Hunter's Night
Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic; he and related characters belong to Sega. Predator(s) belongs to their proper owner(s)
Who said we'd never make it here? Yeah boy…ladies! …and then the what, like ten guys on the whole website? Hunter's Night has done it, like a freaking world record: Iced-Out-Snowman finished a complete story! Between work and life, dudes…I have not a damn clue how I managed it, all I can say is thank God for USB Flash Drives cause who knows how many more years this would've taken me to do.
You gotta blame and love Halo 3!
Some notes of interest/importance:
Okay first things first, this "last" (I use that word lightly) chapter has asectionthat was written between me and Sasha, and Lily; two good friends of mine; they're probably reading right now because I kept the main story separated from the joint effort and well, they almost strangled me when they found out I wouldn't show them anything else besides what they needed to know. In short, there's some vague lemons in this one (it's called lemon right?), it's vague because that's what I prefer to leave it as but it's also because of the rules on the website, but like "Life After", hopefully its descriptive enough to please the reader and vague enough to save my ass. Another thing, I hope you can stomach this sap and fluff, tip: get the stomach medicines ready, you're going to need them.
My other friend Tony would've help if he wasn't cracking up half the time we tried writing it; I said screw it and got me some…how to say it…more 'mature' help because Tony is the type of nigga who asks the dumb question (What color should it be? Black or the color of his muzzle?), plus he kept bumping, Lil' Wayne's Drought 3's 'Zoom' onmy or his stereo so that me off track the whole time and Sasha refused to help me with this one if he was helping; and the thing is, some physical romance things; I just can't put it into words. I'm not good at it. But hey, the three of us did it; it was their idea (Lily and Sasha) and they got me into agreeing that this is the better way to end this instead of killing off everyone in a big-ass battle between earth and an Alien outbreak that calls Predators here as everything is dying and falling apart from the creatures that run amok on the surface slaying everything that they see…just like A.V.P.-R (A.V.P. 2)…that would've been suuweeet.
Pfft I'm kidding.
I would never do that…or would I? Do you know, cause honestly I have not a damn clue if I would…anyway, it ends like this and I really hope you guys like it. Okay, enough of your time being slightly wasted; let's roll!
To Lily: you helped me for free, I ain't hear nothing about paying you twenty bucks for "literature services", so take that crap up with Sasha and stop leaving collector's calls on my freaking phone! Besides I ain't making much money off of this either…oh how sweet would that be if I was?
Enjoy a nice and long one & review.
Chapter Nine — Lover's Night
City; Amy's Home (10:06pm)
Seven days had past and things were somewhat back normal. Though the horrible memories of blood and cold iron clashing and nearly killing Sonic would never really go away, it somewhat was comforting that they would fade. Never again could she feel completely or remotely at the very least safe in the dark anymore; not even being so close to her home. The schedule at work was not helping either. She had late night shifts all this week. Any little sound startled her nerves on the way home. The young hedgehog tried to ignore it all but it always bugged her anyway, even if she didn't twitch and look, in her mind she would think about it deeply, wondering what it was.
It was under her skin. It was crawling around underneath, leaving a trail of fear all through her.
While she escaped the whole experience with nothing short of a few cuts and bruise or two; she was the one who suffered the most. Her damage was on par with Shadow's, mentally she was devastated. As a little hedgehog, she had conquered it; the darkness no longer shook her; but now she could no longer hope to even close her eyes for a split second. Light brought a gentle comfort. Like the nightlight that her parents gave her before she learned that there was nothing to fear in pitch black of night, her young mind believed monsters hated the light. Well, now there was something to fear; deepening the fear was the constant fact that they could bend light and hide under it, barely visible only through those distorted images the light bending did. Making things worse was what she knew; they didn't seem to fear anything.
Her room had been stripped of carpet and her door was gone. Amy looked to her newly fitted window on her left; the bright white lining of the case clashed a little with her baby pink and purple themed room. The hedgehog followed her friend's lead and had the faded tan carpet ripped out; it was a definite when she spotted a few drips of a glowing green soaked into the floor. Glass was everywhere previously; one could only assume it was the creature that broke into her room. Master bedrooms always seemed to have a downside; being big enough for someone to sneak in. She'd keep that one in mind from now on. Sonic limped with assistance from Tails to walk her home on the third day. Both the fox and the cobalt hedgehog had recommended she stay for a night or two; more if she needed. Amy felt comfortable there, just knowing that Sonic was there helped.
Tails and an injured Knuckles were the ones called on to rip the carpet out and dispose of discreetly. If any crazy publicity could be avoided, great, everyone knew that few, if any, would believe them. Her mind couldn't help but make her smile; those two were so stubborn. That echidna left the hospital after being told he was flushed of foreign fluids and only needed to be monitored to be positive that he was okay. No one even tried to stop him, after what he did in his weakened state to the beam with his foot; doctors knew better than to try. Rouge stayed an extra day but left as well; despite her weak wings she managed to fly off and lose the beaver running after her, hoping to catch the ignorant bat. Amy smiled as she sat on her bed; Knuckles left because they said he was going to be fine, excluding body injuries and Rouge was a little more careful but even she couldn't leave her echidna's side for very long.
Her room was a mess, Knuckles wasn't the most careful person when taking out a carpet. Tails had no respect or saw very little value in a girl's possessions, Amy couldn't count how many times she had yelled at two people; both didn't care much about her personal stuff. The dressers were cluttered with make up and care products and a few knick-knacks. Clothes were scattered in a corner of the wooden floor, her bed was the only thing made. She looked to the back corner of the large room, it was empty as usual; the hedgehog looked away to remove the thought. Her glass green orbs met the source of the blue fuzz light that clashed and mixed with an orange glow that radiated from the two lamps on both sides of her bed. Amy watched an anime; the Japanese show had two oblivious lovers arguing. The male flushed when his female companion screamed something at him; traveling companions formed sweat drops as they knew how the two felt about one another. It was the show that warped Amy's mind; it was nice watch before bed. The blooming romance in the show was one that made the viewer keep watching, hoping that the two character would finally admit it. Comedic jokes and adventures with a heavier tone broke the tightening air of the show's wanted romantics, relaxing the viewer's anxiousness, or like most and Amy; just for a little while.
The hedgehog giggled to herself as she remembered what those two reminded her of. Rouge and Knuckles; Sonic described it as, love-hate, or bi-polar.
For everyone, this whole experience was bittersweet.
Rouge and Knuckles finally swallowed their pride and faced their feelings. The two had always admired one another from afar; Amy could read it on both of them from a mile away. Knuckles saw her for her beauty and the free attitude she had. The bat wasn't one to sugar-coat, she was even upfront with Knuckles; telling him had nothing better to do than guard an emerald. At the same time she was falling for what made his duty. The echidna may have disliked his duty but he did it because it was for his ancestors. Rouge had let it out to her once that she found Knuckles' sense of duty and strength attractive, though she denied it if anyone else question and even threatened Amy if she let another soul know.
Amy sighed as she fell back onto her bed. The pink hedgehog hugged her knees; she kept looking at the door and the back corner of the room. Suddenly she shook violently; a cold chill ran down her spine. She shuddered and shook it off; her hands came to her head and stroked her rising quills down. The only positive thing she had to look forward to was a new carpet; a mix of purple and pink, but even that wasn't going to help her much. The adolescent hedgehog had been sleeping in fear every night, mentally pleading with someone or something that she'd wake up the next morning. It seemed like there wasn't anything that could ease her nerves; it just didn't seem possible.
For the first time in her life, before her very eyes; they were defeated. It had never happened; they had always found a way to win. This one couldn't even be considered a stalemate. The fact was as clear as water; they won. Shadow, the strongest of them all couldn't match up. Sonic was on par with his dark counter part but to a certain degree, even she had to admit that. That level of equality and rivalry ended at fighting and power. In speed they were neck and neck. Neither hedgehog could out do the other in terms of speed and agility.
Shadow though, he crushed Sonic in power and reflexes. It was obvious to everyone but the legendary blue bur himself, Shadow had the quickest reaction times ever recorded in history. His strength was remarkable, news among hikers and explorers reached out to them and informed them of where Shadow had been. Humongous cracks and even large clusters of rock and pieces of the mountain itself were shattered and broken off. Knuckles was capable of that type of power but the echidna was restrictive with his fighting, it wasn't his style to take it out on nature. Besides, he wasn't in any condition to be destroying mountains.
Shadow was though. Last time she saw him, or anybody besides Mina, he seemed like he was dead of out his mind. But why? No one could understand it. Why was he running, why was he parting from everyone.
'Shadow…Shadow…' Amy shook her head as she laid back down flat onto her bed. The hedgehog let out a frustrated sigh, 'I can't handle this kind of drama…sorry Mina. I can't help you with this one, Shadow is not my game. I have my own problems too.' It kind felt bad not being able to help a friend. But Shadow and Mina were in their own high class issue, if she tried to get involved and help her yellow friend, it be way more than what she could handle. Their connection was already deep. It was always there, since the day they met. Sonic describe the encounter as disturbing.
