"You're a few minutes early," Kuro says, sitting in a seat, wearing only a pair of sweatpants and a shirt.
Clove scoffs while keeping her arms crossed. "Start talking," she demands as they watch Cassia in the base through a window as she jumps around cheering.
"Your recent transfer, Silver Tongue, is trying to become the new egg boss of the area," Kuro informs before handing her a listening device to hear his rant from earlier.
Clove starts to listen to the recording while Kuro holds the folded bag in his hand. He then holds the blue bag to Clove, who takes it as she hears the threat of shutting off Cassia's implants. Clove stares at the bag while Kuro smiles at Cassia playing her game so intensely, her face is leaning close to the screen. He hopes her list of implants comes with eyes as well. Clove looks over and notices the happy expression he is giving off as he watches Cassia play on her new game system. She then takes out the listening piece and observes him. "You're the wolf that was on the cliff."
"Well, that took you long enough. I was trying to be a bit transparent, or did you not know Eggman's birth name was Julian?" Kuro asks. Clove raises an eyebrow, and he turns his smile at her. "No joke."
"I feel a bit stupid for not figuring this out sooner, but it makes so much sense why you didn't use that now," Clove says facepalming.
Kuro chuckles before relaxing in his seat. "Why not play some games for now? Spend time with your sister. She needs you always. Even if she says you are overbearing," he notes with a grin making Clove frown at him. "Now, how do we want to do this? For I am up to visiting him and bringing him near death if you are," Kuro offers.
Clove takes a deep breath before getting up. "No. Let me handle this. If they figure out that I am conspiring with you and it would be all smoke and lasers for us. Besides, I owe him a few kicks to the teeth."
"Want me to stay with Cassia or meet later?" Kuro asks.
Clove slowly looks at him with a soft glare. "Do not go near her. Stay away from this. This is an Egg Boss problem," she declares before walking away.
"Cassia is watching us, so I expect her to come to see me soon," Kuro says, spying Cassia watching the two now.
"Dang sister," Clove mutters under her breath as Cassia disappears for a second and then returns to the window.
"Call her when you are heading back, and I will order you something," Kuro says, relaxing in his seat.
Clove gives a wave behind her as Cassia finally disappears from view.
Kuro smiles and orders two sodas and waits for Cassia to eventually make her way to him.
Cassia soon appears, walking through the main entryway and waves at him. Kuro waves back while Cassia grabs the sofa off the table between them, and she sits where Clove sat before. "So, what did you need to talk with my sister for? She seemed pissed," she notes while popping opening the can.
"You put two and two together faster than she did?" Kuro asks with a knowing smile.
"You made it a bit too transparent," Cassia replies, smirking, taking her drink.
"Clove just figured it out," Kuro says before they shared a laugh.
Cassia then smiles and sighs after taking another sip. "I almost wish we could have taken these implants and run. Our lives would be so much more fun. But Eggman can shut us down at any time if we do so best not to. At least I can play a lot," she winks at Kuro. "So…did you send me my gift?"
"Who else would?" Kuro says a bit cheekily.
Cassia grins before chugging down another sip of soda as Kuro watches towards the distance of where Clove went. "Are we going to see some fireworks?" Cassia asks, now looking in the direction of where her sister walked.
"Clove doesn't want you in danger as she deals with the one who put on the latest fireworks," Kuro informs before ordering her a slice of cinnamon apple pie.
Cassia looks to the little stand nearby and drools at the sight of the slice being put on the plate. "Did you see my trading card?" she asks cheekily.
Kuro smiles over at her. "You guys have trading cards? If so, I want you and your sister first and then Storm's. Oh, and Abyss," he lists off on his hand.
"You worthless piece of filth," Clove says again, kicking Silver Tongue in the face.
"OW! DAMMIT BITCH!" Silver yells and gets a powered kick from her legs that sends him flying out the window.
"Did you think I wouldn't find out about your treachery?" Clove asks as she advances on the downed snake.
Silver groans as he picks himself up before spitting out one of his bloody and broken fangs onto the ground. "Damn slut. You bothered me enough!" he yells in both pain and frustration.
"Oh no, I am not done yet," Clove barks before starting to punch him over and over. "Not after the threat you made on my sister."
