-Regression
I spent the next day mainly in my room, only leaving to eat. Even then I didn't eat much.
Sonic wasn't around much. He only came back enough to sate Tails' worrying. I felt bad for the kid. He knew something was wrong but nobody would let him in on the problem.
He kept his mind occupied though. Reconstructing the nanites was a lot of work, but he did finish in the estimated day. He'd been working for most of the time since me and Sonic had returned. As far as I could tell he was done. He was simply monitoring the transfer process.
Bunnie was sort of helping Tails with creating the nanites. She had no idea what he was doing, few people did, but she would get his equipment, snacks, and just keep him company.
I sighed as I thought about the botched mission. There were more ways to get the job done. I chose the most dangerous one.
All because I panicked.
How many people were under the elevator door? How many were injured?
I shook my head. It was over. It shouldn't-didn't-matter anymore. I watched Tails and Bunnie from the rooms window. Laughing.
It seemed weird that Sonic wasn't there with them-with Tails- they were inseparable and he stayed away because he was avoiding me.
My journey into self-pity was interrupted by a slight creek behind me.
I didn't know what to do when I saw Blue. My head just instantly dropped in shame. I couldn't meet his eyes, I could barely think about him without my mind yelling at me.
"Hey," he said simply.
"Hi," I said solemnly.
He nodded his head towards the coffee table, signalling me to sit down. He sat with me.
"It hurts doesn't it?" he started, "Messing up never feels good, it's not supposed to. As cliché as it sounds you have to learn from your mistakes. You can't learn from something that feels normal. You'd ignore it. But now we have to overcome it." He put his hand on my shoulder and I thought about shrugging it off but decided against it.
Seeing my response (or lack of one) he chose a different tactic. He got up, his arm outstretched.
"Come on I'm taking you somewhere real quick."
Every expression on my body gave him the answer of how much a wanted to go with him. But he was persistent.
I stood up on my own power, ignoring his hand. He didn't seem wounded at all by the action, he just started to lead me out of the inn.
He gave a wave as we passed Tails and Bunnie. They waved back and Tails ran over when he saw me.
"Hi Rouge!" He had a smile on his face his eyes looked so happy, it broke my heart to think that I was ignoring the little cub. "Are you finally ready to play? You've been in your room all day!" He looked down, digging into the dirt with his shoe. "I missed you..."
"I missed you too sweetie. I just need to think a bit then I'll play with you for as long as you want. Okay?"
He jumped into my outstretched arms cheering with glee. I could sense Sonic's smile behind us.
"Thanks Rouge! You're the best big sister ever!"
My eyes start to water. 'He thought of me as a sister?' Sonic looked on amusedly at the scene, hands behind his head as he pretended to admire the clear sky.
"You coming or what?" He asked offhandedly.
I nodded giving Tails a quick kiss on his forehead which he frantically tried to rub off. I quickly caught up with the surprisingly calm hedgehog.
Silence hung over us throughout our journey to only Sonic knew where. The humid forest wasn't bothering me as much as it was the first time through, Sonic's silence bothered me more.
"Where are we going?" I asked ducking under a branch. He simply picked up a flower and replied, "you'll see."
"This better be worth it blue boy."
He chuckled quietly. "You should know by now, everything I do has its worth."
'Conceited brat.' I pouted.
That pout stopped the moment a delightfully light aroma hit me.
My jaw dropped when I saw its source.
A field of the most beautiful valley I'd ever seen. A small waterfall fed a crystal clear lake. The grass was wonderfully luscious and untamed, blowing lightly in the wind.
Specks of vibrant blues, yellows, pinks, a veritable colour wheel of flowers littered the luxurious field. It was a natural utopia.
I felt a pull at my head and I was surprised to see Sonic as the culprit. "Wha-?"
"Just a sec... Perfect."
"What's you do? Dye my hair while I wasn't paying attention?"
"Hardee har har. Look in the water, you'll see."
Taking his advice I headed to the still pond. I could almost perfectly see my reflection in the sparkling water.
The teal flower in my hair matched my eyes.
"See what I mean?" Sonic whispered, lying beside me, "Perfect."
"Yeah… it is," I breathed out admiring the valley again,"thanks."
"No problem."
We sat in the meadow silently for a long while. It was a comfortable silence that I felt sorry to break.
