((Hi...I made another chapter...I hope you like it!))

Chapter 2~ Claw Marks.

Ivan found himself dumbfounded by the mysterious creature sitting in his living room. He just couldn't stop staring! Snatch was very interesting to Ivan. First off, there was the fact that, even he told him he was a Bandersnatch, Ivan had no clue what he was. He acted like a normal human from time to time. He seemed a lot like a rebellious teenager (hell, he probably was!), but there was also an animalistic aspect to him. The way he started at things, the way he walked, every little thing about him gave off an animal like vibe. Even sitting on the couch he seemed a lot like the Alfa dog asserting his dominance and claiming the soft couch for his own.

Ivan was surprised when Snatch turned back at him, glaring. "I'm not some fucking circus attraction for you to gawk at you know." He growled "Either stop starting or snap a fucking picture."

Ivan blinked "Oh was I staring?"

"Yeah, you were."

"My bad then." He said, walking to sit next to him "But, you're interesting."

The Bandersnatch looked confused, "Interesting…that's a first…."

Ivan poked his cheek "If you're going to be living here, then I need to know some things about you. It's fair, da?"

Snatch glared at him "Who said I want to live here?! I'm defiantly not living with some damned human!"

"I told I am a nation….besides, where else would you go?"

The boy was silenced for a moment, looking down at the ground.

Ivan sighed "Sorry, that was rude."

Snatch shook his head, setting his finished food down. "It's fine…so what do you want to know?" He asked, turning to him, his tail swaying lightly.

Ivan smiled happily "Okay, how about when you tell me something, I tell you something. It sounds fair, da?"

Snatch nodded "Alright you go first."

Ivan thought "How old are you?"

"I'm nineteen." He said simply. "How the hell are you a nation?"

Ivan smiled "The people of my nation believe in me, so I exist."

"I guess that kinda makes sense…..kinda….." Snatch said.

Ivan though for a moment. "How about family?"

Snatch sighed. "Yeah….Two brothers, one older and one younger." He smiled softly. He liked talking about his brothers to other people.

Ivan smiled. He decided he liked it when Snatch smiled. He looked genuinely happy, at peace, "What a coincidence. I have two sisters, one older and one younger." He chirped. "Tell be about your brothers!"

Snatch smiled, remembering them fondly. "Alright. My younger brother's name was Jay. He was a Jabberwocky. He was a bit of a cry baby when he was younger. I always thought he was really sweet. He'd try his best to do nice things for us, even if he couldn't really do anything. He was an amazing pianist too. His favorite thing to play was Moonlight Sonata. He really was such a sweet kid." He smiled more, remembering when they were all little. "Then there was my older brother. His name was Jub. He was a Jubjub bird. He always thought so little of himself, but he was absolutely the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. So colorful and happy. Really just so unique. Oh, and the voice on that boy-hell angel's would be jealous of that voice."

Ivan smiled, glad to see Snatch reminiscing so fondly of family. "Um…..Not to be rude, but why do you keep on talking about them in the past like that?"

Snatch frowned, his gaze kept to the ground. Ivan's eyes widened as he slowly started to realize. Snatch talked about them in the past because they're was no possible way to talk about them now….Snatch's brothers had passed.

"O-Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize-"

Snatch shook his head "It's fine."

"…How did they….you know….?" Ivan said, slightly awkward.

Snatch took in a deep breath. "Jub had really weak lungs. He got sick all the time. One day, his body just gave out…and Jay…" He shuttered at the memory. It made him sick to think about, and made him want to kill every human that even looked at him.

Ivan put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to say anymore…I've seen my share of awful things and I know it's not the thing you want to recall."

Snatch swallowed thickly, looking up at him "….Why are you nice to me?"

Ivan smiled at him "Because I can tell deep down, you're nice too…you just don't know how to show it."

Snatch sighed, holding his head.

Ivan could tell Snatch was distressed, so he opened his arms for him "Hug?"

Snatch chuckled "What are you, four?"

Ivan's arms didn't drop, so Snatch scooted forward, leaning in and hugging him. He smiled softly. Snatch hated the fact he was always warm, it was uncomfortable. So, it felt nice to hug something cold.

Ivan liked having the warm body close to him. He felt the boy nuzzle him slightly. He smiled, assuming that this was a sign of affection from the young Bandersnatch. He looked down, seeing his tail sway happily and his ears pressed against his head, though he could tell he wasn't scared. It felt nice to have someone this close and not be scared.

So, through out the rest of that evening, they asked questions, laughing at times. Ivan was happy with how much he learned.

Apparently, the Bandersnatch was a terrifying beast from the Jabberwocky poem in Alice in Wonderland. Snatch liked raw meat as compared to cooked. His claws were a symbol of his pride as a Bandersnatch. He got his nose stud when he was about fifteen because he just wanted one.

Ivan looked at the clock, surprised. "Heavens to the Betsy! It's already eleven?!"

Snatch yawned, stretching and looking tired.

Ivan looked to him, smiling. He gently picked him up and carried him to Ivan's room. He set him on his bed. "We'll have to go shopping for clothes tomorrow. Are you fine sleeping in those?"

Snatch nodded, looking up at him "Are we sleeping together?"

Ivan looked back at him "Do you not want to sleep with me?"

Snatch shrugged. "I have no problem with it." He took the Jacket off, seeing as he didn't want to wear it.

Ivan changed quickly into some boxers and a grey t-shirt. He looked back at Snatch, noticing that he had claw and scratch marks all over his neck. He frowned. There was no doubt the poor thing has even more all over his body.

Ivan laid in the bed next to him, Snatch curling up next to him. He looked up at him. "Just so we're clear, I'm not sleeping with you because I want to….I'm tired and it's convenient."

Ivan laughed, petting his hair "Good night Snatch."

Snatch snuggled into him. "Good night Ivan."

And with that they both fell asleep.

"I-I'm sorry Mistress! B-But the boy…..H-He just escaped!"

The sound of acid dissolving skin rang through the room. The guard shrieked, holding his eye.

The women looked up, stern green eyes glaring "Let that be a lesson to you! I want that boy found. I will not lose money because of your incompetence!"

One of the more shady looking guards smirked "What can we do to him once he's back?"

The women returned the smirk "Beat him, torture him, rape the boy if you want. I couldn't care less. So long as he's alive, he gets me money." She dismissed them. She looked back towards the window.

"That Bandersnatch thinks he can get away from us, huh? Think again."

((Ooooh~! Suspence. Please contiune on to Chapter !