UlTrRa SiK pRoDuCtIoNs pReSeNtZ:

LoVe'S bUrN

By: UlTrAa ShAdDow

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Sega's characters….but I'd be a very happy guy if I did!

"You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel."

Shadow's POV:

I slowly opened my eyes to the world before me. I sat up to see that I was in a mauve room embellished by the scent of lilac flowers. I looked at the side table next to me and realized that someone had left soup for me. Just as I was getting acquainted with my settings, a searing headache blared.

Instinctively I grabbed my head; where am I? And who is concerned this much for me to have taken the liberty to leave me soup? I heard the doorknob click, and I saw a girl enter the room with a warm smile, "Hey, how are you feeling?"

I recognized the girl as Rouge the bat. We had once worked together under Doctor Eggman; world domination business you could say. But now, returning to the present, I remembered she had just asked me a question. I didn't say anything but merely turned to face her. She put her hands behind her back and shyly approached me, "Well, I want to thank you for helping me back there…"

I arched an eyebrow, "Helped you? I basically saved your ass!"

She laughed heartily and sat on the edge on the bed. Well, it was true; I was the one throwing all of the punches and kicks back there in the alley. I mean, was she not the hostage back there?

"And besides, what were you doing in a place like that all by yourself, anyway?" I asked.

Rouge shook her head, "I know, I know, I shouldn't have taken that route home, but…forgive me, I wasn't thinking straight. I had so much on my mind earlier."

"Well next time," I began, "act much more logically."

"…Yeah," Rouge replied, she looked sad for a second before she brightened up slightly, "Thank you for helping me, as I said earlier."

I harrumphed and turned my gaze from her; I'm not too terrifically attached to batgirl, but when I saw her in the clutches of those bastards back there, it made my blood boil. I went out of my way to especially get the bastard who had his hands upon her; I broke his hand in three different places.

My train of thought was broken when I heard batgirl speaking, "Well, have you tried your soup yet?"

I looked towards the side table once again. There indeed was a bowl of steaming soup idling beside me. I looked at her then picked up the piping-hot soup, she smiled; it was apparent that she wished for me to eat. I observed the soup carefully and cautiously put one spoonful slowly into my mouth.

'Clank!'

"Ah! Shadow, are you okay?" batgirl asked worriedly.

I promptly dropped the bowl of soup and began to cough. What in the hell did she put in this soup! Is she trying to kill me? I could stand pain...but this was a new form of torture...

Rouge frowned, "Is it my soup?"

Yes!

I am going to tell her exactly how I feel about this abomination soup! Just as I was about to begin, I realized that her face was beginning to contort and tears were brimming in her eyes.

..Oh no...

Batgirl's voice rose uncontrollably," I mean I'm not a very cook…but then again, Knuckles was always around and he was a great chef…and…and…"

Her voice began to trail off and here comes the waterworks, but I hastily cut off her thought, "Batgirl, this soup is Adequate. Quit troubling yourself,"

…Why did I even bother to lie like that? To cheer that batgirl up? Hmph, I only did that to stop her from crying...I hate that!

Her face brightened up and she clapped her hands together, "Really? Well, I'll get some more then!"

I almost face planted once I heard that...Hell no! I don't think my stomach could stand anymore of her soup! Thanks for the warning though, batgirl.

"Batgirl! That won't be necessary, I'm pretty much full."

She put her hands on her hips, "Full? You can't be already? Oh well…Hey! I got an idea! How about we go out to dinner! It'll be fun! I mean we'll get all dressed up! You'll love it!"

I scratched my head, "We're eating out? And getting dressed up? I didn't know you had to get all formal for McDonalds…"

Rouge laughed and hit me playfully, "Silly! We're going to a fancy restaurant! De Amor Café! Mac Donalds! Were you serious?"

I felt myself glower; I can't believe I just said something that foolish! Hmph, but who is she to mock me? I crossed my arms and looked away from the tittering bat, then an idea hit me...it was time for revenge.

