My first Sonic fic and my very first yaoi story. I've already written nine chapters as this, but I will not post any more until I reach the final chapter. Think of this as a preview of what's to come. Enjoy.

Chapter 1

"Two pounds of apples, a bundle of bananas, 10 bags of chips…" Sonic mumbled to himself as he threw whatever he could grab his hands into his grocery cart. The already filled-to-the-brim cart earned various curious glances from the other shoppers nearby. However, the blue hedgehog paid them no mind; his current focus was on stocking up on as many room temperature food he can find… as well as fruit. In a week's time, a special event would begin, an event that was dreaded by all male (and a few female) bachelor hedgehogs.

Mating season.

Thus we find the hedgehog hero preparing to hide for the next few months as he tried to evade the no-doubt intoxicating scents of any and all female hedgehogs. He would take great care to avoid them especially Amy.

Sonic shuddered in fear as the pink hedgehog crossed his mind. That girl would go through great lengths to get him to fall in love with her. Heck, she literally altered her age so she would be old enough to go out with him without it being as awkward. No doubt if he ran into her during mating season, her scent combined with his primal instincts/urges would lead to very unwanted actions whether it be romantic or sexual. At the moment, he was content with his bachelor life. He couldn't imagine being tied down in any way.

The blue furball found himself at the checkout counter; he grinned sheepishly at the flabbergasted look the employee gave at the sight of the overloaded shopping cart. Slowly, the human took out one of each of the products in the cart and counted the clones. Then, the employee scanned each item and multiplied it by how money the hedgehog had in his cart.

Once this was over, Sonic was going to go back home and finish packing his things up. Afterwards, he and Tails were going to rendezvous with Knuckles and Manic at a secret location only the four of them knew. There, Sonic and Manic would hide in the comforts of their friends until mating season cooled down enough to not jump a female hedgehog against their will. Well, that or spend all of his cash and energy charming the women just so he could sleep with them for one night and never see them again. He was not only a bachelor, but a gentleman and a hero. Like he'd ever take advantage of a woman like that.

Sonic had invited Shadow to join their cowardly retre – er, camping trip, but the ebony hedgehog had turned it down. Apparently, the ultimate lifeform had the ultimate willpower so he wasn't worried about accidentally mating someone nor was he worried about being stalked by hormonal hedgehog girls. At least, that's what Sonic thought as he paid a large amount of money for his provisions. Azure ears folded back as their examined all of his products.

Right now, he was more worried about getting all the food back to his and Tails' house… which was a fair distance away.

Tails scavenged through the pile of camping equipment in the middle of his living room. With each item he found, he crossed off it off on his check-list ensuring that they would have it during the next few months.

The kitsune was well aware of that the hedgehog mating season was approaching and approaching fast. He could still recall the fidgety way Sonic would first stalk a female hedgehog before going after another and another and another. Luckily, he got distracted so much that Amy hardly had a chance to get him to mate her. By the time either of them had realized what was happening to the blue furball, Tails decided to lock Sonic up in isolation. The fox examined his older brother to determine why he was behaving so strangely before he finally came across an answer in the form of Amy. While the pink hedgehog was oblivious to the hero's current conundrum to accurately describe what Sonic was feeling, Tails had managed to scrounge up a sound theory.

To put it simply, it was Sonic's first time experiencing the intense effects of mating season. Of course, he knew about it prior to stalking girls which made Tails question what had changed during the past year. After speaking thoroughly with the blue hedgehog, the two-tailed fox was able to more-or-less confirm his theory. The years before, Sonic was too young for any sexual hormones to "activate" in a sense. As he continued to grow, said hormones began to finally make themselves known. However, it was still tolerable enough for Sonic to ignore his urges. Once that was no longer an option, it still wasn't enough for him to act on them in a lustful rage.

Until last year when it became too much for the hedgehog to handle. Girls became 'players' in the 'mating game' sooner than the boys as they matured faster. When Amy altered her age, she felt the lustful urges other girls her age felt though it wasn't nearly as strong yet. She could have easily resisted the urges and – since her scent wasn't as strong as the more mature females – she could've also remained safe from any male hedgehogs. Unfortunately, she knew that she could use this erotic season to have Sonic claim her as his mate. Even more unfortunate, she was naïve when it came to knowing how Sonic would claim her meaning she wasn't entirely aware of what 'claiming' actually meant. Like Sonic was going to have that particular conversation with the pink fangirl. Birds and bees? Have someone else teach her and possibly scar her for life! He still had yet to properly explain it to Tails! It was through sheer willpower that Sonic hadn't claimed any females last year though there were many, many, many opportunities when he could due to hedgehog fangirls throwing themselves on him.

