James runs out into the courtyard and towards a maze. Running in heals is harder than it was a few years ago. And this grass isn't making it any easier. My feet are going to kill me for this later.

James throws open the wooden door to the maze and waits for me to catch up. Just as I'm about to catch him he takes off. I groan and try my best to keep up with him. Why does he have to be so fast?

Forget it, I'm done chasing him. I have got to rest, hey theres a bench. I force myself to walk over to the bench and sit down. As I sit there, list as can be, I listen to my surroundings and shut my eyes.

It's not long before I feel a presence behind me. Two hands able out to grab my sides but are stopped by the owner of those hands. But that's only because he slipped and fell. I quickly turn around and my mouth to keep from laughing. James just looks up and glares at me.

I bite my tongue and hold my hand out to him. He looks at my hand and then at my face. He grabs my hand tight and smiles evilly at me. Oh crap. In one swift motion he pulls me down on the ground, trying to get me to land next to him. I land on him.

His hat falls off his head and he has a shocked expression. It's both funny and awkward. But all in all cute. I can't help it, I laugh. He looks at me line I'm crazy but then starts to laugh himself.

After a minute of laughing we hear footsteps getting closer. A guard picks me up and glares at me. What's this dude's problem?
"What? We fell and started laughing." I grumble as I cross my arms and roll my eyes.
"No funny business, Hatter Boy." He growls, places me back on the ground and storms off, mumbling about how all kids do us cause trouble.
"No funny business, Hatter Boy." I mock the guard and help James off the ground.
"What's up with him any way?" I ask James as he picks up his hat and places it on his head.
"That was Sir Grouch himself. Otherwise known as the Dark Knight. Don't mind him, he's just–"
"Grouchy?" I guess with a small giggle.
"Yup. That's fine way to put it."
"What now?"
"Dont know, how about THIS!"

James pounces on me and starts a tickle war. I can't contain it anymore, I burst out laughing. Holy shit, my laugh is loud. I somehow manage to wriggle away from him and run away in a random direction. Now it's his turn to chase me. I wonder where I can hide? I see the cat from earlier go around a corner.

A moment later he sticks his head out and looks at me. Does he want me to fallow? He meows and tilts his head in the direction he had been going. Okay, well now that that's answered; time for a new question. Should I fallow him? Then I remember, James is chasing me and knows this place better than I do. And besides what harm can come from me fallowing a cat? Then again I thought the same thing about that dang rabbit. Damn him!

I slowly start to fallow the cat and I keep looking over my shoulder to look for James. I don't see him and I don't hear him either. Should I be worried? No, probably not. Well... I shouldnt be worried about him. I should be worried about him finding me.
"Hurry Ali, this way." I hear a man's voice.
"What the..?" My gaze shoots to the cat. Did it just...talk?! Why does this surprise me? It's just another talking animal. Wake up, Ali!
"Did you..?" I cock my head to the side and hear hurried footsteps approaching. Oh,no.
"He's catching up!" I say in a bushes voice, afraid that he might hear me.
"That's why I told you to hurry. Around this corner my Sweet." His Sweet? WTF?! I'll worry about it later.
"It's a dead end." I say quickly as I skid to a halt.
"Not entirely. Walk down the verry middle of it. Trust me."
"Okay." I say cautiously and do as he asked of me. I close my eyes and walk through the hedge. That point was weaker and not as thick as the rest of the hedges.

Once on the other side I open my eyes and my breath is taken away. I'm standing in a large clearing that has a large Weeping Willow in the middle of it. A small pond surrounds the tree and a white bridge allows access to it. It's so beautiful that I forget all my troubles. But only for a moment.

The Cheshire Cat runs over the bridge and behind the tree. I slowly walk onto the bridge and lean against the railing. I look into the water and see something shining beneath the water. I wonder what it is.

Another boy about my age walks up and hugs me from behind. He has purple hair and silver eyes. Much like the Cheshire Cat. Where did he go anyway?
"No need to worry my Sweet. I am right here. Although I do look verry different without my fur and paws."
"Cheshire?" I ask, turning to get a better look at him. Wow, he's cute. He merely tilts his head and smiles at me with his eyes closed. Kind of like Sebastian from Black Butler. But in a kinder, mischievous sort of way. Why do I feel like he is up to something?

