I was frozen to the bone, the adult brunette in front of me completely oblivious to the fear in my eyes as he laughed obnoxiously.

"You're the little foreigner from before~! So, these bags are yours?"

"Y-yeah..." I tried not to let my voice squeak, merely staring at the taller man with a bored face. My body was stiff, however, and it was taking all I had just to relax. "I-I was coming back to grab them..."

"Aw, and here I thought you wanted to go on an adventure with me!"

Did that adventure include murdering innocent people while slashing them up with your sword? I was hesitant, having an urge to lunge forward and rip the bags out of his hands, and also having an urge to run away for my dear life. People had two instincts that took over in life-and-death situations, and those were a) fight and b) flight. I generally just go with the second choice.

"C-Can I have my bags back, please? I-I don't want Nightmare and Gray to worry..." Like they'd actually be worried about me... Well, Nightmare, maybe-maybe. Gray, I honestly have no clue about. I didn't really know the guy, as I generally just hung out with Nightmare. He seemed nice, though, and was oddly motherly...

I felt a pang, and wished that I knew my own mother, but quickly pushed that foolish thought away. She died when I was little, so it was impossible to have ever really known her.

Ace pouted at me childishly, holding both bags up in one hand. "Aw! Why?"

"Because I need them!"

"Will you go on an adventure with me if I give them to you?"

"No!"

"Hm~! Then I guess I'll just keep them then~!" He smiled at me and laughed, causing annoyance to grow. He was lucky I had a high patience.

"Why keep something that doesn't belong to you? What value would they hold?" I surprised myself with how confident I sounded, but then again I was using my other persona-the me everyone knew that acted like she didn't care about anything, that wasn't scared of anything, that was so anti-social she just used sarcasm when she didn't know what else to say. The one who beat up her best guy friends because she didn't know how to show affection other than hugs, which she only used for her female friends. "So-So therefore, since the bags don't mean anything to you, you should just give them to me!"

"Eh, really? But what if I just kept the bags and killed you here? I always wanted to know what an outsider's heart would sound like when they're dying." My blood ran cold. He...He said that with such a happy face... This man was twisted beyond measure. Maybe I should have listened to Pierce... No! I'm not going to start regretting my decision now! What's done is done.

"B-Because, if you kill me, you'll be so bored without my awesome presence! Be-Besides, what use would you have with a couple of dresses? I doubt you're into cross-dressing."

The knight actually appeared thoughtful at this, holding a hand up to his chin. He burst out laughing with a huge grin on his face, tossing me the bags as I stumbled to catch them, "You're right! Hahaha! Hey, do you know the way to the castle?"

"Um..." I looked around, frowning. I didn't even know where I was. "N-Not...Not really..."

His eyes lit up as he looked down at me, making me feel incredibly short, "Oh! Are you lost, too? We can be lost together, then!" I cried out in protest when he grabbed my arm and started to drag me away.

"H-Hey! I'm not-I'm not lost! I-I just don't know where the Castle is!" Okay, I was lying, I was lost, but so was this guy! So you can't blame me for lying to him, especially since I've seen him kill people! "H-Hey! Let go of me!"

"Nope! Hey, do you have any idea where the nearest shortcut is? I think it's this way~!"

"Gyah!"

Somehow, within the span of two time periods, I nearly gotten eaten by a flying whale, bit by a snake, chased by a bear (which Ace proceeded to easily sling me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes) attacked by squirrels, and currently was trying to trudge through a really fast current.

"A-Ace-!" I called out, fear traveling down my spine as I tried to reach the next stepping stones. I was just going to wait until Ace came back from the other side of the river, but he was going to leave me alone even if I waited, and right now, I didn't want to be alone. I was scared. "Hey-!" I screamed, my foot slipping on the wet stone, sending me falling down into the icy depths. At least, I would have been entirely engulfed, if Ace didn't reach out and catch me at the last moment. I was breathing heavily, utterly horrified at what nearly happened. I clung onto his arm tightly, ignoring his laughter, as he lifted me up and carried me to the other side of the river bank.

While he was walking, I forcefully made myself release the grip I had on him and hugged myself, crossing my arms over my chest as I tried to stop myself from shivering from the cold. My jeans were completely soaked, along with my socks and shoes, and the hem of my shirt and jacket. I didn't bother to question how Ace was able to carry me like he was with only one arm. It was practically the same way Sesshomaru carried Rin all the time in Inuyasha.

The morning switched to night time, and Ace finally decided to stop walking. I flinched when he knelt down and set me up against a tree, the man smiling the entire time. When Ace looked away, I finally gave in and shivered, clamping a hand on the back of my neck at the cold chill I received. Wearing wet clothes was bad enough, but in the middle of the night outside? My legs were practically numb at this point. I hated to admit it, but I missed the warmth I received from Ace when he was carrying me-though I probably ended up getting part of his clothes soaked as well.

