This is a collaborated story written in 2010 with ShotsOfSunshine.
The writing is going through heavy editing to upgrade the quality, so updates will be slow.
Constructive Critique is encouraged.
O X O - CHAPTER ONE - O X O
At a small village inhabited by an echidna tribe, a shriek of panic and cries of fear erupted through the marketplace. Monstrous hellhounds raged through the streets and shops, they tore down wagons, tents, and plowed through villagers alike. They demolished everything they came across. The men were mauled, and women fled with their frightened children screaming. Chaos reigned while cries of help rang across the village.
Braziers were knocked over, and the hot coal they contained tumbled out. Things caught on fire and the black tendrils of billowing smoke and ash rose above the houses. The clouds thickened with the scent of burning flesh and cloth. The stench spread and was swept by the unsettled gusts of wind towards the nearby forest.
It was not long before a creature raised its head. Its horn-like ears swiveled, and its snout directed to the wind when it caught the smell of danger.
Savage monsters unleashed their terror at the villagers in what appeared to be a losing battle. The hulking form of the beast dropped the deer it had caught and dashed forwards. Ears curved back, its snout wrinkled in a snarl and its fur bristled, it took no more than a minute to leap into the fry. It had bright-red eyes and bared blood stained fangs. People screamed in various levels of panic at seeing the new arrival.
The townspeople were soon tossed into confusion when the beast ignored them and attacked its once-brethren. The beast was a werehog twice the size of the attackers. He swatted hellhounds off the injured people and tossed others into the flames. He fought to protect the mothers and their children. The hellhounds fled in fear when they realized they didn't stand a chance against the new demon.
With the danger nullified, the werehog turned to the village. The folks directed their attention to smothering the flames. The werehog did not waste a moment to grab the nearest barrel and help. After getting over the initial shock of the beast helping them, the people hastened to put out the fires, yet kept their distance from the much larger creature.
The dark plumes of smoke dwindled and soon resided after a few hours. The fires were out at last, but not without leaving most of the village in ashes. But the village was saved, and for that the people were relieved.
The werehog's hind leg went up to scratch his side and shake the soot from his coat. With a snort to clear his nasal, he peered at the townspeople who focused on him. He was unfazed when he saw they've gathered broomsticks and pitch forks, in case he would turn on them. He let out a derisive snort, pushed to his four feet and lumbered towards the forests once more.
"Wait!" An echidna pleaded, his wooden cane clacked against the ground. His tribal garments were ruined with dirt, soot, and stains of blood colored the claw marks on his arm. He studied their saviors' appearance.
The werehog held his position and snorted at the delicious scent of blood, then narrowed his stare at the old man in warning. The werehog's fur was as dark as night and crowned with streaks of red. His arms flexed with well corded muscles, a clear sign that the beast carried a heavy build of formidable strength. The creature's palms were bare of fur and were dark blue in skin. The crimson claws were long and sharp.
"I thank you for helping us. It is not often that a demon would turn against his own kind." he gestured towards his people, who watched the werehog with uncertainty. "I am Locke. Do you have a name?"
The beast's lips moved as a deep, surly voice replied. "Shadow." He turned his body to face the swarm of villagers.
"I thank you again, Shadow. I can sense you are unlike other demons." Locke looked at the giant with a searching gaze. "Is there a way we can repay you?"
Shadow wrinkled his muzzle in irritation. "I am not interested in whatever you have to offer." he turned to leave.
"Wait, please!" Locke limped after him until he was no more than five feet away.
Shadow spun around and came face to face with Locke with a challenging snarl. Locke was startled. He tumbled back and fell on his seat with a yelp. Shadow's rank breath was hot and thick with blood, and when it met Locke's nostrils he covered his snout, it burned like firewater and his eyes got teary. Shadow stared down at him and Locke held the gaze, unafraid. Shadow was impressed, so he took a step back to give the man space.
Locke composed himself, since there was no need to offend the beast. "What brought you here? It is unlikely for a creature like you to risk his self for a village." he asked, and when he received no more than an annoyed scowl, he leaned on his cane and got up. "Could I interest you in a deal, then?"
Shadow snorted in amusement, then quirked a brow. "And what could you possibly have to offer?" he drawled and sat down, a wicked grin curved across his muzzle. "Plus, you should know better than make a deal with a demon."
The echidna pursed his lips and met the ruby eyes with a determined stare. "This has not been the first time our village was besieged by demons. I fear that many more attacks like the one which happened today may wear us down into nothing."
Shadow growled. "Get to the point." He demanded.
Locke leaned on his staff. "I would like to ask you to extend your services and protect our village." he ignored the sharp gasps which came from the villagers behind him. "We will give you the item of your choosing in return for your guardianship."