Fortunately for the speedster, he discovered if he was far away from any female hedgehogs (as males weren't affected by the scent of other males) he wouldn't feel nature persuading him to mate with a nice-smelling girl. So he and Tails (who was not about to leave his brother during the strange time) packed up their bags and traveled far away from civilization. They had encountered Knuckles during their trek and managed to convince the red echidna to join them in their quest for sanctuary. Once they found a place to settle for the more heat-filled months of the mating season, they found a green hedgehog named Manic who was also hiding from the horny female hedgehogs. Like Sonic, Manic had no desire to find a mate soon and did not want Mother Nature to force him to find one practically against his will. Once the season became more tolerable, Manic, Sonic, and Tails said farewell and went their separate ways. Knuckles had left periodically to ensure that the Master Emerald was still safe. Nevertheless, Sonic managed to convince Manic and Knuckles to rejoin their camping expedition the next time mating season came around.

As such, Tails was making absolutely certain that all their necessary equipment was packed and ready while he waited for Sonic to return with the food. Speaking of which, the fastest thing alive was awfully slow on his return. The older was gone for a few hours now.

"Yo, Tails! I'm back!" an all-too-familiar cocky voice called out to his little brother as its owner grunted with each push he gave the overflowing shopping cart.

Baby blue eyes widened at the mountain of food. Calculating the amount of food and the length they needed to be away from any civilization with female hedgehogs, he commented, "That should last us long enough as long as we only eat when needed." He turned back to his checklist – each item had at least two check marks next to its name. "But considering your appetite, you think it will be enough?"

Sonic shrugged leaving the cart outside as he walked beside the orange fox. "If it means staying a bachelor for a little longer then I'll manage. Besides, you or Knux can always go shopping for food if we can't find any in the wild."

Tails nodded in acknowledgement before mentally reviewing everything one final time. He finally put away the checklist and glanced at Sonic. "If there's nothing else, I'd say we're good to go right now."

Truthfully, it would be easier to start leaving for their destination as soon as possible before Sonic became victim to nature's ways.

"Wait one sec, little bro." the taller told him. After being asked an unspoken question, the speedster continued, "I want to see if I can't persuade Shadow one final time."

"But Sonic, he already decline four times." The fox reminded him. "He's stubborn. What makes you think he'll say 'yes' this time?"

"I'm not sure he will accept this time, but I can be just as stubborn." He smirked. "Besides, it can't hurt to ask."

Tails resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he knew with Shadow, asking the wrong question or getting on the black hedgehog's nerves could end up with someone getting hurt – and that someone was not the ultimate lifeform. Then again, it was Sonic. He always managed to find a way to get on the anti-hero's nerves whether purposely or accidentally. Both ended up getting hurt when they fought each other, both were almost equally matched in every aspect, and both were stubborn as hell.

All the kitsune could do was hope that the two would be smart enough not to get into a fight that ended with Sonic not being able to help the eight-year-old genius drag all their equipment to their home for the next few months.

Night claimed the streets as teenagers and adults roamed around from club to club. The occupants of said streets refused to give in to sleep instead enjoying to dark entertainment hidden from the rest of the world. Night clubs and bars stayed opened until dawn when their customers regained some sense of control and dignity. Not that all customers were shameless, but people were more open to certain… activities in the safety of darkness. One such open club was Club Rouge owned by infamous thief Rouge the Bat. Her employee, roommate, and partner in GUN missions Shadow the Hedgehog found himself being endlessly annoyed by Sonic the Hedgehog who was all but clinging to the ebony hedgehog's side as he tried to persuade the darker to join him and his friends in their camp outing. Shadow 'was' working as the bartender that night, but once finding out that Sonic wasn't going to leave him alone easily – not that he ever did – Shadow asked one of Rouge's employees to cover for him as he tried to lose the blue hedgehog to no avail.

"C'mon Shads, it's going to be a hedgehog pandemic next week! Girls will be coming from left and right never leaving you alone for even a moment until you take one of them." Sonic stated to the darker hedgehog in an exaggerated manner.

"Then that's my problem." The ultimate lifeform told him as he stalked towards the other side of the room. "I'll deal with them how I wish to deal with them."

