Ugh...writer's block...sucks...big time...forgiveness...please...I beg of you...you're all such...beautiful readers!...

Anyways, quick notes:

-Amy and Shadow are ages "18" and "20", Knuckles and Rouge are both "23", Sonic is "20"

-Setting's still Blackbrook

-A great big THANK YOU to: Project Shadow, AgentOfRedAndBlue, SweetMissVee, Zombie Spade, GoodXBad lover, CrossedFlames, ShadowEmpress76 nd graceheart306 for reviewing my last chapter!

- »¤« means change in POV, »« means same POV but lapse in time

Hope an awesome chapter makes up for the lateness!

Live. Laugh. Love. = Read. Enjoy. Review.

*Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Story is.

Bloodless

Chapter 10: This Means War

Rouge watched through narrow eyes as Drago approached her. The chuckle that emanated from deep in his throat matched the swath of serrated teeth shining through his grin. "Do you honestly believe she'll get away?"

"A head start…never hurt anyone." She tried to sound as in control as she always did, but the garlic quickly seeping through her veins didn't allow for much confidence.

"Yes, well, I always did enjoy a good chase…a pity you won't live long enough to see how it all ends."

Rouge couldn't force out a comeback, although she had one ready. Instead she shifted her gaze towards the fox she had nearly finished off early. He held a large splinter in his hand; a wooden stake ready to be plunged through her heart.

"No, leave her," Drago ordered, his cold yellow eyes glowing with contempt, "it'll be a much more meaningful message if she's left to die slowly."

The room began to darken as her body went numb. She could only hope Amy would find Shadow or Knuckles in time to save her. Rouge had herself once been at the receiving end of Scourge's interest; Amy didn't deserve that kind of torture. As her eyes slid shut, Rouge inwardly called out for Knuckles. Her death might easily kill him too, and that was what she regretted most.

»¤«

Amy felt Rouge's grip on her actions lessen, and was half tempted to turn back, but realized-with growing frustration-that there was nothing she could do to help even if she did return. Drago and at least two of his vampires were still very much alive, and Amy wasn't about to let Rouge's sacrifice be in vain. So instead she traveled deeper into the forest, her lungs aching by the time she slowed to a stop.

"Now what?" She breathed aloud, tugging at the jacket that still hugged her body.

What little sky that could be seen through the tree tops was shrouded with thick, dark clouds. How appropriate. Amy thought bitterly, feeling whatever hope she had left slowly start to slip away. A part of her wanted to break down in tears. Rouge was dying-if not already dead, Shadow and Knuckles were who knew how far away, and a vampire that made her blood run cold was currently hunting her down. Her vision began to blur, and she immediately bit her tongue. Just because your life really, really sucks right now, does not mean you get to cry about it!

Her heart thoroughly racing, she went with the first plan she could think of. "Shadow…!"

Maybe he could somehow hear her cry, or sense that she was in danger. Her voice rang out again, shattering the silence as it echoed through the trees. Spinning from left to right, Amy scanned the forest. Nothing. Panic began to settle in her stomach as fear overran her thoughts. She had never felt so alone, so…afraid. Not even when she had encountered Shadow for the first time. Sure she hadn't trusted him, but deep down she had always known he would never hurt her. What she wouldn't give to have the crimson-eyed vampire at her side again…to just hear his voice, and-

A rustle caught her attention, and she veered her gaze to the right. The undergrowth had been disturbed, but by what, Amy couldn't tell. Stepping in that direction, she called out, "Shadow…?"

"Guess again."

Having paused for a moment, she jumped when the voice, followed by a dark chuckle, broke through the stillness. Whirling around Amy came face to face with long, yellowed fangs. Drago stood with his arms crossed over his chest, a malevolent smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

With a gasp, Amy stumbled backwards, her momentum pushing her up against a tree. The wolf only laughed, his eyes tracing her form hungrily. "I wonder what you're hiding under such a thick coat…mind if I have a look?"

Despite the fear pulsing through her veins, Amy felt a small burst of anger as the vampire took a step towards her. "Go to hell!"

Pressing against the tree at her back, she bolted to the right, determined to make capturing her as difficult as possible. Drago, however, was before her in an instant. Without slowing down she dodged to the left, only to have him reappear the same as before. After two more unsuccessful attempts at escape, Amy gave up in exhaustion.

"My my, aren't we spirited." Drago chuckled, approaching her as she took several steps back. "My master will be pleased."

