The day was hot but not as humid as usual. Amy and Eclipse, in his demonic form, were exploring the forest that was covering most of the island. It was full of wonders and never seen flowers, plants, and insects. Well, the later was making the pink girl a bit uneasy, but the butterflies were gorgeous. Master Tikal send Chaos to accompany them and to make sure they wouldn't run into problems.

After a nice walk, they stopped by a river to take a short break. "This place is a paradise!" Amy exclaimed, sitting down on a big rock. The training was hard, and her feet were sore, but the air was so fresh, the water was crystal clear, and the forest was silent, making this a perfect place for relaxation. "What do you think, Eclipse?"

When she asked, he was drinking water from the river like a cat. "Yeah, it's not bad here," he replied, gulping cold water. He looked around, listening to chirping birds and insects. The water was bubbling, slowly flowing in its basin. He made deep inhale and from scents, he could tell this was negative emotions-free area; the worst place for any hunting demon, but he wasn't complaining. He was able to relax a bit and write into his book, making small notes. Unfortunately, he didn't discover anything useful so it felt like an ordinary diary.

He wiped the water around his mouth, standing up, but his legs slipped, and as he was falling down, he grabbed the closest thing he could grab – Amy's hand, dragging her down. She screamed as the water splashed all around.

"S-Sorry," Eclipse quickly muttered, spitting the water.

"It's okay, I'm not hurt. What about you?" She stood up completely soaked. Her heart was beating fast for a couple of seconds before it calmed down.

"I'm fine, just," he rubbed his butt while he was standing up, "landed on the only sharp stone in the river."

She giggled and got on the river bank. "I guess I will have to return to get new clothes. It's good it's sunny." She squeezed water from her short skirt. "My clothes will be dry in no time."

Chaos came closer to them, put a hand above each. They looked at him confused since it looked like he was shielding them from the sun. Suddenly, the water was sucked inside him. Their bodies slightly shook because of the sudden movement, ruffling their clothes in the process. Amy's eyes slowly widen, she took a step back, checking her arms, realizing she was completely dry.

Eclipse bared his teeth but didn't growl. This was weird and quite freaky, but he was glad he wasn't wet anymore. Bathing or swimming was okay with him, he merely disliked getting wet for no reason. The water familiar Chaos stepped back, letting his hands hang down. Eclipse sniffed, trying to pick any smell from his watery body, but there was no change in his odor. He wasn't even sure if Chaos had any smell, as his body was mass of water. Not to mention his face was missing any facial muscles.

Amy suddenly shouted, "That was amazing!" She jumped into the air. "Thank you so much!" She dashed to hug him, only to end submerged in his body. Bubbles escaped her mouth as she gasped. Eclipse shrieked a bit, feeling his stomach to voice its disgust, which was weird given how many times he aired out mortal's guts.

Amy's arms sluggishly moved in the water mass as she felt a strong urge for air. Eclipse quickly grabbed her skirt, pulling her back.

"Agh!" she coughed and spat some water on the ground, holding her throat. The young demon was standing by her side, not sure what to do, as he never helped anybody after almost drowning.

Amy's coughing fit ended after a couple of seconds, she took a deep breath, looking quite frightened at Chaos. For once, it seemed there reflected something in his big, yellow eyes and his head moved a bit to the side like he was ashamed.

"I'm so sorry," she shouted out of blue. "Did I hurt you?"

Chaos looked at her with a tilted head, gesturing clear confusion. Eclipse wasn't' any better except his jaw dropped a bit, and he would voice his opinion on that illogical question, but she continued, "Was it irritating?"

Her next question brought Chaos back to the ground as he shook his head after a silent second. He tilted his head to the other side, indicating he still had no idea where she was heading with these questions.

Amy sighed with a relief, putting a hand on her chest, saying, "Good, I was worried I might have seriously hurt you."

"W-What do you mean?" Eclipse barked. "Shouldn't you be freaking out? You almost drown in that monster!"

