Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

He sighed. "Guess we gotta wing it." He started down one of the hallways.

*

She started to catch on, stopped, hand gripping his a bit more tightly. He turned to him, a look of concern on her face. "Trip... Did something... happen to you...?"

*

"Obviously, it'll still be some time before the tech can be adapted for standard, or even SS weaponry."

"Don't underestimate our effectivness. After all, R&D gave us these armor upgrades."

Sunny followed the couple, looking around. "This shit's crazy."

*

The kit shook his head. "I d-don't want to t-tell you about i-it."

"Seriously. How're we supposed to fight, if we can't even get outta this place?"

*

The hedgehog sighed, looked downward. He could feel the pain inside of him. It was horrible. It reminded her too much of... In one quick motion, she brought her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "...I'm so sorry," she said softly, tears welling in her eyes.

*

"Yeah, well you've got a large team dedicated to that stuff. Most of the time, it's just me, with the occasional hand from the team."

"I'm surprised you people have yet to ask me where they are, and where you are." Katherine stated, popping up in front of them with an amused expression on her face.

---

"And that's what makes it easier. Two heads are better than one, twenty+ are better than two." He chuckled.

Aurélie lifted a brow. "I was about to suggest just that, actually."

*

After a brief hesitation, Trip hugged her back. It had taken some time for him to get used to unexpected touches, but he was starting to be comfortable with them. Especially hugs. His mom hugged him constantly - had since she'd first seen him. "It... It wasn't your fault..."

"Well, usually, you would've popped up, by now," Nova countered, a bored expression on his face.

*

"I know..." She sniffled. "I just wish you weren't hurt so bad..."

*

"Eh, I like doing some things solo. Helps me gauge my growth. Besides, there's still some things I'm not willing to share with others."

She smirked, "Would've saved you some trouble if you just asked to begin with. Seeing as how if you continue down this path, you'll be heading the opposite direction you need to go."

---

"Hey, whatever works, right?"

Sunny made a quick about-face. "Thanks for the tip."

*

The fox sighed. "Yeah, well... I'm not anymore..."

"Yeah." Nova turn around as well. "Hope you don't mind leading us through this damn maze of a base. Trip bailed on us."

*

The tears flowed from her eyes. "I'm just scared... I don't wanna be hurt. Not like Mama was..."

*

"Yeah. To each his own."

"Yeah, you got any idea where he is?" Sunny demanded.

*

He hugged her tighter. "You won't ever be hurt," he whispered. He couldn't even imagine someone like Yue going through what he had...

"Of course I do, I got eyes everywhere. Follow me." She walked off.

---

"One of these days, I'm going to have to show you the vehicle endurance tests. Fun as hell." He laughed as the elevator doors opened. "C'mon, don't wanna be late..."

He sighed, following the hologram. "Hope they're at least in a familiar spot. I feel like a lab rat in this place."

*

"But what if I can't protect myself? What if I'm too weak?..."

*

"Yeah. Looking forward to it." He stepped inside the elevator.

"That's what all greenhorns say, my friend." Chuckled Katherine. "You get used to it eventually"

---

He nodded as the doors shut and it whisked them away to the upper levels of the base.

Aurélie smiled slightly. "'Opefully we will not be 'ere long enough to get used to it."

*

"You're not alone," he whispered. "You won't hafta protect yourself..."

"Heard that. When this whole thing's done with, we're goin' right home, and clean up."

*

Her sniffling slowed some. "But... who's gonna protect me, if not me?"

*

He pulled the visor-like device from the pack at his waist, examined it. "This'll make a nice early birthday present for him, if it works." He smiled at it for a moment, then frowned. "Why, oh why did I make it look like a Scouter? Jeez!"

"Agreed," the dog murmured.

"Heard that." Sunny tucked her hands in her pockets. "We're gonna have fix StarShine up big time, but that shouldn't take too long."

*

"Well... Y-your family. And your friends. And me," he promised quietly.

Damien smirked at Cross's statement, "Hey, so long as it works, design doesn't really matter."

"That's almost the least of the damages. Cross' place is gonna be an ass to fix. Shit, we might as well scrap it, altogether."

*

She looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "R-Really? You'll protect me? Even if it puts you in danger?"

*

"That's not gonna stop Sol and Nova's snide remarks over it. 'It's over nine thousa-a-a-and!' Ugh! I should've thought the design a little more through."

Damien laughed, "Man, now I want to be there when you unveil it!"

"Shit, me and you can take care of the core of it," Sunny pointed out. "Furnishing'll be a bitch, though."

*

He bit his lip. He liked being safe best. He hated fear, he hated being alone. He found himself nodding. "Yes."

He sighed. "I know we better get a big-ass pay, out of it. I ain't doin' that shit for free."

*

She smiled softly, and hugged him tighter. "Thank you. And I'll protect you as best I can."

*

He grumbled. "C'mon, man. I gotta have someone on my side!"

Damien smirked under the helmet, "Look, I'm not the one that designed and built it, and I wouldn't have laughed if you hadn't had brought up the jokes they would be making. I may not know what you speak of, but I know whatever it is, it's funny as hell."

Aurélie shook her head, amused. "'Elp a friend for free? God forbid."

Sunny snickered.

*

"Thanks," he murmured.

"Hey, it ain't easy, doin' what we do, on such an epic scale, no less. Besides, he almost always gets it back, in the end. Me and my rotten gamblin' luck, y'know?"

*

She was silent for a moment, smiling to herself more than him. It felt good knowing she wasn't alone; knowing that there were people willing to go the distance for her sake. But knowing Trip would... it felt completely different, and her blush returned.

*

"Oh, that's right. You're not exactly from around here, so you'd only know but so much... Oh, well. I'll just face it like a man, like every other time." He placed the visor back in his pack.