Shadow straightened up and rolled his shoulders, his muzzle stretched in a cold smile. "It seems the rest of your village is not in favor of such a deal, and they will be less pleased when they know my demands." He announced, and gave the crowed a cold look. "I require one maiden from your village as tribute. She must be young, virgin, and with no ties or attachments to another. She will be in my company for one year. When the time is up, I will leave and they will have their freedom back." While the folks absorbed his request, Shadow shook his fur and then turned towards the forest. "I will give you three days should you decide to accept this deal. On the third night, send your choice to the south river by the witching hour." Shadow shifted from a walk to a run, and his dark figure blended into the blackness of the forest.
The thick silence he left behind hung heavy in the air, and when it passed the people swarmed around Locke with rage and words of disdain. "Locke, you can't be serious!" some argued. "It is a demon!" "You can not trust him!" another snarled. "Have you gone mad, old man? I refuse to let that filth come anywhere near our women!" a third growled.
Locke raised his arms to either calm them, or threaten to thwack them with his cane, which served to silence them and drive them back to avoid a wooden stick to the skull. "Patience, people! Do you think I was born yesterday? I am aware of what we're up against." he tapped his cane on the stone ground again. "Before you all get excited, let us save what's worth saving and care for the injured. We shall hold a meeting tonight to discuss this more thoroughly when we're not on pins and needles, yes?"
The townspeople were hesitant and unsure, so he ushered them away. Locke glanced at the forest before went to survey the damage their village had sustained.
It took the village a good portion of the day to care for the injured, gather the dead for burial, and then collect what could be saved of harvest and trade goods for storage. The women and children who lost their homes were safe-guarded in an accommodated building fitted with their needs, while the leaders gathered in a massive tent. It took Locke, with help from his father Altair, and his son Knuckles much time to discuss the situation at hand.
"So we either give up one of our women to a beast that would mostly likely eat her in one gulp, under the assumption that he'd bother protecting the village for a Year?" One warrior slammed his hands on the table, which sent cups and plates to the ground. "That's absurd! Demons do not follow rules! They have no understanding to honor, nor do they respect treaties. The monster is just goading for a free meal."
Locke slammed his cane on the table to silence the warrior in display of disapproval. "Calm down. Have you not been listening at all? The demon is unlike the others. There is a sense of good within him, and if Oracle Ebony's premonitions are true, then he may be here to save us."
"But you can not guarantee that!" Another man complained. "I have daughters, and I would rather have my own blood spill than see them taken away."
"I understand, which brings us to his rules." Locke leaned on his cane, and then rubbed his chin. "She must be young, and virgin, meaning she is not to be married or engaged."
"That counts pretty much most of the women, and the rest are too young to be offered." A tribesman muttered. His arms crossed over his chest. "Cant we just offer him a sheep or a cow instead? I have a whole flock I am willing to trade. They'd keep him fed for a month."
Altair shook his head. "I believe when a demon states his demands, you can not persuade him with something else. I fear we need to see if we have any willing maidens available he would accept. After all, he did give us an option to decline."
"Why don't we just say No?" Knuckles complained.
"Knuckles, son, I understand how you feel, but I fear the situation is dire. We're growing less in number and there aren't enough able-bodied men to protect the village anymore. We can not keep up like this." Locke sighed, then stood up and surveyed the gathered crowed. "For now we have three days to think this over. Tomorrow when everyone is better rested we will see if we can fulfill the requirements, and if not, then a flock of sheep will have to do to try and appease him."
Unhappy with the results, but having no choice in the matter, the group departed to return to their homes and families. Echidna treasured their honor and pride, thus the choice was difficult: To comply and earn protection, or refuse and be annihilated.
Elsewhere, near midnight, Shadow yawned where he sprawled over an outcropped stone which overlooked the village. He was far enough as to not be spotted, his dark coat blended with his surroundings. Shadow waited for the townspeople to make an appearance, and when they didn't he got up to leave. He expected they would not outright come to him on the first night. It often took a few nights before they gathered the nerve to approach him. Shadow wondered how desperate they were. Only time would tell if it was a wise choice to make a deal with them.
He just hopped the 'maiden' wouldn't turn out to be a hired assassin like the last time he had been offered one.
Shadow snorted and pressed his nose over a tree stump to scratch it. The stench of ash and burnt cloth clung to his nostrils and made him sneeze. He trudged on over trunks and tangled bushes. These forests were overgrown and a rampant mess. They made a suitable cover for him should the villagers decide they did not want his protection, or his presence. He slunk between two arched trees, and his body slithered between entangled branches which combed his fur of leaves and knots.
On the other side of the arch, it was almost like the gnarled forest was gone. He walked through lush grass and colored balls of light floated about wherever he stepped. Shadow was not interested in the lights, as they simply belonged to sprites called 'Wisps' that lingered in the area. This was their garden, and they had many all over the world. Shadow always picked a place to nest near them, because mortals could not find them without ethereal assistance, therefore it was impossible for the townspeople to track him home without the proper means.
