I woke up to serenely beautiful morning sun being shone on my face. The warmth tickling my muzzle, and the crisp air giving me the good feeling of a new beginning. I only moved my arms, but the sharp pain in my lower abdomen reminded me of last nights activities. The thought bringing a smile to my lips, as I turned to Shadow, wincing only verbally at the pain. I was happy it was him whose arms I remained wrapped in. He who had shown me kindness by helping me escape. He who had loved me, but... ' I'm still a slave' the annoying nagging thought proclaimed in the back of my head,affecting my smile only slightly.

His face brought my eyes to stare,and all negative thoughts were immediately forgotten. His face was serious if not concentrated. I chuckled quietly.'If I didn't know any better, it would seem as if he were protecting me from some unseen danger.' I laid there for a minute, watching him sleep. Watching that is, until an idea popped into my head.

I tried to slip from the bed,movements extremely slow and cautious. Only stopping when Shadow frowned and his grip on me tightened slightly. My heart melted,provoking me to give him a kiss on the forehead. The action causing the wrinkles in his brow to dissipate almost instantly, and a smile replaced his look of distress.
I untangled myself from his grasp as carefully as I could,as to not wake him. Tip-toeing to the door, I opened it to see a maid dusting he furniture in the large hallway. A purple platypus, working diligently. I called her over hesitantly, already fear the disgusted look she would flash me when she would realize I was a slave.

But instead the smile she offered was genuine as she asked 'what it was she could do for me today.' I thanked her before asking for extremely warm water for the bath in Shadows room. She nodded, saying' it would be her pleasure.' Before curtseying and waking away to retrieve the items. Now I needed to only wait. Going back into the room and closing the door, I looked around at Shadows breathtaking room, and deciding to step onto the balcony on the other side of the room. Tip-toeing once more in front of Shadows bed, as to not disrupt his sleep. I opened the door only slightly as to not let to much light into the room ( that is permitting that which already seeped in the ought the white curtains). I slipped outside,loving the morning breeze feeling on my fur. The sun warming my body,and making me feel good about my current situation.

'You're a bad slave,you left your master.' The truthful nagging voice was back. 'You left him and left with a stranger,not to mention slept with him. Giving your first which rightfully belonged to your master.' I sighed as I walked inside, ' The voice speaks the truth...' I admitted glumly to myself. 'I'll have to find some way to go back.' The door opened at this time, as two large jugs were seen as the purple platypus carried them inside.
"Would you like me to pour them in now?" She asked her voice only slightly straining from the weight. My slave training kicked in immediately, I grabbed the jugs from her hands, apologizing for making her carry them all his way.
"No,no it's fine I'm sure." She reassured , attempting to regain her hold on the jugs. I shook my head,
" No it's not, I'm fine please go about your duties, and thank you very much." With an unconvinced expression she curtseyed than exited the room. I lifted the jugs as I gained my bearings, then walking into the spacious bedroom I began to pour the warm water into the tub. The steam alone dampening my fur slightly. I looked around and began gathering the nesscessary materials for a bath; towels, sponges, soaps,and oils.

