14. Truth
Praline lay in bed, quiet as she thought about all that happened.
The dead soldiers.
Getting Goodman.
Waking up in the Caterpillar's house to find out they already handed him over to Eleanor.
And now…
Now it was morning. And Crystals knows how long she hadn't gotten home, yet.
She hoped it would be over soon, but at the same time she knew there was more she had to do. Four things, at least.
One: Fix the machine that the Current Time (Denys) and the Past Time (Khamer) made.
Two: Fix the Compass of Space and Time.
Three: Get that idiot Queen of Hearts' help to power the machine or else they couldn't complete step four.
Four: Defeat Diamante, or die trying.
But if she was going to get the Queen of Hearts' help, how was she going to do that? Threaten her at knifepoint or something? Praline wasn't stupid—she knew that she wasn't about to just charge in there with no idea of the consequences.
Wait, what was she thinking? She frowned, sitting up in bed. Usually she wasn't the strategist. Usually someone like Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, the Swordmaster, would be better at those things.
Then again, the Nobutsuna Kamiizumi she knew wasn't here, in Wonderland, with her. Just the Caterpillar, who knew some strategizing due to his past as the previous Knave of Hearts, but also was the antithesis of her Nobutsuna Kamiizumi she knew. For instance, the Kamiizumi she knew wouldn't wear makeup and dresses, constantly have sex or be in a polyamorous relationship with Geist Grace and Fiore DeRosa. Nor would Kamiizumi's daughter be dead, or his friendship with Mahzer and Braev be completely wrecked.
Then again, Geist Grace from her world would have his son still alive, as well. And he would also be single. And Fiore DeRosa would be, well, DeRosa, but not as a Cheshire Cat that could make himself intangible or teleport at will.
If anything, she doubted anyone was anywhere close to anyone from her own world…except for Kikyo.
Sure, she was a Dormmouse. But her ability of stealth and speed made her similar enough to the Ninja she knew. Also, she seemed to be the only sane person other than her that would just take out guns and shoot at the littlest offence. Okay, sure, she gave plenty of death glares, but at least she didn't kill anyone out of being pissed off alone.
And that…was honestly refreshing.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she looked to it, pushing down the blanket as she sat up. "Come in!"
It was Kikyo that poked her head through the now-open doorway, before she walked in just enough so Praline could see all of her. She'd gotten dressed in a sleek coat that went down to her waist, with another crop top and suspenders underneath. Her mouse ears stuck out of her hair more than usual, given that her locks were tied back in a lower ponytail this time.
"Morning." The Dormmouse greeted her.
"Morning, Kikyo." Praline paused, pushing some of her bangs out of her face, before speaking again. "So, uh…did you sleep well?"
"Yes." The Dormmouse paused, before speaking again. "Breakfastisready. Mightwanttogettheresoon."
The way Kikyo said it made Praline think that everything was normal, just for a moment. That she was back at home, or something. Sure, she and the Kikyo she knew back at home weren't living in the same house or anything, but it might as well feel like it.
Praline offered her a smile. "I'll be there soon, I promise."
After the Dormmouse left the room, Praline quickly got out of bed and got changed. What was going to happen, now? They had the pieces of the Compass and that machine Denys had worked on. What else did they need?
"You're staying here for now until further notice. DeRosa, Barbarossa and Geist went ahead to see Daniel's Execution."
"WHAT!?" Praline nearly dropped her next forkful of pancakes, jaw dropping at the sight of the Caterpillar's frown and statement. "Is this a safety thing? Like, why? I don't get it. I'm supposed to be the one saving Wonderland, right?"
"That is true." He sighed, eating another forkful of his own pancakes before continuing to explain. "However, there's also one thing that DeRosa told me. Though we have the pieces for the Compass and the machine Time made, we need one more item—the Vorpal Blade. It's supposed to be the most vital part of the machine, and…well, I'm the only one that knows where it is."
"And I'm guessing you don't want me following you to go get it." Praline managed, frowning. "Look, I get that you're worried for me and my safety, but you can't go alone. And how come you're the only one that knows where it is? Can't you get Geist or DeRosa to get it?"
"No. The lock to open is activated by, um…the blood of the last person that touched it. And that person is me."
She stared. He swallowed.
"It's not like I need to slit my throat to get it, Praline. Just a little cut on the finger should do. Once I get it, the machine can be repaired and then you can use it."
