Declaimer: Oh, I quit! *sigh* I don't own 'em. And I don't own Brian
McKnight and the song "The Only One for Me". Hmm...I gave away the
surprise...oh darn declaimers...
Author Notes: This is the longest chapter by far! And probably the best too! I love it so much! I hope you will as well! I've been waiting forever to post this one! ENJOY!
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 8
In a restaurant in Paris, not too far from where Rouge and Knuckles were, sat ten familiar bats. They sighed in unison, all exhausted. They've been searching high and low for their leader, Slice and still no luck. They were giving up hope.
Panada, a pink bat with purple tip wings and dressed in a purple miniskirt and a pink tube-top, suddenly noticed something, "Hey...is that...Rouge? With that cute red echidna...and look! She has another one!"
Nine heads turned in the direction where Rouge and the echidnas were. "Hey, you're right. Maybe she knows where Slice is at?" Daisy, a yellow bat, dressed in a yellow sundress with flower patterns, said as she too noticed the three.
Betsey glared at Rouge. She so hated that bat for what she did, just abandoning the clan like she did all those years ago. It made her blood boiled just thinking about it. She'll get Rouge back, oh yes; she'll get her back indeed...
"Betsey? Are you thinking about revenge against Rouge again?" Asked a pale blue bat, dressed in a pale blue shirt and black jeans, Safari.
The big bat nodded, "Rouge will not get away with it."
The girls sighed, Betsey always get like this when ever Rouge crosses her mind. No use in talking to her than.
~*~*~*~*~
Rouge was excited; she had never been to Paris before. "Paris? Wow! Let's explore! Maybe we could find some treasures around here!" She was ready to run off, but noticed the guys weren't as excited as she was. "Uh, hello? Let's go?"
Tarosamo shook his head as Knuckles spoke, "I thought we were supposed to be heading in the direction through the Forbidden Forest. It wasn't supposed to lead us to the city of Paris."
Rouge sighed, "But Knuckles, since we are here, let's have some fun! Please?" She gave him her sweetest smile.
Knuckles found himself giving in. He hated when she did these things to him. But they didn't have time to play. They had to find the Joya De La Oscuridad before Sameo. He sighed, "Fine, only for a little while..."
Rouge grinned, "Thanks, Knux! You're the greatest!" She ran off to a jewelry store. Typical.
Knuckles kept his eye on Rouge. Best keep an eye on her, just in case something happens.
Tarosamo smirk, now that Rouge was gone, it's time for a man to man chat. "Knuckles, I believe we are needed for a talk."
Knuckles turned to the other echidna, "About what?" He still didn't like him, and Tarosamo could tell.
Tarosamo only said one word, "Rouge."
The red echidna just turned redder. "Rouge? What about her?"
Tarosamo only stared in the direction in which the bat ran off to. "She's something else, is she not?" First thing he must do is to get Knuckles to admit his feelings in the open.
Knuckles growled, "What are you getting at, echidna?"
The echidna turned to Knuckles, with a slight smile on his face. "I'm not getting at anything, Sir Knuckles. I am just very observant. I can see the way you look at her. I am pretty sure of the way you are feeling towards her."
Knuckles blushed again, "I, uh, I don't—don't love her, if that's what you are saying..."
Tarosamo nodded, "Knuckles, you can't lie to me."
Sighing, Knuckles gave up, "Fine, maybe I do like her a little..." That wasn't good enough as Tarosamo glared at Knuckles. "Okay! Okay! Maybe I do...." He was interrupted as Rouge came running to the two.
"Hey, guys, guess what!" She panted, catching her breath.
Knuckles sighed, great, saved by the bat. "What?"
Rouge grinned as she held up a piece of paper, giving it to Knuckles. Knuckles read it, "What's this?"
"Can't you read? It's a masquerade! Tonight. Everyone's invited! We gotta go!" Rouge snatches the paper out of Knuckles hands. "So, what do y'all think?"
Tarosamo nodded, "I think it would be wise to go to such an event."
"Fine, what time does it start?" Knuckles crossed his arms, still worried about getting the jewel of darkness.
Rouge scanned the paper once more, "It says here that it starts at 8 o'clock. Hey, Tarosamo, you think you could get us a place to stay? We may be here for a while."
Tarosamo eyes light up as he smirked, "Sure, Rouge."
Knuckles gulp; he knew what Tarosamo was up to. "Uh, Rouge...maybe that's not a good idea..."
"Oh, stop worrying, knucklehead. Everything will be fine!" She pinches his cheek, causing him to flinch and rubbing the spot she pinched.
Tarosamo nodded and went off to find a place where they could stay for a few days, leaving Rouge and Knuckles alone.
Rouge smiled up at Knuckles. "C'mon, Knuckles, we gotta find you something good for the masquerade tonight!"
Knuckles whimpered as Rouge pulled him away. He had a bad feeling about this....
~*~*~*~*~
Elsewhere
Sliced was now through the forest, and she looked a mess. Dirt covered her from head to toe, her hair was tossed and turned, and her beautiful clothes were torn in certain parts. She glared at Black Light. "That is the LAST time I listen to a butterfly!"
Black Light shrug, or shrugged best he could, since butterflies don't have shoulders. 'How was I to know that that hole was that deep and filled with grimy water? And that that hive was actually a BEE hive, and that bear wasn't exactly friendly? And that you couldn't swim?'