"Why'd you bring me here?" I inquired, "I mean, it's beautiful and calm and amazing but why?"
"I brought you here because it is all those things. You needed to see some of the beauty this world has to offer, so you can clear the chaos in your head."
He flourished his hand to the valley. "This is what the world has to offer for us Rouge. The beauty and success of life that is hidden away in all the mistakes. It's a lot like a person, really. The negatives are so pronounced that we end up forgetting the positives. Sure you messed up yesterday. Who cares? It's over. But look at all the good that its going to cause in your life. We're going to get a mother. Little Tails is going to get a mother. Sometimes you have to think a little selfishly to appreciate what you've done."
I took his words in slowly, turning them around in my head. "But what about the people who got injured? They're hurt because of me."
"They will heal Rouge. Injuries are temporary. But having a family, Me, you and Tails, that's forever. And building that is important."
"You... think I'm family too?" I whispered. "I thought it was just Tails."
"Rouge if Tails thinks your family I think you're family. I may seem like I don't care about much but I do. I watch what goes on. I've watched you and Tails bond over the past few days and there is something there, and the same goes for me too."
He went quiet after that, letting the subject rest.
The beauty of the valley still sparkled. It was dimmed though and I couldn't fathom why. Sonic stood up slowly. Motioning for us to leave.
And I could sense that he felt the same way.
We weaves through the forest quickly reaching the town in a flash it seemed.
"I've got an idea," I exclaimed," go get some dinner and some snacks. I'll meet you at the inn okay?"
Sonic nodded with a confused smile. Blasting off in a streak of blue.
"And don't only get Chilli Dogs!"
I hurried on my way to a convenience store in the town. Heading straight for the front counter where a jack rabbit was listening to the basketball game.
He turned around to greet me with a tip of his hat. "What can I do ya for little lady?"
"Can I get a jar of mint candy please? And six bags of popcorn, three packs of liquorice, and three packs of chocobombs? Oh and a large pack of assorted Chaos Cola, please."
"Sounds like you got a fun night planned." He hustled around the store putting the items in a bag.
"Yes sir." I scanned the shelf of dvd's behind him. "Can I get a copy of 'Torture in Toy Kingdom', 'Music Land Mayhem', and "The Attack of Route 99"?
"A movie marathon?"
"Yup. I'm trying for some quality family time."
"That's always a good thing." He threw in a couple extra snacks and a
large bottle of cream soda."A little something extra for you guys." He winked and checked out the things I had asked for.
"Thanks so much!", I beamed as I handed him a fifty dollar bill. "Keep the change. Consider it as a thank you."
He chuckled shaking his head. "Go have fun dear."
I made it to the inn before Sonic, thank goodness, and hustled to my room, avoiding Tails purposefully.
Observing the room thoughtfully for a second I got to work.
Sauntering down to the lobby a half hour later, I found the boys where I expected them, talking with Bunnie at the front desk.
I wasn't mad.
Smiling as Tails gave me another hug I asked them to follow me back upstairs to my room.
"I thought you said you were going to play with me when you got back, Rouge? We can't play in our pyjamas, they'd get too dirty."
"Oh yes we can squirt and I'll show you..." I pushed open the door to my room.
Tails looked wide eyes at the room. The beds were pushed against the wall, replaced by five sleeping bags placed in front of the television set. Behind the sleeping bags were all the snacks that I'd gotten. I saw Tails's eyes shine with glee when he saw the mint candy jar and his yelp of joy was music to my ears.
Sonic broke the silence first. "What is all this Rouge?"
"Exactly what you think it is blue. A slumber party for five."
"Five?" Bunnie asked.
"Yup I snuck a peek at Nicole's transfer process. She should be ready any minute now. That makes five of us."
I turned to Sonic. "You got dinner right?"
He nodded with a large smile on his face.
"Well than go get it." I turned to Tails. "Sweetie go get Nicole and some pyjamas for both of you."
"Yay! Thanks Rouge!" He ran off excitedly. Sonic followed after him.
Turning to Bunnie I asked,"What're you waiting for? Go get some pjs on!"
She seemed shocked at the whole situation. "Here I thought y'all hated me. What's with the change of heart?"
"I did." I said bluntly, "but then I stopped and asked myself 'Why?'. And I figured that it wasn't worth it. My family likes you so I figured I should at least be hospitable to you." I shooed her away. "Go get ready hon. We are going to party tonight."
