Hello again. Yes, I know I haven't updated in AGES. I apologize. I didn't really have a problem with writing, I'm just a lazy fuck with the work ethic for a tranquilized sloth and haven't been bothered to update. I do apologize, things got in the way – Writer's Block, lack of motivation, and the third season of Dexter – Especially that last one. And I swear, I'll update Infection next, and Turn Back the Clock next time the stars are right again and Cthulu rises from his ancient tomb. Or maybe Zalgo. One of them.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy…

A small pile of slush lay in the wet grass, melting in the midday sun. The clump of snow, some of the last that would be seen for a while, sweltered in the heat, slowly turning back to water and spreading throughout the green turf. This process was a long and boring one, something that would take place over several hours, as the light from the sun heated the snow and turned it back to a liquid. That is, if a red and black had not decided to descend on the heap of frost, flattening it into a mushy paste.

Spring had come again, the long winter having finally passed. The first signs of life were beginning to emerge, flowers budding, ready to bloom, small animals creeping out of their burrows, their long hibernations over, and Lord Shadow had finally emerged from his castle, his slave closely following him. Sonic shivered lightly in the cool morning air, pulling his coat tighter to his body. The black hedgehog saw this, and quickly broke step to allow the other to catch up, before reaching down and scooping him up into his arms. He held the blue one's body close to his, sharing his warmth.

There isn't much to do while you're snowed in, save for work out food rationing schedules or re-enacting The Shining. As such, the two hedgehogs had grown closer together in this time, by a scary amount. Since learning of Sonic's revelation, not to mention his past, Shadow had felt a great deal more *Licks* compassion towards the blue one – Maybe it was pity, maybe it was the fact they had shared experiences, he didn't know, nor did he care much. It was a rather trivial thing, anyway – Knowing why he felt this way would not change the fact that he did, nor would he let it – When he had bought this hedgehog, he had accepted the responsibilities that came with it, and he would not abandon them for some petty, adolescent urge.

"We're here…" He whispered to the one in his arms, gently setting him back on his feet. The two stared out across the beautiful landscape beyond the lake. The water was a crystal blue, still icy from the previous winter. A few of the birds had returned, however, already making their trees in the oaks and pines that lined the shore. In the distance, mountains rose up into the distance, their peaks far on the horizon.

"Shadow?" Sonic spoke softly, "What's beyond those mountains?"

The ebony one chuckled to himself, placing a hand on Sonic's back. "You know… I'm not too sure." He said, looking off into the horizon. "I've never been beyond this province, aside from the royal palace… I must look into it sometime."

Sonic smiled gently, turning his head to gaze around the nearby countryside. "It's beautiful…"

Shadow looked down at him, beginning to gently stroke his quills. "I thought you'd like it… That's why I brought you here…" He walked over to a nearby bench, motioning for Sonic to join him.

"Master… Can I ask you a question?" Sonic asked, sitting down on the seat.

"Of course, my slave…"

"Why… Do you do all this for me?" Sonic inquired curiously, "I mean… I'm just your slave… Yet you treat me like… Well, someone you'd treat well! Why do you do it?"

Shadow sighed sadly, scooting over to wrap an arm around the blue one. "Because, Sonic… You've must've gone through so much, in your life… I mean, you're *Licks* sixteen years old, and you've already had your virginity taken from you…" He looked to him, raising a hand to stroke his cheek. "Others may have been conditioned to think that you're worthless… Including you… But you're not."

Sonic stared down at the ground, trying to repress his misery. "But I am… I'm just a slave… Worse than that, a sex slave… My only purpose in life is to give people pleasure… That's all I can do…"

Biting his lip, Shadow desperately tried to think of a way to comfort the blue one. "You're wrong… You're so much more than that… You're a companion, a supporter, a friend…"

Sonic looked back up at him, tears beginning to form in his dull, green eyes. "Sh-Shadow… Why does it hurt so much… To think about it…"

The ebony one gave no response, simply pulling Sonic against his chest as he began to cry softly. He made no loud howls or wails of misery, simply sobbing quietly as he clung to Shadow's waist, desperate to be held. Shadow simply waited, slowly rubbing Sonic's back and whispering in his ear, letting him know that what he was doing was OK…

Slowly, Sonic looked up, tears still very clear in his eyes. "I'm sorry, master… I was way out of line…" He was silenced by a black finger on his lips.

"Shh… It's fine…" Shadow comforted, smiling reassuringly. "We all need to cry sometimes…"

"Th-thank you…" Sonic whispered, using his forearm to wipe away the remaining tears.

"Hey… Don't mention it…" Shadow grinned, kissing Sonic on the forehead. "Now how about a swim? There's a nearby hot spring that's really great this time of year."

Not far away, on a nearby hillock, Silver shifted underneath his camouflage, scowling to himself. That blasted hedgehog… He was ruining everything. All his plans. All his aspirations. Everything.

He hadn't been able to hear the previous conversation, and he seriously doubted that he would've wanted to, but that last thing said it all. When Shadow had kissed him… It just boiled Silver's blood. It violated *Licks* every law of the social hierarchy. Lords couldn't even fall in love with commoners, never mind slaves! And a male slave at that! It was just so… Wrong! And for Silver, the fact that it was a slave just made it all the more insulting…

That was when Silver noticed that the pair were heading towards him. He slowly crawled to his left, freezing next to a small bush, hoping his makeshift disguise would hide all of his white fur. He held his breath as that infernal blue one's boot descended just inches from his head, kicking a bit of dirt into his face. Goddamnit…

That was when Silver realized where the two were heading. This particular path eventually led away from the main grounds of the manor, ending in the foot of the mountains.

At the hot springs…

Silver resisted the urge to just jump to his feet and stop them there and then. Every time Shadow had taken a slave to the hot springs, they came back different… Changed… Sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse. Whatever Shadow did to his slaves over at those springs, Silver had to know. Whether it would get him closer to Shadow or not, it didn't matter. He would at least get to see something possibly bad happen to the blue one.

The Lord and his slave were gone now. Slowly getting to his feet, Silver tossed his grass suit to the ground, ignoring the pile of half-melted snow it fell into. He'd have to take the long way if he didn't want to be spotted. And he'd have to be fast. Breaking into a jog, Silver followed the two along the path towards the hot springs.

Ooh, a cliffhanger. I've NEVER done one of those before, not at all. Anyway, I'd just like to say I'm sorry for not updating in ages, I really felt bad for not doing so. And please leave a review, letting me know if you liked this pointless fluff!