Because You Loved Me--Even If I Didn't Want You To

Chapter Three: The Chaos of Bonding
(AKA: A Rivalry is Born)

Rouge sighed as she swooped down and flew right by Knuckle’s side, dodging trees and low branches as they went.

“I’m sure the Master Emerald is fine,” she insisted.

“I should have been guarding it,” Knuckles reminded her for the millionth time since they’d arrived at Angel Island.

After Amy and she had their little chat and Cream unwrapped Knuckles’ mouth, he had insisted on going to check on the Master Emerald before going along, if he would, with the others to find the seven Chaos Emeralds.

Rouge, partly because she didn’t want to bother herself with the younger heros and partly because she simply wanted to make sure he would come back–and to spend time with him alone–insisted that she come with him.

To her surprise, Knuckles didn’t protest but seemed to welcome her along. Though she was almost positive it was because he really didn’t want to argue about the fact and keep away from his precious emerald any longer.

Sigh, what she’d give to have him carry on about her like that...

“Yes, Knuckles, I know what your job is,” she stated in a bored tone, rolling her eyes. “You worry far too often You need to loosen up a bit, take your time–”

“And that’s exactly how the Master Emerald ends up getting stolen ” he exclaimed in annoyance. “Wasting time with you all while you play around–”

He was cut off literally by Rouge kicking him on the head and causing him to crash into a nearby tree. He rubbed the back of his head as he got on to one knee and glared at her through one eye as she floated right in front of him crossing her arms.

“What was that–“

”So you’re saying the time we share together is a waste, huh?” she snapped.

Knuckles blinked at her in surprise then shook his head and he waved his hands in front of him.

“No no! I didn’t mean it like that! ”

“You just said that spending time with me was a waste, ” she accused in anger, looking as though she might hit him again.

“No ” he exclaimed, sweating all of a sudden. “Not the time I spend with you! That’s never a waste ”

He paused for a moment, as if he hadn’t realized what he said then clamping his mouth shut as his cheeks turned as crimson as his fur, he turned stood. And with a turn of his heels, walked in the opposite direction.

He didn’t see the smirk form on Rouge’s face as she landed softly on her feet and followed behind him.

“It better not be,” she pressed on in a teasing voice once she’d caught up. “Because my time is valuable. You should be honored to spend time alone with me.”

Knuckles scuffed at the last part, but it didn’t escape Rouge’s excellent hearing that he had mumbled, “Trust me, I am.”

After another hour or so of hiking and small talk, since Knuckles refused to say anything more to incriminate himself, they had finally arrived at the alter where the Master Emerald was kept. . .

Just in time to see the very tip of the gem enter the bottom compartment of a large airship before it took off at high speed, leaving the rest of the alter in ruin. Rouge could just catch the Eggman insignia on the side.

She looked over at Knuckles to see him shaking, his fist clenched tightly, as he stared at the fading airship with one eye twitching, growling in anger.

