ARAAT2: Eclipse - Part 2

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A Rose And A Thorn 2: Eclipse

Co-Written by Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651

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Froggy: All right! The Games section of AFF is complete! Why’d they have to leave us until las though… But okay, we’re nearly done now. Last Chapter before the Epilogue! Perhaps now we can explain the violence in this story.

Harley: You’ve seen Shadow and Amy get together. That was lovely and romantic (in places). I wish now I’d done a resturant scene with them, but hey, we can save that for some other time. This sequel couldn’t have been about them getting together. I didn’t want it to be a carbon copy of the original. NOBODY would have liked that. Horrific violence and drugs though, with a smattering of self-harm - that makes a difference!

Froggy: Sure, there’s less sex. But there’s more tenderness. And the Most Intelligent Review… well, you’ve seen that it doesn’t always go towards slavering praise. Although sometimes it’s difficult not to… This time, it goes to N/A. Thanks for your opinion, and constructive criticism.

Harley: And now, some advice for you all! To make your sex scenes really sizzling, get IM, find a willing friend, and cyber it. And (if you can) always remember what your first time was like. If more people thought of that before they invented ten inch cocks, veritable fountains of seed, and women who have great first-time sex, or anybody who enjoys being raped, the world would be a happier place.

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Chapter Nineteen: Making Up

Having been dismissed by Amy, Sonic returned home. He stepped through the door into his darkened, quiet house, taking a seat on the couch. With a sigh, he laid back and closed his eyes. Shadow was feeling better, and the blue hedgehog was glad for it... but when he saw Amy and Shadow together again, happy... Sonic felt lonely.

It was his own fault, of course. He was the one who hurt Amy and alienated his friends. And Rouge, the one person who remained close to him after that, had left him. Sonic removed his gloves and rubbed the sides of his head. Conflicting feelings battled within him.

He wanted to pick up the razor and slice up his arms again. But he’d made a promise to Amy. What else did he want? He wanted someone to hold... he wanted to be carefree again...

Sonic blinked. Rouge... he wondered how she was doing. They hadn't spoken much since their break-up. He missed her. She was the only one who seemed capable of dealing with him. She could keep up, right there on the edge with him. He enjoyed a companion who could risk it all, right beside him. He wanted the chance to do that again. Hell, if given the chance, he'd even try to help her on one of her jewel heists. ...Maybe he should just try talking with her. Yes. It would be better than what he was considering doing... he picked up the phone and dialled her club number.

Somebody picked up the phone, "Club *sniff* Rouge, how can I help you?" Rouge sounded rather unhappy.

Sonic frowned. Something was obviously troubling her. If she was unhappy, she usually did her best to hide it. He hoped that nothing serious had happened, "Rouge? Hey, it's me, Sonic..."

"S-Sonic?" Sonic heard somebody blowing their nose on the other end of the line, "I... You... What have you been doing?" she asked finally.

"Eh, not much," he replied, "Wasting time at home, battling GUN and saving Shadow from them, getting capture by GUN, escaping them... the usual kind of thing."

"Oh..." This did not seem like enough, "Good. So... why did you call me?"

Didn't even ask if he was alright. Eh, typical for her... "I just wanted to see how you are doing. You alright? You don't sound so good..."

"Oh... I'm just..." Rouge sniffled again, "Just trying to... get over you... I'm not doing very well... I... Rouge suddenly changed her tune, "Oh please come over Sonic, please! I... I miss you..."

Sonic blinked in surprise. That was unlike Rouge. She had never... begged him for anything. She never displayed such need for him, with the exception of that time she was turning him against Shadow... But this sounded genuine. This sounded important. Making up his mind, he said, "Alright. I'll be right over."

Rouge hung up. Sonic was certain he heard another sob just as she put down the phone. He sped over to her club, and round to the back where her private entrance was, and knocked. Rouge answered the door. She was a mess. Her makeup had run with crying and she was just standing there looking miserable. Rouge never normally let her emotions get in the way of her appearance, "Come in, Sonic," she said quietly.

He didn't respond at first, frozen in the doorway, stunned by her tearful appearance that was so unlike her. Regaining control of himself, Sonic stepped inside, turning to face her right after, "Gosh... what happened, Rouge?" he asked, worry in his voice.

"Well..." Rouge sniffled again, "We split up... and I got another boyfriend for a while... but all I could think about was how he wasn't you... so I split up with him... and I still had my dancing to do but it didn't feel good... and... I realised that I missed you..." She blew her nose on a tissue, "And that's not normal... I've never missed any of my ex-boyfriends before..."

