Because You Loved Me--Even If I Didn't Want You To

Chapter Nine : Mid-Sunny Day Serenade
(AKA: Intermission from Chaos)

It’s not like she adored being the most popular person in a group. But even Rouge had to admit: this was the first time a massive amount of people were upset with her.

Not that they didn’t have a right to be she knew–but it was still slightly upsetting. Especially when she couldn’t do anything to make things better at the moment.

She winced as she took in a deep breath, her eyes fluttering for a moment before she closed them completely, breathing as slowly and calmly as she could.

Stupid anaconda. That tail had really done a number on her side when it swiped past her. If she hadn’t been as quick as she was, it would have impaled her instead. She had to admit, the wound slowed her down , but that was something she couldn’t have been worried with: Knuckles had been knocked into the leaves and it didn’t seem like anyone else had been willing to help her.

Until that was, Amy distracted the metallic serpent with her mallet, giving her a chance to escape. She hadn’t really gotten too far..she had stumbled a few steps before the limb decided it didn’t like her much either and gave way, causing her to tumbled through the sky down to the earth below–and through the leaves.

She thought she was going to fall all the way into the crater–and that would have been just devastating. But remarkable, someone caught her wrist right before she completely disappeared and pulled her up. Considering she thought it was Amy or maybe even Knuckles who’d finally come back, it was quite the surprise when intense crimson eyes met surprised violet.

He pulled her on the leaf then let go of her wrist, still glaring daggers at her. She had tried to speak to him, but he quickly cut her off by turning his back to her.

“Get out of the way and stay there,” he snapped. And for some odd reason, Rouge had taken that as a double meaning, staring at him for a moment before lifting as much as she could into the air and gliding that short distance on to the bridge before practically collapsing next to Sonic.

And Shadow hadn’t spoken to her since.

She gave a soft sigh at the thought. He wasn’t the only one. No one was really on good speaking terms with her at the moment, though Tails and Amy at least tried to make an effort to do so while they were still in the jungle. Well, at least Amy did until Sonic made everyone upset.

The random thought made her frown. She’d never really seen him act that way before and wasn’t exactly sure why he had. It was something she planned to investigate, once a certain crimson echidna laid off her a bit.

She adverted her eyes to her door when she heard the doorknob move. He gave her his trademark crooked smirk as he walked into the room with one of her custom silver trays with a bowl, fresh fruit, and something to drink balanced on it as someone else followed him into the room.

If Knuckles had been upset with her, he got over it in favor of his worry–that he tried so hard not to express openly that it was actually kinda cute. He was the one that had brought her home and got in his usual mood once she stated that she didn’t want to go to a hospital.

So what did stubborn Knucklehead do? He went and brought the doctor to her, whom at the moment, was treating her wound rather quickly, ripping gaze here and smoothing it over with some kind of cold, stinging medicine that made her breath hitch in pain. He ignored her as he continued.

“That’s quite a nasty cut you have there miss,” the old raccoon stated, looking at the freshly wrapped wound over the top of his square specs as he finished up. Then he smiled at her. “But as long as you keep it clean and keep it covered until it heals, you should be just fine.”

“Thanks,” Knuckles stated, giving his head a slight nod in his direction. The doctor glanced over at him as he put the tray down on a small coffee table right by the couch and closing his eyes and gave him a gentle smile.

“You’re quite welcome. It’s refreshing to see a husband that cares so much for his wife.”

Knuckles blinked at the older racoon, nearly spilling the contents of the cup as his cheeks flushed as brightly as his skin. He opened his mouth to speak but saying nothing, he simply closed it again–then opened it–and closed it. Like a fish out of water.

“Now just take this medicine twice a day for the next two weeks,” the doctor told Rouge, placing it on the coffee table next to the tray. “It will make you drowsy and put you to sleep but it will relieve the pain and help you heal.”

Rouge nodded. “Thank you.”

