I still couldn't believe that Knuckles wanted me to watch the Master emerald. It was a bit of a surprise to hear the headstrong guardian ask me.
"Knuckles...back to what we were talking about before, I really think we should start thinking about our future together." I spoke after a few minutes of quiet. He stared at the stream while looked at him. He shifted uncomfortably, he tried to avoid the subject.
"Rouge, you know I...care about you, but I was given a responsibility by my ancestors that I can't put off. I only wish I-"
"Then let me help share that responsiblity with you," I said, cutting him off from speaking, "Knuckles, I want to be with you...you're the closest I've ever had to a real family or loved one. At least let me help protect the emerald with you." Knuckles was struck with astonishment, and I could tell he never heard anyone ever say anything like that to him. His lived a lonely life, so anything close to affection was uncommon for him.
Knuckles was now desperately trying to hold back the evident tears in the corners of his eyes. He was looking down when he spoke," I'm sorry for you seeing me like this..." he whispered in a shameful tone," What is it that you could possibly see in me over anyone else?"
I turned his head so he was facing me straight in the eyes,"There's nothing wrong with showing your emotions Knuckles. I care for you because I know under all that rough exterior lies an echidna with a heart of gold and a kind spirit. That's what I see in you Knuckles."
He put his head on my shoulder and, for what I believe was the first time ever since I met him, he cried openly,"Rouge, please don't tell anyone about me like this."
"Don't worry Knuckles, I won't tell anyone. I promise..." I said whole heartedly.
"Thanks Rouge, you're the nicest girl I've ever known...and I wouldn't mind having you live here..." after a minute passed by, he spoke again, "Hey Rouge?"
"Yes Knuckles?"
"Don't ever leave me again...okay?" he finished, a smile on his face.
"...I promise." I replied. We both sat there watching the sun reflect its light on the stream. Though he didn't say it directly, Knuckles had finally admitted that he loved me back.
-
Despite my protests, Amy wouldn't let me go with Sonic on his 'daily patrol' of the downtown area.
"You're in no condition to go fight crime, let alone run alongside Sonic!" Amy chided, changing the channel to a soap opera. I groaned with annoyance.
"Could I at least go outside and walk around the house. I need some fresh air." I pleaded, not willing to find out who was having an affair on who on television.
"Sure, I'll come with. I want to talk to you about something anyway." Amy said.
We walked around the Amy's lawn; I had a feeling I was in for another one of those 'talks' that I had been getting from Sonic and my other friends. It was about two or so when she decided to talk,"Tails...how do you feel about me being with Sonic? Be honest."
Honest? Well, obviously I was happy for them. However, I think Amy had a deeper meaning to the question.
"I'm happy for the both of you. I think it's great that you and Sonic are finally together." I responded with a truthful tone.
Amy smiled, a bit relieved,"Anything else?" she asked. I laughed, she was acting like she was a parent explaining to a teenager what it's like to be an adult.
"Personally, I think you two have a bright future together. I'd like to see how your kids turn out." I laughed.
"Tails!" Amy said with a red blush on her face.
"Oh come on Amy, I know you think about it all the time!" I joked, laughing even harder.
Amy shrugged, then she looked at me, "You know Tails, I have to give you alot of thanks for getting me and Sonic together."
"How so?" I questioned.
"Well, back when Eggman sent us to Chris' world, you were with me in the beginning. You helped me get to Sonic. Then there's the fact that you give us your support on us being together. You may not realize it, but Sonic really values your word Tails," Amy explained,"You mean alot to Sonic and me, both as a friend and family. You know that right?"
"You consider me...family?" I asked her with a smile. She nodded and then looked to the ground, her face changed to a worried look,"Tails, are you scared at all?"
"Scared of what?" I asked, not sure what she was asking me about.
"Scared about using the emeralds. You're so much younger than Sonic, but you are going to try and use Chaos control. It's got me worried." she clarified.
