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

Author's Notes:
I decided to put one set at the beginning since I'm updating so much. This chapter was originally, really, really long. Technically, it's really four parts, with a prologue of sorts, then the three parts that follow. Parts 2 and 3 where actually one big chapter but it was way too long so I had to cut it up as well. I was only going to post the part but after spending so many days writing the chapters, then rewriting the original part to like 50 thousands times until I was finally pleased enough to let it go--and since I didn't get to give my Christmas chapter--I decided I'd just post all three parts of my labor of love.

I really hope that you enjoy these chapters. If you get confused--don't worry. I did too before I kept rewriting it until at least I could understand where I was going with Rouge's mad plot. Depending on your ship, you may or may not like the out come.

Speaking of that: I'd like to officially hug all of you for your out pour of support! I love that you all enjoy the story and I hope that you keep reading and reviewing as always.

I won't tell you who's ending up with who yet because that takes the fun out of it. And um...I still don't know. ::winks::

Thank you all again, and I hope that you enjoy the chapters!

Chapter Six: The Delicious Yet Devious Plot of the Vixen Named Rouge (Part 1)
(AKA: The Knight and a New Move for a Complicated Strategy)

It had taken her thirty minutes before she finally found the hedgehog she was looking for. He was a moving blur of orange and yellow light as he made his way across the city, zigzagging around anything in his path on his way northward.. This she found odd. Shadow usually made it a point to stay way from ‘insignificant humans’ as he called them.

“Shadow ” she called down to him and he looked up at her. He slowed down slightly, then came to a complete stop in the middle of a sidewalk.

They both ignored the humans that walked by as she landed right beside him. They both stared at each other as they both sat on the curb. And there they sat in silence, Shadow staring far out and she knew, in heavy thought while she carefully formed the words she would speak to the ebony hedgehog in order to persuade him unknowing into her chess match.

After he still wouldn’t speak and she was sure she was ready as she would every be, Rouge looked over at him letting concern show on her face. She did worry about Shadow, so it wasn’t to much of a stretch.

“What’ s wrong,” she asked firmly as she placed her arms in her lap and crossed her legs. She wouldn’t dare try to put an arm around his shoulder like she did with Sonic: she knew he would simply swat it away in annoyance.

He still didn’t reply so she continued. “Is this about what Amy told you today? Is that what’s bothering you?”

He cut her a side glance, but his unwavering frown and silence still greeted her.

So it was. Just as she had hoped. He was still upset about Amy’s rejection. But then she remembered the part she actually heard and added. “And I suppose Sonic’s little round of twenty questions didn’t help matters much either.”

He turned to glare at her and she could tell he was very annoyed. “You were listening then.”

“Not all of it,” she admitted with a hunch. “ But I saw enough to know what’s going on.”

This made Shadow narrow his eyes at her but he looked down at the paved street instead. She knew he was uncomfortable but she paid it no mind. It was now or never and she had to at least try. Nothing fails but a try, it’s said. But then with Shadow. . .

Making another move in that private game of hers, she spoke again. “You know Shadow, you shouldn’t just give up.”
He scuffed in sarcasm now, glaring at her with a raised eyebrow as he sneered in annoyance. “I’m not fighting for anything.”

She frowned. “Don’t lie to me Shadow. Whatever this feeling is you have, it’s bothering you. So much so that you haven’t tried to come back. Or scream at anything. Or hit Cheese.”

He only continued to glare at her and she sighed. This was one hard pawn to move. “All I’m saying Shadow, is that whatever it is you’re feeling, maybe you should try to act on it instead of just taking anyone’s words, whether it be Amy’s or Sonic’s, as the end of the entire discussion. I suppose that’s a bit alien to you, and that’s more than understandable since I’m sure you haven’t lov–”

She could feel the anger radiate once that word was spoken and quickly corrected herself. “Liked anyone since Maria. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. And that doesn’t mean you should just try to ignore them because someone else tells you to or to just give up because someone advises it. You would have never given up on Maria, we both know that, and you shouldn’t just give up on this either.”

Silence, except the soft murmurs of humans passing by and the light hums of engines from cars as they drove by. Rouge felt a little guilty about playing the Maria card but to her defense, it was the only way she found she could ever really effect Shadow.

She dared to look over at him and he was looking down at street again. And she knew he was in a very deep thought–maybe even past memories. And she struck again.

