Chapter 1: Gift of Friendship

"Looking up at the sky... always seemed to have a calming effect on me... especially clear sunny days like today..." The young fox thought to himself, "The sky always seems to set my mind at ease, takes me away from my worries and work, and leaving me peacefully with my thoughts. Sure, my inventions always have me thinking, but not like this. My inventions seem to always get me overworked, and mad at times when I can't seem to get something just the way I want it. Even when I'm finally able to get something just right, I feel proud of myself; but when I'm looking into the sky, I don't have to worry about inventing, or fixing anything, and I can just relax and think about anything I want. Cream always said I should do this more often."

Tails continued staring up into the sky, thinking back on everything that has happened ever since the day Sonic left. Yep, Sonic moved out of the city with his new family several years ago. It's not like Sonic and Tails were truly separated though, Sonic could be by him in a matter of minutes, or possibly even seconds; if he ever wanted to visit. He was the worlds fastest hedgehog after all. Tails understood though, Sonic was just growing up. He finally settled down with her, Amy Rose, and had a child of their own eventually. Tails knew it was the right thing in the end, despite that, he was still surprised when he first heard about it several years ago, none the less he was still very happy for them both. Cream, being herself, was absolutely thrilled when she first heard of them and congratulated both of them on it. Everyone else though, it was hard to say.

Knuckles knew about it, but never mentioned what he thought of it. Tails knew somehow though, despite whatever little grudges he may or may not have had with Sonic, Tails knew inside, that Knuckles was happy for them. As for Rouge or Shadow, no one had a clue, for they haven't been seen in a long time. I guess it was because everything seemed to be more at peace. Through out all of the past adventures, the three heroes always ran into them when something was going on, that usually included a plot by Dr. Robotnik to gather the seven emeralds for his own selfish needs. The thing is though, He hasn't shown himself for as long as those two. Though it seemed kind of nice for them, they would never forget about the doctor. It's been so long though, longer than usual, maybe he finally settled down? Even when he didn't show up he was a pain, it's hard to relax knowing he could strike at any minute, but it's been so long, a few years maybe.

Tails didn't want to think about it though, all that mattered was now, and right now he was relaxing. There he layed, in the quiet tranquility of the land and ocean of where his workshop was built by... well besides with the train station not to far from there. It didn't bother him too much, he didn't hear it that often anyhow. Speaking of such, Tails staring at the sky, as he heard the train coming in. He figured it was just more people exploring the Mystic Ruins. Not a lot of people came around the Mystic Ruins anymore, but it didn't really bug Tails anyhow. Tails didn't really talk to many of the people that came by, he barely talked to most of his friends... well except for Cream. In the years that passed by, Tails grew closer to Cream, as well as Cream to Tails. They were practically, if not, the best of friends. They had the time to get to know each other better, and a chance to visit each other often and play together when they were younger up to now. They've been friends for seven years, ever since they first met when they were six and eight. Now, they were both fifteen and thirteen, and they felt much closer to each other then when they were younger. Tails smiled at the thought, and sat up on the grass, staring out at the ocean.

Tails was startled after feeling a hand on his shoulder, and when he turned around to see who it was, Cream was kneeling next to him with a smile.

"Did I startle you?" Cream giggled.

"Not really..." Tails lied, but with a smile on his face. Cream really wasn't that different as others might think a child would after becoming a teenager. Cream was still her sweet and loveable self; with a caring heart and also with her chao Cheese, who didn't look like he aged a day since Tails first seen him. Cream wore practically the same outfit she did when she was six, except a bit longer and with her dress, she wore matching red orange pants with it.

Cream sat down next to Tails and said, "So what are you doing out here. I thought you'd be working on something."

"There hasn't been much to fix. The Tornado hasn't been damaged or in battle for so long, there's nothing to really fix on it. I just tinker with some of the other inventions. Well I have been working on something incase I need it, but not yet so far." Tails explained.

"What would that be?" Cream asked.

"I don't want to say... it's uh... a secret." Tails said.

"Oh really?" Cream raised a brow.

"Yeah... it's purpose is for defense in battle..." Tails said.

Cream nodded and just left it at that, "Oh, all right." Tails looked out at the ocean again, smiling. He was kind of happy that Cream decided to stop by. Tails turned his head at Cream and noticed that Cheese wasn't with her at the moment.

"Cheese at the garden?" Tails asked.

Cream nodded, "He wanted to play with some of his friends, so I dropped him off there after getting off the train."

"You took the train?" Tails said and thought about it, "Oh, you were on the train when it got here, right?"

Cream smiled, "Yep! I know you're thinking, I could of flew here, but I thought it'd be faster to take the train."

Tails tilted his head, "Any particular reason you wanted to get here so quickly?"

Cream faced him with a bright smile, "To see you of course, why else would I come out here... well besides the chao garden, but there isn't a time I haven't come to see you after stopping at the chao garden."

