Chapter Three: The Perfect Day

Misuki: It was late in the afternoon and everyone was chilled and mellow after lunch. Misuki was sparring with Knuckles for a while. She charged him and tried to punch him in the face, but he dodged and countered with a palm strike to the stomach. Misuki pushed his hand away, blocking every other attack that followed.

"You've gotten better, Misuki." He complimented while pausing the fight.

Misuki chuckled while taking a deep breath. "It's all because of the intense training I've been doing. I also have some tricks up my sleeve." Misuki ran towards Knuckles, attempting to punch him again. Knuckles blocked that one, but Misuki twisted her body on the path of his arm and leapt into the air, stomping on the top of Knuckles' head and landing back on the ground with ease. "That was one of my tricks." She looked back at Knuckles who sat up on the ground and rubbing the top of his head to ease the pain. She giggled as she walked over to him to check on him. "Did I overdo it?"

"Don't worry about it." He said, taking a sharp breath through his teeth. "I'm used to taking hard blows to the head. But seriously, that technique is amazing."

Misuki extended a hand to Knuckles, helping him off of the ground. "It's a defensive move I came up with while training in the backyard. The thought came to me when I saw a squirrel run up a tree. It sounds weird, but it's true."

"It's still a really good move."

The two of them walked to the ice box and got some water. "I know we're on vacation, but I wanted to train and keep myself in shape."

"Yeah I get it." Knuckles took a sip of his water while looking at everyone doing their own thing.

Misuki saw Shadow lying in the grass with his eyes closed. She walked over to him without saying a word to Knuckles. Before she got too far, Misuki grabbed a soda for Shadow and approached him. She stared at his sleeping face, blocking the sun. A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and saw her gazing at him. She smiled at him. "Hey there, enjoying the breeze out here?"

He sat up and stretched while Misuki sat down beside him. "It's been so long since I got to stop and look at the sky. We've done so much moving around that I never noticed how blue it is and how white and fluffy the clouds are. It looks like the ocean."

Misuki looked up at the sky and watched the drifting clouds. "Yeah…it does look like an ocean." She sniffed the crisp air and closed her eyes for a short while. "You know what this reminds me of?"

Shadow looked at her as she opened her eyes again and smiled.

She paused for a short while. "The artificial garden my dad made for me. The air smelled just like this. The only difference is…this grass is greener. And there aren't a lot of flowers." She handed Shadow his soda and then took a seat next to him. After she sat down, she took a sip of her water and then looked back up at the sky. "You have a vacant look on your face? Penny for your thoughts?"

Shadow chuckles while opening his soda and taking a large gulp of it. "Just thinking that everything is too peaceful."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well…I'm not trying to jinx everything. But it's just suspicious that Eggman has been quiet for the past week. The last time we fought him was a month ago. What if he's planning something big?"

Misuki tapped Shadow on his head twice. "You keep thinking that, you'll ruin our trip." She teased.

"You can't tell me you haven't thought about that."

She let out a sigh and looked up at the sky. "Well, at first I thought about it." She took another drink of her water. "But when nothing happened, I put it out of my mind and then forgot about it over time." She smiled at Shadow before stretching and standing up. "Hey, who wants to play a little soccer!?" She shouted out to everyone.

"That sounds like fun!" Charmy exclaimed.

"There's a ball in the RV. Can you go get it?"

"Yay! Soccer!" Charmy ran into the RV to grab the ball. He kicked it out of the vehicle and chased after it. "Heads up, sis!"

He kicked it towards Misuki who used her body to stop the ball. She let it fall to her feet so she could hold it in place with her foot. "Wanna join in, Shadow? I can teach you to the basics."

"That's okay." Shadow declined. "I'll sit this out and just watch."

Misuki stared at him for a while, seeing a strange look on his face. She just smiled at him and nodded. "Suit yourself. But next time you're playing."

He nodded his head. "I promise."

She ran over towards the people who wanted to play and divided into teams of three.

