A/N: You know, you go through your life and you go through expierences that change your life forever. Me, with going through a family member's death and learning to cope with the aching heartbreak of a past relationship, you know it's tough. So what do you do with all that pain? You put it in writing. At first this was just a little experiment, but then I thought I could make a nice romantic story out of it. The result is this first chapter. Gotta warn ya though, it gets a little moodier and I'm sure you're gonna feel for Tails in this one. I also figured I'd do this along with Nightwolf cuz I'm just experimenting with new styles. So without further ado, I present: The Foxes Moment.

AUGUST 11TH

DEAR DIARY…

The pen paused on the paper, wishing for some more time to think. It was a cold evening, the ice wind creeping through the apartment window to the bedroom. A shivering two tailed fox sat on the mattress, crouched slightly as the diary laid in his lap. It had been one year-from Tail's prespective it had only been 364-since the death of Cosmo and the little fox had mourned immensely during those days. At 17 years of age now, he had lost all happiness in life and for nights, the echoing blast from the cannon had haunted the foxes mind for many a night. He gave a light sigh and brought his pen to the paper.

One year. That's how long I have suffered. 365. A number I never wish to hear. Does anyone think it's odd, counting the days down only for the anticipation of guilt and shame? This diary, used to contain my thoughts and happiness for her. Cosmo. Now it all contains are tears smeared on the pages, dark thoughts, and heartache. Sonic tried to help me today. He took me and Amy to go ice skating. Why take me to a place of ice and expect me to feel warm when all I feel is the ice cold sting of her touch? Why must she torment my mind? Why must her face torment me? In my sleep, in my mind, she is the only one that can never escape my mind. So many times I have tried to fight it, but I can't deny the fact that I have nothing but unconditional love for her.

He paused again, small droplets of tears had started to fall onto the pages. The fox fell to the side, burying his face in the leather pillows. He couldn't bare to continue. But he knew he had to finish. He wiped the tears from his eyes and sat up, facing the ice cold wind. He sniffed slightly and continued writing.

She may have broken my heart, but my heart still beats with passion. Passion? Who am I kidding? I have nothing left except the shoes on my feet and the clothes on my back. This apartment isn't worth any thing; the rent is just too much. I can't find a job and I'm watching my future spiral down into nothing. Here I sit, contemplating my future, at least what's left of it. This is it I guess. I've lost everything, my heart can't hang on anymore…I give

Mid thought, the ring of the telephone rang. Tails paused for a moment and put the diary on the bed, standing up and slowly walking to the phone. He glanced at the caller idea and raised an eyebrow before picking up the receiver.

"Yes?"

"Tails, it's me. Rouge."

The fox gave a slight smile. Rouge was the first one to come to him and help him through the days. She had become a very loyal young woman, going through her own pain but going out of her way to make sure young Tails would survive.

"Long time no talk." Said the fox.

"Yeah…" the voice hesitated. "How uh…how are you?"

"Could be better."

"Good."

Their conversations were somewhat limited, even though they both knew they had a lot to talk about.

"You know what today is?"

"Yes. Which is why I called. I...want to talk to you."

"You already are. What's so important?"

"It's about me...and Shadow."

Rouge had mentioned before that their relationship had been very rocky.

"I see." said Tails. "What happened?"

"Well...you see I'd be a little more comfortable if I could just...meet with you."

Tails glanced at his calender, empty like a blanket of snow. "When?"

"Are you doing anything now?"

There was a slight pause. "No."

"Would it be allright if...I come over? Just me? I just want someone to talk to."

Tails smiled a little more. "Sure. I don't have a problem."

"Allright, I'll see you in fifteen minutes kay?"

Tails gave a "Mmhmm." to Rouge and the line closed. Tails set the reciever down onto the phone and looked around his little apartment. Some of his clothes were on the floor [He hadn't bothered to take them down to the laundramat and dirty dishes laid in the sink. The young fox gazed around his surroundings and made his way into the kitchen to start cleaning some of the dishes in the sink. The water splashed lightly in the chrome bowl for minutes. Eventually, a buzz was heard from a panel on the wall. Tails walked over and pressed a button.

"It's Rouge."

Tails nodded and pressed another button, holding it for a moment then releasing his finger from the button. He lived on the first floor of the apartment, although it was a rare occassion if Tails decided to go outside. A knock was heard on his door and the young fox opened the door to find the seductive bat girl in his doorway.

