The Ruby Eyes of Affection

Part one of a forgotten chronicle

Amy, Rouge, Rob, and Tails walked swiftly through the thick orchard of trees and shrubbery. The beauty of Angel Island was exceptionally spectacular. And because it was several thousand feet above the ground, there were plants, animals and geological features unseen on any other part of Mobius. The jungle was always shrouded in a beautiful sticky mist that always settled around dawn, this leaving an almost white, and snow like coat on the forest floor. However, the crew knew there was no time to sight see and Tails gave an especially annoyed glare to a certain brunet hedgehog who was staring and commenting on every little spectacle. Everything from the beautiful open caves, to the trees hundreds of feet high, to the small creatures that dwelled beneath his feet. He picked one up as it was passing through and decided to name it Jedriti. It didn't particularly like being held. The little squirrel-like creature was used to gliding in the intense winds of the island, not being mangled by some full grown adult who knew better. Unfortunately, Rob didn't get the message and squeezed it tightly as a means to not let it escape.

"Are you really going to keep playing with that wild animal? It might have some disease." The kitsune bellowed feverishly as he gently shoved the many species of plants out of his way so that they may progress.

"Who said I didn't already have many diseases?" Rob replied slyly before gently petting the top of the creatures head and making really childish kissy faces at it.

"TOO MUCH INFORMATION... Not those kinds of diseases, you idiot. Quickly, release it to its natural environment before the AIPA gets on your ass." Tails countered before waving at the rest of the group to keep moving forward.

"The what?" The brunet hedgehog questioned as he looked behind him to glance at Amy and give her a very confused tilt of the head.

"The Angel Island Preservation Association. They are really careful in keeping this unique place beautiful and clean. Of course, Knuckles being the guardian of the master emerald is its leader. And you don't actually have diseases right?" She responded hyperactively before looking back at him worriedly as if she really thought the answer might change her thoughts on him.

"Why does it matter Miss Rose?" Rob answered skeptically as he quickly wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders since the other was holding the little creature who had given up hope on ever being released.

"UM, well it's good for a woman to know. Don't you think?" She asked shyly before smiling in a slightly awkward manner.

"I can assure you Amy, I am completely clean." He replied almost sweetly as he finally released the little creature into its ecosystem.

He felt a little sad as he watched it flap away in the wind while glancing over to smile at his new lady friend. Their eyes seemed to meet in the most peculiar manner. Not necessarily in a romantic way but in more of a longing fashion. What they both were longing for was unclear to both of them but Rob knew, right away, that it wasn't going to be going away anytime soon. By the time Rouge had caught up to the rest of the group, he and Amy had been staring at each other awkwardly for over a minute.

"Bullshit... That just can't be the case. You "frolic" more than I do. From one man to another. There is absolutely no way you didn't catch SOMETHING." The sassy bat expressed mockingly before giving the brunet hedgehog a slight nudge in the back.

(Why are you guys staring at each other like that to begin with?)

"Unlike you, I'm a dude who likes dudes. I NEED to be careful. Get my drift?" Rob replied patronizingly before giving her a harder push back.

This caused Rouge to go toppling backward onto the slightly sticky forest ground before sighing in utter frustration. Her brand new set of hiking clothes had been practically ruined.