Sorry it's been so long since I last updated, but this chapter and the next one were giving me some problems. Anyway, Hope this chapter is as good as the last.

Disclaimer: I don't own. Simple as that.


Chapter Two: The Sonic Meeting

Tails halted a good hour into the forest in front of a large, hollowed out tree stump. Severus easily recognized it as the entrance to the Freedom Fighter's Headquarters, Knothole Village. Severus knew that it was a jealously kept secret, though, so he pretended to be confused for Tails' sake.

"Something wrong, kid?"

Tails shook his head but blushed and started stuttering, "I-I-Could you close your eyes a minute, please? And stay here?"

Severus raised an eyebrow curiously -for once he had no clue what was going on- before nodding and flopping down. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes -meditating and strengthening his Occlumency shields. He doubted that anyone here could "read minds," but it was a great way to clear and organize his mind.

After making sure his eyes really were closed, Tails could be heard shuffling off to who-knew-where. Once silence reigned again, Severus pushed thoughts of the outside world aside.

SSXSTH

A relatively short time later, Severus sensed Tails return before he heard his footsteps crack the fallen leaves.

"May I open my eyes now?" he drawled, loving the fact that his voice was exactly the same as it had been, even if he'd been somewhat de-aged.

"OH!" Tails jumped, not having expected Severus to have sensed him so soon. "Uh, yeah."

Severus opened his eyes and saw the kit fidgeting -a bad sign when he had been so bold earlier. "So?"

"Eh…" Tails started, but gulped as Severus stood up.

Severus snorted, "Guess that answers my question."

He rubbed at the quills on the back of his neck.

"Look, kid. I won't try to make you take me home. I'm going to guess that your guardian said no, so I'll just be going."

As Severus turned his back to Tails, the kit called out, "Wait! What's your name?"

Severus halted a moment, and without turning around threw his answer over his shoulder, "Onyx."

SSXSTH

Onyx, as he named himself, used his magic to fly into a tree for a higher view. It had been several hours since he'd left Tails alone in the forest near Knothole Village, and it was getting dark -he needed a place to sleep for the night.

He supposed that he could sleep in the tree and use a warming charm to keep from becoming an Onyx Popsicle, but he would prefer a more traditional sleeping arrangement.

Preferably with a bed and pillow, or even just the pillow!

Really. He wasn't all that picky.

He had just settled with his back against the trunk about ten minutes later, when he heard a Sonic Boom.

'Heh,' Onyx snickered to himself sleepily. 'Sonic owes me a life debt and he's completely unaware of it!'

Before closing his eyes, Onyx cast wards to wake him should anything larger than a housecat get too close to his tree. He also cast wards to keep fliers away to prevent birds from settling on the tree and using him as an outhouse.

After making sure that all precautions had been taken, Onyx was out.

SSXSTH

Another Sonic Boom, closer and louder this time, woke him just after the sun made it's appearance above the tree-line. Shortly after, his wards went off, warning him that someone was getting too close. A strong wind suddenly blew, whipping the trees into a frenzy, and Onyx had no doubt that it was Sonic the Hedgehog.

The wind stopped as quickly as it started and Onyx heard, "What the heck was that!"

The sound of a shudder and Onyx knew that Sonic had somehow felt the wards react to his presence. Perhaps it was all that Chaos Energy that Sonic used…

"I know you're out there! What was that?" Sonic demanded, tapping his foot and crossing his arms impatiently.

Onyx dropped down before Sonic and startled him. However, Sonic bounced back quickly -as always- and exclaimed, "Finally! Now then, what's this I heard about you helping my little buddy?"

"Why? Is it a crime to help others now?" Onyx sneered, crossing his arms as Sonic let his own drop to his sides.

"No, I just wanted to know your reasoning," Sonic eyed him suspiciously.

Onyx sighed before shrugging and allowing his arms to mimic Sonic's. "I was there, he needed help, he's a kid. Not much more to it than that."

Sonic chuckled a bit before, "That 'kid' has been building complex machines since before I knew him. Other than his size, there's nothing little about him."

"Hn."

They stood there for a while before Sonic shifted awkwardly and broke the tense silence.

"I'd like to thank you for saving my little buddy. The name's Sonic, by the way. Sonic the Hedgehog."

"That explains the Sonic Boom," Onyx drawled, amusement shining in his jet colored eyes.

"Also explains why the kid was saying, 'Sonic'll save me!'" he said the last part in a shrill falsetto.

Sonic flinched and pain flashed in his eyes for a split second before he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Tails told me your name was Onyx?" This was more question than statement, since he had never heard such a name before.

"Yes," Onyx replied, nodding, before moving to lean against a tree. "Now then, if all your questions have been answered…?"

Seemingly oblivious to Onyx's attempt to end the conversation, Sonic continued.

"What was that earlier? It felt weird, like a thousand eyes staring at me." The blue hedgehog shuddered again, rubbing his arms to punctuate just how creepy the feeling was.

"My alarm."

Onyx searched Sonic's face for any kind of recognition, but found little in the blue blur's facial expression.

"I'll just bet that Shadow or Knuckles would know more…" The rest was incoherent mumbling. Onyx raised an eyebrow inquisitively and Sonic mumbled an apology.

"You wanna come see our home?" Sonic asked out of the blue after a few silent moments.

"Tails didn't say it, but it was implied that I was unwelcome. Perhaps you should ask them before you invite me."

"Is that a yes?" Sonic grinned, posing it what Onyx assumed was supposed to be an important posture. Sonic was extremely excitable, just like a certain Black nuisance back home. Onyx sighed, resigned to being surrounded by children.

When he looked back up, Sonic was invading his personal bubble. Startled, Onyx didn't have the time to avoid the hand that reached out and snagged his own.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Within seconds, Onyx was imitating a flag as he flapped behind the "fastest thing alive."

'What did I ever do to deserve this?'