My first approach was to pour the soaps and oils I found into the water. Making sure the scents weren't too strong and instead gave one a warm feeling. Two gloved hands gripped my shoulders, and a mouth began nibbling my neck. Though not before a deep voice said, " Good morning love." Shadow's voice reheated as an unusual feeling of unease filled my body, though I tried my best to not let it show.
I turned and bowed, "Good morning my liege. As you can see I drew you a bath before your breakfast." He nodded, seeming to take notice and approving."That sounds wonderful ." He flashed a smile at me, clearly expecting something that I didn't understand. I handed him his washrag ,as I ushered him into the tub with a bow of my head. When he didn't step in I glanced at him,not knowing what was wrong. His face appeared confused. " What's with all the formalities? I thought I told you to treat me as you would anyone else?" I ducked my head in a(n) apologetic bow. " My sincerest apologies my liege, the memory of training has persisted me to do otherwise." His displeasure didn't falter in the slightest. But his stance did seem to change as a mischievous glint flashed in eyes.
" We'll if you won't treat me like a regular, then bathe with me like one." He pushed me into tub before I could react. I myself having to be grateful that I had not put on clothes since last night other than my gloves. Which were now soaking wet. He laughed at my scrambling to right myself,though the laughter wasn't the cruel one I have accustomed with others. Instead it rumbled with the joy of having fun. I smiled at him as he slid in the water. He squeezed some soap on a washcloth and lathered it thoroughly. his voice still contained laughter as he asked; "Would you like me to scrub your back?" My eyes widened in the midst of me taking my gloves off. " NO! My liege please let me!" He held the rag out of my reach, appearing to play with me. " Please sire..., let me-!" Shadow laughed. " Not a chance,I already as you to loosen up, and won't give this to you until you do." After a few more futile attempts I turned my back to him, taking a sigh before smirking with naughty intention. With a quick movement I stirred up the soap In the water producing suds. With a big mountain created I gathered it all up and plopped it on his head.

The suds on his head have his the look of a poodle, and I couldn't help laughing. My cheeks hurting with the pull of my muscles.
"SONIC YOU GOT SOAP IN MY EYE!" His yell of pain snapped my out of of my laughing spree. My hands flayed uselessly at my attempt to write my wrong. " I'm so sorry sire, I was only trying to please." My stomach sunk lower than he floor, and an unavoidable feeling of fear chilled my blood. the remembrance of the stinging lashes the whip would make on my back actually made me flinch. It was what happened next that unnerved me. Laughter filled the air, this time produced by Shadow. It took a while but, his own smile eased my nerves a little. He handed me the washrag and bared his back to me, and I took initiative immediately. Scrubbing his back, without too much exsessive force. He purred, ACTUALLY PURRED, at the feeling. My smile of relief stayed onto my face until we began to play in the water, where as my smile morphed into a laugh which never seemed to stop. After enough playing we washed ourselves off and stepping out. Feeling better than when we had stepped in.

To my surprise my shoes were polished and sitting upright with fresh socks draped over them. I was confused, seeing as how this had never happened to me before. Shadow began dressing now that his fur and quills were dry. He placed on his gloves,saving the shoes for last. He threw a fresh pair of gloves and I caught them with ease.
" Here, to replace the ones I ruined." He was talking about my older ones, making my head wonder at his boundless kindness. I got dressed leaving my suit on the bed, not wanting to wear party clothes to a simple thing like breakfast. Shadow told me to go ahead, and that he had something to do. I walked uncertainly down the hall, trying to recall the ways Shadow took to the entrance. I followed the smells of food, hearing my stomach growl loudly. Finding the dining room I awaited Shadow at the door.

