Tears of the Tormented

by Oni Goddess

A story of my character and her quest to find her young siblings, taken from her by Eggman... she meets Knuckels and friends and other people as well... will she let them help her?

5. Chapter 5 After all the Training

Tears of the Tormented

Chapter 5

"After all the Training"

Okay, people, here's chapter 5! (Sings) I JUST WANNA BREAK YOU DOWN SO BADLY! Um… sorry I'm just so happy that I'm done with ALL of my chores, I'm listening to ROCK music! lol, ok, on with the story.

"Knuckles ROCKS!" (talking)

"Why do all the characters wear gloves… just asking." (thinking)

COCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCO

Hitomi wiped off the sweat from her brow; today was the last day of training for her and her friends… yes, friends. Over the week, the female red echidna had learned to open up to others and eventually, had started to lighten up on her feelings for a certain red male echidna.

Hitomi smiled to herself, "I guess I could love Knuckles. He has done everything he could to help me become the person I used be before Gosamu was destroyed."

Ayame walked up to Hitomi, "Hey there, Hitomi-chan… you alright?"

Hitomi turned to Ayame, "Ayame-chan… there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

Ayame looked out towards the mountains, "Is it about your village?"

"No… it's about tomorrow." Hitomi thought.

Hitomi took a deep breath, "No… it's about tomorrow… do you think everyone is ready? Even the young fox, Tails?" (they met Tails and Shadow during their one week of training; Hitomi has a soft spot for Tails, because Tails reminds Hitomi about her siblings, mainly Ryukan)

Ayame smiled, "I think so… these guys have been fighting Robotnic for a long time now… tomorrow is going to be one hell of a battle, I can feel it. You'll be reunited with your little brother and sister, and I'll get my revenge."

Hitomi looked at the purple hedgehog, "Ayame… tell me what you think of Sonic."

Ayame turned to look at Hitomi, a blush gracing her dark face, "W-why?"

"Do you like Sonic… do you think you can… love him?" Hitomi looked at Ayame, twitch and stare at the ground shyly.

"Well…" Ayame started shyly, "Sure I like him… I'm not so sure about love yet, I mean… we just met."

Hitomi looked away and into the setting sun, "I see… Ayame… do you think… I should… give love a chance? You see… I don't think that I'll be able to fall in love as long I have my siblings to care for. Their well being is much more important to me than some little game of love… but if… the love I think I found is true, should I pursue it?"

Ayame looked at Hitomi and thought for a while, "Hitomi… you're not making any sense…"

Hitomi almost fell over, balancing on the heels of her boots in nervousness, "What I meant was, should I give a chance to let Knuckles into my heart or not?"

"Ah…" Ayame thought about it some more, "If I were you… I would. I mean, this whole week he's been training with you, gives you your personal space when you ask of it, he opens the door for you, and he won't eat until your at the table, sitting next to him. I'd say… he just doesn't like you, he's way past that. I'd say he's falling for you." Ayame smirked, "And you know he's a gentlemen, I can tell you like the way he treats you. You're always blushing, even when you look at him, and you smile at him a lot, because you know he makes you happy."

Hitomi had to look away to hide her blush, "Damnit, she's right!"

Ayame slipped in front of Hitomi, "Aww! You're blushing! How cute, and that's something coming from me!"

Hitomi growled, "Oh, really? What about you and Sonic? I can see you two like to race a lot, and I KNOW it's not just to test each other's speed."

Ayame had shut up right away.

"AYAME, HITOMI! DINNER!" Amy called from the house, the aroma of pasta filling the evening air.

Ayame's nose twitched, "I can smell garlic bread…"

Hitomi looked at Ayame, "Garlic what?"

"You've never had garlic bread?" Ayame look at Hitomi accusingly.

Hitomi was starting to feel an odd sense of guilt for no reason, "No…"

"OhmyGod,youpoorsoul,you'regonnahavesomenow!" Ayame grabbed Hitomi's hand and zipped into the house, then let go of a bewildered and slightly frightened Hitomi.

"Ayame… don't do that again ever…" Hitomi panted.

Ayame looked at Hitomi, reaching out for a slice of garlic bread, "What's up?"

"I think I'm afraid of speed… too much speed… never again…" Hitomi sat down next to Knuckles, like she usually had been doing for the past week. Ayame sat next to Sonic like always. Shadow and Amy sat next together and have been doing so ever since Shadow showed up three days ago, and Tails sat on the other side of Sonic.

