Me: and here is another update, and I have to say, this one was difficult. I had to try so hard with this one. I know Peter may SOUND a little OOC, but there is a method in this madness, I promise! I shall explain more in the ending notes, but for now, I'll let you lovelies read…AH! The disclaimer! Crap…uh…lets see…AH! PETER! DO THE DISCLAIMER PLEASE!

Peter: *sighs* MaApDpNlEeSsS owns only the plot and her Original Characters, Miss Hikari and Miss Kida. Everything else in copyrighted by QuinRose.

ME: So thorough! Thank you, dearie!

Ch19: A Queen, an Ace, and a…Rabbit? Peter's Truth

Hikari's POV

"Now…Where did she say go again?" I say out loud to myself as I gently, but firmly pull Mister Peter White AKA our notorious kidnapper by his fluffy white bunny ears down a brightly lit, heart themed hallway. Gently, because I didn't actually WANT to hurt him, but firmly because I didn't want him to escape either. I really had a lot to ask him, if I can get him to cooperate peacefully.

But by the way he's weakly fighting me, my guess is that a peacefully Q&A session might not be possible

"C-can't you hear my desperate pleas?!" Peter cries out rather pathetically, if not a little winded as he inevitably followed beside me, "Why are you doing this to me-OW!"

"Will you stop wriggling?!" I exclaim as I keep my pinch grip on his ear. "Jeez, I just wanna ask you some questions, and there's no way I'm letting you go until I have a thorough explanation as to why in the hell you brought me and Kida down here to this weird world to begin with! Now, shut it!"

I'm guessing he takes my advice, as there is a slight pause in his outcries. This gives me the opportunity to look around and try to figure out where the crap I am. I mean, this place is ridiculously huge by normal standards, but I guess normal doesn't exactly exist in this world. I mean, the door that Vivaldi pointed to only lead to ANOTHER long hallway, which did NOT help at all. I'm not Ace, BY ANY MEANS, but I'm seriously lost at the moment. But this is new territory for me…

"Please, let me go, as I will not run." He says suddenly, in an almost soft, airy tone, his head turned downward, not really looking at me and not really fighting me anymore, "I will answer for what I've done."

He lets out a rather exasperated sigh afterwards, and I turn to look at him, only to come face to face with a man who look plum ass dog-tired, both mentally and probably physically. And I thought Elliot looked tired before, but this guy…He had the face of a man who's been beaten…probably multiple time, and I don't mean black-eye-and-bruises beaten. Like he had been enduring hell and was suddenly wondering why he was doing it in the first place, or if it was worth it anymore.

"H-hey man. You don't look so hot. You ok?" I ask as I, probably against my better judgment, let go of his ear. It kind of slumps to his head, not bothering to pick itself back up. He seems lost in his own little sad corner of the world as he focused intently on a dust speck on the floor

"Yo! Yooooo~" I call out, patting him on the cheek gently. He blinks, and looks up at me with sad eyes.

"You ok, man?"

There is a pause as his eyes focus on me, as if he wasn't quite seeing me yet. After a minute or so, he speaks

"You change from cruelty to kindness so quickly", he mutters, "Why, to someone like me?"

It's my turn to blink. Why was I suddenly being nice to him, the guy who got us in this mess to begin with! I should be stomping a new hole in his bunny-butt, but instead I'm actually worried about him. But, with the look on his face, it gave me my answer quickly enough.

"You look like your drowning in your own misery, dude." I answer back scrupulously, looking him straight in his crimson eyes, "And I'm not the type of person to just leave another person like that. It's not how I work."

There is a moment of silence after my honest confession, as he gives me a rather confused look. Does he really not notice that he looks piss pitiful right now? Maybe it's my sensitive nature, but really, something is biting him and sucking him dry of all the enthusiasm that Kida had told me he had when he kidnapped her. At first, I actually didn't think this was the guy at first. He didn't follow Kida's description at all…well…except feature wise. But he has the name and is the only white eared rabbit-guy around so…yeah.

"Do I…Do I really look that way?" he asks suddenly, touching his gloved hand to his cheek

"You really do…"

Another pause, this one a little longer than the last as we stand in the middle of the rather empty hallway. He seems to ponder about my statement, the expressions on his face changing again and again.

"Ah…" is the first thing he says after a while. I think that's it, but he continues, "Perhaps there is something wrong with me. I haven't been myself as of late."

"No freakin duh." I say with a sigh, shaking my head. I JUST meet the guy, and I can figure that out, "Look, I don't know what's bugging you, but maybe you need a friend to talk about it with."

