CHAPTER 5

FROZEN LOVE

After when the explosion took place, pieces of the base were all over the ground. The snow had fallen harder along with some strong winds practically making the area invisible to everyone.

The Chaotix were scattered in the snow hurt.

Vector looked over at the rest of them laying in the snow, "Is everyone all right?"

Everyone stood from the ground rubbing their heads.

"We're fine, Vector", Tonya looked at Espio spitting the snow out of his mouth.

"I should've let Charmy take care of that cannon", Espio brushed the snow off him.

Charmy did the same, "I've heard of a winter blast, but this is ridiculous."

Vector thought this was no laughing matter, "No time for jokes, Charmy. We just lost sight of those demons and Rouge."

Tonya clasped her hands together trying to keep them warm, "I hope she's okay."

"We should come back later and think of a new strategy. Besides the storm is getting worse. We should take our chances now", Espio said to Vector.

Vector nodded in agreement, "You're right, lets go."

In another part of the arctic Shadow and Rouge were scattered apart from each other laying in the cold snow.

Shadow was knocked out in his regular form again with the green Chaos Emerald around his neck.

Rouge woke up before he did. She decided to take the emerald away from him while he was unconscious so she thought. When she touched the emerald a hand grabbed her wrist. She was startled that Shadow had awoken. She thought he was faking his unconsciousness the whole time.

Shadow stood from the ground having a firm grip on her wrist, "You think I'm that stupid?"

Rouge smirked, "Pretty much."

Shadow looked at the destroyed base, "I hope Lord Dark is okay."

Rouge was fed up with him talking about Dark all the time, "Will you please shut the hell up about that damn demon! It's driving me insane!"

"Don't insult my master."

"Why not, he's an ass like you."

Shadow gritted his teeth, wanting to hit her. He clinched his fist about to punch her until a black creature appeared in front of them. He looked like a fake because he looked transparent. "Master, you're okay."

The demon nodded, "I'm only a hologram. I need you to meet up with me back in Tech City. We need a new plan because of those losers."

"Where in Tech City?"

"In the church."

Shadow gasped, "But...that's a one demon's weakness...I can't go there."

"Don't worry the Chaotix will never suspect us to be there."

"That's why."

"I'm waiting for you." The fake Dark disappeared.

"Hear that? We're going back to that pathetic city", Shadow looked at his free hand where Rouge's was suppose to be. He looked behind him and saw Rouge running in far distance away from him. Shadow smirked, "Trying to escape huh?" Shadow used his super speed and caught up with her easily. He appeared in front of her.

Rouge fell in the snow afraid of him, "Just leave me alone."

Shadow grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away from the ground, "Do me a favor and stop trying to escape me. You know that it's no use. You're just so determined about yourself."

Rouge stared at him with anger in her eyes.

Shadow took off the Chaos Emerald from his neck and held it in the palm of his hand, "Chaos Control."

Rouge watched as nothing happened.

He said it again, "Chaos Control."

Again nothing happened.

Shadow sighed as he put the Chaos Emerald in his coat pocket, "Damn, when I was in my demon form the emerald must've used up too much energy to keep me in my form. It's useless. I guess we'll have to travel through this mess."

Rouge's eyes widened, "What! I'm not becoming the first frozen fruit bat! I'm not walking through this blizzard!"

"It's better than staying here am I right?"

Rouge sighed, "You're right, but there's no way we can survive this. I can't even see anything ahead of us."

Shadow took off his long black coat and put it on her, "It's not much, but it'll do."

"Are you mad? You're gonna freeze to death!"

Shadow shook his head, "I won't, since I'm a demon from hell, my body temperature is over two hundred degrees in fahrenheit. I'll survive for sure."

"If you say so."

In a couple of minutes later Shadow and Rouge were traveling in the harsh blizzard.

Rouge couldn't see a thing in front of her. She was feeling weak every time she took a step forward. She felt like passing out right there.

Shadow noticed how terrible she looked. He could survive the whole day without freezing, but Rouge hasn't even transformed into a demon yet. He picked her up and carried her in his arms.

Rouge blushed, "I had no idea that you cared."

"I said I loved you right? That's what I'll do to protect the love of my life."

Rouge was speechless. She only thought that he was a cold hearted demon. 'I guess he isn't all that bad.'

'I have to find shelter for her and fast.' He looked over to his right and spotted a cave with a boulder to the side of it. He ran in it setting Rouge in it. He pushed the boulder in front of the entrance blocking the snow. The cave was completely dark. "Chaos Blast!" A red light came from his hand and hit the ground making fire.

Rouge immediately sat beside it shaking.

He looked over to her, "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better."

Shadow nodded a little, "That's good to hear."

It was silent for a moment, until Rouge spoke up, "Uh Shadow, thanks for saving me."

"Don't mention it. You thought I was gonna let you freeze out there?"

She nodded a bit, "Yeah."

Shadow sat down beside her and held her close, "I would never let that happen to you."

It was strange even when Rouge hated the guy she didn't move away from him. She enjoyed his body heat on her body. She then wrapped her arms around him embracing on him, "This is awkward. I'm all over you ever since you bought me in here."

Shadow made her look into his eyes, "Rouge, I'm in love with you more than ever."

Rouge blushed, "It's weird, but I'm having the same feeling about you."

"Really?"

She nodded, "I hated your guts at first, but now that you've shown me how you really are I'm deeply in love with you."

Shadow kissed her forehead. "I love you", he whispered.

"Me too", she whispered back.

They kissed long and passionate. They broke apart.

Rouge took off the black coat and got on top of Shadow, "Adventure me. Release me."

And he did.