He nodded then wagged a finger in her direction. “And if you don’t, I’m sure your husband will make you take it.”

They both looked over at him and he stared back, blushing darker than before as he sputtered something incoherent.

Rouge turned to the doctor. “He’s a bit shy, but he’s really just a big sweety.” She turned her attention to Knuckles and batted her eyes in a flirtatious way. “Could you fluff my pillows honey? They’re a little too lumpy.”

Knuckles glared at her as if she had grown another head, his eyes widening as he pointed an accusing finger at her and began to stutter something else incoherently. Rouge smirked and the doctor chuckled lightly to himself. “You remind me of me and the Mrs’.”

He walked over the a big plush chair in the corner and gathered his supplies back in a medical bag, making sure to leave gaze and other materials so that Rouge could take care of her own wounds.

“Now if you need anything, feel free to call me at this number,” he replied, leaving his medical card. Then he cut Knuckles a humored look. “Or you could simply pull me out of my office again. Whatever suits you.”

Knuckles frowned at him and Rouge laughed. “Thanks again.”

“Rest up now ” He called back as he strolled across the room and out the front door, shutting it softly.

As soon as he left, Rouge looked over at Knuckles, frowning. “So...you’re not going to fluff my pillows?”

He blinked at her. “You were serious?”

“I asked, didn’t I?”

He stared at her a moment longer before walking over to the couch and as gently as he could, helped her sit up in a position that was easy on her side.

Then, taking aim, he punched the pillow...

...and gave a sheepish smile as he placed his hand behind his head, feathers floating down all around them while Rouge glared at him.

