The Meaning of Christmas

Chapter 1

Snow flakes fell gently to the ground; on Angel Island, Knuckles sat at the shrine where the Master Emerald lay. It was the week of Christmas, and he had received an invitation to Amy's Christmas party at the park. He heard something in the trees and turned to look just as the bat flew over and sat next to him.

"Why, hello there Knuckie; so you got an invitation to Amy's party too?"

"Yea, but I'm not sure if I should go."

"Well, why not? It could be fun, and I really want you to go. Besides, I'M going."

Knuckles looked at Rouge with a confused expression. Why was she acting like this? The only time they had ever really talked was when they shot insults at each other. The two had always been rivals, but Rouge actually sounded sincere in wanting Knuckles to go.

"Why do you care anyway?"

Rouge bat her eyelashes at him and scooted a bit closer. Knuckles became uncomfortable and scooted away a bit more, only to have her scoot in even farther. What was going on? Rouge now stared at him, and something in her eyes made him lose his breath altogether. He never noticed how deep they were or how pretty.

"Do you know why I want you to go Knuckie?"

"N-no, I don't." He could barely get a word out. He was now pressed against the shrine with Rouge's face just inches away from his.

"Do you want to know?"

"Uh, okay." He gulped; she was so close he could smell her perfume. It caused his stomach to flutter with anticipation.

Suddenly, she pulled away and gave him a smile. He blinked in confusion and looked at Rouge's smug grin.

"You had wanted me to kiss you, didn't you Knuckles?"

Knuckles' face blushed scarlet as he realized the situation.

"No, I didn't! You just caught me off guard is all!"

"Sure, Knuckie, whatever you say."

"I MEAN IT!!"

"Calm down big boy; I was only teasing. But I do want you to go."

"Oh? And why is that?" said Knuckles, sarcasm dripping from his voice as he glared at Rouge.

"Because," at this she whispered in his ear, "I have a surprise for you, but you have to go to the party to find out."

After this statement, she spread her wings and took off, leaving the red echidna even more confused then he was before. Even for a bat she's batty. Knuckles thought. He stared down at the invitation. Maybe I should go, just for curiosity's sake. With that settled, he returned to guarding the Master Emerald; but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the intense feeling in his chest he had when Rouge had only been inches away from his face.