The Rabbit, the Violinist, and the Tree Runner

Ch. 3

Author's Note: Okay this chapter is longer. I didn't really know the time period Heart no Kuni no Alice is set in, so sorry if it's unclear. Enjoy!

Peter- waking into our world

Peter opens his eyes to find himself in the garden that he took Alice from. Everything looked exactly as it had back then except for the absence of Alice.

This is the last time I'll probably see her, Peter thought. How can I let go of her smile, her voice, her whole being? Why do I have to suffer?

Peter sighed, "What if she's not even here?"

"Peter!" Right on cue Alice comes running towards him, with Blood not far behind. Peter couldn't see but two small children were hiding behind Blood.

For the first since he met Alice she actually hugged him willingly.

Taken aback Peter finally stuttered, "A...Alice?"

"Of course who else would it be?" It could've been anyone Peter thought. She looks so different, more grown-up. Her long brunette hair was wrapped up neatly into a bow, she grew a little taller and her face had become fuller.

"You just look so different."

"Well I have been gone for 5 years." With this, Peter became wobbly, "5 years..." he managed to get out. " Nightmare said it'd only be a few days."

"Surprised Peter," comes a smug voice from behind Alice.

"Blood," Peter's face twisted with anger and pain.

"Nice to see you too White. I'd like you to meet my two kids."

"Kids...?" Peter questioned shyly.

"Yes, twins. Peter, Julius, it's okay this is just an old acquaintance of mine." Slowly two twin boys stepped out from behind Blood. Peter takes a step back surprised at how much they look like Dee and Dum.

"We almost named them Dee and Dum but decided on Julius and Peter instead. I mean you were the first from Wonderland that I saw and Julius took me in," explained Alice.

After being quiet for quite sometime Peter managed to smile at the twins and introduce himself.

"Nice to meet you two. I'm Peter White, an old friend of your mom."

"Why don't you come on in we were just about to have tea when I saw you from the window. We can't have it in the garden or the boys would run off.

"I'm happy to come but I can't stay that long," Peter accepted the offer.

During the tea Peter explained to him about what Nightmare had said. He left out the bit where he pulled a gun on him and some of the stuff said before that. He couldn't allow himself to do that with Alice's kids there.

Alice filled him in on what's been going on since she left Wonderland

"Well I must be off," Peter says looking at his pocket watch.

"So this is goodbye then. For good this time? Will I ever see anyone else again?" Alice whispered.

"I'm sorry Alice, but I think this is the last time you'll see any of us. Except maybe for Nightmare." He walks over to her to give her one last hug before he continues his mission. A tear escapes his eye rolling down his cheek. He wipes it off before Alice or Blood could see.

"Word of advice, the school is a good place to find unhappy people so you can wander around for a while," Blood tells him.

"Thank you, Hatter," Peter says surprised at the sudden act of kindness. He probably just wants me away from Alice. But still I'll look around the school.

"Um, where is the school?" Peter asks.

"Down the street and to the left, you can't miss it," Alice informs him.

"Thank you Alice," with that he turns to leave, a single tear falling down his cheek.

While walking to the school Peter heard a bell ring. Not the kind that they have in wonderland but a whining type of bell. He saw kids on the school grounds in the distance heading inside. He assumed it must be time for class or something and decided to wait till school was out to look for the two girls.

Suddenly he heard footsteps, the sound of someone running. He turned and notices a figure running through the forest next to the street. Peter rubs and chases after the figure.

"Wait!" he cries out but the person doesn't stop. It's a girl he notices and she's carrying a case around. He keeps after her till she trips, the case flies out of her hands.

Peter rushes over to her.

"Are you hurt?" he says as she weeps into the ground. She doesn't reply, but only points to her case. Peter brings it over to her, she sits up and gently opens the case. He gasps as he sees the once beautiful instrument broken and dead.

"How did this happen?" Peter asks. She punches the ground and slowly begins, "Some girls who have tormented me since elementary school. This was my best friend and they took it away from me," the girl says between sobs.

"Would you like to come with me to another place? Somewhere where they won't ever find you?" he offers.

She only nods.

"Okay I want to take you to Wonderland. It's a place where we might find someone to fix your instrument," he continues.

"Please just take me away," she cries.

"Yes I will but first we need to find one more person because this is what Wonderland wants."