The Queen of hearts was young. She ruled from the ruined castle of Tsukikuro, a black stone monolith high above the sea where the waves crashed on the rocks.

She was pretty too.

Not soft like March hare, Hinamori. Nor fragile-looking like Neliel with her large solemn celadon eyes. The white rabbit reminded him more of a doe than anything else. But the Queen said she was the white rabbit and so she was. What the Queen said, was law.

And he...he was the Mad Hatter.

~Queen of Hearts~

"How is our little Alice, Hatter?" the Queen feigned interest, the garnet net over the back of her hand linked to a circle about her finger and ended at her wrist, chinked quietly. Her palm curved over the back of the slim black-haired Yumichika's head, urging the jester's wet, sucking mouth along her throat.

He tried not to stare.

But failed as the Queen's smile widened. "You haven't answered me, Hatter. How is sweet Alice, hmm?"

"I...I wouldn't know."

The gown swished over the flagstone floor, the crinoline rustling with her movements. Her bosom heaved beneath the tight crimson corset. Black hearts were inset into the skirt. "You do not know? Is it not your mission to ensure that you do not fail me as the past Hatters have?" The Queen had violet eyes the exact shade of the Hyacinths that grew on the borders of her realm. They glared at him, these amethyst orbs that glittered hard and cold like jewels and he longed for them to stare into his, tenderness within.

The Queen didn't see him as he did her. He was merely a tool, a means for Wonderland to exist and that was all.

"I will not fail you." He said truthfully, sinking into a bow. His words were true, for how could the Hatter fall in love with Alice if his heart already belonged to the Queen?

The Queen smiled coldly, "see that you don't."

He turned away, the worm of jealousy twisting in his gut. She had beckoned to one of her favorite knights, it was oft whispered that he held her heart, one who shone like the sun itself, Ichigo Kurosaki with his brilliant orange hair and eyes the color of golden honey; to attend to her.

Together they entered her bedchamber.

~Queen of Hearts~

Orihime Inoue looked up fearfully at his return.

Every day the Hatter would come and stare at her, sometimes at the strip of sea visible from her only window. And always he would bring his slender teal-sheathed sword.

She was afraid of that sword as much as she was afraid of the coming day.

Soon the Queen of Hearts would command: off with her head. And it would happen, because this Hatter wasn't like the rest. Not dear lost Uryu who didn't know how he had stumbled into their world nor Chad who was sweet and brought her daisies every day for her hair. Not even Sora-her own dear brother, whom had lost his life refusing to take her head on a silver platter.

But, fair Orihime didn't despise the Queen.

The Queen had saved her once, long ago and Orihime saw this as only repaying the debt.

If only...

"You love her, don't you."

It was no question.

"Yes." The Hatter's sigh was much wearied.

Orihime wished she could make the Queen back into the person she once was. Before she was given the throne. Then maybe...

Maybe Rukia would remember she had once loved Ulquiorra Schiffer instead of using him so cruelly the way she did now.

~To be continued~

Disclaimer: don't own Bleach nor Alice in Wonderland.

AN: an auish take on the Wonderland story. :) Thanks for reading.

No flames-haters-stupid comments!

Reviews appreciated! ^^