I'm sorry that I'm so extraordinarily late with this story, and all my stories. I usually update by at least the two week mark. This weekend was my b-day though so I decided to take a bit of a break. Anyways, the next chapter is here. It's a little heavier but we'll be right back to the fluffy stuff after this. Enjoy the chapter!

Step 6: Kiss Him

Am I the only person who finds it gross when people kiss their dogs? I'm not talking a little peck on the things nose, I mean full fledged tongue-to-tongue action. People like that always had the same excuse. A dogs mouth is, scientifically, ten times cleaner than a human's. Somehow that only makes me dislike the idea of human-to-human kissing too.

The brisk winter air hit me as I molded into the shadows. I cursed myself silently for not bringing my hat and scarf. The two articles of clothing did present a problem though. If I wore those rainbow colors on a dark night like this I'd stick out like a sore thumb. Then the prey would definitely see me.

I bared my fangs, readily awaiting a victim. The first living thing to walk by, animal, city dweller or Wildling, would make my first fresh kill in a month. I had cooped up in the village since Amy got me. I was a hunter who had been deprived of the rush of a chase. I needed to smell death on my hands. My bloodlust grew higher by the second. I would destroy it. I would rip it open, feed on it's flesh and bring the horns back to Amy. I'd-

"Sonic, wake up and stop drooling on your pillow. It's gross." Amy's voice pricked my ears. I gave a tiny growl of displeasure. Her immediate response was to smack me in the head. "Don't growl at me! I let you sleep in! I have work to do today and you're going to help."

Another day in paradise.

"I have something I need to do," I protested.

I rose from the bed like a lazy cat, stretching my arms out in front of me. I heard Amy's boot make a clicking sound as it tapped the floor. I rolled my eyes. Patience was a virtue she clearly didn't have.

"Yeah, you do have stuff to do. You have to clean up the house with me."

I shook my head at her and finally left the warmth of our bed. "I have better things to do."

"Like what?"

What was I supposed to say? 'I'm sorry, Ames. I'm going out to kill Bambi.' I hardly think she'd take that well.

"I have musk urges," I answered. It wasn't a lie. Males tended to be more aggressive during musk, hence my escalated desire to hunt.

Amy took it the wrong way. "You're going to find a girl?" At first her eyes widened in shock. Then a sarcastic glint filled them as she turned away bitterly. "Maybe you should just take this opportunity to get better acquainted with your hand."

...why do I like her?

I shook my head and tried again. "I'm just going to do the Wildling version of shopping."

Amy raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. "I don't know what that is but you're not. I have a very...special guest coming over."

"Is it a man?" I questioned.

"No."

"Oh, okay, then I don't care."

I walked towards the window to open it and leave but Amy blocked my path.

"Please! This is my last hope!"

She made a puppy dog face and folded her hands as if in prayer. I rolled my eyes. I didn't know what was worse, the cheesy face or the fact that it was actually working on me...a little.

She stood firm before me. I decided to hear her out. She spoke once more. "If this visit fails the next visit will be from a man."

I swear my heart stopped beating. No men could come here. No men could touch MY Amy. I was the only one that could call her mine. That was the way friendship worked, right? I belong to her and she belongs to me...or was that marriage? Oh well, same thing. I had to help in whatever way I could.

"What do I need to do?"

Amy smiled. She pulled a sheet of paper from the pocket of her red, knit sweater and handed it to me. Yippee! A list! My day was totally just made.

"Everything should be on there," the girl purred. "Come back with it all when you're done. Then you can help me tidy up."

"Great!" I gritted my teeth. "Awesome! I'll get right on that."

Turkey, Cesar salad, cheesecake and red wine were all things on Amy's list. With no money and no right to buy things I had no inkling of how I would get them. Then it dawned on me. I am Sonic the hedgehog, the fastest and cutest thing alive. If I couldn't charm naive young ladies I didn't know who could.

Let's see, I thought, Jessica's mother raises poultry, she'll have turkeys. Terra has a vegetable garden for the Cesar salad. Mickey and Lana's father is a pastry chef. The wine though...that might be a problem. I'd have to con that one out of someone. But what sucker would be stupid enough for me to con.