Rouge gave a soft laugh as she hunched and patted him on the back. “Well...at least you won’t have to worry about guarding it now.”

~~~~~
Sitting in the pilot seat, Tails cranked up his favorite airplane–the Tornado– and listened to the beautiful hum of the engine, closing his eyes.

It always relaxed him when he was stressed, the sound of his Tornado.

And this was definitely one of those times.

“Are you sure you won’t come with us Amy?” Cream asked with slight worry, standing near the aircraft with the hedgehog in question.

Amy nodded with determination. “Sonic hasn’t come back yet and he said he would. I have to go make sure he’s okay Cream. You guys will do fine without me ”
Tails sighed. He was almost positive Sonic hadn’t said anything about coming back when he’d left the workshop. As a matter of fact, he was almost positive even if he had, he wouldn’t risk it until he thought Amy was long gone.

He knew Sonic didn’t like Amy in the same light she had. And while he would never admit it to her, he probably never would. Well at least, not if she kept this behavior up.

Cream had insisted that all Sonic needed was time and maybe he’d come around. Tails wasn’t so sure.

But what he was sure of was that they really didn’t have time to argue about this anymore and that it was important to at least, get one of the Chaos Emerald before Eggman could.

He leaned over the side of the plane and caught Cream’s hand, to help lift her inside.

“Amy will be just fine Cream,” he said with a gentle smile in her direction, not yet letting go of her hand.

She smiled at him and nodded while Cheese sat in her lap, bouncing with excitement..

He looked down at Amy, keeping the smile on his face. “Okay Amy, we’ll be just Southwest of here. From the looks of the map, it looks like it’s right in the city. Hopefully this won’t take long so you and Sonic–”

“And Shadow,” Cream reminded him and he nodded.

“Oh yeah,” he agreed. “You, Sonic, and Shadow can meet with us back here. Or you can come find us in the city if you like.”

Amy nodded and waved at them as she hurried in the same direction she was sure Sonic had gone in.

“Ready to go Cream?” Tails smiled at her. She blinked innocently at him as she nodded then said “Are you going to hold my hand the entire way?”

Quickly letting it go and ignoring Cream and Cheese’s questioning looks, Tails laughed sheepishly and turned in pilot seat, setting a few adjustments to the control panel.

Within moments, they had taken off, flying over Amy’s head.

She looked up and waved at them again as they flew quickly past.

This was working out in everyone’s favor it seemed: Tails got to be alone with Cream, Rouge got to be alone with Knuckles, and she would get to be alone with her darling Sonic

Or...at least...she might.

The thought made her frown out right that Shadow might actually be with him.

She couldn’t help but hope that maybe Shadow had turned down Sonic’s offer to join them so maybe, as Rouge suggested for her to do, they could be alone.

When Rouge had pulled her aside earlier, she was slightly irritated. Okay, she was very irritated. She was just about to invite herself to come with Sonic before this had happened but remembering that Rouge was her romantic consultant–not to mention by the time she turned back around, Sonic had gotten loose and was no where to be seen, she complied.

They had gotten a drink of water, but neither really drank much of it as they conversed.

“Timing,” Rouge had started. Amy had looked up at her in slight confusion.

“It’s all about timing Amy. Any place, around anyone, at any time, can be turned into a romantic moment if you know exactly how to time things: what you say, what you do, how you act.

“With Sonic, it’s a bit more tricky,” she continued as she thought about him for a moment. “I agree, he’s shown in small ways that he cares and that there is an interest there, but you need to try to get him to admit his feelings. Maybe not in a big way like say, kissing you,”

At this, Rose had blushed and smiled.

“But perhaps, just simply getting him to say or hint at his feelings. Try to trap him with word games. Say certain thing and try to get him to slip up without even realizing it. Use some of his own words against him if you have to. You can accomplish this with even a small conversation, but be careful not to take what he says the wrong way yourself. And try not to make him think you would take everything he says the wrong way.”

Amy had soaked in all the knowledge and nodded. Rouge then had taken a small sip her water and laughed.

“Though I suppose getting Sonic to admit he’s in love is like trying to get Shadow to smile.”

At the mention of the ebony hedgehog, Rose had frowned slightly, looking into her water as she thought.

When Rouge asked what was wrong, she looked up and blurted out “Do you think Shadow likes me?”

Rouge had blinked and gave a reassuring smile. “I’m sure he likes everyone in his own way Amy. Sure he’s a bit–well I suppose mean–but he’s really a nice guy. He’s just not like everyone else and shows his feelings in different ways. Usually though, in anger.” she added jokingly.

Amy shook her head. “I kinda figured that. I don’t mean–as a friend. I mean–like how I like Sonic.”

Rouge lowered her drink from her lips as she was about to take another sip and stared at Amy in slight shock before giving way to a calculating look while her eyes looked toward the ceiling.

There was silence and Amy could swear Rouge must have been thinking of every moment she and Shadow had spent together and anything either had told her, searching for hints.

“Hmm,” she said finally. Then she laughed. “Two guys in love with the same girl. Wish I had your luck ”

Amy couldn’t help but laugh slightly but she shook her head. “What do I tell Shadow? I mean, if he really does like me.”

“The truth,” Rouge hunched. “But you should let him know–and down–easy.”

Amy smiled and nodded, though not really knowing what to say.

“Well, Sonic’s probably already reached him by now. So maybe you can take this time to follow him. If you’re lucky, you can get some time alone with Sonic. Or at least a bit of it. Shadow has a bad habit of walking ahead of people when there’s more than one person with him.”

Amy had smiled at Rouge and placing her drink down on the counter, she had run outside to meet with Tails and Cream.

She wouldn’t worry about Shadow, at least not now. The notion was silly really, that he could be in love with her, but it did make since–in a “it’s Shadow” sort of way.

After all, they could at least get along when they were alone. Sure, he didn’t speak much, but that was with everyone. Except maybe Rouge. And he had actually saved her once or twice when Sonic was preoccupied. And at those times, he hadn’t scolded her about being in the way.

It was only when it concerned Sonic that Shadow seemed to get irritated by her.

And after it began to happen more than once, she had begun to think that maybe he hated her. And then this thought had changed after he was still his ‘pleasant’ self around her when they were alone or at least, not with Sonic, to her. So that left her to think that Shadow was jealous of the pair and that he himself may like her and might not know just how to say it.

Yet.

Which made her feel bad. Because those feelings were not mutual.

‘But I can’t concern myself with that now’ she thought as she drew closer to a large tree right by a lake. ‘I have to find...’

“Where is he?” she announced out loud, staring out past the water then looking all around.

She thought for certain he’d be here. This was where Shadow usually was, after all.

Then she spotted the half eaten apple–and the rather big whole in the ground.
~~~~~