“She said she wanted you to be happy, right Shadow? And you can’t do–be happy– if you simply ignoring how you feel.” She finally placed a hand on his shoulder and cautiously began to rub it in a circular motion as she waited for him to say something–anything–or simply backhand her into oblivion, actually catching on to what she was trying to do.

To her pleasure, the latter didn’t happen.

“Perhaps,” he said finally, studying her for a moment.

She smirked at him. That was a victory as far as she was concerned. And if he actually followed her advice? The mere thought sent shiver down her spine. There was no way her plan could fail

She hit him on the back. “Well of course How could you even doubt my good advice? Or do you remember who you’re talking to? You know I’m right.”

He smirked slightly, seeming to be in a better mood and shook his head. “Your vanity never ceases to amaze me.”

“Neither does your cuteness honey,” she winked at him and he stood up, rolling his eyes at her. She blew him a kiss and he completely turned his back to her. She pouted. “You know I hate it when you give me the cold shoulder.”

“Then stop being so ridiculous,” he announced. She sighed and shook her head. Okay–so maybe she was wrong when she said only one man could completely ignore her advances. Though she got the feeling Shadow knew she was only kidding around so he never really said anything about it. Which was exactly what she was counting on from her second pawn.

That–and this little love triangle that these hedgehogs seemed to be carrying on about working in her favor.

“In any case, looks like Tails found quite a few Chaos Emeralds this time and we’re going to need your help.” He glared at her and she continued. “We’re splitting up into teams of two, Knuckles is with the kids and you’re with me and the loving couple.”

She made sure to say the last two words in sarcasm with a slight eye roll. Shadow frowned and turned away from her. Before he could speak, she gave him a pout. “I know Shadow but come on. You can’t leave me with those two. I need someone with me that I can trust Shadow–that trust me. That knows me. Someone I can relay on. And besides, it will give you a chance to do what we talked about.”

Then, after a short pause, she added a reluctant “Please?”

She heard Shadow sigh in annoyance as he gave her a back a look. He looked down right annoyed and both eyes were heavy lidded while he frowned. She gave a relived sigh at his silent answer and had to fight the urge to hug him. Her plan was on track.

She offered to give him a ride as she took to the air.

