Demon: Hello Everyone! I know I've been out for a while now, but I have Finals to study for. Unfortunately, I won't be doing too much until January, but hopefully I can get some done before then.

Amy: You better, Demon! And What about MY story?

Demon: Relax, Amy. A Friend in Need is still kicking. I just need some time. My USB drive got lost during Thanksgiving, so I'm back to square one right now.

Chris: Amy, you're not even in this story. At least, that's what I heard.

Demon: You heard right, Chris! You're being paired up with someone else this time.

Amy: Who's Chris hooking up with now?

Demon: Vanilla.

Chris/Amy: What?

Demon: Don't be pissed at me. The Pervy ANBU made up the idea. I'm going to make it for him.

Chris: Why Vanilla?

Demon: Look, Chris. Scan your name in the M rated stories. Aside from AFIN and Chris's girls, it's nothing but Yaoi stories. Unless you want me to put you in one of those, I suggest you shut up for now.

Chris: Eep! Okay, I'll shut up!

Tails: Damn, Chris! You're a player!

Chris/Demon/Amy: Shut up Tails!

Ages: Chris (Memory): 12/ Normal time: 18

Cream: 14

Vanilla: 30

Love: Smells Like Vanilla

Chapter 1: Remembering the Past

The sky was shining and the birds were chirping. A house was seen in a beautiful field, a dirt road connecting the house to the asphalt road about a hundred feet away. In the front yard, a young girl was frolicking in a group of flowers in the yard. She wasn't a normal girl. She was a rabbit. Her name was Cream. She was dancing in the flowers along with her blue chao, Cheese. Cream enjoyed playing with Cheese whenever she had some free time. Beside being fun and always having someone to play with, it helped Cream handle one memory that upset her still. She remembered her adopted older brother, who came to know Cream and her friends when they traveled to his world: Earth. She remembered landing in Station Square with her friends Sonic, Amy, Tails, Knuckles, as well as her mother and chao. Cream began remembering the experience and sat down, her chao used to this ritual.

Sitting in the flowers, Cream allowed her mind to travel, returning her to Station Square six years ago. She remembered how all of the others were surprised at where they were. Sonic ended up finding a boy, or rather the boy found Sonic in his pool, and the group became fast friends with him. Throughout the time they were on Earth with him, and the time he spent with them on their world, Cream developed a deep bond with the boy, who was also an only child. Cream and the boy were very close, even though nobody else noticed it. Well, nobody but one noticed it. Cream's mind continued to wander about in her memories with her friend, whom she considers an older brother.

Meanwhile, an older rabbit watched Cream through the half-open window. Feeling the gentle breeze blow by, the rabbit watched her daughter sit in the flowers. This rabbit, who was quite young, despite being a mother, was known as Vanilla. She watched Cream, knowing full well what she was thinking about. 'She's still thinking about Chris,' Vanilla thought to herself as she continued to enjoy the breeze. 'I wish Chris would visit someday. I know Cream's happy, but I remember that smile she wore when Chris was around.' Vanilla was right. Cream was usually happy, but Chris being around brought it to a whole new level. Again, only Vanilla noticed this. Cream was beaming whenever Chris was around. He always spent time playing with her whenever the team wasn't out looking for chaos emeralds or fighting Eggman. This, for some reason, brought a great deal of happiness to the young rabbit, who was awfully upset when Chris left for Earth. Since then, Cream never showed that level of happiness, even to Tails. Vanilla knew Cream liked Tails, but noticed that Cream still didn't have that same level of joy that she once had.

Sighing deeply, Vanilla prayed that one day Chris would return, if only for a visit, so she could see Cream's beaming smile again. Noticing the sky begin to darken, Vanilla poked her head out the window. "Cream, sweetie. Time to come in now." Vanilla called out to her daughter. "Okay, mom. I'll be right there!" Cream replied as she turned around and stood up. Walking back to the door, Cream prayed for the same wish as Vanilla. As Cream made it back into the house, Vanilla decided to ask Cream something. "You were thinking about Chris again, weren't you?" The young rabbit nodded, a slight frown appearing on her normally joyful face. "I just wish that I'd be able to see him again. I know I don't love him romantically, but I love him like the brother I never had." Cream muttered as she embraced her mother in a hug. "Well, let's not worry about that right now. It's almost time for dinner. Come on, Cream. Let's go make something." Vanilla led Cream into the kitchen, ready to make something to eat and trying to forget about the upset feeling both had from remembering Chris's departure from Mobius back to Earth.

Meanwhile, back on Earth…

Christopher Thorndyke was busy punching a few buttons on a device about the size of a cell phone. The buzzing coming from the device echoed throughout the empty room. 'Finally, I can meet up with Sonic and the others again,' Chris thought to himself as he picked up his duffel bag, which contained all of his clothes. Reaching into his pocket, Chris pulled out a shard of a gleaming green gem. "The Master Emerald," Chris muttered to himself, looking at the small fragment that was given to him by Knuckles the Echidna. Chris remembered how difficult it was for the red echidna to break off the small piece to give to Chris as a goodbye gift. Sliding the fragment into the device, Chris took one last look at the abandoned building that was once his family's home. "Finally, I can go back and have someone around to be with." Chris closed his eyes and pressed a button on the device. After a few seconds of buzzing, a strange flash enveloped Chris and his bag. A second later, the boy had disappeared in a flash of green light.

Demon: I know it's a short chapter, but I plan to go pretty far with this story too. Hopefully, I can get Chapter 2 up by Friday. I also hope to have AFIN chapter 10 up either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Chris: Why was the house abandoned?

Demon: In good time, Chris. In good time.

Amy: Sorry, but I can't stay away from Demon or Chris. Even if I'm not in the story, I'm still helping out.

Demon: That's fine, Amy. In fact, you and the others will be in the story soon, even if you're minor characters at first.

Amy: Woo Hoo!

Demon: Anyway, Watch out for AFIN Chapter 10 and Chapter 2 of Love: Smells Like Vanilla! Please Read and Review!

Amy: No Flames! (Holds up her Piko-Piko hammer and a greased stake)