I'm back!
I know it's been a while and a few of you are angered or have stopped checking on this story, but I will continue, without a doubt. I thought about this story all the time during school, especially when combating AP questions and essays and interpreting calculus...
Whelp, I'm on my way to college and I hope I have time to update. I'll have a lot going on, so we'll just have to see about the updates until break.
And before we start, please review! I'd like to know how I'm doing and what you guys think about the story line and all the behaviors and such. Just keep the comments positive, okay? People who just want to mention how OOC everyone is will just make me want to take this story down. And don't worry, all of you SonicXSally shippers, Sally won't be a bitch forever. Her attitude is part of the storyline and is a result of a few past events that have made her bitter. It will be explained.
In third person.
Chapter 3: Of Invites and...
The ebony awoke to a peculiar smell penetrating the openings of his nostrils, mouthwatering and suffocating all the same. He cracked an eye open, taking a glimpse at the ceiling. With a slow, cautious movement he sat up, looking over the sheets he was tangled in. With his ruby orbs he examined the binding of his wounds from his arms to his stomach. What was going on here?
It was then that his keen hearing picked up the humming of a vibrant voice, echoing gracefully off the walls of the house. That's when he remembered his whereabouts and current situation.
"That's right. Rose let me in last night. I promised that I would stay," he muttered aloud.
With an obvious strain, the ebony found the strength to arise from the tempting bed sheets, escaping the warmth that had incased him so. He stretched, feeling the renewing of his wounds and muscles, as everything on his body seemed to fall back in place. He was the ultimate life form, after all. He healed faster than any normal Mobian could ever fathom.
After a relaxing sigh, the ebony made his way to the bathroom, looking through the towel closet until he found a new toothbrush, still packaged, and toothpaste. He took his time brushing his teeth, afterward finding the deodorant that matched the scent of the bathing soap he'd used the night before, applying it. He splashed water on his face and fixed his bed head to perfection, taking the time to gently remove his bandages, disposing of them. With a swift make of the guest room bed, the ebony walked down the flight of stairs.
When he reached the first floor, he heard a song from another's mouth, seeming to resonate off the crevices of the house with crystal clarity, bringing everything to life. It was a melodic voice, hers that sung a cute song he did not recognize, but found that the main piece of the song was the odd word "dango."
The ebony took a couple of steps until he came upon the opening into the kitchen to his right. The sight that beheld him was cute enough to make him smirk and lean sideways on the wall of the kitchen opening, shoulder squished into the wall, leg crossed comfortably over the other, watching her.
The rose, still in her short, thin nightgown, had her back to the ebony where she cooked something...delectable over the stove. Her bed head was adorable and her voice made the picture seem even more pleasurable as she switched to another song in a language the ebony did not recognize. It was a song in a sullen tone, but delicate just the same and gave the kitchen an ancient and sullen feel.
At the end of the song, the rose stopped and sighed, flipping the breakfast in the pan, regaining her chirper mood by verbally complimenting the aesthetic nature of their breakfast. That's when the ebony decided to intervene.
"It is a rather bright morning, don't you think?"
The deep, sultry sound of the ebony's words slightly startled the rose as she jumped a little and then slowly turned her head to see the ebony position at the start of the kitchen. She blinked at his seemingly... sexy pose, blushing the slightest bit only to smile at his entrance. She turned back to her cooking, finishing with the first pan and moving on to the pan next to it, turning off the no longer needed stove eye.
"I-it is. The sun's come out which is a great start to a good day." She said it in a hushed tone as if there were a baby sleeping nearby.
The rose finished cooking what was left on the last pan, taking the wet rag from the oven handle to wipe down the dirty counter. She spoke as she cleaned with a beaming smile on her face. She had company around for the first time in forever (damn it, Frozen...) and she was excited to say the least. To have another person to enjoy private time with.
"So, do you like blueberries or strawberries on your pancakes?" the rose questioned, opening the oven to check on her baking.
"Ummm... blueberries?"
After she closed the oven, she turned, walking over to him as she cleaned her hands on her light pink rag. Her smile was sincere as she came close, his body towering over her.
"Have you ever had pancakes with blueberries on top?"
He looked down to her with half lidded eyes, lips parted slightly. Chaos, was she cute, looking up at him with a shy and yet confident emerald gaze. Oh, how precious she was to him now.
"I don't think I've had ... pancakes before."
Her gaze turned thoughtful.
