Noir Story

"Thanks, Shadow," responded the white bat as she took some small bites. "My mother's name was Noir the Bat, she was a treasure hunter, fighter, all around badass, and my world when I was a kid," Rouge couldn't help but smile thinking about her mother, how she would come home after hunting treasure and let Rouge play with the jewels she got. How she would spend weeks with Rouge after a hunt. "I got inspired a lot by her, though I admit she had a very different lifestyle than I do, she was very fast and very loose. If you want to know who my father is, I would like to know that myself," Rouge leaned back a bit as she crossed her legs a little "He was just some cute bat guy in a bar, they did it in the bathroom, but the condom broke."

Shadow cringed, he looked like he was going to say something but changed his mind, as Rouge continued "My mother decided to pump the brakes a bit and lived with my Grandma for a while until a little after I was born. She knew that treasure hunting while pregnant was an awful idea. Nine months later, I was born, the Doctors and here were struggling for a name, and according to her she saw me sucking on a red stone she had on her dress, called me the French word for red, Rouge, and then it just kind of stuck." her eyes gazed at Shadow, he was listening to her. He was actually listening to her? He probably doesn't care less, and is just being polite but the more she saw it the more her heart fluttered, "Like I said, we lived with my grandmother for a bit until Mom lost the pregnancy weight and got back in shape, and left for some ruins. She came back with a horde of Gemstones, used what she could to buy a house for her and me, then gave the rest to my Grandma as a thank you."

Rouge quivered a bit, she didn't like remembering this part but god knows she's heard Shadow talk about that gunshot that changed him from a happy hedgehog to the angst filled wonder she knew and loved. "I got a lot of the stuff I loved from my mom, I played with the jewels she deemed safe for me to play with, she made sure I ate right and gave me figs as a treat," her finger playing gently with the fig in front of her thinking about it all, "I loved the way she dressed, and I swore I'd become a great treasure hunter one day when I was little." she let out a sigh "But as you can guess, this story doesn't have a happy ending,"

Shadow started to say that she didn't have to but Rouge was insistent saying "Shadow, how many times have I've been there for you when you thought of Maria?" which got Shadow to get quiet, "I appreciate it, Shadow," more than he would ever know, "But I'm okay telling this part to you." Rouge took a deep breath with some slight hitching, she didn't like to talk about this, but she trusted Shadow, trusted him with all of her heart. "She went off treasure hunting, for a giant diamond supposedly hidden in powerful ancient ruins. She did what she normally did, made sure I had supervision, hugged me, said that she loved me, left as she always did...and never came back," Shadow grew silent Rouge looking away then at him as he warmly held her hand in support. It was a small gesture but she nodded in thanks anyways, she needed it. "My Grandma contacted the police who contacted G.U.N. and they found...well...a cracked red ruby necklace." She sighed reaching for her chest on instinct even though it wasn't there. "I wailed when they broke the news to me, I always held out hope that maybe she was alive. However after all of this time?" She let out a sigh "It's just a pipe dream, and I've grown to accept that even if I didn't want to. It's been so long, I just...hoped she died quickly."

There was silence as Rouge felt Shadow looking at her, she looked up realizing there were some misty tears. Shadow gently moved them out of her eyes "Let's not mess up that make up you worked so hard on," which caused Rouge to turn very red as Shadow sat back down. It wasn't that long before they finished their meals and Shadow took her hand like a gentlemen, which was very odd to see Shadow acting this way but...she wasn't going to complain about it, as it was very attractive. This night wasn't just going as planned, it was going better than she could ever dreamed.

When Shadow guided her to the Dance Floor, they embraced each other hand and hand and enjoyed the beautiful slow jazz that she loved so dearly, her heart was racing a mile a minute, this was perfect, this, this is what she wanted so badly, her heart was pumping so much, she looked at the black hedgehog in front of her, eyes switching to that of desire as she leant in for a kiss. However she was interrupted by a clearing of someone else's throat.

Annoyed at the mood ruiner, she turned her head to say something harsh and foul but she was surprised, for a second then remembered this was the G.U.N. Commander: Abraham Tower. Abraham said "Rouge, this is most unexpected." he looked at Shadow and said "Shadow," causing a hmph to come from him. The mood was not only ruined but Rouge was sensing some animosity. "So, I'm glad you decided to come tonight, Rouge."

Rouge said "Uh, yeah, I'm glad I came," even though she didn't want to at first. However tonight has been amazing, but the animosity was starting to bother her a little bit more "Is there something wrong?" finally speaking, "I thought you and Shadow squashed your beef."

Abraham stated "We did," Shadow and Abraham looked at each other each with glares. "However, he and I had an issue with tonight, I had him pegged for a mission tonight but he out right rejected it." which caused Rouge to give Shadow a surprised look. "It's not like it was hard or anything, it was a simple scouting mission that would have just taken the night. However he outright refused with an insane reason. I never thought, you would act that way Shadow."

Shadow responded with a cold "I told you why I refused the mission," his tone was back to the Shadow of old as he said "Not my fault you didn't like the answer" the bitter tone, the smug angst, Shadow's bad habits were coming and it was ruining Rouge's mood more and more. What was this so called answer? Rouge let go of her his hands, putting him on her hips awaiting an explanation. Shadow looked at her as he let out one of his trademark heavy sighs saying "You called me first and I promised you." Rouge blinked heavily at that. Her, he turned down the mission for her. "This seemed important to you, and I wanted to be supportive." Shadow turned his head to the side "And...I guess I don't regret doing it either."

Rouge looked at the two of them as she was floored by Shadow's confession but at the same time they have jobs to do. She paced a bit in her mind. Shadow should have done his job, but at the same time if the mission was so simple, why did Abraham need Shadow to do it? Who does she side with here, both make good points."