I looked up, rubbing my numb legs in an attempt to get warm, though really just making myself colder, and blinked in surprise when I saw that there was a tent already put up. Was...Was Ace going to be camping? Suddenly something warm covered my body, darkness covering my vision. "H-Hey! Who turned off the lights!?" I demanded, struggling to get the thing that was on me off. It felt like a jacket and...a shirt? "Haaah?" I finally managed to poke my head out and see what on me, only to look up and scream, whirling my head away. "PUT A SHIRT ON!"

"Hahahaha! But if I do that you'll freeze to death, silly~!"

"B-But-!"

Ace completely ignored my protest, laughing at me, saying, "I'm getting firewood. Put those on if you don't want to freeze~! You foreigners are so fragile." He laughed again and walked off, leaving me confused and utterly stumped.

Why...Why was he...? Haaaah? I resisted to make a face as I stared blankly at the articles of clothing that were on my lap, debating whether I should get undressed and put these on, so that I don't freeze to death like he said, or bare with the cold and throw his clothes back at him?

I didn't really want to, but I stripped down to my underwear and quickly pulled the shirt on, making a face when I had to button it. Thankfully Ace was a decade older than me and much much larger, so his shirt practically went down to my knees and the collar covered up half of my face, making me look like a ninja. I grinned at the thought and couldn't resist the urge to karate chop the air, kicking invisible enemies in the face. God, I was really was a kid... "Hoho! Fear my-my skills of awesome ninjaness! Hyaaaaa!" I used a really, really bad Chinese accent. Soon I stopped and laughed at myself, before scowling at my ridiculous and pulling on the really big jacket, buttoning it up. It trailed on the ground.

Uh, maybe I should give this back to Ace? He was shirtless (My poor innocent eyes were blinded) and was going to freeze too out in this cold. Where was he, anyway? I decided to wait next to the tent for him to come back. I sighed, my legs aching from the cold, and tucked my knees in the really big shirt, wrapping my arms around them as I leaned my head down against my arms. The shirt and jacket were actually really warm. I shivered again and sneezed, making a face as I yawned. I was tired...too much running today.

I think I fell asleep, but I wasn't sure. All I knew was that when I woke up I was inside the tent with Ace next to me, his head on-his head on my chest. Wh-What the hell!? Dude!

I tried not to freak out as I tried to wiggle out of Ace's grip, trying to pry his arms off of me. I knew falling asleep was a bad idea-then again, I probably should have ran away from this guy when I was being chased by the bear. I flinched at the sound of a flying whale groaning. I swear, those things were creepier than the talking doors. "L-Let go of me!" I hissed quietly, both wanting and both not wanting to wake the adult up. This was highly uncomfortable. I froze when his eyes opened, staring at me confused for a moment before a grin spread across his face. Oh no... "Uh, hi? Morning! C-Can you let go now, please?"

"I wanna listen to heart some more~!" He protested. I was fairly certain my face flared red-whether from my embarrassment or my anger, I had no idea. I squirmed in his grip.

"N-no! And put a shirt on!"

"But you're wearing my shirt!"

"Then put the damn jacket on!" I froze, realizing I just cursed in front of an adult. I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut as I waited for a slap to the face. When I felt nothing, I slowly opened my eyes to see Ace staring at me, causing me to flinch again and squeak, "I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to-I didn't mean to curse!"

I was able to curse in my head around Nightmare just fine...He just scolded me. He wasn't like the other adults who'd backhand you across the mouth if you slipped up, who'd yell at you and ground you for weeks on end. Ace was an adult, though, and completely different from Nightmare, so I had no idea what he was going to do.

"Ehhh? Why are you sorry?"

"Huh?" All I could really think at the moment was Please don't hate me, please don't hate me and I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. His question caught me totally off guard. Ace removed himself from me, which made me relax considerably, and sat up cross-legged, blinking at me. His red eyes looked truly confused.

"You just cursed." I flinched at the reminder, still expecting a slap to the face. "Everyone does that." I looked at him with wide eyes, surprised.

"W-Wait...So-so you're not going-you're not going to hit me? You don't hate me?" Agh! Why did I tack that on at the end!? I think Pierce is rubbing off on me. That, or I just want someone to blame. He didn't like people hating him either.

Ace was silent for a long moment, something flashing in his eyes, before he laughed at me. I stared, utterly confused. "You're so funny~! Hahaha!"

I made a face when he started to laugh at me. I didn't really understand why he was laughing at me, but I didn't bother to question it. I just said, in a really sarcastic voice, "Gee, thanks! I feel so much better now. "

"Hahaha! You're welcome~!"

I deadpanned, "I was being sarcastic."

He laughed again, "I know. Pretty cheeky for an outsider, huh?" I just made a face at him, which caused him to laugh even more. "Hey, Hey, why did you run from me the other day?"

"Oh, uh..." I frowned and looked away, trying to think of an excuse. "Well, I, kinda, well...B-Before-before you, you know," I swallowed, "killed them, I-I saw Peter do the same with the guards just a minute or two before I ran into you...I-I was shocked." Wrong. I was scared. I thought they were going to kill me as well. "I never...seen someone get killed before." Who in my world has, really, that didn't have some tragic past?