"…Friend?" he says, as if it's the first time he's ever heard the word in his life.

"Yeah! You know, a buddy to hear your out. I'm used to hearing people bitch and complain anyways, so you won't be any~ different." I exclaim with a chuckle of my own and smile, "Hell, if Kida ever lost her voice, you can find it in my ear, I swear!"

He stares at me kind of stupidly, before hesitantly smiling, and I can't help but think that a smile looks better on Peter than a frown. But then again, smiles are always better, to me that is.

"There we go! Much~ better!" I exclaim, clapping my hands together softly "There shall be no pouty faces! Only happy ones! Let me see them cheek bones!"

He lets out a tired chuckle, "Aha…Thank you. I think I needed that."

"Of course you did! You looked like crap on crackers!" I smile "And laughter is the best medicine, me thinks!

I know it isn't much, but I hope I did something to help the guy out.

And now…back to figuring out where the hell that Queen meant when she was talking about. Yeah, I know sudden change of mental direction, but hey, I really need to squeeze the info out of this guy (After I listen to his problems, of course) I let out an involuntary sigh as I rub my palms into face, trying to think back on which way I had already went.

Wait an effin minute…

Doesn't Peter practically live here? What the fuck, Hikari, he's the Prime Minister of this place, so of course he would know his way around.

I quickly turn toward him, "Hey, Peter"

He blinks at my sudden exclamation

"You know your way around, right? Do you know where the crap the Queen was talking about when she said that some sort of quiet place was somewhere this way?"

…

…

"Uh…hmm…" he says after a while of tapping his gloved finger against his chin, a serious look on his face "Perhaps she meant THAT quiet place."

"Cool. Awesome. Wherever it is, Show me." I answer quickly, pushing him in front of me and letting him lead the way. At least this way, I know I won't get lost.

Peter's POV

What a strange woman. First she's fuming at me, then compassionate, and then rather domineering. A flip plop of different sentiments and personalities, shall I say …and yet…

How…strange…

I feel…lighter somehow…is it because of this completely contrary foreigner, and her sudden sympathy toward me?

I can't help but look over my shoulder at her, as she excitedly scans the area around her, a smile on her face. It isn't like Ace's, plastered on like a permanent mask, or like that blasted Hatter's, always hiding a sly secret. This one is more genuine. When her eyes accidently meet mine, I turn and stare forward.

That's preposterous…Only Alice can make me happy

I put my palm against my chest, over my clock.

But then…what is this…this warmth in my chest?

It's the same peculiar warmth I felt when we first meet in her world. Although she didn't know it was me at the time, she didn't overlook my presence when she saw me at the bridge. Whereas Alice completely ignored me at first and made me kidnap her to this world, Miss Hikari welcomed me with open arms and…awkward examination. I was so elated at the time, thinking that it would be easy to persuade her and Miss Kida to come to this world if they trusted me at first. Of course, not all things end as they should, and I ended up kidnapping her friend and losing her during the fall here.

Of course, that left me with the other foreigner. Miss Kida. Her anger was to be expected. Even her punch was predictable, but not the extent of the pain or the force of it. I was stunned when she punched me clear off the roof of the Clocktower. If it were anyone other than me, they would surely be dead.

At the time, all I wanted to do was bring her and prepare her to meet Alice, as she was the foreigner I had at the time. But, somehow, Miss Kida had disappeared from the Clocktower. I had suspected the Clockmaker and confronted him on it, but even he can't hide a foreigner's heartbeat, which my ears could have easily picked up. Of course, that Nightmare could have done something like that. He could have hidden her temporarily in Dreams, making it impossible for me to hear her heartbeat unless I, too, were in said dream. It was only later did this theory present itself to me.

And so I went back to the Castle, patiently waiting and hoping that one of the two foreigners would eventually arrive, or even better, my sweet Alice! Ah, Alice! How I wish she would visit me more often!

I let out an airy sigh as I remember that wish being granted, only to have gruesome results.

I was so sure that she would be happy to know that she has other Foreigners in this world like her, and maybe it would give her the incentive to maybe stay in this world

…but

…but she was so angry with me…so very livid as she lashed out at me viciously …what am I to do?! How can I make her stay?! I don't want her to leave but…at this rate she'll do just that! Her relationship with that damnedable Hatter…at first I was ecstatic for anything to keep her tied her to this world….but now it's only making things worse!

"Peter?"

