Chapter 7: As Night Falls:

Knuckles wandered in the darkening jungle, selecting adequately sized sticks and logs when he could find them, while Sally followed a bit more slowly. "So I take it, you enjoyed that little kiss?" Sally asked.

Knuckles hesitated before answering, as he studied another stick as if it was particularly interesting. When he did answer, it was almost inaudible. "Well, erm… Yes, I did," he mumbled. He was thankful that he was facing away so Sally couldn't see his blush.

"I thought so, if your initial reaction was any clue," Sally remarked smugly.

"Well, normally I don't ask for such things, but alcohol can make me do and say some pretty weird things."

"I didn't think it was weird. In fact, I kinda enjoyed it myself," Sally admitted.

Knuckles flushed a deeper crimson as other dirty ideas came to mind. He struggled to repress them, but they still lingered. It wasn't right of him to fantasize about his friend like that. He was in a relationship already, and so was Sally. Speaking of which… "Do you think Sonic would mind about that thing you did back there?" he wondered.

Sally stopped short and snorted. "Honestly, I couldn't care less what Sonic minds me doing or not. As far as I'm concerned, we're through."

"Oh yeah, you talked about that when you first got here," Knuckles recalled. "What exactly did he do to piss you off so much?"

"Remember when we thought he was dead?"

"Of course; how forgetful do you think I am?"

"Well, since he came back, he's completely refused to apologize to anyone. He won't even tell us where he's been!"

"Well, I hate to be the devil's advocate, but maybe he has a good reason for doing so. I can't imagine what that could be, but we should still give him the benefit of the doubt."

"Maybe… But he's just acting like nothing is wrong and it never happened. What he doesn't seem to realize is that it can never go back to the way it was."

"Why not?"

"Because… Because… Look, it just can't alright?"

"Ok, whatever you say. But I think we should be glad that he's safe and sound. I may have stepped in for him while he was gone, but even I know I never could've replaced him. Not that I even wanted to."

"Actually he accused you of doing just that."

"What? Replacing him?"

"Yeah. That it was your dream to take the spotlight after his death, which wasn't even real."

Knuckles snorted dismissively. "We all know how much of an attention hog Sonic is, so it doesn't surprise me that he would point the finger at me. I'd kick his ass any day of the week if he wanted a fight."

"I know you would, but all the same, it was rude and uncalled for."

"Maybe, but I really don't care. Besides, what I really want to know is what you plan to do now, relationship-wise I mean."

"Oh, well, I haven't thought much about that," she lied.

"That so? The absolutely perfect princess doesn't have a plan?" Knuckles mocked jokingly.

Sally slugged his shoulder and retorted with, "You know more than anyone else that I'm not perfect. And I'm not a control freak either."

Knuckles rubbed the spot she hit gently, but still wore his grin. "Ah, I was just kidding."

He shuffled the wood in his arms and looked it over. "I think we got enough, let's head back." He led the way back towards the cabin. Sally followed empty-handed and a hollow opened in her stomach. She might miss her chance if she waited too long, best to introduce the idea now rather than later.

"Knuckles?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember when we were kids?"

"Like it was yesterday."

"I've been thinking about that a lot recently."

"Have you now? Is all this drama making you go for a trip down 'Memory Lane'?"

"Something like that."

"Well, what about it?"

"It makes me realize who my real friends are."

"And I take it I'm one of them?"

"Pretty much the only one, more like it."

"What?" Knuckles stopped and glanced at Sally. The chipmunk had her head down and scuffed the leaves up with her boots. "What about Amy, or Tails, or Bunnie?"

"Tails is too young, Amy and I used to be intense rivals, and I haven't heard from Bunnie in years."

"So I'm really you're only true friend? And I thought I was lonely."

"Shut up! I'm serious. When Sonic 'died', you came to our rescue. No one asked you to, you just did. Even when Sonic and I were having problems or arguing, you were always there to listen and be my shoulder to cry on. How many people do you think I let see me cry?"

