I finally wrote chapter 4! It took me a while to get to it, with my other stories coming first, but have no fear! I will always update, it just might take a while.

This chapter might seem a little short in comparison to previous chapters, and it is. Partly, because I wasn't sure what all I wanted to happen in this, so it was more of a work in progress chapter, only knowing who I needed to get to.

Only one person commented on the last chapter! :( But it's better than zero. I wish you would have told me what is confusing you, because I want it to be clear to my readers (somewhat) what's going on. Yes, it's a mix of the Hearts no Kuni no Alice series characters and setting with what I feel would happen if my character were the Dodo with my own huge plot twists. (Hopefully, no one can tell what's going to happen next.)

Disclaimor: I do not own the HNKNA series, characters, or setting. They may seem a little OOC, partly because they are younger than when the series takes place. I only own Daphne and Deloris.

So without further ado, here is chapter 4! Please enjoy, read, and review!

"We had to make Dodo look presentable." Vivaldi tells her brother.

"Well, then maybe I can forgive you. She looks better than usual." Blood says giving me the once over. "Though I think you forgot something, Sister." Blood pointed down to my feet.

Vivaldi and I both look down at the same time. "AH! We completely forgot about changing your shoes! You weren't supposed to see her in these!" Vivaldi says angrily. "Okay, Dodo, take those things off and let's put on your heels."

I sigh. "Can't we just forget about it. Blood's already seen me without them, why bother? There's no one else to impress." I say.

"You wanted to impress me, little Dodo?" Blood asks.

"Not in the way you're thinking, Hatter." I announce to him.

"Dodo!" Vivaldi fumes. "Your look is completely ruined by those unsightly things!" She points at my sneakers.

"And I'd love to see you in the heels." Blood purrs with a smile, though I could hear the hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"That doesn't help." I reply. Then I made the mistake to look at Vivaldi, who was giving me the puppy dog eyes and pout. "Fine! I'll do it for you V, but not for him!" I cross my arms.

"Yay!" Vivaldi squeals and pulls out the heels then hands them to Blood. "Blood, be a dear, and help Dodo into her shoes."

"Huh?" Blood and I say in unison.

"You can't expect a queen to do that, can you?" Vivaldi asks with a smile. "Besides, it's the gentlemanly thing to do." She adds before sauntering off in the direction of the secret rose garden.

"She planned this didn't she?" Blood asks, kneeling down and starts pulling at the laces in my shoes.

"She wanted me to wear the heels before we left the castle, but we compromised that I'd change before we entered the rose garden." I tell him, and lift my foot out of my shoe as he pulls it off, then slides the heel on and straps it in place.

"Still, she probably thought she'd make me do it from the start of that compromise." Blood says getting to work on the foot. "There." He stands, dusts off his pants, then offers me his arm. "Let's go."

I grudgingly put my arm around his, before we start off for the garden. I tighten my hold as I start to wobble from how unused to wearing heels I am. Blood snickers at my predicament.

"Hey, what about my shoes?" I ask as soon as I realize he didn't pick them up.

"I'm escorting you, I'm not going to carry your shoes around too." Blood scoffs.

"You really need to work on your manners." I tell him as we get closer to Vivaldi at the the table.

"It's about time!" Vivaldi looks me over and beams at her job well done.

Blood helps me into a seat, roughly pushing my chair in, causing me to bump into the table.

I glared at his leering grin, as he sat down across from me at the round table.

"So how are you doing, Dodo?" Blood asks as he pours us each a glass of tea.

I clench my hands and bite the inside of my lip to keep from answering him.

Vivaldi gives him a pointed look. "She's fine, Blood. Look at her. She's properly dressed and acting like her usual self."

"She wasn't wearing this before she went to the castle. So how was she dressed before you gave her a makeover?" Blood asks.

"I was dressed to stay in for the day to do chores. I wasn't expecting a tea invitation." I say defensively.

"Still the-" Blood starts.