Shadow: Vector was the goalie for Misuki's and Espio's team while Charmy was the goalie for Sonic's and Knuckles' team. Shadow found it amusing to watch Misuki get passed Sonic, even when he lowered his speed to make it fair for her and the others. Misuki almost got a goal, but Knuckles stole the ball and headed in the other direction, laughing at her and playfully mocking her. Shadow actually found himself sitting on the edge of his seat, anxious to see if Misuki could stand a chance against Sonic and Knuckles.

"Mind if I sit and watch with you?" Tails asked, walking up to Shadow.

"Help yourself."

Tails took a seat and watched the game go on. "Why didn't you want to play?" He asked him. "You and Misuki would have wiped the floor with Sonic and Knuckles."

Shadow let out a small chuckle. "I'm used to just watching. This actually brings back a few memories for me."

"What kind of memories? Did you and Misuki play soccer once before?"

"Not back then. This was when she was still afraid of me. I would sit and watch her play with her toys or some of her friends from school. As time passed…watching her smile and play became the very first thing that made me happy."

"Really?"

Shadow nodded his head as he took a sip of his soda. "Right now, I can actually see her as a small child again. Laughing and playing…without a care in the world."

"She never asked you to play with her when she was playing by herself?"

"Only once." Shadow admitted. "If I remember correctly, she was playing house, pretending she was a busy mom who had to go into work. She looked at me and handed me two of her dolls that were her kids. She said I was the babysitter and that she'd be back later and then left talking on her play-phone. I honestly couldn't help but laugh at my position. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw me holding a little girl's dolls. I looked ridiculous."

"I'm sure Misuki didn't think so."

"Misuki didn't care. I was more concerned about her father." Re-living that moment made Shadow break out into laughter. "The look on his face when he saw me with the dolls was hilarious."

Tails laughed along with Shadow, then turned his attention back to the soccer game where Sonic just scored a point on Misuki and Espio.

"Don't let him get too cocky, Misuki! Knock him down a peg!" Shadow drank some more pop after cheering her on. His heart warmed up when he saw her look his way and wink before getting back in the game. "Yep, this definitely feels like old times."

Nighttime finally came and Shadow set out his and Misuki's sleeping bag outside with everyone else.

"I could've set up my own bag, Shadow." Misuki told him, holding a sleeping Cheese in her arms. She was gently rocking him to keep him asleep.

"You're holding Cheese." He said to her. "Don't worry about it. Everything's all set."

When he was finished, he gestured her to sit on her bag with Cheese while he sat beside her, stroking Cheese's head as he slept. "Are you excited about tomorrow?"

"Of course I am." She answered. "It'll be our anniversary and we'll get to spend the whole day together." Misuki yawned while rubbing Cheese's stomach.

Shadow moved Misuki's bangs to see the tired look on her face. "You should put him in his bed so you can get some sleep yourself."

"I guess you're right. I'll tuck him in and then put on my pajamas." Misuki stood up and walked into the RV where Cream and Amy were already asleep in the bed.

While she was gone, Shadow walked over to Charmy to talk to him. When he got to him, Charmy was reading his comic book with a flashlight. "Hey Charmy, I need to talk to you."

"What is it, big brother?" Charmy looked up from his comic.

"Do you have everything we talked about? You know…the fireworks?" he made sure to whisper really softly since they were still very close to the RV. Shadow placed a hand on Charmy's shoulder and stared at him. "I'm really counting on you, little man. This has to go down perfectly."

Charmy chuckles sinisterly. "Don't worry, Shadow. I have everything in my bag. Just leave everything to me. Your night with her will be a night she'll never forget."

"You have to pick a spot a little bit away from us so she won't know where they're coming from."

"I already have that covered. All I have to do is follow you as the night goes on. Once you pick your spot, I'll pick a spot a few feet from you."

Shadow rustled his hair playfully. "Thanks little dude." He looked to see Misuki emerge from the RV in a tank top and baggy pajama bottoms. "I'll see you tomorrow night." He walked back over to Misuki and sat with her. "You look comfy."

She giggled as she rested in Shadow's lap. "I am very comfy. Especially when I'm resting my head on your chest." Misuki stroked Shadow's bear arms while snuggling him. "Why aren't you in your pajamas?"

"I will be. I have some things to take care of before I go to sleep. But you should get some sleep yourself."

Misuki let out another yawn, this time producing tears. "I guess you're right."