"No joke." Sonic shook his head and made gesture with his arms, "We only came to give her the blue emerald, like we decided you know?" The cerulean hero looked around for a nod. Everyone knew what was going on, Shadow, Sonic and Tail and everyone in the group decided to guard the emeralds themselves by giving each a caretaker. Amy raised and eyebrow and joined her short fox friend in an unsure nod, "So we get there and we knock on Mina's door." Sonic grabbed his own head and starting pace back and forth, "She opens and at this point Shadow's behind me with the blue emerald, staring at the sky or something,"
His voice was turning into a shock, as if he couldn't believe himself, "So I ask, 'Mina, we've decided and blah, blah—you know the drill, same thing to you guys. I was expecting and of course she asked 'who's he', 'why he is' eh, you know the basic questions you ask when you first meet the dude," Sonic stopped pacing and brought his arms down, "So then she says yes to what we asked of her, so I tell Shadow, give her the emerald. So he turns around and unfolds his arms and walks over all serious and hard like he always is," Luckily Shadow wasn't with them at the time otherwise Sonic's head would be under his foot for mocking his movements, "Then he walks up to her and holds out his hand, the one that's holding the emerald," The hedgehog pacing start up slowly, "Suddenly—they just stand there. I swear to god, they were just standing there looking at one another for like an hour! Mina then puts both her hands on the blue emerald and the hand holding it! I know what I saw; I was just standing watching the whole thing."
The yellow fox spoke up, "I don't get it," Amy didn't think Tails would understand either way. The kid was a little too young to understand these types of things.
"No joke," He said again with emphasis, "Mina says, 'Uh…hi'," Amy's mouth hung open; Sonic's shallow details were forming into a perfect picture in her mind. She couldn't believe what he was leading up to, "And I swear I am not making this up; I saw it with my own two eyes. Now I know I play a lot of jokes and stuff but this is like Shadow; dead serious. Right here on him," Sonic pointed with both index fingers to his cheeks, "It was a blush…a freaking blush; I was not seeing things." He defended his sanity before Tails could tell him otherwise, "It was a blush okay? Shadow's cheeks were freaking red before he said 'Hi' back. Alright I know I'm not crazy but since when does that dude say hi?" Sonic found some comfort in his friend Tails who agreed. So he wasn't losing his mind. He was having trouble seeing his rival, an angry, sarcastic, emotionless hedgehog flush.
Amy blinked deeply before looking to her left. It always been there since she took and framed it. It was probably the only one in the world; she leaned over to her left and reached for it.
As the normal for him, he was less excited in the picture. He cracked a smile by force and held a peace sign he made sideways. It was just the two of them and probably the only time he ever took a picture with just her, that close too; they were hugging. The companion of a life time told him to smile; Tails had always been on her side and always stayed at his side. This picture was about a couple of months ago, during the summer. It was cool summer day outside, they all decided to have a cookout and even invited Knuckles and Rouge. Sonic had to drag Knuckles down from the island and Rouge gave in after the fifth time Amy asked. The pink colored hedgehog sighed as stared at the photograph.
Would she ever be more than a friend to him? Could anyone else even be more? Was she or anyone else in the world so connected and on level that it would make him think about a family or even committing? Sonic the hedgehog, the legendary blue blur, was it even possible in this life for him to commit to a woman? Did he even want someone in his life? After all he was only nineteen, and had more than enough girls chasing after him. Amy frowned as that fact rose into a point. His sexual needs were never deprived, she knew that. If he wanted anyone of those girls or even he wanted more than one at once, he could've done it. But why avoid commitment?
Was he scared? No it couldn't be, Sonic wasn't scared of anything.
Commitment and Sonic, could it ever mix?
She sighed and felt her body shudder a little as a cold feeling took over as he kept thinking about him. Amy closed her eyes and placed the picture next to her on the bed. Finally she took into her covers, the thick one on top instantly providing some heat. She wore her same short nightgown; purple was starting to become a liked color for her now. Pink and red and blue were her preferred before but her tastes were expanding lately. Even her Sonic praise was dying down; she was seeing him a real person not just a hero. The simple rescued fan-girl crush had developed into a full blossomed love for him. He was both immature and adult like at times. That's what made so cool to be around; he didn't mind acting like a kid or playing around but when it came to it, most of the time he could act his age.
"Oh Sonic," Amy ran some fingers through her quills, "I just—" Her silent words cut off by a set of bangs. The sounds came from her windows, the sheet of clear glass rattling as something hit it. Slowly she lifted her eye lids opened, the air made her tear as they touched the white of her eyes. She blinked a few times to clear her vision. The first thing that came to mind was that this home was two levels and her bed room was two levels above her basement.
"Amy!" He whispered through the side of the window by press his mouth near the crack between the window siding and the house's wall itself. "You awake?"
That voice echoed into her ears and made her sit up quicker than she realize. She hopped out of her bed, gliding through her heavy blankets. Quickly she ran up to her window and saw her visitor. It was three days since his check up and since the doctor told him not to move on his left leg or use his right arm much. He never listened much to advice from other people, let alone a doctor. And so, it was currently around one a.m. and here he was, crouched on the tiny ledge of her second story window.
"Sonic!" She gasped and quickly unlatched the window, "Are you nuts?" Opening the window let in a cold gust but she ignored it and quickly pulled him in. "It's like fifty degrees outside! What were you thinking?" Sonic carefully moved his feet as he hopped into the female's room.
"Ow damn, still a little shaky," He mumbled as he took a few steps and dropped to a knee.
"Sonic, why are you out of bed? You know you can't be moving around," Amy groaned as she slowly came to her knees down beside him. Out of habit, she subconsciously kept at least one of her hands over her lap and kept the silk purple gown from showing anything else. "You should be resting…Sonic…Sonic?" Both hedgehogs stared at one another, Sonic gulped while Amy gave him a strange look. The azure hedgehog's lips felt themselves licked by his own tongue and calmly his mouth dropped as he stared. "Sonic!" Amy voice and her snapping fingers finally went to his mind; suddenly he jerked up and turned around. He tapped the front of his right foot on the ground and nervously scratched his head.
Amy raised an eyebrow as he kept his back to her. "Sonic? Is something wrong?"
The azure hero kept picking unnecessarily at the back of his head, "Huh? No, no, no I-I-I just wanted to—"
Amy had stood up and had her arms crossed, "Then why am I looking at your back?"
"Uh because of," Sonic still didn't turn around. He gruffly cleared his throat, "You're um…" He whistled once as he his hands came around his body and made an hour glass figure with his figures.
"Huh?" Amy face showed only half the confusion she felt in her head, "What the heck does," She whistled and mimicked his movements with her own fingers, "Mean?"
Sonic looked slightly to the side and caught view again, "It's um your," He pointed to his hips and outlined a luscious and curvy line from the hips to the half way point of his thighs.
"My…" Amy raised an eyebrow and looked down at her hips and did the same as him. Instantly she felt it hit her, she gasped. The pink rose yelped and instantly covered the lovely legs that cobalt hedgehog was so nervous of. With a small squeak she quickly pulled her thick comforters off of the bed and didn't care that it undid and pulled out some of the thinner sheets. Like before at his house she covered herself, this time more cape-style. Sonic peeked again and still felt his flush as he saw hers. "Oh God this is so embarrassing—"
"No…" Sonic kept his back to her, "I was the one stare—don't worry about…err…"
"I get it…" Amy's muzzle would not cool down, "So…what was it you came for? At this hour it had to be something important." She pinched the blanket from underneath and brought it to her flushed cheeks to hide the blush.
"I…uh…wanted to talk to you," Slowly his body turned, step by step as he spoke, "I've been thinking…a lot and well." He paused, "I really…needed to see you again…away from Tails and everyone else…"
Amy cocked her head a little, "I don't follow." Lately, she couldn't consider this strange, maybe he was having some late paranoia issues. But why come to her?
"I'm…I—uh," He seemed to be slightly upset, "…I-I don't know what to do…" He looked to the window he came in from and stared absently at it. His line of sight changed to the door behind as he turned around randomly, "I can't sleep…I can't even eat."
"Are you sure you're not sick?" Amy came a few steps closer.
He shook his head and turned around to stare at the ceiling, "I felt like coming here outta of nowhere," He shuttered as a thought flushed in his mind, "I just needed to be away and I felt like I needed to see you." His head turned to his left and lowered, "I think I'm scared after all this…"
He heard her sigh silently, "We all are," From underneath the covers she shuddered at memories, acknowledging it was true.
"I can't sleep…I can't help but think it's there watching me…Tails…and even you," The sapphire hedgehog's eyes slowly looked to her but then shot back and to the floor, "I woke up three hours ago to tell you the truth…and I was scared…" He heard her gasp, "I ran to Tails' room and made sure he was there…then I ran to Angel Island, hoping Knuckles was alright too…he seems happy with his new company," Amy noticed that he didn't call him a nick-name or an insult. She followed in his smirk, the crimson echidna and his bat lover were not heard from in the past days but they could take care of themselves, especially together, "That took about two minutes total…the rest of the time I was at the top of temple in the ruins, thinking"
"Over two hours?" The rose's jaw hung.
"That night…it's all I can think about…when I felt like I was going to lose you." Sonic's arms unfolded and dropped, "I felt like I was gonna die when I saw it standing above me…Amy I don't know what it was but all my life, I've never felt like I was ever going to lose you or Tails."
"Sonic," Amy close their gap to four feet, "It's okay. You're just shook up. We all are, don't let it get to you,"
There was pause between them, "How's your shoulder doing?"
"Better, it only hurts if I stress it a lot," She didn't mind the quick change in subject. "How are you feeling?"
He took a deep breath and blinked slowly, "Confused…and worried…but mostly confused…"
Amy replied with no pressure to him, "About what?"
