((since I had taken such a long leave and also since I left you all in such suspense, I decided to continue shortly Because I'm nice like that (this is shortly, BTW).. Even though no one reviewed, that's not going to stop me from giving my all... yeah, actually it is. You all sadden me. And youknowhoyouare, if you could please just tell me what you think of the story as I'd asked... neh... I'll love thee forever and ever! Ok, so my love's unconditional, but I still just wanted some feedback. And some things don't need to be said, right koi? -tries to make a little happy- face, but ffnet disregards- argh. Anywhey, the fic! Yes! What happens next? You guys tell me.))

Sonic, Espio, and Knux: I GET LAID!

Shadow: Karpa goes on the pill... -little angry-face thing. Sigh-

Kai: I grow wings and fly far, far away.

Poe: or she just uses her unusually large ears. -gets pummeled-

Kai: they're not unusual! They're pretty! Wait... I just said pretty... I meant handsome!

E: awwh! Kai-kai's trying to be masculine -grabs her and cuddles-

Kai: oomf?

Aka: ...kill...KILL...kill... -crazed look in eyes-

Radien: ehh... -backs away-

A: okaaay... I've actually been neglecting the princess, so let's bring her back in. yes, bad author, bad... very bad...

Sn: very... very...baaaad... -licks lips-

A: ok, back the hell off, pincushion -hides behind Knux-

K: grapes... and Tarsa... -stares blankly while smiling-

Chapter 11- A Family Affair

I woke to the chirping of birds, rubbing at an eye groggily. I fell asleep? How...and then I remembered, feeling her move in her sleep as she still straddled my lap. We had slept through the night in each other's arms. I actually felt somewhat embarrassed at that fact... and then the feelings of the evening before rekindled. I drew her close again, smelling her hair absently. She had a floral, yet leathery scent to her... I loved it. She just seemed so wild and untamed... I couldn't believe she was there in my arms, allowing me to hold her.

Then again, she was still asleep.

Just as I had thought it, she stretched a little, opening her eyes and looking up at me. Upon recognition of her surroundings (and me, for that matter) she jolted upright, ears flaring.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. We fell asleep. That's all." I smoothed her hair gently from her face, leaving my hand to her cheek for a moment. I could feel her skin warm as a light blush crossed it. I... just couldn't get over how...adorable she could be.

"We... should be getting back... Or something..." she raked a hand at her hair, remembering it was in a braid and leaving it. She then looked around anxiously.

"Shh... calm down. No one's looking for you. I'm here..." I drew her back against my chest, venturing another kiss from her...

She submitted; body relaxing slightly as our mouths met again. I never actually thought about it, being that I'd never actually kissed anyone before Kai... but the taste... the taste of another's mouth... hers in particular... It seemed so much more sensual than I'd expected.

I readjusted her position on my lap as certain... things... began to feel discomfort. I hoped it didn't offend her or... disgust her, being her sexual preference... How the hell did this happen anyway?

She must not have minded or noticed, because she deepened the kiss, nipping at my tongue lightly. God, that drove me wild... and then something unexpected happened...

She scooted closer... onto... eh...anyway, it wasn't uncomfortable anymore. What surprised me more was the light grinding...

She pulled away from the kiss, looking deeply into my eyes.

"I'm up for it if you are..."

"Up for... wh... but I have no..."

She silenced me with a finger, raising her shirt slightly to reveal her scar.

"No worries. She took care of my child-bearing ability long ago."

I didn't know what to say. I just looked up at her, a mixture of sympathy and confusion swelling. I didn't know if I could go through with it. Before I could protest, she had pulled the latch on the side of the seat, causing it to recline suddenly. Shirts were unbuttoned... I can't believe I'm doing this. How in God's name did this happen? I gasped as she whipped off my belt, proceeding to the act of unzipping and removing my pants. It was easier when I didn't wear them...

