Chapter 13: I'll Always Care About You

Few Days Later

Cream and Rouge were resting on the couch watching TV. Amy was in the kitchen eating a muffin. "So Rouge where's Knuckles today?" Amy asked as she leaned on the kitchen counter. Amy was dressed in a pair of baggy dark blue jeans and a mid-drift shirt that was red and had the sleeves ripped off of it.

"He went to some skater park with Sonic and Tails." She answered. "Where's Shadow?"

"He's gonna spend the day with me." She replied as she headed for the door.

"Well then hope you have fun." Rouge said in a suggestive voice.

"You know nothing like that's gonna happen. We haven't been dating that long."

"Sure that's what cha say now but when he gets you in his arms and starts speaking lovethen you'll do anything for him." She said as she looked over the couch at Amy.

"Oh Yea and next I'll be having sex with him every other day and oral sex on regulars." Amy said sarcastically.

"I'm telling you it's only a matter of time."

"Well I'll take my chances see you guys later." Amy opened the door and when she did she smiled. Shadow was standing there waiting for her. She took his hand and started walking down the street with him. "So I heard that everybody elseis at a skate park today."

"Yea." Shadow replied.

"And why didn't you go too?" Amy questioned.

"Because I wanted to be with you." Shadow pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Do you always know what too say?" Amy smiled.

"Usually but there are times when I'm left speechless." He pulled her closer to him. "And that's only when I'm with you."

Amy rested her head on his shoulder asshe continued to walk down the street with him. The two had wondered into town now. Amy's attention was suddenly caught when she saw two boy hedgehogs both about the age of 10 chasing a little girl and boy hedgehog that were both no older than 8. She released Shadows hand and ran after the four of them.

"Amy where're you going?" Shadow asked.

Amy turned into an ally where the little ones had been chased. She saw those two big boys picking on the little boy and girl.

"You are so poor and helpless you can't even get food." A dark green hedgehog snarled at them.

"Yea you're just rats infesting this city." The other was gray and looked mean.

The little boy held onto the girl afraid they might try to hurt her.

"Hey leave them alone!" Amy yelled as she walked toward the boys.

"And what if we don't what're you gonna do about it!" The green one answered.

"Then you're going to have to deal with me." Shadow said he was standing behind the two of them. They turned around to see him there looking at them through slits that were his eyes. The boys gasped and backed up slowly and then turn and ran off.

Amy stated to approach the little ones that were still trapped in the ally. They shivered with fear as they watched her come closer. Amy reached her hand out to them. "Don't be scared I won't hurt you." She put her hand to the little boys face. "Tell me what's your name?"

"I'm Timmy and this is my sister Mindy."

Amy looked at them she saw they were dressed in tattered clothes and they had dirt and mud all over them. Amy knelt down on her knees in front of the two kids. "You were very brave to protect your sister like that Timmy." Amy licked her thumb and whipped away the dirt smudges on his face. Timmy squinted and grunted a little as Amy cleaned him up. Amy smiled as she moved to the girl and did the same. "And you sure are a pretty little girl aren't you." She heard the girl's stomach growl. "Tell me when was the last time you two had something to eat?"

"Two days ago." Mindy answered.

Shadow watched as Amy talked to the children. She was so caring Shadow could see that was just one of the things he loved about her.

"Well how would you two like it if my friend and I took you to get a bite toeat and have some fun?"

"That would be really great!" Mindy answered as she smiled her eyes becamewide with excitement.

Amy got to her feet and was looking at the black hedgehog. "Shadow that okay with you?"

"Sure." Shadow answered. He walked over beside Amy. "Come one lets take um to an arcade and pizza place." He picked Mindy up on his back. "Would you like a ride?"

"Yes." She answered as she hung onto Shadow's neck.

Amy smiled as Shadow headed back for the street. "Come on Timmy. You wanna ride too?" Timmy shook his head yes. "Okay hop on." Amy bent down and let him get up on her back.

The four of them had gone to chucky Chesses for the afternoon. Shadow and Amy were sitting at a table drinking a soda and eating some pizza while Timmy and Mindy were playing in the big ball pit.

"Sorry if I ruined our date." Amy said as she looked over at the kids.

Shadow put his hand on top of hers. "You didn't rune our date you just gave those two kids what they deserved and I'm glad I got to help you do it."

"You mean it." Amy looked up at him.

"I do I just can't believe they were left alone at such a young age. How are they suppose to survive all on their own?"

"That's just it." Amy looked back at Timmy and Mindy. "Most of them don't make it." "I've seen so many just like those two and sometimes I can't get to them in time." Amy looked down at the table.

"Well you made it today and that's what matters."

Shadow suddenly felt something on his leg. He looked down and saw Mindy with hands around his leg and she was looking up at him with big eyes. "Shade can you win me a prize please?"

Shadow got up and took Mindy by the hand and walked into the arcade with her. Amy had followed them to watch. Shadow stopped at a game called skeet ball. He put a token in and got eight balls. He rolled each one of them up the ramp and every time he got the ball in the 100 point hole. Shadow did it a few more times and soon he had bucket of tickets. He took Mindy to the prize counter. "Okay which one do you want?" Shadow asked.

Mindy looked at all the prize that line the walls and that's when one stuffed animal caught her eye. It was a cuddly looking stuffed bear. "That one Shade I want that one." She pointed to the bear.

The man controlling the prize counter handed the bear to Mindy and then the two walked back to the table. "Thank you Shade I love him." Mindy ran off to show her brother the new toy she had.

Shadow sat down next to Amy and was surprised whenshe locked lips with him in a kiss. Shadow smiled. "What was that for?"

"For being the sweets guy I know." She hugged his arm lightly.