“Hee. Whoops.”

~~~~~~A Few Days Later~~~~~~

An ebony hedgehog didn’t notice the figure that flew through the sky, following him intently, her eyes never leaving him.

It was odd, how running always made him feel calm. Not that he was very upset at the moment, but he was in a foul mood, and had been for the past few days, thanks to those so called ‘friends’ of his. If he ever really thought of them as such.

Shadow ran along the shore of a lake, letting the cool air blow through his quills while the sun beat down on him, shining brightly.

He hated when his emotions were like this. In so much turmoil that they bothered him to the point that he couldn’t help but think about them, thinking about exactly why he was in the state he was in.

And one word could answer that question easily.

Faker.

The mere thought of the azure hedgehog made him growl to himself.

He still couldn’t understand what exactly it was he found to intriguing about the hedgehog–why he was so attracted to him in the first place. Why he could get under his skin the way he could. Certainly he understood he had feelings for him but for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why.

And perhaps, he never would.

But at the moment all he wanted to do was forget he ever existed. That he had ever met, ever heard of Sonic the Hedgehog...

“Shadow.”

He considered the notion of ignoring the familiar voice for a moment but instead, slowed down to a complete stop before cutting the figure a cold side glance as she landed.

“What do you want.”

“Look,” Rouge began in calm voice, not exactly staring at him directly. “I just wanted to say–”

“Don’t bother,” he snapped before turning away from here, preparing to run again.

“Shadow–I’m sorry okay ” Rouge called. “I didn’t know ”

“You didn’t care either,” he spoke in his deadpan voice, narrowing his eyes at her.

Rouge began to speak but fell silent for a moment. Then she let out a small sigh “Why’d you help me.”

He cut her side glance.

“You were upset–you’re still upset. And you didn’t try before. So what made you decide to then?”

He looked away from her and didn’t answer right away. He knew she was still standing there, her hands on her hips as she awaited her answer. Finally, he spoke.

“Amy asked me too.”

Rouge blinked at him. “You helped me because–”

“–of what she told me,” he replied matter of factly. “She said whether I was upset or not, it would be wrong to just ‘let’ you get hurt. So I helped you.”

He could see Rouge nod her head almost absently. “Guilt trip. So that’s why you helped her too?”

“Why does that matter to you,” he replied. She hunched slightly. “It doesn’t. I was just curious–honest. I’m not hunting for information to use against you–”

“Like before,” he countered.

She sighed and gave him a lazy pose as she narrowed her own eyes. “You sure do know how to hold a grudge, huh?”

He didn’t answer her, only began walking along the grass away from her. He didn’t bother to look up when she appeared right beside him, strolling.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it Shadow,” she said suddenly. He paused and cut her such a withering look that she moved over slightly. “Okay, okay, I’m not involved” she said quickly, putting her hands up. “But maybe–”

“I don’t want or need any more or your advice Rouge,” he snapped angrily.

She smirked slightly. “You didn’t call me ‘bat’ or ‘vindictive-something or other’ this time? By the way...very harsh–but at least we’re making progress.”

He cut her another look and she only hunched. He began to walk again and she followed silently. He glared at her annoyed. What was she waiting for exactly, him to open up and pour out his feelings to her like a blithering idiot?

He watched her sigh. “I better get back. Knucklehead was taking a nap when I left and if he figures out that I left when I’m suppose to be on ‘bed rest’–”

“Living together already? So soon?” he asked sarcastically. She frowned. “You just think about what I said earlier.”

“Which lie?”

She gave a exasperated sigh before she took to the air. He noticed her flinch before touching her side and looking down at him.

“Just because I didn’t know who you were talking about, doesn’t mean I didn’t mean what I said Shadow,” she told him in a serious tone, frowning slightly once she noticed he was trying to ignore her as he walked away again.

“You’re just going to end up unhappy if you keep this up and you won’t be able to blame me when it happens,” she yelled out to him before turning and taking flight in the other direction.

Shadow picked up speed and began to run again. Like he would actually pay any more attention to what that bat said.

He found his mind wondering as he continued to run, back to one of Rouge questions. Why he’d bothered saving Amy. He frowned. He didn’t like the answer.

But it had been a random thought that had run through his mind at the time. He’d done it because he knew that Sonic wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her. He’d have been devastated if she had gotten seriously hurt–and he stood around and let it happen. On purpose.

And for some reason, that bothered him enough to actually help her.

Shadow’s mood darkened again. Damn faker. Now he was corrupting his decisions as well as his mind...

Shadow stopped abruptly, his face softening as he turned his head over to a lone tree with a hole in the middle of the trunk. And there it was. That glimmer he knew all too well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Tails, are you sure you should be out on your leg?” Lady Vanilla asked in concern as the small tan fox stood on his tip toes and reaching up, grabbed a small box that was suppose to be delivered to Amy.

He adjusted the box in his arms so that the weight felt comfortable, then smiled over at her warmly.

“I’m positive Lady Vanilla. It was only a minor sprain and its already feeling better since the past few days.”

And he was telling the truth– sort of. It was still wrapped in thin white bandages and he did have a minor limp. And there was this little stab of pain every now and then. But Tails figured that helping Cream was worth the pain– though he’d never tell her or her mother that.

She smiled at him as Cream entered the room and took the other small box that was also for Amy.

“I was really worried about Tails too,” Cream added, staring at her mother as Cheese landed on top of the box. “But he told me that Mr. Sonic was taking very good care of him and not to worry anymore.”


Tails thought about that as they engaged in a conversation about him. It had been an awkward trip to the hospital. He really didn’t know how to react to Sonic–he wasn’t exactly angry at him for what he said but he had hurt his feelings. And Sonic hadn’t said a word the entire time they made their way back to the tornado or on their way back. He had simply run under it as it flew above his head, occasionally looking up at it with a slightly worried expression before continuing with his sprint.

They’d dropped Amy and Cream off with Lady Vanilla before he had to spend two hours getting himself checked out and his leg put into a very light cast by a polite old racoon, who explained her husband was a doctor as well and would have been there too but he got an urgent, unexpected house call.

Tails hadn’t minded. She continue to speak as she went, telling odd little stories as Sonic leaned on the wall watching Tails with a thoughtful expression. When she was all finished, and gave Sonic his children medicine just in case, she warned him that while the fracture wasn’t as bad as it could have been, that he should try to stay of his leg the first week or two. Then with a smile, she sent them on their way with a blue and red lollipop.