"That's right. When I lived back at the mansion Cream always cooked breakfast and you didn't like the way she cooked. You said she made everything too sweet."
"Although I am incapable of contracting diabetes, I wish to stay away from substances bombarded with unorthodox substances, such as artificial sugar," the ebony stated, looking toward the open window, not wanting to make eye contact.
She giggled.
"Your just being picky, aren't you?"
His face remained the same except for the added blush from her teasing, which was spot on in truth.
She laughed lightly. It faded as she gazed at his leaning body. Where were his bandages?
With her free hand she gently traced the spot on his chest where a deep wound had been, tracing from chest to abs. She was amazed to say the least. There wasn't a single sign that he'd been hurt. She traced the wound again, this time in the opposite path with slow and gentle fingers.
All the while the ebony just watched her with flushed cheeks, looking down to her with his half lidded orbs, mouth faintly open in a trance. Although the wounds had healed he could still feel a tinge where they'd been.
As the rose grazed a rather sensitive crevice, the ebony closes his eyes, moaning ever so slightly. He gently grabbed Amy's adventurous hand. She looked up, hoping she hadn't done something wrong.
"Although the wounds have healed, the areas where they once were, are still... tender," he muttered, letting go of her hand.
With a blush, she clasped her hands in front of her to keep them in order.
"S-sorry. I'm just... amazed at how quickly you've recovered."
"I am the ultimate life form. There is none such creation that can disrupt my livelihood, especially an artificial enemy. They are the most flawed."
"Well, aren't we all?"
The ebony looked to the rose with confusion, until she smiled and turned toward the kitchen table, fixing the tablecloth and pulling a chair for him to sit in. She gestured for him to come over.
"I think breakfast is ready, Mr. Ultimate Life Form. Please, take a seat."
With a blink, Shadow gently pushed off the wall to take a seat at the table. He sat down with hesitation, sitting and gazing at the table awkwardly, as he was not use to the humble catering the rose was presenting. He was always the one to handle others, not the other way around. Although Amy's way of handling differed greatly from his, he still deemed it necessary for the rose and he to switch shoes.
Amy returned to the ebony's line of stiff sight, placing two plates of pancakes on the table, a stack of three pancakes smothered with blueberries with a side of scrambled eggs, hers a singular pancake with strawberries and a small serving of eggs. She moved away again, returning with two glasses of orange juice and utensils for the two of them. She finished her chore by taking a seat across from the small, warm table across from the ebony, gazing at his stiff and awkward position with a small smirk of encouragement. He was nearly too tall and muscular to sit at her small, starter table, but the way he fit in the chair was a snug fit as his elbows lay flat on the table, forearms framing his plate. He stared blankly at the meal.
"It's alright. My pancakes don't bite. I promise."
The ebony hesitantly picked up the fork, slowly cut of a tri-layered side, picking up the portion until it reached his mouth. With slow, uncertain lips the portion entered, waking the long unregistered taste buds from their graves and sending a wave of warmth throughout the ebony.
Of course, for the rose, the only sign that the portion was enjoyable was the slight reddening of the ebony's cheeks as he chewed thoroughly and swallowed. After an awkward pause, the ebony picked up his knife and fork, eyes closed with calm, then vigorously, began to slice and consume the pancakes, chewing less, swallowing more, a blush remaining evident on his muzzle.
The rose giggled to her self before tasting of her own plate, at her own pace.
The ebony slowed half way through his meal, dabbing his mouth with a napkin, looking toward the rose in her silence. She ate with her eyes on her plate, staring forlorn-like as if she ate just to eat, her meal tasteless. The ebony turned serious, thoughtful on how to address the rose.
"Was yesterday evening as enjoyable as you'd predicted, Rose?"
She looked up, a confused and innocent look crossing her before her gaze turned guilty and she looked away. She was nearly finished with her pancake, but her eggs remained untouched. Placing her fork and knife aside, she sighed, hands in her lap.
"I... I'm not so sure. Cream was relatively happy, with her gifts and company and such. And everyone left with smiles. But, you know, there was the attack and all and I had a hard time making the rest of the dinner and-"
"He forgives you, Rose."
Her eyes lit up like saucers, hope glistening within them as she looked to him.
The ebony feared sharing this information with her for fear that she'd believe that she and the blue faker could be something more. That she could return to chasing after his blue tail, for his love and his acceptance of her own for him. That she could convince him to reject his duty as king and engagement to Sally and remain in her arms. He feared hope. Her hope.
