Here's the next chapter!

Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Difficulties

I half expected Ratchet to tackle me to the ground right then and there and start strangling me to death but instead, he lowered his ears and cast his eyes downward.

Instantly I felt worse.

Clank's eyes were wide with shock.

"Is that true?"

He asked in a quiet voice.

I gave a light nod.

Clank's neon eyes seemed to dim and I feared he was going to start crying again.

Instead, the small robot turned towards Ratchet and carefully placed his hand in his.

Ratchet's right ear gave a quick twitch.

"Don't feel bad Ratchet, it isn't your fault"

Clank shot daggers at me.

"It's hers"

Clank's words were like a punch to the face, they hurt.

Immediately I felt my fists clench in anger, a low growl escaping through my teeth.

"My fault, why the fuck are you blaming me!? If it's anyone's fault it's yours!"

Clank's jaw dropped.

"Mine! How in the universe is it my fault?"

I was literally seething, my fangs steadily growing with every word I said (or screamed).

"Because if it wasn't for all busy gallivanting around the ship hanger like a fucking pixie instead of staying put like you were supposed to, Ratchet wouldn't have kissed me and this whole vampire thing wouldn't have happened"

Clank looked like he was about to explode, his eyes seeming to pulsate out at me with pure hatred.

"First of all I was not gallivanting I was searching for clues and second the only reason Ratchet kissed you is because you were practically begging for attention. I mean just look at yourself, you're dressed like some sort of high class whore!"

I was about to retaliate when a familiar small voice reached my ears.

"Please, stop fighting"

My eyes darted to Ratchet and I felt all my anger instantly fade.

Ratchet's slender body shook with quiet sobs as fresh tears trailed down his soft features, soaking his golden fur.

"Please...for me"

Me and Clank glanced at each other, our eyes mirroring the regret we both felt.

My eyes drifted back to Ratchet, his tears still flowing.

Without a word I closed the short distance between us.

I took a seat on Ratchet's right, the tension from his tears almost suffocating.

My navy blue eyes drifted to my feet, not knowing what to do next.

"It's not your fault Kay"

I felt myself twitch at the name and I looked at Ratchet.

"How did you-?"

My voice faded as Ratchet suddenly switched his gaze forward.

"It was dark. I was quietly watching the stars...when out nowhere you run up to me and tackle me to the ground"

Ratchet smiled faintly at the memory but his gaze didn't falter.

"I remember you telling me shortly after you let me go that you preferred to be called Kay"

Ratchet turned towards me and I got a full view of his tear streaked face.

"Why did you keep the name Makayla?"

I closed my eyes before answering, a part of me not wanting to see the pain I'd caused.

"A lot of things changed when I became a vampire, my memory being one of them. All the dreams we shared before my transformation became a blur to me and whenever I tried to recover them they would hurt me...physically"

I felt Ratchet shift closer to me and I continued.

"I do vaguely remember that dream but like I said my old memories are hard to recover...especially the ones about you"

A lone tear slid down my cheek and I felt a gloved hand wipe it away.

My eyes opened and I was met with Ratchet's soft emeralds.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

Unknown giggling filled the room and it took me a few moments to realize it was me.

"I don't know, I guess it just slipped my mind"

The sadness in the room seemed to overall vanish as Ratchet's face lit up with a smile I knew all too well.

"Damn blonde moments"

We both said at the exact same time, making us erupt into a rather obnoxious giggle fit.

At one point during our immature giggling I noticed Clank located on the far left side of the couch looking somewhat lost.

Hopping to cheer him up I decided to use his long lost nickname Ratchet gave him shortly after defeating Drek on their first adventure.

"What's wrong tin can, you jealous or something?"

Clank's neon eyes darted towards me with a hateful glare.

"No of course not"

He answered, his voice literally dripping with sarcasm.

"Don't get snippy with me mister or I shove a corkscrew up your ass"

Clank's jaw dropped slightly, then with a sign of defeat crossed his arms and turned away from me.

I crossed own arms and leaned back against the couch cushion.

"Baby"

I muttered, shutting my eyes in annoyance.

Ratchet's gaze lingered on the white lombax for a moment then settled on his robotic companion.

Clank felt a set of arms wrap around him and he spun towards their source.

His neon eyes met a familiar pair of emeralds.

"I'm sorry Ratchet"

A look of confusion crossed Ratchet's features.

"Sorry for what?"

He asked.

"For everything"

Clank's vision grew blurry and he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

"I just...I just..."

Clank's words trailed off as he collapsed in Ratchet's arms.

Loud sobs and hiccupping echoed through the room and I sat up to find, surprise, someone else crying their eyes out.

