HERE'S ANOTHER LONG ONE! PLEASE REVIEW AND VOTE! ENJOY! I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

Ch: 12: Bitch slaps and Blood

I peeled my eyes open to see an unfamiliar room. That's right. I'm at Heart Castle, I thought as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I looked down at my rumpled self. That's right, I'd been so sleepy, and I didn't change. I shrugged it off. It wasn't like I hadn't slept in my clothes before, and I really didn't care much for appearances. I bit back a laugh as a memory of one of my old bosses, Mrs. Strauss, would scold me for always showing up a mess. "You'll never catch yourself a good man looking like that Miss. Thourn!" She had always been such a kind old women, very caring for all of her employees. That is, until she was shipped off to the nursing home and forced to give the diner to her nephew. A pang of longing hit me again. I promptly shoved it down. This was no time to be feeling sorry for myself.

I straightened myself out as best I could. Course my clothes still looked…slept in. I went to the bathroom and pulled my hair back, then plopped my hat on my head and turned back to the room. I was slinging my bag over my shoulder when realization back-handed me. Where the hell was Haru! I spun back to the room and yanked the covers off the bed, what I found was the quickest way to find something you lost on the bed. Haru flew up a few feet and landed softly on the floor. I rushed over and picked him up, hugging him to my chest. Then I blushed. What am I, 5?

I stuffed the toy tiger into my bag and started making the bed. Making the hotel bed was another odd habit that I had. When I finished, I swung around and exited the room, making my way to Alice's. I knocked once, and then kicked the door down when she didn't answer. "Wakey, wakey!" Alice sat upright, eyes wide with fear. Then she registered it was only me, lay back down, and pulled the covers over her head. I, eloquent as always, marched over and ripped the blanket off her and exposed her warm skin to the chilly air. She looked up at me with a pout, "Aww, why?" I gave her my snarky smirk. "Cause you gave me a rather unpleasant wakeup call yesterday." She frowned, "So this is revenge?" I grinned and hulled her to her feet. "Damn straight. Get ready." She giggled and rushed off to the bathroom.

I was chillen on the bed; after I'd made it of course, when Alice strolled out of the bathroom. She gave me a curious look, "You made the bed?" I smiled like it was the most obvious thing to do. "Yupers. Let's go get some grub! I'm starving!" She tittered, "Is just me, or are you always hungry?" Some people might have taken that offensively, but I didn't…because it's the truth. I grinned at her again, got up and grabbed her arm, and tugged her out of the door.

Perhaps it was the silent call of food, but I somehow led us to the dining hall without getting lost. Miracle of miracles. We were greeted by the sight of all three Heart Castle role holders. I wasn't sure who, but I seemed someone dragged Ace's ass back here sometime last night. Peter practically glowed as Alice entered the room. I could nearly see his desire to run up and death glomp her again. I gave him a warning look. Somehow, he saw it and backed off. Instead, he smiled and greeted Alice with a "Hello Alice. I hope you slept well." Alice's look of confusion, wonder, and shock was priceless. She leaned over to me, "Did you rattle his brain a little?"

I gave her a secretive smile and sat down in the seat in between Ace and Peter. Alice took the seat next to Vivaldi, exchanging hellos. A few maids strode in and set platters of awesome looking breakfast items in front of us. One of the maids set mugs in front of each of us. Tea for Alice, Vivaldi, and Peter; the blackest coffee I'd ever seen for Ace. I looked down at mine and gasped in surprise. I n front of me was a steamy mug of Hot Pumpkin 'n Coco! I grinned and took a gulp. Ace and Peter looked at me from either side. Peter spoke up, "What, may I ask, are you drinking?" I gave them both a grin, "Hot Pumpkin 'n Coco! It's my favorite!" Peter practically sweat dropped, while Ace laughed. "C.J, you have a pumpkin mustache!" I probably should have been embarrassed, but I wasn't. I licked the mustache away, and my grin broadened. I didn't know why, but the air here made me feel very welcome.

When breakfast ended, Alice and I said our farewells and took our leave. Vivaldi asked for us to stay longer, but Alice declined; her excuse being that she still had to show me the rest of Wonderland. Vivaldi wasn't happy when we left her, but Alice's explanation seemed effective enough to prevent the execution of some poor servant.