Sonic had given his to Tails to hold and put the small fox on his back and began to run. Tails ducked his head a bit to keep the wind from slapping him in the face, then stared down at Sonic slightly confused.

“Sonic, what are you–”

“You gotta stay off that foot for a week, right?” he called back to Tails with a light smile.

“Well–yeah–”

“Now that your foot is in a cast, you shouldn’t fly the tornado home. And since you can’t walk and there’s no way I’d let you crawl home, I’ll just have to carry you.”

Tails blinked at him for a moment, then smiled. “Apology excepted.”

There was silence between them and Tails finally added. “But–what about the Tornado.”

“I’ll get it home, somehow,” Sonic promised. Tails nodded and Sonic smirked up at him.

“So...does this mean I get to keep the blue lolli?”

“Well...no.”

Tails shifted the box in his arm once more as he smiled over at Cream. Sonic had taken care of him ever since in an effort to apologize even though Tails had already forgiven him. And while it was nice, Tails finally convinced him to take a day off–he knew Sonic needed some time to think about other odd things that were happening while he just need to get out and get some fresh air himself.

“Just as long as you’re sure you’re okay,” Lady Vanilla smiled. “It worries people when–”

CRASH!

“Charmy! I told you not to touch that! ”

“I was only trying to fix it! ”

“Breakin somethin else in the process does not qualify as fixin it! ”

“Perhaps you should calm down. . .”

“Why are you always so mean to me?”

“Because you’re so–”

The three sweat dropped and Lady Vanilla gave the pair a gentle smile. “I better go see what’s going on with those three. So silly.”

Tails gave a sheepish laugh. The Choatix Detectives. He’d almost forgotten those three where still hanging around. Lady Vanilla called on them to find Cream when she hadn’t come home (she forgot to tell her mother she was going with them to the jungle) and she was about to dispatch the detectives to find her but they got her home safe and sound before this could happen.

Tails took a whiff of something from his box and his stomach danced. He smelled cake. Maybe even chocolate cake. And perhaps if it was chocolate cake, he could persuade Amy to give him a piece...

“We’re about to leave mommy,” Cream called to her, already starting for the exit in the back of the house.

“Okay sweetie, you just be careful,” Lady Vanilla called back, pausing to look back at her.

“I’ll be fine, Tails is with me,” she replied and Cheese squeaked happily in agreement.

“Then I’m sure he’ll keep you safe,” Lady Vanilla replied as she smiled warmly at him and Tails blushed slightly as he smiled back.

The pair left the welcoming house just as Lady Vanilla entered a living room full of chaos.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sonic banged the back of his head on the front door of Amy Rose’s house, staring out at the sea of springy green grass in front of him.

It had been a while since he’d made her upset back in the jungle and the two hadn’t spoken since And he had to admit that it was bothering him greatly.

Sonic dug the heel of his shoe into the cobble stoned sidewalk, absent-mindedly touching the golden ring that he still hadn’t managed to take off.

He wasn’t sure what it did exactly, but he didn’t like at all. Whenever he got too close to the Chaos Emeralds that resided at the workshop, his collar would react violently as the emeralds began to glow, causing him to have dizzy headaches and minor pain until he got away from them.

And then there was the experience on the bridge. When he’d realized they were fighting one of Eggman’s robots, he’d gotten excited. Certainly, he never minded beating up Egghead’s toys but this was–different. His neck had begun to feel warm and odd sensations kept coursing through is body. He felt very light headed, almost as if he were floating and yet his body still seemed to function just fine.

It was odd and disturbing the entire time: he could feel his mouth moving when he spoke words he didn’t want to say but couldn’t stop. He could see all the actions and acts he’d committed but it didn’t feel like his own–like he was a puppet performing for an unseen master. He didn’t even feel like the same hedgehog at the time–he felt like he was trapped in the body of someone else the entire time until all of sudden, he got slightly dizzier and light headed than he felt before and blacked out.

He poked the golden ring with a finger. It had to have something to do with what happened–after all, it had come from Eggman. But all he understood once he woke up at first was that everyone but Cream–who seemed very confused–was upset with him and he didn’t understand why until the memories came back to him shortly after.

Tails was trying to be himself but even he could tell he felt awkward at the time. Shadow thankfully had already left, probably upset about their fight–and what he’d said to him before he blacked out. Knuckles seemed upset about what he said to Rouge and she was annoyed by it herself–though he had to admit, he was still upset with her so it didn’t bother him *that* much. And Amy–

Amy.

Sonic sighed and hung his head slightly, his quills and ears drooping in sadness. He had already managed to make her cry earlier that day and he only made it worse after that moment. She wouldn’t even look at him when they were all leaving the jungle–wouldn’t even talk to him. Or even scream at him while she smacked him over the head with her Piko~Piko mallet. But then why should she after what he did to her? Why should he deserve anymore of her attention?

His quills drooped even further if it were possible. This whole ordeal with Amy was just making him a little depressed. But then, he had brought on himself.

He sighed.

Sonic hated when someone was upset with him, especially when he actually did something to make that anger justifiable. And in this case, it was a wonder if Amy would ever talk to him again, the way he treated her.

The way he always treated her.

Sonic pondered this for a moment. Certainly, maybe he had found her annoying at first: she had a bad knack for showing up out of no where and getting in the way, chocking him with hugs, and following him wherever he went.

It was flattering to have someone like him so much, but he couldn’t help but not take Amy very seriously and well–run away from her.

But then he had gotten to know her better and he admitted to himself that maybe she wasn’t so bad to have around. She was actually very sweet, maybe not as–well, like Cream, but she had a sweetness about her that he’d grown to enjoy. She could also be quite stubborn when the situation called for it and he had to admit that he rather liked that about her too. And he knew that she genuinely cared about his well being, often putting herself in harms way if need be just to make sure he was alright. And maybe he wouldn’t admit it, but he noticed she had a great smile and loved the way her eyes lit up when she was happy.

And she made the best chili dogs he had ever had. Like ever.

Sonic stood to his feet, a determined look on his face. He was going to get Amy to at least scream at him–even hit him with her mallet. Anything, as long as she acknowledged him again because he was sure he couldn’t go another day with her being upset with him. And certainly, he would have to swallow his pride and maybe even a piece of his dignity–but somehow, he just knew Amy was worth it.

