It had been what seemed to be, forever since Chris had returned to his world. Everyone missed him, even Shadow although he never directly said that, he just become quieter or snappier what Chris was spoken about.

Nobody really knows the reason why Shadow took a liking to the kid or why he saved him several times but Sonic put it down to the fact that Chris must have reminded him of Maria; Shadows' breaking point. He was nice to Maria and she had unconditionally returned that kindness, even if his job was to protect and save her and it was that kindness that Chris had shown to Shadow for the first time in more than 50 years.

It seemed that when everyone had first met Shadow, he was almost surprised that Maria's form of kindness could still exist from such a vial planet. The difference this time was that the kindness wasn't just shown from a human it came from a certain hedgehog he was finding almost impossible to hate; Sonic.

To everyone else, it looked like Shadow and Sonic just used each other for competition and sometimes it felt like that to them but behind it all, Shadow was hiding something. He'd always been good at hiding things and that had come with years of practice. He actually liked Sonic but in order to maintain his status he had to keep that as minimally obvious as possible where as Sonic was able to show that he liked the ebony hedgehog as much as he wanted.

Sure Shadow would smirk at certain things the azure one did or said but that didn't mean he liked Sonic did it? Or did it? Not everyone seemed to think so the ones that did were either too seductive or too young for everyone to think they understood so they tended to be ignored.

They weren't going to twine themselves into something that could potentially turn nasty at anytime and so sat back and watched and made a small remark here and there when one their own with one of them but with the younger being irritating to Shadow they tended to harass Sonic, leaving a certain bat to pass between the two.

In Shadow's eyes, showing affection could show a sign of weakness for anyone who potentially wanted to hurt him and after what happened to Maria, he wasn't prepared for it to happen. Sonic didn't see that though, he just thought Shadow didn't particularly like him but he didn't stand why, the only 'people' that didn't like him were those who wanted to take over or destroy the world and Shadow was on his side. It didn't make any sense.

It hadn't bothered Sonic so much in the past but as Eggman faded out of the picture, the 'team' became closer and had more time to relax and hangout giving Sonic time to actually process things. He was becoming increasingly frustrated and upset that he couldn't figure out what he was doing wrong.

Little did the azure hedgehog know, he wasn't doing anything wrong at all. Being himself all the time is what made Shadow like him so much but only on the inside. It made the onyx one wish all the more that he could tell him, to ease the worry he could see coming through. He didn't want to hurt him but he didn't want anything to happen if he knew.

On that particular summer's day, favour was about to play out in their way. Sonic had been lounging around on the grass, under a tree that was giving him shade while watching Amy, Cream and Cheese and Tails mess about with water. Although it was on land and miles away from open water, the idea of having to be wet and in a shallow pool he could still drown in, wasn't his idea of fun; so he sat and waved when they looked over and laughed with them when they came over to him to talk.

While being so amused at the water fight that had broken out between the three and the chao that somehow managed to drag Knuckles in to help Tails out, Sonic hadn't notice a black and red hedgehog walking over to him from behind.

"How old is he supposed to be?"

Sonic jumped at the voice, swivelling about to see Shadow leaning, cross armed, against the tree.

"What?" Sonic asked a little dazed.

"Knuckles; how old is he supposed to be?" Shadow repeated.

"Hmm, I don't know. Why?" Sonic questioned.

"He's acting like a child playing with them in a water fight like that." The ebony one stated.

Sonic rolled his eyes and returned to his original position, watching his friend again.

"He's having fun Shadow. You know, kicking back, chilling out. There's nothing wrong with that."

Shadow huffed and held his position against the tree and watched those involved in the water fight but found his gaze was always pulled back to the blue pre-adult sat on the floor. Although he couldn't see his face he knew his expression was troubled.

"I meant nothing by it faker."

"I'm sure." Sonic quietly replied.

Shadow stood still against the tree in the same position for a few more moments as Sonic folded his arms mimicking his stance. As much as Sonic would have wanted to confront Shadow on what his problem was at that moment he didn't feel that in front of everyone wasn't the best place, especially if they broke out into a fight which was always possible.

He didn't want to move and have to look at the onyx one stood over him but he felt a need to do so but managed to suppress the urge and instead attempted to look back at him out of the corner of his eye which wasn't working.

Shadow huffed once more, causing Sonic to jump at the sudden sound from him and pressed his back against the tree before slowly sliding down as to not get any splinters in his back. Sonics' ears twitched as he heard Shadow sit down, he never stayed around Sonic too long but it seemed he was willing to today. Shadow smirked a little as he saw the small movement from his ears.