Slice growled, "Ugh! Out of all the things to give me, I got stuck with a dang butterfly!! WHY?!"
Black Light sighed, 'I'm not that bad...sure, the last creature I was assigned to didn't last very long, and well, the one before that didn't either, or the one before that, and the one before that...'
Slice fell over anime style (I haven't used that one in a while). She got up and glared daggers at Black Light. "You mean to tell me that everyone you were assigned to FAILED?"
'Well, yeah....BUT! You are different...I can sense some great potential in you...'
The bat rolled her eyes, "Whatever, lets just go. I'm starting to get hungry." The bat walked with the butterfly fluttering behind her. They soon approach a temple. "Is this the place?"
'Hmm...do you sense anything?'
Slice closed her eyes for a moment, "Hmm..." Her eyes than snapped opened. "Yeah! I feel it! Wow, that power is incredible!"
The butterfly smirk, or try to, I mean, come on, he IS a butterfly! 'It is a powerful jewel. The power is incomparable. Except with the exception of The Jewel of Light.'
"The Jewel of Light? I don't think I heard of that one. Whatever, lets just get this jewel and leave." Slice entered the temple, not knowing the danger that awaited her....
~*~*~*~
Knuckles found himself looking at a few suits that Rouge picked out for him. She pushed him to the dressing room. "Alright, hurry up and try them on!" She grabbed his sword as he was pushed into the dressing room.
Knuckles didn't even have time to protest. He sighed in defeat and looked at the clothes that were place in his arms. He enjoyed being...naked. :-\ The first one was a black tuxedo. It looked fairly nice, but nothing he would wear. It's amazing how this place had his size...
Rouge waited patiently for Knuckles. Five minutes passed, Knuckles finally choose one suit that he actually liked and tried it on. He looked at himself in the mirror and smirk. "Hey, I actually look nice..."
"Knuckles, are you done yet?" Came Rouge's voice.
Knuckles shouted over his shoulder, "Uh, yeah! I'll be out there in a minute!" After a few seconds of straightening up, he nervously left the dressing room.
Rouge looked up from the magazine she was reading and slightly gasped. Knuckles looked absolutely wonderful! He picked out the white tux with gold decorating it and a black bow-tie. Knuckles blushed at the looked that Rouge was giving him. "Wow, Knux. I would've never guessed that you would look that good in a tux..."
"Uh, yeah..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "This looks expensive. Are you renting or buying?"
Rouge thought for a moment, "We'll buy! You're gonna have to wear that again!" She winked. "Now, change out of that and meet me at the cash register."
"But how are you going to pay for this?" Knuckles asked, not sure if they could afford it.
"That's for me to know. Now, hurry up. It's getting late." Rouge walked away to the cash register.
After changing back into...nothing, Knuckles soon met Rouge by the register. Rouge grabbed the tux from Knuckles and handed it to the cashier.
"Bonjour, will you be paying in cash or credit?" Asked the cashier.
"Credit." Rouge handed the man her international credit card as she grinned at Knuckles who raised an eyebrow. "Never leave home without it!"
After scanning the card, the cashier handed Rouge back her credit card and put the clothes in a bag, also handing it to Rouge. The bat smiled.
"Merci beaucoup. Have a good day." He smiled politely as the two left.
"Hmm...I wonder where Tarosamo is at." Rouge asked, not seeing the strange echidna. "Oh, here's your sword." She handed the sword back to Knuckles who placed it back on his back.
"Why do I even have a sword?" He murmured. "It's not like I'll be using it or anything."
"And you say I complain too much." The bat remark as she finally spotted their new friend, "Hey, there's Tarosamo. C'mon, Knuckles." The two walked over to Tarosamo. "So, where are we staying, Taro?" She asked once they were with him.
"Hotel Francois 1er. It's a four star hotel." He stated. "Its a few blocks from that masquerade that you two will be attending tonight."
"Aren't you going, too?" The bat asked him.
Tarosamo shook his head, "No. I will be doing some research on the location of Joya De La Oscuridad. And you two need a break."
"Whatever, could we just get to our hotel rooms?" Knuckles said, impatient.
Tarosamo smirk, "Of course. Follow me." They followed him to a large hotel building as a doorman opened the door for them. Rouge gasped at how magnificent the lobby of the hotel was.
Knuckles was equally amaze. "This isn't bad...looks expensive. How are you going to pay for this?"
"Do not worry about that, Sir Knuckles." Tarosamo stated as he went up a flight of spiral stairs.
Rouge glanced around the place, "So, where are our rooms?"
"My room is here." He nodded to a room which had the numbers 317 on the door. He threw Rouge an extra set of keys. "Your room is there." He mention to a room next to his, 319.
Knuckles was almost afraid to ask, "And...my room?"
"You." He points to Knuckles, "Will be sharing a room with Rouge."
"WHAT?!?" They both exclaim.
Tarosamo chuckled at the expression of their face. "Three rooms are much too expensive. I'm sure you two will get along." Tarosamo put his key in the keyhole and the door opened. He stepped into his room, closing the door behind him, leaving the two in the hallway.
They glanced at each other, "You're sleeping on the couch." Rouge said, putting her key into the door, stepping inside.
"Fine with me." Knuckles groan, walking into the room.