~~~~~~~

“Really guys–we can handle it. We don’t need your help,” Tails replied with a forced smile as the energetic bumblebee buzzed between the fox and bunny.

“We have to make sure Cream is alright and Lady Vanilla said that you hurt your leg. So we gotta make sure you both get there and back safely,” Vector, a large green gator smirked down at him with a wink while the small insect began twirling in the air over his head, flipping a few times as he hummed softly to himself.

“Will you cut that out ” Vector, snapped at the small young boy, making him pause in flight and look down at him slightly confused. “Stop what?”

“Hummin! ”

“But why,” Charmy, the adorable little bumblebee whom was no older than Cream questioned as he cautiously buzzed closer to the big gator.

“Because it’s annoyin! ” Vector snapped angrily. Charmy blinked at him for a moment, then turned his back to him, buzzing back in between Tails and Cream as they walked with their small boxes full of goodies.

“What’s in those?” he asked Cream.

She smiled. “Mommy put in a lot of sweets just for Amy. To thank her for helping her last week with her baking.”

“Sweets?” Charmy perked up, buzzing around her a bit, staring at the box. “Can I have one?”

“Charmy, those are for Amy,” a violet colored chamaeleon finally spoke in a soft, calm voice. He walked slowly beside Vector, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression a bit serious for the occasion. But he was always a quiet and serious fellow.