After getting away from the gate, I turned to Alice, "So, where to now?" She gave me a small smile. "I was hoping we could go to Hatter Mansion to drop off this book I borrowed from Blood, then go to the Amusement Park." I cocked my head. "Blood? Don't you hate him?" She sighed. "Yes, I do. But if I constantly avoided the mansion, he'd know I hate him. An enemy is the last thing I need here. Besides, his collection is huge! Maybe you could take a look at it while we're there." I couldn't help but laugh, "Well, I guess making enemies with a mafia boss isn't on anyone's things to do list. Alright, we'll go. I'm up to seeing the twins and Elliot!" Alice cocked her head, "Elliot? Don't you hate him?" She was obviously mocking me. "No, he just tried to kill me is all. I get over that kind of stuff easy!" She laughed, voice like tinkling bells.

I paused, wondering if I should ask the question that had popped into my mind and refused to leave. "Alice, when do you think we'll go to the circus?" She looked at me, eye's wide. "Circus? As in Joker's Circus? You actually want to go see those sadists?" I was a little surprised at her horror. "What? They are the ones who pulled me out of that damned forest. I'll bet if they hadn't found me, I'd still be wandering around in those woods!" She looked off to the side, her pace slowing. "C.J, I know they seemed nice then, but those two are really bad people. I'm surprised they didn't try anything bad with you. I know they do with me every time they get a chance." I couldn't hide my surprise. "You mean they…." She looked at me and waved her hands. "No, no! They didn't do that! But I'm sure they would have if they could have. I'm sorry C.J, but if you're ever going to visit them, you're on your own." She looked at me and forced a cheery smile. "But I'm not as strong as you are. They were probably too scared to do anything to you!" Some might have thought that comment rude, but considering that the first thing I did when meeting White was pinning him painfully to the ground, I thought nothing of it and laughed. It's hard for me to get offended by the truth.

We chatted while we walked, never seeming to run out of topics. We jumped all the way from weather, to role holders, and eventually landed on family. "I came from a family of 5. There's my mother, who died several years ago, and my elder sister Loirene. There's also my father and little sister Elsie, but we haven't been very close since mother died. And you?" Alice looked at me with innocent curiosity. I scratched my head. "Well…I had a big brother and my mother. Though we…don't exactly talk much anymore. It's kinda complicated…." She nodded in understanding. "It's alright. Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." She looked up ahead. "Look! HEY DEE, DUM, BORIS!"

I look up the road to the source of her yelling. Up ahead, I saw the twins and a young man (shocker) standing by the gates up ahead. The twins shouted and ran over, dragging the stranger with them. "Onee-chan and C-chan*! They each jumped on us, one twin for both of us. Dum looked at the boy behind them, "Boris, this is C-chan; the new foreigner!"

Boris was a boy that looked about 19, tall (like everyone else here), and oddly dressed. His attire consisted of a black cut off shirt and…a…black skirt…. Hey, at least he was wearing shorts under! A leather collar, chains attached to who-knows-what, tattoos of triangles under his eyes and around his belly button, and multiple piercings completed the punk look. I would have said he was some kinda freak if not for the color scheme…which was black and freaking pink. Even his hair was magenta. Which, I admit, he somehow pulled off nicely. And to top off all that weirdness, he had pink fluffy cat ears and a pink 'n purple striped tail; both pierced. Yup, he beat the hell out of Nightmare in the 'Weird Clothes' department.

The weird boy leaned forward a bit and cocked his head, ears twitching. "The new foreigner? This is her?" The twins both nodded in confirmation. Boris grinned brightly and stuck his hand out. "I'm Boris! It's nice to meet you, C-chan!" I smiled back at him and shook his hand. He dressed weird, but he seemed really friendly! "It's actually C.J, and it's nice to meet you to." Dee noticed the book in Alice's hand. He looked up at us, "Boss is in his study right now. I don't think he'd mind if you two went in to get new books!" Dum nodded in agreement. "Yeah! And he'll probably let C-chan borrow a book to!" I noticed the dreading look on Alice's face. She must have really wanted to avoid him…I wonder what happened between them.

I looked down to the twins, "Thanks! Could you two take us to his study? I don't know where it is." And I don't think Alice will take me there willingly. The small boy's faces were bright as the sun. Their agreement was, as usual, unanimous. "Sure!" They turned toward the mansion and started to lead the way. Alice trudged along behind them.

