Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Lasts Forever ❯ With You... ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARATERS. But the dark voices of Shadow's past I made up, but there is a chance of them appearing in later games by pure coincidence. So Sega or Sonic Team, if you ever read these stories, then please don't sue me, but please consider hiring me instead! ^^

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A/N: The story's rating has changed to `mature readers only'.

A/N: There is brief mentioning and attempt at rape, but it is not very graphic.

A/N: This chapter's pretty serious, so it may not be for the easily mortified/offended.

A/N: To me, there is no lemon in this chapter, but a pure and honest sharing of two hearts becoming as one. And it is very descriptive. So watch out!

A/N: Also, a note to all the men that read this, …please be careful -_-

A/N: This chapter has also been revised. I was unsatisfied with how it turned out before, so I made it better…

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Shadow and Rouge in…

 

Nothing Lasts Forever: Part 4

 

 

“The courage to pursue your love will change even Fate.”-Savan, Legend of Dragoon

 

--

 

Once at her door, he hesitantly creaked it open, then curiously stepped in.

Looking around, he found himself awe and captivated by how exquisite her room was.

Shades of red, light pinks and purples were splashed on ever wall and the ceiling. The floor was a tiled shade of purple and white with a lavish red carpet with gold tassels that led from the door to her equally exquisite canopy bed.

Shadow soon found himself with his mouth open. “This is amazing…” he uttered, taking hesitant steps closer to the bed. Upon reaching it, he slid the thin curtains aside and peeked in. The sheets were pink and peeked out from beneath a lush comforter that was a divine and lush shade of red.

Silent, Shadow stared at the bed for a moment with narrowed eyes. A faint smirk brushed his lips as he shook his head, then reached down to touch the sheets. Never feeling something so soft in his life, the next thing Shadow knew, he was face down in the sheets and snuggling into them.

“It's so…soft…” he murmured, then lifted his face the moment he felt the bed ripple. Alarmed, he quickly sat up and remained perfectly still as the bed moved again.

“What is that…?!” he wondered, touching the bed and sinking his fingers into it.

“Feels good, doesn't?”

Shadow had to catch himself from falling to the floor, but fell back into the sheets instead. Clenching them lightly, while being jostled by the waves of the bed, he looked to the doorway with a raised eyebrow and a tight-lipped frown. “And just how long have you been there?”

Rouge flashed him an alluring smile and adjusted her silk robe. “Long enough to see you get eagerly `acquainted' with my bed!” she chuckled mischievously, “Careful Shadow, or you'll make me jealous…”

“Jealous?” Shadow questioned, clearly confused. Not liking to be left in the dark, he quickly changed the subject and pointed to the bed. “ Just what kind of bed is this anyway?”

Rouge laughed, while tugging on a lock of damp hair. “It's a water bed.”

“Huh? Water bed? There's water inside?”

She chuckled seductively and nodded. “That's right. Romantic isn't it…?” she mused, scrunching her nose at the cliché sounding of her words.

Shadow raised an eyebrow at this, and gave the bed a few pokes with his thumb. “It's…interesting…”

Rouge snickered, quite amused by the way he poked the bed. “…Well I guess it is with the way you're poking the bed like that! Sure you're not practicing for something…?”

Shadow's lips curled into a half-frown in pure confusion as he stared at her. “…You lost me…”

With a light laugh, Rouge shook her head, and closed her door. “I figured that…” she smiled, walking elegantly over to him.

Shadow's eyes traveled over her as she came closer to him. Her body was slick with fresh remnants of the shower, so that the loose robe she wore clung to her curves in all the right places.

Noticing he was staring again, Shadow lifted his eyes to hers, only to witness her standing directly in front of him.

“…Rouge…” he managed to mutter as she placed a hand to his face.

“Hmmm?” she purred, eagerly taking in his captivated expression and nearing her face closer to his. “What is it Shadow…?”

Wordless, Shadow looked to her through half-lidded eyes. “…You're teasing me again…aren't you?”

With a grin Rouge chuckled and pulled away. “Honestly, Shadow, must you take the fun out of being a tease?”

“Must you be a tease?” he retaliated with a taunting smirk.

“What?” Rouge exclaimed, shocked such a blunt remark would come from his mouth. “Oh I get it…” she smirked, letting a chuckle float from her as she sat next to him on the bed.

Shadow was sure to keep his balance this time as the waves and ripples of her bed passed under him.

Noticing that he still wasn't used to the type of bed it was yet, Rouge playfully giggled at his reaction.

Not understanding how what he did ended up being so amusing to her, Shadow tore his eyes away from the waves of the bed and glared at her. “What's so funny…?”

“Oh knock it off Shadow! Stop acting so tough all the time. You don't have to hide so from me!” she cried, playfully pushing him and he quickly caught his balance.

But only in response to the lyrical amusement in her voice, did he smile. Once the realization of her words hit him, his smile quickly disappeared and he looked down. “Perhaps not….everything, Rouge...”

She blinked, bewildered. “Huh? What do you mean by that Shadow?” she wondered, leaning closer to him.

Secretly admiring her consistency in caring about him and his well-being without ever being asked to, Shadow faced her with a slightly appeased smile before he spoke his words.