Her chest heaving from the wasted effort, Amy searched her surroundings for any means of deliverance. Her heart sank. The tears were returning as the world slowly closed in on her. Drago took hold of her wrists, his painful grip tightening as she struggled. "No…! Let go of me!"

The wolf grunted as Amy started kicking at him. "I can see you're not going to make this easy. No matter, there are other ways."

Letting go of one wrist, he reached for her temple, his cold fingers pressing against her skin. She wanted to scream, but an icy wave shot through her veins, forcing her body to grow numb, and her mind to go black.

»¤«

The mansion eventually came into view, and in an instant they were inside. The front door had been all but destroyed, and the interior of the house made it clear that a fight had ensued. Shadow had at first suspected the Sentinels were responsible for the attack, but the smell of ash lingering throughout the main hallway said otherwise.

His initial concern over Amy's safety persisted as his eyes darted around the house. He cursed the panic that was steadily settling in his chest, and did his best to keep from calling out her name. This is ridiculous… he chided himself, briefly closing his eyes in frustration. These emotions, these thoughts, none of them made sense. He tried ignoring it, but the truth crept into his mind with slow, cold fingers: Amy's presence was nowhere to be found, and that bothered him more than it should have.

Dammit…

Knuckles had hardly settled to a stop when he immediately bolted to the right, disappearing into the drawing room. Swearing under his breath, Shadow followed, quickly burying the fear and anger that threatened his control.

The scent of garlic made him wince as he entered the room. Knuckles was kneeling beside someone, his body hunched over and rigid. Shadow's hands curled into fists the instant he recognized who it was. Rouge… Shelay motionless against the wall, her eyes closed, and her dress in ruins. Knuckles drew her into his arms as he stood.

"You were right…" the echidna's voice was a weighted whisper, "they poisoned her."

Shadow swallowed, breathing slowly and deeply as his muscles tensed. A scent caught his attention. "Drago was here. Scourge was behind all this."

Knuckles was silent for a moment, his head bowed as he drew Rouge closer to his chest. His eyes suddenly widened, "She's still alive!"

»«

Shadow crossed his arms to hide the relief that washed over him as Rouge slowly opened her eyes. The bat shifted slightly beneath the crimson sheets, her teal eyes resting on Knuckles as the echidna gently squeezed her hand. Shadow felt a twinge of envy at the bond they shared, but the feeling was quickly replaced with guilt. By bringing Amy here he had nearly separated the two forever. It was a miracle Rouge was even still alive-

"Oh enough already…" The vampiress scolded him weakly, drawing Shadow away from his thoughts. "It's my fault things turned out the way they did…I should've known Drago wouldn't play fair."

Shadow met her gaze. "Your fault? You nearly died, and you're saying it's 'your fault'?"

"A simple 'thank you' would suffice." She replied with a half smile that vanished almost as soon as it appeared. "Drago still took Amy, though, didn't he?"

"They were long gone by the time we got here." Knuckles affirmed grimly, pressing closer to the bed.

Rouge frowned in the candlelight. "Then why are you two still here…go after them…!"

Knuckles sighed before addressing Shadow. "May I speak with you in the hallway?"

Nodding, Shadow led the way out of the room, turning to face the echidna once they were alone. The older vampire crossed his arms, and cast an anxious glance over his shoulder, clearly uncomfortable with leaving Rouge's side if even for a moment.

"She's still so weak." Shadow began, knowing the reason why Knuckles had wanted to speak in private; Rouge would have easily denied it.

The echidna met his gaze evenly. "I can't leave her."

"I wouldn't ask you to."

"Scourge has Amy…and you're not strong enough to face him on your own."

"I know, but I also can't afford to wait."

Knuckles frowned. "Trying to rescue her alone is suicide."

In spite of the current circumstances, Shadow couldn't hide the smirk that found its way onto his lips. "Who said anything about being alone?"

His friend sighed, purple eyes narrow. "You're about to do something insanely foolish, aren't you?"

He was. The plan that had quickly formed in his mind was exceptionally reckless, and had a minimal chance of success, but when he thought of Amy at the mercy of a monster like Scourge, any risk seemed trivial. Besides, he now had a score to settle with Drago.

"I know what I'm doing…for the most part."

Knuckles studied him. "Don't let Scourge use it against you."

Shadow blinked at the change of subject. "Use what?"