I stand and slam my hands on the table. "Dammit, Blood! I am at fine and getting better with each passing time period! I don't need everyone bringing it up!" I say then sit back down. Vivaldi sits quietly with raised eyebrows. Blood looks beyond shocked and speechless. I look at him, frozen in pouring position. "You're running over." I say normally.

That snaps him out of it, and he stops pouring tea. He then makes our teas the way we like them before handing them over to us. Blood doesn't say a word and keeps the run over cup for himself.

Before I take a sip, I add another spoonful of sugar, because Blood never makes it sweet enough. I honestly can't stand tea, unless it's super sweet. "Well, are we not going to talk?" I ask, sipping my tea.

"I'm sorry. I was out of line there." Blood says, not looking at me.

"Let's just forget that happened and move on." I say not looking at him.

"We agree with Dodo." Vivaldi says.

"Are you really going to continue talking about yourself in the third person?" Blood asks his sister.

"Yes. We are the queen after all. It's selfish for us to talk in first person. Right, Dodo?" Vivaldi looks at me.

"I just said you didn't sound very queenly before. You're the one who thought up that." I say.

"Of course, but you pointed it out to her, though." Blood says.

I sigh. I can never win, when these two are together in private and can actually act like siblings, they gang up on me every time.

We continue idle chatter, before the time period turns to a morning sunlight.

"We better get back before someone really notices you're gone, V." I tell them.

Vivaldi sighs. "You're right, Dodo. Goodbye, Blood. See you soon." She says before standing.

"I'll see you to the forest." Blood stands also.

Before I stand, I snap my fingers to switch my sneakers back on, then pick up the heels that were now off and next to my feet on the ground.

"Why didn't you just do that before?" Blood huffs when he sees what I did.

"You need more practice at being a gentleman. At your current rate, you'll never get a girl and give us a sister." Vivaldi says condescendingly.

"I know how to treat a girl! I just don't want to!" Blood shoots back at his sister.

"Could have fooled us." I say under my breath.

Blood shoots me a glare. "Did you say something?"

"Nothing at all." I say with a smirk, as I walk over to Vivaldi and take her arm in mine, we make our leave. "See you at the game!" I call as we leave into the forest.

I didn't turn around to see the Hatter, somewhat afraid of what expression he had on his face. Vivaldi giggles as we walk back.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"You and our brother." She states with a smile. "You two would be a good couple."

I stop. "No way! NOT EVER! Even if it meant we would be sisters, that would be the only good thing about marrying Blood." I say.

"Awww, come on, Dodo. Just give it a few years for Blood to mature and become a man." Vivaldi pleads.

"Hell would have to freeze over for that to happen." I say, then continue to walk.

Vivaldi tilts her head at me. "Hell freeze over? What is that?"

"Oh, its a saying the Foreigners have. It means something that will never happen. I would have gone with when pigs fly, but they already do here." I say with a smile.

Vivaldi giggles. "Foreigners are so funny. I hope we get to meet one in this cycle."

"It would definitely be interesting. Dodo said the last Foreigner was here when she was just starting out." I say feeling sad by remembering her. I wonder how long this pain in my clock will last, when I remember Deloris?

We continued back to the palace talking happily about what we hoped would happen in the future.

DODO

I changed back into my clothes and walked with Vivaldi back to the throne room where the King was seated talking with Peter. They both turned their attention to us when we opened the door.

"Vivaldi where have you been?" The King asked worriedly. Even though he was 20, he seemed like the younger one between him and Vivaldi. He wasn't bad looking; his face held a regal air about it, even with shaggy light brown hair and stubble on his face; which he was trying to grow out. His eyes were the same color as his hair. He could have been much worse looking, so I'm happy for Vivaldi in that department. Though she isn't concerned with trying to have an actual relationship with the King. She says he's too much of a wimp; which is true, though I think that's why he would be a good match for her personality.

You need to have a dominant and submissive in a relationship, otherwise two dominants would argue and fight all the time, while two submissives would never get anything done. That's just my personal opinion.