And the moment he took a pause before responding to her question, Rouge knew something was very wrong, and deep down, she felt it had a lot to do with his strange behavior lately. Her eyes thinly narrowed, but she said nothing and let him talk.

Taking a deep breath, Shadow lightly placed his hand atop hers on the bed and gave it a squeeze.

“Rouge…there's something I feel I should tell you…”

Rouge glanced down at his hand, then returned her eyes to his lips and waited. “…”

Disturbed by the uneasy atmosphere, Shadow sighed and closed his eyes as he continued. “…But first…I have to apologize to you for all that I have been recently putting you through. I know I haven't been acting quite like myself lately, and there is a reason for that in which I will tell you…But I've been keeping if from you because…you are the only reason I still remain in this world…”

A jolt of realization coursed through Rouge at his words as the graphic and heart-wrenching sight of finding him battered and cut on that highway as if he wanted to willingly end his own life and leave her behind flashed through her mind. The sorrow and heartbreak that moment caused was still a fresh wound within her being and the pain and betrayal she felt then began to rise within her yet again, but she pushed it back down.

However, her battling emotions caused her to not have any realization of the small tear that had formed in the corner of her eye.

All of this was unknown to Shadow, and that was probably how it was meant to be.

Forcefully, he continued on and gave her hand another squeeze, his eyes still closed.

“…And because you are the sole reason that keeps me here…and sane…I have no idea what will happen if what I'm about to tell you will cause you to hate me for the rest of my life…”

He paused, feeling the wretched tangle of darkness begin to bubble up inside of him.

Traiiitooorr….

Do not save herrr…

Keep your Promise

Remove herr…!

`No…!' he inwardly spat back at them as he fought to force their hissed messages back down. There was one that spoke the truth, but he was too focused on stopping those voices from resurfacing, that he didn't fully notice it. `Leave Rouge out of this!'

His words were met with an warped and animalistic howl from deep within his being, then gradually the voices and the sounds began to subside. Only a faint cackle lingered, but that too followed the same of the ones before it.

Thinking he had bested them for now, Shadow scoffed and turned his attention to Rouge to check on her.

Only one side of her face looked back at him, as her attention lead downward to the floor.

She felt guilty for something but why? What was it?

Confused and wanting to help, Shadow reached out a finger to stroke her cheek with, but the moment he did, his hand sharply recoiled and a painful groan escaped him.

`Wh-what's happening…to me…?!' he cried in his mind, nearly becoming overwhelmed by the presence that sought to consume him.

Said to leave her out of it…

But if she is willing….

Would not be against her will….

 

Panic ran through what was left of him as he realized what was happening. The souls and spirits that lingered and drifted inside of him did what they could to keep his little secret about them under wraps and especially not being told to Rouge. Swiftly, they grabbed his spirit and dragged him down within the depths of his own emotionally-torn body as they themselves took over his position as the main host.

His muffled cries were completely unheard by anything now.

And Shadow was once again locked away in a void of dark nothingness…

 

Feeling him react so quickly as if something were wrong, Rouge quickly turned her attention to him. “Shadow what—“ But her words were cut short by moist and hot lips pressing firmly and hungrily against hers.

A few sounds were all she could muffle as she tried to take in everything that was happening. What had gotten into Shadow all of a sudden??

“Mmph! Vadow!” she called, he lips still mostly claimed by the hedgehog's. Finally, seconds later, the kiss was broken and once Rouge regained her sight and state of mind, a small gasp escaped her as the male that looked back at her wore a devilishly mischievous grin she never thought she would ever see from him.

In fact, she couldn't tell if she should accept that grin or be terrified of it.

Squinting, she inched away from him slightly as she tried to identify what had gotten into him for him to act so—recklessly. But deep down, she admitted to herself that the take-charge attitude was a bit of a turn on.

Catching her breath, she tried asking again. “Shadow…what..what are you thinking?! What happened to you?”

A dark chuckle drifted from his throat and he moved closer to her, his composure transiting into a more calm and compassionate look.

“I'm sorry Rouge…” he said in a tone that was hiding something, but a calm and alluring smile hid any hints of peril and deceit. And Rouge almost caught that lie.

She knew something was wrong and amiss, but, not wanting to leap head first into conclusions, she decided she'd test the situation a little.

“You're sorry huh? Allright, I guess I can let you off with that. And no stalling this time, what was it that you wanted to tell me Shadow?”

The hedgehog flinched at the name and looked away for a moment before returning his eyes to her. “…”

Rouge narrowed her eyes. `He's taking too long to think about it…Shadow is that really you…?' Figuring she'd keep trying to clarify some answers, she neared closer to him and took his hand in hers. “Shadow…”

He blankly eyed her.

“Tell me…what is it that's bothering you…?”

Not knowing how to respond, he turned away from her yet again, and sighed. “Rouge..” he spoke softly “..I know you must think I'm acting strangely…even more than usual, but the truth is I…I'm just afraid I'd lose you…” he continued, lightly squeezing her hand and looking her in the eyes.

Taken aback by the words and gesture, Rouge winced, then looked deep into his eyes.