"Although that blue faker has no need to forgive you, because you are not at fault, he...he does not resent you, as you may presume.''
Her face slid downturn once again.
"But.. he ignores me as if I don't exist to him."
"His treatment of you is simply due to his inability to formulate a better reaction to you. He thrives in immaturity, avoiding you in hopes that you'll think less of him and cause you less pain."
She knew what this meant. Sonic wanted her to move on from him, let her know that he and Sally were official and she hadn't a chance. That, for her own good, she should accept him as king and forget.
"But... he wishes to rekindle your long forgotten friendship with him."
Emerald gems met ruby crimson.
"How do you know?" Her voice was a mere whisper, breathless and uncertain.
The ebony sighed, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
"In my time at Rouge's mansion, while I was in search of your whereabouts to ensure your safety, he came to me. He knew I would run into you eventually and proceeded to tell me of his guilty conscience. I complied with his request to inform you of his humbled spirit toward you when I believed the time was right." The ebony cracked his eyes open, soaking in her reaction with dread.
But the rose simply sighed a long awaited relief, looking to the side of the table, eyelids lowered.
"I'm glad."
The ebony's ears twitched toward her response.
"I'd thought that he'd hated me and just cut me out of his life. But it's nice to know that he's moved passed our dispute." She gazed normally at the ebony, her wholesome and cheerful self once again. "But I'll wait for him to confront me, when he's matured, to restart our friendship. I'll give him his space, to ensure Sally doesn't get the wrong idea. I want them to marry happily and get settled first."
The ebony examined the rose in small shock, as she finished off the remainder of her plate. She really had grown, to have taken that information and not have exaggerated the meaning like her old, hammer happy self would have. A ghost of a smile was evident as he finished his meal too.
As both cleared their plates the rose moved hers aside, leaning forward on the table, arms folded over in front of her, cutely smiling.
"So... we have some time to kill until Knuckle's birthday party. What would you like to do for the next couple of hours?"
The ebony lifted an eyebrow.
"I have no preference in activities. Just continue to do what you normally would in my absence. I will simply follow your lead and be of help in the areas that I can."
The rose nodded, getting up and grabbing each plate, heading for the sink further behind the ebony. As the ebony heard the facet run, he moved from his seat and walked over to stand beside the rose. She washed the dishes with contempt as he looked to her dish water, unsure whether he should intervene to preserve the beauty of her hands or let her finish her daily chore.
But a better idea struck the ebony as he came closer, taking the plates the rose place in the second half of the sink near him, rinsing them off and placing them on the drying rack. As he placed the first, the rose looked at him, ceasing her ministrations. The ebony stopped, second plate in hand.
The water from the facet rushed. Their arms brushed.
"You don't have to help me. You're my guest." Her head turned to the side cutely.
The ebony smirked.
"Think of me more as .. your roommate and then you'll approve." He continued to take the cleaned dishes.
The rose looked away with heavily flushed cheeks, but a small smile directed toward the dishes.
As their chore came to a finish, the rose hopped over to her old oven, checking her baking once again. She smiled at the progress.
"Looks like my pie still has a ways to go, but it looks nice."
The ebony spoke as he dried his hands. "Why does such baking require so much time?"
"Well, you see, my oven's really old and I haven't bothered to replace it or its parts, so it heats and cooks ten times slower than the average." The rose closed her oven, wiping off the counters and table, the ebony watching her every movement as he leaned coolly at the corner of two joining counters. He blushed lightly, as he noticed Amy's little tail sticking out from her nightgown, wagging slightly. Had she really enjoyed his company that much, their simplistic conversations about her broken oven and daily activities?
"All finished. So.. how can we kill some time...?" The thoughtful rose looked about her kitchen, looking toward the entrance into the living room where the couch was visible and then to the second entrance that lead to the second living area, what Amy used as a study. She seemed conflicted.
"Is there a pass time that you've indulged in recently?" The ebony questioned in hopes of helping.
Amy snapped her fingers.
"I know!"
And with that, the rose walked toward her study, leaving the kitchen and into the hall that was parallel and directly below the upstairs hall. She clicked on the lamp revealing the room. A bookshelf in the far left corner, a couch facing it, a white baby grand piano adorned the center of the study. To the left of the room, on the other side of the hall was the sliding back door, two plants framing the door. The rose opened the curtain of the back door, gazing out at the garden as the fix lightened the room.