Rouge let out a low whistle, "Wow, this place is...huge." The walls were painted a soft cream colored. The bed was a large king size bed with red sheets and a red quilt and look quite romantic for lovers! Eh...ahem... The large window leads onto a beautiful balcony. On either side of the bed were two nightstands with beautiful lamps. There was a room that led to the bathroom. Rouge walked into the bathroom to check it out. The bathroom was also a sight to see, with a bathtub that could probably fit two people, or more (Ack! Don't think THAT!). There was a mirror with gold rims above the sink.
There was also another room conjoin to the bedroom. Seems to be the sitting room. A large couch sat in front of a window and a television set in front of that, with a glass coffee table to finish it off with.
"Wow, Tarosamo out did himself this time." Knuckles said, sitting on the couch, with his arms stretch out behind his head.
Rouge strolled into the sitting room, "Yeah, this is amazing! Hey, check out the balcony!" She opened the sliding doors and step out onto the balcony. The sight before her was breathtaking. The balcony over looked the ocean. Since it was well after seven, the sun was beginning to set, glittering off the ocean, reflecting it perfectly. She paused in thought..."Wait...oh crud! It's after seven!" Rouge ran back into the room; pass Knuckles, who gave her a questioning look.
Rouge threw Knuckles bag at him, "Here, get dressed! We'll gonna be late!" She grabbed another bag, which Knuckles haven't noticed before. She dug through it, pulling out a small mask for the party. "And here, now get!" She shoved him in the bathroom.
Knuckles rolled his eyes; he hated being pushed around...
After washing up, brushing his teeth, grooming, and putting on the tux, Knuckles emerge from the bathroom. Rouge was in the setting room, watching television when she noticed that Knuckles was finally done.
"About time." She smirked. Grabbing her bag, she left to get herself ready as well.
Knuckles sighed; he knew he was going to be here for a while.
After twenty minutes and brushing up loose ends, applying some makeup, fixing her hair, and all those other girl things...(Hey, what can I say? I was a tomboy practically my whole life! *ahem* ...Carry on...), Rouge slowly came out of the bathroom.
Knuckles glanced up from the television only for a moment, than turn his eyes back to the television. One second later, his eyes snapped back up at Rouge, doing a double take. What he saw shocked him beyond belief. Rouge was dressed in a shimmering midnight blue one strap dress. The dress hugged her body in all the right places. She also wore two sapphire earrings on both her ears and a sapphire necklace around her neck. All in all, she looked stunning.
Rouge smiled to herself as she spun around, "So, what do you think?"
Knuckles was speechless. "You're...you look...gorgeous..." He breathed out. He knew that was an understatement. Words couldn't begin to describe how she looked at that moment.
"You think so?" She asked, coming up to him.
Not trusting his voice, he nodded.
"Great! Let's go." She grabbed Knuckles hand and pulled him out the door.
Knuckles numbly followed, his mind on something else. Something that he shouldn't be thinking about. 'Darn these hormones...'
~*~*~*~
After ten minutes, they were standing in front of another large building. (Note, I have NEVER been to Paris...I don't know what it looks like! Movies don't help...) A doorman was also posted outside allowing people in. Of course, not ANYBODY can come in. It was a black tie event. The doorman allowed Rouge and Knuckles in, staring at them strangely. You'd think he never saw a bat and an echidna before.
The ballroom was decorated most beautifully. (Please, don't make me describe it...hehe...) A lot of people were there, dressed formally in tuxedos and elegant dresses, and some even wore masks. The dance floor was crowded with couples dancing to the soft music perform by the orchestra. A buffet table line up against the far walls where people were gathering varies of food items.
It took Rouge breath away. She wanted to drag Knuckles out to the dance floor and just dance with him, but decided against it.
"Rouge?" Someone asked from behind them. They both turned around to see a male tiger. He was also dressed in a tuxedo, much like Knuckles, but his was black.
"Marquis?" Rouge asked recognizing the tiger.
Marquis grinned, "Rouge! It is good to see you again!" He hugged her.
Rouge smiled, returning the hug. "Marquis. It's been a while! How have you been?" She asked as they parted.
"Can't complain. And you?" He asked, noting how gorgeous she looked.
"I've been just fine! Oh, and this is Knuckles. Knuckles, this is Marquis. We've worked together a few years back." Rouge introduced them.
Knuckles nodded his head in acknowledgment, not saying too much.
Marquis smirk at the red echidna. "Knuckles, eh? That's a funny name."
Not wanting Knuckles to do something stupid, Rouge change the subject, "So, why are you here, Marquis?"
"Why, I am the host of this party." He glanced around.
"Really? You've moved up in the ranks, huh?" Rouge smirk at her old friend.
He nodded, "Yep. Oh, shoot. You must excuse me now; I need to speak to Mrs. Frederique." He nodded at the two before walking off to a human lady.
Once he was gone, Knuckles turned to Rouge, "And who was that?"
"Oh, him? We were partners on a few missions back with the government a few years ago. He was assigned to another unit, though." Rouge explained.
They were quiet again, listening to the soft music. Than someone walked up on the podium and grab the microphone, speaking into it. "Ladies and gentlemen, I like to thank you all for attending the grand masquerade ball this evening. Now I will be handing the mic over to Brian McKnight who will be our special quest singer for this event!" Everyone cheered as Brian McKnight walked onto the podium. (I like him, so sue. :-P Don't own him, though! Even though I probably would make millions if I did...mawhahaha...)