He reached the other side of the meadow and back in the gnarled woods, his eyes focused on the entrance of a cave. He walked in, shook out his coat, and then glanced at two occupants. One was a pink hedgehog curled up and asleep on her side. The other was a white bat who tended to the fireplace, wide awake.
"Shadow, where have you been? I was worried." Rouge admonished, her voice hushed to not wake her companion.
Shadow's ears flopped down to pronounce his apologetic tone. "Don't tell me you've been up since I left." He padded into the cave, and then settled around the two females in a protective gesture.
Rouge huffed in disbelief and pushed against his side to get comfortable. "You didn't think I could sleep with all the dead silence out there, did you? When you have ears like mine, the quieter the place is the more paranoid I get." She then wrinkled her snout and lurched away from his body. "Why do you smell like burnt hair?"
He managed a sheepish grin. "The village nearby was attacked when I was out hunting. I had caught a dear before that, but forgot to bring it with me." he nestled his head between his paws. "It was for storage anyway, let the scavengers of the forest keep it. I'll hunt for another tomorrow."
Rouge leaned against his fur again. "So, bad hair day aside, is everything all right?"
Shadow shrugged a shoulder. "Same old, same old." He leaned his snout down to sniff at the sleeping hedgehog tucked under a heavy blanket. "How is she?"
"Amy is doing much better, she was under the sun too long. I'm sure she'll be fine by morning." Rouge assured.
Pleased to hear that answer Shadow curled around them a little more, ready to turn in for the night. Rouge got comfortable and snuggled into the fur. His eyes began to droop, but one ear remained stiff and alert in case someone wandered into his territory so late at night.
A blue hedgehog yawned and kicked his feet off a table. Green eyes peered at the map on the tabletop where several black dots littered the parchment. They pulsed with life, signs of demon activities. He frowned and studied the map further. The black dots formed paths throughout his surrounding area. They looked like they were trying to form a circle, but every time they would try near the south river. The dot would not stay and would vanish the next hour.
Sonic grinned as he recalled what village resided there. "Looks like Ol' Red has a bit of a demon trouble. What kind of pal would I be to let him rot?" He murmured to himself, rolled the map and then hopped off the chair.
Sonic gathered his belongings into his knapsack, tucked his money pouch on his belt, and fled the room through the window. He had enough trouble keeping himself fed the past month and didn't want to waste his remaining few rings for a room he no longer needed. He lurked through the shadows of the night and made his way towards the echidna village. It would take a normal person two days to get there, but to him he ought to get there by daybreak.
While Shadow kept guard over his pack mates, the echidna village had gathered three maidens that agreed to become sacrifices. Knuckles loathed the terrible taste in his mouth at the thought. It was an insult to his pride, but he could not do anything about it.
He had attempted to track down the beast to his lair, but the trail had vanished once he had passed the river. It was clear that the beast had laid in wait at the edge of the forest for a while, and then returned home. Whether or not they would be able to find him again, Knuckles was not sure. Knuckles nevertheless kept guard until the first threads of dawn. He couldn't sleep. He wanted to protect his people, and being forced to succumb to the demon's exchange for protection did not sit well with him at all.
With a heavy mind he stared at the sunrise, contemplating their options. Why did it have to be like this? For so long they had lived on their sacred land while in tune with the forest. Then the sudden upsurge of demons had reared their head and wanted this area. The echidna tribe guarded their land and refused to give it up. They would not relinquish their hold to demons. Knuckles wished he knew what the demons wanted so badly.
He was torn from his thoughts a second later when he heard rustling in the nearby bushes. He jumped to his feet and readied his spear, eyes narrowed at the danger. A moment later he lowered his weapon when he met face to face with the hedgehog he knew since childhood. Aggravated and annoyed to have the pest here, Knuckles whined. "Sonic? What in the name of everything holy are you doing here?" he barked.
Sonic shook his head in disappointment. "I'm glad to see you too, red." he shoved a hand into his pants pockets, while the other adjusted the knapsack's strap over his shoulder. "Is this any way to say hello to a friend who just ran half way across the world to lend you a hand?" he arched a brow.
"Given how much you mooch, that's hardly something to be grateful to." Knuckles spat. "What do you want?"
Sonic shrugged, put a hand on his hip and grinned. "I heard your dig was under demon activity, so I figured I could do you a favor and help clean out."
Knuckles pursed his lips, expression sour and displeased. "How much do you hope to get for this?" he inquired.
"A roof and a couple of free meals will do just fine." Sonic flashed a bright smile. "Unless you're that poor?" he taunted.
Knuckles leaned against his spear with one hand and palmed his face with the other. His violet eyes narrowed at the impish hedgehog. "There is no room for freeloading, hedgehog. My village can't support an extra mouth to feed if you sit around and do nothing. You'll have to pull your weight."