With a light twirl, the rose steeped over to the piano, sitting gracefully on the long bench and lifting the placement that protected the ivory and ebony keys. She padded a few chords, tested her fingers and the keys, before looking over to the ebony, who'd remained in the hallway, leaning against the wall of the entrance.
"Would you like to hear a song?"
He nodded.
"Whatever you desire to accomplish, I will be right here as witness."
She calmed herself, clearing her throat and preparing her fingers. A desperate tone resonated from the chords she displayed as she hummed a light "ohh" from her lips.
"~~I still hear your voice when you sleep next to me. I still feel your touch in my dreams.~~"
The rose gazed forward, eyes half-mast and glazed with a layer of feeling the ebony could not recognize.
"~~Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why. Without you it's hard to survive...~~" She ended the phrase with a light, falsetto note, more desperate, delicate and emotional than anything.
"~~'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling. 'Cause every time we kiss I swear I could fly. Can't you her my heart beat fast? I want this to last. Need you by my side.~~" Her fingers moved faster and heavier across the keys, with deeper emotion.
"~~'Cause every time touch, I feel the static. 'Cause every time we kiss, I reach for the sky... Can't you hear my heart beat so? I can't let you go. Want you in my life.~~" Her fingers slowed with her diminishing voice, as her light piano playing transitioned into the next verse. The ebony, who'd been entranced by her playing, moved to sit gently next to the rose on the bench. She looked to him with a small smile before she continued her song, laughing with a blush as she seemed to be singing about him. She looked at her keys.
"~~Your arms are my castle..., your heart is my sky. They wipe away tears that I cry.~~"
Her playing became heavy with emotion once again.
"~~Ohh, the good and the bad time, we've been through them all. You make me rise when I fall!~~"
Her graceful hands skipped across the piano, poised and practiced as she turned back into the chorus with a light, vibrato.
"~~'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling. And every time we kiss I swear I could fly. Can't you her my heart beat fast? I want this to last. Need you by my side.~~"
She belted every note at this point.
"~~'Cause every time touch, I feel the static. Every time we kiss, I reach for the sky... Can't you hear my heart beat so? I can't let you go. Want you in my life.~~"
Her song diminished to a mere whisper as the ebony stared intently at her face, her eyes closed, piano notes light and feathered.
"~~Every time we touch, I get this feeling. Every time we kiss I swear I could fly. Can't you her my heart beat fast? I want this to last. Need you by my side.~~"
Her song slowed.
"~~'Cause every time touch, I feel the static. Every time we kiss, I reach for the sky... Can't you hear my heart beat so? I can't let you go.~~"
She breathed, opening her eyes slowly.
"~~Want you in my life.~~"
Both of their gazes met as the rose regained her breath and the ebony looked to her, eyes half closed.
"Rose..."
"Yes?" She smiled, but he did not reply. She knew his compliment would go unspoken and she accepted the glorious silence, as his gaze was grateful, eyes glistening with emotion. Her emotion that she'd presented to him. Emotion that he did not understand.
"I'm going to go water my garden before I forget. Is that alright?"
He nodded, as she scooted out of her spot to walk out the sliding, glass door.
The ebony lingered, placing a few fingers on the keys, sliding them softly across, in thought.
Did the rose feel the same for him as he did her? Had she, somehow, felt that unnerving feeling he felt when he was near her. That desire to protect, to hold, to keep... to take. Had her heart beat a mile a minute as soon as they had made any form of contact? Did she think of him consistently with an ominous smile firmly in place, a blush appearing when she realizes whom she was referring to in her mind? Could she, like he, been in love with him before she even knew it herself? Or maybe she doesn't believe she's… in love. Maybe she needs proof for herself. An act that will kindle the fire within her and make her realize what she feels so she may act upon it.
"Or maybe I'm thinking to much," the ebony whispered to no one in particular, alone in the study.
With that, he traced the steps of the rose out into the garden, where the sight baffled the ebony hedgie for a moment.
Vines layered the wall of the back of the house, thick and lush with green, a color flourishing throughout the rest of the rose's garden of sorts. A path made of light grey stones lead the way through the garden, framed by little garden lights that glistened blue. Leaves and stems poked from the ground, flowering plants and colorful flora hanging around from every corner of the garden that was framed by a low picket fence. The ebony looked down by a row of plants to see the rose on her knees, tipping her watering tank, wavy pink quills falling across her face as she mothered her plants.