"Wow! Brian McKnight? I'm gonna have to get his autograph before he leaves..." Rouge said as Brian started singing one of his songs.
Knuckles glanced at Rouge, "Uh...would you...like to dance?" He asked nervously.
Rouge didn't even have to think about that one. "I love to." She took his hand and this time, he led the way.
The words of the song started to flow as the two danced.
~*~*~La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, Etc. -_-()~*~*~
~*~You say you've seen too many things
That turn out to be too good to be true
Against your better judgment opened up your heart
'Til you found the joke was on you
Looking out of the rest of our lives
If we're gonna be together or apart
About the only way I know how to come
Is straight from my heart~*~
The two waltz around the ballroom, lost in each other eyes. No longer were they in a crowded room. To them, they were the only two there.
~*~I want you now, I'll show you how
I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around, but now I've found
That you're the only one for me~*~
'Wow, she's gorgeous...' Knuckles thought, staring into her endless blue orbs. He had no idea how lucky he was in having Rouge right now, with him.
~*~Say you'll never fall again
You won't subject yourself to such pain
If you give me half a chance I will
Never leave you standing out in the rain
But if you think that I could look you in your face and lie right through my teeth
Then turn around and walk away~*~
Rouge was also mesmerized by Knuckles purple eyes. 'Wow, I never knew Knuckles could dance...this is actually nice...I could stay like this forever...' She leaned her head on Knuckles shoulder, causing him to blush a bit.
~*~Cross my heart, girl I care for you and when I look into your eyes
I must say...
I want you now, I show you how
I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around, but now I've found
That you're the only one for me
I need you so
I can't let go
Gonna be all that I can be
I want you still, I always will
'Cause you're the only one for me~*~
~*~La la la la la la la la la (x100...)...~*~
~*~I want you now
I'll show you how
I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around, but now I've found
That you're the only one for me
I need you so
I can't let go
Gonna be all that I can be
I want you still
I always will
'Cause you're the only one for me~*~
Rouge lifts her head up from his shoulder and glazed into his eyes.
~*~La la la la la la la la la~*~
Knuckles found himself drawing in closer to Rouge's face.
~*~La la la la la la la la la~*~
Rouge also drew herself closer to Knuckles, as if hypnotize.
~*~La la la la la la la la la~*~
They were only a few centimeters apart...
~*~La la la la la la la la la...~*~
...When suddenly, a loud crash was heard, breaking them apart before their lips could meet. People screamed as a large fire monster burst through the ceiling, sanding debris on the ground below.
"What?!" Knuckles yelled as the demon fire a blast from its mouth at a few helpless people; luckily, they got away before the blast made contact.
Tarosamo barge through the double doors. Looking around for Knuckles and Rouge. He found them, staring at the fire demon. Rushing over to them, he called out, "Knuckles! Rouge!"
They both turn to Tarosamo. "Tarosamo! What's going on here?" Rouge demanded, glaring at the demon, ruining her perfect moment!
Tarosamo panted; obviously he ran the whole way there. "That's...Hornrista. One of Sameo's servants."
"I could've guessed that..." Knuckles murmured, taking a fighting stance. It's going to be difficult fighting in s tux, and he left his sword back at the hotel! Well, it wasn't like he was going to use it anyway.
Rouge was totally P'Oed. The demon was so gonna pay. But she wasn't going to fight in her new dress. That thing cost a fortune! She'll let the guys handle this one...
"Rouge!" Marquis ran over to her, dodging the frantic people in the building. Parts of the building were already starting to catch on fire. "Rouge! Are you okay?" He gasps out as he finally made it to her.
Rouge glanced at Marquis momentarily, than turning her attention back to the gigantic demon. "Marquis, you should get out of here."
"Yes, and you should too!"
Rouge shook her head, "Nope, I gotta make sure these guys don't get kill. Now, get out!" She demanded, pushing the tiger towards the exit before he could protest.
"But Rouge!" Marquis try to object, but was dragged out by a few other people, who were running for their lives.
Rouge sighed. "Men. They never listen." She ran back to where Knuckles and Tarosamo were fighting the demon.
It spat out a few fire balls at the two. Knuckles dodged, nearly getting strike by one stray fire ball.
Tarosamo jumped up, slashing his sword through the demon's arm, hardly doing any damage. He landed a few feet away from Knuckles. "My sword is hardly doing any damage!"
Knuckles was about to punch the demon, but thought against it. I mean, it IS made of molted lava!
Rouge watched them as they try to think of a way to defeat the demon. Tarosamo yelled over to Knuckles, "Sir Knuckles! We must lead the demon away from the city!"
Knuckles nodded in agreement, glancing at Rouge, his eyes telling her to say here. Before he could see a reaction, he and Tarosamo ran out of the building, with Hornrista hot on their tails.
Rouge was left alone in the disastrous place. She crossed her arms and glared at the door where Knuckles and Tarosamo left from. "If you think I'm going to just stay here and do nothing, you got another thing coming, Knuckles!" She ran out the door and followed the fire trails that the demon had left behind. No way are they leaving her like that! And plus, she has the element of water!
~*~*~*~*~
That's chapter eight for you. Review? Do I honestly have to ask? Lol, I hope you all enjoyed this one. I had a hard time in deciding the song...I loved this chapter! Anyway, until next chapter! Buh-bye!