I knew it was out there. Murder, rape, abuse, torture...I knew it was all out there, I knew everyone had a past of some kind, whether it be dark and painful, bright and kind, or just... a past. Nothing bad, nothing good, just...life. I just had a plain past.

My mother died shortly after giving birth to me, having been in a car wreck, and my dad took care of me and my brother since. My brother went to Ivy Tech in order to become an engineer and my dad just worked as an electrical technician. I was at home by myself most of the time, making sure the house didn't burn down or anything, and never invited anyone over or visited a friend's house. I was constantly by myself, in my room with a cup of tea, typing away on my laptop. There were times when my Aunt visited, but I'd rather ignore those.

My brother hardly visited because of work and school, as he lived in a dorm at the school, and my dad was just constantly busy with work. When my dad was home he'd make dinner and tell me what happened at work, or talk about Senators and the things the President was doing wrong with the country. He tried to teach me mechanics, but it just didn't work, so I settled with writing and drawing. I couldn't do math very well; one of the traits I picked up from my mother, I guess, along with her green eyes. All I remember of her really was a smile and a warm touch. My dad said she was beautiful, with blonde hair and bright green eyes that could tell what kind of person you were. She worked for the police, I think, as a patrol officer. That car wreck she was in? She was chasing down someone who had hardwired a car and stole it.

I didn't have a bad past, but I didn't have a good one either. It was just how my life was, so that's how I dealt with it. I've never seen anyone murdered, I didn't really know anyone who was abused, and I also didn't know anyone who was raped-nor was I raped myself.

The world was dark and cruel, but this world was probably even worse, or better, as people killed with no reason...

No one ever killed with a good reason. Not even the Mafia.

"Eh? Then what would you do if I killed you right now?" I stared blankly at his smiling face, before deadpanning,

"Kick you in the nuts and scream." He laughed at my response, but I think I either intimidated him, or earned just a little-a little bit of respect from him. I just kept staring at him. He noticed and stopped laughing, just smiling at me.

"Hm? What is it?" I sighed and shook my head.

"Nothing...is it still night or did the time period change?" I was surprised with how well I was taking the whole "time period" thing, but it wasn't really that big a deal. It just meant I could stay up longer.

Ace quickly poked his head out of the tent and said, "It's morning again! Hey, I think your clothes are dry now!"

"Wait, how? It's only been one time period!" Clothes stay wet for quite a few days unless you actually wash and dry them. Ace looked at me for a moment, blinking, before he started to scratch his chin in thought.

"Hm...Oh! You don't know?"

"Know what?" I demanded.

"That everything becomes clean again once a time period ends~!"

I stared. And blinked. And slapped myself against the forehead-hard. "Ow!"

"Hahahaha! What'd you do that for?"

"B-because! I-I'm changing then! You-You stay in the tent!"

I then proceeded to change in the bushes. Again. I was kind of sad that I wouldn't be able to act like a ninja anymore, but... Well, that was only a moment of goofiness. Still rather embarrassing though. I quickly buttoned my jeans and slid on my jacket, poking my shoes with a finger to make sure that they were actually dry. I wasn't a fan of wet feet. Luckily, like the rest of my clothes, they were dry. I quickly pulled them on after my mis-matched socks and tied the brown laces. I huffed and stood up, flinching as a couple of bushes scraped against my arms and scratched me. I let out an angered yell, finding one had snatched onto my pants leg.

"Get off! Off, off, off! I say off, darn you!" It took a moment, but I managed to get it off of me and stumbled out of the bushes, shouting as I tripped over a root and fell on my face. I groaned and let out a whine. This really wasn't my day. "Owww..."

"Hahaha! You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine..." I grumbled, pushing myself up onto my feet. I picked up Ace's clothes and thew them at him, saying, "Here you go! Now put them on and stop flashing people!"

"Aww~! Fine..." He pouted, before doing as told. I sighed and turned to the direction of the tent, but blinked in surprise when I found it gone.

"Dude, where'd it go?"

"Huh? Oh, I put it away. Hey, which way do you think the castle is?"

"I don't-That way." I said, looking up as I grabbed my bags, placing them on one arm.

"Huh? This way?" I let out a yell and quickly reached out and grabbed Ace's arm, pulling him back with what little strength I had and cried out,

"No! No, no, no, no, no! Other way, OTHER way!"

"This way then?"

"No-gyah!" I screamed when I was sent stumbling forward, Ace being a great deal stronger than me. I lost my stance and balance and was sent flying into his back. "Ow! Stop-stop going the wrong way, damn it!" I flinched, realizing I cursed again, and turned my head. "J-Just-Just follow me..."

"Hm? You sure? I think this is a shortcut-"

"No, no! This is a shortcut-most definitely a shortcut!" Ace had to think about it for a minute, scratching his chin, before laughing and following me-before diverting off the path multiple in times, in which I had to go back, grab him, and drag him by the sleeve towards the direction of Heart Castle. The only reason I knew where it was at was because I looked up. It was actually closer now.