Realizing that she was prying the hedgehog inched himself even closer to her to advert her eyes away from his and placed their hands between the two of them on the bed. “I just know that if anything happened between us, like the President sending a search party after us, that we may end up separated…and if that happened especially from it being my fault, I couldn't live with myself…knowing that I'm guilty and responsible for something like that…”

Not knowing how to respond Rouge simply stared at him, then shook her head. “Shadow…you've got to understand that even if the President finds us, he's going to have to go through me in order to get to you… I'm not letting you slip through my fingers that easily…”

From this comment, the hedgehog smirked. Perhaps Rouge's answer would be making things a bit too easy?

Leaving it at that, he slightly turned away from her, then when she curiously leaned closer to find out why he kept doing that, to Rouge's surprise, a light hand cupped her cheek and just as quickly, she was pulled into another searing kiss.

She had no idea Shadow had so much passion inside of him, while another part of her still told her something was wrong.

Unsure of the situation, she placed her fingertips to his chest to lightly push him away, but her attempts were stopped cold when his hand entwined his fingers with hers and the kiss deepened.

`This is beginning to be too much…' she thought, slowly surrendering into his motions. `I never knew Shadow had a side to him like this… at first he was so gentle and unsure but now….' Rouge's thoughts were quickly interrupted as the slick sensation of his warm tongue locating hers shut off all wandering thoughts and she eagerly responded to the action.

`…Uhn…Shadow….'

 

*

`Ro…uge…! Rou..ge..!' Shadow gasped, pinned against the void within his own being. Those dark spirits held him captive there for trying to go against them and he had to struggle to regain his consciousness. But once he did, he knew immediately what had taken place and `stood' to his 'feet'

Vulgarly, he cursed the dark spirits for doing this to him as he frantically wondered what was happening to Rouge. The instant the thought passed through him, a projection of what was happening outside of his body's eyes revealed itself to him---and the horror that struck him was nothing short of unspeakable…

Rouge had been laid on her back on the bed and the tops of her silken robe that hung around her shoulders were slightly slipping down the curves of her arm from her position.

She gave an uncomfortable expression from being laid on her wings and slightly sat up to straighten them out before thick and dark hands were placed on her shoulders and eagerly laid her back down.

A distinctive uneasiness flowed through Shadow as these images were plastered around him, surrounding him.

Those spirits who were using his body…they were planning on raping Rouge…

 

 

But if she is willing….

Would not be against her will….

 

Shadow's existence wavered as the hissed words from the darkness burned itself back into his memory. It all made sense to him now.

Those spirits emerged and took over his body while he was in the midst of telling her about them, they pain they caused and the lies they spread. If he had told Rouge, they could have done one of two things: kill her, or be killed themselves from being known about by anyone other than Shadow himself. But taking over his body the way they did and posing as him to seduce Rouge was only another gimmick to take her out of the picture while her guard was down.

It almost seemed that either way, Rouge was a vital key that either needed to be taken away from him or kept close to his heart. Without her being in the picture in the first place, he probably would have never came back to such a wretched and hateful planet. Nor would he have been able to control the voices and spirits in his being as much as he did and actually have the chance to think for himself and seek whatever he willed to seek.

Rouge helped him obtain that gift of free-will and helped break him away from his own set up limitations.

She was the key to everything he held dear. And only she had the ability to either close the door she opened or step in it all the way.

Whatever choice she made, Shadow wouldn't stand for the possibility of her being taken away from him right before his eyes.

`ROUGE!!' he called, but his words were swiftly swallowed by the void as quickly as he spoke. But that didn't stop him from continuing to scream his empty and unheard cries as he tried everything he could to release the darkness's grip on his body and release Rouge from her `captivity'.

`ROUGE!!!!!!!!!!'

*

Rouge jumped at the sudden chill she received and looked up to the black hedgehog before her with curious and wandering eyes.

Something about all this really did not feel right.

“Shadow…Shadow stop…”

Being stopped for the second time this night by this bat-woman, a frown curled his lips and he stared at her, but avoiding direct eye contact. “What's wrong now….”

She shook her head, overlooking the tone in his voice and sighed. “Just…something doesn't feel right. I think we should try this some other time…” She bit her lip, expecting to risk catching a look of deep disappointment and almost rejection in his eyes, but to her surprise a smug smirk played across his lips instead and he chuckled.

But it sounded nothing like the ones she'd heard from him before. Just what was going on with him?

“Sh…Shadow…?”

Instead of answering her right away, he chuckled again and grabbed her wrists and pinned her to the bed with his legs on either side of her.

Alarmed and also extremely uncomfortable with laying directly on her wings, Rouge yelped and fought with him, trying to free her hands. “What the---What has gotten into---!”

Then the answer hit her the second she caught glimpse of his eyes--those clouded, vengeful eyes. Shadow would never look at her like that.

“You're…you're not Shadow!!” she cried.

*

The second Shadow heard her words, a bright light encircled around him and his surroundings and not letting a second delay pass, he raced towards the light and grabbed a hold of it as best as he could.

`Rouge, I'm on m way…!'

