Author's Note: Wow, big break from the story writing. Truth be told, I'm a college student with more important things to deal with, hence the large gap from the last update, so sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own SEGA related characters or quotes written in the chapters.

Chapter 4

"The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose."

I shifted myself in Tails' quite un-comfy couch. I mean come on; this thing has to be a few years old. I can feel the springs poke sensitive places, talk about violation. He needs a new couch. It was about ten o'clock in the morning, three days after Amy and my last visit at Rugger's Creamery. The trip to Twinkle Park two days ago didn't go so well. Amy and I were stared at non-stop, not to mention people calling News Stations and telling them where I was. Even standing on line at a hotdog stand was torture. Dozens of people bombarded the little shack just to get my autograph or a photo with me. And by the time we actually made it to the shack, the poor owner was so upset that he closed it on us. No hotdogs for me. Groupies were following me and Amy everywhere! Even to the restrooms. Embarrassing. Heh, I guess being famous has its drawbacks.

Tails walked in the living room with new bandages and ointment; a lot of ointment. "Do you really need all that cream?" I asked.

"Yes, this one's to keep bandages from sticking to the wound. This one's an antibiotic and this one is to reduce scarring." He explained all the little bottles in his hand. I suppose you can't argue with someone who's IQ is way beyond your own.

"…Okay."

He started to snip the bandages with a small scissor near my forehead. The rush of cool air that blew over the moist fur felt amazing. How long did I have these on again? The bandages were definitely moist from my body heat. He peeled them back with an agonizing face.

"That bad?" I asked.

"No, but you sweat like a hog."

I laughed. "I'm a hedge-HOG."

"I meant hog…As in pig." I see.

"Duly noted," I wiped my glove across the moisture just to make him feel a little cleaner. His hands started getting lower to the eye. I heard pitter-patter footsteps.

"Okay, I cut up some fresh fruit for a good fruit salad!" I hear her chime sweetly. I smell the fragrance of mixed fruit and my mouth began to salivate. Amy walked into my view with a bowl of fruit pieces. She placed it on the coffee table and stood to observe me. As Tails peels back the bandage I see her face change.

"Whoa," Tails slipped out. Amy's face only confirmed Tails' 'whoa'. I put my hand up to feel it but Tails knocked it back. "Don't touch it."

"But you guys look like you're seeing dead people." I whined. Tails disappeared into my blind view but came back shortly with a small mirror. My mouth dropped quickly as I saw what my eye looked like.

"Whoa…Is right!" I yelped. I observed my eye more as Tails started talking.

"The doctor said it would be bruised-"

"Bruised is an understatement!" I respond.

"Yeah well, it should go down by the beginning of next week…And-"

"Maybe you should get swelling ointment too…" I cut in.

"Let it heal naturally!" He retorted. Talk about healing naturally? He's already creaming chemicals in my eye…Why would something that reduces swelling be more unnatural?

"Just get ice; I'll keep it over my eye after you wrap it up." My eye looked like it was the size of a great plum- and color too. My eyelid was tightly shut and the lashes on both lids were nonexistent. The stitching vertically slashed my eye, ending at the bottom of the top lid, and continuing down the bottom lid to the top of my cheek. Most of the fur had been shaved off for the stitching so I could definitely see the bruise on the skin. Tails huffed but obeyed. I lowered the mirror and looked at Amy. "Pretty…Gross huh?"

She didn't respond immediately, but it didn't look like she was taking it bad either. She looked up to where Tails disappeared to then back at my eye. Gently she placed her thumb on my eyelid. "Does that hurt?"

"No."

I can feel her press harder and upward. She was trying to open my eye. She leaned in a bit closer and her other hand rested across my right cheek. As she opened it I could feel the air stinging my skin slightly, but I showed no such pain. She successfully separated my eyelids.

"What's it look like?" I asked. She didn't respond, instead she just let my eyelids close again and pulled herself back. Pain was written all over her face. "Hey, don't worry about it. It will heal." She wrapped her arms around herself and sat beside me.

"I know…" She whispered. How can it not hurt her? Time supposedly heals all wounds. Tails came rushing back in with a small bag of crushed ice.

"I couldn't find any more icepacks so I made one." He said, grinning with success. He took a tissue and dabbed the corners of my eye. He started applying different creams onto my eye before wrapping it tightly. I made sure to remember tonight to check out what my eye looks like. Tails puts the bandage pins in towards the back of my head to hold the wrap together.

"See all better!" He clapped his hands together once, signaling he's done. I passed my fingers over the clean bandages. He handed me the ice pack and I put it over my eye.

Towards the middle of the afternoon, Tails started setting up the Tornado for a trip to Angel Island. I guess Knuckles couldn't come this way, so we have to go that way. He started packing up a first-aid kit and some Tupper Wear containers with some sandwiches and snacks. "Amy," he called out.

"Yeah?"

"I have a few plastic containers in the kitchen if you want to bring your fruit salad with us."

Amy stood up and took the bowl in the kitchen to fill the containers. After she returned, Tails and I loaded up the trunk of the small plane with our bags and some picnic food. We boarded the plane and got ready to go.

"Preparing for lift off." Tails said. Within a few more moments the Tornado took flight. Tails slapped on his flight goggles and turned the plane to the direction of Angel Island. The flight usually was about 2.5 hours long. I always get fidgety knowing I have to sit still for that long. A nap looks like the answer.

Well, hopefully I'll get more chapters in. I finally have 9 days of summer to myself. I've been working for my school all summer, and I go back to work again Aug 16th. Don't blame me for my slowness :(

Thank you for reading :)