After so much rewriting, Chapter 5 is here! I do apologize for the lack of updating on my stories, but more chapters are now ready to be added! So be on the look out for them!

Chapter 5

Sonic, partially hiding himself behind a large hydrangea bush, watches on from a good ways away as the two new friends finish braiding their flower crowns. Cream twirls around in her purple and blue crown with Cheese, the Chao wearing the sunset flowers. Claira chuckles at the little girl's antics, her own white crown sitting between her ears.

The blue hero, not having gone for a much needed run, taps his foot vigorously to relieve some of his pent up energy. He hadn't been joking when he'd told Claira he had been thinking about stretching his legs. But with her coming outside and finding Cream, and no one else outside to watch them, he kept himself nearby to keep an eye and ear out.

So far since finding the strange red cat she hasn't caused any issues. And while her actions and responses seem genuine, Sonic just can't help but remember how much history he has with the Robotnik family.

Eggman continuously tries to take over the world, but his plans are always stopped by the speedy hedgehog and his companions. His grandfather, while he did create Shadow and that's a plus, did go crazy and try to destroy the world using the ARK years after the death of his granddaughter.

So far the only Robotnik to not have a history of going insane was Maria. And Sonic's knowledge of her only comes from what Shadow remembers of her and the few video logs they had found on the abandoned space colony.

"Thank you again for your help, Miss Claira." He hears Cream say. The little girl is holding onto her new friend's hand and grinning brightly.

"You're very welcome, Cream. I had a lot of fun." The older woman fixes her new crown from where it had fallen over her left eye. "And I have a pretty new crown thanks to you too."

A laugh is shared between the two and Sonic, seeing his moment to butt in, steps out into the open.

"Cream," he calls, "aren't you suppose to be helping your mom with dinner?"

"Oh you're right! I forgot! Thank you, Mister Sonic!" The young rabbit hurries to gather Cheese into her arms and takes off, pausing only a second to wave back at Claira before trotting down the path home.

In the absence of the six year old, silence stretches between the two Mobians left in the garden pathway.

Sonic clears his throat. "So, uh, Claira?"

The crimson cat's ear flicks towards him but she doesn't look at him. Instead she stares off into the distance, beyond the garden to the trees of the forest.

"Yes?"

"What did Cream's mom tell you?"

Claira crosses her arms. "She said that the only other Robotnik still around is a madman and that you don't believe my story." She toes at a loose stone step with her borrowed sandals. "Of course I can understand why."

Sonic steps closer to the adult, taking note of her trembling form. "You still haven't told us everything."

"No," she blandly states. "I haven't and I don't really know how I would tell you everything when it hurts so much to think about it."

"Then what can you tell me?" The teen taps his foot again, already impatient. "I have to know something. Otherwise, I have no choice but to think that you might be working for old Ivo."

A sniff catches his attention. Claira's claws poke out from her gloves and dig into her arms in an attempt to hold herself together. Her tail wraps around her left leg, out of the way and giving a little comfort as she speaks in disgust.

"I... I would never work for a madman. Ever." Tear filled pine green eyes meet emerald. "The pride of a Robotnik is the work contributed to all fields of science in order to raise the quality of life for all people. I was raised on that principle and it's all I know. I would never seek to harm another without good and just reason for doing so. I'm not like those monsters who attacked my family."

Sonic stares back at the older Mobian. He sees how her gaze doesn't waiver despite how uncomfortable she is in his presence. He hears the conviction in her words.

He makes his decision.

Robotniks may be known for trickery, but Sonic is a hero who stands for giving people a chance.

He walks to Claira's side and stares out at the sunset. "Then let's make sure there isn't a family reunion so you can go back to helping people."

Once again the two are left in the quiet of the evening, but this time it's less suffocating and awkward as they watch the sun disappear behind the tree line together.

"Mister Sonic! Miss Claira!" Cream calls from the house. "Dinner's ready!"

Sonic answers for the both of them. "Be there in a sec, Cream!" He turns back to his feline companion. "You ready to go back?"

Claira, having calmed down now and relaxed her tense shoulders, dries her eyes and wipes her cheeks. "Yes, but I'm a bit concerned, Sonic."

"Huh? What about?"

The cat smiles and points to his foot. "You keep tapping your foot. Didn't you say you needed to stretch your legs?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

She interrupts the young hero with a knowing smirk. "Go on and go run. I'm not planning on hurting anyone. I swear."

"I get that now." The blue teen rubs at his nose. "I just wanted to make sure you were gonna be okay."

"I'm fine, now go on and run." The young woman gives the hero a push down the path, causing him to stagger. "I'll head on back to the house."

"If you say so. See ya!"

Sonic, now more comfortable with the crimson tabby, takes off to the trees to run off his fidgety energy.

Claira stares wide-eyed in amazement at the sheer speed of the hedgehog, but huffs in amusement as she heads back to the cottage. "See you."

Self Health Days are an important part of mental healthcare! So take a hot bath or shower, grab some of your comfy clothes and comfort snack, and do something you find fun! Binge watching tv, crafting, gaming, etc. Take time for yourself. You deserve to love yourself too.