Sonic waved Knuckles off with an arrogant smirk. "Of course. I'll be busy the entire time."
Knuckles' eyes narrowed further into glares and he jabbed a finger at Sonic's chest. "And stay away from the women. They're having a hard enough time as it is without you playing heartbreaker."
Sonic made a hurt expression. He put the back of one hand on his forehead and threw his head back in a display of angst. "Oh, Knux. Of all the people to misunderstand, I always knew you'd be the first to attack me first chance you got."
"Quit it with the dramatics, hedgehog." Knuckles jabbed him in the belly again, and was satisfied with the oomph he received. "If you're planning on making yourself useful, then come with me. We have a load of things to do."
"Aww, aren't you gonna ask me out for breakfast first?" Sonic fluttered his eyelashes. Knuckles roared, dropped his spear and leaped at him. The two tussled in a tangled heap of legs and arms on the ground. Knuckles cursed a blue streak as his face went as red as his fur, while Sonic laughed like a maniac.
Sonic the hedgehog was by no means a dead-weight. He was fast, and though he may not have been as sturdy as echidnas, he was still strong. He helped clean out the rubble, and showed off his muscles to the ladies whenever he got the chance. Knuckles slapped Sonic on the back of the head every time he caught him loafing around, or trying to mooch off food before meal breaks.
By sunset it was the village's second night. It was time to take a chance and offer the sacrifices. Upon being informed of the demon, then seeing the ladies offered, Sonic requested to join the group for further protection. The women were well dressed to appease the demon. At the river just as the last rays of sunlight dipped past the horizon, the ladies with Sonic and Knuckles waited by the outcropped stone.
Sonic told jokes as he attempted to relieve some of the tension, much to Knuckles' irritation. The ladies weren't pleased by this development even in the slightest. One lady in particular looked more inclined to shove the Sonic's head underwater and weigh it down with a rock. Sonic was saved from being mauled when rustling bushes were heard.
Atop the large outcropped rock was the werehog. Shadow stepped down and padded towards the group. His eyes gleamed like ambers in the dark. "I see you chose to take my offer?"
Sonic gawked as he had not expected to see a beast so huge. Shadow looked down at them as if they were mice. Sonic tensed since Knuckles had his hand on his spear.
"We've brought... choices for you." Knuckles growled with reluctance.
Shadow remained silent. He had seen how the blue hedgehog was all over the women. He had overheard their conversations long before he showed himself. "Be warned." Shadow prowled closer. "You are making a deal with a demon, and we do not cheat on our bargains." He stopped no more than five feet away from Knuckles to stare down at him.
Knuckles' gaze darkened. Sonic swallowed the lump in his throat. He noticed a flicker of unease in Knuckles eyes. "We're not the ones who should worry about deceit, demon." Knuckles spat back, his voice so sharp it defied his paled expression.
Shadow let out a derisive snort, a toothy smile crossed his muzzle. "So you say." He stood in front of the ladies.
He sniffed the first maiden in line. She looked strong, with a hint of leadership behind her eyes that showed she was fine material. However, upon closer inspection he could see her hands were worn with years of use. She was needed by her town. He passed her by and ignored how her shoulders sagged with relief. He sniffed the second maiden next. She held a certain amount of grief behind her eyes, which told Shadow that she was alone for the most part. The scent of a male lingered around her, and he could tell it belonged it another. She had someone who was courting her in secret. He passed her and ignored her puzzled reaction, and then gave the third maiden a tentative sniff. Shadow almost cringed back at the scent of death. She was in no danger of dying, but there was someone close to her that was. No doubt she had been caring for that person.
Shadow wrinkled his snout in an annoyed scowl. "None of these meet my requirements."
It was then Sonic decided to run his mouth. "What a surprise. Can't expect the likes of you to appreciate ladies like these, huh?"
Shadow craned his head towards the upstart youth and bared his fangs, then lumbered towards him. Sonic's quills bristled and he tensed, fists up and ready for a fight if it came down to it, but Shadow only stepped closer to take a long sniff. This was a hedgehog that had no family, and was not pure by any stretch of the word. He had many bed-mates in the past. Shadow thought this hedgehog would not have anyone coming after him, unless it was to wretch their broken heart back from his grasp.
Shadow let out a mischievous smirk and pointed his snout at Sonic. "This one." He declared.
The confused silence that lingered was so thick, not even the werehog's claws could slash through. Three seconds later everyone shrieked a loud and unified "WHAT!?" at the demon who coiled back at the cry that rang in his ears. An even heavier silence followed afterwards. Shadow stared at Sonic, and then flashed a sinister leer that had Sonic coil back and bristle his quills even higher.
The blue one, indeed, would make for an interesting 'maiden'.
Sonic felt his heart beat in his throat. It was so tight it made it difficult to swallow. "Either your stupid is showing, or you need a good pair of glasses, buster!" He snarled, with tightened fists he raised them once more. He missed the drained look on Knuckles' face. "Do I look like a maiden to you?" he spat and stepped closer as if ready for a boxing match, their noses almost touched.