Rouge had missed him... this was a bit of a revelation for Sonic. Yeah, he knew they had become friends over the course of their relationship, but he didn't really think she would miss him when he was gone. He figured that she would have no problem finding another boyfriend that suited her needs. But... she missed him?

Sonic suddenly felt guilty for how he had been, thinking about Amy the way he did just hours before. Rouge cared enough about him to miss him, and he was concerned about a once could-have-been flame. It wasn't right of him. He hadn't even tried to talk with the bat since their break-up, and he should have... Sonic swallowed and said quietly, "I missed you too, Rouge." And it was true. He meant it. He did miss her, even if he had tried to bury that feeling.

Rouge darted forward and hugged Sonic tightly, catching him quite off guard. Not a lover's embrace, and coming from Rouge, it meant more that way. She had been lonely too. She buried her face in his shoulder, smearing mascara over him, and started to cry again. The sobs started somewhere in her stomach and steadily worked their way up over her lungs and to her mouth, by which time they were great heaving gulps for air. Nobody could fake that kind of emotion. Nobody would want to. It was almost embarrassing.

Sonic's heart ached, hearing that depth of pain from the bat, who had always seemed so strong, cool, and in-control to him. He had never believed she could be truly lonely. She could have nearly any man she wanted when she wanted them, if only in a physical way. He doubted she wanted more than that. Feeling her shaking body clutch his, sobbing, changed his perception of her. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, nuzzling the top of her head, "I'm here now..."

"I've been so damn stupid..." Rouge sobbed, not looking up, "I... I used you... like you were replaceable... and then when I realised that you cared about me... when you brought me flowers... I didn't think... I thought..." Rouge was clearly horribly confused about her emotions right now. After all, she wasn't used to feeling this way about men, "You really cared... you... you actually ruined your own life for me... this was all my fault and that made me feel even worse..." She continued to sob.

Sonic gently interrupted her, "My mistakes are my own, Rouge. You pushed me towards that path, but I'm still the one who walked it. You can't blame yourself for that." He wondered how that sounded coming from his mouth. Strange, surely. He wondered how he seemed to others, how much he had changed in their eyes.

"Please..." Rouge whispered through her tears, "Please Sonic... Stay tonight... I don't want anything... except to not be alone any more..."

"We don't have to be alone," Sonic said quietly, holding her tight. He didn't want to be alone, either. He'd been alone long enough, and here was someone just as a lonely as him, someone who wanted him above other men. That was something special, and he knew that now, "Yes... I'll stay with you, Rouge."

Rouge didn't move, still clutching Sonic tightly, still snuffling into his shoulder. Her ears twitched slightly at his words, and she relaxed a little, "Thank you... thank you..." she whispered.

The hedgehog closed his eyes and just stood there holding her, hearing her quiet snuffling and whispers of thanks. A warm feeling he hadn't felt in a long time returned to him, making him feel safe again in an unsafe world. He nuzzled the bat slowly, "It's alright now."

Rouge looked up, "It's been horrible without you, Sonic," she told him.

He didn't need to tell her that things were miserable without her. The look in his eyes and the desperate way he held onto her told all. They had both changed together. They hurt each other and held each other up at the same time. They were kindred spirits, both wild and free, and both now holding each other’s secrets. His lips sought hers out, pressing them together.

Rouge's eyes widened for a moment in shock, then closed again in pleasure. Her hand touched Sonic's cheek gently, as her lips moved against his, a soft murmur leaving her throat.

It wasn't a greedy or hungry kiss like so many of their others ones had been, but a soft, slow one. Sonic was providing companionship and comfort rather than relieving sexual tension, just enjoying being together and feeling his lips against hers. He murmured back, scratching the base of her wings.

Rouge's arms looped around Sonic's shoulders, scratching his back gently, and as she continued to kiss him, her wings flapped lazily.

After a short eternity, the kiss ended, their lips drawing apart so they could draw another deep breath. Sonic looked into the bat's eyes and gave her a pleased smile.

Rouge took in a deep breath of air, resting her forehead on Sonic's chest. At least she wasn't crying any more. For once in her life she was unsure of where to go next. If this hadn't been Sonic she would already be dragging him into a sexual embrace, but did love really have to amount to sex? She wasn't sure any more.

The silence was deafening as they stood there in each others arms, the only sound to be heard being their breathing and their own heartbeat. As the hedgehog held Rouge, a burning question formed in his mind, prodded by his heart, "Is this love?" he asked her quietly.

"I'm not exactly an expert on the matter," Rouge answered, "I'd go as far as saying it isn't sex."