Amy looked at him, frowning. "That was a really bad thing to say!" Her voice was firm, and the young demon slightly crouched. Making her mad was the last thing he needed if he wanted to be a successful spy. Actually, he didn't want to make her angry for any reason, but the thought of losing her scared him so much, he shouted those words without thinking. He sat on all fours showing submissiveness, and his master continued, "Judging others based on their appearance, calling them monsters because they are different from you is anything but ugly. You should know how it feels to be hated for being different."

He averted his eyes as she kept watching him with gentleness and not anger. It was making him feel guilty, so he quietly mumbled, "Sorry."

"I know you didn't mean it seriously," she conciliatorily said, then she looked at Chaos, adding, "Will you accept his apology?" She slightly bowed her head.

Chaos nodded, showing he is alright with it.

The demon slowly stood, pointing out, "Isn't he made of water?" He cocked his head toward the river. "So why you were worried he got hurt?" He was trying to fix his behavior.

The pink lass explained, "Mr. Chaos's body may be different, but that doesn't mean he can't feel pain or be unpleasant when you go through him." She knitted her eyebrows. "Not to mention, this was the worst violation of personal space ever." She visibly shivered, but that might be because she was wet.

Her familiar only scratched his quills. He had no idea what that personal space was supposed to be, but if she was serious about it, he rather didn't question it. The water creature once more dried them before they head back to the temple since the time for the next lesson was nearing.

"Oh, my," Adeline exclaimed as she stopped narrating. This funny story actually gave her goosebumps. Her daughter didn't notice it since she was having a great time telling them, she only didn't go into details regarding Eclipse's anger.

"Master Tikal also taught me how to deactivate my ability to see people's soul. She said it could make me tired if I used it too much for a long time, and I can agree." She took a sip of a tea. "She took me into a town and let me focus on many souls. It was hard to describe them all, and I was getting sleepy after an hour or so."

"That sure sounds useful to know," agreed her father. He made a mental note to meet this woman too, and thank her for teaching his daughter. There was no doubt now, no other teacher they could hire would give her the needed knowledge.

Eclipse was silently munching his chocolate dessert. He noticed she skipped one event to not scare them. The same night Chaos dried them he asked Amy if she could see his soul. Her answer was negative, but she was sure he had one since he was alive after all. Thought her ability was strengthened, and she was able to look deeper, she was still unable to see Chaos' soul.

A few silent sounds shifted their attention to a small portable basket next to the table.

"Did we woke you up?" Amy asked her baby brother as he started to squirm a bit. She sat on the ground, leaning over his bed, making funny faces at him and giggling. That was one more thing the young demon couldn't understand. What was the point of looking silly in front of a baby? "Come on, Eclipse, try it too!" his master called him.

He fidgeted a bit, reluctant to do so, but he complied. He walked over the basket with big handles, where the child was tucked, covered by blankets with a small pillow to sleep on. Amy stepped aside, giving him more space. Eclipse knelt down, hunching above, trying something they considered funny; making a big toothy smile, however, the child started to cry. He hissed, quickly jumping back to his feet.

"Ah, don't worry. Did he scare you?" whispered Adeline, taking her child into arms. She laid it on her shoulder, petting its back, walking in a small circle, soothing her boy.

Amy tried to cheer the young demon, but he was feeling down. Maybe he shouldn't smile so widely, maybe leaving his hands down would be better, or he shouldn't try at all!

"It's okay," Reagan said, "Morgan sometimes cries when I try to lift him, I guess I don't have the right grip." He nodded in encouragement on Eclipse.

The demon mumbled something, remaining silent and sad. It wasn't like he expected laughter, but that cry made him depressed. It felt like it reminded him something painful, but he wasn't sure what it was. He was watching the mother with her children, noticing a pang of pain in his heart. Was there somebody he was missing? Did he meet someone before being found by Sirius and Crestia? He clenched his fists unable to see any answer.

"Where do you want to go next?" Adeline asked once she calmed her second child back to the sleep.

"I would like to visit Mr. Brian. We have only three free days from The Order. I wonder how is he doing."