 

*

With the hedgehog's identity farce disrupted, his hands left her wrists and curled tightly around her neck, attempting to strangle her.

Gasping and choking for air, Rouge tried all she could to pry his vice grip away from her and squirmed under the force.

`Shadow!' she cried in her mind, unable to think much of anything else, but all of a sudden, the force surrounding her neck loosened and she wheezed to catch her breath.

Unknown to her, the reason why this happened was because of Shadow's consciousness returning, but he hadn't completely settled.

Once free to fully breathe, Rouge, she kicked Shadow off of her with one lightning fast movement and lunged at him--tackling him to the floor. One of her hands encircled tautly around his neck as the other hand readied itself to strike.

Finally back as the main host and in full control of his body yet again, Shadow warped out of harm's way and reappeared directly behind Rouge.

He didn't know everything that had just happened within those few seconds, but his hands shook with guilt and fury and he clenched them into fists.

There was silence…then…

“Rouge…please stop…” he pleaded, a deep and heavy remorse coating his sincere words.

Rouge nearly twisted her body to turn to him, but the will to fight drained from her the moment she identified the rich tone in his voice. Had Shadow come back?

“…Shadow…?” she croaked, stepping backwards and rubbing her neck.

A slight shuddering motion was all his body gave as an answer, before, he hung his head and slowly turned to face her. For a moment, he said nothing and thought nothing, but simply stared at her—and he could barely do that.

He had finally made it back to her, and if it wasn't for her reaching out to him, he never would have made it. He owed her his life, and more than that: his dedication.

And both of those things he had absolutely no difficulty in sharing with or devoting entirely to her.

But what had just happened the moment before he returned to his body still bothered him and even though he had no recollection of exactly what went on, the exasperated and horrified look on her face told him everything he needed to know—and he begun to hate himself for it.

“…Answer me….” She demanded flatly.

A thin film of a liquid glistened on the surface of his eyes as he nodded. “Yes Rouge…it's me…” he voiced softly.

He actually was even ashamed to show his face to her, but at this moment, with being only a mere few inches away from her, his body acted on its own and gently pulled her into his arms and he hugged her dearly.

Her body reacted to the motion at first and she tensed up, but slowly it dissipated and she relaxed. She knew it was him.

“Rouge…Rouge, I am so sorry…that this had to happen…I don't deserve to be forgiven for this…”

A light gasp of shock tumbled from betwixt her lips, but she said nothing as her arms tenderly encircled beneath the row of quills around his waist and pulled him closer to her.

Shuddering, Shadow returned her embrace and lightly kissed her shoulder. Trying to control his tears from emerging, he tightly shut his eyes and took long shallow breaths. “…I…I wanted to tell you …I was going to tell you…but, I also wanted to keep it from you for as long…as I could, but after what happened tonight, I just can't stop thinking of what could have happened to you ….!…. Rouge I…there is something gravely wrong with me….!” He continued, his words becoming slightly slurred from the sadness they held and the frequent shaking of his body. All of this was tearing him apart.

Rouge quietly rubbed his back to calm his frequent shuddering fits. She knew he would eventually be driven to a breakdown if this kept up. She appreciated the fact he wanted to tell her so badly what was bothering him, but at this rate, it would be better if he just relaxed for the night. When he tried to tell her before…well, she didn't want to remember the events that previously took place and forcefully pushed them behind her.

“Shadow…” she called gingerly, delicately pulling away from him only just enough to look at his face. Forlorn and sorrowful opals looked back at her.

Confused, the whisper of her name was all that passed his lips as Rouge laced a curled finger beneath his chin and brushed his lips with hers.

`Please calm down Shadow…' she prayed in her mind, hoping for the best.

One kiss was all it took.

A faint sound of relief drifted from him as the withheld repentance that had taken shelter within him began to meticulously melt away.

That Rouge was really something else and inwardly, he thanked her for being just that.

Now feeling adequate beyond what he thought he could ever feel in a situation such as this one, Shadow discreetly pressed his lips to Rouge's and let his ungloved hands lightly ease up her back as his fingers outlined the curve of her shoulder blades through her thin robe.

.Her wings twitched from his fingers being so close to them, then slowly spread open. And with a light flap to completely unravel them, Rouge allowed them to circle around the both of them and to press him closer to her.

Curious to what she was doing, Shadow lightly broke the kiss and glanced upwards while Rouge ran her hands up his chest and curved them around his neck.

Confused, but certainly not complaining, a faint smile touched his lips. “Rouge..?”

“Shhh….” She smiled with allure dancing in her bountiful eyes. “Just relax…and enjoy…” she teased, kissing him sweetly and briefly.

Shadow chuckled faintly and kissed her back, pretending to sound naive.“…Huh…? Enjoy…?” he smirked, meeting his lips to hers yet again. “What are you going to do to me…” he paused to kiss the tip of her nose, “…Rouge…?”

He was really trying his best to put the previous events behind him also and to move on and Rouge admired that.

She smirked at his question and thought for a moment. “I'll have to get back to you on that, but I don't think you'll complain much.”

“Hmph” he smirked and went to kiss her again, but there he stopped himself.