No, it certainly wasn't sex. But the fact that Sonic wasn't sure what it was ashamed him. Somehow he, the big, brave hero who always followed his heart, had become more confused about it than his old rival, Shadow. It was a strange twist of fate, "Whatever it is," he said quietly, rubbing his cheek against hers, "I don't want it to stop."

Rouge nodded, and kissed Sonic again. He could feel the nervousness in the way her body trembled. Not because it was a kiss, but because it meant something to her for once.

He had to admit that he felt nervous about it too. He never intended to get this close to her; it just happened that way. He never chose her, never thought, "oh golly gee, I think I'm going to fall quills over sneakers for Rouge the Bat". Maybe there was an important lesson hidden within that about love that he had failed to learned before.

Rouge broke the kiss this time, and as she relaxed against Sonic, her fingers knotted in his fur, holding him tightly. Eventually, she sat down on the large couch in the middle of the room; only because she knew she couldn't stand up forever.

Sitting beside her, Sonic rested his head against hers, his arms around her shoulders, "So what happens to us now?" he asked Rouge.

"I just don't want to be alone," Rouge answered quietly. She lay down in Sonic's lap, holding his arms around her gently.

No... neither of them wanted that anymore. Sonic leaned against her and closed his eyes. There had been enough adventuring and suffering lately. For once, he just wanted some peace and quiet.

~~~

After Sonic's footsteps had receded down the corridor, Amy turned back to Shadow and wrapped her arms around him tightly, holding him and never wanting to let go. So many emotions stormed through her, so many joys - not only the joy of holding somebody you love so close, and the joy of loving and being loved in return, but also the joy of simply being alive to feel it.

Life does become far more precious when you come so close to losing it. Shadow had been on the brink for almost two weeks, and he was beyond relieved to finally leave it. Against all odds, he had survived the trial to again hold Amy in his arms. His heart beat so hard that it felt like ripping its way free as he returned the pink hedgehog's embrace. He was wearing absolutely nothing after his session in the bathtub.

"I can hardly believe it..." Amy looked up at Shadow, tears pricking the corners of her eyes, "We made it... the whole world tried to stop us, but we made it."

Shadow smiled softly back and reached up to wipe away her tears, "Of course we did. Nothing can ever tear us apart," he said.

"I love you," Amy told him. She never got tired of saying those words to him. And with those words, she pressed her lips against his, her fingers moving through his quills and over his cheeks.

Shadow returned the kiss, warmth and relief filling him as he tightened his embrace. He never got tired of hearing those words from her. Those words were magic; they gave him strength when he thought he was weak, and comforted him when he was in pain.

Amy leant back a little, holding Shadow close to her. It was too long since they'd kissed like this - in safety, in love, with no need to fear, no hurt to comfort, just them and nothing else, for no reason but love. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel Shadow's heart racing too.

It was a nice change after the hell they had passed through together. Shadow hoped they never had to pass through it again. He just wanted things to stay as they were, them together in safety and in love. He drew out the kiss for a long time, slowly caressing her lips, taking in her taste and scent, enjoying the warmth of her body, the beat of her heart.

Amy's hands moved over Shadow's chest, stroking the tuft of fur on his chest, over his arms, testing his muscles gently. She broke the kiss to come up for air, "We'll be together forever," she whispered, gazing into his ruby eyes.

His unique, rumbling purr sprang to life in his chest again as he looked back into her emerald eyes. "Yes... forever," he whispered back, caressing her cheek softly. There was nothing he wanted more.

They kissed again, and this time Amy's hands moved lower, running through Shadow's quills, trailing down his back, stroking the base of his tail lightly. A shiver ran from the base of his tail up his spine, and Shadow kissed her with greater passion than before, his arms holding her tighter.

Amy writhed slightly in pleasure, moaning softly as the already passionate kiss deepened. One hand stroked Shadow's tail, and the other trailed down his side lightly.

His hands trailed down her own sides, stroking her body slowly. It felt like a lifetime since he had been this close to her, and it was evident in the way he held her, as if he thought that she would disappear if he let go.

Amy wanted to tell Shadow that she loved him again, and again and again and again, but that would mean she'd have to stop kissing him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, her hands touched him gently in his most intimate places, her heart raced and her head spun as a shiver ran through her body.

Shadow groaned into the kiss, tingles of pleasure racing over his body, her touch feeling like magic. His arms uncurled from around her body and his fingertips gently stroked her belly.