What followed was both the most pleasurable and most strangely disturbing experience of my life theretofore. First came the pleasure... in generous helpings I might add. Never in my life had I been subjected to such wild animal passion. It was incredible! She was this ravenous beast that feasted on my mouth, my neck, my chest, all while riding me unmercifully. Sweet mother of God! I dragged my naked fingers along her supple, thin back as she arched it, hearing her cry out each time our pelvises met...

And afterward... it was just awkward. She curled up in the passenger's seat, her leather coat draped over her upper half in an attempt at modesty. Strange, I thought, because I'd already had full view of her sumptuous naked body... why would it matter now?

I reached over, stroking her tail in an attempt to draw her form her reclusion. She ignored me completely, staring out the window. It was strange, disturbing actually. I feared that I'd hurt her, even though she showed no sign of pain earlier. What... what had I done wrong?

"I want to go now." She said quietly, gathering her clothes. "Take me back to the hotel. I left my things..."

I pulled my pants back up with difficulty in the cramped space. "About my proposition... you still have a chance..."

"Right, right. I can't." she concentrated on buttoning her dark violet shirt. "Just take me back."

"Kaimera... come on... You don't have to face him. I'll be there for you and..."

"You're going to die whether by my hand or someone else's. Either way, he wants you dead. Soon."

"That's where you're wrong." I cupped her round face in my hands, brushing away the trace of a tear with a thumb. "We'll escape together. No worries, right?"

She smiled lightly, sniffling. "No worries..." she pulled from my grasp, shaking her head. "Except Poe. She's after the princess."

"I'm sure Sonic's keeping an eye on her."

She looked at me quizzically. "Whoever this 'Sonic' character is, I hope he's capable..."

"He loves her. He'd never let anything happen to her." and with that, I pulled her back onto my lap in a tight hug.

"Alright, then. I need my things and then we can go." She said, giving in.

-o-

A few days later in Tuskanon...

The dark sea tossed as heavy rain pelted the Tuskonian soil. The dark foreboding clouds lit up frequently with bright lightening followed closely by violent crashing booms of thunder that made all the windowpanes clatter noisily.

Patella played absently with her bear and a toy plane, "Edgar Allen Poe's Greatest Literary Achievements" opened in front of her. She'd glance at a page now and then, returning to the act of bombing the evil bear menace with her fighter jet.

"Much of madness and much of sin... and horror the soul of the plot..."

Lightening lit up her nursery window, causing the lights to flicker. She paused in her play to count...

"One-hippopotamus, two-hippopotamus, thr-"

And she jumped a bit in shock as a rather loud lash of thunder made her little ears ring. After it had passed, she cautiously drew her hands from her ears and continued.

She turned a few pages until she found what she was looking for.

"For her, the fair and debonair, that now so lowly lies,
The life upon her yellow hair but not within her eyes-
The life still there, upon her hair- the death upon her eyes. –
Avaunt! avaunt! from fiends below, the indignant ghost is riven-
From Hell unto a high estate far up within the Heaven-
From grief and groan, to a golden throne, beside the King of Heaven!
Let no bell toll, then,- lest her soul, amid its hallowed mirth,
Should catch the note as it doth float up from the damned Earth!
And I!- tonight my heart is light!- no dirge will I upraise,
But waft the angel on her flight with a Paean of old days!"

She twirled a curly white lock around a chubby finger thoughtfully, looking at the clear strands for a moment.

"Well, my hair's not yellow... and my name isn't Lenore. I have nothing to worry about!" she then slumped in deeper thought.

"Gram has yellow hair though... I hope she doesn't become Lenore..."

She stood, the stuffed bear's paw clenched tightly in her tiny hand.

"Who's there?" she asked the dark doorway that lead into the hall. She didn't much care for the dark, even though she knew better than to be frightened by it. But someone was there... She heard it... or thought she had.

"It's past your bedtime. Go to sleep." A soft voice said from the dark.

"Who are you?" the child inquired.

"Go to sleep."

Patella gasped. "You're the Red Death, aren't you?"

The being in the dark did not reply. The sound of rain battering the rooftop was the only sound to be heard. Lightening lit the darkness, revealing the doorway to be empty. The child pouted, stepping to the doorway, sticking her head into the hallway.