Jeeze, when did everyone become so emotional. It's like I stepped into a bad TV soap opera.

Then when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, I saw Ratchet's arms fall limply to his sides and topple off the side of the couch.

Just a split second before he could hit the floor my quick instincts kicked in and I caught him, his striped ears skimming the aluminum or whatever the ground was made of (who the fuck cares!).

"And now for fainting round two, very interesting Ratchet. Seriously you gotta come up with new material"

Ratchet remained unmoving in my arms and I gave him a gentle shake.

His head bobbled around a bit but his eyes stayed shut.

I set him down on the floor and cocked my head to the side.

Ratchet's eyes fluttered and a smirk rose on my face.

"Good morning sleeping beauty! It's too bad you woke up I was just about to-"

I let out a piercing scream as Ratchet's body gave a violent jerk and he coughed up a fountain of blood.

An equally loud scream sounded from beside me and I recognized it as Clank's.

A pool of blood swirled around Ratchet, his once golden fur stained a dark crimson.

I inched closer to the lombax and placed a shaky hand on his chest.

"Is he…dead?"

Clank's voice caught on the word 'dead'.

"No he's not dead. Just starved"

My stroked over Ratchet's forehead, hints of blood sticking to my fingers.

"He needs blood and a lot of it"

I calmly scooped the golden lombax into my arms and stood up.

Clank watched me hesitantly as I began a sort of quick pace down the hall leading towards the ship hanger.

I stopped mid-stride and looked back.

"Hey tin can, you coming or not?"

Clank snapped out of his trance and sprinted after me.

We were halfway to Aphelion when I heard and angry shout from behind.

I tightened my hold on Ratchet and kept walking.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

I spun around and shot an annoyed glare at Sasha.

"Sorry but I don't have time to deal with a bitch who is constantly on her period"

The cazar's jaw dropped and her right eye twitched.

"What did you just say?!"

I yawned and gave her a stiff wave.

"I don't feel like repeating it, I've got more pressing issues to attend to"

I turned my back on Sasha and ran towards Aphelion.

Clank opened the ship's cockpit and I carefully lay Ratchet in the backseat.

"Don't you think we should tell her our intentions before leaving?"

Clank asked, his neon orbs training on a pursuing Sasha.

I stole a quick glance outside.

Sasha was clumsily speed walking in our direction, being careful not to trip in the six inch high heeled boots that she currently wore.

"Naw, I don't think so. Besides even if we did tell her she either wouldn't believe us or she wouldn't understand"

I jumped into the passenger seat and pressed a button that supposedly closed the cockpit.

A large grin plastered itself on my features as the cockpit sealed itself right in Sasha's face.

"Damn, she's even uglier up close"

The female cazer bared her teeth and banged her fists on the glass, making it clear she had heard me.

I turned to Clank who was wearing a quizzical expression.

"What?"

Clank said nothing and just nodded his head at the ship wheel.

"You're kidding? I can't fly this thing, I don't know how"

All of a sudden I heard a loud crackling noise and the voice of the ship's AI echoed around us.

"If I may, I could provide assistance by flying you via autopilot"

Me and Clank exchanged glances.

"Sure"

The ship's computer lit up and a map of the Solana Galaxy appeared.

"Do you have a specific destination in mind?"

Aphelion asked.

My gaze shifted to the back seat; Ratchet was lying on his side, his body giving irregular twitches.

"Aphelion, you don't happen to have a map of the Milky Way Galaxy do you?"

The ship's computer brightened then after a few seconds switched over to a familiar looking star map.

I gazed in awe at all the different planets listed, some I recognized others completely alien.

Clank tapped my arm and I snapped back into focus.

"Oh, right. Can you take us…here?"

I pointed at a blue and green planet.

"I would be delighted to"

Aphelion replied happily.

The ship hovered a few feet off the ground and maneuvered around until it was facing the now open door.

I spotted Sasha below us, jumping up and down like a crazed lunatic.

"Oh she is totally going to regret being that close to Aphelion"

Clank looked at me strangely.

"Why?"

He asked.

"Oh, you'll see"

I grinned evilly (I even rubbed my hands together for extra effect, which literally freaked Clank out).

The ship drew back then like lightning, sped out of the hanger.

I cracked up as I saw at the last second the power from Aphelion's thruster's send Sasha flying backwards, landing hard on her ass.

"Yeah, fuck you bitch!"

I yelled, flipping Sasha the bird.

"Planet Earth here we come!"

Damn, a lotta stuff happened in this chapter!

Unfortunately I won't be able to post the next one for a while, due to stress at home. Review!