It took about three more time periods to get there-in which my stomach was starting to growl angrily at me for neglecting it food-and in which where I wanted a shower. Bad. Why couldn't Wonderland have showers? Or, they do, but the Tower of Clover just doesn't have one? Hm...I'm gonna have to bug Nightmare about that.

"W-We're here!" Somehow, during the mess, I ended up getting twigs and leaves in my hair, and mostly covered in dirt. Ace was no exception. He kept running into tree branches and walking through bushes, making me follow him and drag him back out and towards the right direction! The idiot. We stood at the gate to Heart Castle, right where the Hedge Maze starts. "There...I'm fairly certain you can go on from there...Hopefully."

"Aw~! I thought you were going to come with me?"

"As much as I love the offer, I have to get back to Nightmare." Well, actually, Gray since he's the one who gave me the money, but... Nightmare's more my friend than Gray is, really. "See ya later!"

He perked up a little, grinning. "Bye! Oh, wait!" I paused in my walking away, turning my head to look at him.

"What-gah!" I screamed when I was suddenly lifted up off the ground,the bags falling, with Ace's arms wrapped around my legs as he held me up in the air, his head against my chest listening to my heart beat. "P-Put me down! Down, down, down-S-Set me d-down!"

"Huh, why? Hey, it's beating faster! What's wrong? Are you flustered?"

"N-No! Put-Put me-Put me-" I couldn't even get the last word out, terrified of being lifted off the ground. I could feel myself falling backwards and screamed, quickly lunging forward and wrapping my arms around Ace's neck tightly, tears in my eyes. "Put me down!"

"...Oh! I get it! Haha!" Ace did as told, dropping me onto my feet and leaving me stumbling as I fell backwards and onto my butt. "You're so short you don't like being picked up!"

"Shut up!" I growled, glaring at him as best as I could as I stood up shakily. I grabbed my bags and hugged myself, feeling both violated and scared. I had no idea of what to make of Ace. He was scary, he was ridiculous, he was-in a way-nice, but he was a jerk. He made no sense. "I-I'm going home..." I mumbled, turning around and walking back the way I came, rubbing my arms and trying to get rid of the goosebumps. I don't like Ace. He was mean.

"Aw~! I was just playing!"

"I don't care! Go talk to Peter or something!" I shouted and walked faster, before running once I was far enough distance to avoid him. Today sucked. It was good at first, but then it went completely and totally downhill... God, I'm so tired...and I literally woke up just a few hours ago, too! Remind me to avoid directionally-challenged knights with red eyes. Peter was even better than Ace-at least he rhymed! ...Most of the time.

While walking in town, the time changed again and to my surprise, the dirt on my clothes completely vanished. Having a little money left, I decided to go to one of the stores and buy me a small snack; just a little to stop my stomach from rumbling. I can handle going without food for quite a long time, but I just need something small to keep functioning properly. I probably eat twice a day total. Whatever I had for breakfast, which was usually a small bowl of cereal, and whatever I eat for dinner ten hours later, which generally was just a can of cream of chicken unless my dad made something.

"I can't wait to sleep..." But before I do that, I'm going to question Nightmare about the whole "shower" thing. Out of my knowledge, there were only really huge baths. For all I know, there could be showers... Unless I was told wrong. "If I have to deal with one more crazy person..."

"A-Alexis!" I held back a groan, not wanting to deal with anymore people, before turning my head to see who it was. However, before I could fully see the face of the person shouting my name, I saw a blur of orange and green before I was tackled, the bags being sent of my hands. Those poor dresses.

"Pierce!"

"I-I was so worried; chuu!"

"What for?" I asked, trying to push myself up so I wasn't laying awkwardly on my arms. I turned my head to look at Pierce, tensing when I realized how close he was. Damn it, what's with him and close contact? I mean, he's cute and all, but jeez! Pain wracked my right shoulder, and it wasn't until now that I realized how much it was really hurting. I was so busy trying to keep Ace going on the right path and getting back to the Tower of Clover, I didn't notice the effects of the medicine wearing off. It must have worn off a long time ago, too, because it hurt. Like. HELL! "Grah-mm!" I quickly slammed my mouth shut and clenched my teeth together, trying to stop myself from crying out in pain. I didn't think this in a while, but...

Bullet wounds HURT.

"Eh!? Alexis!?" Pierce quickly climbed off of me, freaking out as his visible mouse ear twitched. "Yo-You're heart! It-it's beating really fast; are you hurt!? What's wrong!? Do-Don't die!"

"I'm fine!" I bit out quickly, rolling onto my good side and sitting up, pressing a hand against my wounded shoulder. It felt wet. Oh, greeat, just what I needed at this point in time. More stuff to put me in a bad mood. "I'm not-" I swallowed, furrowing my eyebrows as I tried to hold back a pained sound. I breathed in deeply, finishing, "I'm not going to die. No-Nothing's wrong."

"A-Are you sure? It-it's going even faster than before! D-Doctor-!"