"Where is it?"
His face crumbled. "In the Queen of Hearts' castle."
"No." She shook her head. "No, no—you can't go back there! Not by yourself! We just broke out Daniel Goodman the other day, and I'm pretty sure the Queen is miffed enough about that!"
"Praline." He looked her in the eye, and she fell silent. His gaze turned steely, reminding her of the Swordmaster she truly knew from home. "When the machine created by Denys fell apart, I was the first to stumble upon the Vorpal Sword. I'd just become the Caterpillar, and it was just after Geist, Fiore and I became the lovers we still are now. I didn't realize it was the blade until I did….and then I let the Queen of Hearts take it before I could stop her."
Praline remembered what Denys once told her about the machine, that they needed the Queen of Hearts' power. She probably took the Vorpal Sword for her own self-preservation, if that was an integral part of the machine.
"I have to take it back." Kamiizumi finished. "That's my responsibility. And I do not want you, who is prophesized to help save this world from the Jabberwock, getting killed. I…" His eyes softened, and he swallowed, breaking eye contact as he looked down at his pancakes, then up at her again, "I want you to get back home safely. That's why I have to do this myself."
Praline lost her appetite, staring right back at him. He looked…upset, guilty.
And then she thought of when she first met him. How he'd protected her from Geist in the beginning and let her stay at his place. Trying to look out for her, and now this—this was part of it, too.
It made her wonder, given that she knew his story, if she was anything like Minette to him, like a daughter. Maybe she was the same to the Nobutsuna Kamiizumi from her own world, given how they worked together in the civil war, but she didn't know that for sure.
But if there was anything he wanted to do, it was to protect her and get her home.
Even if it meant him dying.
"Okay." She took a deep breath, locking eyes with him this time. "Just…promise me you'll get back here safely, okay?"
There was something in his eyes, and she thought he might burst into tears. Instead, the faintest smile spread over his lips, and he nodded once, a soft chuckle escaping him.
"Okay."
It was easy for the Caterpillar to sneak into the Queen of Hearts' castle. He'd dressed in simpler attire—an easy, light blue ruffled wrap dress, and no heels this time—just the equivalent of slip-ons. He figured being less flashy would attract less attention, after all. And right now, he needed to be stealthy.
He supposed he should've asked the Dormmouse to accompany, or at least give him some stealth-related tips, but he was sure he'd be fine with navigating the castle. Was it dangerous? Yes. But he'd done it once, and he could do it again. If he could retrieve Goodman, he could surely retrieve a sword.
After all, they'd just slaughtered a whole bunch of her soldiers the other day. And renovations, no matter how quickly they were done, couldn't be done at completely-breakneck speed—not even in a day. He, for once, knew the gist of how to navigate the castle and get to the dungeons, even without Geist's help.
Good thing too, because he slipped by a few guards, sneaking into the Dungeons.
They were still as dark and damp as before, and he briefly glanced at the empty cell that once held Daniel Goodman. That man would be Executed right at this time, wouldn't he? Kamiizumi decided not to think much of that, because he had to find a sword.
He thought back to when Mahzer took it. Geist wouldn't know where in the Dungeon it would be, since he wasn't allowed in there since Goodman's imprisonment in here. But the Caterpillar was determined to find it.
As he stepped onto the stairs, he nearly slipped. Grabbing onto the wall railing for dear life, he hissed as he slumped down, and he forced himself to find some footing. Exhaling sharply as he finally straightened himself, he made his way down the stairs as carefully as he could, still holding onto the rail with one hand.
It was at the very end of the stairs that he found a door with a red, heart-shaped lock on it. Unlike all the other cells, this one had no bars. It was just a set of doors, and the lock on it.
Is this where the Vorpal Blade is? He stepped towards the door, gazing at the lock, and then red flashed before him.
Doors opening.
Hands, holding out a sword to him, blade glittering in the dim lighting of the Dungeon.
"Take it. It's yours."
The sound of footsteps behind him made his vision flicker out of his mind's eye, directing him into reality, and he turned to see who it was—only to freeze in his tracks.
"…Braev."
Braev Lee, the King of Hearts, gazed at him with a hunger in his eyes.
"Tsuna." He jabbed the blade lightly against the Caterpillar's throat, light enough so that it didn't quite cut. "Forgive me, but I have to do this."