Silver laughs with the broken and bloody face before Clove tosses him up into the air and kicks him away into a wall. "You're…" he coughs before spitting up blood, "a dumb bitch after all. Do you think I carry the way to shut her down on me? Ha! Not with the way she spends so much time alone. But with the guards and various places, Eggman would have no choice but to take you two out for incompetence at not being able to take me out sooner!" he laughs through the pain as he spits out more blood.
"Oh, no. I already informed him about your little plan. I think he wants to talk to you about destroying his death egg and several factories," Clove says, hoisting him up by his jaw.
Silver groans as he tries to speak before having himself thrown to the ground and kicked into his teeth against the wall. "…you…lose…" he groans as his body becomes limp, and a small trigger falls out of his hand. Clove becomes confused before the office building behind her sparks widely. The electrical lines and small power poles spark as well before something hits her and send her legs to spark and flail around extensively as they went out of control before shutting down. Clove gasps and tries to pick herself up, but her legs give out as she looks to them and tries to hit them to restart them.
"Cassia!" Clove yells in a vain attempt to make her hear.
"Oh, wow. She did better than I thought," Cassia observes as she watches the sparks fly from the office building. "Maybe I should put her on for the fireworks we might have. Want to watch next week?" she asks over at Kuro as he watches her eat her pie.
Kuro hums as he steps up beside her and watches the show. "Weird. I was expecting a fireball," he comments before hearing his communicator cackle and then rapid clicking as Whisper tries to talk to him. "Hang on," Kuro says before blinking away with her.
Cassia cries out as she lurches forward and hits something that feels like water and then a tree. "Ow…" she groans before feeling something wrap around her head.
"What are you doing?!" Kuro demands as Whisper ties the bag around Cassia's head.
Whisper nods her head to the sparks and explosion before something washes over them, and his communicator crackles and sparks. Kuro grunts and throws away his electronics while Whisper keeps the bag firmly around Cassia. When the flashes on their equipment start to recede and die down, she unties the bag and pulls it off the egg boss. "She should be fine now," Whisper whispers to him and quickly jumps away to hide.
"Sorry. A little extra EMP shielding," Kuro informs apologetically.
Cassia coughs and looks to his thrown backpack and equipment on the ground. "Wow…thanks…MY SISTER!" she realizes and looks toward where the whole thing started. "GET ME THERE NOW!" she demands as her eyes glow red.
"One second," Kuro says, getting something and attaching it to his arm, and soon Cassia watches as his fur color changes. "Now we may go," Kuro informs.
Cassia feels the watery lurch and lands nearby the destroyed building, stumbling around and getting her footing. "Dang…SIS!" she calls and hears a gasp to the side. When Cassia looks over, she sees Clove on the ground and her legs not moving. "Clove!" she calls and rushes over before helping her up. "Are you okay?"
"Looks like her cybernetics were shorted ou…oh no, you don't!" Kuro calls tackling Silver as he tries to slither away and starts wrestling him as Cassia helps her sister.
Clove looks at Cassia in relief. "You didn't lose yours. He helped?" she asks while hugging her little sister. As they were doing this, they heard a cry of pain. When they look over to the struggle, they see Silver now having several bleeding gashes on his face and Kuro's left claws covered in blood.
Cassia hums before placing Clove back down on the ground. "Kuro, move," she orders, cracking her knuckles.
"No need," Kuro says before getting Silver into a full nelson, ready for Cassia.
Cassia growls as she reels her arm back while Silver slowly looks up and sees an angry pronghorn. "Wha…?" he asks deliriously before being knocked in the face by the rest of his teeth, kicking out the rest now, and Kuro drops him onto the ground.
"Damn…your sister's a badass," Kuro comments as he notices the teeth and looks at Clove, who smiles as Cassia holds up Silver's face to make him stare at her. "Cassia, wait. Use the tonfa," Kuro advises.
Cassia blinks before grinning as her eyes shine bright red. She reaches behind her and takes out her tonfas before spinning it around and smacks Silver's head hard below his jaw. Silver groans before he takes one bloody sniff, and he starts screaming as the cinnamon gets into his wounds.
"Let's see…I think…try moving your right leg now," Kuro says, messing with Clove's cybernetics as Cassia finally knocks Silver out.
Clove looks curiously to her legs as he has a few panels open on her legs. She slowly lifts a leg before smiling as it gives a shaky response. Clove laughs a little and raises her other leg before trying to stand. She stumbles before Kuro catches her and helps her onto her hooves. "Thanks…you should leave before Eggman's forces arrive here and notice you. I don't think he would be as nice to you either," Clove warns, smiling at Kuro.