Knuckles grabbed Sonic by the arm to pull him back before he did something drastic. Knuckles told Sonic to knock it off, but Sonic was too offended to think straight.
Shadow noted the challenging fire lit in Sonic's eyes, then glanced at the ladies and pointed to the hedgehog. "All in favor of voting him to be mine, say Aye."
Knuckles and the maidens looked at one another, looked at Sonic, and then back at the demon. The four of them raised their hands in agreement. "AYE."
Sonic's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Hey! You can't do that!" he screamed.
"Take it this way, Sonic." Knuckles put his hand on Sonic's shoulder and turned him away from the demon, but Shadow noticed the suppressed grin Knuckles tried to hide. "You said you'd be useful, so here is your chance to do just that. We wont need to give away our women, and the demon is... satisfied?" he glanced at the werehog in question, who nodded in approval, so Knuckles smiled in relief. "This way, everyone is happy."
"Well I'm not happy." Sonic exclaimed and flung his hands over his head, teeth bared he pointed a finger at the werehog. "I refuse to be anywhere near this fleabag."
Shadow snorted then eyed Knuckles. "Then I take it I have to forgo protecting your village? Apparently, we're not fully in agreement here."
"Let me handle that." Knuckles ushered the ladies to the side, grabbed Sonic by the arm and then dragged him further away.
Sonic grumbled and whirled to sneer at Knuckles as soon as he was released. "No! There is absolutely no way I'm going with this plan. That's not what I signed up for." He argued. Sonic's eyes were wide and his ears down. Knuckles could tell Sonic was trying not to have a panic attack. "Chores? Yeah. Heavy labor? Maybe. Being sacrificed?" he crossed his arms in a large X-shape. "NO WAY!"
Knuckles met Sonic's gaze full on and glared. "You're a bounty hunter, aren't you? Knocking the heads off of demons is what you do. So spending a little time with a werehog won't kill you." he murmured the last part in a disappointed tone. Next, Knuckles sidestepped Sonic's attempt to punch him, and grabbed his wrists. "Look! If you don't do it we'll get killed by demons, and if not him then someone else." He admonished, then his expression softened. "Also, I'd sleep better knowing you're going instead. You can at least defend yourself."
Sonic hesitated when it was put like that. He clenched his teeth and teetered on the provable fence. He wasn't happy with the arrangements, but even he had to admit letting an entire village be annihilated was too much. In hindsight, he figured the werehog would make a good opportunity to figure out the weak spots and slay him, or something.
His anger diminished and he caved in. "Oh alright. But you owe me big time after this Knucklehead. I mean it!" Sonic rubbed his chin in thought. "I figure his hide would make a bountiful sum to alchemists. Who knows, this might come in handy." he glanced at the werehog and wondered how well he can hear them.
Knuckles narrowed his eyes. "If you plan on attacking him then don't link yourself to the village, since you're not one of us we can't be held to be responsible for your actions."
Sonic threw his hands up again in anger. "Oh sure, throw me to the wolves and abandon me."
Knuckles didn't answer. He met the other with a poisonous sneer of his own, balled his fists and resisted the urge to punch the snout off Sonic's face. Knuckles gestured for the ladies to stay calm, and then returned to the demon. "We have come to an agreement. Sonic the Hedgehog accepts to join you for a year in exchange that you protect our village. But!" Knuckles stared at the demon from under his eyebrows. "Since he is not a part of out village, we are not held responsible if he misbehaves."
The werehog looked at the sour hedgehog. He shook his head in approval. "Then allow me to rephrase my demands. He will stay with me for two years that I extend my protection for that amount of time, under the condition that he behaves and does not try to back-stab me." he narrowed his eyes at the bounty hunter, who flinched. "Do we have a deal?"
Sonic was annoyed his plans had been spoiled. It seemed the werehog had better hearing than he expected. He sighed. "Yes, we have a deal. So as long as I don't need to bend over andurrmph!" he was cut off as Knuckles clamped a hand on his mouth and hissed at him not to complete that sentience.
Shadow's lip twitched, not amused. "Very well. Blindfold him." Knuckles pulled a sash from his tribal wear and used it to blindfold Sonic.
Sonic squawked as Knuckles used enough force to bend his head backwards. "Hey!" Sonic yelped in surprise and his hands scrambled for the tie that crushed his face. "Take it easy!"
Shadow turned to Knuckles who had gestured for the women to come close so he could lead them home. "Now, our deal starts from tonight."
Sonic's protests did not matter. Once blindfolded he was shoved to Shadow, who coiled his fingers around Sonic as if he were a doll, and ignored how he writhed and struggled for release. Shadow disappeared into the forest without another word. Knuckles contemplated going after them, then chose not to. His priority was to get the women back to safety.