Author Notes: This is the longest chapter by far! And probably the best too! I love it so much! I hope you will as well! I've been waiting forever to post this one! ENJOY!
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 8
In a restaurant in Paris, not too far from where Rouge and Knuckles were, sat ten familiar bats. They sighed in unison, all exhausted. They've been searching high and low for their leader, Slice and still no luck. They were giving up hope.
Panada, a pink bat with purple tip wings and dressed in a purple miniskirt and a pink tube-top, suddenly noticed something, "Hey...is that...Rouge? With that cute red echidna...and look! She has another one!"
Nine heads turned in the direction where Rouge and the echidnas were. "Hey, you're right. Maybe she knows where Slice is at?" Daisy, a yellow bat, dressed in a yellow sundress with flower patterns, said as she too noticed the three.
Betsey glared at Rouge. She so hated that bat for what she did, just abandoning the clan like she did all those years ago. It made her blood boiled just thinking about it. She'll get Rouge back, oh yes; she'll get her back indeed...
"Betsey? Are you thinking about revenge against Rouge again?" Asked a pale blue bat, dressed in a pale blue shirt and black jeans, Safari.
The big bat nodded, "Rouge will not get away with it."
The girls sighed, Betsey always get like this when ever Rouge crosses her mind. No use in talking to her than.
~*~*~*~*~
Rouge was excited; she had never been to Paris before. "Paris? Wow! Let's explore! Maybe we could find some treasures around here!" She was ready to run off, but noticed the guys weren't as excited as she was. "Uh, hello? Let's go?"
Tarosamo shook his head as Knuckles spoke, "I thought we were supposed to be heading in the direction through the Forbidden Forest. It wasn't supposed to lead us to the city of Paris."
Rouge sighed, "But Knuckles, since we are here, let's have some fun! Please?" She gave him her sweetest smile.
Knuckles found himself giving in. He hated when she did these things to him. But they didn't have time to play. They had to find the Joya De La Oscuridad before Sameo. He sighed, "Fine, only for a little while..."
Rouge grinned, "Thanks, Knux! You're the greatest!" She ran off to a jewelry store. Typical.
Knuckles kept his eye on Rouge. Best keep an eye on her, just in case something happens.
Tarosamo smirk, now that Rouge was gone, it's time for a man to man chat. "Knuckles, I believe we are needed for a talk."
Knuckles turned to the other echidna, "About what?" He still didn't like him, and Tarosamo could tell.
Tarosamo only said one word, "Rouge."
The red echidna just turned redder. "Rouge? What about her?"
Tarosamo only stared in the direction in which the bat ran off to. "She's something else, is she not?" First thing he must do is to get Knuckles to admit his feelings in the open.
Knuckles growled, "What are you getting at, echidna?"
The echidna turned to Knuckles, with a slight smile on his face. "I'm not getting at anything, Sir Knuckles. I am just very observant. I can see the way you look at her. I am pretty sure of the way you are feeling towards her."
Knuckles blushed again, "I, uh, I don't—don't love her, if that's what you are saying..."
Tarosamo nodded, "Knuckles, you can't lie to me."
Sighing, Knuckles gave up, "Fine, maybe I do like her a little..." That wasn't good enough as Tarosamo glared at Knuckles. "Okay! Okay! Maybe I do...." He was interrupted as Rouge came running to the two.
"Hey, guys, guess what!" She panted, catching her breath.
Knuckles sighed, great, saved by the bat. "What?"
Rouge grinned as she held up a piece of paper, giving it to Knuckles. Knuckles read it, "What's this?"
"Can't you read? It's a masquerade! Tonight. Everyone's invited! We gotta go!" Rouge snatches the paper out of Knuckles hands. "So, what do y'all think?"
Tarosamo nodded, "I think it would be wise to go to such an event."
"Fine, what time does it start?" Knuckles crossed his arms, still worried about getting the jewel of darkness.
Rouge scanned the paper once more, "It says here that it starts at 8 o'clock. Hey, Tarosamo, you think you could get us a place to stay? We may be here for a while."
Tarosamo eyes light up as he smirked, "Sure, Rouge."
Knuckles gulp; he knew what Tarosamo was up to. "Uh, Rouge...maybe that's not a good idea..."
"Oh, stop worrying, knucklehead. Everything will be fine!" She pinches his cheek, causing him to flinch and rubbing the spot she pinched.
Tarosamo nodded and went off to find a place where they could stay for a few days, leaving Rouge and Knuckles alone.
Rouge smiled up at Knuckles. "C'mon, Knuckles, we gotta find you something good for the masquerade tonight!"
Knuckles whimpered as Rouge pulled him away. He had a bad feeling about this....
~*~*~*~*~
Elsewhere
Sliced was now through the forest, and she looked a mess. Dirt covered her from head to toe, her hair was tossed and turned, and her beautiful clothes were torn in certain parts. She glared at Black Light. "That is the LAST time I listen to a butterfly!"
Black Light shrug, or shrugged best he could, since butterflies don't have shoulders. 'How was I to know that that hole was that deep and filled with grimy water? And that that hive was actually a BEE hive, and that bear wasn't exactly friendly? And that you couldn't swim?'