Knuckles opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Sally pushed on. "I remember the fun we used to have when we were kids and how happy I was to see you after all those years. And unless I'm mistaken, you were pretty happy too."

"Of course I was," Knuckles said, finding his voice, "My best friend I thought had abandoned me like everyone else turned out to be leading a revolt against that idiot, Robotnik. Never had I ever imagined that you were just busy hiding. I had just assumed that I was destined to live and die alone on this damn island forever. I will never forget that moment when you turned around in that chair and I saw you for the first time in over 10 years."

"Good. Then you know how I felt… more or less."

"But why are you bringing up such painful memories?"

Sally gulped, not quite intending to reveal this much so soon. Knuckles stared at her expectantly. Damn it, she had no choice. Summoning up her courage, she took a deep breath. "I… I… I just…"

"Yes?"

"I love you, Knuckles. I always have, though I didn't know it before."

And then, for all her planning and doubts, Knuckles did the one thing she least expected. He kissed her. It seemed so sudden and out-of-nowhere. One moment, he was standing about a foot away, and the next, he was standing just centimeters from her face as he looked down at her with something mixed between repressed lust and buried passion. Silently, without speaking, the two's lips met and parted as if their own volition. It was already fifteen seconds into it when Sally's mind cleared the fog that was settling in her brain and she gently pushed the echidna away. Knuckles opened his eyes slowly and gave the chipmunk a confused and slightly hurt expression.

"Sal? What's wrong?" he asked.

For the first time in her life, Sally couldn't find the words to express her reluctance, yet forced herself anyways. "Nothing... Except..." Failing, Sally's face screwed up in a pang of guilt and shame. Turning away from Knuckles, Sally tried to hold back her tears, yet her emotions weren't willing to cooperate.

Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, Knuckles's face was soft with obvious concern. "Sally," he said softly, "It's alright."

Sally shook her head as the first teardrop broke free. "No, it's not. Here I am, driving a wedge between you and Julie for my own selfish reasons." She turned her gaze towards Knuckles with her eyes glistening in the starlight. "That's why I really came here. Not just to get away from Sonic, but-" She broke off, unable to hold it back any further. Throwing herself against Knuckles, she wept bitterly on his shoulder. "Oh god, I'm so stupid! I'm sorry, Knuckles."

Pulling the chipmunk back for an instant, Knuckles gazed directly in her eyes as he shook his head and smiled warmly. "For what? You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"But... what about Julie?"

Knuckles thought for a moment. "I think she'll understand."

Sally kept silent, unwilling to share Knuckles's optomism.

"She grew up in the Dark Legion remember? Things are... well, a little different there." Drawing her closer once again, Knuckles murmured softly in her ear. "Just let me think of a good way to break it to her."

"You mean... dump her? For me?" Sally paused. "I couldn't let you do that to her."

Knuckles chuckled softly. "No. I mean, tell her about the newest member of our affair."

Sally stood there silently, supporting herself on the taller mobian. Was he implying a three-way love triangle? That's what it appeared to be, but... could she and Julie adapt to that? After a moment's thought, she realized she could, if only it meant she had at least someone to stand by her in her darkest times. But, Julie...

She gave up trying to predict how Julie would take to the idea. A chance at happiness was still better than missing out on the oppurtunity wasn't it? Of course it was. She didn't know how it would turn out or whether it would last long, but she was willing to take any chance that presented itself. A life with no chances taken was a life not worth living.

At length, Knuckles eventually released her and pried himself away as gently as he could. "We should probably head back," he told her, "Julie will start to wonder where we wandered off to."

Sally blinked for a moment, not quite willing to let the feeling of comfort and reassurance pass just yet, but she realized that Knuckles was right and reluctantly nodded. Bending over to pick up the discarded wood Knuckles had dropped during their kiss, Sally followed Knuckles as he lead her back to the small cabin that he and Julie shared.

* * *
Knuckles and Sally entered the darkening cabin and found Julie sitting on the couch. "Oh, you're back," she greeted as she stood up and walked over to help relieve some of the burden they carried. She smiled at Knuckles but gave Sally a strange look, as if unsure how to respond to her presence. Sally felt the familiar pang of guilt strike her in the gut once again as she thought back to what she and Knuckles had just done, yet tried to not let it show.