Within the forest Sonic felt waves of energy pass over him every now and then. His quills stiffened as Shadow carried him, and his ears twitched as wisps rose through the air and brushed over his face and fur. "What's going on?" He demanded, but no sooner had he voiced his complaint, the journey was over.
Shadow walked up to the cave entrance, set Sonic down and called out. "Rose. Would you come here for a minute?"
Sonic arched a brow when he heard a girl's name. He sensed a large sum of energy next to him, which he assumed radiated off the werehog. Sonic had never felt so vulnerable.
His thoughts halted when footsteps approached, then nimble fingers touched his muzzle. He flinched back in surprise, so a sweet voice suggested he be still while she took off the blindfold. Sonic blinked to adjust his vision due to the darkness around them, and then stared at the brilliant green eyes that greeted him. On reflex he grinned and puffed his chest to look impressive. Before he could attempt anything, Shadow snorted hot breath at the back of his neck to remind him of his situation. Sonic scowled and lowered his head in displeasure.
"He will be staying with us." Shadow introduced the newcomer. He dipped his massive head down to nudge the blue hedgehog forward. Sonic stumbled, caught himself before he hit the dirt, then shot an irate sneer at the werehog. "He'll be here for two years as was agreed to with the villagers." Shadow sat down, his tail flopped to the ground.
"He doesn't look like your usual pick." Rouge sashayed out of the cave and towards Sonic to get a better look at him.
Sonic blew a wolfish whistle as he had all but forgotten his ire the second he laid eyes on the bat. "Hot damn. Look at the knockers on this gal." He elbowed Shadow on the arm with a leer. "I gotta say, for a mutt you've got some good taste in women."
Sonic's face met Rouge's palm with a resounding slap, and his rear was gifted with a similar sting from Shadow. Rouge withdrew her hand to slap him again when Shadow gestured for her not to, so she huffed in anger and pinned her fists to her sides, unimpressed. Sonic rubbed his face in agony. Shadow picked him up by the back collar of his vest. Sonic flailed and demanded to be released, which Shadow turned a deaf ear to as he carried him towards the cave
Amy thought the first impression wasn't a promising one. "Something tells me we're in for a rough ride from here." she murmured. Rouge grumbled something under her breath and followed after Shadow, so Amy followed right behind her.
Inside, Sonic had been dropped on the floor with a thump. "Gee, you people don't take well to honesty, huh? Big boobs aren't something to be ashamed of." Sonic tried not to grin as the livid reaction he received. Rouge was more beautiful when she was angry.
The loud growl that resonated in the cave, however, reminded him of his host. Sonic's smile fell and he peered at the angry eyes that glared down at him in disapproval. "Behave yourself and remember your place, hedgehog."
Sonic bared his teeth and hopped to his feet, then put up his fists once more for a fight. "Oh, that does it. You want a fight? Then I'll give you a fight! Show me what you got, fleabag. I'll knock you into next week!" he challenged.
Shadow drooped his eyelids when Sonic continued to goad him for a fight with more verbal assaults.
While Rouge shook her head in disdain, Amy held back a giggle. "He's kinda dorky, it's cute." she confessed, a light blush colored her cheeks.
Rouge jabbed a finger against Amy's forehead. "Oh no you don't. He's got 'heart breaker' written all over him. You should know better."
Before Amy could argue, a loud yelp echoed off the walls. Sonic had been pinned flat to the floor with Shadow's massive mitt. Sonic squirmed and cursed under his breath as he struggled. Without warning Shadow let out a deafening roar straight at Sonic's face. It caused filaments to fall from the ceiling and pebbles to skitter over the ground, shocked away from the confronting pair. It even pushed Rouge and Amy to stagger back from the sheer boom of that volume. Sonic went dead-still. Ears back and eyes wide open with dotted pupils. His eyes were unfocused while his mind swam in a daze. When the ringing in his ears went away, he stared slack-jawed at Shadow who loomed over him with a darkened sneer.
"Do I have your attention now, you insolent pup?" Shadow snarled, lips pulled up at the corners to expose impatient, razor sharp teeth. Sonic replied with a slow nod. Shadow didn't know how long the obedience would last so he hastened to speak. "This is where you'll be staying for the next two years. Over there is the bedding of animal skins laid for you." He pointed his snout towards the back corner of the cave, where it was cold and dark.
Sonic was quick to break the tension. "You mean I can't even snuggle up to the ladies for warm-YEOUCH!" He cried in pain when Shadow dug his thumb's claws into Sonic's side. "Okay! Okay I got it! I'll just sleep in the time out corner then." Sonic wheezed, the pressure applied to his chest made it hard to breathe.
"I also have rules you must follow." Shadow eased his hold on the hedgehog, lest he suffocated him. "You will pull your weight around when told, otherwise you will be denied meals or shelter. The further you misbehave the more sever your punishment will be."