"Where did you go?"

There was only silence... and an empty passage. Nothing more. Not even footsteps. Then suddenly an even louder boom of thunder raked the halls, causing the very walls to creak.

"I want my daddy..." the girl simpered, shrinking from the darkness.

-

Radien was in his private study, typing studiously at his computer when the door opened slowly. He looked up to the sound, startled somewhat that anyone would be up this late save himself. He relaxed when he saw it was his wife, Cecilia.

"Working late again, I see." She said disapprovingly, drawing her flower- print robe tighter around her slight frame. Her hair was white as her daughter's and tied back in a slightly disheveled bun. Her fur was a pale yellow, much lighter than the members of the Fairchild line. Her eyes were light orange in hue, and her brows were furrowed over them, darkened in the half-light.

"Cecilia, I'll be there in a moment. I have these proposals to look through... tomorrow's the deadline..." he yawned, fanning himself absent- mindedly with a paper as he sorted through a stack of said proposals.

She sighed, walking back in the direction of their shared bedroom, closing the study door behind her. Unfortunately, the mechanism in the handle caught and didn't shut completely, causing it to open to a crack by itself.

Aka saw the thin shaft of light as it stretched across the cold marble. She waited, an ear turned in the direction of the wife's footsteps as she went back to bed.

The elder could wait. She was anxious to see what skill this younger brother possessed.

Radien adjusted his glasses, eyes beginning to mist with weariness. He yawned, stretching back in his leather chair momentarily, loosening his tie a little more. He returned to typing, checking his papers from time to time.

Suddenly there was a loud zapping noise and bright blue light filled the room, causing the poor aristocrat to jump in his seat, spectacles falling from his nose. He gave a small squeak as the lights went out, and a fierce crash of thunder caused a pen to clatter from his desk.

"Well, that was nice..."

He swore, now realizing that he hadn't saved a good portion of his work. He pounded his desk in rage, sitting back in his chair heavily.

"Thanks. I mean it."

He was so consumed in his frustration that he didn't hear the slight creak the door made as it was pushed open.

Aka smirked in the dark. If she were planning on not being seen, it would have been the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, she wanted an honest fight.

As another flash of lightening lit the room, Radien saw the intruder, this causing him to jolt to his feet in surprise.

They were once again shrouded in darkness.

"Who's there?" He asked as calmly as possible. Aka smiled.

"The Red Death."

There was a thick silence for a moment. She could hear his breath quiver as he exhaled. Maybe he was a coward after all...?

The lightening lit the room again, revealing a very wide-eyed echidna. Aka took that moment to toss something to him as he could still see. The object clattered to the ground with a clang as it rested at his feet.

"W...what is it?" he asked fearfully.

"A sword. You're going to pick it up and fight me."

"I... am?"

She sighed angrily. 'Do I have to do everything around here?'
"Defend yourself, you coward!" she screamed, leaping to the desk top. Frantically, Radien felt the ground for the sword, yelping as he heard the metallic swipe of another over his head. He found the weapon, unsheathed it, and held it shakily in front of him.

"Why?" he shouted, searching the dark office blindly for his assailant.

"Because I want to know if at least one of you Fairchild's can give me a challenge."

He cried out as she launched herself at him, parrying an attack with a lucky swipe. She leapt back and attacked again, slicing in for his side. He blocked her, breath shallow with fear. The lightening flashed once more, illuminating her face. He looked into her determined eyes with his own, wide with terror. His gaze shifted as movement was seen behind her. Her ear twitched backward to a sound.

It was dark again. There was a loud cracking sound and a body hit the ground with a thud.

A flashlight was shined in his face and he blinked against it.

"I heard a noise and thought a prowler was about..." Cecilia said innocently, flashlight in one hand, cricket bat in another.

"Good show, love!" he dropped the sword, stepped over the now-unconscious assassin, and hugged his wife happily.

-o-

"This time, you won't escape me so easily..." Poe murmured to herself, gun cocked and aimed.