"I'm nineteen…next year I'll be twenty, hell in eight months I'll be twenty," It couldn't be possible, "It so freaking scary and unnerving how quick my age shot up," Sonic sniffled, she couldn't believe it, "Before I know it, I'll be twenty-eight and old-der…"
Amy sighed and held a flat smile, "Well, age is a good thing,"
"I never saw it until now, but years from now," Sonic backed up and looked out the window as he sat on her bed, "I don't want to be the old dude who is still looking for someone,"
Amy's jaw hung in shock, "Sonic did you just say—"
"—I don't want to be alone," He paused, "Lately, even before this whole incident, sex wasn't doing it for me…" He prayed in his mind that she would not get pissed, "Physically I was content but I needed something more…" He sighed, "Ames…I've been scared that I want love…"
"But why? Love is good!" This was starting to get confusing and a little nerve racking. The most important question came to her mind, who could it be? "Why would you ever be scared to want love?"
"I dunno," He closed his eyes, "I'm scared to ask you…" He took a deep breath, "After all this time…after every time I told you no," Amy's mouth hung open now, "From the times when I ran from you to now, do you love me?"
"…" Amy lowered her hand gently from her mouth, "Yes, I do."
"Amy…" Sonic paused as he faced her direction; his eyes met the corner of her bed. He stared intensely at the mattress corner that was no more than four inches from her knee. "I think I'm in love with you…and honestly it's driving me insane not being able to have told you sooner."
"Sonic?" Her quiet voice was accompanied with a huge flush of the cheeks.
The older sapphire hedgehog sighed, "I don't want look for anyone because I know who she is…she's been with me since I can remember, and has never left my side…ever." His eyes finally shifted to meet hers. Grassy green eyes met one another locked as one of them came closer. Seamlessly the movements came naturally to them both as he pressed her body to hers and let his right arm wrap around her body gently. He quickly pushed his lips onto hers and closed his eyes, following her motions. She moaned in his mouth, not knowing it was driving him wild. He pulled her tighter, letting his free arm grope her sides.
He felt her pull on him as the fell back onto her bed. Sonic parted quickly, that was too much to handle. Being on to of her was putting unnecessary ideas and thoughts and pleasured ideas in his head. She let out a questioning grunt when he quickly rolled onto the side, his own seat on the bed. Amy quickly sat up; he could hear her soft panting and glanced over see her covers were still on her. Sonic let out a deep breath and cracked a sluggish smile with a soft huff.
'Keep it together man…ugh,' The hedgehog shuddered as the urge plagued his mind, 'Just focus on not doing what you wanna do because this is Amy…not some girl you wanna crack open just because the smoothest legs and the most—ugh stop thinking SONIC! Don't think—focus on something other than Amy right now!' The mental battle within with his bodily urges did not surface; he seemed to be trying to cope more than anything.
"Sonic," Amy leaned over to the left to look at his face, but he was still next to her.
'Don't think, don't think,' Sonic grunted softly, "Huh?"
"I know it's a little weird to ask but…why haven't you looked me straight in the face tonight, apart from before we kissed….the whole night you had your back or side to me…is something wrong? Or just bugging you?"
"Well, "Sonic flushed a little, "When I look at the floor, it doesn't remind me of…well I don't think of…" He couldn't say it.
"Think of…" Amy continued for him, "I remind of you something bad?"
"No, no, no!" He quickly defended, "It's just that, every time I look at you right I think about you and…" He flushed deeply, "Uh…your," A gulp ran down his throat as his mouth opened. The thought was making him insane in his mind, "Your…legs and your nightgown," He flushed completely as he remember how he first saw her this night. Her beautiful and luscious legs, how the silk fabric hugged her thighs, the way it tugged around her butt and curved upwards. "I've never looked at you this way before…" She blushed heavily and gasped silently. "You're not the fan girl who used to chase me around before…" His mind kept thinking of her body and hugging it all over, "You've grown." His body slid back to hers.
The cobalt hedgehog's arm crossed over her lap as he let their bodies rest against each other. Slowly she blinked as she felt the pecks. "I wanna love you Amy,"
Amy flushed deeply as he spoke his words. She covered her cheeks and her open mouth with her hand, "Sonic…I…uh, oh my," Her eyes fluttered as she moaned when he kissed her neck. Slowly he kept pecking at her neck, driving her wild. Sonic took advantage when she shift in position, a soft moan escaped his lips as he nuzzled his way to her mouth. He nibbled on her lower lip until they finally engaged in an entangling lip lock.
Between breaths she groaned for him to go on, "Sonic mmmm, don't stop," She begged as he parted from her mouth. Her tongue hung out slightly as she panted and moaned with her open mouth. Begging for his kiss.
She leaned forward and locked onto his lower lip before he gently backed his head again, "Amy…c-can I?" He was nervous? The aroused young girl squealed with her mouth closed, loving his touch. That was a go, he smiled sensually for her. His arms wrapped around her as he brought his body as close to hers as physically possible. Amy yelped as she felt his hand ride up her thigh, caressing everything and making her want more. Her lover kept her under control with the soft kisses to her neck and cheek.
Before they both knew, his devious fingers had gripped what they went under her short nightwear for, "Sonic!" He kissed her to keep her from yelping aloud. Sonic opened his eyes slowly and half opened as he felt the warmth of her face. Amy was in a full glow, she couldn't even kiss back. Sonic pulled back to give her some air, but he knew notice she leaned up and inched closer. Her soft pants escaped her open mouth; Sonic eyes spread open as he saw she was begging for more. Her tongue hung out with a groan for his kiss. "Don't stop," The lustful tone in her voice drove his mind and set it to continue. The sapphire lover had kept his fingers around her underwear and pulled off the undergarment, tossing it aside. It was just in the way.
Sonic let his lips lock with hers as he let out every hidden feeling he cooped up inside out. He wanted to love her, emotionally and physically. The moans that echoed into his mouth made him grope her more. Amy shuddered as she felt his hands grope the side of her thighs, gripping her all the way up to her hips. He didn't let go, using his arms to push up on her nightgown so it rode up to her waist. She squealed as he pulled her closer to his body, they both knew when she felt it press against her body. They kept parting from their kiss for seconds at a time to grab that need air, but just enough to keep themselves from separating.
It was their night.
The cool air blew gently at this height. It was a smooth and chilly breeze that did not bother them. Above the clouds and still they remained on grounds. The two lay on the grass near the edge overlooking the top of clouds and staring a purple and blue sky lit up with the stars of the night. Almost a sight that could make most ignore the cold air.
But it was well below tolerable temperatures to most, the cold was something most could not stand. Still to them…this was the heat of the night. Two eyes glowed bright white, the neck snapped to the left. The pulse swept the eyesight and allowed its pupils to focus as the enhanced visioning zoomed in. The target sniffed and suddenly hissed. Reacting to the escape attempt, the grunt of the pack fired a weapon, an arrow. It missed and made the aimer growl, the clear figured helmet head let two green eyes glow with anger. Its head lifted to wait for orders.
They looked at one another and nodded. The taller one purred and clicked twice, hopping quickly and unbelievably lightly from his branch. The shorter one hopped down into a crouch and quickly sprinted forward, carefully not causing ruckus. Coolly the white eyed warrior led the green glow eyes to the rally point he recommend.
Metal sheathings rang loudly into the night as a soft clicking alerted the rest of the pack. Suddenly back in the jungle of metal and stone, four figures left their patrol posts. The colorless figures shot steel cords into the packed stone ledge and repelled down the buildings. Quietly on their own, hid in shadows. Letting cars pass before jogging across that road to jump over the three foot wall to fall down ten feet below to catch up to the leader. They avoided the street lights, using the smokescreen that was the darkness to sneak past the late night walkers and couples or groupies out for a night on the town.
It took mere minutes to link up at the rally point. They all acknowledged one another and nodded in agreement as they decided the situation. The soft clicks and purrs they exchanged were their communications. White eyes glowed as it let out what sounded like hacking sound, asking for silence.
"I don't know…" She could stand the stress on her arm now. Supporting her upper body as it sat up was easy now, "I'm sure it was that sound…" She felt the movement on her hip.
The guardian tightened his grip on her, hoping to calm her a little, "You sure?"
Rouge sighed and laid her arm on his, finally grabbing his hand, "I don't know…" She could feel the cold air trying to numb her but Knuckles' body warmth was more enough to keep her comfortable. The purple eyed echidna watched as her alerted ears drooped down, "…I…can't say I did…hear it but…"
The bat turned her head to face him, leading him to raise his hand and hug her stomach. "I don't see anything…" His eyes glared hardly at the surrounding forest. The shrine was the warmest place next to the other home he used for heavily snowed weather.
She sighed, "I just need to relax…" A smile came to her lips as she felt one of his long locks brush onto her shoulder, "…we…need to relax,"
"I'm trying," He chuckled, "But that's hard when you're sore all over,"
The bat let out a soft huff, "You weren't sore when ran out that hospital,"
"Well…me and needles aren't really on speaking terms…" Knuckles looked away as he heard her giggle.
"Funny," She paused to lie back down completely, "You can have a chunk of arm sliced through and taken off and yet you can't stand a sharp poke in the shoulder," Her lover rolled his eyes to the comment. Rouge kept her hand onto his, only facing him as glared back playfully.
"Nice to know that I'm being thanked properly for letting you stay here and for saving your butt," He smiled evilly.
She giggled again, "How's this?" Knuckles felt her soft arm rise up and cling to his neck as she brought him down. They engaged in another lip-lock. He lowered his body again, getting closer. Her taste was something he found himself needing for now and from here on out. She just loved it, all of it, especially him.
They parted with a few soft pants, "I love you,"
She didn't flush, but she loved it every time he said it. It felt like his words were making her whole, "I love you too."