Slice growled, "Ugh! Out of all the things to give me, I got stuck with a dang butterfly!! WHY?!"
Black Light sighed, 'I'm not that bad...sure, the last creature I was assigned to didn't last very long, and well, the one before that didn't either, or the one before that, and the one before that...'
Slice fell over anime style (I haven't used that one in a while). She got up and glared daggers at Black Light. "You mean to tell me that everyone you were assigned to FAILED?"
'Well, yeah....BUT! You are different...I can sense some great potential in you...'
The bat rolled her eyes, "Whatever, lets just go. I'm starting to get hungry." The bat walked with the butterfly fluttering behind her. They soon approach a temple. "Is this the place?"
'Hmm...do you sense anything?'
Slice closed her eyes for a moment, "Hmm..." Her eyes than snapped opened. "Yeah! I feel it! Wow, that power is incredible!"
The butterfly smirk, or try to, I mean, come on, he IS a butterfly! 'It is a powerful jewel. The power is incomparable. Except with the exception of The Jewel of Light.'
"The Jewel of Light? I don't think I heard of that one. Whatever, lets just get this jewel and leave." Slice entered the temple, not knowing the danger that awaited her....
~*~*~*~
Knuckles found himself looking at a few suits that Rouge picked out for him. She pushed him to the dressing room. "Alright, hurry up and try them on!" She grabbed his sword as he was pushed into the dressing room.
Knuckles didn't even have time to protest. He sighed in defeat and looked at the clothes that were place in his arms. He enjoyed being...naked. :-\ The first one was a black tuxedo. It looked fairly nice, but nothing he would wear. It's amazing how this place had his size...
Rouge waited patiently for Knuckles. Five minutes passed, Knuckles finally choose one suit that he actually liked and tried it on. He looked at himself in the mirror and smirk. "Hey, I actually look nice..."
"Knuckles, are you done yet?" Came Rouge's voice.
Knuckles shouted over his shoulder, "Uh, yeah! I'll be out there in a minute!" After a few seconds of straightening up, he nervously left the dressing room.
Rouge looked up from the magazine she was reading and slightly gasped. Knuckles looked absolutely wonderful! He picked out the white tux with gold decorating it and a black bow-tie. Knuckles blushed at the looked that Rouge was giving him. "Wow, Knux. I would've never guessed that you would look that good in a tux..."
"Uh, yeah..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "This looks expensive. Are you renting or buying?"
Rouge thought for a moment, "We'll buy! You're gonna have to wear that again!" She winked. "Now, change out of that and meet me at the cash register."
"But how are you going to pay for this?" Knuckles asked, not sure if they could afford it.
"That's for me to know. Now, hurry up. It's getting late." Rouge walked away to the cash register.
After changing back into...nothing, Knuckles soon met Rouge by the register. Rouge grabbed the tux from Knuckles and handed it to the cashier.
"Bonjour, will you be paying in cash or credit?" Asked the cashier.
"Credit." Rouge handed the man her international credit card as she grinned at Knuckles who raised an eyebrow. "Never leave home without it!"
After scanning the card, the cashier handed Rouge back her credit card and put the clothes in a bag, also handing it to Rouge. The bat smiled.
"Merci beaucoup. Have a good day." He smiled politely as the two left.
"Hmm...I wonder where Tarosamo is at." Rouge asked, not seeing the strange echidna. "Oh, here's your sword." She handed the sword back to Knuckles who placed it back on his back.
"Why do I even have a sword?" He murmured. "It's not like I'll be using it or anything."
"And you say I complain too much." The bat remark as she finally spotted their new friend, "Hey, there's Tarosamo. C'mon, Knuckles." The two walked over to Tarosamo. "So, where are we staying, Taro?" She asked once they were with him.
"Hotel Francois 1er. It's a four star hotel." He stated. "Its a few blocks from that masquerade that you two will be attending tonight."
"Aren't you going, too?" The bat asked him.
Tarosamo shook his head, "No. I will be doing some research on the location of Joya De La Oscuridad. And you two need a break."
"Whatever, could we just get to our hotel rooms?" Knuckles said, impatient.
Tarosamo smirk, "Of course. Follow me." They followed him to a large hotel building as a doorman opened the door for them. Rouge gasped at how magnificent the lobby of the hotel was.
Knuckles was equally amaze. "This isn't bad...looks expensive. How are you going to pay for this?"
"Do not worry about that, Sir Knuckles." Tarosamo stated as he went up a flight of spiral stairs.
Rouge glanced around the place, "So, where are our rooms?"
"My room is here." He nodded to a room which had the numbers 317 on the door. He threw Rouge an extra set of keys. "Your room is there." He mention to a room next to his, 319.
Knuckles was almost afraid to ask, "And...my room?"
"You." He points to Knuckles, "Will be sharing a room with Rouge."
"WHAT?!?" They both exclaim.
Tarosamo chuckled at the expression of their face. "Three rooms are much too expensive. I'm sure you two will get along." Tarosamo put his key in the keyhole and the door opened. He stepped into his room, closing the door behind him, leaving the two in the hallway.
They glanced at each other, "You're sleeping on the couch." Rouge said, putting her key into the door, stepping inside.
"Fine with me." Knuckles groan, walking into the room.
