QBH: So here is another chapter for you guys.
Shadow: Why do you insist on making these?
QBH: Pure boredom, I guess. I am practically a guy with no extraordinary life.
Shadow: Why does that sound familiar?
QBH: Basically I maybe mirror your personality at times.
Shadow: Care to explain?
QBH: Had a normal upbringing, got a tragic past that wasn't resolved until years later and I am basically anti-social at times.
Shadow: So are you one of my many fans, I guess?
QBH: Yeah, and I am making this fanfic as a form of supporting you as a fan. Anyways, enough of this part. I present you guys the chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Reminiscence of old
Amy having arrived at the supermarket, remember to take out the list that she wrote earlier for her groceries and proceeded to head out to buy them. The late afternoon did provide some typical day to day activities.
After a picking up some dairy products, she started to head into the produce section when a familiar friend has happened to be there.
"Oh good day, Amy. Haven't seen you in a while, hun!" Rouge
"Oh! How odd to meeting you here, Rouge. So anything new with you?" Amy
"Hmm… Not much. Aside doing missions and looking for another attempt at the Master Emerald, I haven't done anything special. I know your birthday is coming up close by. Soon enough we can hit the town together and maybe pick a guy or two." Rouge
Amy rolled her eyes on the thought. Even if Rouge means well, Amy still maintained an innocent thought and felt a bit out of place compared to Rouge's style. Though a good night out doesn't seemed that bad.
"Sure, I think a good fun night out would work. Just don't get carried away like last time." Amy
"Okay, I had hopped one bar too many. I promise that won't happen this time." Rouge
Amy just smiled as a response.
"Oh, I know this isn't your concern but I got word from G.U.N. that Shadow had a forced leave due to excessive commitment and the higher ups think he should get a time out for himself." Rouge
Amy already knew this but pretended to be impressed
"Really? That's why he hasn't been seen in a long time. How's he been doing working as a partner for all these years?" Amy
"He's really in a way … very committed and no fun. I do understand how serious he can be in regards to our jobs but I am glad that he should be on break. I do wonder where he would be right now." Rouge
"Whatever the case, as long as Shadow is content with himself, we shouldn't be worried about him since he is still the 'ultimate life form". Amy
"You know after all these years, your optimism hasn't changed. That is something I don't want you to change. I know this sounds silly but Shadow could actually benefit from spending time with you." Rouge
"I don't know, Rouge. Shadow is like well… a shadow really. He can be seen and yet so out there. I don't really know how to put it. He is still mysterious ever since I met him." Amy
"That's an odd way of seeing him … though I may be late in this but do you ever consider Shadow?" Rouge
"Well … no never been before. Why playing the matchmaker? You certainly also can't claim you have a boyfriend yet either." Amy
"Touché … still I am only interested is jewels and nothing more. If anything involves riches then I am all in." Rouge
"Right. Good luck with that and try not to mess with Knuckles again." Amy as she pushed her shopping cart away
"You have no proof that I am still after the master emerald. Anyway see you later and don't forget our night out, okay?" Rouge
Amy just waved back and soon enough both girls went to get their needs inside the supermarket.
Back at Amy's apartment, Shadow himself felt bored staying in a young girl's apartment. The room however is rather plain and it didn't featuring anything bright nor colorful did that match the personality of the female hedgehog. Shadow is also quick to notice a collage of photos spread about the rooms.
He quickly scanned the pictures and easily spotted everyone he knew and acquainted with to be with Amy. Shadow is also surprised that Omega even is featured in one of them. Oddly this made Shadow upset that he is left out of something trivial though it may be a matter of his pride getting in the way. Though he also noticed that there wasn't any mention of romantic things of his rival, this made Shadow a bit concerned just how distant he has and how long has he had interacted to all of his associates. Still bored, he thought a good book should keep preoccupied but upon checking Amy's bookshelf he is upset that there is nothing but romantic novels. He really didn't want any of this but upon double checking one book had no title in it. He quickly grabbed it and found it to be Amy's diary. Shadow of course has a sense of honor and reading one's personal thoughts is already bad enough. Though then again since he did questionable acts to get what he wants, he just ignored his code for once and began reading.
