A/N: I don't own any characters aside from Katie Hedgie, Noah Hedgie, Shawn Hedgie, Lorri Hedgie, and anyone else you don't recognize as an actual Sonic character.

Way Back When…

By: Katie Hedgie

Chapter 1 Mobius, 1705

"Remember Katie, you are to be seen, not heard. Your mouth always gets the better of you, and at these outings, it is much less than needed for you to go running your mouth about vampires. Understood?" My mother repeated for the billionth time tonight. She was kneeling down to my height and had her hands on my shoulders. I looked into the eyes that were the same as mine, and nodded. "Good, you're already being quiet." She got up and flattened out her pale blue dress then patted my head, a demeaning gesture to my nine year old stature. I patted down my own dark blue dress that mother had picked out for the style to match her own dress. My top layer of hair had been pulled back tightly with a dark blue ribbon and was layered in ringlets over the rest of my hair. My shoes were relatively simple in comparison to my mother's; hers had heels that went far off the ground and were pale blue silk. My own were dark blue and flat. I was wearing a pink opal pendant around my neck on a silver chain. I was the only member of my family that could wear silver because I was not yet a werewolf. Not technically at least. I still had about nine more years to go until I officially became a werewolf. The opal on my necklace represented my birthstone, the birthstone of October. My brother was still much too young to begin his training to become a wolf, or to even come to these werewolf events. He was only five.

Okay my girls, it's time for us to leave. Lorri, does Theo have the carriage ready?" My father asked my mother.

She nodded," I had him bring the carriage to the front a few moments ago."

My father grabbed my gloved palm in his own and my mother grabbed my other. Noah looked at us sad, he longed to be a part of our own little wolf circle. We were ready to leave, to go to the glamorous world of werewolves.

But, I wouldn't be keeping my mouth shut.

When we arrived, the venue was already quite alive. My father left to mingle with the other leaders of larger packs, whilst my mother pulled me around the room to introduce me to the boys my age. I knew what she was trying to do, and it wouldn't work. She wanted to have me get married on my sixteenth birthday to one of the other pack leaders sons, particularly Gabriel, who's own family was the leaders of the most powerful pack in this part of Mobius, and very wealthy. I had my sights set though, but I never told anyone. After all, I was only nine, what did my opinion matter?

We were in a large circle of my mother's friends and their sons and daughters. I chose that moment to open my mouth. "If I were to be a vampire, I'd rather be a real vampire than those fool vampires who prefer to chow on flickeys. I'd much rather feed on mobians, strike them with fear." My mother laughed nervously and excused us from the group, where everyone was whispering nervously, no doubt about my comment.

"What were you thinking? I'm trying to make sure you are familiar with werewolves, and you keep blathering on about vampires! I told you to keep your mouth shut! They'll never trust you again Kathryn, you only get one chance to make a first impression." I rolled my eyes at her."That's it, we're leaving. I'll grab your father, who will not be happy about this. You stay here, and I mean it!" She walked off briskly.

I didn't stay. Nor did I have any want to stay. I had spotted a vampire already this evening, I had to find him, quickly, preferably before he tried to run again. I was fast, but not fast enough for a vampire. I took off running. Gabriel called after me, but I glared at him, a look that meant 'shut your mouth and let me escape.'

I knew the vampire I was chasing, not well, but I knew him. I'd talked to him on occasion, although it was strictly prohibited. He seemed friendly enough.

"Espio! Wait up! I'm still a mortal you know, I can't run that fast!"I yelled.

Espio jumped down from one of the higher branches of a tree. "I didn't particularly like that vegetarian vampire comment you made in there Katie, it was rude to me."

I chuckled. "I knew you were there, that's why I said it, I had to get your attention and I had to get out of there. Werewolf parties are so boring!"

"You do realize you cannot be my friend because of your blood, right?" He asked.

"Yeah, I know, but even not really being friends is better than me having to deal with other nine year old werewolves."

He rolled his eyes. "Well, regardless, your parents are looking for you. I'd better leave. Preferably before they sharpen the iron or light the torches." He chuckled. "And by the way, by the sounds of their conversations, you're in trouble."

"As always." I replied.

Time for a lecture.

I'll submit the next chapter ASAP. Enjoy, and feel free to review!