"Anything else?" Sonic grouched.
Shadow lowered his head so his nose was within an inch of Sonic's face. "You will leave the women alone unless they directly speak with you. Until you earn my trust you are not to go near them, either." He paused to add. "Also, on the night of the full moon you are to leave me alone. You may not disturb me for any reason." He brought his hand near Sonic's face and flexed the claws for him to see. "Otherwise you might find yourself on the receiving end of these."
Sonic swallowed and then nodded once. The werehog's growls rumbled in his throat for a moment and his ears swiveled. With his dominance established, Shadow withdrew his paw and rolled Sonic over towards a pile of discarded pelts and cloth.
"Now that we are arranged, you will do well to customize your sleeping quarters in any way that suits you. You may only use the items provided for you. If you wish for any added items, you will ask them of me directly and I will provide them if I feel the need to." he told. Sonic related that tone to a snob of a teacher looking down on their students. Shadow rolled his shoulders and then turned to the women. "I shall be off for the night hunt, do you desire anything in particular for tonight?" he asked in a gentler tone that made Sonic blink in confusion.
"I think we're good as far as food goes." Rouge smiled. "We could use more cloth and skin to keep warm, though. Winter is almost here and now we have an extra hide to worry about." she sent an annoyed glance at Sonic who responded with a disarming grin.
Shadow shot Sonic a look before he left, so Sonic bared his lips in a hiss and got up to sooth his rear. The beast could snap him like a twig if he wanted. Sonic had to be mindful of that if he wanted to survive this dilemma. Attempting to get comfortable with the women was out of the question, but having the option to look and not touch was okay in Sonic's book. He turned to his bed, which he figured deserved to be called his time-out corner, and worked on making it more comfortable. The clothes and leather didn't have the stench of corpse, bleach or any material used in tanning. He hoped his hide won't get added into the pile any time soon, either. His was too pretty to be reduced into a fur coat.
He piled them over a sheet to cushion the bed. He would be able to turn the spare pelts into a proper blanket if he had a needle and thread. Sonic turned to Amy who tended to the fireplace. "Hey, got any needle and thread? I'd like to patch myself a blanket or something from these." he raised the leather pieces for her to see.
Rouge arched a perplexed brow at Sonic. He broke the main rule without a second thought. Amy smiled at Sonic and went to fetch the needle and spool. Sonic accepted the items with a charming smile. Amy got flustered and hurried away to tend to the fire again. Rouge pursed her lips and frowned at her friend with a disappointed look. Amy replied with a sheepish grin and shrugged.
Sonic pricked his thumb a few times, and when it was done he spread it on the bed, and then stood up with a yawn to stretch and pop the stiff joints. All he needed now was a pillow. Next, he lay in bed and contemplated his current situation. Although he didn't need pity from the beast, he wondered how much freedom he was allowed. He figured the werehog won't let him hunt solo thinking he would flee. Sonic may not have had any compassion to the echidna village, but even he thought that would be a dirty move.
Shadow emerged from the forest and dragged a dead moose towards the cave a moment later. Sonic gawked at how wide Shadow's maw could stretch. Shadow could swallow him whole if he wanted. Shadow dropped his catch at the mouth of the cave, and then sat down to lick the blood off his fangs. He turned to Sonic and beckoned him forward with one giant, shaggy head. His gaze mellowed as he spoke.
"I hear you're a hunter, is that true?" he inquired, and Sonic frowned before he nodded. "Then skin this and divide it into portions." Shadow reached into his shaggy mane and withdrew a knapsack that had been buried within his fur. "While I was out, I had the echidna retrieve your things for you." He tossed it at Sonic's hands with perfect aim. "I've taken the obligation to sort through your belongings, of course. Cant have you keep dangerous things without my consent." He smirked.
"Gee thanks. Your thoughtfulness means the world to me." Sonic's sarcasm made Shadow's smirk widen.
Sonic peered into the bag and tried not to show his disdain. There was almost nothing left, but at least the secret pouch wasn't open, which meant his main stash was still safe. Sonic pulled the hunting knife from his knapsack and knelt down next to the carcass. While Sonic worked, Amy and Rouge helped with skewing the meat near the fireplace to let it dry and smoke for storing.
Shadow licked himself clean. Although he could eat the whole moose in one setting, he knew he needed to stock up in case he couldn't go hunting. He and his pack arrived at this forest no more than a moon ago, so it was new territory and he hadn't found the best hunting locations yet. He had gotten some grove-goblins to enchant the arched tree grove for him to hide his trails, in exchange of protection as well, so at least his current home and pack were somewhere safe.
It took Sonic diligent work to have the last of the meat removed. With the deed done, Shadow hauled the corpse away from their home. Sonic busied himself with setting the liver, heart and kidneys to one side before cleaning his blade. The stomach and intestines had to be cleaned out, too. Once done with the blade he saw the smears of blood all over himself. He needed a bath. He tucked the knife into the knapsack again and was about to exit the cave when Shadow's return blocked his way.