.“…Shadow?”

He said nothing for a moment, then shook his head. “Sorry. I guess I'm just trying too hard.”

She sighed and half-frowned. `What is it this time Shadow…?' she groused in her mind, but listened to what he had to say.

Acknowledging that she was listening, he continued. “ One problem may have been temporarily taken care of, but there's still the president and G.U.N of whom we still have to look out for. …We may not be able to stay together Rouge.” he spoke softly, “ We have to consider the risks and consequences of what may happen to us…”

“Stop right there…” she said, placing a finger to his lips, briefly shushing him. “I'm tired of going back to this, Shadow. Whether the president finds us or not, I'm not going to let any opportunity offered to me or us just slip through my fingers. “

“But Rouge—“

“But nothing, Shadow! Yes, we have to consider the risks and we already have, but we also have to take into account that the two of us can no longer just go our separate ways whenever we feel like it anymore. Unless, that's what you want. If you do, then we are no longer a couple or anything associated within the context of being a couple. Once you leave out that front door without me, thinking or believing you're going to handle what's coming for the both of us, alone, then that's it.” She stated firmly, beginning to unravel her wings from around him “I don't know if you were here to hear me say this or not, but the president and G.U.N will have to go through me first before they can lay a finger on you… and I mean that.”

“Rouge…” he murmured, touched and honored by her answer, but even though her decision was very noble, he wouldn't be able to live with himself if she did put herself in the position to take the full brunt of an attack meant for him.

Inwardly he apologized to her. Knowing she was at risk along with himself, he knew he could not stay with her while this was going on… Perhaps after the tension died down, they could be together and stay that way without having to live in fear of capture.

Maybe, only maybe could they have a life to call their own for as long as they wanted.

But for right now, he was going to indulge in the few hours they had left to one another before daybreak.

He sighed and lightly hugged her. “You're right.” He agreed. `But I still can't leave all of this on you to deal with…' he thought.

Rouge was keen to his way of thinking though and knew even after he took what she said into account, he still would go out and do his own thing to protect the both of them, but she spoke nothing of it.

“Good. Now, tonight you're keeping me company. It can get rather cold in here sometimes.” She said, slipping out of their embraces and taking his hand.

He glanced down at their hands for a moment, then returned his eyes to her and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean it gets cold in here? You have over 5 layers of sheets on your bed.”

“Yes, but these are made of the highest quality material of silk and satin and neither of those get very warm, but they look and feel gorgeous…” she smiled, leading him over to the bed.

Shadow knew where this was going. She was going to make sure he didn't sneak out as soon as she fell asleep. She was really persistent!

He chuckled at the thought of her holding him tightly in her arms or having her legs around his waist in a scissor hold so he couldn't get away.

Little did he know what she had in mind to keep him there…

Hesitantly, Rouge folded a couple layers of the sheets back and climbed in the bed, taking both his hands and leading him to follow suit.

Her heart began to pound in her chest from the courage she obtained to be able to be the one to make the first moves. Rather it be hard to believe or not, she had never been in a situation like this before, but she knew what she wanted.

Shadow, on the other hand, thought she was going to lure him into bed and find some way to keep him from leaving at all—an almost innocent way of thinking.

But he had a little secret of his own…and never thought the day would arrive when it needed to be mentioned.

“Stay close to me” Rouge uttered softly, getting comfortable beneath the covers, keeping her eyes on him.

With a light smile Shadow nodded and did as she said, placing the sheets over himself.

Although his features expressed a slight frown of uneasiness once several waves from the bed rolled beneath him.

Rouge smiled warmly at his behavior and giggled. “What's wrong Shadow…? “ she playfully asked.

“I still can't understand why you chose to buy a bed with water in it….It feels so…unstable…”

“Who said I bought it? And don't worry Shadow, I'm sure you'll get used to it.”

“That's probably another reason why it gets so cold in here to you. All this water and no way to heat it up…”

“Well, there is one way, Shadow…” she led on, inwardly biting her lip.

“And what way is that? Any devices you hook up to it will probably result in it popping or possibly even exploding—“

“I'm not talking about devices Shadow.”

Confused and curious he gave her an odd expression. “Then what are you talking about Rouge?”

Silence.

“Shadow…are you telling me you don't know what I'm getting at…?”

“What? “

She sighed placed her hands lightly on his chest and tugged at the ivory fur, knowing it to be a sensitive spot.

He instantly got the picture. “…Oh… So that's what you… Are you sure…?”

She half-smiled. “Shadow I wouldn't have had you get in bed with me if I wasn't sure!” she laughed a little, “What did you THINK I was pulling you in here for? To keep you locked in a scissor hold and not let you go anywhere??”

“………………..yes… ”

“…….Oh Shadow!! You're being too naïve!!! Haha!!”

“And now you're laughing at me….” he frowned.

“Oh hey come on, don't take it the wrong way Shadow, I didn't mean any harm. But wow, I never expected you to think that way…and only that way about this…But now that I do know, that actually makes me feel a bit more comfortable.”

He blinked. “More comfortable…? My humility makes you feel more comfortable?”

