Well, this was written in a spur of the moment.

I said I was taking a small break, and I guess I did. Anyway, yeah. I'm having improvements on my writing. My friend is being my beta reader for now on, and I'm just better in general. At least I think so. xD

I know, I know. I was planning this whole highschool/AU story, but I thought this up and I just decided to write it. I tried writing the other one a bit and this just flowed so much easier, so I decided to continue this. I may go back to that in the future, but who knows.

Like my last story, this is a Sonadow. It pretty much has nothing to do with my last story, so yeah. Just forget about that when reading this. xP This story will most likely be longer and much more mature/developed than my last one. This is, I guess, slightly out of plot line with certain aspects in Shadow's life. You'll see as we get further into the story.

This is simply a prologue; a teaser. This just may be what you get for a little while. I've only written one chapter, and as I said, it was sort of out of no where. I want to get a few more chapters done before I post again. This is just to leave you with something and to show you I'm not dead. x)

P.S.: I love to listen to the song, 'Recycled Air' by The Postal Service whenever I read this chapter. No idea why, just, I don't know. xP

I hope you enjoy it.

Name: 'Chained By Love'

Rating: Teen/PG-13 (might go up)

Pairings: SonicxShadow, possible KnuxRouge

Warning: Male/Male relationship; don't read if you don't like it

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Ugh. He hated humid weather.

Though at the current moment, the uncomfortable weather and his strong dislike for it shouldn't be what he was worrying about.

Perhaps, the people chasing him, is what he should of been concentrating on.

Swift and as dark as night, a form made it's way through the night's shadows, racing his way through the bare field ahead. Through freezing drops of rain littering the grasses and numbing bare feet, the creature moved with a calm stride, though it was obvious by his breathing that he was in a state of panic. What Shadow's eyes revealed when viewed much closer were a pure sense of fear, crimson eyes focusing from his front to behind him.

As the hedgehog quickly dashed into the light of the bare moon above, an array of foliage and dust picking up after him due to the speed. He zipped across the damp ground as his body pushed his hardest, his speed and endurance amazing for his current physical being. As of now, we got an explanation of why he blended so well in the shadows. His coat was pretty much completely black except for particular ruby streaks within his spikes, the largest located within his head quills. Their was also a spot of ivory fuzz upon his skinny chest, his build so thin that his bones were easily seen. Though they could be seen, certain features were hard to detect, for the male's coat wasn't it's normal sleek and clean coat; his whole form was completely dirty. The dirt upon the male was dark and smudged, mixing in with the hardened and dried blood scattered upon him. He also seemed to have fresh flesh wounds across his torso and legs, each draining at least a small amount of life's warm liquid. He was covered with not only deep gashes, but large and painful bruises, each breath painful with every deep gasp. His thin and starved frame won any argument in the fact that the hedgehog did not look his best. It was apparent by the scars and tired eyes he'd been put through a lot within his long and mostly painful lifetime. There was a serious face of bravery sketched within every line of his young face, the expression not unusual for the male hedgehog.

There was also the fact of what unnaturally weighed down the hedgehog's neck and wrists. Shut tightly around his throat and around each arm were tight, metal clamps, which were followed by a set of rusty and large chains. Each three of the last rings met right in the middle with a knot, keeping each tightly interlocked. All three chains were long enough to allow free movement, but were heavy none the less. It was easy to tell by his fast movement and easily mobility that he was able to withstand their amazing weight, showing he had been previously quite used to them. His features looked ill; it was like he had never endured a bath in his life, by how filthy he was. It seemed as if he was locked away for years and years on end.

That was the answer exactly; the male had never really seen the light of day. It was very likely he had never had an actual whiff of fresh air until now. As soon as his foot hit the free ground, his senses and instincts were bombarded, the male taking off into any direction. He was amazed at the speed he was reaching, the openness of the terrain in front of him, and the realness of everything in his view. He couldn't believe he finally made it out of his prison.

The male wished to never go back there. He had fought so hard to escape their clutches, he swore he'd die before he went back to such a place. His heart was forever stuck on that fact. He wished never to return to such a place so condemned, opting even hell over that. He simply shuddered at the idea as he heard the yells behind him getting much more fainter, obviously far ahead of them. It would be very doubtful if those chasing him caught him now. Though the male hedgehog never stopped, his feet pushing once more against the wet ground. He was determined to get as far as he could by using his frail legs to push harder.

He narrowed his eyes, feeling the wind brush him. So, this was exactly what he was missing. For the first time in the male's real existence, he got to feel the rushing breeze as he ran against the current. He closed his eyes and reminded himself never to stop, making himself easily pass through the trees.

Shadow was amazed he made it out of there in the first place and for the first time in his lifetime, his dreams were becoming a reality. Though yes, there was the possibly of getting caught again, he had at least made it this far. He was out of their darkened clutches for at least a period of time, his heart filling with accomplishment and rebellion. He tried not to worry about the consequences he faced if he was caught. It was sure that if he was captured once again, he hoped to face death for his punishment. He could not dare endure another time of curling up within his gruesome cell, having to lay silent so no one would bother or harm him. When he finally knew he was alone and there was no fear of disturbance, he'd stare through the bared windows, his past self once yearning for what he had now.

The male ran as long as he could with weakened legs, his body quickly tiering. Without warning, he by accident lost his footing, sending his exhausted body crashing to the ground. He slid across the muddy soil and was further dirtied, yet he didn't care. He was free. The male's eyes looked longingly into the star adorned celestials, his heart filling with unidentified emotions. His breath was somber as the chain around his neck tightened, the deep gash making it's way across his throat bleeding heavier. Though he didn't mind, for his eye's were too busy catching the scenery. As he laid tired and unable to move within the damp grasses, his eyes slowly shut, taking in the silence of his new surroundings.

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