Emerald eyes held a curious look as their owner continued to stay by the other's heels. "You're not going to hurt them too badly, are you?"

The biotic hedgehog did not wish to harm them too badly. He wasn't going to kill someone simply because they were victims to nature's ways especially considering how it would be mainly his fault – albeit a fault he had no control over. Besides, mating season tended to handicap his abilities. Though, he may damage them a bit, "Enough to send them a message."

The azure hedgehog frowned at the response not liking the idea of someone getting hurt by his dark counterpart because they wanted him as a mate. "O-kay, but if you come with us you wouldn't have to resort to violence to fend off hormonal hedgehogs."

Hah! That's what he thinks. Shadow thought to himself bitterly. True, he was tempted to join Sonic and his friends and be free of many hedgehogs that'd cause him tons of annoyance during the next few months, but then he'd be stuck with Sonic and his friends. Considering the sanctuary Shadow found years ago was nearby their campsite, the ultimate lifeform found that staying confined in Club Rouge for the next months was his safest bet. Plus, he'd be in more danger if he was around Sonic during this particular season. If Gerald was right, and Shadow's been in enough situations to know he was, then the title 'ultimate lifeform' became absolute bullshit during this season despite how hard Shadow tried. He had to waste a lot of energy that he couldn't always restore in time.

He was lucky he hadn't run into the blue furball in the past during mating season.

He continued to stomp away in silence.

"Shadow, come with us!" Azure tried to convince the darker in one final attempt.

"Faker, for the last time no!" He sharply turned around to jab his finger at the hero's chest. "And if you want your 'secret' location to remain a secret from a certain pink hedgehog, then I suggest you take my answer and leave!"

Emerald orbs widened in slight fear before narrowing at equally fierce crimson orbs. They were nose-to-nose. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." he threatened. As Sonic should know, Shadow made good on his threats. They weren't empty words; if he said he would do it – no matter how horrible the threat may be – the hedgehog was going to carry it out if one didn't heed his warning. Besides, in this situation even if he did bluff sometimes he was dead serious. It was a very desperate time for the ebony 'hog not solely because of the females…

The tense silence that wafted around the two rivals finally was broken with Sonic turning his back on his darker counterpart.

"Fine. If you don't want to come then don't come." The hero relented tossing a smug smirk towards Shadow. "But if it gets to be too much, then you're welcome to join us. Not even the 'ultimate lifeform' can escape nature's call for too long."

True, but not like he'd ever admit it. Instead, he rolled his eyes. "Trust me, faker, I can handle being chased down by girls."

"If you say so." The azure 'hog was about to leave when he heard Shadow call him back. Curious emerald eyes met suspicious crimson.

"Why are you so… determined to have me join you in your camping expedition?" the anti-hero asked examining the lighter's body for any sign of any hidden intention.

There was a certain reason, but that reason was something the speedster was possibly never going to admit to himself let alone his rival. Instead, the blue furball merely gave a friendly grin, "Because like it or not, Shadow, I think of you as my friend and I wouldn't want any friend of mine forced to do something they may not like especially something such as claiming a mate thanks to mating season."

"We're. Not. Friends." The other emphasized. "Despite what Rouge may have said to you, you and I are simply acquaintances and at times reluctant allies."

Sonic chuckled amused at the response. He didn't believe the other; there were plenty of times when the two hung out without a third party there to ensure they wouldn't kill each other where they actually enjoyed the other's company. The blue hedgehog did not expect Shadow to acknowledge these moments, but that didn't mean the speedster was oblivious to these times. He cherished them because it proved that Ebony didn't altogether hate him. He was content enough to think of the other as a friend and rival to not force the other to see him in the light.

"Sure, Shads, sure." The speedster winked before taking off.

Shadow rubbed the bridge of his nose trying to forget the encounter before returning to the club's bar. There he was met with an enraged Rouge who was currently trying to single-handily serve a bundle of men and women wanting to get drunk off their ass whether it be for enjoyment, escape, or because they had an addiction (those were the most violent of customers).

The bat cursed him out as she pulled the hedgehog back behind the counter and ordered him to get to work. The rush hour proved suitable enough for Shadow to distract him from any unnerving thoughts of what this year's mating season would bring him.

He only hoped it wouldn't be exhausting enough for him to turn to Rouge for help. Not only would it be humiliating, but it also would mean revealing something about himself that he would rather remain a secret.

Please let this mating season go by smoothly.