Shadow sent Sonic a side glance as they continued to walk down the dirt path.

They had been walking in silence ever since they fell down into the medium sized circular tunnel. Sonic had yet to look him in the eye if at all, let alone say a word to him, and this was beginning to annoy Shadow.

Honestly, Sonic as a whole was beginning to get to Shadow. Not really the hedgehog himself, but why exactly he had to practice extra restraint on his feelings whenever he was around.

At first, he really didn’t know what to think of Sonic. He thought him immature, reckless, cocky and far too laid back. And in a sense, Shadow still did think those things of the blue hero.

And yet, Sonic could appeal to him like none of the others could.

Certainly, he liked Rouge. For a long time, he had even thought he liked her far more than he was ‘suppose’ to. Especially after he had realized the bat might have feelings for Knuckles. He had thought he was jealous of them, of the idiotic echidna. But after a month, Shadow had realized that Rouge was just a good friend and that the reason he didn’t care for the union was because he thought Rouge was too good for the Knuckles.

Really, he didn’t hate him–he just thought he was a complete, gullible, idiot.

And annoyance.

Then there was Amy Rose. The one with the ‘one track mind’. This girl had reminded him of Maria in certain ways. And in others, she just flat out bothered him. She was polite enough though not to the point of annoying like Cream could be, and even he had to admit: she did try to help even though most of the time it resulted in someone having to save her.

And he supposed she was—attractive. Not as appealing as Rouge but she was pretty on her own terms.

But he knew there was no interest there. Or at least he did now. When he snapped at her the first time when she was around Sonic, he really didn’t know what to make of it. And this had made him reevaluate his feelings for Sonic.

And that’s when his feelings went to hell in a hand basket.

He really didn’t know what to make of his feelings for Sonic. He liked being around him, he knew that. It have given him happy memories, like it did when he spent time with Maria.

Sonic actually seemed to understand him to some degree as well. He could sense his mood swings, and knew when something bothered him. He knew actually how to make him feel better though Shadow preferred not to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

And Sonic could make him laugh. That was something even he admitted he hardly did genuinely. A soft smirk appeared on his face as the thought about it. It had to have been the first time he’d laughed since...well...a very long time.

He had been doing a favor for Amy: Cream was sick and she had wanted him to carry her up a bowl of soup since Sonic was no where to be found and Tails was already upstairs keeping her company.

Amy herself was carrying a few extra blankets and pillows as she chatted about her favorite subject–Sonic–beside him.

He promptly ignored her, rolling his eyes and growling slightly under his breath as she droned on.

When they had gotten close to the room, they heard muffled laughter, someone singing, and what sounded like someone trying to laugh through their coughs.

They paused before entering, staring at each, then Shadow, having a free hand, opened the door to...

1. “It’s Peanut Butter, Jelly Time! Peanut Butter, Jelly Time! Peanut Butter, Jelly Time! Peanut Butter, Jelly Time! Do the Peanut Butter Jelly, the Peanut Butter Jelly, the Peanut Butter Jelly with a Baseball Bat! Do the Peanut Butter Jelly, the Peanut Butter Jelly, the Peanut Butter Jelly with a Baseball Bat!”

At this point Sonic, who had been in a banana suit and dancing from side to side with maracas, had turned around and paused abruptly while Cream coughed with laughter and Tails rolled around on the floor laughing with tears in his eyes.