I blink, temporarily escaping from my jumble of troubles as I unexpectedly meet the wide doe brown eyes of Miss Hikari as she abruptly gets in front of me. When did-

"Come on, now. I said no pouty faces", she says with an understandingly kind smile as she pats her palm against my cheek for the second time, almost in a scolding manner. My anti-germ tendencies flare a bit, but only enough to swat her hand away and walk around her, continuing onward.

How had she noticed I was in distress again? Was I really so obvious, or is she unusually perceptive? She annoys me, but not as much as a regular Faceless would. Perhaps it's the fact that all Foreigners are loved in this world that keeps me from shooting her…or maybe it's something else. She had said that she would be my 'friend' and listen to my troubles but the word 'friend' is rather foreign to me. I've never needed a friend, and would rather rot than befriend one of these germs that I must associate with on a regular basis. No, I've never needed a friend…

…all I need is Alice, and her happiness…but…

"So ~ are we there yet, Peter?"

Another lapse in thought, thanks to her. I take a deep breath

"We are almost there. It's just around the corner", I announce as I take said turn, running into a short dead end hallway with only one door on the opposite end. With a couple of long strides, I walk up to it as open the door for her to reveal the Castle's side gardens. Short rows of rosebushes line the walkway leading to an opened area surrounded by taller bushes. A couple of lit lanterns scatter here and there, lighting up the shadowy places left by the Afternoon sun. In the middle is a wide, heart shaped pond with whole flowers and bits of petals floating on its surface and a small fountain in the middle. A couple of benches line the sides, its simple shape giving the place an elegant feel.

I jolt, my ears standing on end as she lets out an excited squeak of pure, unadulterated happiness and rushed past me.

"Ohmehgawd! Peter! This place is gorgeous!" She exclaims as she skips around happily and examines everything eagerly. I can't help the smile that spreads on my cheek as I walk to the nearest bench and, after dusting it off slightly, take a seat. Hearing her say something as simple as that makes me a bit…happy?

Yes…this is happiness I am feeling at the moment, but…why?

Perhaps it's just because I like to take pride in working in the gardens, where as her lazy Majesty does as little as she can even though these are her gardens. Maybe that's it. I suppose simple praise for good work would make anyone happy…

I jump from my mental analysis when I feel the bench jolt when she plops down beside me "Ok, Peter, its talky time. So~…What's on your mind?"

I turn my head to the side a bit, confused,

"Wouldn't it be wiser to know why I brought you here to begin with?" I ask bluntly.

"Weeeell...that is important, but if I remember right I said I'd listen to your troubles first. So, go ahead. Bitch to your heart's content. I'm all ears~" she snickers, "Well…not as much ears as you, but you know what I mean."

…was that a pun?

"Come on, I don't bite or nothin'" She says sympathetically as she turn toward me and pulls her legs up, crossing them in front of her as she faces me, "Chef don't judge (1), and I don't either."

…I'm not entirely sure how to take that last statement, and I can't help but hesitate, my ears drooping slightly. Should I bother telling her? Would it matter either way? Well, I suppose I could…my troubles were partially connected to the reason why I brought her here in the first place. And I did agree to this after all

I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn to meet an understanding smile as she patiently waited for me…but for some reason that infuriated me. How dare she try to understand me…she can't possibly know my pain, my grief, my worries!

"Explaining it to you…it wouldn't change ANYTHING, damn it!" I exclaim suddenly, all of my emotions bubbling up to the surface "It won't…IT WON'T MAKE ALICE STAY!"

She eyes widen in surprise at my outburst. I cover my mouth with my gloved hand and turned my face away, more surprised than she at my own explosion. Why did I yell at her? She didn't deserve that, not in the least. It isn't like it was her fault

I look over at her, and she has her head tilted to the side in confusion. I take this little chance.

"I-I apologize. I didn't mean to shout."

"Alice? What does she have to do with any of this?"

We say these things at the same time, and both look at each other in surprise before she lets out a slight giggle of laughter.

"Gosh, we're both awkward as hell, aren't we?" she snorts, "Ok, ok…sooooo maybe you should start at the beginning, because otherwise we aren't going to get anywhere anytime soon."

"You…prove a point." I say as I press my face into my palms, "Forgive me for my rudeness earlier"

"Its fine." she shrugs, not bothered at all "It must not be an easy thing to talk about. I won't make you, but…sometimes its best to get it off your chest, y'know?"

…

I don't know what possessed me to open my mouth, or why the words decided to flow on their own…but I decided to put my trust in her, this strange, caring woman. I hid my face as I spoke. I told her of my love for Alice, how I just wanted her to be happy and smile and stay in this world with me, even if I wasn't the reason she was staying…or the person she was in love with. I told her of the fact that I was ok with Alice loving another man, if only it kept her here and gave me the chance to see her. I told her of my anger at that blasted Hatter for playing with my sweet Alice's heart. How he was the main reason of Alice's temptation to leave as of late. Of how I was doing everything in my power to find a way keep her here and happy at the same time.