"Pierce, I'm fi-ah, damn it all!" I was quickly cut off as I leaned over and hugged my shoulder tightly, squeezing my eyes shut. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, stupid Ace! I'm gonna smash his face in!"

"A-Ace!?" Pierce squeaked, alarmed as he knelt in front of me. His eyes widened at the sight of my bleeding shoulder. "H-He did this!?"

"No! Ju-Just which way is Nightmare's tower?"

"B-Bu-But y-you need-"

"I'll be fine!" He flinched, causing me to flinch and apologize frantically, "I-I'm sorry, but-but I-Sorry!" I released my shoulder, causing it to hurt even more, and reached down with my right hand to grab my bags. I quickly ground my teeth together again, tears threatening to well up in my eyes. I was not going to cry. Not again. I was sick of it. I'm a cry-baby, yes, but only when I allowed myself to be. When I'm alone. What happened with Nightmare and Peter was a fluke. Same with Ace. "Stupid...bags." I insulted them, pain wracking my shoulder from all the extra weight. Screw it, I'm using my left. Moving to put the bags in my left hand, I was alarmed when a hand reached out and snatched both of them from me.

I looked up in alarm to see Pierce holding them. He looked conflicted-like he was trying to figure out what to do. I was starting to get a little dizzy.

"H-Hey-gyah!" Before I could even react, Pierce shoved the bags back into my arms and picked me up, causing me to shout in alarm when he suddenly broke out running. "Wha-what are you doing!?"

Pierce didn't respond, and I could only stare at him in stunned silence. The look on his face was completely different than from what I was used to seeing. He looked serious. Not like scared little mouse he was before. Despite my fear of heights, I kept my mouth shut and didn't complain, instead clinging to Pierce's jacket with my left hand and holding onto the bags with my right. It a hurt bit being jostled around, but it was mainly only my shoulder that the pain was coming from. It was numbing now, actually, which I don't really think was a good thing. I just kept getting a bigger headache by the second.

Pierce started to run up steps and I flinched, allowing a small fearful squeak to escape through my lips. This was so not fun. "Gray!"

What was Pierce doing? I couldn't figure it out, even after he barged into into the building. Suddenly Gray came running into the hallway, having heard the door slam open and Pierce's shouting for him. I flinched at Gray's alarmed gaze and shouted when Pierce broke out into another run. What the hell is going on!? Ow-Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow-god damn it, that hurts!

"Whoa-!" Pierce barged into another room and set me down on a chair, causing me to flinch. A few female servants ran in carrying bandages and medicine, causing me to blink. "H-Hey!" I protested loudly when they started tugging off my jacket, "I-I'm fine! What-what are you doing!?"

"Cleaning your wound and dressing it." One of the faceless replied. She was blonde. I blinked, swearing that I thought I saw a pair of onyx eyes, before clearing my head. Only the role-holders (and foreigners) had eyes. She looked familiar though. Her partner told Pierce to leave the room, causing the mouse-boy to protest frantically.

"She is a young lady! We are not dressing her wounds in front of a male!"

"W-What's wrong with-" Pierce started to protest, before his face flushed in realization. My headache was just getting worse. Pierce quickly left the room.

"OW!" I wasn't prepared for the sudden stinging pain when the maids quickly removed my jacket and shirt and placed some kind of disinfectant against my wound. "Gah." I made a face and clamped my mouth shut, watching in disturbing fascination as the two woman worked on my wounds. One of them had taken my bags and left with them; I have no idea what she was going to do with them. Probably wash them or something, I guess... I have no idea how people worked. After a few moments of disinfectant and washing away the blood that was staining my skin, the blonde woman quickly pressed a cloth against my shoulder, putting pressure on it and causing me to flinch.

My eyes widened in horror when I saw her pull out a needle and thread. "D-Do I really need stitches? Weren't my last pair working fine!?"

"They snapped, Miss Alexis." She-She didn't just call me that, did she? "They need replaced." I didn't even notice her take out my old ones! I flinched and held back a cry of pain when the needle dug into my skin, feeling the thread brushing and passing through the meat and flesh. I held my breath, trying my hardest not to cry out in pain. I had never really gotten stitches before, and I only gotten the one pair when that doctor knocked me out with anesthesia. Then again, I think when I had my lung surgery the Doctors had to stitch me back up... I don't really remember actually. I was just happy to breath normally again.

It took a few minutes, but she tied the thread and snipped off the left over string. She then placed a bandage over my wound, slapping it for good measure, and causing me to cry out loudly.

"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT FOR!?"

"It was to make sure that it stays on."

"It hurt!"

"You're as childish as Lord Nightmare."

"I AM NOT! He's much worse than me!"

"Indeed. At least a child can act her age, whereas he acts like a spoiled brat at times."

"Okaay, that was just mean."

She shrugged. "The only one who can get him to behave is Mister Gray, and even then it's troublesome."

"You realize he can hear your thoughts, right?"

"You realize I don't really care, right?"

"..."

"..."

"I like you." I stated with a grin, causing her to smile at me. "What's your name?"