The idea that Shadow actually wanted to stay around Sonic made him happy and nervous at the same time. The only problem was, Sonic didn't know what to say. It was unheard of. Sonic always knew what to say and when even at his young age, he was clever and admired that way along with his good looks, perky attitude and determination.

Lost in his thoughts on what to do, Sonic placed his hands behind him, using them as support at the same time as Shadow, causing them both to jump at the touch of the others hand and look at one and other.

"Sorry." Sonic muttered.

"My apologies." Shadow spoke.

Sonic took in Shadows facial expression when he spoke. Shadow was many years older than him but he was shut down for so many years he hadn't changed from how he was, when he was made which fortunately for Sonic, was to be around Sonics' age. It explained the way Shadow spoke and thought sometimes so he couldn't be made at Shadow for thinking Knuckles was being childish; in the time he was created, it wasn't custom for you to behave younger, but instead older to protect.

Still in his thoughts, Sonic hadn't realised he was staring at Shadow, clutching his hand; that was until Shadow cleared his throat, smirking at him. Sonic shook himself back into reality.

"Yes?" he asked curelessly.

Shadow glanced at his hand being tightly held by him and back to Sonics face. Sonic took the hint and looked down at where Shadow had and quickly let go apologising.

"It's alright." Shadow laughed.

Sonic smiled, he was glad he amused Shadow but did wish he could make the dark hedgehog genuinely smile but he wasn't going to show that or at least he was going to try and hide it. As Shadow's laughter quickly faded his expression became one of concern.

Lowering his head, Shadow gave him famous grunt.

"Shadow, what's wrong?" Sonic asked.

Shadow didn't move. Surely it wasn't important if he felt ok or not, just as long as everyone else was k. This was one thing the Shadow had not quite grasped yet about this time or world; other's did care about how you felt regardless of how they felt themselves.

"Shadow?" Sonic questioned, placing a gloved hand on the ebony's shoulder causing him to look up.

"I need to talk to you," Shadow started "but not here."

Sonic nodded and smiled softly, he had expected no less from the hedgehog that was taught not to lower your defences and if this was going to be a way he would and finally let someone in the he was going to take that chance, even if his own heart was pounding in his chest.

"Then let's go somewhere else." Sonic stated, standing straight.

Shadow follow suit and stood looking at Sonic, taking in the other's behind him, who had not noticed his presence yet, at least that's what he thought.

"Where to?" Sonic questioned, holding his eyes on the other.

"Anywhere; this way." Shadow replied, indicating to right with his head before turning to face the same direction.

Sonic nodded silently once more and began walking off with the onyx hedgehog but pausing slightly as he wondered if he should tell the others where he's going. Disagreeing with himself, knowing Amy would possibly take no chances on leaving him alone with Shadow out of worry of them fighting, he caught up to Shadow and they continued their decent down the path into a slightly more wooded area. He knew where they were going.

Both hedgehogs had glanced back at the others once or twice but neither other them had noticed a certain someone watching them rather closely across the field. Smirking to themselves and checking that they wouldn't be noticed leaving, they took off carefully in the same direction as the duo.

"This could get very interesting if my thoughts are right on what's going to happen.

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Well I have to admit it feel like forever since I've done a good piece of writing!

Allow me to introduce myself! I am Trixabella Pixximist (duh...) and I am brand new to writing for Sonic the Hedgehog! I really should have jumped in with this a while ago because I've so many ideas for it for such a long time and now I've forgotten most of them.

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Those of you who know me, know how this works but for those of you that don't;

I do ask you to please review once you've read my story/chapter because it is your feedback that encourages me to knock up the next chapter or a follow on story!

I reply to EVERYONE. Accounted and unaccounted. Everyone! I do accounted replies as I receive and read them and all unaccounted on the next chapter, or an extra page if is the last chapter.

I do accept flames, they toast my marshmallows. That's why I'm so fat! Bad joke. Seriously if you want to argue with me, go for it!

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Some of you will be pleased to know that this is the first chapter of the story. I do love cliff-hangers and with this one, who's seen the duo?

I'll warn you now I will possibly turn this into a gay love story because it's what I do, but for those of you that don't want that, depending on numbers, do let me know and I'll bend out the alternative bro version.

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That's all for now folks!

Read, review lalala

Love you hedgelings!

Trixabella Pixximist - x