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:

It was another new day I had awakened to and it was completely silent in the apartment. I quietly sat up and stretched. I decided to have a look around and to my surprise there was no batgirl rummaging around.

Usually she woke me up in the mornings from making such loud noises. I have the ultimate ears and I hear all. Now then, it was time to start my day; I drowsily stood up and decided to search for her.

'If I can find Rouge then we could go out together.'

I quickly halted in my tracks and frowned, 'Of course it wouldn't be any semblance of a date whatsoever, we find a place to eat, do it, then bam, we're on our way out.'

Continuing my search for Rouge, I also decided that that was the last time I'd use 'bam' in that context. After I had did a through search of the apartment (and come up short), I decided to check in her room. If batgirl found me entering her quarters, she'd beat me like a filthy rug.

'On the other hand,' I couldn't help but smirk, 'I've always hoped of having a walk-in on batgirl.'

I slowly cracked the bedroom door to reveal a vacant, violet room. The last time I was in this room was when Rouge first fed me her soup from hell. While examining the room, I couldn't help but notice how spotless her room was. It was good enough for my standards of cleanliness.

Then I spotted a half-way made bed.

Well, almost.

Studying her bed closer I found a small, mauve note. Is everything in her house purple!? I shook my head dismissively and retrieved the note; the handwritten cursive was beautiful unlike my small, mechanical print.

The letter read:

"Dear Shadow,

I left the apartment for a morning jog, and I'll be back around noon. If you're hungry, (Like I know you are) be sure to help yourself to the fridge. Ciao!

PS: LEAVE SOME SUBSTANCE IN THE FRIDGE INTACT!"

I closed up the note and smirked, she knew me all too well. My first stop was to invade the fridge. Sorry batgirl, but no one controls the ultimate life form. With that out of the way, I commenced operation: nuke Rouge's fridge.

After wiping the fridge clean, I decided to leave and get some fresh air. While heading towards the exit I happened to look up at a clock and saw that it was already one in the afternoon.

'That's funny, she should have been home an hour ago.'

I sighed then closed the door to the apartment. This will be interesting to see how fast I find batgirl; I'm a fighter not a tracker. However, the ultimate life form is good at all he does.

After leaving, I decided to have a look around Station Square in hope of finding batgirl. I searched for what seemed like endless hours, so I decided to take a break. My next stop was the nearest malt shop. I took a seat in at the front counter.

"Welcome sir, can I help you?"

"...What do you recommend?" I asked.

"How about today's special."

I could see that I was going to need my patience today; this guy was dense, " And that is?"

"The Super Oreo Shake, sir," he replied.

"Fine, I'll take that then, and if it's not good, I'm coming for your head."

The employee laughed, but I remained stone-faced. I was dead serious with that threat. He quickly turned and left, attending my order I presume. It was a few seconds later that he returned with my order. As I drank my shake I began to study the surroundings. This place was kind of small, couldn't hold more than twenty people. I looked beside me and there was a little girl sitting next to me spinning in her chair.

Deep brown eyes looked into mine and she smiled, I couldn't help but smile back when I saw that she was missing her two front teeth. While sipping my shake, I heard a soft murmuring from the other customers. Some of the people began to turn up the volume on the small television.

It was some kind of ad for some wanted convict, but why should I care? Besides, I had Rouge to find. As usual, I paid no attention to the TV or the people for that matter. I turned to pay the shop owner, but he was on the phone, and everyone in the shop was giving me these strange looks.

I scoffed, well, whatever, I had no more time to waste, so I left my money on the counter and left the shop. No sooner had I left the building I heard sirens wailing and I looked up to see police cars arriving and officers cocking their guns at me. Shit! How could they have known where I was? I turned around to look back at the shop to see the shop owner and customers talking to police officers.

Then, it hit me; those people in the malt shop must have seen a wanted ad about me! The worker must have called the police when the ad played on the television. How could I have been so stupid and oblivious?

" Stop where you are and put your hands up, or else we will be forced to shoot!" a policeman yelled, interrupting my thoughts.

I got a better look at the officers; across their trucks and on their vests were a word I knew well, " G.U.N."

Oh hell no, not these bastards again. I need to get out of here! Now! I clenched my fist as I looked around furiously. 'Well, it's either run or get tagged by the cops…'

Well, I made my decision and that was to do what I do best. Run. Put motion and energy to the muscles in my legs and soar. Somehow, with a good combination of strength and determination I had managed to blow right past them. But of course, they continued to pursue me, "STOP NOW! WE'RE GONNA FIRE AT WILL!"

While traveling I found a large, loud crowd to get lost in.

Perfect.

I quickly squeezed myself into the crowd of people to see if I could escape those damn cops. The officers appeared searching around the crowd furiously. Taking a few minutes afterwards, I found my escape and headed into the Station Square park. If I got far enough, I'd surely lose them. Then I came to a complete stop when something caught my eye.

I spotted Rouge…

...with Knuckles...

What's going on here? I felt my heart starting to beat so fast that I thought it was going to leap from my chest. Whatever was going on, it was going to become my business. As soon as I was about to walk over to Rouge, I felt a searing pain tear through my arm; I cried out in pain and plummeted to the ground.

I raised my arm. I had been shot.

Grimacing, I held my hand over my wound as I watched the blood tickle from it. I heard footsteps approaching and I looked up. It was Rouge. She must've heard me.

" Shadow," she gasped, " your arm!"

She squatted beside me and gently took hold of my arm. I slowly lifted my tongue to speak, but the G.U.N. decided to act next, " Surrender, Shadow the Hedgehog, or we shall open fire again!"

Rouge's eyes widened, " Wh-what's going on here? They shot you? When there was no hostile resistance?!"