Knuckles walked over to the fire place and began to place some tinder and logs in the base. Julie reseated herself and Sally walked over to the green furnishing. The only fabric covered furniture piece in the room. Julie gestured for her to sit and Sally obeyed, yet a wall of unease remained between them. Knuckles made a spark and fanned it into a small flame. "There we go, a nice roaring fire started," he announced and looked rather proud of it.

Julie nodded appreciatively and Sally tried to form a friendly smile. Knuckles glanced between the two females and let a roguish smile cross his face. "Nice, a seat right between my two favorite gals," he said, blissfully unaware of the awkward atmosphere between the two females. Taking his seat, Knuckles laid back and put his arms around both Sally and Julie, drawing them closer to himself.

Initially, when he touched her shoulder, Sally flinched, as if worried that the friendly gesture could be misinterpreted by Julie. Her slight shock was quickly assuaged when the other echidna didn't seem to notice and instead brought her head to rest on Knuckles's shoulder. Relaxing, Sally let herself do the same, but firmly reminded herself to keep her hands to herself. For the time being.

Sitting in silence, the three simply enjoyed each other's company and gradually, the unspoken feeling of unease and awkwardness dissipated. Sally wordlessly marveled at the red echidna's ability to make even the most uncomfortable circumstances almost peaceful. She found her thoughts, fears, and inhibitions slowly bleed away as she drank in the warmth of the fire and his body as well as his familiar scent. Strong, masculine, but still warm and inviting. She even thought she could become intoxicated by it. Before she even realized it, she had begun to drift off and snooze when Knuckles stirred slightly and removed himself from between them.

Standing up, Knuckles turned to look at the mentally and physically exhausted females as he yawned and smiled tiredly. "Well, I'm ready for bed." He paused. "Unfortunately, seeing as how I don't have a guest bed because I rarely have guests, Jules and I will have to get cozy on the floor. Normally, I'd prefer the altar, but it might get chilly tonight and I'd like to keep Sal company. Jules?"

Julie nodded. "Fine by me."

Sally spoke up. "Er, what about me? Where do I sleep?"

Knuckles shrugged. "Anywhere you want. Although, I'd recommend the couch, it's slightly more comfortable than the floor or altar."

"If you guys want, I can sleep on the floor, and-" began Sally, half-standing before Julie interrupted her.

"Nonsense. You're our guest. And besides, Knux and I don't mind sleeping on the floor." Standing up quickly and walking over to the armoire on the west wall, Julie opened the doors, reached in, and produced two large comforters. Handing one to Sally, Julie laid the other on the floor and grabbed the thin blanket on the back of the couch.

Kicking off his shoes and removing his gloves, Knuckles settled down on top of the comforter as he waited for Julie to do the same. Sally gazed with interest at his bare hands, within her memory she had never seen them without his iconic mittens. Just like his fur, the top of his hand were red and the fingers were tough and powerful. Yet, the more interesting thing were his knuckles, namely the ones he was named after. They appeared to be slightly-discolored bone in type, with sharp, wicked points and lethally long. Previously, she had thought they were part of his gloves' design, but now she clearly saw they were a part of his body and she wondered how dangerous they would be without his gloves. Perhaps it was best that he did, she reasoned.

Once Julie had removed her boots, gloves, and belt, she settled in next to Knuckles and pulled the blanket over them. The hot pink echidna glanced up Sally with a wry smile. "So, are you going to dress down or just sit there staring at us all night?" she asked, not unkindly.