"None of your business." Vivaldi says coldly.

"Your Majesty, Ace still hasn't returned." Peter says.

"What else is new?" Vivaldi asks.

"Well, he's needed now. Don't you remember?" Peter asks.

Vivaldi's eyes widen slightly. "Yes. Who shall we send after that imbecile?"

"I'll go." I say. "I'm leaving anyways, and who better knows the forest than me?" I ask her.

Vivaldi smiles lovingly at me. "Thank you, Dodo. You saved Peter from having to go after him." She gave Peter a pointed look.

"Yes, thank you, Dodo!" Peter says quickly.

"Alright, I'm off." I say before leaving Heart Castle.

DODO

Once back in the forest, I start asking the forest where the knight is. Over by the Hatters? Why is he-? Uhhh, Ace! Why can't you just stick to a path?! How hard is that?!

I could already hear his reply, "Ahh, that's no fun, Dodo! Where's the adventure in sticking to a path?" And see the stupid grin that would accompany that statement. I shake my head, as I trudge back to the Hatter's Mansion.

Why couldn't we have come across him on our way back? I really don't want to see Blood again, and with my luck lately, I probably will. Uhhh. Ace, I'm so gonna kill you if I do! I fume silently as I make my way through the forest. I was so lost in thought, I hadn't realized I was already at the edge of the forest next to the gate entrance of the Mansion.

"AHHH! STAY AWAY, CHU~!" Pierce's high pitched scream could be heard, making me come out of my thoughts and run to the gates, to see the twins harassing the poor little dormouse.

"BOYS!" I scold-yell at the twins, who stop chasing after Pierce and lower their axes when they see me.

Pierce takes this chance to run behind me for safety. "Keep them away from me, chu~!" Pierce cries as he balls himself up behind me, shaking violently with fear.

A smile suddenly comes across the twin's faces as they call in unison, "DODO-CHAN!" Dropping their axes completely, run over, and each one grabs one of my legs.

"Boys. What have I told you about bullying Pierce?" I ask, sounding like their mother.

"Not to." Says Dee.

"But we were playing, not bullying." Says Dum, not missing a beat, after his brother.

"For you two, playing is bullying." I say as calmly as I can muster.

Their faces get sad, because they can tell I'm annoyed at their antics. "We're sorry, Dodo-chan!" They wail together, tightening their grip on my legs.

"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to Pierce." I tell them.

They look to the frightened dormouse. "Sorry, Pierce." They say looking at the ground.

Pierce peeks up at them. "I-I-It's o-o-o-okay, chu~." Pierce says before straightening, then quickly dashes back inside the gate towards the Mansion. But on his way, "Thanks, Dodo, chu~!"

I smile at the retreating dormouse. Then turn my attention to the two little boys on my legs. "Shouldn't you be guarding the gate, instead of harassing Pierce?" I ask.

"Dodo-chan, don't be like the annoying Rabbit Boy!" Dee cries out, looking up at me.

"Yeah, we get enough criticism from the stupid Hare!" Dum adds to his brother's cry.

I pat their heads. "Boys, I only want you to be responsible. It's your job, after all." I say with a smile.

The boys nod. "Are you here to play with us?" Dee asks, hope shining in his eyes.

"Huh, Dodo-chan, are you?" Dum finishes.

"No, I'm not. Sorry. Have you seen Ace?" I ask.

"The stupid Knight?" Dum asks.

I sigh. "Again. Stop calling people stupid. No one's stupid." I say.

"You call him an idiot." Dee says smugly.

"Yeah, but th-that-that's different!" I say, not looking at the twins.

"Uh-huh." They both say.

I look down and see their smug expressions. "Alright, off!" I command.

"Aww, but Dodo-chan-" They say before I cut them off.

"I said, 'Off.'"

"Fine." They say glumly, releasing my legs.

I kneel down to their level, "I'll come back sometime soon, just to play, okay?" I ask with a gentle smile. I could never let them have those sad faces on for too long, before I caved and did what they wanted. They were like younger brothers to me.