Our footsteps echoed on the tile floor as the 4 of us made our way to Blood's study. (Which I was guessing doubled as his library.) I looked over to Boris, wondering why he had followed us. I leaned over to him a little, "Umm…aren't you with the Amusement Park?" He looked at me, still smiling, "Yup." "And aren't the Park and Mansion in a power struggle?" Finally understanding my confusion, he blinked and smiled widely again. "Yeah, but me and the twins are just workers. Well, I'm a freeloader anyways. The heat is between the old man and the Hatter. There's no reason for me and the twins to fight." I nodded in understanding. "Oh, you haven't been to the park yet, right?" I shook my head, "Alice said she wanted to take me there after returning Blood's book." His grin spread even further, how that was accomplished though, I can't say for sure. "Great! I'll personally escort you there!" I smiled at his enthusiasm. "My, how kind of you," I said in a teasing voice. For some reason he blushed.

Ahead of us, the twins and Alice stopped and knocked on a door. The twins threw it open without waiting for clearance. "Boss, Onee-chan and C-chan are here!" I peeked in, seeing Blood sitting at a desk with Elliot standing next to him. Blood looked up from whatever he'd been doing, "Oh, Alice. Here to exchange books again? Feel free to browse." Alice bowed, "Thanks Blood." She turned to the shelves and started looking. Blood turned to me, "C.J, you may also take a look if you like." I nodded and joined Alice. Blood went back to his business with Elliot and Boris and the twins went to the corner, chatting while they waited for us. Alice picked up a book…with a very familiar title. Destiny's Plan*. "Hey! I've read that one!" Alice looked to me, "Really? How is it?" I shrugged, "Eh, it's some kinda mystery novel with a love triangle as the center of the plot. I didn't care for it, but you might. I'll say that it's well written." Alice looked at it, "Really? Maybe I'll try it."

"Oh yes, a love triangle book does sound perfect for Miss Alice. She seems quite fond of them." Alice and I both whipped around to see Blood, standing casually a few feet away. Elliot stood awkwardly behind him and that others were edging over to see the commotion. "Blood…." Elliot warned him from behind. Blood shrugged off his henchmen's warning. "After all, she seems to fancy herself the center of a harem." Alice paled, "What?" I was pretty shocked at the sudden attack on Alice's purity. Was actually trying to accuse her of being loose? Blood shrugged, "Well, she seems to have no qualms with flirting with everyman in Wonderland." "I never-!" Now I get why she doesn't like him. "Oh, don't deny it. You've been seducing every man you've seen since arriving!" Alice backed into the wall, tears in her eyes. "N-n-n-no I…." The twins and Elliot all looked guilty about not defending her from their boss, and Boris looked pretty pissed. I suppose he didn't say anything cause he'd lose any chance to ever come here without being turned to Swiss cheese. But hey, What'd I have to lose?

Before anyone, even me, saw it coming, I flew the few feet to Blood and punched him across his jackass face. Hard. So hard, he was thrown to the ground, dazed. Silence drummed through the tension in the air. All of those present; Alice, Elliot, the twins and Boris all had gun shocked looks plastered on their faces. Blood sat up slowly, holding the side of his aching face. Damn, I'd hit him so hard I split his lip and left one nasty bruise. Everyone's eyes glued onto me. I tossed a stray hair out of my eyes. "My bad. I thought I just heard some arrogant bastard call my best friend a slut." I cracked my punching hands knuckles, "But if that were true, he'd be in a coma by now. I think you'd do good by making sure he never shows his ass around me again." I turned to the exit and motioned for Alice and Boris to follow. "I believe I've outstayed my welcome." I turned my back to them and waved as I walked away. "Until next time gentlemen, I bid you ado." And with that, I left the hatter mansion, Alice and Boris in tow.

The trail seemed to stretch before us forever, the trees lining each side making an ominous barrier between us and the unknown. We were standing in front of the Hatter's Gate, simply frozen in the moment. Silence roared in the air around us. I twitched and turned around to the other two. "What, y…" I was cut off by Alice jumping on me, hugging me violently. "YOU ARE MY FREAKING HERO!" She dropped to the ground after finishing her death glomp. "I still can't believe you did that! And with everyone watching? No one has ever stood up to Blood like that before, much less than for me! And that look on his face! He was pissed! Just how hard did you hit him? He was already bruising by the time he sat up! What…" I waved me hand, silencing her. "That bastard had it coming. Saying all that crap unprovoked…plus, no one talks about my best friend like that." I notice the dazzled look in her eyes. "…What?" She giggled, "You called me your best friend!" I flushed a bit and laughed. "So? Not like that's a secret!"