"Hey." she said, smiling and giving the Fox a warm hug.

Tails accepted the hug and put his hands in his pockets after releasing. Rouge had developed into a fine young woman. Her bat ears had been pierced, the lipstick and make up was gone from her face. She wore a zip up blue hoody with white stripes and matching blue sweatpants.

"Make yourself at home." said Tails. "At least what I consider home."

Rouge sat down on the couch, looking around his home. "You haven't done much cleaning around."

"I know. I haven't really found the time."

"Neither have I. I've been really busy."

The fox tilted his head. "With what?"

"The new job."

The young fox had heard mention of this many times. Rouge had been bouncing from job to job, and it was hard enough having to deal with that, plus dealing with the emotional struggles with her friends.

"What did you get this time?" said Tails, his voice coming from the kitchen.

She unzipped her hoody revealing a shirt saying "Hooters."

Tails came back from the kitchen and saw this, sighing. "I can't believe you would go that low."

"Well I have to make ends meet somehow." she said.

Tails nodded, getting some water and a sandwich set up on the table. "Is Shadow okay with that?"

Rouge flinched slightly at the mention of Shadow's name. She looked up at the fox with sad eyes, shaking her head lightly. "He...kicked me out of the house. He said he didn't want anything to do with a slut so..."

It didn't take long for the two tailed genuis to put two and two togethor. "I'm sorry to hear."

Rouge sighed and placed her hody next to her, folded neatly. She took a sip of water from the bottle delicatley then put it down.

"Do you know what tommorow is?" said Tails.

The batgirl nodded. "Yes. I know you've been struggling, hun."

Tails scoffed lightly. "I wouldn't use struggling as a good enough word."

"You've got to learn to get over it then."

Tails stopped dead in his tracks, feeling like he had been slapped. "Get over it?" He turned his head back to Rouge. "In case you haven't notice Rouge, there's a journal with pages full of tears and suffering. If I can't write anything cheerful for 364 days, then no, I can't get over it."

Rouge stood up, walking towards her best friend. "I know how you feel Tails. I do." She put a comforting hand on the kitsune's shoulder.

"I keep waking up every night and that blast from the cannon STILL haunts me. Her face...her eyes...her smile...everytime I close my eyes, she's there. Don't you see? It's killing me! "Light tears streamed down the kitsune's fur. "I loved her so fucking much...AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO SAVE HER! I NEVER EVEN GOT TO TELL HER! I WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH FOR HER! I FAILED HER AND EVERYONE ELSE!"

Rouge was taken aback. She had never seen Tails act like this before. "You can't put the blame on yourself. You were young, you can't live your life with this."

"Well you're not in charge of my suffering and my pain." retorted the fox. "No one has any faith in me. No matter what I do, no matter what I say, I'm still a kid to them. I'm still that little two tailed fox in everyone's eyes."

"Tails..." Rouge sat Tails down on the couch. "Hunny, Cosmo cared so much for you. There isn't a doubt in my mind that she didn't care less. Don't let this self pity get to you. Sonic cares. Amy cares. Even Knucky cares."

Tails chuckled at the Knucky comment.

"And best of all..." she leaned in and kissed Tails on the cheek. "I care. You're an amazing guy with so much heart...where did the old Tails go? Hmm? Where did my little kitsune go?"

Tails blushed at the comment. "You know you and my mom have so much in common Rouge."

"Thank you. All I've done is watch over and care for you."

Rouge smiled and slipped her hand under Tails hand, holding it lightly. They both looked into eachother eyes and to Tail's shock and surprise, the beautiful batgirl was even closer then ever, pressing her lips right against Tails. Not only did the young fox's heart raise but for the first time in a long time, joy had slowly filled within his heart. He kissed back, warmly wrapping his arms around her. Rouge broke the kiss off and looked into Tail's eyes.

"Why...why did you do that?" said Tails, slightly confused.

"I may not be Cosmo...but I still care and I want you to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Pick yourself up and move on. You'll never be happy unless you put the past behind you."

Tails nodded, a bigger smile this time was on his face. "I'll take that advice with another kiss please."

Rouge giggled and kissed the fox again, a warm moment for Tails had finally come and he would not have wanted it any other way.