Rouge's
Heart
an On Broken Wings side story
by FeatherWings
'I'm Rouge the bat. I live with all my friends at Tails' workshop. It's small but a cozy home. I like it a lot here.' Rouge sat on her bed. Cream walked in.
"Rouge, have you seen Cheese?"
"I think I saw him go down to the basement." she nodded then left. Rouge got up and went to the window and looked down to the ground. There stood Sonic and Tails. They were goofing off as usual. The two were hardly ever serious about anything unless Eggman attacked.
Knuckles ran out of the house and began to yell at them. Rouge wondered what he was yelling about now.
'I tease Knuckles a lot. I say things to annoy him and act like I don't care...but I do. I care so much for Knuckles. I don't have the courage to tell him though.' Rouge turned from the window and headed downstairs where she found Amy reading a book. "Whatcha readin, Amy?"
Amy blushed and closed the book. "N-nothing!" Rouge laughed, smiled then left her alone.
Rouge adventured downstairs, the basement. She found Shadow, Cream, Cheese and Katana. 'There is something I don't understand. When I thought Shadow was dead and that I would never see him again, my chest tightened and it felt as though I would die, that I wanted to die.' she stared sadly at the four from the doorway.
Shadow waved to her and she perked up, smiled and joined them. "Hey Rouge." Shadow said to the bat then smiled.
'If I listen closely I can hear Shadow say something. He's saying, "I'm alive." that's it. Those two simple words. There are no words for how happy I feel when I hear him say that. Please, Shadow, tell me it'll be ok. I'll believe you. I believe in you.'
"It's such a nice day." Cream stated.
"Why don't we go outside?" Shadow suggested. The group nodded and began to walk to go outside. Shadow stopped and turned to Rouge. "Come on, Rouge." he held out a hand to her which she took.
"He's saying, "I'm alive." I think that is what Maria had hoped for, for him to live and be happy. Maria if you can hear me, he is happy. He is happy! The small group walked outside together. 'Someday, I'll tell Knuckles how I feel. I just have to wait for the right time.'
Rouge looked at the others. They stood there daydreaming and catching the breeze that slowly swept the Mystic Ruins. Were they listening to something? A song only the wind could sing? Rouge closed her eyes.
"Who is it you love?" it said. She thought of Knuckles. "Are you sure?" wasn't she sure? Did Knuckles love her back? She didn't know. How could she? She never asked or told anyone. She was more confused then ever. Of course she loved Knuckles. He was tough, loyal, strong so many qualities she adored. But did she love him? Yes...didn't she? What was love? Love has never been defined, it can't be. It's different for everyone. But love is love.
Now she was just confusing herself. 'I love Shadow- I mean Knuckles!' Why had she thought Shadow the first time? She loved Shadow as a friend but she loved Knuckles as something more. At least she thought she did.
She decided all she could do was wait. Waiting can be one of the hardest things in the world. She would dwell in her thoughts awhile and look for the answers inside herself. It was, to her, the only way.