"Well, that sounds great and all….but…."

"But?" Rouge followed.

"I don't have anything to wear…so I can't go...," I smirked, "That ruins your humor, now doesn't it?"

Rouge beamed brighter; it seems that I have failed..."That's great! We'll go shopping together! This'll be fun!"

My face fell, if there was anything I hated more than crying it was...shopping...

"Come on!" She grabbed my hand and practically carried me out of her apartment.

Damn...defeated by a woman...

Rouge drove me to a mall where she led me by hand through the billowing horde of animals. After being squeezed through everyone in the mall, I was yanked into a store called, "Men's Wherehouse". There, Rouge had me fitted and measured by some guy with a corny French accent.

He moved around me quickly, basically putting that damn tape measurer everywhere! Was Rouge paying this guy to feel me up? Anyways he left momentarily and I turned to face Rouge.

"Rouge, what the hell was he doing? Are you paying that guy to feel me?"

Rouge burst out laughing, "Shadow! He's just doing his job! He's just trying to find your measurements!"

"Yeah right," I scoffed.

The same measurer returned with a few suits, "Try zese on zir."

I sighed, "I'll be right back Rouge."

She smiled, "Go ahead and take your time, I won't mind."

I followed the measurer to the fitting rooms and tried on a couple of suits. Discarded the first because it was morbid, I tossed the second because it was too loose, and the third was a waste because it was too plain.

"My! Bon monsieur, you have zuch picky tastes!"

I turned and glared at him, "Get out."

"But—"

"Out!"

"Okay zir, but try this last one on! I tink you shall like it!"

He handed me one last suit then left. I glanced at the jet-black suit which was accompanied with a deep, ruby vest. In response I arched an eyebrow, "…"

Fully clothed, I came out in front of Rouge and stepped into the face of the three mirrors and looked myself over. Rouge smiled and slowly walked up behind me.

"Wow! Shadow you look so debonair!" She giggled.

I stared at my dark reflection and posed from every angle I possibly could. And if I have to say so myself, damn, was I lookin' good. And everyone wonders why I am the ultimate life form; this is your answer.

"Debonair? Why of course I am!" I said making Rouge laugh.

"Shadow, you are just too much to handle!"

I smirked; of course I am.

After leaving the Men's Wherehouse, we strolled around the mall for a few hours talking about anything and everything, then we both had a drink at a joint called "Jamba Juice" and there we both talked for another half an hour. Or to be correct, it was batgirl talking.

"Oh Shadow, by the way, be sure to call in reservations at seven p.m. for De Amor Café, okay? Here's the number."

I shrugged, "Yeah…. sure, you know batgirl, these drinks?…they're the shit!"

Rouge laughed, "Yeah they are! Well anyways, be sure to make reservations at seven okay? I'll meet you there."

Rouge rose to her feet, looking as if she was ready to be on her way. I arched an eyebrow; what? Is she just planning on stranding me here? Was this her orignal objective: dump Shadow off in a place where he has no idea where he's at?

"…Where are you going?" I asked; it was more of a challenge than a concern.

"Where are you going?'" she said, mocking my voice, then she smiled, "To the beauty salon to get my hair done. When I meet you there at the café, I'll be all nice and pretty for you! So see you then!"

She waved to me and then...she hugged me. I was most unprepared for that. I heard myself gasp from surprise as she ran off laughing. I looked at my drink angrily and stirred it around a little. How dare she embrace me! She knows very well that I hate any kind of contact at all. Whatever revenge I execute on her...it's gonna be grand.

Well, there was no point in staying here by myself. I finished my drink greedily then I left the mall. Since Rouge couldn't drive me back to her apartment, I decided to walk there myself. If I recall correctly, the walk won't be too far.

Once I returned to her apartment, I realized something…. I couldn't get in!

Damn!

