Hi, everyone! :D
Huge thanks to: Angelheart3011, InuKaglover4ev22, ShadowsAngel1, Savvy0417, WaffueKwat, Dovewing01, AlexaTheHedghog, TheSoundOfAWESOME, Mr. nin10do and mileyzfan123! Your reviews mean the world to me d(^_^)b
Angelheart3011 - Thank you so much!
InuKaglover4ev22 - Hahaha, that is very true! xD Sonic's just like "uhhh, cool? Girl stuff, right? Yep" X'D Ooh, you'll be able to see if your theory is correct, in this chapter! :D Thank you ever so much!
ShadowsAngel1 - Thank you! :D
Savvy0417 - Aw, thanks!
WaffueKwat - Things are starting to lean in her direction, but she's still got a fair few steps to go! ;D
Dovewing01 - I'm so happy that you're enjoying it, thank you! Coming up with ideas is definitely something that I'm unfortunately not able to force — it's very much whether my brain is in the right mood! If I'm trying to start a new story, I'll often try to explore themes that I'm extremely fond of in other books, TV shows or movies and see what stems from there. If I'm trying to pen more ideas for a story I'm already working on, I'll often go back and re-read the story, to get into the right mindset and get a feel for the developing atmosphere of the story. I hope this helps! :D
AlexaTheHedghog - Thank you ever so much! Haha, little by little, she's improving! ;3
TheSoundOfAWESOME - Hm, that's a little bit odd, but I'm sure it's just an odd glitch with Fanfiction. net :D Thank you so much — that's a lovely thing to hear and I'm really grateful! :3
Mr. nin10do - Thank you very much! Haha, he's probably a little bit confused! xD
mileyzfan123 - Thank you! :D
Chapter 3
Step Two: Play Hard to Get
"Shadow?"
Gingerly, Amy pushed the door open. She always knew that the ebony hedgehog kept the latch of his front door off, if he was in — mainly, so that people could enter if there was an emergency. Additionally, however, it was because he liked taking his aggression out on intruders.
That was Shadow the Hedgehog for you.
The hallway was quiet and gloomy; a shiver crawled up Amy's spine. Shadow hadn't answered. But there was something ominous about the silence.
Hands gripped her throat. She choked out a sentence, trying to pull them off her, "W—ait!"
"Amy?" The hands slipped away and Shadow placed his hands on her shoulders, "What are you doing?"
"Looking for you!" She shot him a glare, as she stroked her neck, "Until you tried to strangle me!"
"Sorry," He mumbled, not making eye contact, "But you shouldn't have broken in."
"You weren't answering. And you've always told me to come in if it's important."
"I meant life-threateningly-important. Not Faker-the-Hedgehog-important."
She frowned, "How'd you know?"
"Rouge told me. GUN lets us keep our communicators, even when we're not working."
"But...I didn't tell her that I was coming to you."
Shadow shrugged, "Maybe she knows you better than you think."
"I guess," Shrugging, Amy linked her fingers together, nervously, "So, do you think you can help me?"
He sighed, "Probably not. But, if you really want my help, I will at least try."
"Thank you!" She squealed, grabbing him in a massive hug and making him groan, "You're the best, Shadow!"
"Thanks," He monotonously bleated, "So what do you want me to do?"
"Um," Amy let go of the ebony hedgehog, "Well, I was kinda hoping that you'd answer that. See, I'm trying to find out what the rest of the gang would do. My attempts so far haven't...really...worked."
"I can't help you with that," Shadow's expression softened, "I don't know about loving someone."
"What about Maria?" Amy knew that she was treading on dangerous ground, by talking to Shadow about his beloved Maria. But she was willing to try anything if it meant that she would be one step closer to making some lee-way with Sonic, "If you had feelings for her, what would you do?"
Shadow blushed — very faintly, but it was there, "Well. If I was in the same position as you, and Maria was in the same position as Faker...I would play hard to get."
"Play hard to get...?" Amy chewed her lip, "How do I do that?"
"Simple," Shadow shot her a suggestive smirk, "You need to flirt with him, as Rouge told you. But you need to flirt with other guys, when he's around."
"Who do I flirt with?"
"I don't know. Just tell someone about your situation and ask them."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Would you pretend to flirt with me?"
"I don't...really..."
"Please?" Amy gave him her best puppy-dog-pout.