When he arrived , his look said it all; 'Why are you waiting for me?' Ignoring the questioning gaze, I opened the door for him. Bowing as I ushered him inside. He groaned but walked inside.
There on the table was a MASSIVE spread of breakfast food. Scrambled eggs,bacon,toast,pancakes,waffles,croissants ,and other things my growling stomach didn't permit me to look at. Be fore Shadow could sit down, I pulled his chair out for him, gathering my composure rather quickly. He rolled his eyes as he sat down. And I grabbed his plate to begin serving him. That is until he grabbed me by my wrist. " Sonic,please,sit down and eat. Your making me nervous with all this pampering." I hesitated,and that hesitation was all it took for Shadow to grab his plate from my grasp and sit me down forcefully.
'Its not your place to sit with the king!' The voice hissed.'Remember your place!Your a slave!'
I tried my best to ignore it. But with the unusual treatment I was receiving from Shadow, it was a lot to take in. But there wasn't much I could do about it. As the servants came out, serving drinks and picking up our plates to ask what we would like to eat. One servant in particular stood out from the others. An albino bat with ice blue eyes, she wore a slutty French maid outfit that made her breasts stand out. She seemed to command authority over the others. She tried to ignore me, instead paying far more attention to Shadow. She shoo'ed the other servants away with our two plates in hand. Plopping my food down on the table with a glare,she turned on her heel and completely changed gears with Shadow. Placing the food down gently and attempted to spoon feed him. "King Shadow,say ahh!" this pissed him off greatly, he folded his arms and pushed the spoon away. She put the spoon down and smiled seductively. "If you don't want to eat any of this food, maybe I could offer you something else. We could go to your bed , where I could better serve you."
He stood up slamming his hand on the table. "ROUGE ENOUGH!
I am appalled at your behavior...," his voice shook with anger as he attempted to control himself. " There is a guest in my home! I would expect you to act accordingly!" She was shocked clearly not expecting this reaction. She took a step back,trying to put some distance between herself and Shadows icy stare. I wanted to look away,but found I couldn't look away. " And Rouge the sheets are being washed...you know why." My cheeks blushed as Shadow sat back down and avoided her gaze. The one he called "Rouge" began to tear up,as Shadow's words began to sink in. Turning abruptly she stormed out of he room,makeup droplets following in her wake. I looked down hunger gone and the feeling of guilt taking over everything within me.
Shadow stood over me, before he hugged sighed as he said; " I'm sorry you had to witness that..." He paused looking towards the door Rouge had just so previously exited through. "But I feel like she would have continued her pursuit for me had I been less direct." He took his gaze from the door and transferred to my face,staring into my eyes and reading my soul. But he noticed something on my face.
"Why were you crying?" I was confused, not sure what he was referring to. He ran his finger on my muzzle and wiped something off . It was a tear, yet I didn't understand. He laughed before popping the tear in his mouth. "Mmm tasty...*heh* ".

His face suddenly got serious, he turned his chair towards mine and grabbed my hands. " Sonic, I feel like even we just met I want to give you a better life. And yes if that means buying you from your current owner so you can have your freedom, then that's what I'll do. " he continued to stare into my eyes before continuing. "Sonic,I wish to get to know you, and even possibly actually form a relationship with you. Do you really understand how I'm feeling? Or even what I'm saying?"
I met his gaze evenly faint pink in my cheeks.
"I kinda thought we already had a(n) relationship." My comment caught him off guard, but he laughed nonetheless. But in my head I was pondering, ' Can I really love this stranger?' I didn't want to think anymore but instead mind my food as Shadow had done with his cup of coffee.

As we ate(me on my third plate Shadow in his second cup.) I was in the middle of reaching for another omelette as Shadow continued to read his paper. Th ere was a knock on the door,as three large booms sounded throughout the house. The butler left his spot from watching us eat to go answer the door. There was the sound of rapid talking before he returned with all the color drained from his face. Rushing into the room, he quickly whispered into Shadows ear,whose face fell. I grew worried,not knowing what to do, I put another spoonful of food into my bolted from his chair,knocking it over. "Sonic,stay here."
The butler quickly picked up the chair before following him on his way full of food I asked;" Huh? Bwut why?" He glared at me,and I knew that this situation was of the utmost importance.
Shadow complete disappeared from sight, then followed the sound of loud arguing. The sound of stuff breaking and being thrown about completely took me off my appetite. I stood from my chair,only to be yanked into the air by my quills. I screamed in pain and was turned around to see my attacker. A large, gray albatross smirked at me, enjoying the pain he was putting me in. I clawed,bit,punched,and kicked to attempt to get free. To no avail. He jerked me up even farther so we were face to face.
"Huh you got some fight,in you. I like you."
Knuckles,Shadow,and Silver all suddenly appeared in the doorway,clearly displeased with what they saw.
"Hey! Storm put him DOWN!" The albatross diverted his attention to the speaker. But that was all I needed. " I sent a swift kick to his crotch, then did a backflip kick to his face. His hold on me was gone,and I ran to Shadows side.
"W...what's going on?" I asked my head full of adrenaline.
Shadow sighed as Silver smirked.

