Closer to the Heart- A Sonic and Sally SatAM Story
-The day after Robotnik's defeat-
Sally Acorn, the chipmunk princess who led the final attack on Robotropolis, now had a new challenge laid before her. A loose thread to resolve...
Sonic had promised that once the war was well and truly over, he would have something planned for the two of them. He didn't say the word "date" out loud, but she knew better. That kiss they shared before the stunned crowd had sealed the deal!
Now, only the sound of rushing water could be heard as the blue hedgehog guided her toward an unknown destination. A white covering around her eyes, inspired from when they tried to surprise him with the Freedom Stormer way back when, only served to spike her curiosity. She was grinning from ear to ear in anticipation as she felt the wind course through her hair...
"Surprise, Sal!" The blindfold was stripped away as she caught side of a freshly painted fishing boat with two throw pillows, one blue and one red, at both ends of the craft. What caught her by surprise was the blue acoustic guitar that rested near the front with shimmering red strings along its neck.
"That's new. Don't want to scare away the wildlife this time?" She replied with a coy smile as Sonic shook his head. Brushing his finger across his nose, he gestured down the river with that impish grin which drew her in the first place.
"No way, Sal. It's just more 'water-proof' than the ol' electric guitar... Bunnie convinced me that this was more 'apro-pro' for this kinda thing." Despite herself, Sally couldn't help but giggle at the hedgehog's excuses and boarded the boat, choosing to rest on the blue pillow while he took the red. Tuning the instrument, he began to play an eclectic solo as his fingers flew across the strings.
The birds raced out of the trees as the wind caught Sally's auburn hair and with a well placed kick of the small anchor holding the craft in place, they were off down the Great River. Thankfully, the trip proved to be quite a gentle one as the boat slid into a dark cave. She immediately recognized that the horrendous current that once plagued the area had settled and that numerous torches were set up along the sides of the cavern.
Turning to face Sonic with another curious look, he abruptly halted his performance to give her a warm smile. "Yeah, it took a lot of convincin' to let the Kraken brighten up his section of the river, but I assured him it was for a good cause!"
Somehow I think you may have left out the part where it was being used for a 'date', Sonic. Sally thought as her eyebrow raised at his suggestion. He began to play another song, this time a little slower, building to a crescendo. She appreciated that he didn't try to add lyrics to the composition, given his previous efforts in that department.
"Well, it -is- nice." Without thinking, the words slipped out and the chipmunk blushed as her hands flew over her mouth. Quickly adjusting her position on the pillow she quickly added, "I just think this is a little much, especially for you..."
"Are you kiddin'...? I don't do half-measures Sal!" A deep sigh and a roll of her eyes was the only response as the boat passed through the halls of the Kraken's kingdom. The large purple creature acknowledged the two with a wave and a strained grin. This only caused her to huff and cross her arms as she affixed him with a sharp glare. Sonic's only response was a smug look and another strum of the blue instrument in his hands.
As the river poured out to the lake, the sun could be seen hovering just above the water, painting it in colors of orange and purple. A familiar sight and a incredibly symbolic one. "Good timing, Sonic. Isn't that sunset beautiful...?" Suddenly, she was pulled up to her feet by the blue hedgehog and drawn in as he silently pointed outwards toward the horizon. Towards a bright future, she mused to herself.
"Well, what do ya think? Am I good...or am -I- good?" Sally drew him in for a deep kiss and he returned the gesture in kind. Crickets began chirping in the distance and a cool breeze surrounded the two as they embraced each other for what seemed like an eternity. The dusk gave way to a star-filled sky as they broke away, with Sonic swiftly lighting a candle in the center of the boat. "Okay. That was a decent comeback. I'll let you have that one."
"Thank you!" Sally replied with a degree of self-satisfaction. Thinking of the long trek back, only one last thing came to mind to cap off the impromptu date. "Now, if you'll carry me back to Knothole..."
~Hey now, Sally. Don't go away too soon. Hold to your hair, cause this hedgehog's gonna make you swoon!~ And...there it is, Sally thought as Sonic launched into an impassioned ballad and her head became buried in her hands.
Still, she couldn't help but laugh at this audacious display as she splashed some water in his face! He laid the guitar in her hands gently and leapt off the boat without warning, gripping the edge as his impish grin returned. Sally immediately braced herself against the edges of the boat, staring at him with eyes open wide! "Oh my gosh...Sonic...!" She cried as the motoring hedgehog threw the craft into high gear against the current!
"There's more than one way to head home, Sal! Now hold on...!"