A small boy with messy blonde hair stretched out like a wolf on the violet bed. His mouth stretched open in a yawn, showing his shining fangs. Recently, he'd been feeling more at home. Settling, if you will, in Miku's kingdom. The initial shock of his sister's disappearance and death sentence had faded. He worried constantly but knew she'd be safe. He wasn't sure why but he could feel it in his gut.

He'd been living a pretty stable life: wake up; have breakfast; wonder around the castle, occasionally making conversation with the driver, Dominique. Then he'd take a leisurely walk through the garden and explore a new section of the city. He'd become friends with a blacksmith's son and enjoyed hearing stories of the nearby city, Thistle.

"Thistle's amazing. They have these black iron gates to keep out danger surrounding the entire city. Mum used to be a soldier, apparently. Before her majesty the Queen was crowned. I know, right, it's hard to believe! But apparently girls used to live here in the Capitol too. Apparently women would work as soldiers." Little Tom always had dirt on his face and loved the filth of the Capitol. He revelled in the stench and relished at the smoke-filled sky. The bustling crowd made him giddy and the possibility of snatching a jingling purse sent a thrill through his blood. They'd wander near the edge of town and Little Tom would delight in pointing out who scammed their customers and who was rumoured of illegal activity. Dominique was the civil one. Little Tom was the wild one.

"What's" A pause in the yell for a loud yawn, "for breakfast?" As the small blonde boy swaggered to the kitchen door, a tall man with blonde hair and a face that looked slightly French ushered him away.

"Beautiful, beautiful food." Was the rolling reply as Leon dragged the little Len to a wide table in the dining room. People often commented on how Leon seemed like Len's big brother. Their physical likeliness was surprising and even their names were similar. Len, who had never had a brother and was feeling lonely without Rin, wasn't eager to disagree with the idea and so the two had grown quite close.

"You shall encounter a delightful party on your tongue, just wait a little longer." And with that Leon disappeared from sight into the kitchen. Ah. It's going to rain… Len gazed out the wide windows at the darkening clouds above. His simple observation failed to cease his boredom and he let out another yawn, stretching his arms high above his head.

"Ah…" His mouth slanted as he re-entered the room. "That's a shame." Leon tiredly shook his head, gently placing the plates in front of the ravenous boy. "She really doesn't like the rain."

XXX

"Hey. Hey, Ciaran." Her irked voice called out to the man. "Hey!" She grabbed him by the mask and jerked his face towards her.

"Ah… My lady?" Finally realising he'd been spoken to, the general averted his attention back to the woman he was accompanying.

"I've been calling you for the past minute and you've just ignored – STOP THAT!" She scowled, pulling his wandering eyes back to her. "Why do you keep looking at the castle? What unfinished chore is compelling you so?!"

Ciaran faltered guiltily for a moment then checked his watch for the 8th time that minute. Just as Miku began to voice her growl, the hand clicked. "It's three o'clock, my lady. Perhaps we should sit down for a snack?"

"Geez, I finally manage to get you out of the house to go shopping with me and you're completely distracted!" Lower lip stuck out in a stubborn pout as she complained. They were sitting in a small café on the outskirts of town, Miku was sucking daintily on the tip of a strawberry off her scone while her partner sat patiently waiting for his tea to cool. Meanwhile, Ciaran could only bow his head in shameful apology at her lecture; awaiting forgiveness. The sight of his emerald eye looking sorrowfully at the floor made her pause. As always, the mask distracted her and made her change topics. She couldn't bear to see him sad. "Why do you never drink coffee?"

Taken aback by the sudden topic change, "I'm sorry?"

"Coh fii." She dragged the word out; pronouncing it specifically so there was no mistaking what she'd said.

"Oh. I guess that would be because… I don't know. I suppose the taste just doesn't suit me."

"That so?" Red juice stained her lips as she bit into the strawberry. Ciaran lay his fingers gently to his cup to check the temperature. "No, seriously. Why don't you drink it?" Since trying coffee for the first time one morning, she'd fallen deeply in love with the taste and energy it gave her. The fact her most loyal companion couldn't relate to that love was incomprehensible. So much to the extent that she started to prove the positive effects of it, in the hopes of persuading him to like it. "I mean, it gives you energy! Don't you ever get tired of being polite to everyone?"

Cupping one hand to his heart, he bowed his head slightly to emphasise his immediate reply. "I'm only really polite to you, my lady."

"Oh. Are you sure?"

"The others are below me and deserve nothing of the sort, my lady." His smile left her breathless as he looked up into her eyes.

"I… I see. Well." Quickly trying to regain her composure, she thought of another reason, "But… What about bed? I mean, isn't it hard to keep up with me after a long day at work?" Her questions were rushed and she began to blush slightly.