Ayame grinned at Hitomi, almost laughing. Hitomi growled at Ayame, tore off a bit of the garlic bread she had in her hand and tossed in into Ayame's open mouth while Ayame was starting to laugh.

Ayame almost choked on the little piece of bread and took a swig of the milk in front of her.

Tails giggled a little at Hitomi and Ayame, "Hitomi-sama, why did you do that?"

Hitomi blushed from embarrassment, "Oh, it was for nothing…"

"Hitomi…" Ayame got Hitomi's attention and threw a piece of garlic bread, hitting Hitomi right on the forehead.

Tails laughed a little bit harder.

Sonic grinned, "Food fight!" Knuckles grinned.

Amy glared at Hitomi and Ayame, "Don't you two even darethink about having a food fight in MY living room!"

Ayame smiled at Amy, "Don't worry Amy, it's just little pieces of bread."

Shadow spoke up on Amy's behalf, "She said no food fight. It's her house."

Everyone was a little shocked that Shadow stood up for Amy. Shadow never said anything nice for anyone. Amy smiled, "Thank you Shadow, now lets eat. We have a big day tomorrow."

Hitomi looked down at her food, "Tomorrow… right…" Hitomi stood up and headed for the door.

Ayame looked up from her spaghetti, knowing well that Hitomi was worried about tomorrow.

"Hitomi are you okay?" Amy asked with concern her eyes.

Hitomi looked at Amy, "I'm fine… I'll be right back. I just… need to think…" Hitomi walked out and closed the door behind her.

Ayame wiped her face with a napkin, "Hey Knuckles… why don't you bring Hitomi's food to her. I'm sure she's hungry… she's just worried about tomorrow."

Knuckles grabbed his plate and Hitomi's plate and was about to walk out when Sonic zipped right in front of Knuckles and placed a beach towel on Knuckles shoulders, "Have fun!"

Knuckles blushed, "Shut UP Sonic! You make it sound like Hitomi and I are…"

Knuckles received knowing stares from everyone.

"Hitomi and I are not going out!" Knuckles blushed harder.

"Yea, but you two look so cute together!" Amy said, smiling.

Ayame grinned, "We all know you like her. And I'm witness to her feelings for you. She told me she really likes you… well implied is more like it."

Knuckles was blushing a deep scarlet, "R-really?"

"Yes, now go! The food is getting cold!" Amy, Sonic, and Ayame shouted.

Knuckles went out the door and found Hitomi sitting about ten feet away from the front of the house.

"Hey Hitomi…" Knuckles smiled at Hitomi's surprised face as he walked up to her.

"Hey…" Hitomi answered.

"I brought you your food. Thought you might be hungry. You wanna stay out here? It's kind of nice out uh?" Knuckles said. "Oh good God… I sound like an idiot… what the hell does she see in me. I see plenty in her. She's… well… I guess I should tell her. I mean… she likes me too right? That's what Ayame said."

Hitomi looked at Knuckles and took her plate. He even brought that garlic bread stuff, a fork, napkins and their cups of milk. "Mother and Father would have loved him… Knuckles and Father would have gotten along so well. Mother and Amy would cook together. Sonic and Ayame would be like an uncle and aunt to Rina and Ryukan. Ryukan and Tails would have been best friends… Shadow would make an excellent guardian and so would Sonic and Knuckles. We would be like one big family…"

Knuckles looked at Hitomi. He could tell she was thinking about her family just by looking into her eyes, which were so full of sorrow.

"Hitomi… we're going to get your sister and brother back. I promise…"

Hitomi looked at Knuckles and smiled, "I know… I know I'll get them back. I can tell that we won't fail. Thank you for all of your help."

Knuckles and Hitomi ate their food silently. Knuckles eyes wandered over the horizon, watching the sun finally disappear behind the mountain. Knuckled looked over to Hitomi who was looking the same way.

"I've never felt this way towards any one before…Hitomi has such a wonderful soul. She's so dedicated to protecting her family. She reminds me of Mother…beautiful, strong and kind hearted."

Hitomi looked towards Knuckles, "Is there something on your mind?"

Knuckles looked away in shock that he was caught staring, "No, it's just…" Knuckles looked back at Hitomi, looking right into her honey-brown eyes. (A/N: I don't know if I have stated her eye color before, I couldn't find it in my other chapters. If it's not honey-brown, then it's something else. Let me know if I'm wrong, because I'm lame like that)

"Hitomi…after we save Ryukan and Rina… how would you and your siblings like to come and live with me on Angle Island with the Master Emerald?" Knuckles asked slowly.