The crosshairs settled on a patch of fur, the only part of the princess visible through her large bathroom window. She was alone.

The raven cursed from her perch on the hot roof tile. How long does it really take to blow-dry one's hair? Granted it was rather long... but she was becoming impatient, overheated and hungry. She couldn't wait to finish the job so she could break for lunch.

She checked her watch angrily. No word from either Aka or Kai. Well, Aka was less expected to call, but Kai had been gone all night. She hadn't been... no, not Kai. Kai always wins.

She was becoming increasingly bored and had an inescapable urge to preen her tail feathers which had been wrinkled from her position she had kept for the past hour. She had removed her blue jacket some time ago, and now wore only a white undershirt and a pair of torn jeans. She wasn't much for fashion on the job, but then, why should she be? She shifted her weight in her stolen regulation army boots, kneeling painfully on the searing tile.

A drop of sweat trickled down the length of her beak. She blinked to clear her sight, righting the crosshairs once more.

"Damnit, bitch. Come the fuck out where I can see you!" she hissed to herself.

She jolted as she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She spun around, aiming her rifle at the intruder.

"Kai! What the fuck are you doing here? Get lost!" she whispered angrily, lowering said weapon.

The lizard beamed happily, swinging her bowlies casually around a finger.

"Poe, the time has come to change your ways."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

The next thing she knew, she was hogtied. Her rifle skidded off the roof with a dull rattle. Kai then set to the task of tying the bird's wings to her body.

"What the sam-hell do you think you're doing?" Poe screamed, struggling against her bonds.

"I'm taking you with me. We're running away."

"What the fuck? What about the job? What about Boss?"

"To 'ell with 'im. We're gonna get our names changed and get the bleedin' 'ell outa 'ere."

She motioned to her counterpart to help her. Poe's eyes widened.

"YOU!"

"I'd prefer Espio, but I guess 'you' works too. Now, I hope you don't mind..." he produced a roll of electrical tape from his coat pocket and proceeded to silence her with it by means of wrapping a strip around her large beak.

Protesting loudly, she found herself picked up and slung over the chameleon's shoulder.

"We're off, then." Kai stated happily, grabbing Poe's coat.

-o-

Rouge held her fingers to her temples, feeling a migraine coming on.

"I will never have kids. I will never have kids. I will never-"

She jumped as she felt a tug at her jeans. She looked down into the innocent yellow eyes of the child she had come to know as "li'l Nikki".

"What?"

"Can I play dress-up with your pretty clothes again?"

"NO! And I said no the first time, too. You tore my favorite shirt. Go away and sit quietly."

The girl pouted and skipped off to cause more mayhem.

A week without word. She'd called that damned missing person's office every day, sometimes twice a day. The runt was more than a handful and she was beginning to grow bags under her eyes from lack of sleep.

"God, why? Why punish me now? I was doing so well..."

She perked up when she heard a knock at her door.

"Please let it be her parents... God, please..." She ran to the door, swinging it open with a curt yank.

She stood there for a moment, eyes large with surprise.

"What? Don't remember an old friend?" the newcomer asked.

"I... you were the last person I'd expect to see... Wow... Hey, come on in! Sorry about the mess. I'm surrogate mom for awhile... what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

"Well," Shadow began, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he stepped inside. "Issues. It's complicated. Mind if I stay here awhile?"

"NOT AT ALL!" Rouge squealed with glee, throwing her arms around him.

"Eh? You seem overly glad..." he said, patting her back.

(((I don't know if you think this chapter's long enough, but I do, so tough titties. So, what's going to happen to Aka? What will Kai and Espio do with Poe? Why is Shadow at Rouge's house and even more perplexing, why is she so happy to see him?

Nikki: eee! Now I have someone new to play with -bounces annoyingly on Shadow's head.-

Rouge: havefunseeyabubye -flies far far away-

Shadow: good Lord, why did I come here?

A: alrighty, review this time. This goes double for Freeq Runner and Anonymous and dyingsoul36 if he gets the chance. Notice I left you a long-ass review. nudge nudge hint hint say no more say no more. Chao))