Ok, guys, here's a new chapter! Nothing much to say, except I FREAKING HATE TESTS! Seriously, too many tests are bad for my brain!!! Ahem, anyway, do please enjoy this chapter. Remember, I don't own the characters except my made up ones.


The next afternoon, Ms. Acorn was leading Amy and Lily out of the royal garden to an area with a large lake, fruit trees, and flowers. Surprisingly, the king allowed Ms. Acorn to take his daughters outside of the castle for today's lesson. Amy and Lily were wearing long gardening dresses and flat shoes as they had their hair typed up into ponytails. They also held two large woven baskets on their arms.

"Alright, you two", Ms. Acorn spoke unkindly as they stopped. "Today, you are going to learn how to pick some fruit for yourselves. I know you two are princesses and all, but it is time for you two to learn how to do things on your own."

"How long are we going to be out here?" Lily dared to ask.

"Considering that both of you have two large baskets, you're going have to fill them up. Also, you have to make sure that they're ripe and don't have any bugs on them."

"What about you?" Amy asked suspiciously.

"I'll be picking some too", the mean teacher replied. "But both of you will have more to carry. So I would get started if I were you", she turned to her right and walked away from her students.

"…So…How are we going to get up there?" the youngest princess looked up at a tall apple tree.

"Maybe I can give you a lift", Amy suggested. "That way we can get the job done faster."

"Sounds good to me", Lily agreed.

The duo walked to the tree and tried to figure out its height. Amy threw down her baskets and signaled her sister to climb on her back. Lily placed the baskets down and warily got on her sister's back. With some amount of strength, Amy stood on her tepee toes as Lily placed her knees on top of Amy's shoulders. After that, the eldest took hold of her sister's ankles as she stood under an apple with ease. Lily took her time by reaching for the apple until she grabbed the bottom of it off the branch.

"I got it!" she said with accomplishment.

"Good", Amy struggled to stand still. "We might as well continue."

For the past two hours, they performed excellent teamwork by collecting lots of apples, cherries, strawberries, and pears. Successfully, they were able to fill up their baskets. Amy tried to pick up one of them, but her arm couldn't hold it up high. She sighed as she placed it back on the ground. She or Lily never thought that fruit baskets could be so heavy. Then again, this was their first time doing some work outside of the castle.

"I have a feeling that our arms will be exhausted when we return home", Amy said as she rubbed her right arm.

"We have a problem", Lily looked around. "Ms. Acorn is not in sight."

"Hmm…" the eldest sister sat on the grass and relaxed on her back. "As long as we don't have to deal with her, that's all that matters." Lily sat next to her.

"I have a few questions to ask."

"What is it?"

"Are still seeing Shadow?"

"Of course. Nothing can give me a good night sleep like being with him", Amy sighed dreamily.

"Well, if it's not too much trouble, is it ok if I meet him?" Lily asked with uneasiness.

"What?!" Amy sat up in shock. "Tonight?"

"Please, just this once?" her little sister clasped her hands together. "I would like to meet the one who makes my sister happy. Who knows, I can probably take a good look at him to see if he's the right one for you."

"I'm not sure…I don't think that's a good idea."

"I promise I won't tell. I'll wait until our parents are asleep, then go wait in your room, say hi to him, and then I'll go back to my room. I promise", Lily begged.

"Fine, fine", Amy shrugged. "But before I introduce him to you, you have to help me make some food for him."

"Wait…You're going to cook?" the youngest raised an eyebrow. "As long as I can remember, you were never a good cook."

"Not like that", Amy chuckled. "I mean, I want to share some of the fruit we've picked together. Along with some other food that doesn't require too much work."

"If you say so. Then I'll do it", Lily vowed.

"Good. Now then…" The pink hedgehog got up and picked up her heavy baskets. One of them had apples while the other one had strawberries in it. "Let us head back home, shall we?" she struggled to hold them up.

"Oh, dear…" Lily slapped her forehead.

Because the two had to make sure they wouldn't drop their baskets, they walked home at a very slow pace. Once they reached to the royal garden, Ms. Acorn was waiting for them as she had her arms crossed whilst tapping on her left foot. She told them that they had to be quick next time and not to have her worried about them. That never made sense to the princesses. First of all, Ms. Acorn had to carry a small basket of plums without feeling tired. And second of all, she was the one that disappeared when they were looking for her! Instead of arguing with her, Amy and Lily decided to ignore her and walked around her and head inside their castle. Yes, they might have to face some punishment, but that didn't matter to them. All they could think about was what will happen tonight.