The bat and echidna touched lips once more. Even with her back to him and her head turned into the position it was in, she never felt better in her life. Knuckles let her lead in their kiss now. Letting their tongues fight playfully as they try to beat one another. The guardian may have been hurt before but nothing felt better than this, not even the morphine they gave him at the hospital. Both of the lovers lay together on the warm floor of the shrine. On their own land alone and above the world, under the stars of the lovely night, there was nothing better.
Mystic Ruins;
The lone raven blended in with the darkening night. His red stripes had taken the tone of the night light and were barely noticeable. His mind was in other places as he looked at the moon and looked below to the ruins of the temples surrounding area. Shadow stood on the first level; among the vines and vegetation that grew into the stone he watched one specific area of the back area of the temple. His figure held his arms at his sides, so deep in thought that he could barely keep a constant picture in his mind without forgetting what he was looking out. Events of days past had come to calm, unfortunately; he had achieved nothing. 'Hyper Snare' he called it sometimes because the effects it had on him, was impossible, 'I can't do it…' Shadow felt disgraced as he admitted it, '…I'm so weak…'
It happened once, two days ago after he had passed out. He had that same dream, where he fought and died but this time he awoke, Mina had died before him. When that had come into play in the nightmare, he failed to save her; watching her died before his death came. Shadow's eyes had open and he found himself crying and his body blazing with vapors of haze. His fur had a tone of red all over, the orbs of his eyes were blood red; it was that same energy. How he had calmed down was mystery to him; but all he could relate it to was that fact that he kept shouting aloud and screaming in his mind that it was dream and it wasn't real. Animals had deserted the temple upon his arrival; with his uncontrollable state he had began to destroy the temple's main structure with mere restricted light blows. Instincts drove his wild teleporting here, amongst the broken vegetation and rotting stone.
Shadow had been here for a complete day. Resting from his flare up of energy but no matter how many times he had experienced it, no matter how many times he tried to strengthen for it; it was equally exhausting. Could he really control it? Shadow clenched his fists, looking down the fairly long fall, observing the broken maze that was once there countless years ago. Days ago he was worse off because of his wounds, he took two days to calm it out. Without a 'full' sleep, so he wouldn't leave it to chance on having another nightmare and putting his body through more than it could handle. Right now, he was slightly tired; even he had to admit he was urging for something.
'I want…' He sighed deeply, 'I…I…I don't know…but I want it badly?' Shadow's eyes eased, their glare lifted into a stressed glance. His fists dropped, the gloved fingers hanging loosely. His shoulders drooped as he let out another deep breath; he knew…it was there all along. Shadow closed his eyes and tried to suppress it. He knew, but he wanted to deny it because…would that be something else he would fail to control too? Lately it had been unbearable; it was like it was taunting him. 'Fight it…If you go for her now, that only shows that you're too weak…and…and…' The hedgehog shuddered as a visual came to mind. His fur was standing up as he tried to shrug it off, 'And…you might hurt her if you can't even hope to control yourself…Mina…ugh…damn,' He hugged his arms, hoping to get her out his mind. His body was screaming for it, and he had to face it; his mind wanted her touch as well. Shadow wanted her in his arms again; he knew it since the beginning, dealing with this on his own was stupidest decision ever made by him. Right now if he ever needed anything, and he was one to never need, it was her.
Shadow shook some of it off. He crouched down and looked to the grounds below him, the moonlight providing little to see. It was pit of darkness; blocks of stone were barely visible by the moonlight's reflection. Darkly the vegetation grew and uprooted onto come of the crumbling stone, taking over wherever the sun light shined greatly during the day. It devoured the cravings of stone and the designs driven into the stone by a tool many years ago. The work of many workers and maybe even artists had been savagely eaten under the wildly growing green plants of the forest. Shadow put one hand down and let his fingers gripped the rock edge to support his crouch. He looked at the sight below him…reminiscing as he stared the temple's grounds. He came to ask himself; back then, during all the hell and chaos…was he fighting for earth? Was he fighting to protect the jewels from being used against the world?
The crumbling stone took figure in his mind.
Four simple corners supported four deadly beasts. Each with their own look; each menacing. They had their own ranks and each had chains like the ones from before. The backwards 'S' tinted in a color of white, yellow, red or blue. They stood powerfully over the complexly built arena with arms crossed. Walls made for cover and pinning locations. The turns and dead ends gave a maze mix to the arena. The center was a simple and open circle.
Placed randomly, four of the best direct young warriors readied for the signal. Each Elder pointed towards the middle in the air and roared. The young warriors ran off, their skills would either leave them at the top of the class, back to training or dead. The battle of duel; challenge; rivalry;
A yellow marked warrior ran invisibly down one the arena's halls, dust kicking up a short distance in the air from his heavy stomps. The young warrior's hearing picked up a faint sound, the heels dug into the stone ground; breaking it in part as the large warrior stopped. Two arrow spikes slammed into the stone wall digging in about an inch making the stacked stones crack and expand, even breaking off completely with a few pieces. Each hunter had his own look and own tribal design that made him his own warrior. They had chosen a weapon of choice, the yellow one, assassin rank choosing the gauntlet blades and the blue one, heavy assault choosing his staff.
The heavy assault hunter charged at his fastest, he swung towards the face of the standing assassin. The assassin ducked and dodged the attempt, he did a spin jump and avoid an attack to his legs by the other end of assault hunter's staff. It had reversed direction, the assassin saw through the trick through. With a gruff scoff the assassin elbowed the poorly position assault hunter in the mask, the spikes of the elbow armor digging into the metal of the protective mask. Before it broke through the metal the assault hunter released his blades. They were different from any other gauntlet blades, these snapped upwards and slammed down into the normal extending blade positions instead of the normal forward sheathing. He had arm and hand on the back of the assassin; with the blade out he pulled his arm back cutting some of the exposed skin. Gritting its razor teeth the assassin spun around and away from any weapon damage, it crouched down quickly and pulled a blade about one and half feet long out and held it sideways with the blade length press against its gauntlet all in one swift and effortless movement.
The assault hunter dropped the staff, leaving the only weapon to be used as the extended blade. Once again it land the first strike, this time and the two foot line it spun around and let its blade wielding arm swing with a strong momentum. The assassin held up one hand to block it, but to outwit the enemy it ducked and jabbed at the stomach. It went through with ease; the blade of the left arm avoided all armor and sliced into the skin, letting out a large amount of luminous green blood. The assassin heard a roar of pain but it wasn't the assault hunter's. Looking down, through the mix of colors, its own heat dropped in the corner of the mask's specific statistics. The jab to the stomach was a blow meant for a strike, but it a distraction. The assault hunter had shot two arrows into assassin, one into the leg and the other into a fatal section of the assassin's ribs, striking a vital vessel. He pulled out the arm's blade from its stomach the assault hunter groan from the pain; slowly the assassin's body was eased and non-responsive. Soon the yellow marked hunter growled and fell to the floor, bleeding on its knees, the blade in the hand was useless and so it dropped it, using the free hand to support itself. Grunting once the fell to the floor, lying down completely the blood from a smart and deadly move from a puddle of glowing blood. Groaning the assault hunter grabbed his wound, letting the hands get stained with its own blood in hopes that the wound would stop the slow drip of blood.
It leaned with its right arm pushing against the wall. Trying to rest was a short and deadly risk; there was a purring behind him followed by a heavy pounding. Dust and brick shook off the wall behind him. He looked as a pained yell of his kind echoed through the walls; suddenly the walls broke at the top. It exposed the top of a head, and then the broken off hole expanded and cracked to the bottom. The wall gave way and let a body fall out. It was the red marked warrior; his mask had slashes and cuts graved all across it. The assault hunter notice the attacker first though, the fist was clenched and it had spiked a punch but it missed as the body fell, the white marked blood-warrior had beaten the red marked hunter through the wall. Still alive the red marked hunter groaned and looked up as it heard a sheathing down, two single blades snapped from the gauntlets of the blood-warrior.
The assault hunter groaned and rolled his eyes underneath the mask. When fighting for the rightful place as leader of the pack, don't ever take a breather. With an annoyed glare it made its left blade snap up and out, he shook his head and purred his growl back at the blood-warrior. It barked getting the attention of the white marked warrior. Both stood up straight, the blood-warrior looked down and noticed the pool of blood that the assassin's apprentice was laying in. Something of a huff came from him. He spun around and a short blade came from his arms, it was about half a foot long. The assault hunter felt it pierce him; calmly he reached for it and felt the slippery handle. The blood had dripped it, without any sign of pain he tugged on it, the smooth blade leaking out the green liquid of life as it came out. He tossed it up and snapped his left arm out as he did a 180 degree turn. The blood-warrior saw it, but it was too slow. When he reached to grab it, the steel cord had wrapped around his arm and locked onto his gauntlet.