Alice's eyes widened, "Oh, I promised to take you to the Park! Follow me!" She picked up the pace and trotted up ahead. Boris strode up to my left. His eyes refused to meet mine, favoring the ground to his left. "You know…that was really brave. A lot of people are afraid of Blood because he's mafia. Most wouldn't have stood up to him like that…." He glanced up to the humming Alice, "And I'm sure you made her feel a lot better about those comments." I shrugged, "Brave? Not at all. All's I did was nock him to the ground. That's not bravery." He looked at me this time, curious. "Really? Then what is?" I looked up at the pretty blue sky. "Real bravery is standing and fighting back for what you believe in, even though you're scared." He cocked his head. "Then what part of what you did wasn't brave?" I looked up at the cat boy and grinned. "I punched a guy who walks around in a bowtie, a top hat with roses on it, and a white tux. Why the hell should I be scared?" He widened his eyes, blushed a bit, and then cracked up laughing with me.

"Hey you two, we're here!" I looked up to see the strangest looking place yet. The amusement park somewhat resembled the village at Disneyland…except even more annoyingly colorful. All the buildings were twisted out of shape, yet still functional. The workers were all wearing bright, stupid uniforms; guys in pants, gals in skirts. All in all, it looked like something I'd see in a dream. "Boris leaned over to me, "I'll introduce you to the old man, just don't ask about his first name." I gave him a confused look, "Why?" He smirked, "Just don't, O.K?" I simply nodded, pissed about not being in the loop.

As the three of us entered the park, workers all greeted us with bright, cheery smiles. However, I wasn't paying attention. My eyes were locked onto the biggest, scariest looking roller coaster in the park. The thing was huge! It must have had a dozen loops and corkscrews! Boris noticed my attention towards the coaster and snickered. "You want to ride it?" I looked at him, eyes wide. "Hells yeah! Can I?" Alice looked at me, then the coaster in question. She paled, "You can. Nothing is going to get me on that." Boris and I laughed. "Oh come on Alice! It can't be…" "HELP!" I turned, startled, to the sound of the cry. A boy, whom looked no older than me, was running as fast as he could towards us.

This one was considerably short in comparison to the other role holders. Though he was still taller than me…. He had violent red hair and big, emerald green eyes. From the glimpse I got of him, he wearing a long green coat with black trim and gold embellishments. What really alarmed me was that he had a long, mocha brown tail trailing behind him and rounded ears that matched; one being covered by a black, fedora looking hat. That was about all I saw of him before he plowed right into my stomach. Unlike Alice had, I managed to only stumble and keep my ground. The red head looked up at me, "Please help me! The old man is trying to play his violin again!"

Alice looked mortified, "Peirce! What…." "ALICE! BORIS! And Peirce, why'd you run from me?" I looked up to see an older man with brown hair walking up. Now, I knew he had to be the park owner. How? Because he was dressed in the same ridiculous style as all the workers. Only he had a belt with music notes and…horses? The man; whose name I assumed was Gowland, trotted up to us. "Ah, Alice, I see you brought a friend!" Alice smiled sweetly, "Gowland! This is C.J; the new foreigner!" The man leaned over a bit, "The new foreigner, hmm? Nice to meet you C.J! Here, you can have this pass!" He pressed a laminated piece of paper into my hand. I looked down to my hand to see a bright yellow pass with 'FREE RIDE PASS' printed on it. I looked up, startled. "But I can't just…" He laughed heartily, "Oh, I insist! Here, allow me to play you a song!" All of the people behind me; Peirce, Boris, and even Alice, all shouted the same thing unanimously. "NO, DON'T!" I gave them a look, "Hey, that's" I never got to finish that sentence.

"I would take their advice, unless you want to have your ears blown out." All heads turned to the deep, familiar voice. Behind us stood the mafia boss, Blood. DU DU DUM DUNNNN!

BLOOD? TWICE IN ONE CHAPTER? NOT C.J'S DAY, IS IT? FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO HER IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! PLEASE REVIEW AND VOTE!