At nine o'clock, the mother said goodnight to her daughters and made her way to her bedroom. Lily waited for a few minutes before she made her way to her sister's room. She tip toed down the hall and reached to the last door on the left. Making sure that she doesn't wake her parents up, she knocked on it with patience.

"Amy, it's me", she said but made sure to keep her voice down. Her sister opened the door and let her in.

"You know we have to wait for a long time, do you?" Amy reminded her as she closed the door.

"I don't mind", Lily said with her arms behind her back. "Besides, we'll be able to stay awake by making Shadow's meal and perhaps reading some books."

"True", Amy nodded. "Although…I see that you're wearing your new gown. Can you tell me why?"

"Oh, this?" Lily looked down at her long light blue gown. "Well, I, uh…I thought I should be presentable when I meet him", she smiled.

"Sure…" Amy murmured to herself.

Later on, it was 11:30. The two stayed awake by counting stars, reading some books, and by fixing each other's hair. Right now, Amy had her hair down while Lily wore hers in a bun style. Remembering the main deal, Amy found a candle and lit it up. She lit Lily a candle and they walked out of the room. With Amy leading the way, she looked around to make sure that no one could hear their footsteps. She stopped at her parents' bedroom door and placed an ear on it. Good thing her father snores loud. Moving quickly yet quietly, the princesses made their way downstairs and then reached to the kitchen. Their fruit baskets were on the counter right next to a few loaves of bread and a few containers of spices.

"That's all we're going to give him is some loaf of bread and fruit?" Lily whispered.

"And milk", Amy added. "Let's hurry and get things ready."

As Lily picked out the fruits and sliced a large piece of bread, Amy took the time to make some warm milk. Their tasks seemed a bit difficult, because they didn't have a lot of light. They also had to make sure that they didn't drop anything breakable. Nosily, the kettle whistled some steam and Amy grabbed a pot holder to take it off of the kitchen stove. Lily was gathering three plates and teacups for their evening get-together. Once she was done placing the food on the plates, she held up each cup for Amy to pour the milk in. In order to carry everything upstairs, they searched for a large salver. Luckily for Amy, she found a large oval-shaped salver and placed everything on it.

"Take the candles and lead the way", she whispered.

"Sure", the little one found a candelabrum on a table and placed the two candles in the brasses. She led her sister back upstairs but remembered to keep her footsteps quiet.

"Lily, stop", Amy whispered as she halted in front of a door.

"Huh?" Lily followed her command as she looked back. "In there?"

"I think the study room has plenty of space", Amy replied.

Without arguing, Lily slowly opened the door and walked inside. She placed the candelabrum on a round table in the middle of the room and signaled her sister to come in. Trying to ignore the pain in her muscles, Amy tip toed to the table and placed the salver on it.

"Phew", she sighed in exhaustion. "I've never thought all of this preparation could take so much work."

"Now I know how our servants feel", Lily scratched her head.

"Hmm…I think we have everything done here", Amy stood up. "Let's go back to my room", she took hold of the candelabrum lightly and then walked out.

"Very well", Lily yawned as she followed her.

Both of them returned to their hiding area and closed the door. They looked at the clock above Amy's vase and it read 11:57. Only three minutes left. Of course, they couldn't wait to see Shadow. After all of their hard work, they sure hoped that he'll appear and appreciate what they did for him. Instead of watching the clock, Lily sat on the bed and Amy started pacing back and forth. Everytime they looked at the clock, time seemed to be inactive. Netherless, they kept on waiting. At the stroke of midnight, Amy stopped pacing as Lily turned to the side of the bed. A sudden thud was heard, causing them to gasp.

"I'll introduce you to him", Amy whispered and then ran out to the balcony. As always, Shadow was there. "You're here", she wrapped her arms around him a bit tightly.

"Of course", Shadow choked a little. "I'll always be here when you need me."

"Oh, I've missed you so much", the pink hedgehog squeezed him a little tighter.

"Amy…Can't…breathe…" the dark hedgehog sort of spoke as his cheeks turned blue.

"Oh, I am so sorry", Amy released him worriedly, giving him time to catch his breath.

"It's alright", the black hedgehog said uncomplainingly. "I'm not mad", he looked at her. She had her eyes closed and her lips were waiting for his. He pulled her close and began to kiss her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yuck. What are they doing?" Lily thought in disgust. "Ahem!" she cleared her throat as loud as she could.

"Lily!" Amy pulled away and looked back at her sister. "Very rude", she said with annoyance.