They both smile at the same time. "OKAY!" They then encompass me in a hug.

"Where are you two at?! And why aren't you at your post!?" We hear Elliot yell from inside the gates. Elliot comes through the gates with a glare, that disappears when he sees me. "Dodo? What are you doing here?" He asks curiously.

"Hey, Elliot. Have you seen Ace?" I ask with a smile.

Elliot's ears twitch, which cause me to notice he's missing some fur along the edge of one of them. "Yes, I saw him. … Then sent him in the direction of Heart Castle." Elliot says annoyed.

"Oh, good. Then I guess my business here is done." I say, before taking a step towards Elliot to get a closer look at his ear. "What happened to your ear? It's bleeding." I say, gingerly taking it into my hands; which isn't easy since he's so much taller than me. Upon closer inspection, I can tell it was a bullet that caused the damage. Don't tell me he's become suicidal.

Elliot automatically recoils from me touching his ear. "Ow! That hurts, Dodo!"

"Quit being a baby, and let me see it." I argue becoming less gentle as I re-grab his ear. I could tell he wasn't going to go down easy, so I resorted to my quickest option. "Boys!"

Elliot's eyes widen as he realizes what I'm doing. "No! Stay away!" Elliot yells as he runs back towards the gates, trying to make it inside.

The twins run past me and tackle Elliot before he came get past the gates. Elliot lands face down on the ground. The twins sit on top of Elliot's back as I walk over.

"Make it easy on yourself, and surrender, because resistance is futile." I say as I squat down and look him in the eyes.

"Fine." Elliot huffs.

I snap and a first aid kit appears. "So what happened?" I ask him.

"Ace." Elliot disdainfully.

"Ace uses a sword. This is from a bullet grazing your ear. So what really happened?" I say logically.

Elliot sighs. "I was shooting at him, and he used his sword to deflect them. Some came back in my direction and one grazed my ear. I wasn't quick enough to dodge them all."

I pinch his ear and apply alcohol to it.

"AHHH! Dodo, that hurts!"

"That's what you get for starting a fight, and getting hurt in the process!" I say roughly, before I start wrapping his ear with gauze.

The twins start snickering. "You sound like an old married couple!" One of them says, while the other agrees with, "Yeah! Imagine duck-rabbit creatures running around! They'd be so ugly!" The twins are so busy laughing, Elliot is able to get them off him.

"I'm not a-" Elliot and I begin to say in unison, but stop and look at each other. A blush creeps onto both our faces.

They continue laughing unaware of the deadly glares they are receiving from us. "Shall I?" Elliot asks.

"You may." I turn away, but hear the loud *SMACK* *SMACK*.

"Now go back to your post!" Elliot yells.

The twins walk past me, each one rubbing their butts and muttering, "Stupid over-emotional rabbit boy."

"Boys." My motherly warning tone coming out.

They stop, straighten, and turn to look at me.

"We don't mean it, Dodo-chan!" Pleads Dee.

"We're only kidding!" Adds Dum.

I ruffle their hair. "You really need to stop with the names. They're mean. And you two aren't mean." I say looking them in the eyes.

"Okay." Says Dum.

"Anything for you, Dodo-chan!" Finishes Dee.

The twins hug me, before going to pick up their axes and return to their post in front of the gate.

"Would you consider staying here and looking after them forever?" Elliot asks, coming up behind me.

"Huh?" I ask confused.

"It's all Blood makes me do; babysit the twins, to ensure they do their job. I'm fed up with it, and they don't listen to me like they do you." Elliot huffs.

"Give it time, be more understanding, and take the stick out of your butt. Then you'd get along fine." I smile.

Elliot gapes at me. "Take the stick …" Elliot looks at his backside.

"Figuratively, Elliot. It means lighten up."

"Oh."

"Besides, the twins are still young and reckless. So they need supervision. Plus, you're the newest member of the family, so Blood has to give you something to do to prove your worth, before he trusts you with something bigger." I say matter-o-factly.