"...I am a Faceless. We do not need names."

"Bullcrap," I stated, causing her to lean her head back and look at me in surprise. "Everyone needs names. Have you never picked a kitten up off the street and named it something silly? What's your name?"

"I...I am Leia."

"Hey, that's a pretty name! I'm Alexis!" I beamed, smiling widely at her. Suddenly the door slammed open with Nightmare, Gray, and Pierce all running in. Well, Gray and Pierce ran, while Nightmare panted and jogged in exhaustion, blood trailing down his chin from all his coughing fits. "Hi!" I grinned nervously and waved. Then I screamed, Pierce having tackled me. Nightmare looked like he wanted to do the same, but was too out of breathe to do so. Even Gray had a look of worry on his face.

All of these things confused me. I didn't understand why they were so worried.

"Ow, ow, ow-Pierce-!" A startled scream leapt up into my throat, but didn't escape, when he suddenly nuzzled my neck. I tensed and arched my back, my shoulder scrunching up as my arms were held awkwardly in the air as my eyes grew wide. "P-P-P-Pierce!?" My voice squeaked.

"Wawawawaaaa! I-I thought that bad kitty got you! Th-Then you s-s-said A-Ace was w-w-with you a-and your h-heart started to b-break and-and you started to bleed-!"

"H-Hey! S-Stop-Stop that! Stop crying!" What was I supposed to do!? I looked behind Pierce's head at Nightmare and Gray for help, who merely looked on amused. Nightmare then made a gesture with his arms, which confused me (Did I mention that I was bad at charades?) Seeing my confused look, Nightmare chuckled quietly to himself while placing a hand on his chin, crossing one arm over his chest as he stood up straight, shaking his head at me.

Jerk! You're supposed to help me, not smirk amused-ly! G-Gah! Stop crying already! Wait, wait! Um, I don't know!

W-Wait...Pierce likes hugs right? You hug someone to comfort them? A brief memory of Nightmare hugging popped up in my mind and I quickly, though awkwardly, wrapped my arms around Pierce.

"S-Stop-Stop crying already." Pierce only seemed to cry harder, but paused a moment and hiccuped in confusion. Damn it, this isn't working! Tighter hug? I settled with that and tightened my grip on him, causing him to tense. Oh, that seemed to work! Uh, now what?

Nightmare seemed to be trying his hardest not to laugh, holding onto Gray's arm with one hand while his other was clamped over his mouth. Tears were practically forming in his eyes. Gray seemed to be looking at Nightmare like he was about to scold him, but there was an amused smirk on his face as well. Leia was just laughing freely at my misery. And here I thought she was nice...Che.

"I..." I didn't want to admit this. Damn it, this is embarrassing. Them laughing at me isn't making this any easier! Nightmare's face was practically blue at this point, as he was holding his breathe in an attempt to stop himself from laughing. "I-I don't...I don't know what to do when people cry, so stop crying already!" I felt like I was going to cry myself at this point. This was utterly humiliating. I don't even know what I did to make Pierce cry, and yet here I am with no knowledge of comforting people and everyone is just laughing at me for it! "A-Am I supposed to keep hugging you or what!?"

Pierce sniffled, holding back his sobs, before leaning his head back to look at me. I tensed, frozen at the look on his face. "Alexis..." I felt my face warm up-then again, I'm fairly certain it was already extremely red to begin with-starting from the moment he tackled me and began to bawl his eyes out. He sniffled again, and out of instinct I reached forward and brushed his hair out of his face, revealing both of his eyes. He looked at me in surprise. I quickly retracted my hand and turned my head, huffing.

"I-It's uncomfortable when your hair sticks to your face while crying, isn't it?" At least, I thought it was. I then realized he was still sitting on my lap and I froze again. Pierce's ears twitched and he freaked, screaming.

"Y-You're h-heart is breaking again! D-Doctor! Doctor!" He pressed his ear against my chest to hear my heartbeat speed up before looking around frantically, trying to figure out what to do.

Nightmare couldn't hold it in. He collapsed against Gray as he cried, laughing so hard blood spurted out of his mouth. Gray stopped his chuckling and tried to get Nightmare to calm down.

"M-My heart isn't breaking, Pierce!" I cried out, leaning back against the floor as his face leaned in close to mine. Tears were welling back up in his eyes again. Damn it. I just got him to stop, too.

"Y-Yes it is! F-Feel it!" he grabbed my hand, and at the same time, pressed it against my chest as he leaned his ear against my hand. It was surprisingly fluffy... Wait, no zoning back! "I-It's g-going too f-fast! I-It's b-breaking!" My face flushed again.

"It-It's called racing, stupid!" I yelled, placing my hands on his shoulders and pushing him off my chest. He looked at me in confusion.

"H-Huh?"

"I-It does that when I-when I get scared or-or nervous or-or anxious or stuff like that!"

"Scared? A-Am I scaring you?" He broke down crying again and started to get up to run, but I quickly reacted and shot up, tackling him to the ground. "Gah! L-Let me g-go! You-You ha-hate me! I-I'm sorry! I don't know what I did, but I'm s-sorry!"