Brute strength is something both had, but the assault warrior spun around and let the twisting pulled him closer. With a second turn he tugged harder and closed the four foot gap. Like a master the assault hunter wrapped his cord around the neck of the blood-warrior's neck, a low growled came from both. The position forced the white marked warrior to his knees, it could see the blood. As the grip tightened, the game changed when the blood-warrior gave a sudden burst of energy. Hopping up and flipping assault hunter over his back and onto the ground. The stone floor cracked underneath; soon the body of the red marked warrior began to move. The youngest of the four was still in the battle; with a groan it announced its entrance back into battle. The whole situation changed, it was free for all now. Shaking its head it used its hands to push off the ground, while standing up he reached for his staff. The large weapon was about six feet fully; the majority was bladed except for the center, its handle. With a quick jump it slammed its staff into the ground, just missing the assault hunter's face, cutting a dreadlock instead; the quick head tilt was a lucky move. The young one kicked the bottom of his staff, the part dug into the ground, to take it out of the stone and the force kicked it up enough to slash the rushing blood-warrior across the face, slicing a gash into the metal. The blood-warrior backed up from the sudden cut, he saw the red marked warrior kick behind him, landing a hit to the stomach on the assault hunter. The white marked warrior charged again, seeing an opening but suddenly two small curved blades about five inches fired at him, the youngest had more fight in him than he thought. He ducked and went left, the spinning blades slicing the tip of his skin and some armor.
The black hedgehog found himself mirroring a warrior without something. These beasts seem to have a type of tribal order…if so, he could safely assume that they fought for the clan's rule or the tribe's safety, assuming though. A warrior on earth would fight for the king, queen; a government, beliefs and purposes, the coming generations and for a better life.
Of course love could fall into the list. Whether it be the bond of family, close friends or anything similar.
Family; what family?
Friends; they never were in his eyes; they were just people he knew…
Mina.
The raven like knight stood up, his eyes were the live red they once were. With only the tightening of his fist, the first elevated level of the step-like pyramid. He had his arms crossed and a serious expression, deep thought in mind. He closed his eyes, trying to put her out of mind. What he did earlier was on his mind lately.
It seemed to be the first thing he actually regretted.
She had broken the icy stone around his heart, the barrier that was set up to block it from any possible hurt. There was a pain that never should be experienced again; it was a weakness, a fatal flaw. Why did she seek him? How could she know what was harboring inside of him? The battle built shell that coated a softer inside that had the capability to be considerate or even caring, loving. This girl was different, not like Rouge or Amy, they kept a distance and never tried to come closer but they didn't leave him abandoned either. They just feared his reactions and his mood and his ability, and in one way, he wanted that and in another he didn't. Mina actually reached out to him, trying to pry that shell open to let him that it was okay to come out.
He frowned, no it wasn't. But why did it feel so safe…just because she was there? What was it he feared exactly?
Right now, better safe than sorry didn't seem right. It was plaguing his mind among other things. Why take the chance, experience something good just to end up worse then before? In the end, that's what bugged him. What would be at the end of this path? What about the one with Mina?
'You will never really choose a path knowing everything, if anything at all. You can only dream and hope that everything goes and ends where you want.' He let his arms down and looked down at the cliff drop of the stone ledge. 'All my life…it was the same. Until I saw her, for the first time in my life I felt like reaching out to someone…Mina…I…love…you…I want you…' Shadow looked down at his arms, 'I knew it when you held my hand that first day. I knew you were different somehow…' He sighed confusingly, 'This way…it sucks…'
The lone hedgehog was so deep in his own thoughts that he didn't notice anything. "It's kind of sad don't you think?" The voice was soft and angelic to him; its smooth tone soothed something in him. Her foot steps made quiet sounds as she walked up the steps that led to the top area he was at. She made her way next to him quietly. Mentally he felt a great relief with her here; he could see her yellow color from the side of his eye. He hoped that she was not upset at all from when he distanced himself from her, but he was a little iffy about making eye contact with her.
"That a place like this, at night it's so beautiful and yet we can never forget what happened." Her words made him look up slightly. He never really looked at it like that. Shadow's head looked up to the dark blue sky, slowly his head dropped and he saw it. It had been there the whole time but only now he saw it.
The ruins glowed under the moon's azure light. Water on the stones from a cold and moist night reflecting the shining stars in the dark blue sky, the arena was unrecognizable now. Shadow looked up and then back down again, flowers of all kinds and color were blooming; the scent was faint but it was in the air. He looked at the forest that had grown beyond set limits. The lush plants grew into the remains of the rock and rusting iron, giving it a lovely garden look from afar. Nature blossomed in full, unrestricted by man or mobian. Pure colors of pink, blue, red, yellow, green, white; all them, they all mixed and blended in the dark night. The gentle moonlight revealed it all. An awoken pair of birds flew above the structures; their wings spread apart widely taking them where they wished to go. It seemed to be a view only two lovers could enjoy.
Why did she see it? Why did it have to be pointed out to him for it to be noticed in his eyes?
Why did he see the cold and grim? Why did she always see the warmth and beauty of something?
He looked up, and sighed as silence came over him. The topic of why she was here was flaring in his mind. He wanted to talk to her about it. Why did she come out after him? The hedgehog expected her to be mad from their confrontation; he pushed her away, and she was still willing to come out here after him.
"How long has it been?" She asked quietly.
"About a week." He crossed his arms again. "Good for nothing creatures," He frowned, "They came here and slaughtered pointlessly…and for what? To drop the Emeralds in the end?" Shadow glared out into the night, "Fucking waste, all of it." He scolded the hunters that did all of this. Suddenly his cold mood felt the warmth of something.
Mina lifted her arm and wedged it through his crossed arms and took his hand. He remained unmoved, though he was surprised by the sudden move. A smile refused to show on his lips as he noticed he still liked her soft and gentle touch. She leaned her head on his shoulder, as if trying to comfort or calm him. Shadow's arms tried to relax, but he couldn't help it. Mina could feel the tension in his arms; it was in his body; he had been restless these past nights. A soft gasp escaped her lips when she felt her hand being stroked by his. Shadow's gloved fingers touched and tangled with hers as let his arms down; it led her to lean on him more, extending her free left arm to wrap around his chest.
They stood like that, hand in hand for a few minutes; simply enjoying one another's company. "Shadow," She said softly after short silence. He hummed once shortly and lowly in response, "What happened to you…I mean after you grabbed that star thing you lost it…" She lifted her head and looked at him, "After I pulled you away from the other one, it didn't seem like you were yourself at all…like if you were possessed. Where'd you go, I lost you after the lake and you had me worried sick until I saw you again that morning." Her eyes pleaded silently for his eyes to make contact, "Even then I didn't want to leave you, I was scared that you would do something…I was scared that…you wouldn't come back. You didn't seem like yourself…Shadow, are you okay?"
Shadow's eyelids dropped half way as he remembered his exact actions. It made him feel like an asshole for the first time in his life. Usually he wouldn't care but it was her, and that changed everything for him. It was all there in his mind, what he killed; what he said to her; what he did and what he argued about with her.
"I don't really know," Shadow let his hand grasp tightly to hers, she returned the grip, "When I saw one of them going towards you…I…I felt myself not caring what happened to anyone else but you…when I saw those blades spin back and come towards you I just thought about getting it before it got you." His body tensed again.
"When I slashed it…I felt that it deserved it…so it hit it again and again," Shadow gritted his teeth feeling that same anger rise up in him, "I was killing it for killing Sari…blood for blood. I…I don't know…I was gone…long gone…" He seemed to be getting a little frustrated about the event. Shadow felt at ease speaking with her, no matter what, he couldn't find a reason not to talk to her. This one's aura so much different and better than everyone else's that he had come in contact with. "Then I began to realize that a lot of this is my own fault. I picked the fight, I went after them. When I was in the air, thrusting energy spikes into the dirt, I let my rage control me, Mina…there is a reason why I didn't want help…"
"I'm here," She was listening intensively. "Always,"
"I felt like I was going to hurt you," He looked away, ashamed of the way he felt then, "I somehow let my mind fight the rage, I was about hit the next thing that touch me, but when you called out to me…my mind somehow refused to let the rage gain any ground." Shadow sighed, "So while I was so intent on keeping you away from me, from harming you, it was you who was actually keeping my mind from breaking."
Mina parted off the arm and shoulder lean wrapped her arms around him. With a sigh she cuddled more as he let his arm go around her and hugged back, "We've all been through a lot. I've found everything, fear, hurt and love," Her eyes closed, "I wouldn't ever blame you for the way you acted back then. You can't point the finger either, it wasn't your fault. No one can imagine what you've gone through; no one has the right to blame you, not even you. You just weren't yourself; a dove knows her dove, remember?"
"Don't know what you're talking about," Her eyes opened and formed a questioning look. She looked up and saw something short of a smirk formed on his lips, "Last I checked we're a hedgehog and a mongoose," He chuckled.
A smile came to her, "Very funny," She rolled her eyes before lowering her head again. Shadow flinch slightly, the hop was barely noticeable; he felt a violent blush hit his muzzle. It took everything for him to contain himself, his tail was sensitive, and when hers began to tangle with his, he felt like he wanted more. "I missed you," She took a deep blissful breath as her tail tangled with his more. Mina tried to hide her blush, their tails began to play and twirl with one another, rubbing and caressing the other tail, kind like what she wanted to do with him.
'Wow…' Shadow gave an uneasy grunt, 'I can't…damn…' That simple act was dragging him into that deeper temptation that he's wanted with her for a long time. Shadow exhaled deeply, trying to ease his body's wants. Soon he could help but look down, he admired her lavender hair; the fragrance of her shampoo was lovely; he couldn't name it but it was something he liked. His height difference wasn't much but he was tall enough to kiss her forehead, she giggled. Shadow ran his hand through her long and soft hair, his strokes made her hum contently.