He smiled to himself, despite her flustered voice; his was calm like the sea. "I do not need any energizers when with you, my lady. I would not dream of falling asleep in your presence, just being near you would keep me awake all night."

"I see." Face now beetroot red, the Queen decided to distract herself with attempting to eat the cream filled scone neatly. There was a pause in conversation as each occupied themselves with their own food.

"My lady," His gentle voice made her jump slightly as she glanced up at him, head still bowed over the scone; a questioning face at his call. "You have cream on your nose." He chuckled quietly as he reached over to brush it off with his fingers. "I take it you're enjoying your snack?"

Grinning at the tease, she jumped forwards to catch his finger, biting it softly as she licked the cream off. "Of course." This time it was his turn to pause for a second and smile.

If they'd been in a "normal" world, they might have looked like a couple. Teasing, laughing; flirting. However, leaning over the table in a quiet café to kiss… No one saw them as a couple. They saw a master and servant, everyone indifferent to any possible emotions between the two. Heck, if they'd been in any town other than the Capitol then they might have looked like a couple.

XXX

"Agh! Just when did it start to rain!?" They were rushing back under a frilly baby blue umbrella. Neither of them had realized the rain whilst they were in the café. Miku had her eyes squeezed shut and was holding onto her pet's sleeve, following him by the small leash she'd created so she didn't have to see. She knew he would make sure she was safe as they ran; she knew he wouldn't let her slip or run into things whilst she blindly held onto him.

XXX

"Hey," Her voice was sultry as she draped her arms around the small boy. "Why don't you come with me tonight?" Everyone knew what happened in the Queen's room. No one ever spoke of it but everybody knew. Whilst Ciaran was busy fidgeting over the fact he couldn't find Silas, Miku had decided it was about time Len got the royal treatment. Weaving her fingers into his, she gently dragged him towards her, pulling him up the grand stairway to her bedroom door.

XXX

"Why are the lights off?" The young Alice had never experienced something like this.

"Because that's how it's done." The older Alice smiled, she sat gently on his package. "You can see though, can't you? Personally I've always preferred the moonlight." She smiled as she began to softly unbutton his shirt. She wore a skimpy nightdress that barely covered the important parts of her well-endowed body. Averting his eyes, Len felt embarrassed just looking at her. "So, how are liking the Capitol so far?" She leaned over so their faces were close, her cool breath sending chills through his body.

"I guess it's nice." His response was hesitant as he blushed at her gaze.

"Well I'm about to make your opinion so much better." She smiled, pecking his lips before moving to kiss the underside of his jaw.

"She's still here." The sudden voice made her freeze. The moment's silence confused Len but the voice spoke again, "She's in this building."

"Stop it!" She could never handle that voice. That annoying, whiny, pestering, childish voice that only she could hear.

"Stop what?" The situation was starting to perplex Len. Mist began to engulf them and the Queen swore at the voice.

"She's still here." Len was ignorant to any change in scenery, "And she's gathering allies."

"Shut! Up!" Screeching, she tore at her head, scratching fiercely at her skull.

"What?! What's happening!?"

"Can't you see it? Aren't you an Alice? Can't you hear him?!" Frustration refused to allow her to keep still as she curled into a ball and rolled across the bed, yelling at Len.

"Hear…?" Suddenly the mist surrounded him; he could feel Akumu's presence. But why? … Why couldn't I hear him before?

"She's here!" Akumu began to laugh, he sounded like a psychopath; taking that amount of glee out of Miku's horror.

Gasping, "Rin!?" She's safe? He wanted to know about her, he wanted to know is she was okay, has she escaped? But there was no way he'd ask with Miku right next to him. The voluptuous queen may have just been seducing him but he'd be a fool to believe that meant she wouldn't hesitate to behead him.

"She's safe! She's alive! And she's stealing those mutts you call your own!" He sounded like the villain from a movie, tormenting the hero about his damsel in distress. But here he was; tormenting the damsel about the hero's ever growing strength. She had to get out. She wanted to escape but she couldn't find the door. She jumped off the bed and slipped, falling face first to the floor. She scrambled up and bashed into what must've been the door, the mist vanished in an instant and she ran out screaming.

"Guards! Guards!" a cluster of armed men appeared with a variety of onlookers. "Find her! That bitch, that stupid little girl, find her!" No one dared disagree with the Queen, not when she was in that mood. Striding away, her voice echoed throughout the corridor as she started her own search. "Search the castle, search the streets, the buildings, every possible place in this town must be checked! If anyone misses her, there shall be no forgiveness! Find her tonight or lose your heads!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The deep synchronized voices replied with a stiff salute as they spread out.

XXX

Sorry for the lateness, I love you all, please review, it means a lot to me!

More to follow, Cherry-chan xxx