Hitomi tried to hold in a gasp, "Live with you and the Master Emerald?"

Knuckles nodded, "Yea… you see… when I heard about Gosamu, it kind of made me wish I've heard of it sooner. Maybe I could have helped protect your village. I've been living on Angle Island all by myself for years now… well except for Rouge, the bat girl. She lives in the caves of my island and tries to steal the Master Emerald. She's a jewel thief, and she's annoying. I have some old friends guarding the Master Emerald for me while I'm here. So what do you say? We could all live together with the Master Emerald on my island and keep a jewel thief bat away from our home. It doesn't sound like much, but I bet that Ryukan and Rina can get a lot of training that way." Knuckles stopped when he noticed Hitomi shedding tears.

"How could I not notice that? I really need to stop talking aimlessly and pay attention to her. I know she's still hurting, why can't I just shut up for once? This love thing is so hard." Knuckles thought as he cautiously scooted closer to Hitomi. Knuckles remembered the blanket that was still on his shoulders, "We ate on the ground? Oh man, I'm an idiot. Well it's not too late to use it. I still have so much I want to tell her. And I can tell Hitomi has a thing or two on her mind to talk about."

Knuckles took the blanket, set it down and sat on it. Hitomi joined him, still crying silently.

"Hitomi… is something the matter?" Knuckled asked.

Hitomi looked at Knuckles, "Ayame was right… I should let you into my heart."

Knuckles blushed, really surprised, "Uh!"

Hitomi blushed, "Knuckles, I would love to come live at your island. I too bet Ryukan and Rina would love it and would learn so much. To be able to see the Master Emerald for the first time would be an honor for a guardian such as myself. You have done so much for me Knuckles, that I have no way to repay you."

Knuckles smiled, "You don't have too Hitomi. And you don't have to cry either…" Knuckled wiped a tear from Hitomi's face gently, "I want you to be happy."

Hitomi blushed, "Knuckles…"

There was a long silence before Hitomi shivered from a cold breeze. Knuckles noticed that Hitomi was still not on the blanket, so he got off of it, shook the dirt from the bottom of the blanket and draped it over Hitomi's shoulders. (A/N: Blanket, towel… whatever)

Knuckles sat behind Hitomi and carefully wrapped his arms around Hitomi and pulled her close to keep himself and her warm, "Are you feeling better now?" Knuckles asked in a soft voice he didn't know he possessed.

Hitomi blushed, "Yes, thank you… but aren't you cold?"

Knuckles hugged Hitomi a little lighter as the winds began to pick up a bit, "I'll be fine."

Hitomi gently broke Knuckles grasp around her, took the blanket and wrapped it around both of them, "Are you better now?"

Knuckles smiled, "Yes, thank you Hitomi." Knuckles reclaimed his hold on Hitomi, holding her close to his body to create warmth from the cold winds.

Hitomi and Knuckles looked into each other's eyes for the longest time. Knuckles felt himself leaning into Hitomi. Hitomi started to do the same, not knowing at all what she was doing.

Knuckles and Hitomi could feel each other's eyes start to close as they still both leaned in to what they thought was going to be their first kiss.

... CCCCCCCRRRRRRRAAAAAAACK! BBBBBBBOOOOOOOOMMMM!...

Hitomi and Knuckles both jumped, but since they were so close, their lips touched, confirming their first kiss.

Thunder had started to appear and with it, the rain. Within seconds, Knuckles and Hitomi were drenched.

Knuckles leaned in and claimed Hitomi's lips, this time, without the thunder clap's interference. Hitomi held Knuckles head in her hands.

Knuckles ended the kiss with much reluctance as the rain started to get worse, "We should go inside…"

Hitomi stared at Knuckles, "Y-yea…"

Knuckles put his arm around Hitomi's waist as they ran back to the house, the towel over their heads.

CXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCX (later that night)

Hitomi walked out into the living room and sat on the couch, watching the rain come down and the lightening come halfway down to the ground. "I hope Rina is okay. She's terrified of thunder storms…"

Hitomi remembered that Ryukan and Rina loved to hear songs when they were always afraid. Hitomi felt like singing, but low… because she knew that everyone was still asleep.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. So please don't take my sunshine away." Hitomi sighed, relived that no one woke up.

"You have a beautiful voice…"

Hitomi turned, to see Knuckles standing right behind her, "You're awake?"