Rouge let out a low whistle, "Wow, this place is...huge." The walls were painted a soft cream colored. The bed was a large king size bed with red sheets and a red quilt and look quite romantic for lovers! Eh...ahem... The large window leads onto a beautiful balcony. On either side of the bed were two nightstands with beautiful lamps. There was a room that led to the bathroom. Rouge walked into the bathroom to check it out. The bathroom was also a sight to see, with a bathtub that could probably fit two people, or more (Ack! Don't think THAT!). There was a mirror with gold rims above the sink.
There was also another room conjoin to the bedroom. Seems to be the sitting room. A large couch sat in front of a window and a television set in front of that, with a glass coffee table to finish it off with.
"Wow, Tarosamo out did himself this time." Knuckles said, sitting on the couch, with his arms stretch out behind his head.
Rouge strolled into the sitting room, "Yeah, this is amazing! Hey, check out the balcony!" She opened the sliding doors and step out onto the balcony. The sight before her was breathtaking. The balcony over looked the ocean. Since it was well after seven, the sun was beginning to set, glittering off the ocean, reflecting it perfectly. She paused in thought..."Wait...oh crud! It's after seven!" Rouge ran back into the room; pass Knuckles, who gave her a questioning look.
Rouge threw Knuckles bag at him, "Here, get dressed! We'll gonna be late!" She grabbed another bag, which Knuckles haven't noticed before. She dug through it, pulling out a small mask for the party. "And here, now get!" She shoved him in the bathroom.
Knuckles rolled his eyes; he hated being pushed around...
After washing up, brushing his teeth, grooming, and putting on the tux, Knuckles emerge from the bathroom. Rouge was in the setting room, watching television when she noticed that Knuckles was finally done.
"About time." She smirked. Grabbing her bag, she left to get herself ready as well.
Knuckles sighed; he knew he was going to be here for a while.
After twenty minutes and brushing up loose ends, applying some makeup, fixing her hair, and all those other girl things...(Hey, what can I say? I was a tomboy practically my whole life! *ahem* ...Carry on...), Rouge slowly came out of the bathroom.
Knuckles glanced up from the television only for a moment, than turn his eyes back to the television. One second later, his eyes snapped back up at Rouge, doing a double take. What he saw shocked him beyond belief. Rouge was dressed in a shimmering midnight blue one strap dress. The dress hugged her body in all the right places. She also wore two sapphire earrings on both her ears and a sapphire necklace around her neck. All in all, she looked stunning.
Rouge smiled to herself as she spun around, "So, what do you think?"
Knuckles was speechless. "You're...you look...gorgeous..." He breathed out. He knew that was an understatement. Words couldn't begin to describe how she looked at that moment.
"You think so?" She asked, coming up to him.
Not trusting his voice, he nodded.
"Great! Let's go." She grabbed Knuckles hand and pulled him out the door.
Knuckles numbly followed, his mind on something else. Something that he shouldn't be thinking about. 'Darn these hormones...'
~*~*~*~
After ten minutes, they were standing in front of another large building. (Note, I have NEVER been to Paris...I don't know what it looks like! Movies don't help...) A doorman was also posted outside allowing people in. Of course, not ANYBODY can come in. It was a black tie event. The doorman allowed Rouge and Knuckles in, staring at them strangely. You'd think he never saw a bat and an echidna before.
The ballroom was decorated most beautifully. (Please, don't make me describe it...hehe...) A lot of people were there, dressed formally in tuxedos and elegant dresses, and some even wore masks. The dance floor was crowded with couples dancing to the soft music perform by the orchestra. A buffet table line up against the far walls where people were gathering varies of food items.
It took Rouge breath away. She wanted to drag Knuckles out to the dance floor and just dance with him, but decided against it.
"Rouge?" Someone asked from behind them. They both turned around to see a male tiger. He was also dressed in a tuxedo, much like Knuckles, but his was black.
"Marquis?" Rouge asked recognizing the tiger.
Marquis grinned, "Rouge! It is good to see you again!" He hugged her.
Rouge smiled, returning the hug. "Marquis. It's been a while! How have you been?" She asked as they parted.
"Can't complain. And you?" He asked, noting how gorgeous she looked.
"I've been just fine! Oh, and this is Knuckles. Knuckles, this is Marquis. We've worked together a few years back." Rouge introduced them.
Knuckles nodded his head in acknowledgment, not saying too much.
Marquis smirk at the red echidna. "Knuckles, eh? That's a funny name."
Not wanting Knuckles to do something stupid, Rouge change the subject, "So, why are you here, Marquis?"
"Why, I am the host of this party." He glanced around.
"Really? You've moved up in the ranks, huh?" Rouge smirk at her old friend.
He nodded, "Yep. Oh, shoot. You must excuse me now; I need to speak to Mrs. Frederique." He nodded at the two before walking off to a human lady.
Once he was gone, Knuckles turned to Rouge, "And who was that?"
"Oh, him? We were partners on a few missions back with the government a few years ago. He was assigned to another unit, though." Rouge explained.
They were quiet again, listening to the soft music. Than someone walked up on the podium and grab the microphone, speaking into it. "Ladies and gentlemen, I like to thank you all for attending the grand masquerade ball this evening. Now I will be handing the mic over to Brian McKnight who will be our special quest singer for this event!" Everyone cheered as Brian McKnight walked onto the podium. (I like him, so sue. :-P Don't own him, though! Even though I probably would make millions if I did...mawhahaha...)