Shadow stared at him blankly while Amy did the same, lowering her bundle.

“Um. . .” Sonic began sheepishly, the maraca shaking lightly as he placed a hand behind his head, both the youths still laughing at him, not noticing the intrusion yet. “I can explain this.”

Shadow didn’t wait for a response. He had simply lowered the bowl of soup on to a dresser, keeping his eyes on Sonic as he did, and promptly walked out of the room. He decided he just didn’t want to know why Sonic was shaking his butt with maracas, in a banana suit, while singing –in a tone deaf fashion to boot– some idiotic song.

He. Just. Didn’t.

But he couldn’t fight the smile that formed on his face at the mere thought of it. Or the soft laugh that escaped his lips as he walked away from the door.

He shook his head lightly. It still bothered him why something so moronic made him laugh.

And then there was what he called ‘The Incident’. And the moment he seriously thought about killing Sonic since the entire ARK incident.

Sonic had demanded that Shadow try a chili dog when he came over to Tail’s workshop to speak with the small fox.

He had come over because Tails for the past few months, had been helping him regain his memory, something he was very grateful to the younger boy for.

During their first meeting, Tails had learned that certain words that were said, certain actions that were done, and certain places Shadow went to could trigger his memories and ever since, he had been coming back in an effort to unlock all his memories of Maria and the ARK–not just the bad memories.

But Tails was having lunch with Sonic and the others so he had offered to come back later. But finally, he had joined reluctantly after the insistence of Sonic getting him to try one of those damn chili dogs.

So there he sat on a couch right beside him, eating one of those stupid chili dogs when Amy, who had somehow tripped over that utter annoyance that was Cheese–he rather hated the little peeping thing but was told beforehand that he couldn’t hit Cream’s pet– who was also eating a chili dog, dropped hers, it landing right in his lap.

Well, it was hot and stung so naturally, he got rather upset. But before he could properly berate the muttering apologetic girl, Sonic had gotten up and seconds later, came running back into the room with a small wet towel.

And like the complete and utter reckless idiot he was, he began to whip the inside of Shadow’s thigh for him, not thinking any better of it.

And that’s when it happened.

Shadow’s face fell instantly into that of confusion as he looked down at him, not really knowing what to do or say. Because something was very wrong.

Or at least, that was what he thought, because he felt a very pleasing, yet uncomfortable feeling every single agonizingly slow stroke Sonic made with the towel. And he couldn’t help but get the image of forcing Sonic’s head between his legs to perhaps...calm this sensation down.

And somehow, Shadow knew this was just wrong. So without warning, he just shoved Sonic away from him as hard as he possibly could while trying to stand up...but Sonic’s foot caught his leg and tripped him up...and he ended up landing on top of him, straddling him.

And then...Shadow had moaned. It wasn’t a terribly loud moan, but it was loud enough to get everyone’s attention.

And the room went deathly silent as they stared down at the pair. And Shadow’s sensation only got insanely worse–so much so that he knew a certain something was poking Sonic right in the leg.

And Sonic did as well because his eyes got rather large and he opened his mouth to say something.

And that’s when Shadow had seriously thought about killing Sonic to shut him the hell up. It was NOT his fault the idiotic hedgehog had gone and started rubbing at his cock–well okay thigh but damn it, he was close enough And who told him to trip him up anyway?

And that’s exactly the way Shadow looked at him. And it must have worked because Sonic face erupted in laughter as he politely asked Shadow to get off of him.

With a hard on. For everyone to see. Right.

He told Sonic he wasn’t moving until he apologized for his insolence. And Sonic, somehow getting his signal, kept the deception going until finally, it was gone and Shadow, delivering a punch to Sonic’s face because, as he thought, it was HIS fault after all for giving him one in the first place, finally got up.

But it wasn’t a strong punch mind you. Just strong enough to say “Don’t do that again.”

And ‘The Incident’ was never mentioned again between them. Ever.

Shadow’s frown deepened as they continued to walk, taking a note that their feet were now surmerged in an inch of water and Sonic shifted into further discomfort.

Every since ‘The Incident’ Shadow had to fight the onslaught of odd, wild thoughts he kept producing for himself at times when Sonic was too close to him or when he was alone with him and had time to just ponder.

Like what his lips would feel like if he were to kiss him. Or what it would be like to have Sonic withering beneath him as he forced him to scream and cry in pure escta–

Shadow growled out loud at the mere thought and this caused Sonic to finally turn in his direction.

