A/N: Hello everyone! I got a brand new story for all of you and this one is completely different from the previous ones that I have tried to write. This is a story that has been on my mind for quite some time and I felt the time was right to begin revealing what I have been coming up with the past couple of months since I hit a really bad patch of writer's block. Reviews are always welcome and let me know what you think of this story and what could be improved, I'm always open to criticism. Well I won't keep you any longer so go ahead and read what I have to offer. Enjoy!

Chapter 1:

Excuses Don't Mean Anything When You're a Few Years Late

The chalk white snow crunched beneath Shadow's shoes as he slowly made the journey from his car to up the driveway, regret filling his every footstep.

Maybe I shouldn't be here, this is all a big mistake just waiting to happen, the ebony hedgehog thought as he started up the stairs towards the front door. It had been years since he had seen any of them, any of the ones he could truly call "friends". They had all gone their separate ways, to go out and achieve success and live their lives. All of them had managed to keep in touch but once again Shadow exiled himself from them for reasons unknown. He had wanted to keep all of them close but something in his heart had told him that it wouldn't be wise. He was just a loner by nature and design, a vagabond that resisted and couldn't commit to close relationships. Shadow stood in front of the door and knocked a couple of times, second thoughts trying their hardest to push to the forefront of his mind.

You can still leave...it's not too late, his mind kept telling him but yet his feet stood planted right in front of the door, waiting entrance from the occupants inside. He could see the bright lights and decorations didn't just cover the exterior of the house but it also extended to the interior as well. Through the window he could see multitudes of bright red and greens strewn about everywhere as well as a lit up christmas tree sitting by a raging fire in the fireplace. The sound of the door opening caused Shadow's focus to shift from the window to the doorway where a figure stood before him that although he would never admit it, he missed dearly.

"Shadow!" Rouge exclaimed, her breath manifesting in the night air due to the cold. She walked out onto the doorstep to embrace the ebony hedgehog into a light hug.

"Hey...Rouge." Shadow replied as he returned her hugged awkwardly, he wasn't really known for being able to show affection. They soon broke away from one another and that is when Rouge looked into Shadow's crimson orbs with sincerity and spoke.

"I'm so glad you could make it. It's been years. I've missed you so much." Shadow's heart warmed slightly at her words. He had been missed by someone, how touching.

"But can you please explain to me why you didn't answer my messages for the longest time?" Rouge asked in a slightly bitter tone. It was like a switch had been flipped on her emotional control panel.

She's happy to see me and now she might want to rip my head off...what in the hell is wrong with this woman? Shadow thought grumpily as he knew he was on the receiving end of what could be a nasty verbal assault. However, she did have a point. She had messaged Shadow countless times and it wasn't like Shadow could say that he hadn't seen them, because he had it was just that he didn't really know what to say. He didn't know how to begin a conversation after being away from her life for so long. He had kept tabs on everyone via facebook but that was about it. The only person that ever messaged him had been Rouge but he never responded. Yet, she never gave up on trying to contact him. As annoying as it might have been looking at it, Shadow had to admit, Rouge was pretty damn persistent, and it was that persistence that had him on her doorstep, attending this Christmas Party.

"Rouge. I'm really sorry that I didn't contact you. Life for me has been busy and…"

"And what? You didn't have time out of any of your days to talk to a friend even for as little as five minutes?" Rouge interrupted, her words slicing through the apology and excuse that the ebony hedgehog had just crafted.

"Well the life of a musician is busy. I just can't really sit down and communicate. I saw all your messages and I'm sorry that I was an ass and didn't message you. I shouldn't have done something like that to someone I would consider a good friend." Shadow hung his head low slightly in disappointment at himself, sure he traveled and spent a lot of time on the road and in studios, but that didn't mean he couldn't at least attempt at making contact with those he cared deeply about.

"Awh, don't get too soft on me now hun," Rouge teased as she playfully nudged him causing him to look up and see the soft smile rising on her lips. "I'm still a little mad at you but I can't be too angry because we've got a party to get back to."

"Oh yeah...do you think they'll be mad at me too?" Shadow asked, wondering if it was going to be him that would be roasting on an open fire on this night.

"I honestly don't know." Rouge giggled at the worry on Shadow's face. "I doubt it though, Knuckles is was having a little too much fun with the eggnog, Sonic is stuffing his face with some Christmas chilli dogs, and everyone else is just lounging around talking about what they've been up to till we start the ugly sweater contest."

"Ugly sweater contest?" Shadow questioned as Rouge pointed to the hideous sleeved thing that she had been wearing. Oh my god. How had he not noticed it before? It was an abomination, an atrocious and despicable looking thing that somehow passed as an attire. How was that even possible? Shadow's eyes were glued to its hideousness, he couldn't look away, it was indeed that horrid. Rouge couldn't contain the laughter that had been building up inside her as she started giggling madly at the look of horror plastered on Shadow's face at the sight of her sweater. She knew she was going to win for sure now!

"I have seen many things...but never in my life have I ever seen something this repulsive." Shadow spoke as he finally looked away from it and made eye contact with Rouge again. "It looks like you smeared blood and puke over a bear's hide and adorned it with Christmas themed patchworks." It was the only way that Shadow could describe Rouge's sweater to her and it only just made her laugh even more.

"Well you're going to participate too you know, because I get a sweater for you."

"Dear god...you monster. You didn't."
"Oh yes I did."

"I won't wear it."
"Oh yes you will."

After a couple minutes of playful bickering that went back and forth, a chilling wind started, causing the bat to shiver.

"Sheesh. How are you not cold?" Rouge asked the ebony hedgehog that now stood there with his arms crossed, a smirk on his face.

"It's not that bad. It's as cold as my soul." Shadow remarked.

"Ha ha ha." Rouge replied sarcastically, "Do you want to come inside or what?" She held the door open and stepped inside as the ebony hedgehog trailed behind her, stepping inside her home and realizing that now there was no turning back. He would be seeing people that he hadn't seen in awhile and that there was a good possibility that things were going to get awkward...very awkward. However, that was a risk he was willing to take because he was in the company of friends, and even if he wouldn't admit, he was glad to be back with them.

A/N: Sorry about the chapter being so short and vague, I wanted to introduce one of the key relationships of this story because it becomes integral to the story's plot as you will see later on. Future chapters will be longer so don't worry and I will try to update at least once a week so stay posted and hopefully you enjoyed this chapter. See you next time!