"Your feelings for Amy. Almost killing Rouge was his way of sending a message; he was trying to weaken you."

"Well he failed."

"This time perhaps, but Amy isn't Rouge. Scourge doesn't have to kill her in order to hurt you."

"It's not like that." Shadow protested with a slight glare.

"Not yet," Knuckles looked back inside the room with an unreadable expression, "but I'm the one with the experience here, not you."

Shadow stepped past the echidna in an attempt to keep from saying anything he shouldn't. He respected Knuckles, and trusted his judgment, but that didn't necessarily mean he was ready to believe what the older vampire had insinuated. Once they were both through the doorway, Shadow approached Rouge.

"I'm going to kill Drago for what he did."

"You better." Rouge gave a faint smile before growing surprisingly serious. "But more importantly…save her."

Shadow nodded, turning to leave when Knuckles placed a hand on his shoulder. The echidna's gaze was intense. "Don't die."

He scoffed. "I wouldn't give Scourge that kind of satisfaction."

And with that, he was gone.

»¤«

Sonic stood statue still as the world outside grew darker with the setting sun. The view from his apartment window wasn't much, but he could see clearly the clouds that hung thick overhead, adding to his already sour mood. They had discovered virtually nothing as to Amy's whereabouts, and although he was still convinced Shadow was responsible for her disappearance, he couldn't afford to act without sufficient evidence. The thought frustrated him to no end. Who knew what kind of torture Amy was suffering at the hands of that vampire, what kind of-

Sonic tensed as a second presence entered the room. Immediately he twisted away from the window with his arm extended, a fragment of Light emanating from his protruding middle and index fingers.

Shadow stood in the darkness with his arms crossed, his chest hardly an inch from Sonic's hand. The vampire's glowing crimson gaze fixed on the two fingers hovering above his heart, before shifting up to Sonic's face. "I didn't come here for you to kill me."

"How dare you come here at all. After what you've done I have every right to kill you…"

"Do that," Shadow replied without even blinking, "and you'll never find Amy."

Sonic's eyes narrowed. "It'll only be a matter of time, but we will find her."

"She'll have been made a blood bonded vampiress by then."

"Not if I kill you now…" He threatened, taking a step forward. The vampire wasn't intimidated, or at least he hid it well, because instead of shrinking back, Shadow leaned forward.

"I don't recall saying that I'd be the one to turn her."

Sonic faltered. "You mean she isn't with you?"

"Not at the moment."

Swearing under his breath, Sonic felt his anger flare. He had to force his hand to steady as the Light on his fingertips threatened to waver out of control. "Have you forgotten what she'll be capable of once she is fully awakened? There's a reason we Sentinels intervene when it comes to vampiressses."

"You mean you're not just doing it to save them from the sins of their parents?" Shadow remarked sarcastically.

"I wish it were that simple."

"Amy's potential ability is beside the point. The vampire that took her is an enemy of mine, and seeing as how he now has her, that makes him your enemy as well."

Sonic frowned. "What are you getting at?"

Shadow smirked. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"Never."

"Ally?"

"Not hardly."

"How about a temporary truce then? You and your Sentinels don't kill me, and in return I'll take you to whoever has Amy."

Sonic almost laughed. "Sentinels helping a vampire…who would've thought?"

"So we have an agreement then?"

He met the vampire with an even gaze. "You do realize that Amy will be in our care once this is all over; you have nothing to gain by taking us to her."

Shadow tilted his head. "Looks like I'm not the animal you thought I was."

"Maybe not an animal, but still a monster." Despite his better judgment, Sonic agreed. "The instant you get her out of harm's way Amy comes to us."

Walking back towards door, Shadow called over his shoulder. "I'll do my best, but I'm not making any promises."

You didn't really think I'd be cruel enough to kill Rouge out of the story, did you? The truth was, I needed her to be momentarily unable to protect Amy to go along with the story plot, and yada yada. Teehee

Anyways, lots happening. Amy's blacked out...again. Poor girl. Shadow struggles with his feelings, as always. And-what's this?-vampires and Sentinels working side by side? How scandalous! And did Shadow mention something about Amy harboring some kind of 'potential ability'? Haha, this should be interesting.

I will, as always, do my best to answer any questions and/or comments without ruining events to come.

All reviews are welcome!...seriously, the best cure for writer's block is reviews that guilt me into updating sooner :D

Kwaherini!