Puzzle Pieces (Shadow The Hedgehog Love Story)

Chapter Six

I laid down my sweater in the grass once the camp was finished. I then sat down and slowly laid back, staring at the sky. A small breeze went by, ruffling my quills, the warmth breathing into me. Closing my eyes, with a small sigh, I perked my ears up, listening to the distant wildlife; the birds dominated the air with their song-like cries.
"Now this--" I waved my hand around in the air to gesture to everything surrounding us. "Is camping; not to mention, a vacation." I let my arm flop to the ground.
"Yeah. This is nice... I don't think I've done anything like this in... well... a long time, perhaps, I never did do something like this." I heard his steps get closer until they were next to me. The light shifted and changed, allowing me to know that he sat next to me.
I peeked open one of my eyes and looked at him. I looked at the golden glow that came from his skin, then looked at his eyes and watched them glisten in the light. I slowly grabbed a hold of his hand, pulling it closer to my body. He simply stared at me gently, with a small warm smile on his face. I studied his face, a smile forming on mine.
"You know... You're really cute when you smile." I pulled him down next to me and pulled my body closer to his.
"Perhaps... However, I'll never be as cute as you." He kissed me gently for a brief moment.
"Maybe." I snickered playfully.
He ruffled the quills on my head with a loving touch. "It's starting to get late. If we are going to hunt for our supper, we should do it now. Unless, of course, you want whatever food you brought."
I nodded and slowly sat up. "If there is partridge around here, I think I'd like to have that."
"Alright then." He stood and retrieved the weaponry as well as the ammunition. I took my weapon and loaded it up, he did the same.
I wandered into the woods with him, using the sun to keep track of my direction. "You take one side, I'll take the other." I said, almost questioningly.
"Sounds good to me." He readied his weapon, almost as if he was on a mission.
I smiled slightly at this; he's taking it too seriously... but it's cute.
We searched for at least twenty minutes before finding a partridge, calmly feeding off of apples in the near distance. I glimpsed to Shadow, readying my weapon; he gave me the go ahead. I aimed, then shot my .22; it dropped quickly-- I suspected a head shot, right where I had aimed. I felt Shadow kiss my cheek gently.
A small purr emanated from me as I began to go over to the bird. I stared down at it for a moment then grabbed its legs and lifted it into the air. I looked at its feathers and just over its eyes discovering it was a female, regular partridge.
"Well, I have my food. Let's find you something." I placed the bird in a large pouch of my hunting vest that hung on my backside. He gave a firm nod.
We continued along our way until we found another partridge. It did not take too long for this. Shadow took his shot and hit it, causing it to flap violently for a few seconds until it settled into a still body that was now to be food.
We both pulled off some of the chest feathers before lying it down, stepping on its wings and pulling by its feet. The insides easily pulled out, leaving the wings and chest meat for us. The insides smelled a bit foul, but it did not bother me, nor did it seem to really bother him. Retrieving our breasts, we started to head back to camp, a little more bloody than when we first set out.
We soon found ourselves back, I let Shadow clean the bird more as I tended to making a fire. Once I had one going I prepared an area for cooking, and I also grabbed a bit of canola oil as well as a small frying pan.
"Sometimes, it pays to be over prepared." I looked at Shadow, then to the breasts. He had separated the tenderloin from the rest of the breast and cut the thick part of the breast in half for better cooking. He came over and began to cook. "You know, I could have done that."
"It's fine." He kissed my cheek, "I want to."
"Okay." I joyfully muttered, stretching out in front of the fire, enjoying the intense warmth of it.
I listened to the sizzling of the meat, picking up on the gamey smell. Shadow soon nudged me gently and handed me my portion. I sat up and took it carefully. I blew on a small piece a few times before taking a small bite out of it. Flavour exploded in my mouth, the only thing I wished was that it was more tender, and perhaps a bit more juicy. I savoured the meal until the last bite.
"Did you enjoy it?" He asked. He had finished his meal long before I.
I nodded, "Should have been hanged for a bit, but it was yummy." I nuzzled my face into his shoulder. "Let's stay here for quite awhile... Like... I don't know... a week?"
He chuckled softly and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me a bit closer. "Of course." He kissed the top of my head.
"I'm happy that you accepted me so quickly... It's a bit strange. Thank you..." I rested my head against him, watching the fire dance, searching for small variances in colour. Soon feeling tired, I closed my eyes.
"Rest..." Shadow softly whispered.
Without much resistance, I obeyed, letting my mind as well as my body to relax. In due time my thoughts deteriorated, blissful sleep taking hold sending me into fantasy land.