She flushed more as their tails locked with one another tightly. Her head turned and she raised her chin as she leaned closer, they were back to front; her back to him. Their faces inched closer; Shadow licked his suddenly dry lips just before they touched, closing his eyes. Both breathed deeply as they let their lips lock, slowly her eyes closed as she let the full emotion take over. He let his arms go under hers, gripping her close to him. Mina put her arms back and hugged what she could, he was breathing heavy at every opening their lips had. Shadow let his tongue slip out, it kiss her lower lip begging to enter. She giggly intensely as they let their tongues fight, shortly both retreated and they paused. They were in sync, but for some reason both stopped moving, their lips were locked.
The two opened their eyes. Fire met its water, his orbs cooled to her gentle jade green eyes. Both of their holds tightened, his eyes drooped into a playful glare. Her eyes stared back with an inner smile but he could read her message;
You first. And his was clear as hers; I can wait all day. The two let their tongues touch, tasting the other again. Again they stop, their tongues still locked just like their lips.
He needed air, he wasn't going to deny it but he wasn't going to lose out to her. And at the same time Mina couldn't hold her breath much longer, she felt her body beginning to beg for air but she couldn't. If she broke off, he'd win and well she couldn't have that. Shadow began to worry when he felt her moan echo from her mouth; she was doing it on purpose to get the better of him. He broke eye contact;
'Crap…' His red orbs looked away, her giggle let him know, 'Damn…well, I can still—' A moan made his eyes widen, he felt her tail rubbing the side of his leg. Soon he flushed as it rubbed sensually towards his middle. Shadow moaned as he finally broke off, he lick his lips and glared down at her, "Humph," He huffed, "Lucky," Shadow looked away as she nuzzled his neck, she was laughing lightly.
It didn't faze her; she only beamed a smile and simply stated, "I win." Mina's tongue ran across her lips, "Oh c'mon," She giggled. The mongoose let her lover go briefly; back to front was a bad stress on her neck and back. Quickly she turned around and rested completely against him, her head resting on its side on his chest. Shadow arms ran up and down her back before each stopped at her hips, she felt his head drop and rest on hers. Her eyes looked up and she saw his smile, "I always knew you had a cute smile," She could hear his amused huff. Mina felt his heartbeat, it was on cue with hers, but her attention drifted when something caressed the side of her upper legs. He held the same smile as his hand enjoyed itself for the time being.
It seemed that something like that should be wrong, but it felt good. His soft gropes were exciting in a way, making her shift the balance in her legs. She looked up when they paused at her hips, holding her there. Shadow leaned his head toward hers again, they let their noses touch. He lowered and raised his head in circle, nuzzling her muzzle. His lips glided across her cheek and stopped at her lips. The smoothly natural movement brought their lips into another kiss, allowing a flood of emotion drench them both. Shadow tilted his head, hoping his lock could go deeper. The soft moans that escaped were driving him wild, he felt her arms tighten around his neck, bringing him closer to her. She let his hands caress where ever they pleased, she was enjoying it as much as him.
The metallic frame had repaired and his wounds had fully healed, or just a little less. He was difficult creature to track down for some reason. He was the only hedgehog who ever really stayed out in the ancient ruins. It was safe to say he probably lived out here. And yet again, the mongoose was with him; and right now…
Well, it really didn't matter to him.
The War-Chief raised a brow as they lip locked. It was just plain confusing how mammals did their 'things' on this planet. And honestly, the Elder's orders had put him through to much trouble to come down here to care as to this planet's customs; so he couldn't care less. He raised his hand to towards his chest and stared at the gauntlet blade. This was bittersweet, on one side; the traitor was dead and dealt with. Then you had this side; the hedgehog killed him and the Elder's orders were clear as day. The War-Chief's eyes drifted to a gleam, it was one of his six arrows. A small shine of moonlight made a shimmer catching his attention; he could do right here and now; the hedgehog would be dead on the floor before he even felt anything, which was in the hedgehog's best interests. All he had to do was pull it back, lock it and let it blaze through that skull.
In their deep kiss they wouldn't notice much, so as he approached quietly and invisibly, they sure as heck didn't notice it. His chains didn't really make any noise, but his steps were a kind of deep thump. He flexed his hand and walked closer to them, it his right arm with the arrows was itching to do it. They where in a deep embrace, their lips touching and locking, the red marked Elder stopped and ran one of his left claws around the softer leather-like armor wrapped around his neck, tending to an itch as best he could beneath the buckskin neck armor. The predator gripped his right hand into a balled fist, slowly it rose.
She moaned in his mouth, begging for more. He felt her arms wrap tighter around his neck, he could feel her chest press against his tightly. Shadow managed to gain enough control to stop at her hips. The dark hedgehog was using every last ounce of will to keep himself contained, and oblivious to him; Mina was just short of breaking as well.
Though they wanted to, they couldn't keep going. Simultaneously they parted, both panting lightly. Mina opened her eyes to meet his again; she smiled madly as she looked at his cute face. She lowered her head and rested it on his shoulder and let her gripping arms lessen, closing her eyes once again in delight. It was pleasant like this, just the two of them. Nothing could break this serenity and peace of mind they brought each other, ever. They held one another as one, completing each other in a perfect sync of emotion and mind. Shadow felt himself relax with her touch. It was always only with her; never anyone else. The raven hedgehog always knew what he fought for, but couldn't see it himself lately. It was clear as water though, he was holding it right now; it was something he wanted; it was something he needed.
"Mina," Shadow hid his fiery red orbs, "I need you…" She listened caringly to his deep whisper, "I want to do this together…because," The mongoose in his arms kept still. She knew what he was referring to, "I can't do it on my own…" Shadow gentle hold on her hips eased and moved them to hold her body, cuddling her. His quiet voice paused for a few seconds, "…I want to do it together…"
'Together…' Shadow thought of the warm being he embraced right now, '…weak alone but with you…' His time alone up until today had formed a thought. Maybe he had been looking at it wrong; this could've been strength all along. It was something that had been pushing him this whole time; it let him live through this, her love was something that his heart would refuse to let go of. Shadow could admit it to himself, not even his pride could deny it; without her, he was weak.
Nothing had ever touched her heart like this, not like him, "I'm here for you," She whispered back, "And I always will be," Mina heard his content hum. She sighed delightfully, it was supposed to be a chilly night but the weather informants were wrong again, were they? "I'll be there for you, good or bad,"
With those words they snuggled under the stars. In the darkness of sixty degree air they stood there, holding one another with all the warmth they would ever need. In this lovely moment though, something was staring to itch at Shadow. It was getting under his skin, clawing at his instincts. His eyes opened and he scanned what he could see area, not a thing in sight.
Then, an all too familiar noise, that bull snort that made him glare in the air. She heard it too, he could feel it. Her arms tensed so much when the snort sounded. Right now, he felt like her arms were going to break his neck from the tight hold of fear she had on him.
Her eyes were so dim and horrified she couldn't, or didn't want to let go; she froze.
How long was it there? Its signature clicking purr made her clutch onto Shadow even tighter.
How long had it been standing there so coolly? With its body slightly to the side it looked at them. Its turned head was tilted as it stared at them, the frightened mongoose and the black hedgehog with his back to him.
"Get behind me," Shadow ordered as he broke the embrace and turned around. He took a fighting stance; the War-Chief wasn't bothered.
He simply took a few steps towards them. His body was visible already, but it was difficult to see more detailed features due to the low light of the moon. When Shadow took a fighting stance it growled softly.
"I've killed one of you before and I'll do it again," Shadow growled, "Leave now or I'll ram that staff right through your head!" He noticed the diagonally extended staff on the War-Chief's back.
When the creature reached behind Shadow assumed the worse and leapt forward. But not letting his guard down for a second, the War-Chief let him get one kick to his chest, making him grunt and grabbed him by the throat while Shadow was still in the air. While Shadow struggled to pry the incredibly strong hand off his neck, the Predator calmly reached for what he was reaching for before.
Mina threw a stone sized to about a tennis ball, quickly enraging it as it choked Shadow, "Let him go!" She yelled.
Underneath the mask he glared at her. He threw the hedgehog on the floor in front of her and threw the dark metal object on his lap.
"What the hell?" Shadow groaned as he rubbed his head and then his neck. He grabbed the light object and looked at it strangely. He glared at the Elder, "What is this?" He shook the item in his hand.
"Put-rr-r-it-r-on-" It growled lowly.
"Wha?" Shadow asked shocked that it could speak; he really didn't see that one coming.
It growled once letting him know it wasn't playing around. It took a few more steps, leaving the gap at three feet. Shadow glared at it once more. He looked at the dark metal piece in his hand. It looked like a small mouth and nose cover, type used for fighter pilots. It had tribal groves and cuts in the design, it was black and small. He looked at it and looked up; he moved it towards his mouth and then stopped.
He stood up, "If something happens…run away, anywhere." He couldn't believe he was actually going to listen but then again, something could happen to her if he didn't.
It purred and tilted its neck harshly, making a cracking sound. It was losing its patience. Shadow looked at the device and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and slowly neared it to mouth. Upon touching his skin, he felt a tingle in his cheek tissue. He let it go and it would not drop, he felt it tug inward and lock into his skin, gently though.
"You're pretty stubborn and stupid, but then again; I don't expect much from a mammal born on pitiful backwater planet like this." The voice was deep and clear, like that of a wise-man. It was the voice of an elder in ancient times who warned all of events that would come to pass. "Amazing you were able figure out it goes on your mouth." The War-Chief retorted.
Shadow looked at him and opened his eyes. Shocked, he couldn't find a word to say, or a complete word, "Bu—how'd—wha—"
"That device taps into your nerves and lets you understand me, I can hear you without it but it filters out static or noise that interferes because of my helmet." It lifted its arm up slightly and flexed its fingers, making a fist and then relaxing it. The War-Chief looked to Shadow's side, his company looked confused beyond belief.
