~Wonderful Pet Shop of Horrors~

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Pet Shop of Horrors and HNKNA, but sadly I never will.

Unlike the gruesome, disturbing ending in Pet Shop of Horrors, I made them all slightly happier endings because of HnKnA.

Deep in the heart of Chinatown, there are rare and valuable commodities. Within my pet shop, you will find just that. Please enter, and you will find something you desire tonight.

~Wonderful Pet Shop of Horrors~

*~Dream~*

The bell to the door clinked and the door opened. Alice Liddell made her way down the long hallway, her dress swaying side to side with her movements. The walls were a deep burgundy, something that added to the exotic scent that filled the air. Pulling open the door, Alice stepped inside a spacious room, filled with tassels and strands of beads, glittery gold and purple linings. A scene from a fairy tale, it's beauty unmatched.

This was Count D's Pet Shop.

" Um, hello. Is anybody here?" Alice spoke softly, hoping not to wake any people or animals.
" May I help you find something today?" a porcelein voice, smooth and clear asked her.

From behind a curtain held up by a twisted golden tassel, a man stepped out. His kimono/ yukata style outfit was a silky green with pink and white cherry blossom petals and a swaying pattern of red, a purple sash tied around his waist. " Is there something I can do for you, miss?"

Alice cleared her throat, and breathed deeply. " Yes, actually. You see, I was looking for a pet. A bird, to be precise, but I can't really find anything that fits what I'm looking for. I was told that this pet shop is filled with exotic pets, so I was wondering if you could help me."

The Count held out his hand, his long pink nails beckoning towards her. " Welcome to my pet shop. I think I have something that will interest you. Tell me, what exactly do you seek in this bird?" Alice put a finger to her chin.

" Well, I'd like one that sings. That's what I was really looking for."
Count held out his hand again, and this time Alice placed her hand in his. He led her down a long hallway laced with tassels and curtains. " For many different reasons, this particular animal cannot be publicly displayed. If you will please enter the back storage room, I think you will like what you see."

Alice did what she was told, pushing the purple curtains aside and stepping into the storage room.
" By the way, Count, is that smell filling the air incense? It smells wonderful."

The Count nodded and smiled, his painted purple lips curving up. " The incense helps remove smell, and helps to keep the animals calm."
"Namely, this magnificent creature."

The Count walked to the side of the room, and placed his hand on a long dangling tassel. " We might startle it if I turn on the lights, so please stand back." Alice leaned next to the wall, waiting for the owner to pull the rope. He did, and the curtains recoiled up, revealing something that made the young maiden gasp.

Sitting on a glass couch, a magnificently dressed man sat with one leg over the other. His tunic-like top was designed with gold intricates and white japanese circles, almost in the pattern of flowers. A teardrop jewel rested on the middle of his forehead, reflecting a bright red at her. He wore a black skirt like material that split halfway on the side, revealing his legs. On his head was a headset filled with exotic flowers, with a few chains with flowers dangling on the side of his face. Gold manacles with red jewels encircled his wrists, and solid green bands on his ankles clashed against his bare feet. Black strands of hair whisped down from his headset, falling around his face perfectly.

Alice gasped." What is this? That's not a bird, that's a-"
" Come closer," the Count beckoned. She walked closer, and the strange creature jumped. White wings spread from his back as he hovered close to the Count's shoulder. "This rare bird is from a small island in the south pacific. It's known as "Strelizia."

The bird man glared at Alice, his wide eyes fluttering with his wings." There are no illustrations in books because there are only a few found in this world. He is not only beautiful, but his singing voice is stunning as well."

"...singing voice?" Alice couldn't utter a word.
"I see, how much is he? I think he's a magnificent breed."

Count smile." First we'll see to his accomodations. Then the price will be discussed."
Alice nodded.

The Liddell estate had a greenhouse the size of a tennis court, and it was perfectly heated. A fantastic home for a bird from the south tropics. As they stood on the ground, Alice and the Count gazed up at the bird. He sat there, perched against the branch of a tree. He looked down at them, that strange expression plastered on his face.

Sing for me, let me hear your voice. I need to know what you sound like.
Minutes passed, nothing happened.

" Why isn't he singing?"