“I’m sure Amy will let you have one,” Cream told Charmy and the bee gave her a big smile before he buzzed back into the air happily flipping through it again, humming.

“I said stop that! ” Vector snapped angrily, coming up really close to Tails as he screamed, making the small fox cringe at his loud voice.

“Hey, who’s that?” Charmy asked suddenly, completely ignoring Vector as he paused in the air, pointing in the direction of Amy’s house. The group paused and looked up in time to see a blur move on the far right just as Amy was making her way back into her house through the back entrance. It seemed she didn’t notice it.

Vector frowned. “We should investigate.”

“Guys,” Tails started. “I’m sure it will be fine–”

“Espio, go sneak up there and see what that is while the rest of us sneak over there to that bush and cover you.

“This box is getting a little heavy, and I really don’t want to–”

“No time to waste, come on! ” Vector cried as Charmy dove behind the bush, ushering Tails and Cream in front of him as Espio disappeared into thin air. Tails made a slightly annoyed face while Cream smiled at him sympathetically. He didn’t bother ducking down in the bush, he just set his box down, then Creams before stretching his arms, getting the kinks out as he waited for Vector to calm down out of another one of his investigating stupors.

Moments later, Espio returned, looking slightly annoyed.

“Well?” Vector asked impatiently.

“It’s only Sonic the Hedgehog,” he replied calmly, crossing his arms.

“What’s he doin snoopin around?” Vector asked, glaring at Tails for the answer. Tails blinked, then frowned. “He’s not snooping. He’s probably doing Amy a favor.”

“I don’t think so,” Espio corrected him. “He was trying to jump onto the ledge of her balcony with a hand full of roses when I saw him.”

“And he didn’t notice you?” Charmy questioned. The entire group sweat dropped as they looked at him.

“He’s invisible Charmy. In-vis-i-ble. He’s not suppose to be seen,” Vector replied slowly.

“Oh yeah! ” Charmy laughed and Vector let out an annoyed sigh while Espio shook his head. Cream, Tails and Cheese only watched the trio with blank stares.

“May...we go now,” Cream asked softly.

“Just hold on one minute,” Vector announced. “Let’s see what Sonic’s up to, make sure he doesn’t need our help. Or that he isn’t trying to break into Amy’s house.”