“Nonono, Shadow, listen to what I'm saying. And actually, this is a bit embarrassing for me to mention but, I've never gotten in bed with another male.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Don't give me that look, I'm serious. I've never…given myself to any guy before. You would be the first…if you were willing to accept me….”

“Be willing to accept you…? Rouge I already accept you.”

“That's not what I mean… I mean…nevermind…” she groaned. “I guess I'm just confusing you even more… You can goto sleep now…”

“Wait, Rouge…” he persuaded, lightly touching her shoulder and brushing a finger across her cheek. “I apologize. This seems very important to you for you to even bring it up to me, so, I accept. And to tell you the truth, I haven't gotten this close to a woman except you, Rouge. And honestly, I really have little idea of what I'm supposed to exactly do..except make you happy… And I need pointers on how to do that…”

A warm feeling began to rise in Rouge as she listened. He really was new at this, probably more than she was, but he had the right ideas.

“Oh Shadow…” she smiled, lacing an arm around him to give him a hug. “I'm glad you're being so honest with me… And I can appreciate that. “

He eagerly hugged her back. “I know. I know Rouge.”

 

Nothing lasts forever…

 

Shadow paused for a moment. That voice. It sounded sincere and almost angelic.

 

But be true to who you are, Shadow…

 

`Maria…' he thought, closing his eyes.

Knowing something was on his mind again, but wanted to share their last moments together in peace and to themselves, Rouge touched one of his eyelids and traced an invisible curve to the side of his face and there she added the feathery tactility of her delicate fingertips and kissed him.

“Please don't hold back Shadow…we need each other now…There's no guarantee for how long this will last..”

The last 4 words she spoke triggered a lingering emotion in Shadow and he hugged her close to him, lightly sending kisses from her lips, to her cheeks and to her collarbone.

“Shadow…” she whispered, slowly allowing her body to full relax to give him access to its entirety. “Please…”

Understanding what she meant, and willing to do the best that he could, Shadow gingerly ran his hands up her arm and led it down to the silken curve of her waist through her robe and hesitantly rubbed her thigh.

His mind soon became littered with thoughts and insecure fears as he touched her—thinking he may have started off too quickly or eagerly or if he offended her in some way.

But before he moved his hand away from her skin, Rouge's laid atop his and she gently guided his hand back down to her thigh and led it across her backside before slipping it under her leg.

Still a bit unsure of what to do, but seemed to be catching on as they went along, Shadow trailed his hand back upto her bottom and gave it a squeeze before lightly lifting her leg across his waist and pressing his hips against her.

Rouge giggled faintly. He was getting the hang of this rather quickly! And she didn't expect anything less from him. “You're doing good Shadow…” she encouraged, brushing her lips across the red crest on his forehead. “Keep going…” she whispered.

Noticing her tone already becoming breathless, Shadow glanced upto Rouge as he caught glimpse of her hand carefully reaching down to fumble with the tie in her robe. But before she could loosen it, Shadow suddenly stopped her. Smirking, he lightly moved her hand away and did the honor himself.

The moment her ethereal garment was undone, his hand curiously smoothed over her shoulder once, then again, but this time revealing her bare shoulder. Eager to continue, he took a breath and peeled away another part of it. He stopped breathing for a good moment when one of her supple breasts peeked out at him.

Watching him pause, Rouge grinned and tenderly drew her fingers across his face to the back of his head, lightly nudging him forward to give him the idea of what to do next.

A mere second that felt like minutes passed as Shadow prepared himself for the point of no return. Softly and with great hesitance, Shadow nuzzled his nose against her nipple.

A faint gasp rose from Rouge, but she didn't say a word.

Assuming her action to be a positive response, as well as receiving another nudge from her, he lifted his mouth to it and curiously teased the tip with his tongue. He had no idea he was actually teasing her, but as long as she continued to encourage him on, he did just that until she told him otherwise.

“Ha~aah..Shadow. That's it…keep going, please. Give me more…” she breathed, pressing his head closer to her as he began to suckle.

Believing that she was enjoying it, every so often he would glance up at her to check her expression to make sure he was doing allright. And from the distant and yearning look on her face, he figured he was doing better than he thought.

Soon desiring to try something a little different, he slid his other hand beneath her side and carefully rolled onto his back, taking her with him until she was on top of him.

This way he had better freedom to do as he pleased. He was also thankful that most of Rouge's bed was covered with plenty of cushioning, or else his quills could have popped the bed. But he quickly placed that thought aside when he felt Rouge move slightly downward. Taking a pause from his previous feast, he looked up to see her place a finger to his lips, then trail it down his chest, his stomach and rested it just slightly below where his navel would be.

He kept silent as he watched her with curious eyes. With a lick of her lips, she gave him an alluring smile and allowed her finger to continue traveling downward.

A faint sound of exuberance left his lips while his hips lightly rose off the bed, then returned. “…Rouge…” he murmured, a little embarrassed and a little surprised.

Still smiling, but now wearing a more sly one, Rouge continued to let her fingers mingle with him until she saw the honest expression of clearly wanting more cross his features.