She chuckled, turning away. "Whatever you say darlin' I'll come back real quick."
The group came back shortly after as promised. Sonic and Tails were carrying a silver... something. It was really just a silver sheet. Bunnie was behind them, carrying Nicole as well as Sonic's bag of food.
They placed the sheet in the middle of the room.
"Is that going to be the new Nicole?"
"Sure is," Tails exclaimed. "We thought the first thing she experiences should be a party!"
"Makes sense," I chuckled. "Are you ready Nicole?"
"Yes Rouge, I'm quite excited!" The computer replied.
"That's the spirit," Sonic encouraged, "you heard the lady! Let's get started!"
"Gotcha!" Tails exclaimed, pulling the cord from Nicole's computer to a cord jack in the silver sheet. He went to the computer with fingers flying over the keyboard. "Ready to start in three! Two! One!" He pressed a finger on the keyboard.
Nothing happened.
"Is that it?" Sonic inquired, "I thought it would be more than-"
All of a sudden the sheet started to ripple. The centre started to build up until it formed a cylinder.
We were all watching in silence.
Slowly the cylinder started to take shape, nanites solidifying into cute toes on a pair of dainty feet, well defined legs that seemed to go on forever. They widened out gently to form attractive womanly hips, that from what I could see, also included a luscious backside. A sleek midsection came next, only to bulge out to create a bust that appeared... I looked down... Was larger than mine. Her arms seemed strong yet sleek leading to dainty hands that matched her feet. Her head formed last, appearing soft and womanly topped off by a pair of large lynx ears.
All at once colour started to appear smooth mocha coloured fur appearing all over her body except for her toes and the tips of her ears where the fur was a luxurious raven.
Her lips were a light peach, her raven hair was placed in a bob, and her green eyes were large, innocent,and curious.
We were all standing there in awe at the moment. All of a sudden Sonic coughed and turned around forcing Tails around as well. And then Bunnie and I realised why.
"Get her some clothes hon!"
I jumped into action.
Five minutes later the newly formed Nicole was clothed in one of my more modest tank-tops (that seemed a lot more inappropriate than it should've) and a pair of matching pink cotton pants. "You boys can turn around now. All of us ladies have clothes on." I shot a smirk at Nicole who was moving her limbs and touching things around the room.
They slowly turned back around red faced. At least Sonic was Tails appeared just fine.
"Er... Hi Nicole, how's it feel to have a body," Sonic stammered.
She regarded him for a second before squealing, clasping her hands together and inadvertently squeezing her breast together. Drawing Sonic's attention to them. And mine too. 'At this rate she's going to pop out of my shirt!'
Her voice came out in a silky yet excited tone that would have made most men melt. "I love it so much Sonic! So much to see and so many ways to move! I can move on my own now! I'm not confined to that stupid computer and I can do the same things and so much more! Everything's so much more vibrant now! And I can smell the food and it's so good." She turned to Tails and gave him a bone crushing hug, "I can even hug the cutie that helped me do this! Thank you so much Miles!"
His face was pressed right between her boobs and he was struggling to get out or hug her back, I couldn't tell all I could see was his flailing arms in her unbreakable grip.
"No-ugh-problem-ugh-Nicole."
"Uh... Nicole, sugah, we can't start the party if you're here squeezing lil Talis."
She dropped him quickly with him gasping for air on the floor. "Party? What party?"
Sonic answered her while helping Tails up. "Rouge here planned a little welcome party for you."
Seconds later I was glomped by the newly born lynx. "That's so sweet of you Rouge! I can't believe you thought of me like that! It's so ni..." Her voice slowed.
"What's wrong hon?" I asked.
"I can't hug you the same way I did Tails." She went on to lecture. "The large protrusions, or breast, from my body collide with yours if I try to wrap my arms around you too tight." She giggled as she cupped her own. "They're so soft."
Sonic's red face returned with a vengeance. Mine as well. Bunnie started giggling at the scene.
"You'll get used to it hon." I chuckled nervously.
"Okay then!" she went right back to hugging me.
"Don't you want... to start... the party?" I asked between breaths.
She dropped me and squealed again,"Yes let's! Let's party!"
So the short of it is I got grounded. That's all I have to say.
Hope you enjoyed reading!