To say the least, Sonic was not impressed. "Do you mind?"
The werehog looked down on him. "Where are you going?"
"What does it look like?" Sonic spread his arms for Shadow to see the mess he was covered in, and then scratched some of the flaking blood off his fur.
"Wait here then, we have soap you could use. I will provide the water." Shadow rumbled and turned around half way before he faced Sonic again. "Do not leave the den without permission, understood?" he reminded him.
"No one said I was grounded when I agreed to this." Sonic shot in irritation then scratched harder.
"You may not leave the den at night. At day you may leave so as long as you're within shouting distance, understood?" Shadow elaborated. Sonic was not thrilled with the arrangements but nodded anyway. "Good, then stay here." Shadow ordered and stepped towards a large barrel Sonic had not noticed before. Shadow picked it up and Sonic watched him fade into the darkness of the forest. He figured there was no point arguing, he didn't want to wander away and end up lost anyway.
Shadow returned minutes later with a full barrel of water. He carried it in his hands and walked on his hind legs for better balance, which served as an odd sight to Sonic who waited for him by the cave. Sonic bit back a snort and giggle, the way Shadow waddled was funny.
Shadow placed the barrel just outside the cave and then turned to Sonic, who in turn looked at the barrel with skepticism. "Where'd you get this?"
"From the river. I hope you weren't expecting quality hot spring water." Shadow jeered and walked past Sonic towards the den.
He peered in and said something to the women, then Rouge appeared with a wooden pail, and inside were a towel, brush, and a bar of soap. Sonic grinned and was about to say something when she shoved the items at his gut, and then with a satisfied smile Rouge marched back towards the den without a second glance. Shadow's lips twitched with a grin. He got comfortable in front of the cave to block the entrance.
Shadow wondered if it was a good idea to have picked this hedgehog. He wanted to see how good Sonic was with a knife, and he was not disappointed. Shadow would have to sleep with his eye open if he wanted to feel safe while he kept this one around.
Sonic pouted at Rouge's attitude, shrugged it off and then placed the items down. He reached into the water to test the temperature. It was cool but not intolerable, still he wished if it was just a little warmer. He rounded the barrel and took off his clothes. He used the pail to gather some water to wash his clothes, and then hung them to dry over a nearby branch. Once sure they wouldn't get blown away by the wind, he scooped more water to soak his fur of crusted blood, picked up the brush and soap and scrubbed away the blood stains. Next he used more water to rinse away the soap and stains before he climbed in the barrel and submerged himself.
He shuddered at the temperature drop. It didn't take long for his body to adjust and enjoy the soothing sensation. Sonic peered over the rim of the barrel towards the cave and saw Shadow had laid his head down between his paws again. Shadow looked asleep, but Sonic knew better. One of those horn-like ears was fixed towards him and listened to his every move. Time passed and Sonic felt his body grow heavy with sleep. He yawned, climbed out of the barrel, picked up the towel and patted himself dry.
Sonic caught the smell of roasting meat in the air. Rouge and Amy were making a late dinner. Shadow never moved from his position, he was not the type to be lured away with food.
Sonic flung the towel over his shoulder and headed towards the beast. Shadow's ears swiveled towards him, opened his eyes and then gave Sonic a once-over before he nodded in approval. The moonlight illuminated the wet fur which defined Sonic's build better. Shadow realized Sonic wasn't as scrawny as he appeared.
"Enjoy the view, animal?" Sonic drawled with a cheeky grin.
Shadow's narrowed glare reflected his offended reaction, and his dislike for Sonic deepened. "You better get used to being watched hedgehog."
Sonic inched back with a grimace of confusion, and then rolled his eyes in aggravation. "Yeesh. A guy tries to make a joke and they crawl all over him."
Shadow snorted at his face, then got up to allow him through. Sonic sauntered in and threw the towel over the knapsack, then settled stark naked on the blankets. There was a skin with a flank of meat prepared by his bedside, along with a bowl of gumbo and a loaf of bread. Sonic gobbled it down in minutes. Rouge and Amy enjoyed their meal at a slower pace. While Rouge pretended Sonic wasn't there, offended by his lack of table manners, Amy struggled not to glance at him, her face flushed red. She found he was even more attractive without his clothes on and it embarrassed her.
After the meal everyone was ready for a good night rest. Rouge and Amy snuggled against Shadow's side with their blankets close. Shadow sprawled on the floor in a way that curved his body into a protective arch. Sonic watched them out of the corner of his eye as he snuggled under his blanket. Sleep was heavier than Sonic's tension, so it drained away and he was snoring logs minutes later.
Shadow remained attentive to the sounds around him. Sonic's snoring and the crackling of the fireplace filled the den.