"The female can't understand me, but can understand you. The device only works for the user." He snorted for no apparent reason.
Shadow looked at his hands and his body. He felt the same and looked the same; maybe the creature was telling the truth. He looked at Mina, who was trembling out of fear and was nibbling on the finger tips of her right glove. "It's okay…" He put a hand on her shoulder, lessening her shaking, "I think…" He whispered to himself.
"What do you want?" He barked suddenly at the hunter who seemed to be half bored.
It rubbed its thumb on the tip of its fingers out lack of interest. "Edgy aren't we?"
"Well why not? You come here, hunt us down like dogs and kill innocents in the way." He scolded, "I don't care who the fuck you think you are—"
It fiercely took a step forward and growled like a horror from hell, silencing the hedgehog. He moved his feet till he was about two feet away from Shadow and Mina. The War-Chief reach up to his mask and fiddled with a cord attached to far back of his mask and went under his dreadlocks.
"What's it doing?" Mina asked taking Shadow's hand and cuddling closer to him. He could feel the tremendous shaking of her fear.
"I don't know," Shadow narrowed his eyes and noticed when it pulled one of three cords, pressurized air jetted out. He repeated the same thing for each three on each side of his helmet.
Slowly the Chieftain pushed off the mask, the suction of the pressure made plop sound as it pulled it off. It lowered the mask and held it with its left hand, press gently against his leg.
Mina felt her blood pressure drop and fur rise along with her fear upon seeing the face. Four mandibles surround the mouth, each having a bone claw or sharp point at the tip. Two on each side, one at a corner if you made out the mouth as a square in general, on each side; the two mandibles were connected by a tissue vertically of moderately thick and healthy skin. On the inner side the flesh was pink and red, but on the outer part, it was yellowish like the rest of the outer flesh. The jaws were pink and red as the gums tightly held several teeth, all appearing like canines. It had no fur or eye brow hair, but it had brows, the facial feature was easily noticeable. The skin was wrinkled but into little but many, many little things that had a little spike pointing at the end, they rested back and all pointed towards the dreadlocks. Its two eyes were dark and evilly cold, adding more to its already horrid look.
Mina couldn't feel her legs. They were shaking so bad that her knees knocked, not even being this close to Shadow helped her. The mongoose had begun to sweat. She had let go of him and now stared up fearfully at the 7.6 creature towering above her with a not so 'happy' look.
Shadow only stared up at it with wide eyes. Behind the translator, his jaw hung. Only a few words escaped Shadow's mouth;
"You are one ugly mother—" It took a short deep breath.
It stretched out it mandibles and opened its jaw and release a bellowing roar, "Fu—cker-r-r!" The hedgehog flinched and backward away as a few pieces of spit flew out from the yell. Shadow then felt something touch his shoulder and then sway away. He turned to find Mina, sway slightly to the sides. The mongoose's eyes were half closed. Her body was rag-dolled and she swayed a little bit. Mina's eyes then rolled back and she moaned faintly. Then her legs and mind gave out and she fell towards Shadow, in front of him.
"Whoa," Shadow gasped and caught her just before she hit the cold stone ground. He frowned as he tried to pull her up, but she fainted and her body was motionless. He fumbled with her, trying to get her up on two feet. The hedgehog finally decided to pick her up and hold her, and did so as he had done a week ago.
The War-Chief huffed, "Weak minded creature," It growled, "Pitiful."
"You know what?" Shadow barked, "You're the pitiful one, you had no damn reason to do that. You're the pitiful one here, you and all your fucking friends, hunting us down—"
It growled again, cutting him off, "I know what happened here wasn't the best, but I'll be damned before I let some backwater hedgehog talk me down!" He growled once and opened the gauntlet's computer interface. "Calm yourself down. Don't think just cause you killed one of our own means you can kill all of us. I have no problem snapping your body in two and leaving your mate to wake up and find your dead body. Or if you prefer I can kill both of you." He said coldly;
Shadow blushed deeply at the references to Mina as his mate. He looked at her and back up to the War-Chief as it continued.
"Killing you in front of your mate makes no difference to me either." He grabbed a dreadlock that had dangled to the front and pushed it behind his broad shoulders. The four mandibles relaxed and softened in tense, they moved little at he spoke (growled, rwared, purred, whatever) "Before you annoy me to the point where I want to slice you half, I must get back to my original reason for being here. Seven days ago, you encountered me and a few others." He began touching buttons on the computer.
Shadow narrowed his eyes and tried to make out what he was doing. He lifted and adjusted Mina's head, which was dangling before due to lack of support there. The hedgehog did his best to comfort her position.
"About a year ago, this Elite warrior," Out of his gauntlet two blue laser lines quickly moved in the air and drew a 3-D detailed picture of the Elite from a week ago, "Deserted his platoon in combat for personal reasons that have nothing to with you,"
It was as if he was trying to tick Shadow off, "And of course, like most places; abandoning during war is an offense; he knew that. So he ran off from planet to planet; till he made it here, an old battle and training ground that hasn't been visited in ages. By the time we learned of his arrival here, he knew of those emeralds and their full power."
"How do you know of them?" Shadow interrupted.
"Just about everyone knows of them, except no one is foolish enough to try and used them, the power is too unstable." He withdrew the blue outline and closed the cover of his computer, "The bounty hunter sent in managed to channel four of them correctly; should he have used more, well you know what could happen." His breaths were echo like, "But our assassin had a bit of dislike of our bounty hunter and that's what created complications along with the jewels."
Shadow glared and frowned, "And you think that justifies the lives you've taken?"
"I'm not here to justify a thing, because I don't need to!" It barked, "Yes lives were taken for no reason and they have been punished for that, but let it be known hedgehog." The War-Chief flashed the hidden blade to him with the moonlight, "I don't have to inform you of why we came here; in another view; I should skin you to the bone and mount your skull in my quarters for killing one of our own!" It snapped out its blood stained dual blade to about a foot; making Shadow jump back a little.
"But because you killed the fugitive, I won't." It withdrew the blade just as quickly with bone chilling metal sheathing, "Since you were the one who killed the rebel Elite; you're entitled to his some of his equipment, the Dragon's Blade and bounty as is according to our law." It reached for the bag that hung off of its armor design. The bag was about the size of a basket ball, made of a strong cloth and tied at the tip by a strong cord.
He pulled it off and brought it into view. The War-Chief fumbled with the steel cord and loosened it. He tossed it out towards him, knowing he couldn't catch it. The sac, upon landing made a loud and noisy clanking and shattering sound of metal. Shadow felt Mina stir but not wake as he looked down.
At the sac's opening was the presence of shining metal. Upon a closer look and with aid of his foot; Shadow lifted the bag opening more. He remembered every item but one;
Three of those large fully extended homing stars. A simple and vaguely decorated staff, it had simple carvings. Those four items took up the most space. There was another bag; not really small, but it wasn't big either. It was roughly about the size of something that could hold three tennis balls comfortably. That smaller sac remained tightly sealed;
Shadow continued to stare in aw at the objects. Until his stare was broken by the landing of a deadly decorated blade with a handle like a knife. The handle and blade all together gave it a length of a foot and a half. The handle and blade itself had tribal cravings and some beads and various colors of small jewelry of some type hanging off of the handle.
"The Dragon's Blade," The War-Chief explained as Shadow looked up;
"The bounty is in the smaller bag," He growled, "I had to…hmmm…'translate' the bounty; we do not use these things as 'money', nor do we use 'money' in your world's sense. So be grateful that I even decided to include it first of all and second not just leave you for dead here," His mandibles twitched inward as it purred and clicked a few times. "Diamonds are the only things that you creatures seem to find valuable." It made clicking sounds as it finished and the mandibles twitched again. "Tell me," It scratched its own cheek with its free hand, "Why are you so different from others?"
"What are you talking about?" Shadow raised an eyebrow.
It purred and clicked, "Your internal organs and skeleton are the likes of none I've ever seen. You've healed all your wounds, for it to be this quickly? It doesn't seem possible," It let out soft and questioning growl, "You have agility and strength that surpasses many, and you, yourself can channel the Emerald's power, alone with no supports or outlets. On top of that, you lasted incredibly against one of our own. To kill you, I must admit; it seems difficult for an average warrior.
Shadow stared blankly as this thing repeated what Tails and Eggman analyzed once before. It said it in different way but it reopened the topic of his past. A subject he really didn't care about anymore, or didn't want to care about. Though always foggy and probably will always be like that, he ignored the vague memories he had and since then; he had moved on. The question was always with him, always in the back of his mind; the question of his past.
"I don't know," Shadow responded quietly. He looked down at Mina, "…nor do I care…anymore." He looked up at the War-Chief.
It huffed uncaringly, "Right then," It said deeply.
Shadow looked down at the bag, "Wait, how do I work this stuff?" It was the only thing Shadow could find to say. He kicked the sac, making the metallic noise again. Another thought came to mind;
'And why the hell would I ever need it?'
