Hello again! Sorry about having no door mouse the last chapter. However, I couldn't think of anyone who it could have been. Anyway, this chapter is short, I'm sorry. I had to stop it where I did though. It was too perfect! Also, my editor didn't edit this.

Here's chapter10!

Part 10

Painting the Roses Red

Kairi chased Sora. She never let him out of her sight; until he made a sharp turn and lost her. She panted and realized she didn't know where she was. The forest they had been running through was dark and scary. She shivered when she felt very alone. She looked around emptily.

She looked around furiously when she heard creepy, distant humming. She clung to herself when the source didn't show.

"Hello?" She called. The humming still went on. She spun around and met nose-to-nose with the Cheshire Cat. She fell to the ground in surprise.

"Oh, Riku," she gasped, placing her hand on her heart. Riku helped her up. He smiled.

"Did I startle you?" He asked childishly.

"Yes," she sighed, realizing he wasn't Riku. It was only a person that looked like Riku. He was also a lot more immature and ingenuous.

"Were you chasing the White Rabbit?" He asked. His hands were behind his back and he was leaning into her face with a kid-like smile. She chuckled nervously.

"Yes, of course," she answered.

"He went that way," Riku pointed to his right, which was Kiari's left. She smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Rik- Cheshire Cat," she shook his hand politely and hurried off. He chuckled as she ran away. He seemed to disappear, only his smile leaving a mark of where he used to be.

She stopped when the path ended at a heart-shaped hole in the hedge. She examined it. It was large and the scenery was completely different from the shadowy and ominous woods. It was leafy, sunny, the hedges reached high over her head, and a castle lied beyond hedges.

She walked in cautiously letting the warmth soak into her clothes. She grinned. Maybe she had finally found a safe place to stay. She heard clinking and clanking coming from behind the bushes. She walked around it to see what was making the sound.

She gasped when she saw men in armor. They weren't just men; they were in the shape of cards, but they had familiar faces on them. The rest of the Organization she hadn't seen before were now all either marching or hidden behind other hedges. She walked past them.

She saw a Vexen card and a Xigbar card. She stopped when she realized the hedges shaped out a maze. She ran back to Vexen and Xigbar. She tugged on their armor.

"Hey, how did you get in?" The Vexen card asked. She looked to Xigbar. He laughed.

"Wouldn't the Queen want to know about her?" He asked Vexen. Kairi realized they were guards.

"Please don't!" she cried. "I just need to know my way around. If you could help me, I'd be so grateful!" She put on her best cute face. Vexen scoffed.

"I'm not getting my head cut off just for a pretty face," Vexen sneered. He grabbed her by one arm. She slipped away and ran.

"Hey!" She heard Xigbar called behind her. She ran with her head down and her arms pumping. She didn't look back, that would have slowed her down. She took a sharp right turn. It was a tiny dead end. She flattened herself against the wall. She held her breath as they ran past her.

"She went this way, I know it!" She heard Xigbar instruct and their clanking faded away. She sighed and decided it was safe. She took a left turn, assuming they were right. She gasped when she saw other cards.

They were on top of ladders, with paint brushes. They looked worried and busy. They ran up and down the ladders painting roses on the tall bushes. She looked around. Xaldin and Luxord ran past her. They didn't seem to notice her picking up a paint brush.

The roses were white, and now they were painting them red. Why? She shrugged and shakily got up on the ladder. She unsteadily stroked the flowers. She exclaimed startled when someone shook the bottom of the ladder. She looked down to see an impatient Luxord.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, jumping off. He huffed and crawled up fast than she thought possible. Lexaeus jumped onto a ladder by a nearby tree. She sighed and dropped the paint brush. They were in too much of a hurry for her to help.

The jumped and turned around, remembering the Cheshire Cat said Sora had come through here. She was surprised not to see him helping. Then again, it wasn't Sora, it was the White Rabbit.

She started heading out when she saw Xemnas painting as well. She paused when she thought that he was the leader of the Organization. It was odd to see him at work. She then stomped her foot. It wasn't Xemnas; it was a cards man that looked like Xemnas.

She decided to ask him what was going on. She tapped him on his pointy shoulder. He spun around, looking aghast. He sighed when he saw it was Kairi. She was confused.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I thought maybe you were her majesty."

"Oh, no. I'm not," Kairi said awkwardly. "I just have a quick question."

"I hope it is quick," Xemnas said, looking around nervously. "The Queen could be anywhere."

Kairi shook her head. "I'm just wondering why you're painting the bush's flowers."

Xemnas nodded. "The Queen said she wanted white rose, so that's what we grew. Then, recently, she said she wanted red roses!" He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I must get back to work."

Kairi scratched her head. This Queen sounded pretty wishy-washy. Also a little spoiled and rude. She shrugged. She had to find Sora. Who was this Queen anyway?

A scream sounded through the hedges. It sounded loud and upset. Kairi hid behind the closest bush. She heard stomping.

"What do you mean?" The voice shouted. Kairi flinched. "You had better catch her, or it's your head! Got it?" Kairi gulped.

"The Queen!" The workers with the paint gasped. They dropped their paint brushes and hid them behind the bushes. They stood by the opening on the hedge. Kairi was hidden behind them. She gave Xemnas a quick nervous look, but he didn't seem to notice.

A frustrated huff came. The "Queen" sounded really close. Kairi stiffened.

"Cards men!" She exclaimed. "Go look for the girl!" Their armor clanked. Kairi stifled a gasp.

"But, your majesty!" Sora's voice sounded. "Do you really-"

"Silence, hare!" Her voice rang fiercely. Sora was quiet. Kairi climbed the hedge and peeked over it. She ducked down before seeing the Queen. She realized how stupid that would have been.

Would she be trapped in her forever, being hunted by cards? She gulped and realized she didn't want to go there. She shoved the cards men out of the way and presented herself.

"I-" she stopped when she recognized the queen. Sora's eyes were wide with horror when he saw her. She couldn't blame him. Larxene stared down at her snobbishly and with an evil grin.

So…? Haha, I just love it! She's perfect! I even know who's gonna be the King of Hearts. Please review!