An unsuccessful acquaintance, or Tails' acquaintance with Shadow the Naga

- Do you really want to meet my new friend, Tails? — blue hedgehog asked his younger brother uncertainly. — Of course, Sonic. If it’s your friend, then it means it’s my friend too, — the fox cub answered him. — It’s just, you know, he’s not like everyone else… He is noticeably different from us. — And what? I’m not like everyone else either. I have two tails instead of one. — It’s not exactly the same thing. He’s not even really a Mobian or even a human… He is a representative of another race… — Well, so it’s all the more interesting for me to get to know him! — He has quite unusual food preferences… And mostly he likes to eat meat. — So what? Everyone has their own tastes. However, something tells me that your new friend may not be real, but imaginary. — He’s real! - Then introduce me to him. — Oh, Tails, I’m not sure… — Well, please… Sonic now regretted that he had ever told his little brother about his new friend. Although there was no other way to explain why the blue hedgehog disappears so often. And then Sonic, sighing, finally agreed, after which the fox happily jumped up. - But just promise me you’ll be careful. — My friend may have a changeable mood. And sometimes he doesn’t control himself. — All right, Sonic. I promise. And then the two best friends hit the road. Fortunately, a short trip into the jungle was uneventful, and soon they reached a small wooden house. — I know our house looks much better than this, but… but my friend is afraid to be alone, so I had to settle here and live with him. — Hm... Pretty nice house. If it is repaired and decorated somewhere, then I think it will become even better. — Heh. I guess you’re right, bro. You sit on the sofa for now, and I’ll call a friend now. —All right, — Tails said, settling back on the couch. — Shadow, we have a guest! Shadow! But there was no answer. Sonic, shouting his friend’s name once more, then realized that he probably wasn’t here. — It looks like he’s not here yet. Probably went hunting again. - Hunting? - Yeap. He likes to go hunting. That’s how he gets his food, although I’m also trying to help him in this… he’ll probably come back later. Okay, I’ll go now, Tails, and you stay here. If anything, call me, I myself will try to return as soon as possible. Ok? — All right, Sonic. And then the hedgehog sped off at its supersonic speed, leaving the fox cub alone. Tails, in order not to be bored, turned on the TV. But after a while, without noticing it, he dozed off, curled up in a ball. He did not suspect that someone was approaching the house at that time. And that someone was hungry.

***

A creature that was half snake and half hedgehog was crawling up to the house. Thanks to the black fur of the upper body and the same black scaly snake body, the creature with red stripes perfectly hid in the shadows. His red eyes struck terror into those around him. This creature was called a naga, which was one of the dangerous predators in the jungle, a meeting with which may be the last for you in your life. And this naga was called Shadow. But despite the formidable appearance and good hunting skills, the naga clearly had not a very successful hunt that day. And he, all angry and hungry from an unsuccessful hunt, crawled to the wooden house. His stomach was rumbling with hunger. “Oh, how hungry I am! I hope that at least Sonic brought me at least frogs and mice, even if I’m fed up with them…” — he mused, crawling into the house. But as soon as he was on the threshold, he immediately sniffed. There was a smell in the house that was unfamiliar to him, but at the same time so tempting. The hungry Naga found it delicious. “Mmmm. What is that wonderful smell? Did this hedgehog bring me something new for lunch?” — thought Shadow and crawled inside. His stomach rumbled again, as if agreeing with its owner. Soon he realized that the smell was coming from the living room. Once there, he saw a small two-tailed fox cub with golden fur sleeping on the sofa. “So that’s what smells so delicious. But as far as I remember, Sonic forbade me to eat Mobians. But this one is probably an uninvited guest. So it’s probably okay if I eat it. Besides, Sonic won’t even know about it,” — he thought to himself. And then again an empty stomach reminded of itself, making loud noises. — Hush you! Otherwise you’ll wake up our prey! Shadow hissed to himself, cursing his empty belly. And when the stomach calmed down, the naga moved to the unsuspecting fox cub, who was still sleeping.