Knuckles smiled, "I couldn't sleep. I wanted to tell you something earlier when we were outside… but being the fool I am, I didn't say it."

Hitomi looked into Knuckles' violet eyes, "What is it?"

Knuckles looked into Hitomi's eyes and kissed her again, "I… I love you Hitomi."

Hitomi tried not to gasp out loud, "Knuckles…" Hitomi squeaked.

"Hitomi, you're a very beautiful person. I've never met anyone like you. You're strong, both on the outside and inside. You're kindhearted and your so dedicated to your family and friends. You have such a wonderful smile and you have the most amazing eyes. Sonic and Amy keep telling me that you wear too much black, but I think you look perfect in black. I love you the way you are and I wouldn't want anything about you to be changed, because you're perfect in every way to me." Knuckles felt himself blushing, and relieved that he was able to get his hidden feelings out and said to the one woman he has ever loved.

Hitomi felt herself smiling, "Knuckles, I…I…" Hitomi felt stupid for the first time in her life, "I just don't know what to say at all except that I love you too. I never thought that I would fall in love because I was a guardian of my village. Not many guys think that their mate should be stronger than themselves, and I was the most powerful echidna in my village, along with my father. Knuckles, you are a blessing to me, and I couldn't have asked for anything better. You make me truly happy, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, Knuckles."

Knuckles and Hitomi smiled at each other and held each other lovingly. A loud thunder clap made them jump, again tricking them into kissing each other yet again.

Hitomi chuckled lightly, "That thunder seems to like us together."

Knuckles looked at Hitomi, "Why were you singing anyway? Bored?"

Hitomi shook her head, "No… thunder reminds me of Rina, because she's scared of it. When ever there would be a thunder storm, Rina would cry. She always hated the loud noise. She said it sounded like the Earth was angry, and it was the bright light and the high winds that scared her. My mother and I would take turns every storm to calm Rina down. We would both sing lullabies to make Rina go to sleep. Ryukan wasn't afraid of thunder storms, thankfully. He was only afraid of spiders."

Knuckles kissed Hitomi lightly on the cheek, "What are you afraid of?"

Hitomi hugged Knuckles, "Losing the battle tomorrow…oh and the living dead, what about you?"

Knuckles gave it some thought, "Nothing really… except… being alone… again…"

Hitomi looked at Knuckles, "I won't leave you Knuckles. I promise."

Knuckles looked at Hitomi, "I won't leave you either…"

The new couple shared another kiss and fell asleep on the couch in each other's arms, dreaming of their life together on Angle Island.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Ayame and Sonic snuck back into the blue hero's room. "About time they confessed. You think they would have done so earlier." Ayame whispered.

Sonic grinned, "I know."

There was a long silence between the two hedgehogs.

"Ayame…" Sonic started, "There's something I've gotta tell you."

Ayame blushed, knowing what it was, "Sonic, I kind of know already."

Sonic blushed, "Yea I know. I want to say it though. We've been racing each other this past week, and it's not for just seeing who's faster… Ayame, you mean a lot to me and… I wanna ask you if… if you want to come live with me at my place after tomorrow's battle? I've always been kind of a loner I guess when it comes to racing. This is the first time that I can have someone who can stay with me with out getting left behind… and the first time with someone that I have come to really love."

Ayame smiled at Sonic, "Sonic… I really love you too. You're the first ever to treat me with respect and kindness. I too am tired of being a loner, and for the first time, I can run beside someone who wants to run with me because they love me, not hate me. Sonic, you freed me from Speed of Death and I can't thank you enough."

Sonic grinned kindly, "You're welcome Ayame-chan…"

Ayame blushed, "Sonikku…"

Sonic softly claimed Ayame's lips, and Ayame returned the kiss.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Yami No Baiken: Yea! I'm done!

Amy: hey what about us!

Shadow: do you have something against us?

YNB: no, I just think I should wait until the battle scene to show what your relationship is like… Shadow is going to be like Amy's knight in shining fur!

Shadow: fur?

Amy: I thought it was knight in shining ARMOR

YNB: Hey, it's fur or he goes in naked!

Shadow: HELL NO, you sick twisted freak of mortal woman!

YNB:… I was only joking…

Amy: Yami No Baiken bids you all a good night and she hopes she didn't scar you for life… Shadow will be sticking to his fur!

YNB: Next couple chapters will be about what happened to Ryukan and Rina after Robotnic kidnapped them. I need at least one or reviews to go on, since I don't have a lot of fans. XD