And, finally, I told her of the reason of bringing her and her friend here. How I was desperate for something to keep Alice tied here. How I thought up the idea that, maybe, Alice would stay if she had people like her to associate with, and how that presumption lead me to the Nightmare, who, again, aided me into the Foreigner World.

I don't know how long I talked but when I stopped, it was quiet. Was she judging me? Was she thinking that I was a desperate man?

…

…*sniff*

My ears pricked up at this sound, and look over at her to find her shaking and hiccupping in small, almost silent sobs, crystal tears sliding down her cheeks. She looked as if she was trying to hold them back, but she couldn't.

"C-crying? W-Why are you crying?!" I exclaim, a little confused. If anyone should be weeping, it should be I, but to let anyone other than Alice see me in such a decrepit way…well, my pride will not allow it.

She jolts, as if noticing that I had noticed her crying, and quickly spins around so that I can't see her.

"Sorry! S-Sorry! Don't look at me right now!" She flusters through little hiccups, "I-I'm sorry! It's just…your story gave me SUPER FEELZ…a-and I just…*sniff*…Imma big crybaby when it comes to that stuff!"

…?

She wipes at her eyes at an attempt to stop the tears, but to no avail "W-What I mean is that I…kinda sorta…know where you're coming from."

My eyes widen, "…you…do?"

She lets out a sigh, her back to me, "Yeah. You give up everything to make sure the people you love are happy and ok. You do everything, use every bit of your strength, all that you're worth, if it means that they are smiling, even if that means you aren't. Smiling…and self-happiness doesn't matter. You are happy if they are happy. It's all you need. "

…

She…understands?

I watch her with wide for a moment or two after her explanation, her shoulders shaking as she cries. There are a muddle of feeling spinning around in my stomach, ranging from curiosity so wonder. She knows. She knows what's it's like to do everything for the person you love, only for it to be for naught. How does she know these things…and…and…

I put my palm over my clock again.

And there it goes again…that light feeling in my chest…what is it?

"Sniff…hic..."

Ah…but she's still crying…and she's crying for me too, isn't she? She's crying in my place. How…kind? Yes, she is kind. I should…probably do something, but what?

I reach my hand out to her, only to recoil it slightly.

Should I just…tap her shoulder? No, no that won't do. What can I -

An answer pops into my head faster than I can think the question.

Of coursethat would work. I am cutest in that form, after all. Alice even likes me better in that form. It's perfect!

Hikari's POV

Oh gosh, I'm snotting all over the place here, if front of this guy I just meet. I hate crying in front of people! How embarrassing, but I just can't stop! Poor guy, he sure does have it rough. And I never knew how much of a bitch Alice could be either. How heartless, when he's just trying to make her happy! Poor guy, poor Peter. I feel for you, man!

*POP*

I jolt when what sounds like someone popping a bubble on bubble-wrap sounds out right behind me, and I twist around to see a haze of smoke where Peter used to be…

…

…

"OH MY SHI-OT! PETER EXPLODED! WAHHHHH!" I exclaim as a new wave of tears came. I cover my face in anguish. Oh gosh, he was too young to die!

*pat-pat*

Huh? Is something fuzzy pat-patting me?

*pat-pat*

"Please don't cry. Not for I", says a slightly familiar voice, if not a little more high pitched. I peek through my fingers and find the little cotton-tailed red-coated rabbit from the park back in my world. He was patting at my hands to get my attention…but wait

"Did you just talk? Like with words and stuff?"

"Why yes, I did. Now, if you please," the rabbit pulls a handkerchief from his front pocket "Blow your nose before you catch a disease."

I blink in surprise. Well crap, this world is full of funky stuff huh? I raise an eyebrow and take the nose rag, giving a honk or two and putting it to the side.

Then it clicks. I know who this rabbit is!

"Oh my goodness, is that you Peter!? Like seriously?" I exclaimed as I grabbed him under his arms and hoist him in my lap. He wriggles around, uncomfortable with my sudden cuddles. So cute!

He looks up at me when he gets somewhat settled and tilts his head to the side, which by the way is so fucking adorable it should be illegal, "Of course it's me! Obviously."