"Hey, you! You're Sonic, right?" I recognized the voice as belonging to the lion.

I watched him closely. He had been hitting on Amy for the past week. It didn't help that I was in musk. Jealousy was something I was very prone to.

"Hello," I greeted, as kindly as I could.

"Wow!" The lion gaped. "You can talk!"

Grin and bear it, Sonic. Grin and bear it.

"Yep, what can I do for you?"

The lion blushed and adjusted his weight uneasily. "My names Lionel and I'm a...friend of Amy's. I was wondering if you knew if she was free tonight."

Target acquired. "She's having a lonely night tonight. I feel bad. She really does need a man to keep her company."

Lionel's eyes lit up like a cub's on holidays. What a chump!

"Do you think she...likes someone?"

"Oh yes," I told him. "She keeps talking about you, actually!"

"Really?"

Yes, she says stuff like, 'that creep won't leave me alone! He's worse than you. If you ever see him, Sonic, stick him.' I wasn't going to tell him that.

"Yes, she does talk about you...a lot."

"Oh my God!" He exclaimed. His eagerness was irksome. Maybe I could satisfy myself and kill him. Not yet, though. I needed wine. "I can't believe it! I should stop by as a surprise. She'd like that, right? Maybe I could bring something like-"

"Wine," I cut in with a suggestion. "Red wine is her favorite."

Lionel nodded, smiling like a lunatic. "Yes, wine. I'll bring that. Oh my God, she's going to love me for this."

Correction, she's going to love me for this.

"I'll see you tonight then," Lionel said, waving as he ran off.

I mentally patted myself on the back. Now for the others.

Getting the other things on Amy's list was a breeze. All I had to do was smile, let them pet me and run off with the stuff. Not a word had to be said. Not a thing had to be done. In their eyes I was sweet and could do no wrong. If only they knew.

I arrived back at the house, apparently in the nick of time. As I entered Amy pinned me up against the wall. I struggled not to drop the stuff as she did so.

"The guest is early," Amy announced in a hushed tone. "Do you have everything?"

I nodded. "Everything but the wine. A delivery boy will bring that in time for dinner."

Amy cocked her head. "How did you manage that?"

I shrugged and raised my nose in pride.

Amy shook her head and brushed her questions aside. "Go put the things down in the kitchen. Then come back out and be really nice, okay? We need to make a good impression."

I did as I was told. When I went to join Amy in the living room I found the most unexpected thing. A nun had perched herself on the couch. She was an older mouse, with grey fur and purple eyes. She twitched her nose and smiled at me as I came in.

"Hello, my dear. I hear you have a talent." She watched expectantly and I pondered which one to display, the speed or talking. I decided talking would be safer.

"I do have a bit of a talent for language," I said.

The nun squeaked, delighted by my words. "Oh, you're right, Amy! He is a smart little thing."

I approached the two ladies and sat beside Amy on the couch opposite the nun.

"This is Mother Mouse," Amy introduced me. "She is the Abbess of the nearby convent."

Mother Mouse nodded and reached over to place a hand gingerly on my knee. "Yes, and I think you and your lovely owner would make wonderful additions to our convent."

Additions? No, no, no! Amy wasn't-

"That's right, my dear," the Abbess cheered. "I will accept you as an acolyte!"

Amy got up and smiled. She practically glowed from the inside out.

"A what?" I demanded.

"A nun in training!" Amy explained. "You and I will live in a Franciscan convent. They allow pets so we'll still be together. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Hell no!" I yelled.

Mother Mouse gasped and covered her mouth. Really? I just said Hell.

"I'm sorry, Mother," Amy bowed lowly. "He's just a little bad with change. May I speak to him in private?"

The Abbess gave a little nod as Amy guided me away to her bedroom.

"What were you thinking?" Amy screamed, closing the door. "We could get free food and a roof over our head."

"It's not free!" I argued. "It would cost you an oath! It would cost me my freedom! I won't be able to come and go as I please. You'll never be able to-" I choked off the word. I couldn't think of it. My heart hurt. Amy being a sworn virgin was just too much for me to handle.

"What's your problem?" She stomped her foot and glared at me. I hated her glare.

