It was strange to see Shadow, Shadow the hedgehog; the Ultimate Life form, standing slumped at my doorstep. For some reason his face didn't seem normal, as if he were straining to hold back an unidentified expression.

I said his name; he made no sign of recognition to my voice. So, without knowing what else to do, I let him inside. I noticed then that he moved more with a stagger than anything else, I had began to think that he took in one too many sips of alcohol; that was before I looked down, to see red dots in the process of staining my beige carpet.

I gasped and looked back up at the other, now finally noticing the way he was bent down, and how his usually red glove was now soaked in the red substance.

"Shadow…" an eyelid opened to reveal a pain stricken crimson orb. I immediately ran over to him; leading him to the couch was in my mind, but he quickly broke the thought as he jerked away from me.

"Don't….Don't…." I blinked. Apparently he didn't like that idea. I sighed before heading towards the door of the bathroom, if he was too stubborn to sit down the least he could do was let me fix him up a little.

I pulled open my cabinet and brought out a first aid kit. I walked back into the living room to see Shadow still standing in the same spot; a puddle of red at his feet that had rolled down his ebony stomach in an opaque line.

I immediately went to action, desperately wishing I had brought a towel with me. I placed the first aid kit on a nearby table, opening it up to bring out the needed supplies.

"Silver…," I looked over at the injured other; he still hadn't moved from that spot, but it seemed as if he were trying to turn in my direction.

"Now, now, don't strain yourself, Shadow." I spoke, a small smile forming on my face. I poured a healing liquid into a clean piece of gauze and moved over to him. "Now this will sting, but I think you'll be able to handle it." Shadow watched with disinterest as I wrapped the long piece of gauze around his torso, I then gave it one last tug to tighten it, before gently patting him on the back.

"There you go, now, is there any other wounds I should know about?" Shadow took a couple of deep breathes before answering.

"They're just scratches." I rolled my eyes. When Shadow classified the wounds as 'scratches', it was always a lot more than just a scrape.

"Where?" Shadow growled at me but picked his leg up nonetheless. I was awed, this time he was actually telling the truth, it really was only a scratch, right on his knee, he must have fell; the thought made me chuckle. I quickly tended to the scratch and sighed in relief.

"There you are Shadow, now I would ask you what exactly happened but I bet you're tried so I'll leave it be for now."

I began putting the health supplies back into the first aid box as Shadow still stood there; he hadn't moved a muscle ever since I had finished up with him. The ebony hedgehog just stood there, staring at his crimson, soiled gloves. I grinned and quickly pulled his left glove off, Shadow's hand clenched in surprise.

"I'm not sure if all the blood will come out or not, but I'll try." I pulled the right one off. Shadow huffed and looked away.

"I don't need you to baby me." He spoke quietly. I smirked.

"Then why do you keep coming here every time you get majorly injured?" Shadow closed his eyes.

"Because, you're better than any damn doctor."