Well, White Rabbit took on a whole new demeanor after looking at his watch. What on earth could he be late for? And how does it involve Mihael? Does it have to do with what happened to little Alice years ago?

Let's find out. *rubs hands together*

Death Note © Ohba & Obata

Alice in Wonderland © Lewis Carroll

The plot and writing is mine.

Chapter Six: The Bloody Queen

Far off from the woods, a man with light-brown hair dressed in a smart red and black suit stood at a balcony overlooking the area around. The moat below was tainted red, and it stood out starkly in comparison to the woods. The man turned his gaze to the courtyard of the ebony castle, where a blonde woman was playing croquet. Ah, his lovely Queen. Every step she took stole the hearts of her subjects, and he was hardly an exception. Any man would do what he did for her.

"Your Majesty," A voice said behind him. The man turned to see Mail knelt down in a bow. "The White Rabbit is on his way back."

"At last." The man said, smiling. "And what of his little companion? What do you think of him?"

"He will surely please the Queen. So young and vibrant, so full of life; Taro even compared him to Alice." The cat snickered.

"Ah, Alice." The man chuckled. "I remember her. Fool of a girl, so trusting." He turned to the cat fully. "When will he be arriving?"

"At the rate they're travelling, tomorrow night." Mail hummed, standing up.

"Good. Do notify the Queen." The man smiled. "No, nevermind. I shall do so myself."

"Of course." Mail bowed and vanished as the man passed him by.

In the courtyard, the woman was bent over, preparing to strike the ball. The man walked over and, smirking a bit, walked up silently behind her. Just as she was about to swing, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in against her. "Hello, my Queen."

"Ah!" The woman dropped her mallet and looked at him. "Light! My King, I'm going to order off your head one of these days if you keep doing that!" She reached up and stroked his hair affectionately. "Honestly, I love you but you drive me crazy."

Light laughed, nuzzling her fondly. "My Queen, I beg your forgiveness, for I have good news." He said, gently releasing her. "The White Rabbit will be returning tomorrow with the child."

"Oh, joy!" She clapped her hands together. "We must make the human child feel most welcome! Alert the kitchen staff, we're having a banquet! Summon all my subjects! Oh, such a joyous day!" She spun in a circle, her black and red skirt flaring up as she did. "Tomorrow night, we shall indulge!"

Light laughed as he watched her. "Yes, it has been far too long. Tomorrow night, we shall celebrate."

She turned her eyes on him, sultry and shy at the same time. Beautiful. "My King, must we wait for that time to celebrate?"

His breath caught in his throat and he reached out to take her into his arms. "My beautiful Queen, we will celebrate again and again, for you are most beautiful bathed in blood."

The Queen of Hearts giggled, stroking his cheek. "If you say so, it must be so. My valiant Knight, my Kira." She cooed, kissing him lightly.

"Misa." Light smiled, lifting her into his arms bridal-style and carrying her away.

As the two entered the castle, a man in a blue suit and hooka looked over from where he was sitting. As a friend to the King's father, he was allowed in and out as he pleased. "So, it's happening again, is it?" He said with a frown, taking a smoke. "Soichirou, your son chose a horrible bride…"

Inside the woods, Mihael hurried to keep up with the impatient Rabbit. "White Rabbit, wait! Why so fast?!"

Nate stopped and turned to him. "If I didn't quickly take you out of there, Teru would have called the King of Hearts." He walked over to him. "The only way back to your world is through the Looking Glass the Queen of Hearts keeps. Please, play along and keep close; I'll get you to the castle and you can escape."

"Escape?" Mihael frowned.

Nate shook his head. "We've delayed enough. Hurry, we're late!" He took his wrist and pulled him along through the woods.

"Hey, wait! Slow down!" The boy cried as they continued to run.

Nate paused to let him catch his breath, and then pulled him along again. "I'm sorry, but we really are late. The Queen is…very sensitive about time. Once she knows you're here, she wants you in front of her then or you're late."

"Scary." Mihael frowned, following him into a hedge maze. "Where are we now?"

"The castle gardens." Nate slowed and turned to him. "Should be alright to walk now. We're practically there already."

"Good. I'm tired." Mihael slumped against the wall marking the border between the woods and the maze. "I'm just gonna take a quick nap, okay?"

Nate knelt next to him and nodded. "You ARE pretty tired. Alright, sleep a while. I'll keep watch."

As the young boy drifted off to sleep, Nate's ear pricked and he looked up to see a well-dressed man approaching. "! Your Majesty!" He bowed on one knee.

The man smiled and beckoned for him to rise. "So, this is the child?"

"Yes, my lord." Nate said, standing up and turning towards Mihael. "He's just a boy…"

"The younger the better." The other hummed. "Misa has been requiring the flesh of a young one."

"Of course." Nate nodded, glancing away.

The man knelt down and stroked the boy's cheek. "Soft…like warm bread." He hummed, and then stood up again. "I'll see you two back at the castle, then?" He looked at Nate.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Nate nodded.

The man smiled and then turned, walking off through the maze. Nate waited until he was gone to let out a disgusted huff and wipe at the boy's cheek gently. "I'm sorry; I let him touch you…" He murmured. "I can't let it happen again."

The hours that the boy slept seemed to drag on, Nate keeping watch over his sleeping form with pricked ears. Finally, the boy began to stir and sit up, yawning.

"Ready to go?" Nate asked, setting the leaf he'd been fiddling with aside and standing up. Mihael nodded and stood as well, taking his hand. "We have to go to the castle…are you sure you're ready?"

Mihael grinned. "I'm ready for anything!"

"I doubt it…" Nate murmured under his breath.

Mihael nodded firmly and then they walked along in the garden, going towards the high towers they could see in the center of the maze.