"You're not scaring me, damn it!"

Gray looked alarmed at my use of language, causing Nightmare to stop laughing instantly, being able to read his thoughts. His gray eye widened in alarm.

"Th-Then why d-do you hate me!?"

"I don't hate you!" This was such a weird position. I had tackled him around the waist, so my head was against his lowerback.

"Th-Then why d-does your h-heart k-keep racing!?" I snapped.

"BECAUSE YOU'RE MAKING ME FLUSTERED!" I froze when I realized what I said, the entire room becoming silent.

...

"F-Flustered?"

"YES!" I had a looong couple of time periods. I admitted angrily, "I've never had a guy so close to me before and it was making me flustered, okay!? I'm not used to people contact! That's why I freak out so much when you hug me all the time! My heart races because I'm nervous! Are you happy!? Now stop crying, damn it!"

Feeling Pierce start to move, I released him, ignoring the pain in my shoulder. I sat up and huffed, scowling. Wow, I seem to be doing that a lot here, huh? And to think I used to be all smiles. Pierce sat up with his legs sprawled out to his sides, his hands on the floor between them and in front of him, his green eye staring at me thoughtfully. He blinked. "So...you're heart's racing because...I'm making you flustered?"

"D-Don't say it like that! You-You make it sound so..." Embarrassing. "You make it sound weird." I looked at him out of the corner of my eyes, head still turned. "So-So, yeah..."

Nightmare just seemed to be smiling to himself in amusement, before casting nervous glances towards Gray every now and then.

...I'm gonna get it later, aren't I? Well, Gray isn't too scary...so I should be fine.

I hope, I thought, feeling a twinge of fear as I bit my lip. I remembered the first time I cursed in front of my Aunt-the woman who defined me.

SMACK

My head was turned painfully to the side, my mouth aching painfully from where my Aunt had slapped me. She glared at me.

"Young ladies are not mean to use such vile language! Go to the bathroom and wash your mouth out with soap, NOW!" I nodded silently, not saying anything except for in my mind in which I insulted her loudly, trudging to the bathroom. "Back straight!"

I wasn't a fan of my aunt. I didn't hate her; no, I loved her. It was only when I slip up that she got mad. I was ten-I didn't really know that "damn" was a bad word. I heard my brother use it once when he was fighting with our dad, and I was fighting with my aunt so I used it. I never got out, so I never really KNEW what the bad words were until I turned eleven. I didn't know what "dirty jokes" or their innuendos were until I turned fourteen. Every time I asked what something was, my friends stared at me weirdly before crying about how "innocent" I was. I just didn't understand what they were talking about.

I wanted to be able to talk to them and have a conversation. Not the short-snipped ones I had with them now. Unfortunately when I learned what they were talking about, I never wanted to ask for a definition again.

I tried not to gag at the taste of soap. Unfortunately, it didn't work and I had to walk over to the toilet quickly to rid myself of my stomach acids.

My aunt was nice...until a female member of her family cursed. Then she snapped.

Luckily, I never visited her much. It was also because of her that I became who I am today; wiping mouth with napkins when you get sauce spilled on your cheek, walking straight with your head up... It was because of her that I was scared of being yelled at and hated.

"Alexis..." I heard Nightmare mumble my name I flinched, realizing he just saw that whole thing. I forgot he could read minds. Damn...the only solitude and comfort I even give myself is in my mind... This was going to be tricky keeping my thoughts to myself.

Arms quickly wrapped around my shoulders I screamed, tumbling back as kisses were planted frantically all over my face. I put my mouth in another thin line as I squeezed my eyes shut. "Chuu, chuu, chuu~!"

"H-Hey! Pierce, stop that!" Pierce pulled away with a pout.

"B-But-But you looked so cute and s-sad-!"

"Me, cute, and sad, do not go in the same sentence." I deadpanned, putting my hand on his shoulders as I tried to push him off of me again. "Now, get off-!" My eyes widened considerably when something soft and warm pressed against my lips. Pierce's arms around me tightened before he removed his mouth from mine, kissing my cheeks instead.

Th-Th-That-That-That di-That didn't c-count! N-No-No feeling in it! Y-yeah! L-Like-Like what R-Ren told K-Kyoko in S-Skip Beat! It-It doesn't count if there's-if there's no feeling in it! J-Just don't-just don't let it happen again.

I felt really shaken for some reason and I didn't know why. Seeing his lips come down towards my face again, I released his shoulders and reached a hand up to his chin, grabbing it and holding his face away from mine.

Pierce furrowed his brows and said, "This hand-I-I can't "chuu" you with your hand in the way, Alexis!" Th-That's kind of my point, Pierce! "Why won't you let me "chuu" you?"

"B-Because I-I've-I've gotten e-enough "Chuu"s for today!" I said and swallowed, blinking multiple times as I inhaled. This was really weird. "Y-You're cute an all, but-but no."