“What’s up?”

“Shut up ” Shadow snapped at him, not wanting to explain anything to him.

It was all his fault. Stupid Sonic, making him laugh. Making him feeling odd–things. Making him want to throw him down on the ground and–

“Stop that ” he screamed. Sonic looked at him as if he had finally lost his mind but Shadow quickly covered.

“Stop your foolish eye adverting. Why do you keep doing that anyway faker?”

He heard a soft gulp as Sonic fought not to advert his eyes further. “It’s nothing really.”

“Don’t lie to me faker.”

“Really Shadow. Like your growling, me avoiding eye contact is nothing.”

Shadow glared at him for a moment, then deciding that he didn’t like his smart ass remark, shoved Sonic forward into darkness.

And smirked when he realized the water had gotten deeper and Sonic fell into two feet of it.

“Heeeelp, ” he screamed, thrashing around frantically, his eyes closed tightly as he struggled to get back to higher ground.

“Shadow! I can’t swim! Help me! Get me out of here! ”

“Stand up you. You idiot.”

Sonic stopped abruptly, and stood up, noting the water only came to his knee and laughed sheepishly, though Shadow could still since an unease there.

Sonic looked around a moment then frowned.

“Wait a minute, Shadow.”

He only glared at him.

“The water. It gets even deeper from here. We must be in some sort of underwater temple.”

Shadow paused to look around. He was right. The tunnel had ended from here and gave way to a series of what looked like to be large chambers full of water. And he didn’t miss the Eggman insignia carved into the arced openings that separated each room.

He looked past Sonic and down into the water. It got darker the further it went so it had be very deep. But he could still make out things moving below.

“I bet this must be where the Chaos Emerald is,” Sonic announced seeming to be memorized by the water.

He looked over at Sonic. “Then go get it.”

Sonic looked at Shadow as though he had been given a death sentence. “Why should I go?”

“You’re always ready and willing. Give it a go faker..”

“Shadow, water and I just don’t get along, you should know this by now ”

“Then how do you possibly practice hygiene,” Shadow retorted.

“I take showers. There’s a difference,” Sonic frowned, crossing his own arms.

There was a moment of silence before sighing in annoyance, Shadow stepped forward.

Without warning, he pushed Sonic forward, ignoring the yelp he gave as he landed in the water, splashing a bit on him before he dived in after him.

They both sunk downward, Sonic in a unflattering fashion as he kicked his legs and flapped his arms in vain while Shadow simply dived further down, kicking his legs ever so often until they both landed on the bottom.

Shadow took in their surroundings while Sonic glared at him accusingly, giving plenty of hand gestures, including one with his middle finger. Shadow chose to ignore that one.

The floor they had landed on was made completely out of marble, while the walls were made of the same white and brown stone as before, carvings of some sort littering, them. Pillars shot upward but not tall enough to break the surface of the water. Just ahead, he could see the robots moving aimlessly throughout the water none of them taking notice of the pair yet.

Shadow smacked Sonic over the head to get his attention then pointed in the direction he wanted to go in and making a swimming motion.

Sonic however, began to run or at least, as much as he could, along the bottom and sighing, Shadow decided to do the same.

They both made their way through each of the chambers of the Eggman temple, destroying robots that dared to cross their path as they went.

They had to watch certain robots however, as one nasty little mecha had a bad habit of dropping small mines at them when they ran underneath it. Which normally wouldn’t be a problem but considering the water was making them relatively slower, Shadow actually had to push Sonic out of the way once because he had tried to stop grab an air bubble.

Which was the other issue they faced: breathing. Shadow either had to swim them to the surface, they would find air bubbles, or Sonic had, at this moment, jumped from robot to robot until he was simply out of the water completely . And when he didn’t come back, Shadow had followed suit, only he had destroyed said robots in his wake with a spin attacks.

He took in a deep breath of fresh air, happy to have it fill his lungs, then looked over to see Sonic frowning at the water from their landing, which Shadow had noted was a long, but small in width, clear floating platform.

And just below them, was a dim glimmer and Sonic smirked. “Hello Chaos Emerald.”

Shadow took a step forward but quickly paused when he felt the water move.

“Something’s there,” he stated quietly and Sonic looked over at him, then back at the water intently.

They didn’t have to wait long.