The ebony walked over to her, footfalls light and slow. He bent down to view what she was looking toward.
"Hey there, little guy. I know you're a little shy, but you'll shape up. I promise."
The rose was referring to a little sapling of sorts that had poked out of the ground; a pale green with two leaves branching out. She watered it lightly.
The ebony chuckled.
"Baby talk, Rose?"
She looked up to him, playfully smirking.
"Everyone deservers some baby talk, every once in a while. Even you, Mr. Ultimate Life Form." She used her finger to make air quotes around his title. The ebony smirked, arms crossed.
But as soon as he had began their playful conversation a shuffling in the forest was heard in the distance by the ebony, heavy and quick. The ebony turned serious, ears twitching, breath held.
"Shadow... what's wr-"
The rose was cut off by a pair of gloved hands grabbing her upper arms and shoving her against the wall of the house. The rose slammed her eyes shut during the impact and when she opened them again, the ebony had his arms around each side of her head, chest fur tickling her cheek slightly, his face turned to the side as he scanned for an oncoming threat, muscles engaged and stiff. The rose had instinctively placed her hands on his chest to ensure he would not crush her. As she felt his heat from his closeness, she blushed softly, looking past him as much as she could to scan the area.
All was silent, save for the wind that gust by, fluttering their fur.
The ebony sniffed the air, ears twitching once again. A low growl emitted from his chest, startling the rose. She stiffened, clutching his fur softly. Fear began to creep. She placed her face into his chest.
Rustling came through to the rose's ears now and a hefty deer went prancing by, it's tail and brown color the only visible message that the seeming "threat" was harmless and retreating.
The ebony sigh, relaxing and turning his head to the rose.
"Damn deer almost received a chaos blast strong enough to shake the planet. Rose?"
The rose remained in his chest as he looked down to her with an innocent confusion. She had enjoyed the way his chest vibrated with deep volume as he spoke. She couldn't get enough of it.
"Rose?" He sounded frantically concerned now.
She pulled back, head still low as her bangs covered her face. He gazed at her expectantly.
"Sorry. I was preparing myself for impact. Is the threat gone?"
With a slight hesitation, the ebony placed his forehead against hers, lowering his head to match the level of their eyes. Her muzzle flushed, fearing the closeness of their lips. Any closer and they would lock...
"I .. apologize." The ebony's voice was slightly guilt-ridden.
"What for?"
They were whispering now.
"My... need to protect you from every possible threat has resulted in my ... overreaction."
She blinked.
"What was the threat?"
He paused, closing his eyes.
"A... deer."
She giggled.
"I'm flattered Shadow but I do have a bit of self defense."
His ruby orbs rekindled, burning passionately, fierce.
"But there's always a threat that will attempt to demolish you, Rose. There will be individuals, armies, undignified men that will be stronger than you, so much stronger. There's always that possibility that a threat can overtake you, bring you to your knees, once your weakness is located. Rose, I can't bear the thought of someone hurting you, destroying you, whether it be through your physique, your mind ... or your innocence."
With her heavy blush still in tow, the rose looked away.
"Do you think that I don't feel the same way about you?"
He sighed. "Rose, I am immortal-"
"But you can still be taken away!"
Both pairs of passionate eyes connected.
"Although you can't be killed, you can still be badly injured. Even though you can't be beaten, there are always threats that can reprogram you, make you think otherwise about your own morals and friends. Although you can't be imprisoned, anyone as smart as Eggman can shut you down, put you in a pod full of liquid and give you eternal slumber which is the equivalent to death itself."
The eyes of the ebony lowered, remaining in contact with hers.
"Although all of those scenarios are highly unlikely... you are right. But I assure you I will live without harm."
"Prove it. What means of defense will ensure that your will survive? What are your backups?"
"You know what I can do, Rose. I have unmatched immortal strength, Chaos powers and the use of all seven emeralds. With excellent senses, reflexes and multiple combating arts to top it off, that should prove sufficient in defense."
"There has to be something else. A... last resort. When all your strength is sapped and you need to rely on some other source to exult enough power to save you."
The ebony held her gaze for a few breaths before he sighed, closing his eyes and pulling out his gun hidden within his quills. The rose's eye trailed the weapon as the sun glinted off the length, the word rose engraved where the sun illuminated the machine, a stark black hand gun.
"I am also skilled with all forms of weaponry, although I am particularly skilled with ranged weapons such as this gun. I keep it with me at all times, as a habit that was protocol to GUN.''