"I sorta guessed it at first, cuz of the clothes, but…oh how cool! You can turn into a for really real bunny! Adorable!" I rub my palms into his fwuffy cheeks and tickle his ears. I have a serious weakness for small, fluffy animals, if you can't tell. He's so soft OHMEHGAAAW! AWWW! Cutie bunnie-wunnie! Squee!

He freezed up before letting out a frantic scream, trying desperately to get away from me "Ah-AH! NO! STOP THAT! GERMS!"

"Aww, don't be a meanie, Peter! It's your fault for being a total cutie in bunny mode." I say, trying to hold him still in my lap.

"THOSE ARE THE SAME HANDS YOU WIPED YOUR NOSE WITH! EWW! DISGUSTING GERMS EVERYWHERE! STOP TOUCHING ME!"

"But you were the one who started it!" I giggle. Oh gosh is he a germ-a-phobe, because he's seriously OCD-ing right now. I'm so gunna tease him later about that, but for now I just wanna pet him and his bunny fluffiness. And so, to calm him I reach over to my bag and fish out my hand sanitizer, popping the top and putting a generous amount in my palm.

"I just wanted you to stop crying!" he says, then stops when the sees me rubbing alcoholic substance on my wrists and hands, "What is that dreadful stench?!"

"It's hand sanitizer, and yes it stinks, but not for long. You get used to it" I answer, showing him the bottle. He take it in his little paws and examines it. "It kills all bacteria so-"

He's instantly intrigued," It kill germs?!"

"Yes, and that means I can pet you, right?" I ask. I'm trying to abstain here, but the cuteness is temptation, "My hands are clean now"

He stares at me for a moment before letting out a noise that symbolized consent in my book, and so I proceeded to hug him while he analyzed the bottle in his hands. To him, it's apparently the next best thing since sliced bread, but I won't complain about it as long as he lets me pet him every one in a while.

We stay like that for a while, and suddenly I hear something. It's soft, almost chime like, but after a couple more moments I instantly realize that it's a piano being played in the distance.

"I wonder if that's Kida playing the piano", I mumble out loud, catching Peter's attention.

"Miss Kida?"

"Yeah!" I say, "She's good at a couple of instruments, but she a BOSS at playing the piano. I like listening to her play it sometimes. It's calming"

"Hmm", his ears twitch, "She's probably with Her Majesty in the Orchestra Room then, if that's her. It's where we keep most of our good musical equipment, and the only place in the castle with a piano worth playing."

Dude, it's been a while since I've actually seen her play anything now that I think about it, I think absently as I happily play with Peter's floppy ears and he lets out a purring noise. I wanna go watch her play now,

"Hey, should we go back now? I'm kinda getting hungry." I ask.

Peter then manages to wriggle out of my grasp and land on the ground, "As you wish then. Just let me-"

"Nope!" I say as I stand, and scoop him up instantly again. He gasps at my suddenness

"Put me down this instant!"

"Pwease Peter! Let me hold you a little longer! You so damn fluffy!" I say, holding him like I would a toddler, "Tell you what. I'll let you have that hand sanitizer if you just let me continue holding you until we get back to the Queen and Kida. How would you like that?

Yes, I just tempted your OCD, Peter. How will you react?

"…This is absurd"

"I didn't hear a NO! Yay!" I happily hug him and start walking toward that doorway again, "You are the bestest bunny friend ever."

He makes an annoyed noise, "You are lucky you aren't at the other end of my pistol. Don't push your luck."

"Aww…don't be rude Peter. Now, which way should I go?"

Ok, so the end of this was a little rushed at the end, and sorry to all you Peter-haters or PeterxAlice lover out there, but I just had to include this POV in this chapter.

I can't really hate Peter, I try, but just CAN'T! He just strikes a soul deep chord in me, even if he kinda angst-y. (I tried to show that side of him in the FF by the way) I mean, he loves Alice so damn much, and with so much pure intention! Sure, he's a bit of a stalker, BUT HELL, aren't most boys like that to girls they like? And he's even ok with Alice being with another guy, as long as she's happy. WHERE THE HELL DO YOU FIND A GUY IN THE REAL WORLD WITH THAT MUCH LOVE, SELF SACRIFICE, AND DEDICATION?!

And so, I wanted to make a scenario where the ever-Alice-loving Peter is depressed because he can't think of a way to keep his precious Alice in Wonderland. And, in his depressed state, Hikari finds him and cheers him up. I might make this a pair, but Peter won't act he does with Alice with Hikari. Peter tolerates her, and is reluctant about the 'friendship' thing…so let's see where this leads.

2 more chapters guys…dunno when I'll update again. University is a bitch

(1) – Yes, it's a pun on the ravioli commercial.