"Amy, I don't want you worrying about me. You should be worrying about Sonic, because soon he'll have me, Knuckles, and Shadow to compete with." I joked.
Amy shook her head, a look of satisfaction and joy on her face, "Tails, you really have grown up."
"What do you mean Amy?" I asked her, confused by her compliment, at least I think it was a compliment.
"Well, you're about half the age of Sonic, yet you seem to have no fear. You've truly become more mature." she explained in a serious yet generous tone.
"Aw, I'm not all that great." I chuckled, clearly flattered by her praise. It was a sudden change for her to be this nice to me.
She looked down and began tapping the toe of one of her boots on the ground. She had a thoughtful look showing on her face,"So you really think Sonic and I will have a family someday?"
I laughed with renewed vigor, "Definitely! I can see a little Amy running around the house at the speed of sound while Sonic's freaking out."
Amy laughed as well, "That's sweet of you Tails...say, you want to go shopping with Cream and me in a little while? She originally was going to fly here than we'd go from there...but ..."
"But Amy, you didn't even let me go with Sonic downtown. Why would it be-"
"Great! We can go to the mall in the X Tornado to save time!" Amy said cutting me off from arguement. She ran inside giggling with excitement, probably going to call Cream to tell her the change of plans. Yeah, shopping...great.
So we all went to the mall, and little to my surprise, I was carrying about ten shopping bags towards the end.
"Tails, do you want us to get you anything?" Cream asked.
"No thanks...I'm quite fine, just give me a minute to catch my balance. Geez, Cream, what did you and Amy buy, lead weights?" I questioned, straining to keep up with them while balancing the numerous shopping bags.
"Hmmm...well I got about four skirts, some shoes...um a new hair styling kit, a new tie for Cheese...Amy got seven outfits, three pairs of boots, make-up, hammer polish, a new-"
"Okay, okay! Let's hope this all fits into the X Tornado's cargo hold." I interrupted.
We got back to Amy's house around mid afternoon. Apparantly Cream was spending the night at Amy's, then my instincts kicked in...they were planning something. Where's Sonic when I need him?
"Tails, come here for a second." Amy called to me with glee. She and Cream were bouncing on the couch, Cheese was partaking in the action as well...yep, something was definitely up.
"What?" I asked, ready to bolt in a second's notice. If there's one thing Sonic taught me, it was that when Amy was scanning you up and down after shopping, be prepared to run at neck-break speed.
"Well, Cream and I saw a sale at a men's clothing store on these hot shirts and shorts. Now ofcourse I'd have Sonic try them on, but he's not here so do you mind- Cream, stop him! He's heading for the door!" Amy yelled, and I found myself pinned to the floor. I would have easily pushed Cream away, but after seeing Amy's Piko Piko Hammer behind Cream in it owner's deadly hands, I thought a little dress up was probably my safest option.
So I tried on about two dozen outfits (not kidding), and then Amy decided to film it...Sonic owed me big time.
"Tails, you ever consider being a model for magazines? You've got the face and a pretty decent physique." Amy inquired. I was about to say I'd rather willingly hand over the Chaos emeralds to Eggman and wish him good luck when suddenly Sonic walked in. He looked at me, turned to the pile of clothing, turned to Amy and Cream, back to me, turned around to the door...and got caught around the legs by Amy.
"Sonic, just in time! I was worried you would miss trying on the new clothes I bought you and Tails!" she spoke while dragging him into the room.
"Actually...I just thought I heard a cry for help...um I'd better go and-"
"I SAID I WAS WORRIED THAT YOU WOULD MISS TRYING ON THE NEW CLOTHES I BOUGHT YOU AND TAILS!" she said, with aggression building through a smile of gritted teeth.
"Um...I guess it can wait." Sonic said with defeat.
"Good! Okay, get those khaki jeans on and the collared T-shirt as well." Amy said with a giggle.
end of chap. 6