I just ordered the TV soundtracks for No. 6! :D OMFG Rat's voice is to die for! I love it! Well, shall we continue this story~?

Chapter 3

Rat...it's so hot...it burns... Shion's mind floated in and out of consiousness, his body felt hot and cold all at once. Wh...what's...happening...to me? Something touched his lips and he vaguely felt something warm and sweet down his throat. Juice? No...no it's...is it honey? Ngh...so tired...so...

"...hio...ay wi...ion!"

Ngh...stop yelling...it hurts so much...everything...burns... More liquid flowed down his throat and he coughed, the whole feeling making his body ache. Gh...no...it taste so good...but hurts...why does...it all hurt? Rat...Rat...

"...ight Sh...a li...re..." He finally slipped back into darkness, the pain finally subsiding.

Rat...sleepy... His foggy, tired mind drifted deeper into sleep. Rat watched him relax and he sighed, wiping Shion's forehead with a wet cloth.

"The worst is over now..." He sighed with great relief. "Now...hopefully everything will be alright...oh who the fuck am I kidding?" He got up and walked outside. The sun was now rising slowly behind the hills, staining the wasteland beyond almost a blood red color. "He's different. He won't last out here...in my world...in the West."

"Did you get those ferals?" Rat turned around to see a dark skinned young man walk out of the dawn shadows. He had long black hair hidden under a large black cloak, sharp fangs showing as he smirked. "Got yer pay if ya did."

"Dogkeeper..." Rat tossed a small pouch and the young man caught it, opening it and watching the dust scatter. "Good enough proof?"

"Yup, here you go." Dogkeeper tossed another pouch, this one filled with silver pieces. "Those guys were dangerous, so at least normal vamp's and Were's can rest a little easier." He was about to walk away when Rat tossed four pieces. "Oh?"

"I need information on something." Rat said and Dogkeeper turned around with a smirk. His eyes, a deep brown, were filled with mirth and curiocity.

"Depending on what it is...it may cost ya more."

"It's about...konketsu's." Dogkeeper's eyes widened and he scowled. "Well?

"What's going on Rat? A konketsu?! You found one of those outcasts?"

"...Just find the information. I need to know as much as I can. What their diets are, how different they are...eveyrthing you can dig up." His steel eyes made Dogkeeper flinch slightly.

"...Fine. I expect ten more later." He said and left. Rat watched the sun rise the rest of the way and he sighed.

Shion...

"Ngh...my head..." Shion stirred and sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes groggily. "Wh...where...am I?" He wondered aloud. "Head hurts..." He stood slowly, his feet wobbling to a sink. He spalshed some water in his face when he was hit with vertigo. "Ngh...why...so dizzy...thirsty..."

He saw a cup and poured some water in the cup. He drank some down, but it seemed to make his thirst even worse. "What's...going...on?" He looked into the cracked mirror and locked up. "Wh-what...is this?!" His hair was now a snowy white, eyes red and his skin was pale. "No...no no no no no..." He touched his neck and saw a mark. He swiftly removed his shirt and saw it go all the way down his chest. "No!" He fell backwards as he tore at his hair, scooting away. "GYAHHHH!"

"Shion?!" He turned to see Rat running in the room and he covered his face and body. "Shion what's wrong?!"

"D-don't come near me!" Shion yelled, eyes filled with fear. "I...I'm...I'm a..."

"No, you're not." Shion turned to him shakily and Rat knelt down, running a calming hand through snowy strands. "You're not a vampire." Shion felt fabric hit his face and he looked at the white collared shirt. "Put that on. You may look cute...but not that cute."

"I am not cute!" Shion huffed and put it on. "So I'm still human? I-"

"No...you're not a human either." Rat said and Shion blinked at his serious tone. "Neither human nor vampire...not even a Were..." His eyes met Shion's and Shion felt a chill go through him from the hard, serious gaze. "You are a Konketsu."