Charmy nodded while Espio rolled his eyes slightly. Cream gave them a polite smile while Tails let out a long sigh as they began to move closer but out of sight.

~~~~~~~

Amy pulled her infamous red dress over her head and placing her arms through the holes, pulled it down and smoothed the front as she stared at herself in the vanity mirror.

She turned this way, then that, then satisfied, turned her attention to the bundle of gardening clothing right by her bathroom door.

Just as she bent down to pick the bundle up, she saw a flash of blue out of the corner of her eye. She turned quickly staring at the spot by her balcony door where she could have sworn she’d seen him. . .
But after a moment longer and she didn’t see anything else, she looked down at the bundle again with a sad expression.

Why was she excepting him to stop by? She tossed the clothing in the hamper and frowned slightly as she folded her arms over her stomach.

She had only been worried about him. She always worried about him but he had really scared her when he passed out in her arms. And watching him fight that robot as viciously as he did– she knew something was wrong with him. And now she was more convinced after the way he snapped at her. There had to have been something wrong–even if Sonic didn’t love her, he wouldn’t have been so mean to her.

She found herself standing in front of her vanity, staring at herself in the large mirror, at her own sad expression. Or maybe– that was why he kissed Shadow. Or why he preferred Shadow over her so much and he just finally voiced it. Because he didn’t find Shadow to be a nuisance. A bother. An annoyance.

She heard something hit the glass on her balcony door and this made her look up. At that moment, she saw another small pebble hit the same door before falling onto the cement landing.

Prepared to fuse at whomever was trying to break her glass, she walked her way across the room and out onto her balcony, placing her hands on her hips as she searched for the culprit.

She paused when she noticed the sea of white roses awaiting her that covered the railings, the pedals littering the balcony floor with a small bouquet nested right in front of the balcony door, far away enough that she missed stepping on it.

She leaned down and picking it up, taking a nice whiff of the wonderful smelling flowers. She made her way over to the railing and looked over it, leaning forward.

She saw a certain azure hedgehog standing there, his head bent down and a guitar in his hands.

He looked up at her and in his mouth was a red rose.

Amy found herself clutching the bouquet tightly in her hands as she stared into his eyes, emerald meeting emerald, before he took the rose out of his mouth and placed it behind his ear. Oh how she hoped she hadn’t fallen asleep and this was some kind of dream of hers.

He began to strum his guitar and playing a note. One single note. Over and over.

Then, in the most tone deaf voice she’d ever heard, he actually began to try to sing–well–something.

“I apologize,” he cried out with passion, his voice hitching slightly. “I ooooooopologize. Uh...” he looked down at his feet as he strummed the same note again and again, trying to think of the words. “Soooomething something wrong, so I sing you this song—cause I–”

Amy, along with the unseen group hiding in the bushes not so far away, sweat dropped.

Cream gave a reassuring smile as they continued to watch. “It’s very sweet of Mr. Sonic.”

“He could at least know the words,” Espio sighed while Tails laughed softly to himself. Then Sonic tried to hit a high note but began coughing, making Espio’s message the bridge of his–well–horned nose while Tails shook his head in a sympathetic manner.

Vector groaned and smacked his forehead. “He’s dyin Guys, we gotta help ”

Espio frowned at him slightly, still messaging. “Maybe we shouldn–”

“Hey, whose the team leader round here?” Vector snapped at him. “He’s obviously tryin to sing her a love song and he’s failin miserably As friends, we should help.”

“Uh guys, I really don’t think Sonic...” Tails began, sweat dropping further.

“Of course he does ” Vector replied, pulling out a microphone. “Espio! Charmy! Let’s do it! ”

Espio sighed wearily and pulled out a guitar while Charmy happily pulled out his drum.

“...and I know I hurt you so Iiiiiiiii Opooooooooligiiiiiize! ” Sonic sang, his eyes closed. Amy smiled behind her bouquet of roses, hiding the fact that she was about to burst into laughter.

Well at least she knew this wasn’t a dream. He could actually sing in those. But at the very least, it was still happening. And that certainly was a plus, right? And since when do you get a guy to sing you songs when he’s sorry for being a jerk? Right.

He continued to sing, occasionally muttering the word “something” or humming in the place of the actual words until she heard another guitar, this one playing more than just one note. It actually made Sonic’s one noted song sound fleshed out and easier on the ears–that is until the two guitars were accompanied by a loud, obnoxious drum and someone humming that completely defeated the purpose of having rhythm altogether. And finally, every time Sonic would speak, she’d hear someone roaring some kind of chorus in the background.

In all, it sounded like one big mess and Amy had to fight to cover her ears. Though Tails, Cream, and Cheese were doing a great job of doing it for her as they continued to hide in the bushes, wanting no part of the situation anymore.

“I apol–”
“Grrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaa ”
“Hummmhmmmmhmmm”

“Ogize–”
“Grrrrraaaaaaaaaaeeeee”
“Humhmhmhmmmmmhmhmhm...”

Sonic sweat dropped as his heavy lidded eyes shot the trio an annoyed side glance. He slowly put down his guitar and leaned on the arm of it as he continued to stare at them. The trio simply kept playing on, Charmy humming louder as he beat his drum harder than before while Vector seemed content on growling everything into his microphone. Though what that was exactly, was anybody’s guess.

“Guys. . .” Sonic replied in a bored tone.

“Hmmmhmhm—”

“Grrrrrraaaaaaaaaaarmy! Would you stop that hummin already?”

The small bee blinked at Vector. “But it adds a melody! ”

“What melody? It’s just annoying! ”

“Is not!”

They began to ague as Espio stopped playing his own instrument and stared between the two before closing his eyes and shaking his head.

Tails and Cream watched as Sonic pointed to the garden and Amy nodded, with him slipping around the corner and Amy slipping back inside her home, unnoticed by the arguing agents.

They came out of the bushes and made their way through the front yard. “We’ll just, leave these here,” Tails told Cream as they set the boxes right by Amy’s front door.

They paused to look at Team Chaotix, who was fighting so much they hadn’t noticed them either and the pair sweat dropped while Cheese landed on Cream’s head.

“We’ll leave them here too,” Tails announced with a sheepish smile and Cream nodded in agreement.

