Just Beneath the Surface

~AiC

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters and, unfortunately, probably never will. I am making no claim to Sega, Archie Comics, or anything else that uses Sonic the Hedgehog or Knuckles the Echidna.

A/N: I just wanted to write a *decent* SnK fic... seems I failed...

~{@}~

Dodging, my form slipped below the lightning-swift movements of my opponent and I moved in close, a small smirk on my lips. He'd left himself open, a rare thing in his case; the sharp claws on my gloved hand made harsh contact with his ribcage, and I could smell the blood welling around the new gashes. Not deep, not critical... but he'd be annoyed by the stinging pain. I heard as his breath shot from his throat, taking this opportunity to lean in and whisper, "You were careless." My voice was low and I stepped back to study my friend.

His short, blue fur was splotched with dark patches, some sweat and some blood, though it was hard to tell the difference. Emerald eyes gleamed with the thrill of the fight, and he straightened, shoulders rolling back as he cracked his neck. I licked my lips and pushed a crimson quill out of my face, my amethyst eyes glinting. If there had been any spectators -of which there weren't- they would have seen two people staring each other down: one slightly taller with wickedly gleaming, claw-like gloves and fur that was crimson in color; the other a dark sapphire, with a stature suggesting speed and a lopsided smirk hinting at a sharp wit for humor. I knew from experience that his tongue was even sharper.

I readied to attack again, ignoring the pain in my shoulder and ribs. He'd nailed me twice, two times that I'd let my guard down; even when I hadn't realized it. He was fast, but I was strong. Even so, this would be hard to win.

Whenever the two of us fought, it was always so easy to get swept away in the ocean of claws and teeth, punches and kicks, a veritable world of wit and clarity of mind that one needed to truly win against an opponent such as he. It was true, we didn't get along, but we fought so well. Princess Sally once tried to explain that we were so much alike, the likes clashed and the differences spaced the void between us even further. But Sonic, with all of his sarcasm and speed, his seemingly flippant personality, probably knows me better than anyone else. I don't consider that grudgingly; indeed, he is a very formidable partner.

"Yeah, well, it isn't like you're perfect." He looked up at me, eyes twinkling. "Your Royal Highness." He put emphasis on the last work, meant to anger me. I simply rolled my eyes and then looked at him, revealing a rare smile.

"Oh, Sonic, but you know I am." I stepped closer to him, the earth beneath my shoes unnoticed as I strode over the packed ground. Vegetation had long since given up attempting to straggle over this area of sparse foliage ever since we had made a habit of escaping to this spot to fight. Whenever our nerves were hiked or we just needed a release of energy, it was always unanimously decided and we made out way here. Perhaps what Sally says is true... we are very similar in our values and trains of thought. Though I shouldn't like being compared to him, I don't mind. After all, I do hold a certain respect for the hedgehog, which makes it less of an issue if someone wants to piece together our contrasts.

"Sonic! Knuckles! What are you two doing?"

I sighed and stopped in my tracks, letting my fists fall to my sides. Tails had started into the clearing, his boyish naiveté causing him to misunderstand our spar as some sort of argument. He had no idea of the battles we constantly fought mentally, the trivial things we challenged one another.

"Did you guys get into another argument?" He sighed in exasperation. "Aunt Sal told me to come get you. There's work to be done." He took on a tone of self-importance that a younger child often gets when someone of importance entrusts such a critical responsibility to them. Sonic only nodded.

"Thanks little buddy." He said, though his eyes never left me. I don't believe that Tails noticed. "You go on ahead."

"Uh uh. No, I don't want to get in trouble if you two kill each other or something." He was defiant, though not to the point where he would prove unswayable.

Surprisingly, I spoke up here. "If we wanted to kill each other, Miles, we'd be dead by now."

He frowned slightly and left. He still fears me to a degree, but I doubt that he'd ever admit it. Earning a half-glare from Sonic, I rolled my eyes, expression clearly stating, "It's not like I hurt his feelings."

"Yeah, sure." His slight frown told me. I sighed in exasperation in a not-so-subtle display of annoyance.

I started down the path towards Knothole village, Sonic catching up to me with no problem. We usually don't talk, so I was somewhat surprised when he did.

"Aren't you lonely?" he was serious, as if he'd been thinking about something, mulling it over all day and just couldn't figure out the why? of it.

The question came out of nowhere. He was being serious, for once, and I could tell he meant that since I always locked myself away that I was some kind of antisocial echidna with a grudge against humanity. Which, I assure you, is completely untrue...

I did not justify his question with an answer.

He just exhaled and looked ahead of him. Glancing at me slyly, he murmured, "Too tired to answer, huh? Well, it's only natural. No one can go against me and not be exhausted."

He knew better. I replied icily, "No, I just don't answer questions that aren't others' business."

He expected that answer, though something lingered in his eyes that betrayed his impartiality. Surely he didn't actually expect me to tell him!

A few minutes more and we'd be to the town. He looked at me again, eyes sincere and still serious. "Guardian, how can you protect something if you don't know what it's like to be protected?"

This really threw me. What the hell was he talking about?

"Knuckles." He suddenly appeared directly in front of me. "You've been alone most, if not all, of your life. You don't need to be. You have friends."

I chuckled slightly. He was ridiculous. "Guardians can't have friends. It's pointless."

"Yes they can." He paid the second statement no mind. "Everyone needs them." His hands came to rest on my shoulders. "And I can tell when you fight that you long for the companionship of a friend. Someone to share you thoughts with."

I shook him off. He really could be quite obnoxious sometimes. "We're almost back to Knothole." I announced, ignoring most of his other statements.

But he was not to be dismissed. "Knux, buddy." He knew I hated it when he called me that. "I'm your friend."

I stopped cold in my tracks. I guess I hadn't expected this simple declaration to have such an impact. My insides seemed to freeze, as if moving in slow motion. It was hard to breath and I shook my head to clear it. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I don't have friends, I thought. And was it not true?

Sonic smirked slightly, just enough so I could see. He knew what this meant to me; he knew how he'd never said it before. It was hard, he knew, being what I am. I'll never understand why he helps me like this. I sigh and make my way to my hut.

From the corner of my eye I see Sonic, Tails, and Sally talking; it's so obvious that she loves him. The way she fawns over him, touches his cheek. My gaze falls upon the small split-tailed fox and his hero-worshiping expression as he watches Sonic intently. He'd do anything for his 'best buddy'. Lastly, I look to the hedgehog himself. He doesn't seem to notice either Sally or Tails. That's because he's looking at me. He does this often, though discreetly, so no one other than myself notices.

Now, don't get me wrong. I bear the blue-furred Freedom Fighter no love. He bothers me less nowadays, though.

~{@}~

A/N: Okay, yes, this sucked. Leave me alone. I CAN'T WRITE SONIC AND KNUCKLES!! ::sob::