Now what was I suppose to do to pass the time? Well, first off, I called that De Amor Café place and made our reservations... but what to do now? I had no idea. Completely bored, I decided to walk around a local park. I sat on a bench and watched families do all sort of things, whether they'd be playing Frisbee or eating a picnic.

Whatever they were doing wasn't holding my attention, so I stretched out and fell asleep using my new tux as a mattress. It was just when I was beginning to become absorbed in a dream when I got hit in the head with a Frisbee. I woke up quite irate and more than ready to start the next world war, but I saw a little echidna running towards me.

Damn...no world war today...

"Hi mister," the blue, big-eyed echidna kid called, "May we have our Frisbee back?"

No.

But I ended up throwing the Frisbee back to the kid who then returned a smile. As I stretched out my tightening muscles, I was literally knocked to the floor. Startled, I looked up to see none other than Amy Rose above me. Her green eyes were bright and her smile twinkled.

"Oh Shadow! I thought you were dead!" She clung around my neck and squeezed the air out of me.

Next time I come back int town I should give a card that says, 'I'm not dead yet.' At this rate, she'd kill me. I stood up and removed her arms, "It's...nice to see you as well rose hedgehog."

...Lie...

Amy laughed, " Rose hedgehog? Well, anyways…what are you doing here? And why do you have that tux?"

I smirked, " Let's just say that I have a date tonight."

Amy smiled, "Ooh la, la! I wonder who the lucky girl is! So fill me in, what time does the date start?"

"Well, I guess seven."

Amy looked at her watch, "Shadow,"

"Yes?"

"It's 6:55 right now…."

"….OH SHIT!"

Before I could run off, Amy grabbed my arm and smiled, "Don't worry Shadow, I got the whole thing under control!"

I don't know if it was a wise decision on my part to allow Amy to take me to her apartment and help me get ready for my dinner date, but it was all I could do at the moment. She was the only thing saving me from a potentially wrathful Rouge. I had seen her furious before…and it wasn't a healthy sight.

As I stared in the mirror at my reflection, Amy returned with a smile, "My goodness! If I wasn't so crazy after Sonic, I'd eat you alive right now!"

I laughed, "I guess I'll take that as a compliment."

"Oh yeah, I happened to come across these," said Amy. She raised a pair of nice black and silver sneaks. I tried them on and they were a pretty good fit.

"They used to belong to my dad, but now you can have them…let's just say it's a welcome back gift," Amy said smiling.

"Well thanks for everything...Amy," I said.

"Well, you better get going then!" Amy said with a smile, "You don't wanna keep the lady waiting, eh? Well, bye-bye! See you later!"

After waving to Amy, I ran off towards the De Amor Café, hoping that Rouge wasn't early, or I'd be the newest face in the obituaries!

I skid to a stop as I arrived at the gaudy De Amor Café. The building was a tall, obsidian structure with gold trimmings and bright lighting. I even found it quaint that the fanatsic structure had a gold, plush carpet rolled to its door. Well, I suppose this building needed to be done up like this, with its customers arriving in limos, and Benzes.

Taking a stroll on the well-lit gold carpet, I headed for the door. And before the doorman could open the door for me, I barged in, bowling him over in the process. I couldn't help but grin at that sight...Then I looked up and took in the magnificence of this restaurant.

It was astounding if I had to say so myself. The red carpets were new and plush, the building was made of ivory, a complete turnabout from its dark, ebony outside, and the aroma of the food filled the air. I could tell I was gonna like it here.

I arrived at the front counter where I mentioned my reservation. The waiter flipped through a few gold-crested pages in his book then took me to a table where I saw a group of guys flocking around a table...

What the hell are they all doing conversing and flirting with my date? You know what, I change my mind; here comes world war III...

As I approached the table venomously, my waiter stepped in before the sparks could fly, "Madam, your guest has arrived."