***

Tails was sleeping peacefully until he suddenly heard a noise like a growl. This woke him up instantly, as the sound was quite loud. And when he took a sitting position, then, rubbing his eyes, he saw that someone’s huge, creepy-looking shadow was bending over him. Tails slowly turned around and froze in fear. In front of him, with his mouth open, stood a snake-like creature, from whose mouth his saliva dripped on him. The fox cub, unable to stand it, screamed heart-rendingly and tried to run away. However, he could not run far, because he was grabbed by the arm. — Aaaaa! Let me go! Let me go! Help! Help! Help! — he shouted, trying to escape. But the naga was strong enough to prevent the victim from escaping. — Well, where are we going? — the monster asked the kid, grinning. However, nag did not think that the victim, no matter how much he was scared, would find a way to escape. And the fox cub bit the monster’s hand as hard as he could. He screamed, clearly not expecting such resistance, and let go of his prey. Tails wasted no time hurrying to the exit. But naga, as if anticipating this, immediately rushed there, blocking the passage with himself. — You can’t run away from meeeeeee… — hissed the hedgehog-snake, and then the fox had to slow down, and then rush in the other direction. And during this chase, naga, trying to catch his lunch, knocked over the sofa, broke the TV, broke the glass in the windows, scratched the walls. They made the same mess in the kitchen. Noticing the open window, Tails took off on his tails and headed for the escape exit. However, even here the monster did not let him escape. He slammed the window with his tail, and then attacked the little fox, trying to grab him with his mouth. But he only snapped the air with his teeth, because the cub was able not to get caught by him and flew on. And in order to somehow detain the monster, the two-tailed fox threw a carpet on him. Well, at least it worked, because the predator started messing with the fabric that prevented him from seeing. And while the monster was busy, Tails hurried to another exit. He was about to fly out through the doorway, but it was not there… A draft closed the door in his face. Not wanting to become a dinner for the monster, the fox then flew to look for a rescue exit on the second floor. But even here he was waiting for a bummer… The windows were locked, and the boy could not open them quickly. Then, not knowing what else to come up with, since the monster was climbing to the top floor, and there would be no escape, Tails closed the room, and then climbed into the closet and hid. He could hear Nag breathing heavily. And it was clear that he was clearly angry. The fox cub could only hope that the snake hedgehog would not think to look for him in the closet. He tried to calm down, trying to even out his rapid breathing, and not think about the dangerous creature that wants to eat him. — Come out, come out. Come on, don’t hhhhhide! I’ll ffffffind you anyway, — came Naga’s voice. Tails, through a small crack, could see how this monster still entered the room and was looking for him. The boy felt like he was covered in sweat, and his heart was pounding against his ribs, which was ready to jump out of his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut in fear.

***

Meanwhile, Shadow was sniffing. — I know you’re here somewhere, little foxxxxxx! I can smell your fear! — he hissed. Then his gaze fell on the bed, or rather, on what lay under the bed. — Ahaaaaa! — Naga was delighted, deciding that one of the fox tails was sticking out under the bed. But when he lifted the bed, he got angry when he saw that it was only a white pillow. — What a fool left a pillow under the bed?! — He shouted angrily, tearing her in half. From the pillow now there were only feathers, which scattered all over the room. And one small feather, leaking through the door crack of the closet, landed on the fox’s nose. “Oh, no! Not that!” — thought the fox, and then sneezed. Nag, of course, heard a sneeze, and then grinned. “Aha! There you are… I’ll pretend that I’m going to another place, and then I’ll catch you by surprise,” — he decided, and then said out loud: - He doesn’t seem to be here. I’ll probably have to look in another room. And as if to confirm his words, he crawled past the closet.