The rose swallowed.
''I think you've proven yourself."
"What of you? What skills have you acquired that will ensure that you will survive unharmed in my absence?"
The rose looked nervous. How could she compare?
"Well, I have my hammer and...some martial arts techniques that I picked up from Knuckles... and..." she fiddled with her fingers with unease. He was sure to be unimpressed.
The ebony hummed, removing his remaining arm that had trapped her, but kept a close proximity to her body. He dusted his gun, grabbing her wrist and placing the gun gently between her fingers, the safety engaged. She froze up stiff, fingers lightly gripping the weapon, being mindful of the trigger. She looked down to it, and then into his crimson eyes with worry.
"Shadow...?"
"How does it feel?" He questioned, searching her eyes for fear, uncertainty, doubt.
"I'm... not too sure. A gun is just an inanimate means of defense until given to someone that uses it otherwise. I'm not afraid, if that's what you're implying." The rose looked back to her occupied hand, turning the gun in her palm, examining the lethal edge it bore.
The ebony touched foreheads, smiling, eyes closed, with a husky breath.
"Perfect." He muttered.
With a blush, the rose's eyes strained up stream to meet his reopening red. Determination glittered his contrivance.
"We will begin your training immediately."
~aAa~
"I don't think I can do this, Shadow."
"Nonsense. You are beyond qualified to operate this weapon."
The ebony and the rose stood a few yards outside of her garden, with a few of her old watering cans hanging from a coalition of tree branches a small distance from her. But that was the least of her concerns.
The ebony was pressed snuggly onto the rose's form, holding her steady with one arm around her waist, the other grasping her hand that was under the hilt of the gun, keeping it straight. His head rested above hers, his chest acting as the backbone for her body that rested against. He kept his eyes closed, breathing to calm the rose and facilitate her, knowing that was the best way to get the best aim. The rose did her best to remain sane, as she could feel every muscle, nook and cranny of the ebony hedgie, toned, firm and warm. She could not conceal her blush at his closeness, feeling as if she were exposed and naked, but the ebony was respecting her stark white innocence, closing his eyes and simply feeling. The rose did her best to avoid these thoughts and concentrate. Focus. Focus on her stance, holding the gun with both hands for stability, legs slightly apart, back arching slightly into the ebony's toned chest…
"Rose?"
"Y-yes?" She squeaked a bit.
"Are you ready?"
She looked at the can she was planning to shoot. It teetered slightly from side to side with the breeze as the branch squeaked. The red circles that represented a target were just visible in red pastel paint.
"Yes."
"Then shoot."
She hesitated, unsure. Would the recoil be too much? Would it frighten her or hurt her hand? Or will the gunshot be too loud? Or maybe the bullet will hit the can and come right back at her? She began to hyperventilate.
"I-I can't."
He sighed.
"Rose. No one is ever truly confident, especially when shooting a ranged weapon. Anything can happen after you pull that trigger because the ammunition is then no longer within your control. Knowing this may scare you, but it shows maturity and depth of thought. This alone should allow you to shoot, not with confidence, but with hope. And you of all people thrive in this concept the most, I should say." The ebony tightened his grip on her body.
The rose stopped her fidgeting, acknowledging the target with solid vision.
"Now… shoot."
At the beat of her heart, the rose pulled the trigger, the recoil sounding throughout the forested area, beyond her ears.
The rose hadn't realized she'd closed her eyes until she found herself opening them…
To see a hole at the bulls eye point within the first watering can.
The rose felt the ebony move away from her, standing beside her to observe.
"Bravo, Ms. Rose, Bravo. I never realized what excellent marksmanship you had." He smirked lightly, bowing with the essence of a butler.
Lowering the gun, the rose blushed a deep red, looking away with a slight smile.
With the tension released, the rose practiced on the other targets within the trees, earning remarks from the ebony to help her and tips to ensure she took her rookie status to professional.
As she shot the last of the cans, she lowered her gun as a sweet aroma escaped from the opened back door. She gasped.
"My pie!"
After handing the gun to the ebony, empty of ammo, she dashed inside, headed to the kitchen. The ebony, placing his gun within his quills, chuckled, following the rose inside.
As he entered the kitchen, the rose was taking her pie out from the oven, a dorky grin on her face, tail wagging. He leaned across the entrance, watching her with interest. Oh, how he could get use to this.