Elliot smiles, "You're right, Dodo."

"Always am." I smile smugly. "Anyways, I hope your ear heals soon." I softly pet his hurt ear.

Elliot lowers his ears over his face, but I can still see his red cheeks. "Just give it a couple time periods."

"Well, I'll see you in two!" I say, deciding to make my leave then.

"Bye, Dodo." Elliot says.

"Bye, Dodo-chan!" The twins call together and wave vigorously at me. "Come back soon to play!"

"Bye, guys! You two behave for Elliot, and I'll be back soon!" I call and wave, before entering the forest.

DODO

I make it home easily enough, and as soon as I do, it becomes pitch black. I sigh as I climb up into the tree house. I am able to shower, dry off, change, and then finish eating supper, when I feel something out in the forest close by. Probably Ace.

I go outside, and sure enough, there is the knight, sitting by a tent and campfire.

"You know, you don't have to keep doing this, Ace. I'm fine." I say as I approach." He jerks his head in my direction, and smiles. "I'm just camping, Dodo. I've always gone camping."

"Yeah, but never in the same spot or for more than two consecutive night periods in a row. You're always in different places." I point out and sit next to him, in front of the fire.

"Alright, so I'm worried for a friend. Is that so bad? This way, I feel like I'm doing something for you." Ace says seriously, keeping his eyes on the fire.

"You really are a good friend to me, Ace. " I say with a gentle smile. I realized it the first night he did this, and thought it best to tell him now.

Ace's face brightened at my words. "You're finally admitting it!"

"Oh, shut up!" I playfully shove him. "You're ruining the moment."

"Don't I always?" Ace asks playfully.

I think about it before nodding. "Yeah. Yeah, you do."

We sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"Ready for tomorrow?" Ace asks suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Of course! I'll probably go early to make sure everything's ready." I say.

"Do you know who you want on your team?"

"Well, it depends on how it goes with Vivaldi. Otherwise, I haven't put much thought into it."

"Well, you better get to bed, if you're going early. Plus, you shouldn't stay out late at night for long, when you aren't wearing a coat." Ace points out.

"What? Are you trying to get rid of me?" I ask surprised. Usually, he would talk me into staying with him.

"I'm just a concerned friend."

I shake my head and roll my eyes. "You just wanted to say that, didn't you?"

"Yep!" He grins.

I let out a laugh. "Alright. I'm going to bed. You better not be late, Ace!" I warn as I go back to my home.

"I won't! Night, Dodo!" Ace calls from his spot by the fire.

DODO

The early rays of the rising sun, shine into my window, waking me up. I shoot out of bed, as I realize today's the day of the second game. I'm so excited! This is such a fun thing for all of us to do! I think this is going to be the beginning of a new tradition!

My excited thoughts help me quickly get ready for the day. I run through my mental checklist twice, to ensure I have everything in my bag. Once I'm all packed, I make my way down the ladder.

I start towards the 'field', when I hear something behind me. I turn to see what it is, when I feel something cold and hard come against my left temple, then everything goes black. Before I lose total consciousness, I feel a feather be tugged from my head.

DUN DUN DUN! What's going to happen next? Who would hurt the Dodo?

I'm finally getting to the good stuff! It's what I've been wanting to write since I started this story! It's where my first thoughts of scenes of inspiration for this story begin! So I'm excited, and hopefully I have you interested in Daphne now!

Please review with questions, comments, critisms (just don't be overly mean about it), or anything you want me to know. Or PM me!

Sadly, there were no questions for Daphne to answer for this segment of "Questions for the Dodo".

So if there's anything you want to ask her, like: What's her opinion of a certain someone? What's going on? Who's her favorite guy? etc. Anything at all, she will answer the best she can with her knowledge and current feelings about everyone.(Which means they will change when she gets older. So don't worry that she's going to die, because she's not! I'll let you know that now.)

So see you all in Chapter 5. Where you'll see where Daphne ends up and what everyone does when they realize Dodo is missing!