A long mechanical tentacle wrapped around the floating platform, causing both hedgehogs to flip backwards. It began to bend quickly in the middle before completely snapping in two, separating the two. Neither made a move to join the other as they stayed on their own individual platform, both watching the water intently and waiting for the mecha to resurface.

Again, the wait was short.

Just before them, a large body emerged from the water while all eight tentacles shot into the air around it. Then the main body began to spin as the legs came crashing down one by one, each aimed at Sonic or Shadow.

As if already having it planned, Sonic ran to the edge of the platform at the exact moment Shadow had, each dodging the legs as they crashed downward and steading themselves as best they could on the rocking platform before attacking.

Shadow went straight for each leg, home attacking the ones closer to him and ricocheting off them to land either on the platform or to one of the other legs before beginning the attack again. He had managed to get rid of one of them already.

Sonic however, had landed directly on the main body mechanical octopus. Just as he thought, one of the legs went thrashing at him and timing the impact, he quickly dodged out of the way, watching the leg crash into the its own body and causing it damage.

A second leg followed suit and he successfully dodged it as well before Shadow had snapped that one off as well.

The mechanical octopus stopped attacking with it legs finally, extending the remaining ones straight out. Both hedgehogs paused as energy shot through each tentacle and small balls of lightening erupted from the tips and floated around the room.

They were dodged easily as neither had to leave the place they had been standing on, Sonic was still on the mecha’s head while Shadow was standing, ready to attack on the platform.

When the balls had disappeared and Shadow launched himself into the air again to attack, the machine decided to submerge itself back into the water. Sonic flipped off it and landed on the same platform that Shadow landed on, who skidded to a halt as he landed.

They both looked into the water, watching it turn a darker shade as thick black oil mixed within it.

“Egghead is getting soft, if he’s making robots that easy,” Sonic joked. He gave a mocking sad look. “That fight ended way too soon.”

Shadow turned to reply but was cut off by tentacles shooting straight through the platform.

Sonic was quick to move, pushing him slightly out of the way and crying out in pain as the sharp tip was able to slash him on his side. Sonic stumbled then fell, slipping over the end and into the water. At this, the tentacles quickly shot back down into the water and the surface become come again.

Shadow looked around quickly then back into the water, waiting for a moment. After realizing Sonic wouldn’t come back up on his own, he dived into the water himself.

After swimming through the cloud of oil, it didn’t take long to spot the blue hedgehog. He looked to be completely unconscious, no longer grabbing his side as a tentacle dragged him further from the surface before stopped and swinging it through the water, smashed it into the wall. The tentacle loosened its grip and Sonic slipped right through, sinking slowly and hitting the bottom with a soft thud.

The octopus swam a little ways higher, spinning again while instead of branching out its tentacles, it brought them inward, making one large pointed drill aimed at the hedgehog’s heart.

Then with quick speed, it began to descend right at Sonic.

Shadow took one look at Sonic then growling he shot himself forward, his body glowing slightly as went. He shot completely through the main body of the beast just as the tip was mere inches from Sonic, causing the tentacles to break out of their formation and wave about clumisly as the body moved away from them from the force of impact.

Shadow ricocheted off the stone wall and launched himself once more at the beast though this time he seemed to be aiming at something in particular. He hit his mark and came back through as the machine began to sink to bottom in a cloud of oil.

He paid it no mind as he landed away from it with a soft thud on one foot, clutching a Chaos Emerald–a real Chaos Emerald–in his hand. He looked over at Sonic and leaning down, grabbed him under the arm and swam them to the surface in the opposite direction they had entered the chamber from.

He took a deep breath of fresh air when they broke the surface, but didn’t take the time to enjoy it as he pulled Sonic up and out of the water and onto the dirt path. He looked around and saw a small dirt staircase just a ways from them and what looked like sunlight shining through the opening.

The exit.

“It must finally be morning,” he said quietly before turning his attention back to the blue hedgehog below him.

He leaned forward, examining the wound. It wasn’t as bad has he had thought it had been. Not deep or very big, and it was barely bleeding anymore, much to Shadow’s relief.

He put his ear to Sonic’s chest and frowned. Well, that wasn’t a good sign. He wasn’t breathing.

Shadow contemplated for a moment before setting the Chaos Emerald down beside him. He placed Sonic flat on his back then put his head in his lap. He leaned forward, hesitating a moment before parting his lips and trying to breath air into his lungs.