"S-So...you do hate-"

"Damn it, for the last time, I don't hate you! I'm never going to hate you so get that stupid thought out of your stupid cheesy head! Do you just have a bunch of mousetraps in there or what?"

"N-No..." Then he did something that surprised me. He unwrapped his arms from around me and grabbed my wrist, kissing the palm of my hand instead. My eyes widened. "Can I bite you?"

"No!" My voice squeaked, and I was saved by Gray when he pulled Pierce off of me.

"I think that's enough affection for one day, don't you think, Pierce?" Nightmare ran over, having regained his oxygen, and knelt down, helping me stand. I made a face, still trying to calm my beating heat.

"You're only here for twenty time periods and you already got one falling head over heels. When can I plan the wedding?"

My face flared at the suggestion and I quickly slammed my elbow into his side, causing him to grunt and whine, releasing me.

SHUT UP, NIGHTMARE! I JUST MET THE DUDE, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! And stop using my jokes!

"I can assure you I came up with that one myself." Nightmare grinned at me, causing me to scowl at him with a blush on my face. I raised my fist up and punched him in the shoulder, causing him to chuckle. "Your little scene with the dormouse was rather interesting."

Yeah, sure, says you, Mr. Laughing-my-ass-of-while-rolling-on-floor-laughing.

"Now THAT one wasn't original."

Shut up! You don't even know how to text!

"I don't need to know in order to be able to read your mind."

"GRAY! Nightmare's being mean to me~!"

"Lord Nightmare, stop making fun of Alexis in mental dialogue."

"B-But Gray-!" He was silenced with a glare. I then froze when the glare was focused on me-although it softened slightly. It was still harsh though, and I could hear Pierce crying on the other side of the door, as Gray had kicked him out, uh, "Have a word" with me.

"Lord Nightmare, may I have a moment alone with Alexis?"

Nightmare hesitated, sending me a worried look. I stared up at him blankly, basically telling him I could handle it in my mind. Nightmare seemed unconvinced however, and tried to say, "Gray, I don't think-"

"Just go before Gray beats you, Nightmare." I sighed, even if I appreciated what he was trying to do. All that was going to happen was a lecture and a slap to the face-nothing too big. "I'll be fine. I doubt he's going to actually kill me. That's Elliot's job."

Nightmare frowned, before leaving the room to calm down a frantic Pierce. I could hear Nightmare cry out in protest about Pierce trying to kiss him, which made me snort loudly and clamp a hand over my face in embarrassment.

"Alexis...what made you use such foul language?"

"Bad day."

"And what could have happened in this day that caused you curse?" His gold eyes flashed and I tensed, but remained bored-faced. I kept looking him in the eyes. If I looked away I'd get yelled at. It was bad enough he was being this calm. "It is not good for a young lady such as yourself to curse."

So I'm told... I nodded silently, waiting for the lecture to be over with so I could hurry and receive my slap so I could leave and ask Nightmare my question.

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yes. You said it was no proper for a "young lady" such a myself to curse." When was he going to slap me? Aunt Tammy did it all the time. "Anything else, Gray?"

He frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Are you testing me?"

"No." I replied monotone, voice softer than the loud one I usually use. Gray noticed and his frown deepened. "I was just merely asking a question out of curiosity." Did he hate me now? I wouldn't surprised. I don't even understand why he and Nightmare are still letting me stay in the tower. I was a jerk.

"I don't care who your mother was; I don't care who your father IS! He may tolerate your smart-ass, but I won't! Keep that foul mouth of yours in tact and I'll have you drink shampoo!"

SMACK

"Go to your room!" It wasn't even my room. It was just the guestroom she had me enter whenever I "misbehaved". I was completely silent during the whole thing. My cheek stung.

"You may go now."

I snapped out of it and looked up at him in alarm, "Wait, what? That's all? No slap or anything? No screaming? You're not mad?"

Gray looked slightly appalled at my questions. "Why on earth would I slap you?"

"Because you're an adult! All adults smack kids for cursing! Aunt Tammy always did that when I said something bad!" What the hell? "She even smacked me for making a sarcastic comment; why aren't you doing anything!? I cursed and yelled at Pierce-why aren't you mad at me!?"

"Because that's no reason to be mad at you!" I took a step back, stunned silent as I looked up at the older man. "What kind of Aunt did you grow up with?"

"A strict one." I responded easily before saying, still utterly confused, "Don't all adults yell at kids?" I saw him raise a hand I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut. Instead of a sharp pain forming in the side of my face, I felt a huge hand ruffling my hair.

"I'm not going to yell at you. I'm just upset with your choice of words, Alexis. Nothing more, nothing less. You don't need to be so scared around me, or Lord Nightmare. Not all adults are as "strict" as your aunt."

"Y-Yeah..." For some reason, I felt like crying. It was so weird. I wasn't use to this kind of treatment. Due to my brother and my father always being at work, when she was available, she came over to "watch" me. Most of the time I was home alone, but she had her special occasion where she paid me a visit. "Do...Does Wonderland have any showers? Or-Or is it only baths?" Gray looked surprised at my question before chuckling.