A few months pass, and we find Sonic and Sally walking through the town. The townspeople smiled and bowed their heads as the princess and her future mate walked by. It was a warm, sunny day, and the day of Sally's mating ceremony was quickly approaching.

Sally smiled at Sonic. "Thanks for coming on this walk Sonic. I know you have a lot to do in your forge with Miles."

Sonic nods. "I do, Sally. The jousting tournament needs shields and armor and various other metallic things for the contestants."

The squirrel princess frowns. "That tournament's not for awhile yet Sonic."

He nods again. "Yes, but it'll take that long to get everything ready. Blacksmithing takes a long time to make these things."

Sally smiles, giving Sonic a kiss on the cheek. "You're such a hard worker Sonic. It's no wonder my father and mother like you so much."

Sonic blushes a little when Sally kisses him, and he kisses her back. "Thanks Sal. I appreciate that."

Sally blushes. Sonic didn't call her Sal very often, and it made her blush every time. Another 10 minutes of walking finds Sonic and Sally arriving at Acorn Castle.

-The throne room-

The hedgehog and squirrel enter the throne room. King and Queen Acorn smile at them. "Hello you two. Sonic, you have a letter."

Sonic frowns. "Really? Where and who is it from?"

The squire gives Sonic the letter while the king explains. "It's from Rose Kingdom. King and Queen Rose have a daughter, Amy. She'd like to meet you."

Sally gives Sonic a look. "Do you know of her?"

Sonic shakes his head. "I've never heard about her until now."

Queen Acorn speaks up now. "Go on and see her Sonic. It's rude not to go."

Sonic nods and turns to Sally. "I'll be back soon Sal."

Sally kisses Sonic. "I'll be waiting for you. I love you."

Sonic smiles. "I love you too Sally."

Sonic is a blue streak as he bolts out of the castle towards Rose Castle.

-Rose Castle-

A blue streak reaches the red sandstone building in just a few hours. In Princess Amy's chambers, Cream was helping Amy get ready. "How do I look Cream?"

The rabbit smiles at the pink hedgehog. Amy was dressed in a red silk robe with a pink girdle and her emerald tiara on her head.

Cream nods her approval. "I think he'll like what he sees."

A knock on the door sounds, and a guard enters. "Milady, your guest has arrived."

Amy nods. "Send him in."

The guard nods and leaves. In a few seconds, footsteps are heard approaching the room. Another knock is heard, then the door opens. Princess Amy's jade green eyes widen in amazement when Sonic enters the room. He was dressed in all blue robes made of silk with a green girdle around his waist. Cream was stunned, too.

Sonic gives a courteous bow and addresses the pink hedgehog. "You asked to see me, milady?"

Amy just stared at the royal blue speedster. He stood four inches taller than she did, and was one inch taller than her own father. Sonic's deep voice is heard again. "Are you okay Your Highness?"

Amy finally finds words. "He's everything you told me he was, Cream."

The dreaminess in her voice made Sonic blush. The rose-pink princess finally regains her composure. "I-I'm sorry, Sonic. Please, c-come in."

Sonic smiles and sits on one of the benches in the lavish chamber. Amy sits beside him. "So, I've heard that you are to be Sally Acorn's mate."

Sonic nods. "That is true milady. However, I don't feel it's right."

Amy nods. "Well, why don't you think it's right? Sally Acorn is well-rounded in being a future queen."

Sonic nods again. "Yes, but I've been around her too long. So long in fact that I feel like she's more of a sister to me."

Amy sighs. "Well, what does your family think about her?"

Sonic lowers his head. "I have no family other than my brother, an orange fox named Miles."

Amy's eyes soften. "What happened to your family?"

Sonic feels a few tears fall as he recalls that fateful day. "Evil King Eggman killed them. I was only four years old, so I don't remember much. My family and Miles' family were ambushed by some of his guards for denouncing his name. Only Miles and myself survived because I was able to outrun their horses. Miles doesn't remember, since he was only a baby."

Amy and Cream are nearly crying as Sonic continues. "King and Queen Acorn took me and Miles in, and we've lived there ever since."

Amy puts her right hand on Sonic's left hand. "I-I'm so sorry Sonic. I don't know how you're dealing with this."

Sonic nods. "Thank you. Sally's family and Miles are the only family I have now."

Amy turns Sonic's face to her, and their green eyes meet. Sonic smiles, and Amy feels her heart flutter. 'He's so handsome! That smile, his eyes, the rich blue color of his fur… Curse Sally Acorn for claiming him!' Sonic blushes a little, which makes Amy blush.