“Thanks,” he spoke in his deadpan, creamy voice. “But I can make it on my own.” And with that, he was off in a blur of orangish yellow light again, pushing a few humans out of his way as he went.

~~~~~~~~~~

It had taken then only a while to get to the meeting point, Rouge was taking her time flying through the air while Shadow ‘strolled’ his way on foot to the destination.

When they finally arrived, they were greeted with the sight of Amy and Knuckles trying to catch a very irritated azure hedgehog while Tails, Cream and Cheese stood by with sweat drops. Cream was holding a role of bandages and what looked to be medical alcohol limply in her hands as Knuckles burrowed his way into the ground and shot back up moments later, pinning Sonic beneath him as the azure hedgehog fought to get him off.

“Will you stop acting like such a baby and take it like a man ” he snapped, digging his knuckled glove into Sonic’s good side.

“I said I was fine, now will you all just lay off ” Sonic snapped, trying to kick Knuckles off and away from him just as Amy came up beside the pair. She dropped to her knees and flexing her fingers, began to tickle Sonic in the ribs.

Sonic’s breath caught in his throat as he began to laugh hysterically, kicking now to get away from Amy’s assaulting hands. Knuckles continued to sit on him with a triumphant smirk while Amy continued to tickle him into oblivion, Sonic trying to grab her wrist to get her stop but instead, ended up grabbing his sides as tears formed in his eyes.

“O-okay A-amy, I’ll let her do it, j-just stop ” he wheezed. Amy smirked and nodded at Cream and the small bunny quickly snapped out her bewildered trance and hurried over. She poured the alcohol on a strip of bandage, then placed it over the healing wound. Sonic drew in a sharp breath of pain but Amy tickled him slightly on the ribs and he erupted in the weirdest sound they had ever heard as he tried to continue to wince in pain and laugh.

Knuckles stood up and pulled Sonic up so that he was sitting up so Cream could wrap the remaining dry bandages around his abdomen.

“All done,” she called happily and Cheese squeaked happily as he landed on her head. Sonic gave her a thankful smile and stood completely up, stretching before helping Amy to her feet as well.

“You know, you really didn’t have to do that,” he announced matter of factly. Knuckles rolled his eyes as he snorted and Amy poked Sonic in the ribs.

“Hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Rouge finally said, no longer feeling like being completely ignored. They all looked up at them slightly surprised. Rouge raised an eyebrow while Shadow only glared at them.

Cream was the first to run over to the pair. With a small formal bow, her hands clasp in front of her, she greeted them. Cheese squeaked happily at them and fluttered around Rouge’s head before landing on Shadow’s completely.

Everyone noticed Shadow’s left eye began to twitch and small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead while his fist shook slightly at his sides. Cheese seemed oblivious and continued to engage one of Shadow’s quills in a Chao hug.

Cream smiled at Cheese. “He doesn’t want you to be upset Mr. Shadow so he’s trying to make you feel better.”

“Is...that what’s he’s doing,” Shadow replied very slowly, restraining himself as his eye twitched heavily. He cast a quick upward glance at his head as he felt Cheese purr softly.

“Well...that is just so...nice of him Cream,” he began steadily. “But I would really appreciate it if you would get him off. Of my head. Now.”

Cream blinked at him for a moment, then standing on her tip toes, reached up and called out for Cheese. He flew into her arms and she hugged him happily.

“You made him feel better Cheese,” she reassured him and Cheese squeaked happily, first at her than at Shadow.

Shadow made a movement that looked like he was about to slap the poor chao right out of Cream’s hand but Rouge caught it quickly and held it, laughing sheepishly down at the small bunny who looked up at them bewildered. Shadow’s eye stopped twitching but he was breathing heavily as he cast Rouge a ‘why did you stop me’ glare.

“Thanks Cream, you’re always a help. You too Cheese, so sweet,” Rouge reassured her. They all turned their attention back to the rest of the group and Sonic hunched with a smirk in that playful way he always did.

“We ready to begin?”

Tails took out his detector and nodded as Cream ran over to him. Knuckles grunted slightly as he made his way over to the pair. Tails wouldn’t be taking the Tornado with them this time as the gang had agreed to travel on foot while Knuckles dug his way underground just in case the emerald was buried.

He cut a quick side glance at Rouge and Shadow–or more so, at their linked hands, before he looked away. Taking the lead into the entrance of the jungle, he lept into the air and disappeared into the earth.

Tails looked back at the group of four as Cream waited for him at the entrance of the jungle.

“When we find the Chaos Emeralds, we’ll let you know on this,” he announced to Sonic, giving him a communicator. Sonic nodded. “And if you guys run into any trouble, just let me know little buddy and I’ll be there.”

Tails smiled and nodded. “Good luck Sonic ” he called as he made his way into the jungle with Cream. Cheese squeaked his own best wishes and followed the pair into the forest.

The group watched them, then Sonic turned to Rouge and Shadow, whom were still holding hands. He raised an eyebrow at the two. It seemed they weren’t even really thinking about it.

“Ready?”

“Let’s just get this over with,” Shadow announced beginning to walk away but paused when he finally realized he was still holding Rouge’s hand. He glanced at Rouge slightly confused and she only winked at him and gave him a suggestive look before he swung his hand free, glaring at her.

She snickered as he rolled his eyes at her and walked forward, cutting right in between Amy and Sonic as he went, breaking them apart slightly. She noticed he looked at Sonic as he did this before continuing onward.

Amy frowned after him as did Sonic but Rouge smirked. It looked as though Shadow would be taking her advice after all. Time to put one last pawn into motion.

“You two can go ahead, Amy and I need a little girl time,” Rouge announced as she walked up beside the two and took Amy by the shoulder. She gave a sly smile at Sonic who looked between the two for moment, then at the back of Shadow’s head uncomfortably.

Shadow was already entered the jungle in a different than the younger pair had, toward the direction of Eggman’s base. Sonic gave the girls a slight nod then followed, not really attempting to catch up with the ebony hedgehog.

When they both disappeared behind the vast tangled vines and leaves, Rouge turned her complete attention to her would be third pawn.

Finally setting her final moves into action, Rouge began her next move.

“Amy–I really think that you should apologize to Shadow.”

Amy gawked at her startled for a moment and Rouge plastered concern on her face as she looked away.

If Shadow was going to ‘act on his feelings’ and thus, enable Rouge to use this little love triangle to the best of her advantage, he would need a little push from the one that seemed to be pushing him away right?