~~~~~~

Tossing the flowers quickly on her bed, Amy ran out into the hall and tried not to trip down the stairs as she practically flew down them, forgetting that she hadn’t put her boots on yet. She ran across her carpeted home and out the side door, right into her garden. She didn’t mind. The grass felt nice against her bare feet.

She looked around, ignoring the sounds of someone fighting from the front yard and made her way into the middle of her garden where she spotted the blue quills sticking out behind some of her bushes.

Sonic was sitting Indian style, waiting on her arrival. He gave a small smile as soon as he saw her and Amy’s heart fluttered as she sat right across from him, folding her legs underneath her.

They just stared at each other for a moment and neither spoke. She wasn’t exactly sure what she should be saying to him at the moment. She was still a little annoyed by him but she was finding it hard to stay upset with him anymore.

Her lips parted to let out an inaudible sigh when Sonic reached forward and took her hands in his, a troubled look on his face as he began to, for lack of a better word, ramble:

“Look, Amy. I’m sorry. Really sorry. I really didn’t mean what I said on the bridge. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. And I don’t think you’re annoying. I think your pretty nice actually and I like having you around.”

She gave a shy smile as her cheeks gave a faint color to them and shook her head. “It’s okay Sonic I under–”

“And kissing Shadow–I mean he kissed me but I didn’t except him to or anything,” he rambled on. “I didn’t mean for it to happen and I mean–it was a kiss. A nice kiss–”

Amy glared at him and Sonic laughed sheepishly. “I don’t mean it like that! I mean–well I mean it was nice but it wasn’t expected so I was unprepared so I mean– See, I thought you were suppose to be there, then I opened my eyes and you weren’t there and I was surprised but then before I knew it, he’d kissed–”

Sonic’s eyes went wide like a deer as he felt her lips brush against his own. It felt almost like a gentle breeze at first–but then she pressed her lips forward. It was soft, sweet– a tender kiss.

Amy was surprised he hadn’t already broken the kiss or tried to move his head back when she leaned forward like he normal did. She watched through her heavy lidded eyes as Sonic’s closed completely. Her’s did the same as he leaned forward into the gesture, tilting her head back slightly as he cupped her face softly with his hand.

Team Chaotix stared at the pair with black expressions though Charmy looked as though he might go into a fit of giggles.

“We should leave,” Espio spoke in a quiet, firm voice. Vector nodded.

“Our job is done here.”

Charmy floated through the air in a carefree fashion as he followed his two comrades around the corner of the house, leaving the two hedgehogs to their privacy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Notes:
Wow, thank you all for the support and kind words, I really appreciate it.
Mistress Bella: I called it Jungle Boogie for two reasons. 1. I couldn't think of anything else at the time. 2. It was a reference to the fight really--a bad one, but one none the less.
Shooting Star: I don't mind doing that but I don’t know when I will. I'll try to do it soon though.

Though the story is about to take a darker tone since it will get more into that ring around Sonic's neck and Eggman's scheme.

EDIT: Chapter's hopely been fixed. Wrote it too fast, sorry.
But please continue to read and leave feedback. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and Happy Reading!