I looked up and saw Rouge tapping her foot furiously. ...I don't know that much about the way females think, but I knew I was in trouble when she had that look in her eyes... Two sapphire eyes illuminated with anger, and I'm sure that I saw some flames in her blue eyes, "SHADOW! Where have you been? It's almost seven thirty!"

"Can't blame me if I want to be fashionably late." I said a little startled.

I then looked at Rouge again and realized just how gorgeous she looked. She was wearing a tight red dress that had no straps, not to mention her dress had slits at the sides, revealing shapely legs. Her hair was parted and curled and I then looked further down at her red open-toed heels, which matched her sash around her shoulders. At that moment she reminded me of a living Jessica Rabbit.

"Rouge…May I say something?"

She crossed her arms, "What?"

"You look stunning," I smirked, "Want me to howl now or later?"

I noticed that Rouge blushed when I said this, and she clamped her hands to her face, "Umm, thank you! You look rather handsome as well! Come and sit down!"

...And I'm in the clear just like that...but I meant every word I said...

We both took out seats and I glared at the guys gathered around the table. What do they think this is? I'M her date!

I snapped around to face them, "And what do you morons--"

"Shadow," Rouge said meaning to correct my demeanor.

"Are you leaving or shall I help you on your way, gentlemen?" I growled, respecting Rouge's wishes.

"...Or would you prefer a boot in the ass?"

"Shadow!"

Almost at once they all left our table and I smiled smugly; that's right boys, the vixen at my table is my date. The waiter came and started our order with water then promised that he'd be back in a few minutes. I turned and smiled at Rouge who then blushed a pale rose.

"So, how did your day go?" I asked.

"Well, it was pretty much fine but I think I enjoyed myself a whole lot more when I was with you," she said smiling.

That smile…. it seemed to make my heart pound harder and faster. I suddenly couldn't look her in the face, and I felt my face go warm… I must have been red like a tomato. Peh! How ultimate life form-like!

"Hey Rouge! WASSUP?"

I instantly snapped my head to see who had called her name. It was defiantly a male, and his voice sounded very familiar. Annoyingly familiar. In view came that blue hedgehog with a date of his own, Amy. She clung to his arm and then smiled spotting me, "Hi Shadow!"

Sonic scolded her, "Amy! You know you shouldn't speak of the dead like that!"

I rolled my eyes; sometimes he was quite the idiot.

"No look Sonic! It's Shadow right there!" exclaimed Amy pointing a finger at me.

"And what happens when I don't see Shadow, Amy?" said Sonic.

"Just look!" said Amy dully.

Sonic looked up and looked like he saw a ghost. At the top of his lungs, Sonic let out a, "HOLY SHIT!"

Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating and turned to stare at both him, and us. Rouge buried her face in her hands as I sighed. Already I can see that this was going to be an interesting evening.

It wasn't long until Sonic and Amy eagerly joined us at our table…although I really don't recall inviting them…. The azure hedgehog pulled up a chair and looked as eager as a child awaiting a fairytale; this was when he decided to bombard me with all his unwanted questions, "Shad, when did you come back? How did you come back? How did you survive---"

"One question at a time," I told Sonic then I paused," And my name's Shadow."

"Yeah whatever," Sonic waved off my comment, "Shad, how did you survive the fall? I surely thought your ass would have fried like eggs!"

Rouge kicked Sonic from under the table...and hard, the entire table shook, meanwhile Amy bleated out a dismayed, "Sonic!"

"What?" Sonic cried, " As if you weren't thinkin' that too!"

"Sometimes you're so dumb," Rouge growled displaying an impressive row of sharp, white fangs.

"Well….I really don't know…" I said, staring at the blue hedgehog, "and I don't remember much when I did arrive on Earth…"

"But," Rouge interrupted, "I do remember Shadow protecting me in the dark alley! He beat up those jerks like it was nothing! WHAM! BAM! POW!"

"Really?" smiled Amy.

"Well, that's nothin' special!" Sonic cried, " Ames, I've saved you millions of times from Eggman!"