`Wow…' she thought with a light smile `He really wants to go through with this.' By her next thought, she inwardly chuckled. `He looks so cute like this… I just hope I'm able to do this right…' she added to herself while lightly biting her lip. Once her confidence was gathered, she traced light circles from the base of his blooming erection to the very tip with her thumb, then slowly began to stroke him.

She started extremely slowly—gliding her hand up to the top and swirling her thumb around it before bringing her hand back down. She lightly drew her fingertips across the inside of his thigh with her other hand and discreetly lead it slightly lower to softly cup his spherical curves. And there she delicately tugged on them and passed her thumb over the smoothness while rotating her hand both clockwise and counter clockwise on his length while continuing to guide it up and down.

Shadow moaned deeply at the new sensation and his hips rose to meet her rythmn.

Rouge paused for a second to dare a glance up at him to see if she had accidentally pulled on him the wrong way or not, but felt her nervousness start to fade as her eyes beheld the craved and appeased look on his face.

And not to her surprise, Shadow could barely take it--the taunting, the teasing. Having experiencing so much at once was both an immediate breakthrough and new experience for him. And he was enjoying every passing second of it. But little did he know, that Rouge's actions were only the tip of the ice-burg.

Nearly completely immersed in intimate and overwhelming pleasure, Shadow had his head turned to one side, but still managed to watch her with both hands balled into fists, clenching the sheets. “Rouge…” he barely whispered, “…go faster…faster…” he almost pleaded. “…Rouge….”

`Wow, I must be doing something right…!' Rouge mused to herself in her mind. With a small grin from feeling the authority of being in control and being able to please him like she wanted, Rouge did as he wished at a gradual pace. She chuckled inwardly to herself, knowing he had no idea for what she was going to do next.

His mind soon became hazy from most of the blood leaving his head and going elsewhere. A low and raspy moan drifted from his lips as his eye-lids lowered halfway, then slowly shut. He never imagined that she would ever want to do such a thing. He never even thought about it.

But suddenly Rouge stopped.

It took him a full second to lazily opening his eyes. The moment he did, he trailed them down to her just in time to see her tongue peek out and nip the side of his length. He thought his breathing stopped as he watched her taste both sides playfully before swirling her tongue downwards, entirely moistening his throbbing endowment.

Rouge smiled to herself, knowing he was enjoying this probably as much as she was. While she had never done her actions on a person before, she had read up on it one day she got bored looking through secret files on the government's computer.

She was grateful to finally have a chance to put all that to good use—especially for Shadow.

Swiftly realizing she had gotten Shadow's full attention, in more ways then one, she moved her mouth upwards to the top of his arousal and engulfed it. Then she quickly receded, gave it a few more licks, then consumed more of his thickness yet again and moaned as she did.

Shadow had almost completely lost himself within the wonders of her craft, and her mouth, and shut his eyes yet again.

“…Ye~~s…” he moaned, bucking his hips without realizing, “Yes Rouge!”

She gave a sound in response and rose to meet his motions with her mouth while keeping a light fist around his width and pumped it simultaneously.

“Ahhhhh!! Rouge!! “ Shadow grunted, moving his hips faster and faster each second that passed. In succession, a slur of nearly incoherent words flew from his mouth as he shouted her name atop his lungs again and again until suddenly he stopped abruptly and breathed in very deeply and exhaled.

Rouge had to jump back at first from the force streaming behind his first ejaculation, but she quickly returned her mouth to him and lightly suckled on the tip as she fully consumed his essence as best she could, but some of it seeped out and down the sides of her mouth.

Shadow was completely lost in another world at this moment. He had never experienced such a empowering sensation his entire life. Gasping for air and stability, he finally managed to open his eyes again and nearly passed out from the sight of Rouge licking at the remainder of his explosion and loving every drop of it.

“Ro…u…”

There was actually something important he wanted to tell her, but the second he wanted to, he quickly forgot and concerned himself with catching his breath instead.

“Shhh” she giggled, giving him one more lick before licking her own lips and moving upto his chest, kneeling on all fours. Smirking, she combed her fingers through his tuft of fur and lightly sat on his abdomen. “We're not finished, yet…”

The second the weight of her lower body rested on him, something struck within him and in a split second, Rouge was on her back, cushioned by the pillows, and he had his hands planted firmly on her hips with his legs on either side of her--his pulsing thickness dripping.

Rouge's eyes widened and she gasped at the sight, but she eagerly had been expecting this moment.

“Do it Shadow.” She demanded with a smirk. “Make me feel all of you!”

With a quick kiss to her lips, Shadow then licked them as he tried to position himself at her moist and inviting entrance.

Figuring he might need some help, Rouge reached down between them and rubbed him to lure him to the right spot. “Be gentle…” she added, knowing this would probably hurt.

“As you wish...” Shadow replied softly as he carefully eased into her with very short, but mildly quick thrusts to slide in as best as he could.

Biting her lip as she took in the new feeling, Rouge tried closing her eyes and taking brief, shallow breaths as her hands smoothed around his body and she outlined the curve of his tail with her finger.

