Unfortunate Mongoose

Chapter I

xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx

A/N: Here's my first Sonic fanfic. Well, it's a "pairing" fanfic but whatever. I hope you enjoy!

xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx

How long am I going to sleep here?

Shadow pulled himself up off the cold ground, not bothering to observe his surroundings. He knew he was bleeding but he didn't seem to care one bit, the pain was actually numb to him. His crimson eyes wondered over to his right, gloved, hand. The Chaos Emerald. "Heh, as if." he tossed the grey gem off to the side, where it tumbled into a puddle of melted snow. A fake. "Where the hell am I?" he grumbled, sitting cross-legged on the dirt floor.

The black hedgehog looked upwards, seeing himself surrounded by a circle of trees. Yes, he was just on the outskirts of New Mobotropolis... Where he didn't want to be. Before he could get up, his ears twitched back to the sound of approaching footsteps and a nearing whistling tune. The figure was shadowed, but it obviously a female.

"Dammit." Shadow growled. He was unable to move, but he still had enough energy to fight in some way if this was an enemy. Unfortunatly, the "enemy" was none other than Mina Mongoose herself. The mongoose continued on walking in his direction, unaware of the hedgehog as she stared up at the grey skies above her and whistling some unfamiliar tune. Her eyes finally caught him just a few feet from her, causing her to stop in her tracks.

For a moment, Mina was startled to see the hedgehog and shocked to find him almost severely injured. He somehow resembled Sonic, although his hairstyle was much more different. "H-hey, you're hurt-"

"Leave me alone." Shadow snapped, forcing his eyes away from the young girl.

"No, please, I can help-"

"I don't care... Go back to New Mobotropolis, kid... I can take care of this... myself." he rasped, trying his best to get back on his feet. The pain was less numb now and much more stinging. No matter how painful it was, he didn't wish to have this girl come near him. He didn't want any being from Mobius or Knothole come near him.

Mina glanced up at the darkening grey skies; rain. If she obeyed his orders, she'd be feeling guilty about it later. She touched the handle of her purple umberella with her left hand and knelt down, "Let me help." she said firmly, as if she were talking down to a wild animal that needed to be calmed. She didn't mean for it to sound that way but Shadow didn't seem to notice.

Shadow forced himself up, groaning in pain, but managed to stand perfectly with his back to Mina. "I don't need anyone's help... especially yours..." he said bitterly.

The mongoose frowned in disappointment, but as she watched him begin to walk away... he collapsed. "Ah, hey!" she gasped, rushing to his side just as he fell on his stomach. He let out a groan, but gave in to the black-out. It was useless.

Mina sighed before taking his arm and wrapping it around her shoulders. He was conscious, and possibly enough to get him to shelter. She began moving slowly just as the rain started to pour. "I'm helping you... I don't care if you like it or not." Mina hissed, glaring at the weak hedgehog sternly. Perhaps she could head back to New Mobotropolis and straight over to her mother's house before anyone can catch her sneaking in and out of the gates.

xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx xX Xx

Shadow awoke to find himself lying in a dark room, in a very comfortable bed, surrounded by many unfamiliar objects everywhere. He looked to his right, the window was wide open and allowed in the cool air and moonlight for him. The hedgehog sat up, ignoring the cold chill, and allowed his eyes to adjust to the dark. He noticed his wounds were tended to and his cuts were slightly healed. If he had the Chaos Emerald in his posession he wouldn't have needed these humiliating things.

Suddenly, the door opened. A robotic mongoose stepped into the room, holding a plate of food. Shadow moved a bit, but halted upon the paining feel of the wounds. The woman chuckled, "Forgive me. I should have been here before you woke up." she set the plate down carefully on a desk beside the bed. The woman studied the hedgehog and grinned, "You resemble our hero very much, I see."

Shadow glared, but it didn't frighten her one bit. "You must be Shadow," she watched his eyes glance over at the plate of food cautiously. "Please, eat." she insisted kindly.

Shadow smirked, somehow this woman reminded him of someone. Then again, she didn't. He took the plate reluctantly and began eating.

"My daughter told me all about her encounter with you. Rumours have been going around after your disappearance, dear one-"

"Rumours. Forget rumours." Shadow chowed down a buttered biscuit as he said this.

The woman giggled, "Yes... Dear one, what brought you back to us?" she asked. Shadow narrowed his eyes, he didn't mind talking to this woman; she's much too kind and he'd feel guilty for being rude to her. "I was... running away from someone... I've been chased down everywhere I go. I was able to escape with a fake emerald... which I wasted every power on. If I can get my hands on another one... maybe I can-"

"Is that why you refused my daughter's help?" the lady asked, settling herself down on a log seat.

Shadow looked away, "I'm not too good at manners when help is offered... I'm sorry if I acted that way but I really need to find my missing emerald." his eyes flashed bright red for a moment through the room's shadows but returned to the same crimson color.

"Is that so?" the mongoose shifted, "Then I should ask; will you stay here for awhile until you've gained enough energy to look for your emerald?"

"Why?" Shadow crunched down on another biscuit.

She stood up and began stepping out of the room, but stopped at the doorway, "We mongooses have a kind sense to us and we never leave a guest on their own. In other words; I want to help."

"What about your daughter?"

"... She was the one who brought you here, took care of your wounds, and I suppose she'd like to help you get back on your feet. Get to know her, alright?" she smiled softly.

Shadow swallowed, "What's your name, miss?"

"Isabella." she answered before leaving the room.