Author's Note:

Greetings, this is the first time I've done something in a while on the site. I'm actually planning on looking at and editing some of my other stories and continuing some of that work, while also expanding new ideas. So, I hope to be back for a while.

I recently played The Last of Us for the first time, after being consistently nagged to do so. I didn't consider myself a huge fan of zombie stories, but the game actually changed my mind on that. It was very character-heavy, which is something I really enjoy in stories. And, I basically couldn't stop thinking about it. So, I developed an idea for this story, which, hopefully, will be something to at least entertain someone.

The Sickness

1.

"A man lies dead today after an unexpected conflict arose at the Eastern Metropolis Mall. Authorities say the incident happened at around one o' clock. The man was standing in line at SOAP Shoes when he viciously attacked the man in front of him."

Rouge rolled her eyes as she stretched out on the couch. "People are crazy." She took a sip of orange juice. Her left ear twitched as she heard movement from the kitchen, and she raised her voice. "Good morning, Sunshine."

"Hmph," was the only reply she received. She didn't bother moving as Shadow walked over to the couch, still groggy.

"Sleep well?"

Shadow leaned against the arm of the couch, giving a passing glare to the bat's legs, which were taking up all the otherwise-available space. He put a hand over his mouth to hide a yawn, and he didn't say anything.

"It's five. Why even bother to get up at this point?"

"How was your day?," he asked suddenly.

Rouge raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care?"

"I have my moments."

"Mhm," she purred, pulling in her legs and sitting upright. "I think you're trying to dodge my question. Does someone have plans tonight, Mister Ultimate Lifeform?"

A long pause followed, during which Shadow removed himself from the side of the couch and fled to the kitchen. Rouge's eyes followed him, expectantly. He slowly removed a glass from the cabinet and painstakingly-sluggishly walked over to the sink to fill it with water. Rouge almost laughed.

"I'll tell you all about my plans if you tell me about yours."

"I'm sure I don't want to know," Shadow murmured before downing his drink.

Rouge narrowed her eyes. "And, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Shadow said, returning to the sink for a refill.

"For your information, I'm just hanging out with the girls tonight. Amy, actually."

"You hate Faker's girlfriend."

"Hate's a strong word," Rouge said, looking at her nails.

Shadow leaned against the counter, sipping his second glass of water. "Continue."

"It's going to be at the Rabbits' home."

"As in the rich, widowed, very nice Vanilla the Rabbit? And, her equally innocent daughter?"

"That's what I was told. There's bound to be an expensive little trinket or two lying around that no one'll miss."

Shadow shook his head. "Hn."

Rouge shrugged. "It's not like they need jewels, anyway. They have the most easy life ever. No worries. I mean, I was invited over there because, apparently, it's the end of the world, and Cream needs to have a few 'positive role model' friends over… Because her chao is acting up." Rouge grabbed a nail file from the drawer under the coffee table, and she started evening out her nails. "If a chao nipping at you when you go to feed it is the biggest of your worries, then your life is officially made."

"Mhm."

Rouge leaned her head back to eye Shadow. "You alright, hon? You seem pretty distracted." She smirked. "I suppose it hasn't got anything to do with whatever woke you from your beauty sleep?"

"Rouge," he warned.

"You know, I'd shut up if you tell me. I'm just genuinely curious about what's going on with you."

"Don't be," Shadow said, pouring the rest of the glass out and setting it in the dishwasher.

"Let's take it one step at a time, then. I didn't hear an alarm."

Shadow put a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temples. "I woke up from a dream, Rouge."

"Good." She smiled. "Now, we're getting somewhere. What kind of dream?"

"Don't."

Rouge's lip twitched into a teasing grin. "That kind of dream, huh? Was it about me?" She winked.

Shadow shot her a withering look that Rouge knew meant 'no' and figured also meant something like, 'if you want a real answer, you'll have to rip it from my cold, dead hands.'

Then the black- and red-hedgehog disappeared back into his room - presumably to get dressed for his top-secret plans.

Rouge turned to focus back on the television. Mentally, she lectured the female reporter for her outfit. Really? A black blazer with a brown blouse. Someone needed to go back and learn basic matching rules…

"In other news, an illness within the chao community has become an epidemic. Doctors aren't naming the disease yet, nor the cause. If you find that your chao is experiencing symptoms such as unusual eating habits or aggressive behavior, you are asked to seek medical help immediately..."

Rouge's phone buzzed, and she picked it up off the table. A message from Amy: "Turn on the Channel 4 News." So, Cream's chao was sick. That was better than it just misbehaving for whatever reason, Rouge figured.

"The ultimate effects of the disease are currently unknown. Officials advise owners to keep chao away from the Chao Gardens for a while to lower chances of the sickness spreading."

Shadow's bedroom door opened and clicked shut, and Rouge put her phone down. "Heading out?" The white bat stretched her arms, moving to look toward him. "You look nice."

Shadow said nothing. He was dressed in black pants and a dark grey button-up shirt, and he was carrying a large case in one hand.

"Still on a top-secret mission you can't even tell me about? Because it looks to me like you're dressed for a hot date."

"I'm just going out for target practice."

"That's your big plan?," Rouge questioned, almost angrily. Then she took a moment to notice the way his shoulders were just barely slumped, and his gaze was traveling. He was lying through his teeth.

"Yes."

Rouge almost called him out on it. Instead, she decided to play along. "What are you practicing with?"

He put the case on the counter, opening it to check the inside. "Just the rifles."

"Oh, that's good. Who are you shooting with?"

"Omega and Metal," Shadow responded almost immediately.

Rouge stared levelly at him. He'd had two glasses of water and no food. He usually ate at least something before he went out. "I guess you're all going to get dinner later, then?"

"Yes."

"You liar!" Rouge shouted, unable to keep herself from raising her voice in triumph. "Omega and Metal don't eat. You've got a date."

Shadow didn't even flinch. "It isn't a date."

Rouge leaned up over the back of the couch, and she gestured toward his clothes. "Well, someone obviously wants it to be. You didn't even dress that nice when I took you to meet the President."

"I'm teaching a friend… It's just weapons training, Rouge."

"Sure, and maybe afterwards, you'll get dinner, and you can teach them how to handle your 'weapon', right?"

Shadow moved his head just slightly upwards, blood-red eyes delivering a glare so violent it might have killed a lesser being on the spot. But, Rouge didn't look even marginally affected. In fact, she looked rather pleased with herself.

The bat waited until her roommate's glare faded, and then she sighed, resting her head on her arms. "That's really great, though, Shadow. Are you nervous?"

Shadow closed the case quickly, and started on the latches. "Goodbye." He picked the case up and walked toward the door.

"Oh, don't tell me, then. I'm sure I'll find out soon. You'd be surprised what information a network of girls can dig up." Rouge's watched him move to escape. "Good luck, tiger!"

Shadow shut the door loudly.

Rouge smiled and rolled back onto the couch, texting Amy back. "Yeah, I saw. We'll talk about it tonight. Also, Shadow's dating. Will definitely discuss."