Heyo! So, I never thought that I'd get such sweet, positive feedback from you guys on The Pacifist and the Activist and His Blue-Eyed Secret. It really means so much to me that you like Shadikal as much as I do!

So, by popular demand of you lovely readers, here's another...thing! Some of you asked, Yo, Jazz, when ya gonna make a Shadikal multichapter? And here's your answer:

*whispers* After Gotta Open Your Heart, Dude is finished, I will start another multichapter. I do know I want my next one to be Sonamy/Shadikal central, so we'll see where that takes us ;D

Read on!

"Isn't that dangerous?" Tikal queried as Shadow and the others brisked passed her, pointer finger lifted in the air.

"Yep!" Sonic shot her a thumbs up, never taking a break in his quick stride.

"And you're doing it anyway?"

"Pretty much." Tails shrugged.

"What if someone gets hurt?"

"Then every man for himself." Knuckles crossed his arms.

Amy cleared her throat.

"Every man and woman," Knuckles added, and Amy smiled in approval.

Tikal hesitated, unsure. She didn't want her friends to go, but at the same time she didn't want to be left alone.

"Are you coming or not?"

"Uh?" Tikal looked up in surprise, her gaze locking onto Shadow's.

"Either stay here, or come with us. There's no between."

Tikal pressed her lips together before she finally decided.

"...I'm coming with you."

.

Tikal helped patch everyone up after the battle was over. Luckily no one got seriously injured, but she still patched up the gang one by one; on her way to Shadow, she gently set an ice pack on Sonic's head, the latter wincing but flashing her a thankful grin as he lifted a hand to keep the ice there.

"Don't say it," Shadow said before she could open her mouth, she gently dabbing the side of his face.

She pressed her lips once more. "Alright..."

But she couldn't help but laugh softly as she continued to work.

"What are you giggling about?"

He wasn't looking at her. In fact, his eyes have not left the wall ever since he sat down. Ironically, her gaze had yet to leave his face; but she had an excuse to stare this time.

Did Tikal have a crush on the Shadow the Hedgehog?

Tikal smiled to herself, swabbing his cut. "Nothing."

Yes. Yes she did.

He was a lovely person if you got to know him. And yet, despite her feelings, shouldn't she repulsed by him because his views on the world were the polar opposite of her own?

Maybe that's what drew her to him. Maybe she wanted to know what it was like to take a look inside his mind; maybe she wanted to learn what it was like to be him.

They started out as acquaintances; perhaps slightly less than that. Her emergence from the Master Emerald had Sonic and his friends on high alert, protecting her at all costs - which caused her and Shadow to interact at some point, even if it was the small things (like staying hidden when he told her to, brief shared glances that were entirely coincidental, and those few times when he saved her from getting hurt, or worse).

Now that Chaos was, once again, concealed inside of the emerald, the echidna decided to stay with her friends in the modern world, guarding the Master Emerald with Knuckles. She got to know her friends a lot better and, as a result, became a little closer with Shadow as well. They weren't the best of friends, but at least he didn't look at her with disgust (like he looked at Sonic sometimes). On days that they ran into each other, she'd ask how he was doing, and sometimes he'd agree to go for a walk with her around the city.

She realized that the more time she spent with him, the stronger her feelings grew. Ever the conservative, she kept them to herself for the longest time...Until Amy started catching on.

"That's so cute!"

"You are so in love with him!"

"Eeeek!"

Her happiness was contagious, but even so, Amy promised that she wouldn't tell anyone. And she kept to her word, thank goodness.

"All done!" Tikal announced, thumbing down a thin strip of gauze tape just above his eye.

"Hmph," was Shadow's typical reply, sliding out of his seat and onto his feet.

"Hm," Tikal hummed, facing the group now. "Is there anything else I can do for you all?"

"Well, I am gettin' kinda hungry..." Knuckles rubbed his toned belly.

"Lunch is ready!"

Cream came into the room then, carrying a tray of sandwiches, neatly cut into triangles.

"Oh, just in time!" Tikal smiled, clasping her hands together. "I'll go get the drinks."

When she went to the kitchen, however, she realized she was being followed. Her heart began to race. She knew exactly who was behind her.

"Shadow," she acknowledged him, peeping her head out of the fridge with apple juice in hand. "Is there something you need?" she asked.

He said nothing, opening the cabinets to pull out the cups.

Smiling softly, she walked over to where he stood, gingerly pouring the juice in each cup, giving a reasonable amount for every one. The ebony hedgehog continued to remain silent, sliding the cups on the tray before he picked it up and carried the drinks to the next room. Smile widening, Tikal followed him, arms behind her back.

She liked this very much - the unspoken connection between them. She didn't mind that he didn't talk to her much; but she did like his company, and she did like it when he did the little things like this. He may not be the epitome of friendly, but he did have his moments sometimes.

She didn't miss the adorable way he avoided everyone's gaze as he offered the tray to everyone in the room, or the way his lips twitched slightly when Cream thanked him with a flower crown and a hug. And by the time Shadow came back to her, there were two cups left on the tray. He handed her one of them.

Their fingers grazed.

Startled, she looked up into his eyes, slowly retrieving the drink from him, cheeks pink. She was surprised to see that he was smirking now, hidden beneath the rim as he lifted the cup up to his lips for a measured sip.

But there was no mistaking the blush on his face either, and she couldn't hold back from giggling this time.