"I will be in touch. But get those legs examined when you get back to the base. What I did was a patch job at best," Kuro says, taking her over to Cassia to help her. "Also, one last thing before I go," Kuro says before kicking Silver hard in the stomach region before blinking away, leaving them alone.
"Nice job getting a boyfriend sis," Cassia compliments.
Clove gives her a tired, annoyed face but smiles nonetheless. "Shut up…"
"So yeah. Going to stick around for a few weeks, keeping an eye on things, and distracting the egg bosses until Storm shows up and then will head back to HQ," Kuro says, giving Sally an update as Whisper hides out of sight from the communicator.
Sally nods while Tailsko comes into view, carrying some supplies. "Great job on making some friends. But watch yourself, okay?" Sally warns, pointing at him.
"Oh, don't worry. I got back up. Also, Tailsko, when I get back, I have someone I want you to meet," Kuro calls after seeing her.
Tailsko smiles and gives a wave. "Hey, handsome. Can't wait to meet them. Amy and Knuckles have been trying to give us updates, but it's the usual stuff. Your reports are more fun."
"Well, I will head off now," Kuro says before ending the call.
Whisper hums. "She seems joyful."
"She is mostly worried. Her friend is imprisoned somewhere, and they are trying to find her," Kuro informs.
"So a false mood," Whisper concludes before Kuro steps next to her and wraps his tail around hers. "Or is it a real mood because of you?"
"Half and half. She is better now, but still worries," Kuro informs.
Whisper nods before they look out into the view of the forest. "You have made interesting friends over your time."
"Are you one of them?" Kuro inquires.
Whisper just gives him an unamused expression now but tightens her tail around his.
"Right," Kuro says before laying against her.
Whisper shakes her head as she wraps her arm around him. "And don't you are already doing it," she sighs as she feels his hand slide down her ass.
"Sorry. Can't help it," Kuro says before just going slack in her arms.
Whisper sputters quietly. "Horny wolf."
"Like you are one to talk," Kuro remarks as he lets her do what she wants to him.
Whisper groans and buries her face in her hand. "Don't remind me."
"How are your legs, sis?" Cassia asks.
Clove sighs and gives a few kicks with her legs. "Fine enough. Are you okay?" she asks, looking to Cassia as she settles on her bean bag that she got as another gift. "Because I doubt it was that clean," Clove notes and settles in beside her sister in front of the screen.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Kuro says having blinked into existence right behind Clove.
Clove groans and leans her head back against the bean bag to look up at their 'savior.' "And what are you doing here?" she questions as Cassia starts playing her games.
"Well, to find out how bad Silver took being hailed away, and we did have a deal," Kuro reminds.
Clove shakes her head while Kuro settles in between them on a third bean bag. "No wonder you gave her only three."
"I gave her six…where are the other three?" Kuro asks.
Cassia stops for a moment before looking sheepish. "Um…"
"Did you let your friends have them?" Kuro teases.
Cassia blushes and looks away, embarrassed. "Just toss us some controllers, and let's play. I got five hours of free time," Clove interrupts.
"So, how do you intend to hide me from Storm?" Kuro asks.
Clove eyes Cassia as she throws them the controllers. "Her. Storm hardly gives Cassia much thought unless it's a mission," she informs, catching her controller.
"So I am bunking with your sister. I think she is trying to set us up, don't you, Cassia?" Kuro teases. Clove glares and blushes at the sound of that tease.
"Nah," Cassia giggles. "More like she is trying to stay away from you because she likes you."
"Oh? Would you like to go out sometime?" Kuro asks, and there was a squeal of tires and crash sound coming from the videogame.
Cassia leans over to look at Clove as she blushes bright red. "No. Of course not," Clove huffs to the side, not liking the eager faces on both of them. "And don't you dare encourage him," she warns her sister.
"It's far too late for that. Also, did you like the wine I sent you?" Kuro asks.
Clove groans and returns to playing the game, trying to sink as much of herself into the bean bag as possible. "I have to put up with this jabber mouth for a few days is beyond me," she mutters.
"Your sister is adorable like this, isn't she?" Kuro asks, looking to Cassia, who looked ready to bust a gut laughing.