"...G.U.N...", was the only word I could manage at the time. And I think that was enough. Batgirl knew what kind of people they were.

Sapphire eyes flickered; Batgirl grabbed my arm and looked up towards the police, a new determination sparkled in her eyes. Immediately I knew she was already formulating a plan in that head of hers.

"We gotta get you outta here," she said, " Be prepared."

With that note she rose to her full height, spread her feet apart, threw her hand forward and commanded, "Black Wave!"

The G.U.N. officers were violently knocked off their feet and they hit the ground hard. While they moaned and splurged curses of pain, Rouge grabbed my wrist and we ran. ...I more so limped than anything. While running, Rouge reached an alley, scanning the area. We heard the sound of approaching sirens and she made her decision, " Quick! This way!"

We ducked into the dark alleyway and we hid behind a dumpster. Both of us waited there silently for hours and by the time the coast was clear the street lamps had began to glow. It was officially nightfall. Batgirl turned to face me, apprehensive eyes colored ginger from the street lights, "Are you okay?"

"Fine," I said solemnly.

"Here, let me see your arm," she coaxed, " I'll be gentle."

I gave into her will and allowed her to take my arm. She scooted closer to me to get a better look. A strange sensation began to stir in my chest, and I suddenly felt uneasy. The last person I had let this close to me was my good friend Maria and I had never felt this strange, emotion around her.

I shook my head, regaining my sense, I had been having these abstract thoughts as of recently. My narrowed my eyes slightly. Get a grip over yourself! You are the ultimate life form and have control over all things that you can. So get with it!

"Nothing too serious," batgirl said more so to herself. I then looked up at her once a thought hit me. I needed to know about her and Knuckles, just was going on before I had arrived at the scene, "Batgirl?"

She looked at me, "Hmm?"

" So, what's up with you and Knuckles?"

She fell silent.

"N-nothing…," she quickly tried to change where our conversation was headed, "but we really need to get you to a hospital!"

She's good, but I'm better.

"No, not before you answer my question," I said.

"Well, everything's fine between us! Really!" she said. I lowered my eyelids; I knew she lying. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's spotting a lie...Why do you think I hound on that faker so much?

"Well, every time you speak of him, you always seem like you're gonna cry, now really, what's going on between you two?" I asked irritated.

She was about to answer, but the cry of the police sirens wailed through the night air. We crouched down and moved closer to each other. I looked over at her expectantly, "Well?"

Rouge starts up, "Knuckles… and…I…"

She fell silent and a look of pain came over her face, then she began to cry. I looked at her in surprise.

"Oh Shadow, we broke up, and he doesn't want me anymore!"

"Good, if he doesn't want you anymore, then you shouldn't waste your brain cells on him," I replied.

Her eyes were suddenly ablaze, " I bet you're happy now! You're probably thinking, 'Ha! Look at that stupid batgirl! Love is such a stupid emotion! You probably never even experienced it before!'"

Now I was livid, I rose to my feet and began to walk away, taking furious stomps along the way; batgirl followed me close in pursuit and continued, " Am I right Shadow? Love is stupid? Or do you not know what it is?"

I snapped around to face batgirl, " Who the hell do you think you are? What? You want me to cry for your relationship? When I'm here with a bullet lodged in my skin?"

Rouge crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, " Where's your sympathy? Is your heart really made of stone? Or are you just jealous?"

I took a step inward towards the white bat, "Yeah, like I'd be jealous of that echidna!"

By now we were both glaring at each other deeply. A couple of inches away from each other. I could nearly feel heat and passion between us radiating between us. Heat? Passion? Then suddenly, I found myself disregarding everything, letting wild instincts kick in as I found myself locking lips hungrily with batgirl.

Just as soon as it happened I regained control and broke it off, panting. We both looked at each other, the element of surprise on both of our faces. I even think I saw a trace of rose around Rouge's face.

"Wh-what was that for!" she panted, one hand pressed against her heaving chest. She looked half bewildered and maybe delighted? For once I found myself wordless. I truly had no idea where that came from.

...But I hate to admit that it was nice.

Batgirl turned her back to me and threw her hands in the air exasperatedly, " See! This is why I can't keep a relationship!"

She found a solid cardboard box and sat on it, looking despaired, "...Not that I have one anymore...Why I bet he came to the park to tell me how worthless I am!" She laughed, oddly enough tears pouring out of her eyes like rain, "And he'd be right! I am worthless! I'm just a lowlife slu--"

I quickly interrupted her. I took a knee to be on her level. I slowly wiped her tears away with my thumb, "You're not worthless, why would you say something dumb like that, Rouge?"

"Thanks Shadow, you're so sweet, " then a small smile appeared on her face, "That's another time you didn't call me 'batgirl'..."

I blinked; how very true.

She slowly wiped her tears away, and I rested my hands on my bent knee. Damn I hated to see her cry. I wish I could do something for her. I slowly turned my vision onto the girl in front of me, I almost jumped out of my shoes when I saw that she was returning my gaze.

"Umm, Shadow?" Rouge asked slowly.

"Yes?" I replied.

Avoiding eye contact, Rouge rubbed her left arm shyly, "Umm, how about we go for round..."

I smirked, 'To hell with these macho feelings.'

"...and---mmph!"

I cut Rouge off mid-sentence with a kiss. Her blush cleared and she closed her eyes. All the emotions I had inside for her had came out. This kiss with Rouge was probably the best moment in my life and I didn't want it to end. Before I could wrap my arms around her waist, she quickly cupped her arms around my neck.

...I certainly had no problems with her aggressiveness. We both kissed hungrily under the moon, but that was all shattered once a certain red echidna hovering over us saw this, and his eyes glowed green with jealousy.

To be continued!

Chapter Five Theme: 'Its in his Kiss'- Cher (Ha!)