The Guardian growled and cracked his knuckles. That stupid bat was back. Why didn't she ever leave him alone? "What are you doing back here? I thought I told you to never come near me!"

"Really," the vampire bat sighed. "Is that any way to greet a beautiful lady, such as myself?"

"Just leave, and your bones stay in tact," he hissed darkly.

With a growl, the bat turned around to face the other way. As she flapped her wings, she glanced over her shoulder. "I hope you know, I'm not here for the Master Emerald... Today. I merely wanted to see -"

"I don't care. You are never to come into my line of sight ever again, do you hear and understand my words, bat-girl?"

She merely bore her teeth with a growl and flapped her wings, taking off from the ground. Flying high into the cool evening air, the bat vowed to make the Guardian's life as miserable as possible starting as soon as she got her hands back on her...

Staying in a fighting stance until he was sure she wasn't going to come back any time soon, the Guardian thought. He knew who that bat wanted to see, and he wasn't going to let her. She had her chance to take care of her, and she blew it. All her fault.

Sighing and relaxing his muscles, the Guardian looked to the last rays of sunlight, smiling softly at the sight of blue-gray clouds highlighted with pink in the far distance. Turning around, he paced towards a huge, perfectly cut emerald where peacefully napped a five-year-old girl. She had soft crimson fur with large ears and short dreadlocks. Her large, black bat wings enfolded her lithe body as she squirmed around a bit, trying to get comfortable. On either of her large hands, a pair of sharp spikes on her knuckles ground together as she tried to warm herself.

Quietly, the Guardian kneeled down next to the girl and gave her shoulder a gentle shake. With a soft groan and a flutter of eye lids, her deep amethyst eyes that sparkled a bright blue looked into his.

"Papa," she murmured softly.

"Are you ready to go back, sweetie?" he asked the child, still smiling softly. She nodded and he gathered her up in his arms. The child yawned, her little fangs reflecting the softly pink-colored light behind the two. Then, with a content sigh, she snuggled up against her father's chest and was asleep instantly. He smiled gently and nuzzled the top of her head as he started off to their house. As he walked, the word of an old song he'd once heard came to his mind. He couldn't remember the whole thing, but the few snippets he did know seemed to fit his emotions perfectly.

"... Now look, I love my daughter more than life in itself, but I got a wife that's determined to make my life livin' hell... There's no more reason to cry no more. I got my baby, baby the only lady that I adore (Hailie). So sayonara, try tommorra, nice to know ya. Our baby's traveled back to the arms of her rightful owner... Hailie, remember when I said if you ever need anything, Daddy would be right there? Guess what? Daddy's here, and I ain't going nowhere, baby. I love you..."

Knuckles Echidna paused and looked down at his and Rouge Bat's daughter. "I love you my little Bronzer." Gently he kissed the top of her forehead and continued his trek.

*silence* ... *looks at muse whose glaring at her* ... What?

Tails: ¬,¬ You changed your name again.

Angel: ... Yeah? And?

Tails: And... These are Eminem lyrics! ,

Angel: It's a good song! Have you never heard it?

Tails: ... *shifty eyes*

Angel: HA! See! Don't judge! Anyway, disclaimer: I own Bronzer and the story idea. The song "Hailie's Song" is Eminem's and is really good! Listen to it if you can. Rouge and Knux belong to Sega. Now, if you really want to know who Bronzer is, I will have her story out soon and a pic up by that time (hopefully I can find the scanner power cable by then). Chao! ^^