The rose took a long breath inward. She sighed contentedly.
"It's definitely ready." The rose muttered aloud as she wrapped the pie and set it in another one of her decorated baskets, adding a small box with a more expensive form of gift trapped within. She set the basket by the door, coming back within the kitchen, stretching with a smile.
"Looks like we should start the trek to the mansion. What do you think?"
"It is… wise to travel before night comes upon us. Not to mention Rouge will be disappointed if we are fashionably late, considering the time she put into decorating the house. She's been setting up since last week."
"Sounds crazy. Hope she doesn't mind me waiting outside until the fun is done and over with." The rose teased, taking the steps by two's to get to her room.
~aAa~
The crunch of snow beneath her feet wasn't enough to calm the anxiety lingering within the rose. According to Shadow, it wasn't going to be just the main team at the party; although she should have known considering the party was being hosted by Rouge. If anyone knew how to throw a house party, it was the voluptuous jewel thief.
Little red kept her feet consistent with that of the hunter, her brown boots laced to the top taking two steps with the his long one stride. Her long sleeved black and white stripped sweater fit snug across her form, her jeans layered on top of dark leggings to keep her warm, a maroon scarf around her neck. She held onto her basket tightly with both hands, gazing straight ahead with thought. The hunter looked down to her, arms crossed, curious, watching as her pink quills bounced along her shoulders.
"Shadow?"
He looked to the path ahead.
"Yes, Rose?"
She thought for a second.
"How many people do you think… Rouge invited?"
He chuckled.
"Getting cold feet, Rose?" He lightly teased.
"No, I just… well sort of."
"You've taken out thousands of Eggman machinery in your youth and saved countless lives. How can a crowd of imbeciles stuffed in one excessively decorated venue compare?"
"I know, I just… haven't interacted with so many people in.. quite some time. I might not know how to act."
The ebony hummed in thought.
"Do not be afraid, just seek out those who are of comfort to you. Stick to them. Large crowds are generally just smaller groups of individuals mangled into one, so you will seem less out of place if you travel within a pack."
The rose envisioned her self at the punch bowl, finding Rouge and Cream, succeeding and following them to the dance floor. This thought calmed the rose and brought a smile to her face and color to her pale muzzle.
"What about you? How are you going to cope?"
He huffed a strangled sigh, closing his eyes.
"I will… most likely be whisked away by Rouge onto a group of fan girls or pushed by Knuckles to play a round of Dance Dance Revolution or some competitive sport of the sort. They like to use me to manifest a form of… entertainment, if you will. Rouge claims it keeps her party people coming back for more."
The rose laughed.
"I actually wouldn't mind seeing that. I haven't seen you in action in a while." She teased.
He cleared his throat looking away from the rose.
Before the ebony could retort, the rose stopped dead in her tracks. The ebony slowed a few steps ahead of her. He looked back to her.
"Rose, what's wrong?"
Little red stood still, gazing hard in between the trees.
"What.. is it?" She muttered, but the hunter's sharp perception heard the question crystal clear.
"Amy, what is i-" His question went unanswered as her foot steps rushed into the snow beyond the path, leaving behind her basket in the place she once stood. The hunter sighed, reaching for her basket and following her tracks, slowly.
She could see it, a glow of pastel pink within the snow, suffocating, trying to surface. Twisting through the trees, the rose halted in front of a large tree looking down into the slope of white covering the base of its trunk. She bent down on her knees, sifting through the snow lightly as not to lose the object once again. Then, she came upon it.
A small, lightly glowing heart gem, no bigger than a miniature pendant, lying against the offending snow. She reached for it with both hands, fearing it's fragile frame. She turned it in her palm in awe, smiling at her discovery.
"It's like… a chaos emerald…"
"I highly doubt a replica of the emeralds would take that form."
The rose looked behind her at the ebony that held her basket toward her, a motion to show they needed to continue on.
She stood up, the heart in her cupped hands, turning to show the ebony. He looked within her palms, his face neutral.
"What do you think it is, Shadow?"
He looked at it solidly. The glow was unnatural.
"I'm not sure."
Then, the heart stopped glowing, becoming just a pendant.
"Oh, I guess it ran out of juice." The rose stuffed the gem lightly within her pocket. She lightly grabbed the basket from the ebony's grasp, thanking him and continuing.
~aAa~
Just cutting the chapter in half to even everything out. This is just the first of many editing attempts to make this story more appealing.