The truth was that Amy being a nun was almost as bad as sharing her with a mate to me. She wouldn't be my Amy. She'd be the church's Amy. She'd belong to them and be obligated to love them more than me. She couldn't do that to me.

"You're not even religious," I pointed out. "Nuns need to be submissive and patient too. You aren't like that."

"I'll pretend to be until I get in," she pushed back. "Don't ruin this for us, Sonic. It needs to be done."

I wanted to scream. I wanted to yell. I wanted to break something. I held back. I had to wait to strike at the right time. If I threw a tantrum I wouldn't achieve anything.

I followed Amy back out, going back to civility.

Mother Mouse forgave me as I humbly apologized. "I will turn the other cheek, darling. You must promise me that you'll be a good boy from now on."

I grinned at her. "I'll be a very good boy."

Hours into the visit, we were preparing for dinner. I thought of how I might be able to sabotage this. Should I eat the cheesecake, ruin the turkey or pee in the wine? I could see Amy watching me carefully. She would notice if I ruined anything. I would have to be careful.

"Where's the wine?" Amy hissed at me quietly so Mother Mouse wouldn't hear.

That's right. I had forgotten the wine wasn't here yet. I smiled, a devilish thought entering my head. A plan was concocted in my gently used brain. It could not fail. Amy might banish me to the couch tonight but at least I wouldn't have to share her.

The doorbell rang right on time. I smirked and went to the door without having to be asked.

"Who's that?" Ames wondered.

"The answer to our prayers!"

Amy sighed in relief. "Good, the wines here."

It was here alright.

"Hello Amy."

As I opened the door I saw Lionel leaning on the doorframe. In one hand was a bottle of wine and the other a bouquet of roses.

"Oh it's just you," he sighed.

Don't sound so disappointed, I thought.

"Is Amy here?" He asked eagerly.

I nodded. "Yep, and you're just in time."

I pulled him inside and towards the kitchen. Mother Mouse sat silently at the table as Amy set it. I placed the wine down and smiled at Amy.

"I have wine for you," I told her, before turning to the Mouse, "and something else for you."

I nudged Lionel ahead of me as he swallowed hard, confused by the situation.

"Who is this?" Mother Mouse asked curiously.

"This is Lionel, Amy's secret lover."

"What did you say?" Amy squealed in surprise. She was too shocked to act in anger yet. I was counting on that to finish.

"I'm not-" Lionel tried to interrupt. I grabbed him by his tail and tugged, hard. Lionel whimpered.

"She's had a secret affair with him since he arrived here. They've made quite a bit of noise during their 'nocturnal activities.'"

Lionel blushed and Amy just started to understand what I was doing.

"Sonic, don't say another word!"

"Miss Rose! Is this true?" Mother Mouse looked towards my friend with hopeful eyes. "Are you and this man in love?"

Amy shook her head wildly. "No, it not true! We're not together!"

"But we should be!" Lionel insisted, snapping out of his daze.

I growled. He was here as my tool, not a potential suitor. Mother Mouse hushed me as she turned to speak to Lionel.

"Do you truly love this young lady?" She asked.

Lionel nodded and looked to Amy who, much to my joy, was giving him a disgusted look. "I care for her deeply, ma'am."

Mother Mouse's eyes were brimming with tears. She gave a little sniffle before turning her attention back to Amy.

"I'm afraid I cannot accept you as an acolyte. Doing so would rip you away from the heart of this lovely young man."

Amy tried to protest but Mother Mouse would have none of it. She rose from her seat and raised a hand, signaling for silence. "I wish you all a happy future."

As the nun left I realized that I would be left to deal with whatever twisted punishment Amy could conduct.

"Amy, I know that we've only known each other a short while but-" Lionel prepared to propose. I chuckled a little at the futility of his situation as Amy gave him a clear answer.

"Screw off."

He brushed a hand through his mane before turning to go. "I trust we'll see each other again soon."

I rolled my eyes. Did he not get that he was completely meaningless right now? A part of me actually felt bad for him. He was so oblivious.

I stood there in silence for a few seconds waiting to be chided. Nothing happened. Amy made her way over to a chair, holding the kitchen table for support as she did so. Her face was wearied and her movements fatigued. I watched as her head began to droop in submission. Was she giving up? That didn't happen.