"You kidding. You're her first crush," Cassia retorts, and there is another crash. "Hardly a boyfriend, and now she found one that also saved us both," she lists off, and there is another crash.
"Ah…I wouldn't say I saved her, but now she knows how all her admirers feel, huh?" Kuro asks.
Clove growls and glares at Kuro. "Hey. I agreed to keep you hidden here. But that doesn't mean we are buddy-buddy right now."
"Oh…does that means you want me to sleep in your room if we aren't keeping it at that level?" Kuro asks, making Cassia barely able to contain her laughter hearing that.
Clove grabs Kuro's collar and pulls him closer, glaring at him. "Listen, you runt of the litter, this is merely a simple deal—nothing else. And there is no love between us."
"Well, I don't know about that. You are beautiful, strong-willed, fiery, intelligent, caring, should I go on?" Kuro asks, looking to Cassia.
Cassia snickers, trying to hide her laughter now as Clove blushes beet red. "No," Cassia squeaks. "Keep going. She likes you too much now," she squeals, trying to contain herself.
"Ok. You're also understanding, compassionate, cautious, and would sacrifice yourself without a second thought for those you love," Kuro finishes seriously and sincerely.
Clove stares at him before throwing him back into his seat and lays back in hers, staying silent now. But that doesn't mean she can't stop the blush from staying on her face the entire time.
"Too much, too soon?" Kuro asks, leaning over to Cassia.
Cassia cheekily sticks out her tongue. "A little. It sounds like you made your wedding vow to her."
"Really? That is how you make a wedding vow?" Kuro inquires, unsure.
Cassia nods happily, not noticing his massive confusion. "Yep. It's usually like that or how much you love each other."
"Oh…I was just taught you should be open with your feelings to those you like, whether for good or ill," Kuro informs.
Cassia grins. "Now that's a wedding vow and something you should say at my sister's wedding."
"Oh, when is that?" Kuro inquires, smirking again.
Cassia giggles. "Depends. When do you want it?"
"Um?" Kuro hums thinking about it, and this time, Cassia sees he is thinking about it seriously.
"Wait…seriously?" Cassia asks in surprise. "You want to marry my sister, an egg boss?"
"Well, egg boss is secondary. Your sister herself is what I am looking at," Kuro says.
Cassia slowly leans over to see Clove covering herself with a pillow and overheating from embarrassment. "Sis, you should marry him. He's awesome," she encourages, smiling.
"Cassia, what have you done?" Clove moans out.
Cassia giggles. "You're welcome," she says proudly before laughing like crazy as Kuro takes the chance and starts to tickle the younger sibling. "Help…" she laughs out. "I'm under attack!" she laughs and tries to push him away. "Clove!" she giggles and looks to see the older sibling groaning at how much it feels like they have an older brother now.
Later, when the sun had set, Kuro asks a question to the recovered Clove. "So, where am I sleeping?"
"Sleeping bag. On the ground. And if anything happens to my sister, you are the first to be blamed," Clove warns as Kuro looks to Cassia, sleeping with a smile in her bed.
"So no chance at a date, huh?" Kuro asks seriously.
Clove crosses her arms, annoyed, and gives him a look. "Just don't screw up your stay here. I am doing this as thanks for helping weed out that bastard."
"I give it two weeks at most before Storm starts to show up looking for me," Kuro admits.
Clove hums roughly under her breath before scoffing to the side. "Get some sleep. You don't want the guards to inspect anything weird yet here."
"Right," Kuro says before heading to a corner and sits against it to get some sleep.
Clove stares at him in surprise as he seems to be asleep after so much time awake and working finally. It makes her wonder what he does to keep himself awake during missions like his. Kuro snores quietly as Cassia moans and snuggles into her sheets, feeling the older presence nearby her. Clove watches the two as they rest their tired selves before she walks over and kisses her sister's head and pulls the covers around her. "Sleep tight," she whispers, and Cassia smiles in her sleep.
When Clove looks at Kuro, she can hear him steadily breathing before she walks over as quietly as possible to then lean down in front of him. Clove tilts her head as he gives a bit louder snore before it returns to the soft, quiet ones. She bends over and gives a peck to his cheek before getting up and leaving the two to sleep peacefully.
Kuro snorts a little as the door closes before he smiles in his sleep, enjoying the little warmth on his cheek.