"I'm sure he will be delighted to see you," her mother agreed. "Maybe it will spark something." Adeline impishly winked at her daughter.

"Oh, mom, I'm just fourteen. I still have a time." She pouted, but there was a mischievous spark in her blue eyes.

They chatted a bit more before Amy went to her room packing the small luggage she had. Eclipse did the same, realizing he is feeling more comfortable in his hidden form. He wondered if that was a good or bad, but it sure was convenient when he was sitting on a chair.

Her parents waited for them at the main door, accompanying them to the front gate. It seemed this day would be sunny since there were only a few clouds in the sky. Before they reached the main gate, a familiar voice caught Amy's attention, "Hey, Amy!"

She looked forward, seeing a blue hedgehog waving at her standing in front of the open entrance. It was nobody else but Sonic the Hedgehog with a wide grin all over his face. "Long time no see, huh!" he shouted, showing her thumbs up winking.

"Sonic!" she called him, dashing the last steps, "it's good to see you too. What brings you here?" She gave him a quick hug, startling the blue teenager. However, Sonic quickly masked his embarrassment by continuing once she let him go, "I just finished my mission, so I thought I'll visit your old folks for a bit," he replied as her parents came closer. The youngster didn't notice Eclipse's small frown.

"My parents aren't old." She friendly jabbed him in a shoulder. Sonic merely grinned in return.

Adeline whispered to her husband, "What do you think? This Sonic looks like a nice man."

Her husband leaned towards her having a conspiratorial smile. "I agree."

Sonic's ears twitched, he looked at them over Amy's shoulder, and they just waved at him with a big smile. That made him more suspicious. He whispered to his friend, "I think your parents are plotting something."

The pink miss turned back, putting her hands on waist and inspecting her parents from toes to head. She lifted an eyebrow and jokingly said, "Mom, dad, I see right through you."

Her dad made the most impish smile one could imagine, putting dark sunglasses on. "Wanna see you try," he said, making a wide grin. Sonic was sure there was a sparkle on his teeth.

His daughter froze for a bit before bursting into unladylike laughter. "Dad! How-How could you?" She slowly slid down with tears pouring down, and Sonic soon followed her laughing example. Even Eclipse, who was gloomy just a second ago, was laughing like crazy. This joke was priceless.

"I waited for -pff- this for too -gah gah- long! Make sure to visit us more -ouch, my stomach hurts- often." He had to lean against the gate poles to not collapse, as his wife was busy with loud giggling. He was sure his stomach will hurt for days, but it was worth it!

His wife was rubbing her eyes, wiping the tears of happiness. Not just once they discussed this scene before going to the bed. At that time, they could hardly contain their excitement, and now it was happening, surpassing their wildest imagination.

Amy dashed to hug her parents. "You are the best!" Tears were still falling down her face. She was sad to leave so soon.

"Be careful out there," whispered Adeline. "We will always love you."

"I love you too," their daughter whispered back.

After one more hug, they left the Rosemary mansion. Sonic decided to accompany them since he didn't see them for years too.

After a couple of hours later, Reagan and Adeline were sitting at the dinner. They again talked about her daughter's adventures, and when the topic of Eclipse was brought up, she said, "When I was taking a stroll in the garden, I have noticed a flower bush that was from one half completely withered."

"How strange," noted her husband. "Could it be some disease?"

"I never heard about such a thing, but it's possible," she answered with uncertainty.

Mr. Rose pondered about it a bit. "I saw Eclipse taking a walk in the garden before the lunch. Do you think he could cause it?" It wasn't like he wanted to suspect him, but Eclipse was a demon after all. It just might be one of his abilities. "I have noticed he was tense just like yesterday."

His wife slightly knitted her eyebrows, showing she wasn't thinking it was the young demon's work either. "Maybe he just found it and though we might accuse him of it. He seems to be quite a sensitive young man."

"That may be so, but even if he was responsible for it, I wouldn't be angry," assured her Reagan and with this, they continued to eat. If they knew the real reason behind it, they would be against their only daughter to be near him.