Chapter 3

Though they were still far off, the familiar melody of the unbirthday song was already flowing through the red bushes and black and purple trees. This wasn't how it was suppose to be Alice knew that much, the sky wasn't supposed to seem so dark, the forest not so cold, and the creature walking silently next to her not so weary looking.

"Cheshire," his name came out of her mouth as more of a question than she had intended but when she saw him glance at her out of the corner of his eye decided to go with it. "Do you remember that day when I didn't come back , do you know why I didn't come back," Alice asked softly. Cheshire's spine stiffened at the question and he took on a look of irritation. And just as he began to form a syllable they burst uninvited into the endless unbirthday party.

The Mad Hatter looked up with a first inviting smile then spied Cheshire and began to babble with a new found rage. "You! You! You despicable little beast how dare you even think to to come back here after what you did you you" and the rant began to taper off into curse filled muttering while Cheshire's green eyes glowed with delight.

"Why Mad I missed you to," Cheshire breathed teasingly and fluttered his eyelashes at the infuriated tea junkie. "Smack him Mad smack him" The March Hare goaded his already irritated leader and yelped when Cheshire shot him a death glare. Mad's milky blue eyes which had become frigid and formed into narrow slits showed that he was in no mood for Cheshire's antics. Noting this Cheshire walked over towards The Mad Hatter with certain wariness to his step as if expecting a piece of renegade china to fly at his head any minute, while Mad watched Cheshire with the same distrust.

"Now Mad lets not be rash here," Cheshire squeaked out while carefully watching the Hatter's hand which was now grasping quite a pointy looking knife. "Really Mad I came here to apologize for my behavior the other day," he said seriously. Mad grasped the knife tighter and his eyes widened in fear and Alice could see he most likely held the object out of defense rather than revenge now, cause come on what's scarier than a serious Cheshire.

Cheshire was only a step away from Mad now and had so far managed not to get stabbed. After getting over the initial shock of the apology Mad's iciness melted slightly though he still seemed disbelieving. "Sorry yeah right," Mad repeated the statement and snorted while the March Hare watched all of this in amusement. "Now Mad I really mean it this time I'm very sorry for teasing you," Cheshire replied while he carefully shifted a long stand of Mad's chocolate brown hair out of the way.

Mad still watched Cheshire closely though he had relaxed quite a bit Cheshire then after succeeding in getting his hair behind Mad's ear placed his hand on Mad's maroon velvet covered shoulder. Mad pricked a slim brown eyebrow and grinned wickedly. "Alright I forgive you, and though it kills me to admit, though you were an idiot you were my idiot and I missed you," he said and motioned with the butter knife for Cheshire to sit.

Alice could Cheshire would get vengeance for that comment and waited for Mad to be swallowing some tea when he said it. "So did you notice Alice over there or were you to busy ranting at me," Cheshire asked coolly while buttering some bread. The Mad Hatter and March Hare glanced up in unison and both spit out their tea at the same time, must happen when you spend that much time together Alice thought to herself.

Before she could speak Mad and the crazed Hare launched themselves toward her and swept her up in tight bear hugs. "Dear lord where the bloody hell have you been all this time,'' The March Hare cried out while Mad shoved him aside to get a better look at her. Feeling unwanted March slumped back to his seat and swirled a little silver spoon in his tea while Mad fawned over Alice. "Look at you just look at you, your taller and your hairs a little darker come come sit,'' Mad said and maneuvered her into the chair to his right.

Cheshire watched this and waited to ask Mad about where to find Caterpillar and if Hatter would come with them, the little hookah smoker had not been very high on Mad's favorite list after Caterpillar had gotten high and said that Mad looked like a girl. Mad was at the very least to say not at all pleased with that little tidbit of information. Cheshire decided now was the time to question Mad, if he could manage to get the horny teen to stop cooing and flirting with Alice for five damn minutes.

Cheshire first tried clearing his throat at first quite lightly but Mad was notorious for having a certain disability called SHD or quite bluntly selective hearing disorder. Cheshire was almost to the point where he sounded like he was hacking up a hair ball before Mad decided to notice him. "Excuse me for just one minute Luvs,'' he turned to Cheshire and gave a make it quick look. "Do you happen to know where Caterpillar is and if not will you help us find him," Cheshire asked in a ragged voice considering how torn up his throat must have been." Cheshire questioned. "No and no," Mad replied quickly

"Hey you didn't even think about the second question," Cheshire whined. "Alright fine," Mad huffed and stood up from his chair. Mad stopped and scrunched his face as if thinking hard, curled his yellow gloved fist and rested his forehead on his hand. He held the pose for a moment then unscrunched his face and replied "No," and sat down to drink his tea and talk to Alice.

Cheshire refused to give and decided that if Mad would not do it willing then he would make him do it unwillingly through his weakness his own vanity. " But Mad how else could we manage if we didn't have you along with us, considering how brilliant you are," Cheshire crooned and Mad began to puff up with pride Alice shook her head she couldn't stand to watch the display Cheshire was a horrible kiss up.

"You don't mean that," Mad said his eyes glimmering. "So," Cheshire said and earned an irritated glare from Mad. Alright I'll go with only because Wonderland is in enough chaos without you running around without supervision," Mad replied and stood up. "Wait one minute I have to leave a note for Hare and Dormy," and ran into the house.

Cheshire finished off the tea and threw the cup on the ground with a crash. "Oops," he said giggling and just as Alice was about to chide him she heard the pounding of a hammer on wood. Alice walked over to the door where Mad nailed a note with half a cut in half hammer. It read

Dear March and Dormy,

Sorry for leaving so quickly but I am needed.

Be nice to Dorm Mouse March

And don't touch anything in my room while I'm gone

And you better not wipe you fuzzy bunny ass on any of my

towels I will know! Be back soon.

Love

The Mad Hatter

"Let us go whoa wait for me you," Mad cried trying to catch up to Cheshire who had long ago become bored with waiting and started to follow his kitty gut in the direction where Caterpillar might be. Mad skittered after the cat with Alice in tow and wandered off to find the last member of their little group.