***

“Crawl away! Crawl away! Just don’t look in here! I’m not here!” — the fox cub prayed. Then he heard the door slam, and then there was silence. — Phew, it’s gone… — he sighed with relief. But then suddenly the closet doors opened, and nag appeared in front of the cub. — Gotcha! — he shouted, gloating. Tails screamed in horror. He didn’t have time to do anything, as the snake-hedgehog grabbed him with both hands. The kid tried to pull away, but the grip was very strong. — Oh, you really made me run after you, li’l fella… But now the games are over and it’s time for lunch, — Nag said, licking his lips. — Please don’t eat me. I’m not delicious. I’m just skin and bones and a lot of fur, — Tails began to beg for mercy, looking into the red eyes of the monster that was going to eat him. — Oh, what makes you think you’re tasteless? I think you look very appetizing. And you smell delicious. And you’re also such a cute, small and well-fed fox. — Hey, I’m not fat! And I’m skinny enough compared to my peers! Tails was indignant, forgetting for a moment about the danger threatening him. — Oh, do you think so? In any case, you will go where you should… Namely, into my empty hungry stomach! Naja replied and swallowed his saliva. And as if to confirm his words, the monster’s stomach rumbled loudly. — No! No! Please! Let me go! I don’t want to die! — The two—tailed fox shouted, trying to free himself. — You just don’t twitch too much! I promise it will be quick and almost painless if you don’t resist, — the monster said and stuck out its tongue, with which it licked the baby’s fluffy cheek. — No! Please… Don’t… — he squeaked, barely holding back tears. Running his tongue over his lips, the snake seemed to be checking how good his victim tasted. He purred contentedly. — Mmm. And you not only smell and look delicious, but you yourself are very tasty,” he said, and then opened his red mouth wide with sharp fangs, a long tongue writhing in impatience and threads of saliva, showing a dark throat where the way to the stomach lay. — No! Noooooo! So… — Tails shouted again, trying to call his brother, but his cry was interrupted when nag, firmly grabbing his little body with both hands, began to push his head into his mouth, not forgetting to wet it thoroughly with saliva.

***

Shadow was enjoying his food, he was purring with pleasure. Drool flowed from his mouth in streams. However, he had to continue shoving food into his mouth, as his stomach rumbled again, as if reminding himself how empty it was. “Now, now… just wait a little more…” — thought Nag to himself, continuing to enjoy the prey and at the same time gradually pushing it down his throat. First the head, and then the shoulders, stomach and now the legs of the fox cub were in the throat of the monster. It was clearly visible as the throat increased in size. Only the tails remained now. Shadow, taking his time, calmly swallowed his lunch, when suddenly he heard: — Tails, I’m back! And a single thought flashed through Naga’s head: “Damn it!”

