Final chapter. This has been fun to write, but all things (good or bad) must come to an end.
Shadow swallowed hard. His mouth went dry suddenly.
"I... I love her." Shadow eventually choked out. Amy looked up at him.
"Of course you do! She's your mate!" A yellow hedgehog shouted to Shadow. He shook his head.
"She was pretending... it was a lie. She only did that because I asked her to, and I'd just like to say thank you to her." Shadow announced. Everyone other than Jewtzilla, Ammo and Shamy gasped. Amy was still in Shadows arms and she could see a pink blush crawling across his face. He'd made an idiot of himself, just to tell her how he felt. She couldn't stop staring at him.
"Shadow..." Amy whispered. Shadow looked down at her.
"Put me down." She said. Shadow but her down on the floor. Amy's legs were like jelly. She wasn't sure if it was because of her back or because of what she was going to say, but she knew that she had to say this.
"The only lie I've heard today is that." She began. She had confused everyone, including Shadow.
"The only lie I've heard is that I did it because I was asked. I did it because... I think... I think I love Shadow too!" Amy didn't care if her back hurt any more. In fact, she couldn't care less if the whole world heard her and laughed. She'd said it. Everything was quiet. Ammo and Shamy were exchanging shocked glances, speechless. Shadow was gob smacked.
"You... do?" Shadow asked cautiously reaching out to her. She turned around and smiled.
"Of course!"
It was now midday. Shadow and Amy were at the council meeting and Knuckles was not happy. He was impressed, just not happy.
How on earth did you get a mate, Shadow? His eyebrow twitched in anger. There was his chance to claim Basetree as his down the tubes.
It's simple really. If you just tell the truth... Complete fluke. Amy interrupted. Knuckles shook his head and decided not to ask any more questions. Shadow smiled to himself. Amy had figured out what effect that would have had on Knuckles and decided to make him go away. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that was the reasoning behind her actions. Shadow put his right arm behind her back and lightly grabbed her waist.
Why did you make him go away? Shadow whispered into her pink ear. Unbeknown to him, he had just sent shivers up her spine.
I just wanted to be alone for awhile. Is that a crime? Amy replied. Shadow smiled at her. He leaned in to kiss her when Rouge walked over.
Well, well, well... The loner hedgehog got a girl. Welcome to the club honey. My name's Rouge. What's yours? The ivory bat smiled at Amy. She had already made Amy angry.
My name's Amy. Thanks for the welcome. Oh, by the way... I heard there were precious stones in the nearby mines. Have you heard anything about that? Rouge's eyes began to sparkle. This was her area of expertise and she had learnt something new from the newbie.
Really! That was Rouge gone. Amy chuckled to herself. She was getting good at this.
Shadow had tried and failed to kiss Amy throughout the two hours he was required to attend council for and was beginning to get ratty. This was his first day with his mate and he hadn't managed to kiss her yet. Every time he got close, someone would want to talk to him or Amy about something. However, he had a plan.
Hey, Blaze, could you teach the others about fire for me? Blaze looked at Shadow and nodded then ran off and started to tell people about fire. Bingo.
Amy, come with me. Shadow whispered. Amy nodded and held Shadow's hand. Shadow ran out of the council gathering area and back to Basetree. As they got to the main sleeping area where everyone except Shadow had to sleep in hammocks, Shadow stopped and grabbed Amy by the shoulders lightly.
Good night Amy. Shadow began to lean in to kiss her for what seemed like the thousandth time in a few hours. This was what he'd been waiting for all day. All other thoughts were wiped from his mind and she was the only thing important to him at that moment.
Amy put her arms around Shadow's neck and started to lean in towards him as well. She could hear his heartbeat quicken. He heart and his seemed to beat in sync. It was like clockwork.
As their lips met, the three hedgehogs who had helped and sometimes hindered their progress sat in their hammocks and watched. This was what they were working so hard for. This was why they had given up sleep to plan where to look and what to do. This was the fruits of their labour finally blossoming. It was love.
Hope everyone enjoyed this. :D