"I came to get my property." Silver's smirk broadened. Knuckles grabbed my arm,while muttering a quick apology. Silver flashed an official looking piece of paper.
"I have arrived for the retrieval of one slave, commonly referred to as Sonic the Hedgehog. If you refuse,however, King Scourge is ready to declare war."

My mind wandered then,bringing forth horrid pictures of people dying,being slaughtered without mercy. Flames, blood,and the children...How would they be affected?'...My body began to shake as I prayed that what I just thought of would never come to light. I wanted to reach for Shadow and lean on his strength,but instead I settled for calling his name.

"Shadow...?"I barely breathed. He didn't hear me as he had continued on.

Shadows face contained pure rage. "On what grounds do you have for taking Sonic?"he didn't even allow Silver the time to speak." It matters not. Tell your king, if it is a war he wants,it is a war he shall-"

"SHADOW!" My patience gone as I finally yelled to gain his attention. They both blinked and stared at me in surprise.
"Yes,Sonic?" His voice uncertain and cautious. I breathed in deeply,attempting to gather strength and courage before continuing by exhaling.
Sighing deeply I said, " Let me go with him Shadow."
Said hedgehogs eyes widened as Silvers smirk and cocky stance returned. Shadows face contained shock and disbelief,then narrowed in hatred.
"Silver,your playing some fucking mind control thing on him aren't you?"he turned on him then. Voice dripping ice, and his gaze cutting with malice. Silver took a step back in fear.
"No,Shadow. He's not...this decision is solely mine." I said stopping Shadow's advance on the albino. "Let me go Shadow." His eyes sowed nothing but hurt and betrayal. Brow furrowing in concern he asked, " But, why Sonic?... I even confessed-"
I silenced him with my lips." I know,and your feelings have been returned." I said with a smile. But his pained eyes still remained. "Then why?"

I sighed before speaking. " Because, I don't wan people to suffer for my own selfish actions. If there is a way to prevent war, I will take the option to prevent the sway of thousands if not millions." Tears finally streaked down and fell to the floor. Silver took advantage of the moment,by smiling triumphantly and saying,"I'll wait for you I the carriage Sonic,please do not take too long." And he left he room and exited throat the front door. Shadows angry gaze following him like the grey albatross that carried my party clothes. Knuckles began dusting me off.
" Sorry for the way he treated you Sonic. His head of guard is a lot more brutal than I when it comes to apprehending or other cruel acts." He sensed the air and said as he departed." Don't take too long, lest Silver invoke his fury. Let your sweet goodbyes be swift...I'm terribly sorry."
When he was completely gone from the dining room , Shadow spoke. His voice appearing broken." Sonic...I love...you"
He kissed my forehead and held me close." Please stay..." I hugged him back." I love you too,but hat is also one of the reasons I MUST go with him.i don't want anyone to get hurt,especially not you." I moved my head In the direction of Lord Silvers carriage and he glared. I kissed him again. Far more passionately and deeply. Then before he protest,or attempt to stop me once more, I ran to the carriage,opened the door,and sat down. Shadow walked up to the front doors and out onto he stone staircase that led up to his home. Staring at me with sorrow filled eyes,and a broken heart. Rain started to fall,though he didn't move,instead started to cry. Letting his tears mix with the rain. My gaze towards his eyes never wavered, even when his castle was out of sight. I let a few tears fall myself at what I had lost,and what was to come.

"Sonic, I really think your going to LOVE hedgehog manor. And there's so much to for instance there's blah blah blah blah..." His voice became background noise as I tuned him out,instead letting my worries go to Shadow.

'I hope you got out of the rain,you love struck fool'

_
Well here yah go da latest chapter!Soooooo srry that its this late...I hate to keep rewriting it cuz of junk happenin with my tablet. so I wrote his on my iPod touch!next chapter to come reaaaaaaaaaaal soon,da chapters already half done so stay turned!
X3