I'm Reginald. Reginald Rabbit." He held his hand out for her to shake.

Diana was a slight few inches taller than her elder sibling, but was still the baby of the family. She was thin, pale, and had dark olive colored eyes that expressed many different emotions that her voice could not. She was dressed in what looked like a hand-me-down dress and her hair was pulled up into a pair of buns on the top of her head. She merely stared at Reginald as though she hadn't understood him at all.

"Ah…Del-"

"I'm sorry Reginald, but Diana didn't understand a word you just said." Delmont apologized sadly.

"Oh…I-I'm sorry. Did I insult her?" Reginald asked in concern.

"I don't think did, she didn't hear you after all." Delmont explained.

"You mean-"

"Diana is deaf."

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Authoress Note: All right guys! There you have it for the end of Chapter 12. We've just introduced another character into the fray. Diana Dormouse. Surprised? I bet you were. A blind brother and a deaf sister. How's that for a twist? Oh, also if you haven't noticed Seth seems to be holding back some strange desire for his Lady, don't you think?

Well, hope you guys enjoyed. Read and Review.