***

Sonic, as always, was looking for food for his friend Naga. He specially went to the jungle to catch frogs and mice for him. It would be difficult to catch them, unless you know how to catch them. And Sonic has already figured out how to catch them, and even in a fairly large number. He created special traps with special baits, and then caught them. So this morning he set traps and then came to collect the “harvest”. It was hardly convenient for him to kill amphibians and rodents, and he simply could not kill them himself. Therefore, he simply put his “prisoners” in wooden boxes. However, this time the hedgehog decided to please the snake hedgehog with something new, and therefore he was able to catch several hares. Although he felt sorry for them, it was harder to keep the fast animals than the same frogs and mice, so the blue hedgehog tried to kill them quickly and with lightning speed so that they would not suffer for a long time. — Forgive me, but I’m doing this for a friend, — said Sonic, sighing after another deprivation of life. — But I’ll make Shadow happy. After all, he loves to eat something new so much,” the hedgehog said to himself, inspired, and, having collected everything he needed in a bag, he went home, while collecting some fruits for himself and Tails along the way. He hurried to the house as soon as possible, because he was afraid that Shadow could enter the house in his absence. And how the meeting between these two would happen, Sonic was afraid to imagine. When he finally got home, he opened the door, sighed, trying not to think about the bad, and then went to the threshold. — Tails, I’m back! — he shouted, entering the house and straightening a large bag behind his back. — Did you miss… me? . Sonic was shocked to see a terrible mess in the house. He was so terrified that he already dropped the bag, from which several fruits fell out. “Oh, my God, Tails!” — he thought, clutching his head, and ran to search the rooms. Finding no one on the ground floor, the hedgehog went up to the top. And only when he found himself at the threshold of his bedroom, he saw a rather unpleasant picture, or to be more precise, a terrible one. In the room, the bed was overturned, there were scattered feathers from the pillow on the floor, and in the middle of the room itself there was a naga with the white tips of fox tails sticking out of his mouth. Sucking them into his mouth like spaghetti and swallowing, the snake-hedgehog awkwardly smiled at him. — Hi, — Shadow said. Sonic, looking first at Shadow, then at his newly enlarged stomach, from which a muffled scream was coming, then back at the snake, made an angry face. — It’s not what you thought, — naga stammered, frightened by the hedgehog’s gaze. Sonic took a deep breath, and then screamed: — Shadow!!! And immediately spit out Tails!!! — Tails? Which Tails? As if not understanding what was being discussed, — Naga asked. In response to his question, there was a muffled scream coming from his stomach again. - The Tails which you ate! — Ahhh… This Tails. I’ll think about it now… — Shadow pretended to be thinking and after a moment answered: — Uh… no. — Shadow! Do what I told you to do immediately! - But I was hungry. And this li’l fox was so delicious, — the monster began to justify himself to the hedgehog, — Besides, he was an uninvited guest. — Uninvited?! He’s still what a guest! I called him here! — How did I know? — And to whom did I write messages on the phone? Anyway, do you even look at the phone I gave you sometimes? — Um… I must have lost it?.. Hehe… — Shadow!!! This is the third phone I’ve given you this month!!! — Oh, sorry… Sonic grumbled, and then repeated his demand again: — Shadow, spit out Tails now, otherwise I’ll leave you! — No, Sonic, you won’t dare! — I will, if you don’t do what I said, — Sonic said in a firm voice, looking angrily at Naga. — But it was my lunch, Sonic… - Do you think I go into the jungle for nothing and catch you food? And by the way, the one you ate is my little brother! And so… I’m only counting to three! And before I say three, you have to spit out Tails, okay? Shadow said nothing in response. — The countdown has started! One! The hedgehog-snake didn’t know what to do. On the one hand, he ate so well and deliciously. But on the other hand, he didn’t want to lose his friendship with this unusual blue hedgehog that brings him food. — Two! And Shadow, sighing, strained to spit out his prey. — Three! And with a slap, a two-tailed fox cub fell to the floor, covered with naked drool. Tails, shaking off the sticky liquid, tried to stand up. Sonic immediately ran up to him. — Tails! God, how are you? Are you okay? — his older brother asked the kid anxiously. — Sonic… I… I’m fine, but… — Tails stammered, and then, unable to stand it, he began to cry, clinging to the hedgehog. — I… I was so scared… I… I thought I wouldn’t see you again… Sonic, hugging his younger brother in response, began to stroke him, whispering in his ear: — Hush. Hush. It’s alright. I’m near. You’re safe now. It’s all good. — Have you finished hugging there? Shadow asked them rather rudely. Tails, glancing at the predator, squealed and hid behind the blue hedgehog, shrinking into a ball and trembling with fear. Sonic glowered at the snake-like creature. - Don’t worry, Tails, Shadow won’t hurt you. And he will also apologize for what he did earlier. Right, Shadow? — What? I’m not going to apologize! — Shadow… — Okay, okay. Sorry. — You don’t have to apologize to me, but to Tails! — No! He was my lunch, after all! — Shadow! — good. Excuse me, Tails, — the red—eyed naga muttered faintly. — Louder! To be heard! — I’m sorry, Tails, for eating you! — Although you were really delicious! — Shadow, apologize normally! — I sincerely apologize, baby, — the striped one humbly apologized, and then stretched out his little finger, — Peace? — he asked the fox uncertainly. Tails, standing behind Sonic, did not dare to approach. The blue hedgehog then nodded to him, whispering something to him at the same time. The two-tailed fox cub hesitantly moved towards the nag. — And you… really… Are you sorry?.. He asked the monster. The latter, glancing at Sonic, who made it clear from the look that he did not dare to eat his younger brother again, replied: - Yes. I’m sorry. — good. Then peace,” the boy smiled at him, holding out his little finger. However, after the reconciliation, Tails, just in case, still approached the hedgehog and stood next to him. — So… What’s for lunch then, Sonic? — a striped snake hedgehog asked the blue hedgehog. — Frogs and mice. And I also caught hares for you, but… — Sonic began, but then he was interrupted. - Did you… catch hares for me? — Shadow asked him in surprise. The tip of his tail was shaking all over. If he had a rattle, then it would crackle very loudly. — But since you behaved badly… Then maybe you don’t give hares? . — Sonic, you know that I like to eat new things, right? Please don’t be cruel,” the monster made big cute eyes and looked imploringly at his blue friend with them. — Well, I don’t know… — Well, please… — and nag even rolled over on his back, sticking out his stomach, just like a dog, and in addition even whined. — Good… Downstairs, on the threshold, you will find a bag, there is everything you need for lunch and even dinner, — Sonic agreed, and when Shadow crawled out of the room, he shouted in addition: - Just look, don’t eat everything there! Once alone with his brother, Tails broke the silence and asked Sonic: — So… Is this your new friend? The Naga? - Yeah. I’m sorry I couldn’t really tell you about Shadow. I put you in danger by leaving you here alone. I’ll understand if you don’t want to forgive me, — the hedgehog replied, guiltily lowering his head and flattening his ears. Tails put a hand on his shoulder. — No, I’m sorry. If I didn’t ask you about Shadow and didn’t impose on you, then… in general, it’s my fault… — And yet, I’m mostly to blame for you… — No, it’s… — You’re both to blame! Stop arguing and get down already! — a voice came from the first floor. — And you don’t get involved in a conversation that doesn’t concern you, okay, Shadow? Sonic shouted to him in displeasure. — Yes, you will argue there until nightfall, and lunch will not wait long. Without arguing, the friends went downstairs. Going down the stairs, Tails asked another question in a whisper: — Sonic, and you… Do you trust… Shadow?.. - Yes, I do, — his friend replied calmly, also in a whisper. - And you… aren’t afraid to stay with him… One on one?.. - Don’t worry about me, Tails, Shadow won’t hurt me. We are friends with him. I helped him more than once, and he saved me more than once. So you don’t have to worry. And he won’t touch you either, I promise, — Sonic smiled, patting the top of his best friend’s head, to which he laughed. - Oh, you know, you could use a bath, buddy. No offense, — blue joked. — Hehe. Yes, probably… — the fox agreed with him, scratching his head in embarrassment.