"A...a what?" Shio shivered, rubbing at his neck slightly. Why is it so dry still?

"A konketsu. A half-blood. Neither vampire nor human...but a mix of the two." Rat explained. "You can still walk in the sun, eat normal food and are only slightly stronger and faster than most humans. You could easily at least stand up to a Were." Rat got up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "But there are cons as well. You will be recognized as a konketsu from your hair and eyes. No matter where you go...you will be shunned. As I'm sure you've seen, your body is now thinner than normal...meant to attract have fangs, just like them as well, and you still must drink blood...but only one person's blood will satisfy you."

"I-I don't understand Rat!" Shion trembled, moving backwards. "H-how is this even possible?! I didn't-"

"When you were attacked in the alley, those were feral vampires. They caught you and injected their venom into you, but I managed to remove it...but it came at a cost. Not only are you a konketsu now...but it's my blood you must drink."

Shion couldn't begin to believe what was happening to his body. Rat's...blood? I have to drink...his blood? His body quivered at the thought and his throat felt dry and scratchy. Ngh...it hurts...

"You need to drink now, don't you?" Rat asked and Shion shook his head. "Don't worry, here." He handed him a glass, filled with his warm blood. "I had some drawn so you wouldn't have to actuslly drink from me." He explained.

"No...I won't. I don't need it." Shion said, looking away.

"You don't have a choice."

"No! I can't!" Shion refused again. Rat put the cup down and quickly forced Shion to the floor. "Gyah!"

"Listen the hell up Shion!" Rat shouted. "I did not save your life just for you to fucking starve! I saved you because I owed you, and I will not allow you to starve yourself because of some delusion of remaining human! You're not anymore!" Shion's eyes widened when a long, gray, rat tail whipped from behind the young man pinning him to the floor. It grabbed the cup and he put it in his hand. "Now drink." Shion shook his head. "Drink it!"

"No! I-urk?!" Rat forced his mouth open and kissed him suddenly. Shion's eyes widened as blood was forced down his throat. He gagged when a hand soothingly rubbed his neck. It's...it's so...sweet... His eyes fluttered and his cheeks turned pink. So...so good...more...I want...more...it's so hot... Rat moved away and sighed, Shion panting on the floor. "R...Rat..."

"Do not make me do that again." He growled, sharp teeth showing. Shion nodded sluggishly and passed back out. "Still too weak it seems...either that or the shock got to him." He lifted him into his arms and laid him down on the bed. Shion's eyes fluttered back open and he groaned. "Well that didn't last.

"Rat...I...I want...to live." He said slowly, gripping the blanket. "I want to stay here with you...learn morwe about you, vampires, Were's and konketsu's." He said, his eyes determined. "But most of all I want to live." Rat chuckled and ruffled his white hair. His hand slid to his cheek, his thumb running across his mark.

"You will Shion. Now go ahead and get some more rest. You've been unconsious for a week and until you've had some more blood, you'll need to stay indoors. Sunlight won't kill you, but it can still cause pain." Shion nodded and curled under the blankets. Before Rat could walk away he felt a hand squeeze his.

"Rat...I'm so happy...to see you again." He yawned and fell asleep. Rat just chuckled and shook his head.

Stupid dumbass...you should hate me. So why don't you? He looked at his sleeping face and touched his lips. His lips were so warm...and his scent...it's like a warm summer breeze. He heard a knock and grabbed his knife. Opening the door he sighed when he saw Dogkeeper. "You have what I asked?" He was given a package and nodded, handing him three pieces of silver. "There."

"This konketsu must be very important to you Rat. Better keep an eye on 'im...we all know how well they run for." He said and left as Rat growled.

No...he'll be safe with me. He thought and watched him tremble slightly. He placed a hand in his hair and Shion immediately relaxed. Sleep well Shion...the world is about to become cruel...

Chapter 3 end

Whew! That was a mouthful. Yes, konketsu is Japanese for half blood. :3 Poor little Shion.