"Wow! Brian McKnight? I'm gonna have to get his autograph before he leaves..." Rouge said as Brian started singing one of his songs.
Knuckles glanced at Rouge, "Uh...would you...like to dance?" He asked nervously.
Rouge didn't even have to think about that one. "I love to." She took his hand and this time, he led the way.
The words of the song started to flow as the two danced.
~*~*~La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, Etc. -_-()~*~*~
~*~You say you've seen too many things
That turn out to be too good to be true
Against your better judgment opened up your heart
'Til you found the joke was on you
Looking out of the rest of our lives
If we're gonna be together or apart
About the only way I know how to come
Is straight from my heart~*~
The two waltz around the ballroom, lost in each other eyes. No longer were they in a crowded room. To them, they were the only two there.
~*~I want you now, I'll show you how
I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around, but now I've found
That you're the only one for me~*~
'Wow, she's gorgeous...' Knuckles thought, staring into her endless blue orbs. He had no idea how lucky he was in having Rouge right now, with him.
~*~Say you'll never fall again
You won't subject yourself to such pain
If you give me half a chance I will
Never leave you standing out in the rain
But if you think that I could look you in your face and lie right through my teeth
Then turn around and walk away~*~
Rouge was also mesmerized by Knuckles purple eyes. 'Wow, I never knew Knuckles could dance...this is actually nice...I could stay like this forever...' She leaned her head on Knuckles shoulder, causing him to blush a bit.
~*~Cross my heart, girl I care for you and when I look into your eyes
I must say...
I want you now, I show you how
I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around, but now I've found
That you're the only one for me
I need you so
I can't let go
Gonna be all that I can be
I want you still, I always will
'Cause you're the only one for me~*~
~*~La la la la la la la la la (x100...)...~*~
~*~I want you now
I'll show you how
I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around, but now I've found
That you're the only one for me
I need you so
I can't let go
Gonna be all that I can be
I want you still
I always will
'Cause you're the only one for me~*~
Rouge lifts her head up from his shoulder and glazed into his eyes.
~*~La la la la la la la la la~*~
Knuckles found himself drawing in closer to Rouge's face.
~*~La la la la la la la la la~*~
Rouge also drew herself closer to Knuckles, as if hypnotize.
~*~La la la la la la la la la~*~
They were only a few centimeters apart...
~*~La la la la la la la la la...~*~
...When suddenly, a loud crash was heard, breaking them apart before their lips could meet. People screamed as a large fire monster burst through the ceiling, sanding debris on the ground below.
"What?!" Knuckles yelled as the demon fire a blast from its mouth at a few helpless people; luckily, they got away before the blast made contact.
Tarosamo barge through the double doors. Looking around for Knuckles and Rouge. He found them, staring at the fire demon. Rushing over to them, he called out, "Knuckles! Rouge!"
They both turn to Tarosamo. "Tarosamo! What's going on here?" Rouge demanded, glaring at the demon, ruining her perfect moment!
Tarosamo panted; obviously he ran the whole way there. "That's...Hornrista. One of Sameo's servants."
"I could've guessed that..." Knuckles murmured, taking a fighting stance. It's going to be difficult fighting in s tux, and he left his sword back at the hotel! Well, it wasn't like he was going to use it anyway.
Rouge was totally P'Oed. The demon was so gonna pay. But she wasn't going to fight in her new dress. That thing cost a fortune! She'll let the guys handle this one...
"Rouge!" Marquis ran over to her, dodging the frantic people in the building. Parts of the building were already starting to catch on fire. "Rouge! Are you okay?" He gasps out as he finally made it to her.
Rouge glanced at Marquis momentarily, than turning her attention back to the gigantic demon. "Marquis, you should get out of here."
"Yes, and you should too!"
Rouge shook her head, "Nope, I gotta make sure these guys don't get kill. Now, get out!" She demanded, pushing the tiger towards the exit before he could protest.
"But Rouge!" Marquis try to object, but was dragged out by a few other people, who were running for their lives.
Rouge sighed. "Men. They never listen." She ran back to where Knuckles and Tarosamo were fighting the demon.
It spat out a few fire balls at the two. Knuckles dodged, nearly getting strike by one stray fire ball.
Tarosamo jumped up, slashing his sword through the demon's arm, hardly doing any damage. He landed a few feet away from Knuckles. "My sword is hardly doing any damage!"
Knuckles was about to punch the demon, but thought against it. I mean, it IS made of molted lava!
Rouge watched them as they try to think of a way to defeat the demon. Tarosamo yelled over to Knuckles, "Sir Knuckles! We must lead the demon away from the city!"
Knuckles nodded in agreement, glancing at Rouge, his eyes telling her to say here. Before he could see a reaction, he and Tarosamo ran out of the building, with Hornrista hot on their tails.
Rouge was left alone in the disastrous place. She crossed her arms and glared at the door where Knuckles and Tarosamo left from. "If you think I'm going to just stay here and do nothing, you got another thing coming, Knuckles!" She ran out the door and followed the fire trails that the demon had left behind. No way are they leaving her like that! And plus, she has the element of water!
~*~*~*~*~
That's chapter eight for you. Review? Do I honestly have to ask? Lol, I hope you all enjoyed this one. I had a hard time in deciding the song...I loved this chapter! Anyway, until next chapter! Buh-bye!