"You killed one using it, you'll figure it out." The War-Chief turned his back on him slipped his mask on. "Don't let it get to you though. I'd be only too happy to show you should your ego think more of it,"
As it walked away, Shadow heard it snap on the tubes again. The cloaking turned on and he watched the disfigured shape disappear into the dark air as the vague figure turned the corner. His steps, thumping quietly as it walked on, Shadow felt the device on his cheeks lessen in tense and fell off completely bumping on Mina gently and then onto the floor clinking twice on the stone ground. He looked down at the lovely mongoose in his arms;
"Mina," He said softly and shook her gently, "Wake up, nap time's over," Motionless, she lie their in his arms, "C'mon, wake up!" The hedgehog frowned when she didn't respond. A little tenser this time, he gave her a stronger shake. She opened her eyes. The green orbs were covered slightly by her half-closed eyes. Mina groaned and blinked lazily, "Huh?" She moaned, "What happened?" She looked around as she came back to reality.
"You passed out when that thing yelled fucker," Shadow said flatly.
"Huh…" She rubbed her eyes, "What's going on?" She asked absent mindedly. She relaxed in his arms more, making him frown.
"Currently?" Shadow raised an eyebrow, "Your using my arms as a hammock, mind getting up?"
She giggled, "No," His eye left twitched, "I like this," She snuggled up to him.
"What?" Shadow raised an eyebrow again, "What am I supposed to do, carry you home?"
"Thank you, how sweet," She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up. Shadow found himself being tempted as she engaged him and hypnotic lip lock, like before but so much better for some reason. "Wait," Mina said as they parted, "Let's go to the springs, the one that has the water fall,"
"Why…?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Because," Mina curled a little in his arms. She flushed as her shoulders rose to hide her neck out of embarrassment, "I want too," The mongoose couldn't contain herself. It was too much for her. This whole night she had to be satisfied with strokes and close body contact. It wasn't enough; they both wanted more, physically they were starving for one another. "Let's go…"Shadow's eyes widened as he felt the tone in her voice. That tone was the exact same thing he wanted.
"Okay," His voice was quiet and almost nervous, "Hold on!" He said gaining control of himself of again.
The mongoose felt him crouch down and suddenly he jumped. Mina looked around and within the blink of an eye; she was already up in the top branches of a tree. The sky was dark blue smoothly edged with a purple hue at the ends of the sky. The moon glimmered a soft light onto the grounds below shedding a cool blue light outside in the open. She looked up and saw a soft smile on his lips; he looked down to her again kissed her softly. Shadow slowly parted and stood Mina on her feet, not letting go so nothing could wrong on the branch that was supporting them.
"It's beautiful!" Mina gasped as she overlooked the lake and temple. Streams shined with sparkles of reflecting light, all rushing from their narrow paths into a larger plain into the lake. She sighed blissfully and leaned on her knight, wrapping her arms around his dark armor. This is what she loved about him, if only he would be more open like this more often.
Shadow kept his short smile as he tightened his embrace. They were head to head, resting on one another. The hedgehog saw the tops of the forest, the sharp tips of the tree while his dove watched the stars he wanted her to see. His eyes wandered as he began to think of their breathing, how their bodies moved with one another. Suddenly his cheeks began to burn with the warmth that his eyes caused. He gulped quietly as he let his hands drift slowly down from her back towards her hips. An interesting note he made in his head right now, Mina's shorts are not the type that fit tightly. They fitted loosely around her waist.
Another thing he noted;
One: she wore a sky blue thong.
Two: he liked it.
He fought to keep the warmth on his cheeks from showing. It was so attracting, the way the smooth fabric hugged her waist. It made him want to her beautiful body. The hedgehog his mongoose by her waist and kept himself contained. Slowly his hand drifted down and groped more, his left hand smoothly came up and went to where his body wanted to continue from last time.
"Shadow…" The whisper said softly with a moan, "Now…please…" Her head lifted from his shoulder and leaned back to look him in the eyes. Mina nodded and Shadow couldn't help but blush lightly. Her body press more against his, making him grunt from her movements. All he did was nod before she brought her lips to his again. He followed her lead as she closed her eyes, moaning softly as feelings felt so much deeper.
The springs, near the falls.
Shadow brought his hands together again and cross his fingers on hugged on her lower back. They kept close; Shadow leaned back and let nature bring him down. She didn't move from his lips, not even a gasp; with him, she was always safe. She trusted him, and he trusted her.
Twelve feet. Count to two and a half. Seven feet, just another two more seconds. And then just about two feet above the soft grass on top of the hard earth, a soft and diminutive flash, they were out of sight.
The thick forest quarters of root and rock opened more as they got closer to where she wanted. The paths were many and spaced generously as if to let Shadow's flash teleport a clear placed to appear. They were in about another half mile; Shadow felt his hands grab some stiff bark to keep balanced as she dominated the kiss and mood right now. Shadow could feel himself moving with her into a slow spin. She stopped and let him push her down slowly with himself. On the ground they could feel it, the heated and warm air. It wasn't just his body heat on top of hers. Shadow continued to follow her kiss, soon letting himself take over in their lip lock. They both parted, savoring each other, panting as their bodies waited for more.
Shadow smiled as he looked down into her eyes. He hoped in his mind he wasn't making her feel uncomfortable but something in his gut told him she was fine. "I didn't even know we were here," Something short of a chuckle escaped his smirk as he looked up.
Mina turned her head and heard the water's movement as her eyes looked up to the upside down view. The mongoose smiled as she finally felt was made her hair tug down. She turned her back to face back up to her lover, wrapping her arms around his neck bring him down and closer to her face and until they met lips again. Shadow slid his hands under her body and tightened his hold on her once more. He could feel her moans, begging for his touch, hoping to relax her tension she closed her eyes. The mongoose felt her body being lifted up. The water hair was dropped in splashed the long and straight lavender hair dripped water back down into before it came over and hit the ground. Her legs spread to his sides as her knees bent to keep a comfortable position. Her eyes opened and she saw the angle she had above him, she was on his lap. His hands groped her sides, feeling lower and lower. Mina loved the soft touch he groped her thighs with. She closed her eyes deeply and felt his warm hands smoothly rub her sides and go up her shirt. When did he get his gloves off? She open her mouth and stopped the kiss, a soft moan escaped her mouth. They parted as she felt her black tank top being moved, soon it rolled inside out and she saw it as her eyes opened come over her head helped him by lifted her arms to get it out of the way.
Shadow leaned forward as his lips reached for her neck. He pecked at her neck, softly kissing it to make her wild. His red orbs couldn't look away from her beautiful body. He gently pushed her back down to where he brought her up from, the mongoose and hedgehog both moaned softly from their contact. Mina gasped softly when he tugged on the waist of her low shorts. Her lover undid the shorts and pull down the zipper, immediately she could feel the humid warmth in the air flowing with a breeze to her exposed hips and thighs. He gently kept his place on op of her and pulled down on the clothing, letting her push it off her ankle smoothly with other foot along with her shoes. Shadow kissed her again as she was down to articles of undergarments, both a light and soft blue. The hedgehog moved her arms to her back quickly undid her bra; she flushed with a yelp suddenly as he coolly moved that away and quickly snug the sides of her lower undergarment. His fingers slyly hooked onto the thin silk strap and slowly pulled down on them, almost teasingly. His fingers escorted the underwear all the way off and toss it aside and he returned back to Mina. The two looked at one another as her smooth legs clung to his sides, she yelped as he leaned forward and she felt it. A soft yelped escaped her mouth as he pressed in, he cooed her and calmed her as she grasped onto her raven knight.
The moon was soft and glowing in the smooth purple and dark blue sky. Stars sprinkling the blur and mix colors in the sky above to paint a view seen only in pictures by some of the greatest artists.
A lover's night one might say.
Mystic Temple:
Ruins of the old courtyard:
In the air, a giant craft hovers above the atmosphere; waiting for its leader and youth team.
And thousands of feet below, on the side of the ruins of the temple; one lone black creature slurps its saliva and growls quietly and sinisterly. The dark armor colored of three fingered claws scraping the stone as it crawled on the path that two lovers just walked on, its presence tainting the blooming flowers of love left in their trail; tainting it with lust. A deep and demonic lust for blood, without any visible eyes; it watched the creature around the corner. The smooth head had ridges of ruff armor shorter than its brethren; slowly it crawled from the stone crack and ledge in the wall. The stone scraped lowly as it stalked on all fours. It sniffed quietly; making sure it wasn't false alarm. Suddenly it paused behind it… it was right there, unaware.
…and then razor jaw opens up and let a second pair of teeth taunt the hunter from behind.
Never let you're guard down…
And here's where the hardest part comes. Should I do and epilogue or should I just leave this be? I don't care how you send your thoughts on this, just let me know somehow. Hopefully Microsoft won't due another crunch with good game release like this did in November…people I am almost clean out of Xbox money…technically what I have left is for bills…dudes…I'm broke as hell thanks to my 360. But it was worth it…there's nothing like playing Assassin's Creed, grand theft auto in the times of the crusade it's historically awesome.
Special Thanks: to my temporary and unpaid (It will stay like that) assistants (can't think of a fancy word for giggly pair of girls who are really into writing physical love scenes…) semi-authors and friends, Sasha and Lily. Yes I believe they are idiots but I can't say much for myself, eh, anyone who knows me on a normal level knows that.
I'd also like to thank my Xbox 360, every game I've ever owned for keeping sane (call it what you want,) and my two girls Kal0 and Summer for keeping in touch and not letting this slip. Once last buddy who I could never do this without; Windows Media Player, may you be rewarded for your great help.
Last but certainly not least, big ups and thanks to you all who read/skimmed/glanced/accidentally stumbled onto to this and read out of some interest, what ever you prefer to call it.
Till then, if the readers decide to have a 'then', I'm chillin', cause it is 2:44 am and I have to wake up at 8:00am today for a big service & installation call me and my bosses got, I hope they don't too pissed if I fall asleep.