#(FINALLY HAVING AICHI AND KOURIN INTERACT FOR AN AICHIKOURIN AU LMFAO

[universestreasures]

@jeweledknight​​ (Plotted Starter!)

“Wait up, Kai!” He calls out to the White Rabbit who his cerulean hues could barely keep up with as he ran through the halls of the Palace of Hearts. The other had been in a hurry ever since the two met, but whatever happened with the earthquake and that red light had caused him to pick up the pace considerably. Aichi can only figure he’s worried about the Queen, the very person the human was supposed to meet and supposably help, despite not knowing how exactly he can or how to do it.

The halls of the palace were coated in bright reds and stark blacks, everything slowly blending together as he did his best to follow where the rabbit went. It was like a maze in here! Every hallway looked the same to Aichi at least, and with his lack of physical speed in comparison to Kai, it made the task of trying to follow him to his destination rather difficult. Not to mention, he’s running low on energy. He didn’t exactly eat anything since he got here other than those weird eat-me drink-me foods that changed his size.

Was he really just dreaming all of this? 

The boy came to question that more and more as his time in Wonderland continued, and at this point? He’s feeling unsure. He certainly wasn’t creative enough to make up stuff like this. Furthermore, there was something so real about the people here, as mad and nonsensical as they can be. He felt it from every single resident he’s encountered so far, especially the White Rabbit in relation to his concern about his queen. It reminded him of how Emi was always concerned about him, or how his late father was with his mother. 

Feelings like that...are not so easily fabricated, even in a dream. 

Unfortunately for the boy clad in blue, he had lost track of Kai despite his best efforts at the turn of a corner. This left Aichi stranded in the center of a hallway, one that was surrounded by multiple doors and staircases. Little did he know he had made it to the palace’s center, it’s very heart if you will, that connects all of the major sections together. 

If he chooses the right one, he’ll probably be able to catch up with the White Rabbit quickly. Sadly, that was easier said that done considering he had too many options to pick from. Just his luck to get separated from his guide. 

“Come on, Aichi. You can do this. You just need to go in the door Kai did.” He gives himself a little pep talk, the boy doing his best to emulate his sister’s encouraging speeches. If he’s made it this far, surely he can keep going, right? He couldn’t let this crazy adventure just end here, not when he had a promise to keep to Kai. 

So, with a deep breath, Aichi decides to go for the door all the way to the left, having sworn he heard footsteps in that direction. Opening the door led to an entire hallway of even more doors, all of which perfectly lined up in two rows. Unbeknownst to him, he had ended up in the guest room area of the palace, where everyone who was invited for the Queen’s unbirthday celebration from outside the palace was staying. 

Being an area where most important guests were, it was to be expected it would be well protected. And out of his cerulean blue eyes he sees at the end of the hall...walking cards with spears? You would think after all he’s seen today, from talking flowers to a teenager with bunny ears, he wouldn’t react to yet another whimsical sight, but the sight of this one definitely took the cake on strangeness. 

Panic soon sets in though as those cards seem to spot him, instantly turning and running straight towards him. They were shouting ‘intruder’ as they did so, Aichi putting up his hands and trying to signal that this was all a misunderstanding. Though, his attempts seemed to have been ignored. Kai wasn’t exactly with him to vouch he was a guest here. Plus, he was a human, something the other residents said had not been seen in Wonderland in many years.

Staring at the cards coming at him with such intensity... reminds him of the look in Kai’s eyes when they first met. Could the people of this world not like humans? Was that it?

Before he can even attempt to think, his eyes widen as he is suddenly pulled by the back of his shirt and into one of the rooms. Oh, great. He was done for now! He was going to die! He was surely going to...going to...

That’s when he takes notice of who pulled him in, a woman with flowing blonde hair who was clad in pure white. She stuck out against the reds and blacks adorning the palace walls, and the incoming moonlight from a nearby window illuminated her figure perfectly. It was almost like she was an angel, an angel who saved him from a cruel fate.

“Beautiful...” The word simply comes out of his mouth, Aichi taking a few moments to realize what he said and quickly turns to the side to hide the red color of embarrassment that began to cover his cheeks. Where did that come from? Aichi wasn’t the type to say things like that out loud. Then again, he’s...he’s never seen such a beautiful sight before in his whole life. It truly was something out of a dream, making him question again the line between reality and fiction even more than before.

He then takes notice of her regal appearance after peeking back to look at her, making note of the crown on her head. A crown signified royalty, and considering he was in a palace right now, that could only mean that she...

“You’re...You’re the queen...” He speaks before quickly composing himself, instantly going to bow at the waist deeply. He was in the face of royalty, after all. “F-Forgive my lack of manners, y-your majesty! You just surprised me, that’s all! T-Thank you for saving me!”

His body was starting to shake from nervousness, never having exactly spoken to someone of such high status before. Still, he does his best to be respectful, slowly then raising his head to look at her. “My name is Aichi Sendou. Kai wanted me to meet you so I could...help you in some way. Though, he never explained in what way that was. Wait...Where is Kai? Is he not here? He ran ahead of me because he was so worried about you! Did he get lost?”

~