"Who is that?" Shadow noticed the younger version of Amy in the bedroom.

"Oh. She's my little sister", Amy replied. "Come here", she waved for her sister.

"Um…" her little sister mumbled nervously as she got off the bed and walked to them. She looked up at Shadow and widened her eyes.

"Lily, this is Shadow. Shadow, meet Lily", Amy introduced them to each other.

"Nice to meet you", the black and red hedgehog said with kindness.

"…He is so...HANDSOME!" Lily exclaimed enthusiastically as she hugged him around his waist.

"Grr!" Amy growled.

"Hm. She almost looks like you", the male hedgehog looked down at Lily.

"Hm, I suppose", Amy glanced at her sister with jealousy. "Anyway, come with me right quick."

"We made you something to eat", Lily looked up at her sister's lover with a smile.

"You did?" Shadow said with curiosity.

"Sure, follow me", Amy took one of his hands.

"No, I want to lead him", Lily took his other hand.

"It was my idea."

"I don't care. I like him."

"Lily, no. He's mine!"

"I don't think so", the youngest said and stuck her tongue out.

"GRRRR!!!" Amy grounded her teeth.

"Its fine", Shadow shrugged his shoulders. "I don't mind if you two led me there."

"Fine", the two sisters gave each other a death glare.

Through the entire hour, the trio sat in the study room and ate their food. Not only that, Amy and Lily kept trying to pull Shadow away from one another. They had to stop because they felt like they were about to pull his arms off. Finally, Lily grew tired and fell asleep on Shadow's right shoulder. At least Amy didn't have to deal with her until tomorrow.

"Sorry if she annoyed you", she apologized with embarrassment.

"She was no trouble", the black hedgehog watched her sleep. "It must be nice to have a sibling. I'm an only child."

"Oh, I see", Amy yawned a little, trying not to close her eyes.

"I can tell that you are tired as well", Shadow noticed.

"It's just…We had to prepare everything for you and well…she was starting to become a pain. But I really hoped you enjoyed our hospitality."

"I did."

"Hmm, maybe we should put Lily to bed", Amy glanced over at her sister.

"I'll carry her while you lead the way", Shadow offered.

"Sure, but let's keep quiet", the princess grabbed the candelabrum and walked to the door. Her lover carried her younger sister carefully as she led him to Lily's bedroom. She watched him tuck Lily in and pulled the cover over her. "Thanks."

"No problem", the dark hedgehog whispered. "You should get some sleep too", he turned to Amy.

"Really?" the pink hedgehog whined. "But I wanted to spend some time with you."

"Hmm…" Shadow pondered for a little. "Come with me right quick", he took her hand and led her all the way back to her balcony.

"Hold on", Amy said and placed the candelabrum on her night stand. "So what is it?"

"Hold on to me tight", Shadow pulled her close to his body. Nervously, Amy wrapped her arms around his neck. After that, he carried her in bridal style and jumped up to the roof.

"Oh, god, don't drop me!" the princess clutched onto him with fright.

"I won't drop you, I promise", the male hedgehog scarcely spoke. "I was hoping that we could…sit on the roof for a little bit."

"Really?" Amy looked up at him. He nodded as he sat down on the roof gently. She decided to remain on his lap but loosen her grip a little. "Wow…" she looked up at the night sky. "It's beautiful up here", she rested her head on her hero's chest.

Shadow looked down at her as he continued to hold her by the waist. She was too busy looking up at the stars. Something bothered him inside. Did she really love him for who he was? Or was she only in love with him because he saved her life? And would they be able to be together forever? Better yet, would Amy still love him if he told her his true identity? He looked up at the sky, wondering what he should do. Of course, he loved Amy, but he didn't want to hide any more secrets. But he did have thoughts on what she might say or do.

"I have to tell her", Shadow thought to himself. "Amy-?" he looked down and noticed that she was sleeping. "I guess now's not the right time." Watchfully, he stood up and jumped back down on the balcony without dropping his beloved. To his surprise, she didn't wake up from the sudden movement. Although, she looked like an angel as she slept. "I do love her, but I don't want to break her heart", he thought with concern. "Perhaps I should figure out a way to tell her tomorrow night…"


I'm finally done! Phew, my arms are tired! I need a massage. Anyway, I took so long with this chapter. I've been having a lot of tests lately, so I had to study. Grr! Ok, guys, hope you've enjoyed this chapter. R&R! Thank you! And watch out Amy! Looks like you got some competition! XD