Disclaimer: I don't own nor claim to own Naruto or the Sonic characters.

Okay…here's the next chapter:) I'm finally finished with my other fanfic so I can devote more time to this one until I start another. I hope that made sense. Lolz…well anyways, moving along now, time for chapter 4 to begin. (and they say, "finally…")

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Night had fallen softly, stars illumining the vast stretch of sky as they twinkled through the atmosphere. The moon was lit in a corona of light and everything was silent except for a few random cricket chirps. The grass swayed as Shadow rushed past.

He stopped a few seconds, glancing around, wary of the intense and yet peaceful silence. Without bothering to stay hidden any longer, Shadow approached the large hospital building; eyes fixed on a window a ten stories up—Naruto's window. His powerful information gathering skills had led him right to this location.

Upon reaching the wall, he scaled it effortlessly, using window sills as platforms with which to jump onto, and finding many nice footholds when sills were scarce or deemed dangerous. He dropped into Naruto's hospital room, landing silently on the hardwood floor and studying the layout of the room. He reached Naruto, squinting through the darkness at his bandages. Strange…. Shadow thought, unraveling on of the bandages, He's nearly completely healed…

Naruto moaned in his sleep, shifting positions. He opened his eyes, blinking a few times as he barely made out the shape of Shadow. "Who are you?" he asked, sitting up and scratching his head.

Shadow sighed, "No one of consequence…"

"Yeah right." Naruto answered, tying his forehead protector above his eyes, "If you weren't important, you wouldn't be trying to sneak into my room in the middle of the night. I know I'm cool and all, but you can wait for the proper time of visiting…"

Shadow was speechless as he raised an eyebrow. "Er…"

Naruto just continued on, "So, what exactly are you? You kind of remind me of something I ran into earlier, but I think it was a bit taller than you. That's the reason I'm in here…"

"Um…" Shadow was still a bit surprised. "er…I'm really a part of your dream. And, I'm telling you to go back to sleep…"

"Wait a minute!" Naruto exclaimed, "If I'm already asleep, how do I go to sleep? You don't make any sense!"

Shadow shrugged, "This is a dream; it's not supposed to make sense…"

"Oh…" Naruto thought a moment, "Nah, I'd rather not…"

Shadow lost patience really quickly. This kid is crazy! He's worse than Sonic! He walked towards Naruto, swinging his fist towards his head with lightning speed.

Naruto's eyes widened as he ducked and rolled out of bed, returning the blow. Grunting in pain, Shadow crashed into a piece of hospital equipment and leapt up and spun-dashed at Naruto, kicking him in the face twice.

"HEY! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Naruto yelled, "AND WHAT IS IT WITH YOU AND ATTACKING ME!"

"Shush!" Shadow ordered, "You'll wake up this whole hospital…and if you don't come quietly I'll be sure to kill the first who enters this room. I've been ordered to take you prisoner…"

Naruto immediately became quiet as he glared at Shadow. This strange hedgehog must be the cause of all those strange things happening in the village. So it's my mission to learn more about it and the only way I can do that is if I let him take me prisoner then I can maybe complete my mission without that stupid Sasuke! He narrowed his eyes in suspicion and asked, "What will happen to me if I come with you?"

Shadow shrugged, "That was just how I was ordered."

"So is that it! Are you a mindless puppet! I would think anyone who was strong like you would be able to make his own decisions!"

"That is none of your business…" Shadow hissed in return, "I am no puppet…and you are in no position to argue with me…" He slammed his fist into Naruto's head one last time, catching the ninja-in-training before he fell to the ground unconscious. "Hmph!" Shadow thought, carrying him out of the room and disappearing into the sunrise.

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Yes, I know, short chapter. I've been in writers block mode right now and forced myself to write each word and let me tell you, it took a long time. But anyhow, send in a review. The next chapter will come sooner than the last. :) (Only like 700 words...wow)