"Braev." The Caterpillar backed up against the door as much as he could, but there was only so much he could do. "You don't have to do this. Please don't do this."
"You breached your neutrality. That's enough grounds to strip someone of their Position, Tsuna." Braev stated, eyes almost blank. "Either she gets you, or I kill you."
"We don't have to take those options." He gripped at the handles of the door behind him, shaking them, but it did nothing but make the doors rattle. "Braev, you wanted me once. We kissed—you kissed me—"
"It doesn't mean anything. Not anymore."
"Does it really not mean anything, anymore?" If Caterpillar Nobutsuna Kamiizumi was going to die, he wanted to die knowing the truth, at least. "You told me, when I was still the Knave, that you were frustrated over Mahzer being so paranoid over the Jabberwock mess. If you let me get what I need, she won't have to worry about that anymore. Maybe the war the White Queen put upon her can end if we don't have that threat dangling above us."
"She'd never forgive you if you did."
Kamiizumi's eyes narrowed. "She never forgave you for when we made out. She's a hypocrite of a wife, given that she cheated on you by fucking Goodman the whole time! I bet she would've kept doing so if she didn't have to chuck him into prison to make herself look good!"
Braev's face reddened. "Enough—!"
"No!"
His cry was enough to make Braev visibly flinch, and Kamiizumi knew he'd reached something in the other man. Awakened a sense of some conscience, or guilt, or both, in his old friend.
"I saw the way you looked at me even before we kissed. How jealous you were, seeing me get along swimmingly with Geist and DeRosa. You wanted in and you didn't know how, so you did what you did when things between you and Mahzer got sour."
"That's a lie."
"Let. Me. Talk."
Both men stared at each other in silence, disbelief and denial written on Braev's face, and fury in Kamiizumi's own as he spoke again.
"Face it, Braev. You loved me. You loved me, and what I said you did was the truth. Tell me—do you still love me now, after all this time?"
Braev couldn't answer. The hand holding his sword trembled, before he dropped it, falling to his knees. As his sword hit the ground, Kamiizumi heard the other man cough. And then another cough happened.
He soon realized the man was straight-up sobbing.
"Wh-what have I done?" Braev managed, hands coming up to grasp his own head. "Tsuna, what have I done? I let Edea die, I should have stopped Mahzer—I didn't even defend you when I—"
"Braev—"
"I should have stuck up for you, and I betrayed you. I know what I did, with that kiss, that wasn't right,but I didn't even own up to it—"
Kamiizumi sunk to his knees, looking to the still-sobbing other man. He didn't know what to say at first, or what to do.
You need to grieve. The Cheshire Cat's reminder came back to him, echoing in the back of his mind. But if you fall too far down that rabbit hole, you're only going to screw yourself in a not-so-fun manner.
Might as well be screwed by someone or something more fun than that, hm?
Kamiizumi felt Braev clasp the back of his head with a hand, and before he could do anything, the man pulled him close to kiss him roughly. Their teeth gnashed together, and the Caterpillar was sure he tasted blood at some point, but he couldn't tell if it was his own gums or Braev's own that were bleeding. He couldn't think.
There was no threat of Mahzer Lee or the fucking Jabberwock called Diamante looming over them.
Nothing.
All he could focus on was nothing but the kiss, in that moment.
As they parted, it all came back to him—Mahzer, the Jabberwock, the need to get the Vorpal Blade. Lifting a hand to his own lips, he wiped it away to see his own blood stain the fingertips.
He quickly placed his hand on the lock behind him. A soft 'click' followed, and the lock fell to the ground, the doors swinging open. Braev's breath hitched, and Kamiizumi turned to face him again. The blond man looked like a mess, with bloodstained lips and still somewhat-teary eyes. It made the Caterpillar ache for him, but he couldn't linger on that for long.
Both of them knew they had a duty to do.
Braev's was to stop the Caterpillar from getting the Vorpal Sword.
The Caterpillar, Kamiizumi, needed to get it.
Which one would fail? There was no win-win situation, here.
"You said you love me."
That fell from Kamiizumi's lips as a statement.
Braev could only nod, swallowing, licking his lower lip briefly to get the blood away.
"You know what to do." The Caterpillar managed, locking eyes with him. "Prove your love to me, or kill me. What do you choose, Braev?"
Braev paused. He stood first, then picked up his sword. The Catepillar heard footsteps move behind him, and he flinched.