Amy moaned softly as her pleasure increased. Her lips left his out of sheer desperation for air, then brushed against his neck gently. One thought raced through her mind over and over, My Shadow is back, my Shadow is back... her mind whispered, and her hands clutched at his sides, knotting into his fur without thinking, "I love you, Shadow," she whispered as she kissed his neck again.

"And I love you, Amy," was his quiet reply. His eyes closed as he felt her mouth against his neck. Another shiver ran through him, and his gentle purring increased in volume. His fingers slid through her quills, and scratched the base of her ears. His breathing noticeably sped up, his breath blowing across her fur.

Shadow's warm breath and purring, his touch and his scent, were all things that were rapidly arousing Amy. She wanted him, needed him, and loved him for nothing more than who he was, because if she didn't love him for that, there was no point in loving him at all. She stepped back, sitting down on the couch and pulling him down with her slowly.

Shadow let her guide him onto the couch with her, resting on top of her gently, looking into her face, which he stroked with his hands. He loved her, all of her, and would never stop loving her. Only that, out of everything in the world, was he certain of. He shared in her arousal, the result of which Amy could feel pressing against her belly.

To Shadow, something was different about it than before, though. Soon enough, he realized the difference: he wasn't just feeling his own reaction to her touch; he could also feel her reaction to his, a deep, unconcious connection that he had only before felt with Eclipse. Curious about this strange and wonderful happening, he slowly ran his fingertips across her belly, sending a light tingle through her as he did so, a small smile on his face.

Amy shivered in pleasure, kissing Shadow again. For a moment her hands lingered on his face, then she removed her gloves and moved her hands down, one rubbing his chest, feeling his heartbeat, the other just moving slowly over his belly as each breath came a little faster than before.

Shadow nuzzled her face and then her throat, brushing his lips against the delicate flesh there, suckling gently. His hands slid up across her body, slowly removing the red dress that lay between them.

Amy shifted beneath him, allowing for the easier removal of her clothes, kicking off her boots and socks, moaning softly as their bodies pressed together so very closely. Her hands left off moving over his body briefly, and she removed her bra, letting it drop to the floor.

Shadow arched up and looked down briefly at her now unclothed body, admiring its beauty. Embracing her again, he softly nuzzled her chest as his fingers slid through her fur and gripped her sides. He planted soft kisses on her breasts, his purring becoming louder.

"Oh... Shadow..." Amy moaned, tilting her head back and pushing down her knickers. Her hands sunk lower again, stroking between his thighs, holding his swollen cock and moving her hands slowly over it.

Shadow gasped her name quietly, her touch against his swollen organ sending sharp tingles of pleasure through him. His breathing speeding up, his kisses increasing in their intensity, his lips moving over her breasts, suckling on them gently, his fingertips scratching her sides slowly… it brought pleasure to them both.

Amy moved her hands away again, not wanting to arouse him too quickly, returning to his sides, "Shadow..." she moaned softly, "Oh Shadow... I love you... so much..." Another thrill of pleasure ran through her body.

"And I love you," he whispered, his breath blowing across fur dampened by his kisses. Gradually kissing and licking his way up, he carefully took a nipple into his mouth and sucked carefully, his tongue running in circles around it. As he did this, his hand against drifted across her belly and then slid lower between her legs, rubbing against that intimate spot, tracing circles around it.

"Oh... nnngh... Shadow..." Amy whimpered, her breathing speeding up as warm feelings welled up where Shadow was touching her. Her hands moved over his chest, and his sides again, travelling over flesh and testing muscles.

Shadow groaned softly, removing his mouth from her breasts, slowly kissing his way up her body, his mouth pressing against her neck as his body reacted to her touches.

"I love you, Shadow," Amy whispered, as her hands moved over his body and she gazed up into his eyes. She suddenly realised that she was crying, the tears flowing down her cheeks.

Shadow smiled down at Amy as he shifted on top of her, getting into position, being careful not to hurt her. He leaned down and kissed her salty tears away.

Amy smiled through the tears and trailed her hands over Shadow's quills, down his spine to his tail, and then held his hips gently, rubbing them slowly.

Shadow closed his eyes and purred, enjoying her hands on his hips. Placing the tip of his shaft against the entrance to her depths, he opened his eyes, leaned down, and pulled her into a deep, passion-filled kiss.

Amy moaned through him, loud and low. As he rested within her for a moment, she ran her tongue over his lips, and took one of his hands in hers, squeezing it tightly. She moaned his name through the kiss as her back arched towards him.

Shadow squeezed her hand back as he pressed his way inside her, moaning into her mouth as he did so. Feeling her tongue probing his lips, his own slipped out to meet hers. He gripped her shoulders as he slid the rest of the way in, pulling his mouth away to gasp for breath. Coming to a stop, Shadow looked down into his pink lover's eyes and smiled, rubbing his nose against hers.