Oddly the first entry is written 2 years ago and written as:
"Dear Diary,
You are wondering why I am starting new in this diary even though I promised I keep my first one … well a lot has happened. I think I have mature a little but still far from the others like Vanilla and to certain extent; Shadow. I am not admitting it is a bad thing. Everyone has a flaw that we have to iron out and at least I had a huge one that is addressed and I am completely satisfied with how it turned out. I appeared silly remembering the countless entries I wasted on that flaw. Well I know now I am cured of that, I am ready to do my own thing. Do you think I am ready to fall in love again? Actually no! I am patient and more focus on things I set own years ago way before this got in the way. Wish me luck and if possible. I'll report to you back again."
Shadow even after just reading that first entry made him curious and even during their conversation earlier had him wondering a bit just how different Amy is compared to what he is accustomed. Granted the idea of him being interested in someone else made him scoff the idea but somehow he never backed down any goal. Though remembering his style of getting to his goals, he knows he isn't going the results quickly. How could he gain Amy's trust to answer or even comply to his inquires without resorting to violence or intimidation since Amy is one of the few who is also hard headed and easily intimidated easily. Though there is no rush for him to get answers. He still knows that he has to more approachable and admits he has to be friends with Amy for her to follow.
Back at the supermarket, Amy purchased her usual big bag of groceries and well despite its size, she is able to try and delicately made her way back safely by walking head. As she heads for her home, she started to reflect on the conversation she had with Rouge.
"I may be overthinking it but why did we discuss about Shadow? He isn't the type of person to be totally concerned with. Come to think about it, why did Rouge suggest Shadow of all people?" Amy
Amy never considered Shadow in the first place, let alone the possibility of him being a good boyfriend. Apart from the huge distance in terms of relationship it was nowhere near amongst her other friends. She didn't resist the idea of just starting anew and establish to be good friends with him. Well since he is staying at her place, it never hurts for her to get to know more about him.
Amy was nearly lost in thought that she knows that she had to head before Shadow gets hungry and pissed that there is no food, she quickly needed to quicken the pace.
Shadow didn't want to pry over the diary any longer after just one page, it is the best to just try and think about taking advantage of Amy's hospitality and considering that she is always an okay person as long as she isn't provoked. There has to be at least some way he has to repay Amy. Still he isn't quite sure but he has to come up with something. He quickly put the diary back and quietly sat at the couch thinking.
(11:30 am)
Amy arrived as smooth as she could; carrying her huge bag of groceries into her apartment. As soon as she reached her apartment door, she knocked the door, snapping Shadow out of his self-reflecting thoughts and casually open the door.
"You are late. Why did you take your time … oh." Shadow as he is greeted by a bag face first.
"As expected of Mr. Shadow; still the same as ever." Amy retorted
"I didn't expect a simple shopping to be this huge. Here let me help." Shadow quickly grabbed the bag
Amy instead just turned around and closed the door. Shadow quietly put the groceries in the kitchen and started to lay them out into an empty table. Amy of course had to direct Shadow which items go where. After settling out the groceries, Amy had to prepare lunch with Shadow watching over.
As Amy began to make their lunch, Shadow attempted to start a conversation.
"I am sorry about my remarks about you earlier. I don't personally have any grudges against you. I am normally not the most expressive person but you do understand what I am trying to speak out." Shadow
"Of course I forgive you, it just that how I should put it … the actions and way you deal with others always tend to be defensive. As if you are really don't want to express anything anymore, I may have learned little about the events that happened in the ARK, so I won't take it against you that you don't want to suffer anymore. I gladly accepted that you have moved on but I still can feel that you haven't let it all away." Amy
Shadow face at first went from an angry scowl to a depressed frown. Shadow felt like he was that easy to be read though he guessed what happened in the ARK is no secret to his associates but the part where Amy easily understood Shadow's behavior, disturbed him.
