Forever: Chapter Three

Silver laid on the floor after training with his grandfather. He stared at the moving ceiling fan mindlessly thinking about the cat princess he saw today. It was like he couldn't stop thinking about her; it was like he really wanted this friendship. Not because he didn't have friends, but he somehow thought they'd make the best of friends.

"Silver! Come get your dinner!" Shadow called out.

Silver sat up immediately. "Coming!" He replied before heading to the kitchen. The young boy sat down and started to dig into the good prepared, but not without a thank you first.

"So grandpa, I learned a new word." Silver commented.

Shadow looked at the silver boy. "Hm? What word?"

"Marriage."

Shadow only nodded his head. "I see...do you know what it is?" He tested.

Silver continued to eat his rice. "Isn't it when two people who really really like each other have a...ceremony!"

Shadow nodded. "Well that's the wedding...then you're married to that person." He explained.

"And...they have children right?" Silver asked with his mouth full. "A kid like me!"

Shadow nodded. "Usually…but I suppose it's the choice of the couple. Then they become parents."

Silver swallowed his rice. "So grandpa? How come I don't have parents?" He asked innocently.

The ebony hedgehog immediately paused, with concerned on his face as he heard the question. Silver looked at Shadow, wondering if he said something wrong. Surely a kid wanting to know where his parents were was normal?

"Grandpa…?"

"Silver…" Shadow whispered. "This...this isn't the time."

"What? Why not?" Silver questioned.

"Because you're not ready.."

"Grandpa, what are you talking about?!" Silver asked once again. "Why can't I know? Why grandpa why?! You always keep secrets from me-"

"Come with me." Shadow ordered before walking out of the kitchen. Silver only nodded and followed the elder hedgehog. Shadow reached inside a large chest that was located in the attic, and pulled out a large, old picture. He blew the dust with one swift and handed it to Silver.

"Grandpa…?" Silver whispered as he looked at the picture. "Are those my-..."

"Yes, Silver…" Shadow replied. "Your parents…"

The young hedgehog stared at the picture which looked like it was taken years ago of a young couple. The woman was a beautiful, Ivory colored hedgehog with red eyes, long quills which resembled hair, a tanned muzzle and looked about a few months pregnant. Next to her was a golden colored male mink with a large, brown muzzle, golden eyes, and gold chest fur. He looked like a handsome, intimidating man but seemed caring from the way he had his hand around the female hedgehog.

"Your mother's name is Maria...she's... my daughter, which is why I'm your grandfather." Shadow explained. "And...your father's name is Venice...a GUN agent from a different sector."

Silver was surprised, he never imagined his parents to look like this...he wondered why his grandpa never told him about them. Then again, Shadow never really talked about loved ones dying, not even to his now deceased wife.

"Grandpa...are they...gone?" Silver figured.

Shadow only faced away, standing silent. "...I should've protected them...at least your mother.." He whispered, as his voice slightly trembled. Silver knew something was deeply bothering him...which was the lost of Shadow's daughter and son-in law.

He tried to place a hand on his shoulder. "Grandpa Shado-"

Shadow grabbed the hand, placing it on Silver's side. The last thing Shadow wanted besides anything terrible happening to Silver was sympathy, ever since the death of his daughter, Shadow swore he's care for the silver hedgehog.

"Silver. I want you to go outside and play until the full moon reaches the sky." He requested.

"But…"

"Silver." He interrupted sternly. Silver only nodded and head outside into the fields. While Shadow was a natural at keeping his feelings under, Silver did sense anger, regret and sadness. Perhaps he didn't want his grandson to see him sad? Shadow was always the strong, silent type; in fact...Silver, not once, has seen his grandpa cry.

The boy laid in the grass in his back, looking up at the sunset forming into the night sky.

"Gee...I never seen grandpa this sad before…" Silver thought. "And I can't believe those guys are my parents...my family- OW!"

Suddenly the grey hedgehog was pounced by an approaching figure. The hedgehog looked up and saw a pair of golden eyes, lavender fur and a red gem on the forehead. Silver's eyes widened but he started to calm when he recognized the stranger on top of him.

"B-Blaze!" Silver exclaimed.

"H-hello Silver.." The cat girl stuttered.

Silver smiled kindly. "Wow this is sweet!..what are you doing here? You said you can't be outside. And uh...why did you pounce on me?"

Blaze blushed, seeing that she was on Silver's body and immediately pulled away. "I apologize...it was...force of habit. Like..cat instinct. I must work on it.."

Silver chuckled. "Well that answered the second question, but..what are you doing here?"

"Well...I came to see you." The princess replied.

To be continued...