Tarrant Hightopp had never felt so beaten in his life! Yes he'd won the preliminary match, but in the middle of it his hand had been injured. Stupid rocks on the ground! Stupid axe wielding buffalo!

Glumly he made his way through the halls of the daimyo's palace toward the healer's wing. That is until he heard a familiar voice up ahead of him and around the corner.

"You see Usagi; I was trying to get back to a land called Underland. I've been gone for several years and want desperately to return. I have many friends there waiting for my return. The Hatter, the Dormouse, and the March Hare…" The Hatter was compelled to speak.

"And the White Queen, and The Dodo, and the White Rabbit, and the Caterpillar Absolem!" He smiled when a figure suddenly appeared around the corner and smiled at him.

"Hatter," She cried and ran at him. "I was wondering who that was!" Tarrant hugged her as best as he could with his hand.

"Alice, who is this man," Tarrant looked up at the five foot tall White Rabbit in front of him with tied ears and a blue top and black baggy pants and swords at his side.

"This is the Hatter, whom I was telling you about Usagi." Tarrant released her and offered Usagi his left hand, the uninjured one.

"I am Tarrant Hightopp, also known as the Mad Hatter. I see you've met our dear Alice." Usagi took his left hand slowly and shook it.

"Hatter, this is Miyamoto Usagi, he and Genosuke saved me from some bad Samurai who were going to present me as a concubine for their lord." The Hatter frowned and his eyes darkened.

"Well then Mr. Usagi, thank you for saving my friend from thos slurvish, slaking scrumish, heggle rig, bassamok, banjer ugamayak, yittlerue asmayoka!"

"Hatter," Alice called placing a hand on his shoulder. Slowly the mad man returned to reality, his eyes brightened again.

"Well, you get my point. Thank you, I shall see to it that you two are rewarded!" He smiled.

Usagi smiled good naturedly, Gen rubbed his hands together eagerly. "You see ronin? I told you it was a good thing to rescue that girl…" he suddenly trailed off when he heard Usagi reply to the Hatter.

"No reward is necessary for either of us. I'm merely glad to see that she will be able to finally get home safely. Keep a good eye on her, she has a beauty that could certainly attract many." And then he bowed and walked away.

Gen looked after him, shocked and rather hurt. He ran after him and began yelling at him, "Why would you do that? You stupid long eared rabbit, you're always doing this to me!"

Alice and Tarrant couldn't help but laugh at them. "Do you suppose he wanted the reward?" The Hatter asked sarcastically.

"So then, where were you headed?" Alice asked innocently and linked their arms together.

"The Healer's wing, just up ahead, I was injured in my preliminary round. I tripped over a rock and fell and my opponent stepped on my hand." His face turned bright red.

Alice giggled, "Oh Hatter," She sighed and kissed his cheek. "I truly did miss your antics you wonderful mad man."