Tails' face turned a bit red with what she said, "...Thanks Cream." Tails couldn't help but feel happy that she said that. What confused him was what made him so happy to hear that, and from Cream. Tails looked out back at the ocean once again. He was always happy when Cream came out here, and just to see him. It kind of made him feel bad. For one thing, he didn't visit Cream nearly half as much as she did him. She understood that he always was working in his workshop and everything, but that didn't stop him from feeling a little guilty for it.

Tails sat there thinking about it until she spoke, "Tails?"

Tails snapped out of it and looked at Cream, "Sorry."

Cream giggled, "Your mind seems to b quite occupied with something... is something the matter?"

Tails shook his head in response, "No no... well not really anyway, it's nothing."

Cream gave an odd, but somewhat concerned look, "Tails..."

Tails looked at her for a moment and sighed, "Well, I was just thinking, you visit me all the time. I don't visit you nearly close to the number of times you visit me."

Cream broke out in a miniature giggle fit and said, "Tails, it's really no problem. I know how busy you can be. If anything I should be guilty for visiting you so much. I probably interrupt your work all the time."

Tails shook his head, "Don't be ridiculous Cream, it's always a plessure to have you visit, you're always welcome to come at anytime."

Creams turn for a slight blush. She was happy to hear him say that, flattered.

She looked at him and smiled, "Thank you Tails, the same goes for you."

Tails nodded, "Great.I'll just be sure to visit more."

Cream smiled and pulled out something from her pocket, "Here, I got you something." She handed him a small gift box with orange wrapping and a white bow on top. Tails looked at the gift, a little suprised by it.

"Cream you don't have to give me anything, I wouldn't feel right taking anything from you." Tails said not taking the gift.

Cream frowned, "Please Tails, I got it for you... think of it like a gift of friendship."

Tails looked at Cream for a moment and thought about it, then eventually taking the gift, "Thank you, Cream..." Creams face instantly brightened up as Tails took the gift. Tails tore off the ribbon and began unwrapping the gift. He took off the top of the box and from the box pulled out his gift.

"A cell phone?" Tails said a little surprised looking at his gift.

Cream nodded, "Yep! What do you think?"

Tails looked all around his cell phone, still not understanding why. "I don't get it, why would a cell phone be a gift of our friendship?"

"Don't you understand? With a cell phone, we can talk to each other anytime we're not together!" Cream explained cheerfully. Tails was more surprised now then he was when he first saw his gift. She really wanted to talk to him that much? Most of the time they were most likely hanging out. Tails smiled at the thought, he knew they were close friends, but he didn't know she'd want to talk to him so much.

Tails smiled, but was still not satisfied, "That's really sweet Cream, thank you... didn't this cost you a lot? Wouldn't I need to get a plan and..."

Cream shook her head and cut him off saying, "Don't worry about it Tails, I said it was a gift of friendship, it doesn't matter how much it was, I have everything worked out, I promise."

Tails still felt bad for receiving such a gift, "I don't have anything to give you in return..."

She giggled once again, "You still don't get it Tails, it's a gift. I don't want anything from you except your friendship."

He stared at her for a moment and smiled, "That's what I want from you too..."

Cream leaned over to Tails and hugged him, "I'm glad..." Tails was very confused on how Cream was acting. He knew how kind and caring she could be, but he really didn't expect her to do something like this as well as what she said. Tails figured she was just really happy for their bond throughout the years.

Tails eventually hugged her back, "Me too..."

Cream eventually broke the hug, but stayed right next to him and asked, "Should I show you how to use your cell phone?"

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure I'll figure it out. I think all I would need is your number; I mean you got a cell phone too right?" Tails responded and asked her.

Cream grinned, "Don't worry about it. I put my number in before I wrapped it up. It also has the numbers of Sonic, Amy, and Knuckles there as well."

Tails was a bit shocked to hear Knuckles on there, but decided to wait to ask him about it later if he got to talk to him.

"Great," Tails said, "call me anytime."

Cream smiled, "Same goes for you too." As they were talking, Cheese flew up to the two of them, and landed on Cream's lap. Cream looked down at her little friend and rubbed his head. "I think someone's ready to go home, it is getting pretty late as well." she said getting up from her spot along with Tails, holding onto Cheese.

"I didn't realize how late it was getting, I guess the day just flew by." Tails said looking out at the sudden sunset.

Cream smiled, "It was nice seeing you again Tails, we'll see you again tomorrow if that's all right with you."

Tails nodded, "Of course it is, anytime." After saying their good byes, Cream was back on her way home. Tails kept her eyes on her, until she was near the train and boarded once again back to Station Square. Tails smiled as he made his way back to his home. He turned his head to the train as it began to depart, with Cream aboard it. Tails pulled out his new cell phone and browsed through the numbers of the others. He decided that he would make a few calls to them tomorrow, and decided for now to mess around with his cell phone, to give him something to do until the time he decided to go to bed. Unexpectedly, his phone started to ring. He checked to see who was calling. Creams number and name lit up on the screen. Tails blinked, "Well, that was certainly quick."

Yay, I am back with a new story. Sorry about not writing anything for a while. My other story of Shippo I will still continue on, don't worry. I just wanted to try something new for right now. I hope everyone enjoys this new story.