"Amy? Aren't you gonna yell...or chase me...or do something? Anything would be good at this point."

She shook her head and laughed humorlessly. "I told you, Sonic. I told you before what would happen. Now I have no choice."

Damn it! I hated myself for forgetting. I was so consumed by my own stupidity that I didn't realize what was happening.

"There's another option, Amy," I promised her. "There has to be. We could find a safe place outside the village. We could-"

"I'm not built like you!" Amy boiled over. She was blinded by tears and rage. I instinctively fell into a seat as she approached and loomed over me. "I wasn't born to withstand the cold or hunt or starve for days on end. Look at me! I couldn't last a year in each village! How do you expect my to survive a second out there?"

"We'll make it work, Amy."

She let the tears flow freely. My heart shattered just thinking about her lack of hope.

"There is no 'we' anymore, Sonic. I'll make it work...alone." We got up and went towards her room. "Call Lionel. I need to apologize to him."

Please don't Amy. Please don't.

I called Lionel, just like Amy told me to. I stayed in he living room, just like she told me to. I didn't run to her when I heard moans, groans or growls, just like she told me to.

My ears pinned back against my head as I imagined the worst. He was in my bed with my Amy doing things that no one had the right to do to her. At least, that's what I thought. The room my situation left for imagination was unbearable. Why did I have to be such an asshole and screw up that meeting? Why did I bring Lionel into this? My heart thudded as I heard the bed creak a bit. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to get rid of the mental image. It only became more vivid. I didn't think I could stand it anymore. I had to go. I couldn't just walk away though. I had done this and I had to see to it that Amy knew that I wasn't abandoning her, even if I fucked things up.

I knocked on Amy's bedroom door and decided entering would be alright, since there was no indication otherwise. What I saw on the other side was horrifying.

"Get out!" I roared. The two jumped and Lionel got out of the bed.

"Don't worry, Sonic, nothing's wrong. We just-"

"Get out of my bed! Get off of my woman! Get out of my house!"

Amy got up to pull Lionel back to her. I gave him a look that could kill. He decided he wanted his throat to remain inside his neck. He ran from the room like a coward. I huffed. He deserved what I would have dished out on him.

"What's wrong with you?" Amy screamed shrilly.

I pictured what I had seen. They were clothed and not touching too much but there was something much worse happening. I had seen Lionel's lips on Amy's mouth. He had been trying to eat her face. I didn't know about city dwellers but for Wildlings that was a crime punishable by death.

"He was a cannibal! He tried to eat your face off!" I yelled. "So excuse me for trying to save your life!"

Amy stopped being angry. She just stared blankly. "It was just a kiss, Sonic. We were just going to..." Amy trailed off. I didn't think I wanted to know. "Call him back."

I shook my head. "What was that? What was he doing to you?"

"It's a display of love and devotion for us," she hissed bitterly. "At least he knows what it means to care."

"I care," I told her. I felt like crying right now. Wildling men don't cry. I had to hold it back.

"I'm going to die out there because of you."

"No, no you're not!" I insisted. "Now stop saying that. Everything will be fine."

"I'll have nothing out there."

"You'll have me. That's not nothing."

She looked me in the eye and released the beginnings of a sob. "You won't be able to help me. I'll be dead weight out there."

I smiled at her and went onto the bed. As I kneeled on the mattress I gathered her in my arms. At first she resisted but eventually I was able to tame her rage and keep her close to me.

"It's no different than me. I'm dead weight here. I'm like a child. I don't know what things are or how to do the simplest stuff...but you taught me. I'll teach you. All you have to do is trust me."

"How can I trust you?"

"Because I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. At least, not intentionally." I whispered in her ear. "I love you."

She looked up at me oddly. We both felt the sense that love meant something very different to us. Somehow that didn't matter though. I loved her in my own way and maybe she loved me in hers. I wouldn't let her go, no matter what. I leaned in and gave her the symbol of my love and devotion. I kissed her.

Like I said, guys, this chapter was a little heavier in the drama department. This chapter had to be done though. We'll b right back to the fluff with the next chapter. Review and share your thoughts. Thanks for reading!