"Shadow..." Amy moaned, and wrapped her arms around his back, bracing her legs on the couch. Surely there was a better word for what they had than 'love'? Words alone just didn't cut it any more. She pushed herself up against him, feeling the movement within her send tremors down her body.

Shadow groaned at the movement, reacting to it without thought taking part, pulling himself out and pushing back in, slowly but powerfully. He licked her nose and kissed her cheek as he repeated the motion, building a rhythm that gradually sped up. Pleasure shot through him as he moaned her name, his heart speeding up, his fur gaining a light sheen of sweat, "Amy… I love you..." he murmured.

"I... know..." Amy gasped, sweat on her forehead as she gripped his sides tightly, "I... can feel it..."

A sigh of happiness escaped Shadow as he continued the ancient rhythm, pushing in and out, his toes digging into the couch. Another purr broke through the gasps and moans, and he leaned down to lick her lips. Their scents mixed and mingled in the air, sinking around them as they both continued the intimate act.

Each time Shadow sank into her, Amy licked his chest, until his fur was wet and smooth. Moaning his name, her legs spread wider beneath him, and her hands clutched at his back, "Shadow..." she moaned as their bodies pressed together, "I love you... I need you..."

Shadow groaned inarticulately, conscious thought taking a vacation as he heard her lustful words, felt her tongue against that sensitive spot on his chest over and over. Again he sank into her, faster and harder than before, a deep purr rumbling through them both that sounded almost like a growl. He had gone past words, no longer saying that he loved her, but showing her, making her feel it.

Amy clutched at his fur, crying out in pleasure as he entered her again and again. Oh, she needed this, she needed him. Needed to do what couldn't be said, needed to be close to him after all the pain, and most of all, she needed his love. When she cried out his name, a breathless gasp was the only sound she could make.

His love was something Amy had and would have for as long as he lived. Having been without love for so long, he knew just how rare and precious it really was. He loved her; mind, body, and soul. The new connection he had with her intensified their already incredible pleasure. Their bodies synchronised perfectly, moving at the best pace, approaching the final climax at the same rate. Shadow moaned loudly, overwhelmed by the closeness, the pleasure, and the love. Again and again, he slipped in and out of her hot, moist depths, passionately, powerfully, wishing her the same pleasure and fulfilment that he felt.

Amy continued to pant, writhing in ecstasy beneath Shadow, her gasps becoming faster, until she sounded like she was laughing and crying at the same time. She wanted to tell him how close to orgasm she was, but she could barely even cry out his name, pulling him down on her as hard and as fast as she could. Finally she didn't even need to be pushed, but fell, wailing, into the abyss of pleasure.

His body tensing, his hands gripping her pink fur, Shadow fell right beside Amy, screaming out in raw, unleashed pleasure, his hips still pumping against hers as he released his semen into her depths. Holding onto her for dear life, he rode out her long orgasm, the sheer pleasure of it all like fireworks going off within the confined space of his head. His heavy moans and sharp gasps joined her wailing as he buried his face in her neck, squeezing his eyes closed tightly, a few tears of happiness freeing themselves and dampening her fur. Breathing heavily, Shadow clung to her, murmuring declarations of his love for her.

"Shadow... Oh, Shadow..." Amy panted, over and over. She moved her hand over his damp forehead, and rested it on his cheek. His weight on her and his arms around him were a reassuring security that she enjoyed, "I don't want to ever let go..." she whispered.

"Then don't," he whispered back, planting a kiss on her throat, "Don't ever let go..." His breathing and heart rate slowing, he curled his arms tightly around her, holding her damp, quivering body to his own protectively.

Amy buried her muzzle in his chest, breathing in his intoxicating musky scent, wrapping her arms around his waist and stroking her fingers up and down his spine slowly. She breathed out, a long sigh of satisfaction caressing his fur, as she kissed Shadow once again.

Returning the kiss, Shadow rolled to her side, still clutching Amy to him, his strong arms around her body. He breathed in her own sweet scent, his fingers running through her fur, gently toying with her quills. As the kiss ended, he silently looked into her eyes and smiled. Nothing more needed to be said; his expression said it all.

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Harley: See? Rouge can be loving! Love without sex - it's possible. And that ShadAmy sex... was generally for the people who thought there wasn't enough ShadAmy. Read and Review! Then head to the Epilogue! When it's up!

Froggy: Now let’s get that sequel written! This will be at least a trilogy! Yeah!

Harley: Er… by the time this goes up, the sequel will probably completed. After all, at the time I’m actually writing this… Chapter Nine of A Rose And A Thorn 1 has just gone up.