Count held up a blue jar and opened the lid, letting a sweet smelling incense leak out into the air. " Do not rush him. This is a frail bird, let him adjust first." The Count smiled.

From the rustling of the trees, Alice looked up. The bird glanced down, then opened his mouth.

What song is that? It's so.. magnificent.

The song filled the room, bringing a sad, yet hopeful tune to it.
" It seems he likes you."

Alice looked at Count." Then have I recieved approval to be his owner?" With a nod, Count held out a piece of paper and a pen, and Alice took it in her hands." This seems to be a very fussy bird."

From writing her signature, Alice glanced at him." Excuse me?"
" He's fussy, therefore will not sing for those he doesn't like."

"Also, please be sure to follow the terms of the contract. If not, I'm afraid the store cannot be held liable for any accidnets that may happen."
Alice nodded." I understand."

1. Feed him fresh fruit for every meal of the day.
2. Do not let anyone else see him.
3. When he sings, you must listen by his side.
He will not stop singing until he sees his owner's face,
He will keep singing even if his throat bleeds from it.

Alice smiled as the Count took his leave. They had agreed on the payment being fruit tarts from Madame C's pastry shop. Turning back to the glorious bird, Alice sighed. He was still singing.

This voice, this song. High and low, fast and slow, both beautiful and sad. I don't know what it means, I can't understand the words being sung, but it touches and hurts my heart at the same time. Why does it make me cry?

"It's a love song!" the Count exclaimed.
" Love?" Alice repeated.

"His lovely outfit and wings and heart melting voice. Doesn't everything use these tactics to get a mate?"
"With many animals, especially birds, the males work hard to impress the females. To sucessfully propose, every male must have a talent of his own."

Propose...? ...To me..?

"But I'm human. Isn't he a bird?" Alice questioned.

" Yes, but he was raised by a breeder, so it may be highly possible he thinks of himself as human.

So he doesn't see himself as a bird.

" What do you plan on calling him?"

Placing her hand under her chin, she looked confused, then smiled." You said he would sing even if his throat bled until he saw my face, right?" Count nodded.

" I'll call him... Blood." Count smiled, and handed her a piece of chocolate cream pie.

"Miss, Sir has come home!"

" Dad!" Alice called. " Hello, sweetheart. I have some news that'll blow you away." He cleared his throat." I've arranged a meeting between you and one of our biggest rival's sons. As of now, you two will soon be offically engaged." The old man laughed, but Alice couldn't feel her knees. She ran to the greenhouse, tears leaking from her eyes. Throwing herself on a velvet couch within the greenhouse, Alice cried nonstop, until long, talon-like nails brushed against her skin. Alice looked up. Blood hovered over her, his eyes seemed to be moaning.

Blood.. are you trying to comfort me?

The bird man seemed to be smiling, but she couldn't tell.
His nails brushed the hair from her face, touching her neck with his clawed fingers. He nuzzled her face with his nose, cooing softly like a dove. He leaned back and jumped into the air, his silvery white wings spreading like clouds. He hovered a few feet away, in reaching distance.
Alice held out her hand, and reluctantly, the bird man flew closer, leaning his head into her palm. She pet him like a dog, tracing the designs on his headset. He started cooing again, soft and low.

He pulled away again, and flew high into the canopy of the greenhouse. Through the foliage, she could see him moving through the treetops. She couldn't see him anymore, mostly because he had stopped moving. Suddenly, two great white wings wrapped around her, along with a pair of creamy white colored arms. He nuzzled his nose against her neck, purring and cooing like a tiny quail.

" If only I could marry you instead of the president's son," Alice whimpered. She hadn't realized what she said until she felt herself lifted off her feet and was perched against the branch of a tree. The creature hovered effortlessly on his strong wings, leaning his pale face closer. His light, feathery lips pressed against her cheek, and gently, he pulled back. The flower tipped chains dangled around his face as he lifted himself next to her. He wrapped his soft wings around her, his magnificent voice lulling her to sleep.

I've always wondered what it would be like to be a bird.

The first of the Horror series, based on the first chapter of the manga. If you haven't read the manga or seen the anime, I highly reccomend it. You'll probably never see an anime with a more beautiful character like the Count. He's a creeper, but I would bake him pastries any day.