Shadow, never attempting anything like this before, trusted her movements and read her body language before he made any sudden moves. But as the moments passed, they both moaned as he was halfway nestled inside her. A little unsure of what to actually do next, he risked an embarrassed look to her and she lightly trailed her fingertips across his hips and held them while gingerly guiding him slightly backwards, then forwards.

Shadow knew what to do, but he just wasn't sure of how to go about it. Nonetheless, he followed her lead as well as her pace.

Before long, he came to a sudden pause and looked to her with eyes full of glistening concern.

Once her eyes opened and met with his, she instantly understood and nodded. “Do your best, Shadow. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.”

A sincere look washed over his features and he nodded. “I'll take care of you, Rouge…” he stated—having an additional much deeper meaning.

With a smile, Rouge closed her eyes again, preparing herself for the breeching the point of no longer being an `untouched' woman.

And with a long but moderately paced thrust, all of that was put aside and a small yelp escaped her, but Shadow's lips scooped up the sound with a deep and scrupulous kiss

`Shadow…' Rouge thought, as her hands tightened around him, `You had better not leave me....! …Please…don't leave me….' she silently prayed, but knowing by the time she woke up the next morning, there would be an empty spot next to her and Shadow would be nowhere in sight. Even knowing this, she still hoped for him to stay with her, so they could face any outside complications as a team. But because she knew things wouldn't go that smoothly in the morning, she held him tighter and burrowed her face into his chest, as she lightly shook while shedding remorseful tears.

Sensing her shaking, Shadow kissed the top of her head between her ears, and carefully slipped both arms under her to hug her close. He knew she was crying for him and the both of them, but he would rather put himself in danger to protect her at all costs. But he knew that if he left, she would follow. That's just how dedicated she was to him.

And while that was a major concern to him, he also knew how important this moment was to her and he was honored that she wanted share her life and love with him. With a faint smile, he kissed her eye-lid and placed all other thoughts aside and focused on the two of them and their entwined emotions.

Only minutes had passed, but their pure and wondrous expression of tender devotion and trust felt as if it had been going on for hours.

Everytime Rouge shuddered or twitched, Shadow would lay close to her and hug her to him as he continued to delve deeper inside of her. And whenever Shadow would go too slow, Rouge would rub him on his back to give him the signal of it being okay to go faster.

Their love-making could be described in two beautiful words: sweet and sensational.

“Shadow…” Rouge pleaded, rubbing his back lightly. “Please, go faster…deeper…please. .!“

Responding to her request with giving her what she wanted Shadow moaned lowly and lifted her legs to wrap around his waist.

Deepening the mood, Rouge clutched him tighter and allowed her hips to mimic the motions of his while lightly calling his name.

Wanting to try another method, Shadow kissed her on the nose and slowly pulled out of her.

“Turn over…” he whispered

A little shocked by his order, but more intrigued than anything else, Rouge sat up, expanded her wings a little and got on her knees with her upper-body curved in a half “C” position as she clutched the pillows.

Eyeing her slick and full moistness from behind, a faint blush warmed Shadow's face.

“Mmm…Shadow?” Rouge called softly, “Are you allright…?” she questioned, starting to look behind her. Not wanting her to catch him staring, he shook his head to bring himself back to reality and rubbed his hips against her bottom before easing a bit climsily but gently back into her.

The instant she felt his fullness consume the walls of her liquid warmth, she hugged the pillows and gripped at them.

“Shadow….” she called, “Shadow….ahh..” she cooed, her tone faintly heightening in pitch.

“… Rouge … “ he moaned back, delving deeper into her. “…So warm…” he muttered, without knowing as he closed his eyes. “…So…wonderful Rouge… …you're amazing…” he aimlessly complimented, holding to her sides tighter and increasing in his speed. “How… do you feel?”

“…Ohhh excellent, Shadow…!”

“Do you love this?”

“Yes…!”

“Do you want more?”

“Yes, please, Shadow! Stop teasing me!! Make me come!!”

“Anything Rouge….” he uttered, diving deeper and accelerating his speed more than half of what it was before. It wasn't long before he felt a rippling sensation bubble its way through his length and he went even faster.

“Rouge…I…I'm…!”

“Come Shadow! Anywhere! I don't care where!”

“Inside of you?”

“Yes! Now Shadow!”

With one final thrust, Shadow cried out her name and released his hot fiery essence into her depths the instant he felt hers rush over him and spill down his legs.

Breathing heavily, Shadow carefully moved himself from out of Rouge and collapsed into the unwelcoming waves of her bed and hugged her immediately.

Holding her next to his chest, he gasped to catch his breath as he felt her chest heave as much as his did.

“Rouge…”, he croaked when he voice finally returned to him, “Rouge are you allright…?” he asked, cupping her face with his hand.

“Sh…Shad…ow….” The faint whisper of his name was all that she could mutter before her breathing slowed and sleep overtook her.

“Rouge…?” Shadow called again, but instead of expecting her to respond, he reached down and tossed the sheets over the both of them and squeezed her lovingly.

`I guess I overdid it….' He thought, chuckling to himself. Softly he kissed her forehead and whispered 3 little words that held tremendous power before he himself drifted off to sleep.

 

--

 

 

One more chapter to go….then a special decision.

 

-Mel

 

-Mel