Ok! For those of you who are curious, I now stream games on Twitch! StrataJem is my name on there. :3 I have a little proposition for anyone interested! Read till the end for more!

Chapter 4

Rat walked into the worn down building, turning slightly when a soft growl came his way. "Easy there, I'm here to see your Master."

"Down girl!" Rat turned to see Dogkeeper relaxing on the steps. "What brings you here today Rat? Need more information?" He asked with a smirk. "May cost ya double. I got a lot of weird looks for asking about konketsu's."

"No, not today. Although if you do find anything else out, I'd appreciate it." He said as the dogs retreated. "I've gotten a new roommate, and he'll need some clothes."

"Sure it isn't for those little kids again?" Dogkeeper teased. "Alright, four coppers and I'll find something. Two silvers and I'll keep looking for information." Rat tossed the money up and Dogkeeper easily caught it. "Oh and Rat? Your roommate...if they need a job I have something op-"

"If you're even about to suggest selling-"

"Fuck no! I was gonna say washing my family here." Dogkeeper gave a disgusted face. "C'mon, I'm not that low. I'd never suggest that kinda shit." Rat nodded and wrapped his gray scarf further around his neck. "Be careful Rat. You remember what happens when ya get to close, right?"

"Speak for yourself mutt!" Rat waved nonchalantly back as he left the building. He stretched as he looked into the night sky. Stars shimmered lightly beneath the moon's glow. Nice night though...perhaps a hunt's in order. He ran off into the streets, covered by the shadows of the buildins around him. He stopped behind a wall as he heard a woman walking down the street. Another human cast out here...how I pity her...He thought with a smirk and leapt out. His fangs dug into her neck, silencing her scream with his hand. Shh...go to sleep... He felt the woman go limp as he drank her blood. After a few moments he let her go, laying her on a bench and wiping his mouth clean.

He continued walking down the street, rubbing his throat slightly. Strange...she didn't completly satisfy my thirst... He thought. Hmm...perhaps it has to do with Shion somehow? Argh, there isnt enough information to go on! Maybe I just need to feed again a little later... He opened the door to his small home only to see Shion reading on his bed, three little rats on his knee.

"What light from the yonder window breaks? It is the east-"

"And Juliet is the sun." Rat finished the line and smirked. "You seem to be doing a little better. Although you should be asleep still. The sun's not even out yet." Shion smiled a little as he put the book down, the tiny rats squeaking and hopping off.

"Welcome back!" Shion said gently. "I woke up and just felt restless...so I thought I'd read one of your books! I hope you don't mind..."

"Nah, I've read a lot of them already...countless times at that."

"Can you read one to me?" Rat blinked at Shion's smile. "I wanna hear you read one."

"Tsk, read yourself. You're not illeterate." Rat scoffed and plopped on the bed. "I'm tired, so go back to sleep." Shion chuckled a little and Rat heard shuffling. He turned to see Shion curling up on the couch, out almost immedietly. Shion...good night.

"I want to work." Rat looked up at Shion as he finished his breakfast.

"Eh?"

"Well...I'm freeloading right now, aren't I?" He asked. "I wanna help you somehow...so is there something I can do?" Rat chuckled and shook his head, putting his bowl down. "C'mon Rat!"

"You really don't like being quiet do you? It's too early still for all your yelling." Rat sighed. "Fine...there may be a job, but it depends."

"Depends?"

"Are you allergic to dogs?"

"No...no I'm not. I love dogs." Shion smiled happily. "My mom wouldn't let me have one...oh!" Shion took a small note out and handed it to a little white rat. "Go on Hamlet."

"Hamlet? And what the hell did you give hi-oi!" Rat watched as the rat went off.

"A note for my mother and my friend Safu, letting them know I'm ok. I'm sure they're worried, since I didn't give my mom a call after work yesterday." Rat scowled and Shion blinked his red eyes curiously. "What's wrong?"

"You really shouldn't drag them into your mess." Rat warned and Shion shook his head.

"But they'd worry. I had to say something." He said and shifted around anxiously. "B-besides...Hamlet likes me I think."

"Don't give my rat's names." He grumbled and handed Shion a package. "Here, this is for you." Shion eagerly undid the white paper wrapping and held out a large brown coat, almost baggy for his thin body. "You like it?"

"Yes! Thanks so much Rat!" Shior beamed a happy smile and put it on. "I feel much warmer with this on!"

"Konketsu's are slightly cooler in body then humans, so I figured you may need it. Otherwise you can snuggle up to me for warmth." He smirked as Shion blushed.

"N-not necessary! I'm plenty warm now!"

"I was kidding moron. Let's get going." As Rat lead Shion outside, he had to sheild his sensitive red eyes. "Welcome to the West." Shion looked out at the dry, almost desolate landscape.

"Rat...this is..." Horrible...how can a place look like this?! He thought.

"This is what we all call home...and now it's your home too. Get used to it." Rat began to walk away and Shion fell in behind him. "Oh yeah, one more thing." Rat handed Shion a small brown hat. "Wear that to cover your hair, otherwise people will know what you are." Shion nodded and slowly slid it on, conceiling his white hair. "Keep up Shion or I'm leaving you!"

"C-coming Rat!" Shion called and raced after his friend.

"What kind of building is this?" Shion asked.

"An old hotel. Still kinda functions as one, but more like a place for the homeless and strays."

"Strays?" Shion heard growling and turned. The dog looked at him before leaping on him, licking him playfully. "H-hey that tickles! St-stop-ahahahahaha!" He laughed and pet the dog.

"Wow he likes ya. That's rare for him." He turned to see Dogkeeper watching from above. "So yer that konketsu Rat's been so obssesed with?" He leapt down, landing easily on the ground. "I'm Dogkeeper. You would be?"

"Sh-Shion. Wow, are you a Were too?!" Shion ran up and circled Dogkeeper excitedly. "You command dogs...fangs...your feet have some claws and I think...aha!" He pulled and a long, black tail appeared from behind Dogkeeper. "You're a Werewolf!"

"Oi no touching!" Dogkeeper smacked Shion's hand away. "Rat this kid's too damned nosy for his own good."

"Tell me about it." He huffed and flicked Shion's forehead. "Behave. He's your employer."

"Employer? You mean...that job you mentioned?"

"Yup kiddo. Ya get the pleasure of cleaning my dogs, starting tomorrow. Does the sunlight bother you?"

"No, it-"

"Good. I expect you here at dawn. Now get lost, you'll disturb my clients." With that Rat ushered Shion out, shooing the dog away as he tried to follow. Dogkeeper knelt down next to the dog and pet him. "You like him, don't you? Yes...he's something else for sure. Heh, well at least he'll keep life a little more interesting."

Chapter 4 end

So you like? Alright, now as I mentioned, I do stream games. You can have a banner, an offline picture, and of course a profile picture. If you're really confident in your art, let me know! I would love to have some fan's art! Ask me for more details via PM ok? Thanks!