Suddenly he picks me up and drops me into the water. I let out a small shriek as I hit cold water. My head pops out if the water and Cheshire is holding his sides, laughing. Why that little... Well two can play that game.
"Haha, verry funny Cat Man. Care to play the hero and help me out?"
"Sure thing, Damsel." He chuckles and walks to the edge of the pond. I wade over to him, nearly falling several times, and hold my hand out to him. He grabs it firmly and I tighten my grip just enough so he can't pull away. His eyes go wide and I smile evilly at him. Before he can do a thing I quickly yank him into the pond. He shrieks like a girl as he lands in the water. Thus time I'm the one laughing and he is glaring at me.
"You're gonna pay for that!" He shouts and pounces on me. I dive under the water and dodge his playful "attack"; but he quickly finds me and captures me. I giggle as we spring back to the surface. He splashes me with water and I respond in the same manner.

Soon enough we are in a full out one on one war. I'm just about to win when he jumps me from behind and submerges us under the water. I wriggle away from him and gasp for air the moment I reach the surface. Who would have thought that a pond could be this deep in the middle.

Cheshire wraps his arms around me and nuzzles the crook of my neck. I giggle and playfully push him away. He is about to pounce when we hear someone clear their throat. We look at the bank and see a verry annoyed James.  His arms are crossed and a slightly darker aura surrounds him. Uh, oh.
"What do you two think k you are doing?" He asks and glares at Cheshire. Cheshire puts his hands up in surrender and takes a step away from him.
"We were only playing. Cone join us?" I offer softly. Why am I suddenly afraid of him? Wait, doesn't the Hatter have some sort of darkness in him that makes him, well mad? Maybe James has that same darkness.
" Come join you!?" He says darkly and looks at us disapprovingly. "You are to fallow me to your room, Now." He growls at me. I nod my head and make my way to him.

He grabs me by the hand a little roughly and starts to pull me away from Cheshire and the pond. I frown slightly and look at the ground as we walk. Cheshire watches us walk away and he is raging mad. A low growl/hiss escapes him and he fades into thin air. He reappears in his room and quickly changes into some dry PJs. He hops into bed and drifts off to sleep; only to dream about a certain green eyed girl.

*Mean while in the maze*
I sneeze and start to shiver as the sky gets darker and the air cooler. James sighs and let's go of my hand. I look up at him and have to squint because of how dark it is getting. He hands me his jacket; once I have it on he wraps his arm around my waist and holds me close to him.
"The warmer you are the less likely you'll get sick and die." His voice gets a little more sinister when he says die. A shiver runs down my spine and he pulls me closer. 'Why am I afraid of him?'
"You okay? You got really quiet."
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I was just lost in thought."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing really. Just...It's nothing. I'm missing home is all."
"I can see why you would miss it. Just don't mind it too much, okay? It'll drive you crazy and I like how sane you are. It makes me feel more sane and like I'm a better person."
"You met me not even six hours ago."
"So? What I said is still true."

We walk in silence for a while before we enter the castle. Two guards a look suspiciously at us but never say a word. Probably because James gave them one hell of a death glare. He can be sweet one minute and creepy the next.
"James"?
"Yes, Ali?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"Because I made you mad at me and Cheshire."
"No. You didn't cause my anger."
"Then who did?"
"More like what did."
"Alright. Then what made you angry?"
"My actions."
"How?"

"I lost you."

"James." I say softly and gently lay my hand on his arm. He looks away and a tear drop hits my hand.

"A Hatter is born with a darkness inside them. But it doesn't manafest unless a tragidity happens to them. We must take part some how. Dad was at a party when the Jaberwacky attacked. And I... I..." He stops talking and I see a stream of tears running from his green eyes.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." I tell him as I grab his hand. I give it a gentle squeeze; he gives me a small, sad smile.
"Thank you." He says quietly and escorts me to my room.

Once there I hand him back his coat and give him a hug. he is shocked at first but quickly snaps out of it and hugs me back.
"Goodnight, James." I yawn and smile at him.
"Sweet dreams, Teacup." He smiles at me sweetly before I enter my room.
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Sorry it took so long to update. Hopefully this makes up for it at least a little bit.