The waiter arrived and took our orders. Rouge's ability to read the French menu amazed me, maybe even everyone else as well. As the night went on, Sonic began cracking jokes about any and everything, while I happily stuffed my face.

I even helped my self to the cookies. As I chomped on the biscotti cookies, I looked up and thought I saw Rouge looking up at me smiling as she rested her head in her hand. I instantly looked away and fiddled with my fork. Why did she look at me like that?

...Didn't she know it was rude to stare like that? Hmph!

It was almost eleven thirty and the faker was still at it cracking jokes. Aside from Sonic's chronic jokes, I rather enjoyed myself. I mean for the first time in my life, I did get to dance, and with a gorgeous person at that. I pretty much had no idea what was doing but with Rouge's gentle guidance, I felt as if I had been dancing for years.

"….Aren't you bored?" I asked her.

"Not at all," Rouge replied, "By the way, you're dancing lovely."

I suppose she caught the uncomfortable expression on my face, she laughed, "Well mister 'ultimate life form' you didn't know you could dance, huh? All you needed was a good teacher."

Batgirl looked up at me with happy blue eyes, almost violet from the dancing spotlights, "You're a quick learner…"

Almost uncertainly, she placed her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes, "…Thank you for the wonderful evening Shadow…you were a great date."

I also enjoyed my dinner, and ate to my fill, and I also made Rouge happy, for some reason, every time she smiled or laughed, I almost felt lighthearted. I wonder why I had this feeling around her…Being around her feels so…correct….

We had left the restaurant and grabbed a couple of scoops of ice cream. Rouge splurged on a flavor called Cookie Dough, Amy enjoyed Strawberry Shortcake and the faker had Blue Raspberry and he 'introduced' me to Fudge Delight.

"Oh hell yeah," Sonic said, piling on mountains of chocolate ice cream on my already full bowl, "This is where you need to go! Since you're an ice cream amateur, I'll start you with fudge, and someday, you may be able to move up to Blue Raspberry."

After ice cream, it was time to go home; Sonic walked Amy home as I was obliged to walk Rouge home. Once we arrived at her apartment she went to the door and smiled, "Thanks for the wonderful night Shadow."

I nodded to her then slowly began on my way. As I began to walk away, I heard her voice ring.

"Shadow!"

I turned to look at her and she called out again, "Shadow! Where are you going to stay tonight?"

"I don't know," I answered softly," But I'll manage."

She shook her head with a playful smile, "Well, you can stay at my place for the night,"

I turned towards her, and began to head towards her apartment. I awkwardly entered after her as she disappeared into a room. I took the time to look around the room before she returned with a couple of blankets. She set them on the couch and said, "You can sleep here...if this is good enough for the 'ultimate one'."

I removed my shoes and looked up at her, " It'll have to do."

Her laugh rang out as I lounged on the couch. Just as I was beginning to remove my tuxedo, I noticed that Rouge pointedly turned her gaze from me, "…O-Oh my, is that a speck of dust on my furnace?"

I rolled my eyes; women were so odd when it came to modesty issues. That's one thing I'll never understand about the female gender. Wait a minute, was batgirl's face red? Was she embarrassed? I couldn't help but smirk. But what do you expect? Not everyone can handle gazing upon my ultimate-ness.

"…You're free to look as you see fit." I smirked. She turned her head back in my direction. I hopped on the couch as I crossed my arms and closed my eyes, awaiting sleep to take me.

"Shadow," Rouge said softly.

Her tone was delicate enough to get me to open an eye, " Hmm?"

"Good night," she replied.

"...Hmm," I replied, feeling sleep starting to tug at my consciousness.

Seconds afterwards, I felt thick quilts embody me. I felt her weight shift from the couch and with the sound of fading footsteps, I knew that had left. So, I had some place warm to stay for the night…. So maybe this wasn't a bad day after all….

To be continued!

Chapter Two theme, "Any Love," Luther Vandross