Startled, Sally blinked once more and nodded. "Oh. Uh, yeah, just give me a moment." Reaching down, Sally removed her blue boots and set them neatly beside the couch. Next, she doffed her jean jacket, folded it neatly, and set it on the side table near the head of the couch. It was strange, she felt somewhat naked without her jacket, yet the idea was absurd. Most mobians went unclothed to begin with, such as Sonic and Knuckles. Even some females went with minimal garments, like Julie and herself. Mobian anatomy allowed for that, since their "sensitive" parts weren't identical to overlanders. It was also cultural, since their ancestors, just normal animals, went without clothing, the mobian species didn't usually find nudity itself obscene or erotic in most cases. It was overlander influence that made it as if females in particular had something to be ashamed of and had to cover themselves up. Others, like Amy and Bunnie, had worn clothes just for fashion statements rather than any actual need or reason to. Regardless, she still felt a little self-concious about her bareness as she covered herself with the comforter Julie had given her. It did not, however, go unnoticed by Sally with Knuckles sneaking a quick glance. Sometimes, the thought of seeing more than one usually did was enough to generate interest, even when most things went uncovered ninety percent of the time.

Lying down Sally stared up at the wall for moment, before managing a "Good night," to her friends. The two likewise returned the phrase and silence once again settled in as the shadows danced with the light from the fire. Within moments, Julie was asleep and Knuckles evidently joined her seconds later. It took Sally a little longer as she reflected on all that had happened today. Her flight, her arrival, the poker game, the kiss with Julie, gathering wood with Knuckles, and... the kiss. Slowly, putting a finger to her lips, Sally brushed the surface lightly as she let out a small, half-ashamed smile. He had kissed her. That moment had been the highlight of her life up to this point. No longer did she worry what tomorrow the next several days would bring. She simply found solace in the knowledge that Knuckles did find her attractive and was willing to risk his relationship with Julie just for a chance to pursue one with her. Even all her guilt and remorse kept silent as they let her enjoy the feeling of peace she had been looking for ever since that day, one year ago.

Amy watched Vanilla stroke Cream's headfur gently as the little bunny slept. Amy wondered what it must feel like to be a mother. She imagined it was a warm and fuzzy feeling. Of course, she had lots of experience with kids, but it still wasn't the same. "Vanilla?" she asked softly, not wanting to disturb the slumbering child.

"Yes, dear?"

"What is it like to be a mother?"

Vanilla looked up from her daughter briefly and met Amy's green eyes. "It's the most wonderful feeling in the world," she answered carefully. "You experience childhood a second time through your child's. You feel their joy, their pain, and their pride. There is nothing more rewarding than when you see you child grow up from an infant to an adult."

"Do you think I'll be a good mother someday?"

"Yes, someday. But you need to be sure that the one you have a child with is going to be involved with its life and even then, only when you know for certain that you're ready for the responsibility."

"How will I know?"

"When the time comes, you'll know. Trust me. The first moment you hold your child will be an unforgettable moment that will last forever."

"I hope I find the right man soon," Amy said wistfully.

Vanilla giggled quietly. "He'll turn up sooner or later," she promised. "Until then, I appreciate you helping with Cream."

"It's my pleasure," Amy said, "She's so kind and sweet. You've done a great job of raising her."

"Yes, no parent is perfect. All they can do is try their best and hope that the kid comes out alright."

Amy nodded sagely and lingered a while longer. "Would you like to sleep with me and Cream?" Vanilla offered.

"Oh. Um, sure, I would like that." Amy was already clad in her pink nightie and Vanilla wore footie pajamas like Cream's but much larger. She slipped in to the wide bed on Cream's left side and Vanilla pulled the covers over herself on Cream's other side. "Good night, Vanilla."

"Good night, Amy," Vanilla repeated, leaned over and kissed Cream's forehead softly (who hugged her Chao doll tighter in response), and turned out the light.

Elsewhere, Tails sat on the roof of the main building and stared at the twinkling stars. He was watching for shooting stars on the foolish hope that one might grant his wish for things to go back to the way they were before Sonic disappeared. Tails had never felt so lonely before. He had no hero, his leader deserted him, and his best friend betrayed his trust. He sighed and lay back on the grass covered roof. The sky of stars glittering above him, he let exhaustion overcome him.