“I mean, you were a little hard on him, earlier. Shadow may look as tough as nails, but you have to remember, he’s just the type that doesn’t show his emotions. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have any though. He just doesn’t express them like you or I would.”

Amy sighed softly as she looked at her boots guiltily. “You’re right Rouge. I really didn’t think about that. It’s just that when–well–I thought he was going to go after Sonic, I suppose I got a little–”

Rouge blinked then put up her hands. What in the hell?

“Whoa, whoa wait a minute ” Rouge interrupted her, causing Amy too look. “Did you just say...Sonic? As in, that’s who’s Shadow is interested in? As in that’s what you two were arguing about?”

Amy nodded, still looking guilty. “Yeah. I was a little harsh on Shadow. I didn’t mean to be really, it’s just that–when I saw them kiss–and you know how much time they’ve been spending together–alone–lately. My own jealously just got the better of me,” she admitted, now playing with her fingers. “I only meant to tell Shadow that I loved Sonic and that he shouldn’t try to interfere.”

Rouge frowned at this. Now did Amy really think she could just tell people who they could and couldn’t be in love with? That was her job.

“But well...he just made me so upset and I ended up telling him that–he would never have a chance with Sonic. That the relationship would never work. But it was really mean, how I said it.”

Rouge stared at her dumbfounded now, her hands limply at her side. Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog. Was in love with Sonic. Not Amy–but Sonic. She could just picture some odd person doing a jig as they danced all over her chess game naked screaming “Checkmate bitch ”

This certainly was not what she was expecting at all. She had just finished telling Shadow that he shouldn’t hide his emotions–but when told him that, she thought it was about Amy not Sonic, that she was encouraging him to go after. And she was positive she had convinced Sonic–

She bit her lip. Damn it. This was all one big mess and now she was certain, a rather annoying blow to her plans. While she was positive part one was working well due to Knuckles abilities to jump to the wrong conclusions too soon without thinking things out rationally, this would definitely cause a set back in phase two.

The phase that would have Knuckles actually taking action. And considering what she’d told Shadow, she might have just kicked herself in the ass—though she had to admit all these misunderstandings between the trio would make for some great entertainment when it all came crashing down–just not the way she wanted it to.

Misunderstandings. That was it. All she had to do was cause more of a misunderstanding. Phase two could still work– all she had to do was make sure that Sonic did not find out about Shadow’s true feelings before her plan was complete. That he still believed Shadow was in love with Amy without keeping Amy or Shadow the wiser.

Amy could certainly help in that department–but to pull it off completely she would need a fourth pawn.

Rouge nodded to herself. Her chess game was right back on track and now it was time to continue on with the move of her newest pawn.

She placed her hands on her hips and gave Amy a taunting smile. “Well, this is certainly more of a pickle than we thought.”

Amy gave a weak smile and nodded but Rouge placed her hand over Amy’s shoulder as they began to follower the path the boys had taken. “Don’t you worry about a thing sweetheart. You just apologize to Shadow–alone.”

Amy looked at her questionably but Rouge hunched. “Sonic doesn’t know about the argument right? Since this was between the two of you, better keep it that way.”

Amy thought for a moment then nodded in agreement. Rouge smirked at her as her heavy lidded eyes narrowed slightly. “Right...so you apologize to Shadow and then I’ll take things from there. Making sure you and Sonic have your...alone time.”

She winked and Amy gave her a grateful smile just as they were walking around a gnarled tree trunk where the two other hedgehogs were waiting for them.

Or so it seemed.

Shadow was leaning on a tree right across from Sonic, his arms crossed as he stared at him with an eyebrow raised. He had an amused smirk on his face while the azure hedgehog stared back at the ebony hedgehog in complete anger, his emerald eyes burning into Shadow’s taunting crimson ones.

Rouge raised an eyebrow. What was this all about.

Before she could question them, Amy run up, to the azure’s hedgehog’s surprise, to Shadow and taking him by the hand, asked him softly if she could have a word with him in private.

Shadow glared at her in an annoyed fashion, even narrowing her eyes a bit, but after growling at her pitiful expression, allowed her to lead him further up the trail as they began to converse.

Sonic stared after them with a deep frown on his face and Rouge pretend to look troubled after them as well, almost hurt.

“Wonder what those two are going to talk about,” she said to herself, but made sure Sonic could here her.

Sonic gave her a half glance before hunching the entire thing off like he didn’t care and grumbling walked off into another direction.

Rouge stared after him, watching him kick a tree then with a burst of speed, run off. She briefly contemplated on whether she should go after him but deciding she wanted to here what Shadow and Amy had to say–since their conversation already seemed to be having the desired effect on Sonic anyway, she flew after them, careful to stay out of sight once she found them.

She hid high in a tree as she listened in to the conversation that had already begun.

“...sorry for what I said earlier Shadow,” Amy said softly, playing with her hands. The ebony hedgehog stared at her intently, his arms crossed, and she continued, staring at him in the eyes now.
“No–I should say I’m sorry for the way I said things. Not for what I said because my feelings will never change for Sonic–but I shouldn’t have gotten so carried away.”

There was silence as the two continued to stare at one another. Before Rouge could sigh however, Amy let out a small laugh and added. “I really should have just taken your word Shadow. My jealousy just runs away with me sometimes. Thinking you really kissed Sonic I’m so sorry, I must have sounded so...so...stupid ”

Shadow blinked as Amy continued to laugh.

“You did sound stupid, even if you were correct in your assessment,” Shadow told her softly and the laughter died almost instantly.

Oh damn it.

“W-what?” Amy asked, almost alarmed.

Shadow gave her a rather nasty smirk then, even by Rouge standards as the ebony hedgehog uncrossed his arms and started walking off.

“Don’t give up Amy Rose–I at least want a brief challenge,” he called behind his shoulder before disappearing behind the trees.

Amy stared at the spot he where he was just standing, slightly dumbfounded before letting a determined expression cross her face and running in a totally opposite direction.

It didn’t take an idiot to figure out what they were doing. Both were going to look for Sonic–and preferably try to get to him first.

Which meant that Rouge had to find him before either one of them did or at least, make sure Shadow stayed away from Sonic. Far...far away from Sonic. At least until she could get pawn four into action.