He did this for a couple of moments until he felt Sonic move then brought his lips away as the hedgehog coughed up water violently. He calmed down a bit, taking in breaths of fresh air before calming down completely, breathing regularly. But he still didn’t wake up. He was still knocked out, only breathing.

Shadow thought about ‘accidently’ pushing his head off his lap when Sonic let a comfortable sound and a soft smile grace his lips but figured he didn’t want to chance knocking him out further and once again, out of breathing.

So instead for the next half of hour, he simply sat their uncomfortable, as his mind began to wondered.

About his feelings. And what exactly they were. If they were real feelings or artificial, like the ones he thought he had for Rouge.

Did he really feel this way about Sonic? Or did he only allow himself to believe he favored the hedgehog more than usual because of ‘The Incident’? Would he have reacted if it had been anyone? Or was it really just something about Sonic that made him feel the way he did?

But then...how could he explain his other feelings?

Shadow looked at Sonic’s peaceful face. The pleasant smile. Those soft lips. He rather liked the way they had felt, even if he didn’t really get a chance to fell them properly. Not in a kiss. Not a real kiss anyway. . .

Shadow blinked, still studying those lips of his. And he had made up his mind.

He leaned in again, his eyes partially closed, not hearing the soft footsteps that made their way towards them...

~~~~~~~~~
It had taken Rose quite a while to swim through. Thankfully, it’s really all she had to do, as she had figured that Sonic must have been this route before her. She barely had any robots to fight at all.

And if there had been any doubt, the large robotic octopus that was now out of commission at the bottom of the largest chamber put them to rest.

So she had made it to the other end, hoping against hope that she would finally see her darling hedgehog and hopefully, alone.

Then Amy saw a silhouette of what she knew was a hedgehog right in front of her and she smiled brightly.

There he was, right in front of her.

Then sunlight hit around his feet just right and she saw the glimmer. And Sonic had gotten a Chaos Emerald!

Her smile softened as a plan formulated in her head quickly. Oh her darling Sonic must be rewarded.

Stifling a giggle, she slowly crept forward, keeping as quite as she could, the light making his image clearer the closer she inched forward.

And Amy Rose froze speechless once she could see them clearly.

Oh Sonic was there. But the form she thought was his own had belonged to Shadow. Who was currently bent over with her Sonic resting on his lap.

And he was kissing him.

Amy could feel the corners of her eyes dampen. Not a peck. Not a ‘hey, you’re my best friend’ kiss, if that even existed for guys. No...this kiss was different. That was the same kind of kiss that she had always wanted to give Sonic herself.

The type of kiss she had been hoping to get just a moment ago. The type of kiss she had always wanted her darling to give her.

And there was Shadow. Stealing her kiss. With her Sonic.

She heard a soft moan from Sonic–he was moaning?– and Shadow lifted his head slowly, his eyes opening as he looked down at him.

Then he cut his eyes to the side and she knew she’d been caught.

His head spun around and crimson eyes stared intently at her. And she stared back at him, searching his eyes for something, anything that resembled the least bit of guilt. Like maybe seeing her would make him ashamed, like he didn’t mean to do it at all. Amy could except that. She really could.

But what she couldn’t except was what his eyes where really saying. He wasn't sorry. And deep down, she already knew he wasn’t. And as they continued to stare, understanding crept to her face.

Shadow hadn’t been in love with her. He hadn’t been jealous of her feelings for Sonic. It was completely the other way around.

Shadow was in love with Sonic the Hedgehog.

And Amy’s look wavered and she ended up looking at the ground as silent tears fell. And he wasn’t going to back down, his eyes, his whole demeanor, told her so.

Amy didn’t know what to do now. So she did the very first thing she thought of.

She ran.

A/N:
I would like to thank everyone that has reviewed my story so far or even took the time to read it. It really means a lot to me and I’m glad that you are enjoying it if you are. If not, I’m so sorry as I hoped everyone would.


I’ll warn readers again, but be forewarned that the next chapter will contain SLASH and fluff, so if you don’t like reading it, you might want to skip that part of the next chapter.


1. That’s a Family Guy reference, though I think the show may have gotten it else where, I’m not too sure.. But once I saw it, I couldn’t help but put it in one of my stories and since this was the one I’m currently working on... ::hugs Brian plushie::

That’s it for now, thanks again. It makes me dance.