New Author's Note: How about that? A pretty major change in the flow from the original story, eh? Didn't I tell you guys that you were going to be surprised or didn't I? I like this change, it's fresh, new, and risky. Ah! The oppurtunities and possiblities are endless. Granted, this particular entry may constitute a complete rewrite of the subsequent chapters, but to hell with it! I came this far, let's see where this route takes us. Going off on a tangent here, what did you guys think of the kiss? Random Guest? GoldenBullet? Mischevous Whisper? I'm looking at you guys especially, since you are my most dedicated readers and chief reviewers. To everyone else, you might not understand why this kiss is so important to me, so I'll explain breifly. In the original, Sally admitted her feelings to Knuckles, but his reaction was... less than favorable. It lead into a bit of a moral and ethical quandary that was resolved by Chapter Nine of the original. Yet, this kiss changes several things. If you want to see what the original was like in its untouched form, head to my profile and it's listed under my "Favorite Stories". Aside from all that, I would also like to take a minute to talk about a few lines in here that I wrote.

"A life with no chances taken was a life not worth living."

This is a well-known opinion on life. Carpe Diem (Seize the Day), "live each day to the fullest", etc. What it essentially boils down to is, when you lie on your deathbed and recall your life story, how many missed oppurtunities are you going to regret letting pass you by? It could be career related, or more personal, even romantic. If there is anything you want to try, dodn't worry about failing or "not being the best", just be the best you can be. Life is precious, everyday brings so much promise and hope to everybody. Regardless of how bad or tough your life may be, there is always an oppurtunity to turn it around and improve upon it. So take a chance; ask that cute girl or guy out, splurge on a new dress or an extra slice of cake, go out and meet new people and learn new things. Live your life to the fullest, because there is no telling when it could be over.

"Sally wordlessly marveled at the red echidna's ability to make even the most uncomfortable circumstances almost peaceful. "

Less of a wise proverb and more of an opinion on relationships and the importance of friends. When I get asked about friends, I reply that I keep a small group of close friends and the rest as acquaintances. Think of as, would you rather have four quarters or a hundred pennies? The indidvidual value of your friends is important. How many of your Facebook friends would lend you money? Or come pick you up when your car breaks down? Most "friends" would say tough luck or offer barely felt sympathies. But those true friends, the ones who would, are the diamonds and deserve to be kept close. From time to time, we all need somebody to lean on and its undescribable when that friend is willing to be that shoulder to cry on when you need one. Just my opinions.

"It was strange, she felt somewhat naked without her jacket, yet the idea was absurd."

This tangent was off-topic, I'm willing to admit, yet I felt as if it was worth bringing up. So as Random Guest has pointed out, a lot (I mean, a lot), of writers and "fans" of the Sonic series typically write off Sally as either a mega-bitch or super-slut, neither of which is true or even remotely grounded in truth. Ever see images floating around Google featuring the "Sally-style" of dressing female characters in the Sonic Universe? I can understand to a point why many people equate Sally's minimalistic dress code with basic nudity, but honestly, she is more animal than human, isn't she? Do these people dress their pets? And I'm not just talking about itchy sweaters and stupid costumes, I mean, literally covering their pets from head to toe with unnecessary garments. Wouldn't that be stupid? And how about those animals? They would be miserable in those hot, restrictive garments. The other fact is, literally ninety-nine percent of the males in Sonic don't wear clothes, so why is Sally being singled out and attacked for it? Most of it is bias and bigotry. I hate it when women are targeted for doing anything men can get away with and visa-versa. It's bullshit, and it should stop. In my opinion, the Sally redesign for Archie was unnecessary and just another corporation bowing to social pressure. I love Sally's orginal design, and in my mind, that will always be Sally. There are more reasons why Sally is hated by a large portion of the fans, but I can get to those later, perhaps on my profile page. In any case, what are your thoughts on the sexism in, not just Sonic, but the grand majority of furry-related series and artwork? Sally's redesign (yes, I know I'm a little late debating it, but I'm still interested in what others have to say)? Sally herself as a character? Let's start a discussion.

Whelp, I think that sums up my thoughts for this chapter. Keep them reviews coming and stay awesome, you guys.

~TheEpicTales