"And if you said is true, I don't actually believe that it is still affecting me as it used to." Shadow
"Though you haven't fully let it go haven't you. I may not see it when you do your activities but remembering the events of the black arms invasion, you were definitely lost in your own worries." Amy
"… I … I don't know anymore. Maybe that is true. Still why are you able to understand me when I don't see you suffering if you experienced it." Shadow
"Shadow, I don't think my scenario is the same as in yours. In fact you can say, I had one big lie that is plastered all over me that I tried to never it when I was younger but now I am in terms with it and even though I am sad thinking about it. I don't let it affect it or admit it to the others yet." Amy
Shadow felt a bit at ease that Amy is there not to judge but bridge out to him. Amy slightly gave Shadow a chance to be close and yet he still doesn't feel it was this easy. Granted that his friendship with Maria was the only thing he knew that provided him a pleasant memory but it is not too bad to try again after being a shut-in about the past.
"Still … what exactly happened in the past for you to change from the Rose I once knew?" Shadow
"Flattery like that won't get you any answers and … no violence will work on me not even under my house. I do appreciate your gesture but it would take a lot more that than to even make me answer." Amy
"So would I staying with you would make you change your mind?" Shadow
"Perhaps … if you thought it that way though pardon my rudeness to you but I thought you would act like that all the time." Amy
"Clearly … we have a lot of time to get to know more about each other." Shadow
"In a way, yes but I would be gentle to you during your stay. I'll be your guide and you are under my custody for now." Amy
"I understand. You don't have to go all out about it to try and please me. I can tolerate a little bit of your antics." Shadow
"Oh but every time we participate in any activity, you are always very uncomfortable to even try to enjoy them." Amy
"I am sorry for not being well expressive of myself and you do understand why I am very stiff when it comes to these matters." Shadow
"Well it is not too late to get along back again. Though why would you spend time with me now when normally you would be nowhere near civilization?" Amy
"Prolonged exposure to loneliness can sometimes make your go insane." Shadow
"You have been doing that for years? Isn't that supposed to make you feel at ease with yourself?" Amy
"I guess I need a change of pace this time." Shadow
"Okay then lunch is almost ready. Shadow would you kindly set up the table?" Amy
Shadow quietly complied as Amy cooked their meal; carbonara.
The two somehow resolved to silence as they eat their meal.
The silence somehow bought a sense of uneasiness between the two. It didn't take long for Amy to ask a simple question.
"So how are you doing with G.U.N. throughout these years?" Amy
"Nothing impressive to report to say the least. It is like any other job for you. So how about you? I don't know much what has happened and you telling me a lot has happened to you make me intrigued." Shadow
"Well if you are really curious I guess it is no harm but since you are the first to know, just promise to keep this a secret between us." Amy
"If you insist though I don't see the issue, since you are talking to someone who hasn't talk to others openly." Shadow
"Okay. I'll tell you after we enjoy this lunch." Amy
"Speaking of lunch, you have impressive cooking skills." Shadow
"Why thank you. So enjoy it for now before I'll tell you what happened years ago." Amy
QBH: Regarding this fanfic, I may update within a week or two but don't expect me to be working on this as the same as my smash bros. one.
Sonic: What's the rush? I can't wait to see how you mess about the already flawed duo?
Shadow and Amy are staring at Sonic with their weapons out.
QBH: That attitude of yours, Sonic is sometimes needed to reprimanded.
Sonic: Hey i can't help it. I really have times that I can be wisecracking and cocky.
QBH: I guess so. I mean this is the edgey character that was introduced back in the 90's
Sonic: Weren't you born in that decade?
QBH: Yes, I am the same age as Sonic.
Shadow: But do you the same personality as him?
QBH: No, really. It ain't my style. Anyway this ends this chapter. See you guys soon for the next chapter!