"Hmph. Fine."
Gripping him in another terrifyingly-tight hug, Amy wondered if this plan would be any more fruitful than the last. That last one hadn't changed much at all, really. But, surely, Rouge knew more about love than the Ultimate Life Form?
Well, only one way to find out.
"Ready?" Shadow muttered, glancing around the brick wall which he was leaning against. The hedgehog had Chaos Controlled them both to Sonic's location — it had led them to the heart of Station Square. By the looks of it, the Blue Blur was just patrolling the area.
"No," Amy admitted, wrapping her arms around her body.
Shadow give her a non-plussed look, "You can do this."
"I hope so," Amy nodded, "Let's do it!"
The two of them gave each other one last glance and stepped out into the street. Sonic was a couple of feet away from them — after noticing them together, he looked rather confused and a bit put-out.
"Hey guys," He frowned, "'Didn't think I'd see you two here."
"Oh, you know. Shadow was just around and we decided to hang out," Amy smiled, nervously, "You know how it is."
"Sure..." Sonic analysed Shadow, "Faker."
Shadow nodded, "Faker."
"This is the second time I've run into you, Ames," Sonic chuckled, making Amy's heart ache.
Shadow smirked, "Lucky you."
A frown imprinted itself on the cobalt hedgehog's forehead, "What'd you mean?"
"For getting to see Amy, twice in one day," The Ultimate Life Form was doing a surprisingly good job. Though he seemed to be enjoying it more for being able to rile Sonic.
And it seemed to be working, because the Blue Blur was glaring at Shadow, stubbornly, as he watched Amy's cheeks tinting with a blush.
'Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow!' Amy thought, struggling to hold in a squeal, 'He actually seems to be jealous! Maybe he does care more than he lets on!'
It took all the will-power in the world to stop herself from running over and grabbing him in a huge hug.
Not forgetting Rouge's advice, she decided to play it cool.
"Anyway, how are you on this fine day, Sonic?" A grin spread onto Amy's lips, as she attempted to act cheery.
"I'm okay. You know, same old, same old," Sonic's emerald eyes bore into her own, making the pink hedgehog's legs go weak. He was so freaking gorgeous...
Shadow sensed Amy's longing and decided to get her out of there. With their plan working, it would be a shame for it to all go wrong now.
"Anyway," Shadow tugged at Amy's wrist, sending her a warning look, "We were just leaving, right, Amy?"
"R-Right," Amy blushed.
"You okay, Ames?" Sonic's protective side seemed to have appeared, "Faker isn't giving you trouble, is he?"
"Not at all," She gulped, "We're fine, thanks, Sonic. I'll see you later! Right?"
A hint of desperation clung to Amy's words, making her sound clingy. She felt like hitting herself with her hammer. Why did she say that?!
A grin spread across Sonic's mouth, for a second, "Knowing you, yes. I'll see you later."
Feeling embarrassment scorch her cheeks, Amy pulled Shadow away, not wanting to look back at her vaguely-bewildered crush. Despite her moral side scolding her, she hoped he was jealous.
That way, he would know how she felt.
"That could have gone better," Amy slumped against the bench, angrily. She had dragged Shadow as far away from Sonic as she could, which had led them into a nearby park.
"It wasn't too bad," Shadow sat down next to her, "And I believe he was jealous."
"Really?" Amy's ears perked up, "How'd you know?"
"Faker gave me an almighty glare when you shot down his protective nature," The ebony hedgehog chuckled, "It was amusing to see."
"Hmm," Meanwhile, Amy was already formulating another plan. But she would need help from someone close to Sonic, though not too close.
"Trust me," Shadow placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling Amy away from her racing thoughts, "Sonic will see you for who you are. Give him time."
"Okay," She stared at the hedgehog, who was gazing in the other direction. He seemed to be more distant than usual — even for Shadow the Hedgehog. Perhaps the whole affair had gotten him to start thinking about Maria.
Concerned, Amy placed her hand on Shadow's, "Thank you, Shadow."
He swallowed, seemingly surprised, "Whatever. Good luck. You may need it."
With a single nod, the ebony hedgehog turned and took off. The day was almost coming to an end — but Amy hoped that she still had time to catch a certain Knucklehead before time escaped her.
Because nothing escaped Amy Rose for long.
Especially not Sonic.