Was this where he'd die? In these Dungeons, the only witness being his killer? Bracing himself, he closed his eyes, waiting for it to end. There was no reason Braev had to delay. He could probably chop his head off or stab him easily enough with his own sword, right?
"Take it."
The Caterpillar opened his eyes, before turning his head to look behind him. Braev had the Vorpal Sword in his hands, the blade of it glittering in the dim lighting.
"Take it." Braev repeated, as Kamiizumi turned to fully face him, straightening himself. "It's yours. Don't let my love go to waste, Nobutsuna."
Kamiizumi took a step towards Braev, then stopped, his breath caught in his throat. Eyes widening, he gazed towards the somber face of his friend, and then down at the Vorpal Sword, before looking up at him. He slowly, carefully, picked up the sword with both hands, looking at how it continued to reflect the Dungeon's dim lighting.
Lowering the sword so that he only needed to hold it with one hand, by the hilt, he moved forwards to embrace Braev. He felt the other man embrace him tight, and that was when Kamiizumi remembered what he saw, right before Braev started talking in the first place.
He'd foreseen Braev giving it to him, and that was exactly what happened. He wasn't sure whether to feel horrified, grateful, or a mixture of the two. Grateful, because he now had the most integral part of the machine to be fixed.
Horrified, because if Mahzer found out—Braev's head would be on a platter.
As they pulled away from the hug, Kamiizumi leaned in again to kiss him. He felt Braev jump, just a little, but he kissed him in return.
He just wanted to savour this moment, take in a moment where there was nothing but the two of them.
The Cheshire Cat was right about it, after all. Intimacy really did make you not think about anything else for a while. Perhaps ignorance truly was bliss.
But, like any kiss, like any amount of sex or fleeting, fun moment, it all had to end at some point.
Kamiizumi broke the kiss, swallowing. Braev looked like he might start sobbing again, but instead, he spoke, his voice a little uneven.
"I love you." Braev whispered. He looked into Kamiizumi's eyes again, a softer gaze than before. "You know I do."
Kamiizumi could only smile, leaning his forehead against the other's own. "I know you do. And I won't let your love go to waste."
Praline waited outside the Queen of Hearts' Castle. Technically she shouldn't be here, but she couldn't stop herself from quietly following the Caterpillar.
She waited outside to stay out of danger.
But he went in.
The question was whether he'd come back out. She didn't know if he would get out, and she was scared that he wouldn't.
As she saw him walk out the gates, alone with a sword in his hands, she ran over to him.
"Praline!"
"Kamiizumi!"
"What…" The Caterpillar started, but Praline beat him to it, giving him a look.
"I couldn't just wait at your place! I had to make sure you were okay!"
"You put yourself in danger."
"I stayed outside. There's," She gestured around them, "There's literally no one out here. I'm okay. I'm alive. You got the sword, and we're good. We're good."
That was when she realized, looking up at him, that there was a little blood on his lip. She took out a handkerchief, reaching up to wipe it, and he blinked, startled.
"Um…thanks." He let her wipe the blood off, before she spoke.
"Are you okay?"
He looked down at the sword in his hands, then up at her, the faintest grin on his face as he offered it to her.
"I think I'm okay."
She nodded, taking the sword from him. "Good."
As she examined the blade, glinting in the sunlight, the entire sword began to glow. She stared, the sword becoming lighter and lighter in her hands, shrinking…
Until it became a microphone. She barely caught it in her hands in time as it fell, no longer glowing.
"What the heck?" She held up the microphone. "What's this?"
The Caterpillar looked almost on the edge of chuckling, amusement dancing in his eyes, and it was only after another look from her that he spoke.
"I forgot to tell you earlier. The Vorpal Sword changes into what would suit the 'Alice's' best abilities. You said you were a Performer, right?"
He smiled, and it was much more genuine this time.
"Looks like you have a show to run, Praline."
Her jaw dropped, staring at him, but he still looked amused despite now refraining from laughing. Praline took a deep breath, stared down at the microphone, and then up at him.
"You're right." She was surprised at her voice being level, but she knew that he'd done his part.
Now it was time to do hers.
"Looks like I'm singing Diamante's eardrums out."
Author note: I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter! XD I'm interested in hearing which one of the characters is your favourite so far in the fic.
Also, I'm interested to know if you would all love to read another 'History' chapter, or another chapter of the main story next. Let me know in the comments! XD