A/N: I like to be confusing. . . XP A huge thanks to anyone who reviewed/faved/alerted chapter one! You are awesome! On to chapter two!

Warnings: None for this chapter


"Professor Michaelis?" my most annoying pupil asked, waving his hand frantically in the air. Ugh. . . I hate Mondays. Sighing to myself, I set my book down and turned to face him.

"Yes, Mr. Finnian? I asked calmly, despite my throbbing headache.

"I don't really understand what you're saying. So, to determine the refractive index you need to apply Snell's Law?" He says, scratching the back of his head with his pencil. How many more days until the weekend? Honestly, will this dunderhead ever understand my lectures?

"No, Mr. Finnian. Snell's Law only applies when there is an interference between a medium with index of refraction n1 and another medium with index refraction n2. Please pay attention." He didn't seem to comprehend my explanation but didn't question me further. I can't imagine having to deal with this idiot for another semester.

I carried on with the lecture, with a few interruptions here and there. I made a point to instruct all students to see me privately if they have any questions but it seemed as though my ignorant students couldn't quite grasp the concept.

To make matters worse, I made the mistake of assigning a five page essay on the differences between specular reflection and diffuse reflection last week, leaving me busy grading them this week. Surely their papers will be an endless source of amusement. Still, it was such a bother.

Once my last class ended and all my students had gone, I shoved my books into my bag and hurried out of the building. I couldn't stand the smell of the place any longer. Books and paper. . . cheap cologne and aftershave. . . It was sickening.

The second I was out the door I found myself soaked. It was nearing the end of summer and it had been quite hot these last few days. Now that I think about it, the forecast said there would be rain today. It was refreshing to say the least. Thunder rolled faintly in the distance.

My house is just on the other side of the student dormitories. That being the case, I don't feel much of a need to drive to work. But even though I like the rain, I would rather not have to walk home in it. I will have to have a nice big cup of warm soup when I get back.

I took a back alley nearby to quicken my route. I had used it several times in rainy weather, it made my walk five whole minutes shorter. The overhang on the buildings also helped keep me somewhat dry. It was difficult to hear much of anything with the rain beating down loudly on the aluminum awnings, but ever so faintly, there it was. . .

A feeble whimper. So silent, it truly was a miracle I heard it at all. I decided I shouldn't trouble myself with it. I was in a great hurry to get home. It was probably just some filthy animal anyway. It wasn't until I was nearing the end of the alley that it occurred to me that it could've been a stray cat. . .

I couldn't just leave it there in the rain. It was just like me to disregard any form of life besides that of a feline. I couldn't care less about humans. And I absolutely loathed canines. I often find myself caring for any stray cat I find. That is, I feed them. Mostly they just gather at my door for food and sprint away after their hunger has been satisfied.

Turning on my heel, I headed back into the depths of that back alley, in search of the source of that pathetic sound. I reached the spot where I had heard it, craning my neck to peer behind the dumpster. There, lying helplessly on the cold concrete, was a young boy.

His clothes barely fit his tiny little frame. Slate colored hair fell messily over bulging eyelids, which were resting loosely over his undoubtedly large eyes. It was difficult to tell if the gaunt child was even alive. His chest was shockingly still, it seemed as though he wasn't breathing at all.

Of course, I just had to turn around, didn't I? For more than just a moment, I considered walking away and leaving the boy. It is what I would normally do. I am just that kind of horrible. After all, if he wasn't dead yet, he was certainly close. There probably isn't much I could do for him anyway. Besides, taking care of stray cats is one thing. A stray child is something completely different. He's not my responsibility.

Even so, I found myself leaning down behind the dumpster and checking for any sign of life in the frail boy. It was low, but I could feel a tiny little pulse beating slowly through his fragile chest. He shifted a bit when I brought my hand to his head. He didn't have a fever.

Without thinking, I picked him up gently and wrapped him in my jacket. His head rolled back over my left arm as I attempted to situate him a little more comfortably. He was far too light in my arms. Surely he was starving to death. I carried on down the alley, wondering what I was doing.

It was so stupid. I have my own problems to worry about. What was I going to do once I got home anyway? I couldn't feed him anything until he wakes up. . . if he wakes up. What if he dies? What do I do then? I couldn't take him to a hospital right now. I can't afford that. I should've just left him.

It isn't too late to turn back. I could just put him back where I found him. Maybe I should. . .

He stirred slightly and let out another tiny whimper. I glanced down at him, finding myself somewhat fixated on his long glossy black eyelashes. Despite the fact that the child was filthy and destitute, he was admittedly adorable. His face was thin, yet his cheeks remained surprisingly full. His childlike features were only accentuated more by his tiny, Kewpie doll mouth and round eyes.

I exhaled deeply and kept walking until I reached my front door. It was exceedingly simple to reposition the underweight boy so that I could support him with just my right arm, his chest resting against mine and his head lying limply over my shoulder. I used my free hand to fish my key out of my pocket and open my front door.

I set my bag down on my couch and carried the child into my bedroom. I would have to wash my blankets later. Between the awning and my jacket, the boy had managed to remain mostly dry. Still, he was filthy. I pulled the covers over him swiftly.

I was quite cold and desperately wanted some soup, but I couldn't tear my scarlet eyes away from the slumbering child, regret and panic still eating away at my psyche. In spite of that, it was difficult to turn away. There was something so intriguing about him. He did remind me something of a cat. The slender contours of his body and his full, angelic face were so very feline. I wouldn't be too surprised if he opened his eyes, only to reveal two colossal yellow orbs.

But he isn't a cat. He's a human. . . Which is unquestionably much more high maintenance than a cat. What am I to do. What a ridiculous set of circumstances I've encountered.

I left the boy briefly, in favor of a cup of that soup I had been craving all day. It was wonderfully warm and welcoming, easing my worries for just a moment. After I finished though, they all came flooding back to me. This day couldn't get any more bizarre.

I rinsed out my cup and hurried back to my room to check on my new house guest. He was still sleeping peacefully, the gradual rise and fall of his chest now much more noticeable from afar. My goodness, he's small. You could likely break him in two with a mere flick of your finger. His little, pencil thin legs shuffled spastically under the blankets. He whimpered once again, still squirming madly, as though trying to run away from something menacing. This was certainly going to be problematic. . .


A/N: Poor Finny. . . Thanks for reading guys! Please review if you have the time. ^_^ Again sorry for the short chapter. The next one is longer, I promise. XD You can check my profile for updates on future chapters and upcoming fics.

Title: Additionally, because I'd like to give you a bit more to read, I shall explain the titles for these last two chapters (since I forgot the last one). The chapter titles are supposed to represent what animal Sebastian is associating Ciel with during each particular chapter. He knows very little about the boy, so he is looking very closely at his mannerisms, which remind him something of various animals. In chapter one, he saw him as a lamb. Lambs are known for being cute and innocent. In this chapter, Sebastian saw him as a rat. Rats are often associated with filth, disease, and anything unsightly. Rats are also known to be scavengers and, often times, pests.