Cream's chocolate eyes widen as she sees the pink and blue hedgehogs lean toward each other. Sonic feels Amy's soft lips press against his, and his heart skips a beat. 'Wow… Now this is what love should feel like. I've only met her today, and I want to spend more time with her.'

Amy's thoughts were racing. 'Oh-Oh my! I've never felt like this before! If only Sally hadn't claimed him… Well, he's not Sally's mate yet.'

Sonic deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into Princess Amy's mouth. She obliged, her soft tongue meeting Sonic's tongue. The kiss breaks, and both hedgehogs stare into each other's eyes.

Sonic sighs. "I-I have to go Amy. I-I'm sorry."

He leaves, and passes Amy's mother and father as he goes down the hall. King Rose frowns at his daughter. "Who was that?"

Princess Amy gives a dreamy reply. "His name is Sonic."

Queen Rose enters the room and sits beside her daughter. "Sally Acorn's future mate?"

Princess Amy only nodded, and King Rose looks to the seamstress. "Cream, what did you find out?"

Cream gives a courteous bow. "Your Majesty, he and his brother Miles were the only two survivors of Evil King Eggman's ambush on their families. Sonic was young, and Miles was just a baby. They've been living in Acorn Castle ever since."

The fire red hedgehog frowns to Amy again. "You want to have him as your mate? What is he known for?"

Cream answers when Amy says nothing. "Both males are blacksmiths in Acorn Castle, Sire."

He nods. "Nice choice, but he's to be Sally Acorn's mate, is he not?"

Amy nods. "He is, but he's told me he doesn't feel right becoming such. He said he looks at Sally as more of a sister than a lover."

Queen Rose nods. "So you're saying he doesn't truly love her?"

Amy sighs. "I can only assume so."

King Rose actually smiles here. "Amy Rose, I'd like to meet him when you can get him here again."

The sakura hedgehog princess nods, and her parents leave. Amy walks to her balcony, Cream joining her in a few moments. "Cream, can you get him here in the next few days?"

The rabbit thinks for a minute. "I don't know milady. I can try, but it may be a while."

Amy nods. "He's everything I want, Cream. Hard-working, gentlemanly, and apparently a very good kisser."

Cream giggles. "You're quite taken with him aren't you?"

The princess smiles. "It's not that at all Cream. I love him."

-Acorn Castle-

Sonic enters the castle and goes to his chambers. Sally is on the balcony, and she smiles at him. "Hello Sonic. How was your visit?"

Sonic joins his future mate on the balcony. "It was interesting to say the least."

Princess Sally nods, but then sniffs the air. Her sensitive nose follows the scent until it reaches Sonic. He looks at her, and sees fire light up in her sapphire blue eyes. Her tail gets bushy, and she growls. "What did you two do?"

Sonic sighs. "Well, I told you I'd tell you about it, so here goes. We kissed."

Sally's eyes harden. "You kissed her?! You're my mate Sonic! Not hers!"

Sonic frowns. "I'm not your mate either until the ceremony is over Sally. What I did was unforeseen, and won't be anything you need to worry about."

Sally nods. "You're bloody well right! You're never going over there again!"

Sonic's emerald green eyes flash. "I can do as I please Sally. You're just worried Princess Amy Rose will take me from you."

Sally calms down a little, and she nods. "Yes, I am. From what I've heard, she's one of the prettiest females in all the known kingdoms." She looks into Sonic's eyes. "Is that true?"

The hedgehog stares back at the ground squirrel and nods. "Other than you, she's the most gorgeous female I've ever seen."

Sally takes Sonic's face in her hands. "Promise me that you'll be with me forever Sonic."

Sonic shakes his head. "That's something I can't guarantee right now Sal. I have a feeling Princess Amy's parents will want to see me and talk to me themselves. That, and I think Amy's sharing your feelings for me."

Sally frowns and puts her head on Sonic's left shoulder. "I need to know where your feelings are, Sonic. Are they with me, or are they with Princess Amy?"

Sonic's deep whisper makes Sally smile a little. "What kind of question is that? I agreed to be your mate, didn't I? Besides, until today I hadn't ever heard of Princess Amy."

Sally gives Sonic a kiss on his cheek, making him smile. "I'm glad to hear you say that. Now, let's go to bed."

Sonic picks Sally up and carries her into the bed chambers. The hedgehog and squirrel change into their nightwear and climb under the white linen sheets.

Sally snuggles up to Sonic. "Goodnight Sonic. I love you."

Sonic nuzzles Sally's forehead. "Goodnight Sally. I love you too."

Sally falls asleep, but Sonic has one last thought before he falls asleep. 'Yes, I love you, but how long will that last?' Sonic closes his eyes and falls asleep.