Guardian and the Werehog

Chapter 4:

A few months later, snow had fallen and th e two friends were outside playing in the white stuff. Knuckles was building a snowman, while the Werehog was doing the same, but failing miserably due to his large claws. The echidna saw this and laughed, causing hin to laugh with him. Then a mischievous grin appeared on his blue snout and he made a snowball and threw it at his friend. Knuckles saw it and quickly ducked and the snowball made impact with his snowman. "Hey!" He saw his beastie friend laughing and he retaliated by throwing a snowball back at him, nailing him in the face. Seeing the look of shock on his face made the echidna burst out laughing.

"Oh yeah!" The Werehog made another snowball. Knuckles quickly dove behind a nearby tree, and saw the snowball hurl past him., thus starting a snowball fight between the two friends. While, Knuckles easily dodges the icy balls behind a tree, the blue beast had a hard time due to his bulky body, and was in the midst of making a snow fort while being pelted with snowballs. Once the fort was big enough for him, he started making snowballs about the size of his head. Right as he was about to throw the first one, he felt cold slush his the side of his face, making him drop his own weapon on his head. "Gah!" He heard laughing from behind the tree and decided to screw the snowball war and chased him around the yard.

"Haha, can't catch me, blue boy!" Knuckels shouted as he ran from the beast.

"We'll see about that!" He pursued the echidna. 'If only I had my speed,' he thought, but then he remembered his stretchy arms. He extended one of his arms out and grabbed Knuckles and pulled him toward him.

"Wah! Hey! No fair!" Knuckles pouted.

Then the two suddenly started laughing and continued their fun.

Vector and Espio watched from the balcony, glad to see their master and their guest enjoying themselves.

"Look at them, their having such a good time down there!" Vector said, grinning. "The Master seems to be growing fond of our echidna friend."

"You know, I actually agree with you. It's good that they're getting along and not at each others throats all the time." Espio added as he watched them make snow angels.

Several weeks pass and most of the snow has melted, Sonic was up on the balcony watching Knuckles walk around the backyard of the mansion. Ever since the echidna came here, he couldn't stop thinking about him. Most people would run at the sight of him, but the echidna isn't afraid at all; he'd even become his friend. He cared deeply for Knuckles; as each day passes, his feelings for him grow stronger. But did the echidna care for him that much?

Vector and Espio saw him staring and they hopped up on the railing. "Penny for your thoughts, sir?" the former crocodile asked.

Sonic sighed, "I think...I think I like him, not just as a friend, but...maybe more. it may sound weird, but this may be my only chance at breaking the spell. He's such a good friend. I want to do something for him, but I can't decide."

"What does he like?" Vector asked.

Sonic thought for a moment. "He seems to like nature..." An idea popped in his head. "I think I know...it's perfect."

About an hour or so later, Sonic was leading Knuckles toward the other side of the house. The former hedgehog tried to conceal his excitement as best as he could.

"Sonic, what's going on? Where are we going?" Knuckles asked.

"You'll see." They eventually stopped at a pair of glass doors. "Ready?"

"Uh, sure. Ready for what?"

Sonic opened the doors and walked out.

Knuckles followed him out and saw beautiful plants and flowers everywhere, and there was a marvelous marble fountain right in the center of the area. "Wow. So...you wanted to show me your flower garden?"

"Well, sort of. I wanted to give it to you."

"Give it to me?"

"Yeah. You can come out here anytime you want. You can come here to eat, read, or just to get some fresh air. At least you won't be couped up in the castle all day."

"Oh. Well, thank you, Sonic," he smiled. "That's very nice of you. I like it, it's very peaceful."

Sonic grinned, happy that his friend liked the gift.

"But, why such a big gift? It's not my birthday or anything."

"Just wanted to give you something special and something that you can enjoy while you're here."

"Aww." He blushed, then he hugged him.

The Werehog's cheeks turned red at the unexpected hug, but he just smiled and embraced him back.

End Chapter 4