***

Then the day passed more or less calmly. Although Shadow apologized and tried to be nice to the fox cub, just in case, he still stayed close to his brother. At the dinner table, Sonic told Tails how he met Shadow. Naga sometimes interrupted the hedgehog, to his displeasure, but in general, he sat in silence, eating his lunch. From the story, Tails realized that Sonic, having gone into the jungle, accidentally stumbled upon a wounded naga and began to take care of him later. Both of them did not trust each other at first, but then, having found a common language, they became friends, and after that they began to live together. After Tails, Sonic and Shadow cleaned up the house, and everything that was destroyed and turned over after that chase was now repaired and looked like new. And then the three of them had dinner and watched TV. And while watching some program, Sonic noticed how his younger brother began to nod off. “Poor Tails… He had a very difficult day today, which almost became not the last for him… They tried to eat him, and now he’s ready to fall asleep… Perhaps I’ll take him home and spend the night with him…”, — the blue hedgehog decided and gently shook the baby’s shoulder. He shuddered, but when he noticed his friend, he relaxed. - It’s getting late, Tails. Come on, I’ll take you home, — Sonic informed Tom, and he nodded in response. - Shadow, I’m going to take Tails now. I’ll probably be back in the morning. Don’t miss me. — good. Whatever you say, — Nag answered him, continuing to watch TV. Since it was getting dark in the jungle, Sonic offered to carry Tails in his arms, because that way they would get home faster. The fox agreed, and the hedgehog, taking him, ran. Already at home, a small two-tailed fox cub, sitting on the bed, asked his brother again: — Sonic, so you’ve been… living with Shadow for the last six months, right?.. — Well, not that he lived… I didn’t always sleep in that wooden house, but here too… — Just… Is your new home out there in the jungle now?.. — What are you, Tails! Of course not. Even though I live mostly with Shadow now, that doesn’t mean it’s my home there. My house is the house where we live… — But you’ve been missing so often… And it seemed to me that you live better with Shadow than with me… — said Tails, sobbing. Sonic sat down next to him, hugging the baby. —Tails, are you… jealous?.. Yes, Shadow is my friend, but you are my dear little brother! No one can replace you! And I’m really sorry about what happened today.… Really sorry… I should have seen this coming… — Sonic, I don’t blame you… honestly. I’m fine right now. You didn’t know this would happen, did you… — But I had to! If I had come later, then… — Sonic, everything is fine. You came in time and saved me. And I’m glad I have an older brother like you. I love you, Sonic, — the golden fox whispered, snuggling up to the hedgehog. - I love you too, li’l bro, — Sonic replied, smiling tenderly at him. — Sonic, will you… sleep with me, please?.. - of course. If you ask. And hugging each other, the brothers fell asleep. So passed a rather unusual day for each of them…