~~~~~~~~

And to Rouge’s credit, she did find Sonic. She just didn’t find him first.

“Sonic–I thought you were looking for Eggman ” Knuckles snapped aggravated.

“I am,” she heard him snap sarcastically as she hid behind a few bushes, watching Sonic climb off on Knuckles head, who had decided to come up out of the ground right under the at the time, resting hedgehog.

“Where’s the rest of the party then,” Knuckles demanded. Sonic hunched. “Where’s yours?”

“We all split up to cover more ground. I’m underground, Tails is flying in the air as Creams guide on the ground. He gave her the detector and gave us all these,” he said holding out the small device he had given Sonic. “So we could keep in touch. Now where’s everyone else?”

“Who knows? Shadow and Amy went off to have some ‘alone time’ and Rouge–well I’m not sure where she went.”

“After her boyfriend no doubt,” Knuckles spat bitterly, kicking up imaginary dirt. This caused Sonic to look up at him. “After all–somethings are just worth it.”

Rouge raised an eyebrow. He was mocking her.

“I guess they are,” Sonic grumbled. “Amy sure as hell saw fit to run off with him.”

They both paused in silence and Knuckles kicked up another patch of dirt.

“I asked Shadow–if he liked Amy. Before she came up. I don’t know why I did–I just blurted it out.”

Knuckles waited for him to continue, as did Rouge.

“He didn’t answer at all. He just looked at me. Then he started to laugh. You know, like it was funny. Then he asked why it was any concern of mine and why it should matter. I got upset I guess...”

Silence.

“Then Amy went off to have with him alone. I...just don’t know what to think. And Rouge looked pretty upset by it to. I almost felt bad for her.”

Knuckles looked up at him, like he had been slapped in the face. “She...did?”

Sonic blinked for a moment, almost as if something had dawned on him. He looked over his shoulder for a moment, causing Rouge to shrink back further behind the trunk before she saw him nod slowly. “Yeah she did. Like it had hurt her feelings.”

He turned to see Knuckles walking away from him, grumbling before he dove back into the ground.

She watched Sonic stare at the spot for a moment, then run off. Rouge couldn’t help the smirk, on her face.

Her first pawn had done exactly what she wanted him to do–and without her coxing him to do it like she was going to. Now all her final pawn had to do was help her drive the image home.

Taking in a deep breath, she came around the tree, preparing to go after Sonic before she persuade her final pawn–Tails–but bumped into the not pleased small tan fox himself.

She blinked down at him and he looked back up at her, his arms crossed in front of him as he frowned

“Rouge...a moment of your time if you please?”