Shadow stood up so Misuki could get under her sleeping bag and rest her head on her pillow. After she was tucked in, Shadow got down on one knee and stoked her face before kissing her. "I'll join you in a little bit. Get some sleep."

She nodded before closing her eyes and immediately drifted off to sleep.

Shadow stared at her for a short while before going over to talk to Sonic.

"Did Misuki just go to sleep?" Sonic asked him.

"Yeah, knocked herself right out." He looked back at her, watching her turn her back to him. "So, are you ready to help me set everything up?"

"I'll do whatever I can, pal. Let's get to work." Sonic grabbed a picnic blanket, plates and forks while Shadow got a vase, cups and some napkins and rushed them over to a spot near the lake. It didn't take either of them very long to set everything up. The last thing Shadow did was fill the vase with water and pick some flowers to place in them. He then set the vase in the center of everything.

Shadow stepped back with Sonic and looked at everything. "Looks like everything's set up. All that's left is to cook the breakfast and bring it to this spot early in the morning."

"Will you be okay in waking yourself up before her?"

"Yeah. I can do everything else on my own. Thanks for your help."

Sonic playfully punched Shadow's shoulder and grinned. "Anytime, Shadow."

The two headed back to the camp site where Sonic went to check on Amy before he went to sleep. Shadow on the other hand laid down with Misuki, looking up at the stars. Up in the sky he saw a shooting star fly above him, followed by another on that was on its tail. 'I've come a long way, Dr. Hikotsu.' He began speaking to Misuki's father in his mind. He didn't know why he started doing it, he just started. 'Misuki has been happier these last few months. But I still feel like a stranger around everyone except her. I've been with them for over two years, and I've felt myself changing and lighting up, developing more emotions to the group. Yet…I can't find my place other than beside your daughter. How can I open up more? Please tell me.'

Just be yourself. An image of Dr. Hikotsu appeared in the sky, his hands in his lab coat pockets.

He's right, Shadow. Maria appeared next to him with her warm smile she always wore. They've all accepted you as part of the family. The only one who hasn't is you.

Shadow looked down at Misuki who snuggled closer to him.

Misuki is the only one you're letting into your mind. Dr. Hikotsu told him. I understand you're making up the time you lost when you were separated. But you need to understand that everyone cares for you.

You need to open up more to them. Maria stepped in. I can tell that you have changed a lot, Shadow. I believe you can go beyond your limits. We both believe you can.

Shadow watched the two of them slowly fade back into stars that spread out. He sighed while continuing to stare up at the sky while holding Misuki closely to him. She flinched a little bit, causing him to pull her closer to him and kiss her forehead.

Misuki: The light of the morning sun slipped into Misuki's eyes, waking her up from her peaceful slumber. She yawned and stretched as she sat up from her sleeping bag. When she was half awake, she realized that Shadow wasn't beside her. She looked around to see Espio doing some morning exercises and stretches. "Hey Espio, have you seen Shadow?"

"Not since last night." He answered.

"He's working on a surprise for you." Sonic told her as he came out of the RV.

Misuki unzipped her bag and stood up to stretch her legs. "A surprise?" Her voice had some shock in it.

"It is your anniversary after all. He wants every moment to be perfect." As he said that, the two of them turned around to the sound of a motorcycle coming up to the site. "Speak of the devil."

Shadow stopped the bike and went over to Misuki with a smile on his face. He took her in his arms and kissed her. "Happy anniversary." He told her.

Misuki giggled, excited that their special day had finally arrived. "Happy anniversary, Shadow. I heard you have a surprise for me. Should I go get dressed?"

"Yeah, make sure you hurry." He said.

"I'll be back in a few minutes!" With excitement in her voice, Misuki ran into the RV and got ready for the start of her anniversary. She took longer working on her hair and face than getting dressed. In total, it took her at least fifteen minutes to get ready and then ran back out to Shadow.

"It's about time." Shadow chuckled.

"Sorry I took so long." She said with a blushed face. "I wanted to look extra good today."

Shadow lifted her chin and gave her a warming smile. "You look very cute today. Even more than any other day."

Her face flushed a deeper red as he kissed her on the cheek before starting up the bike again and then helping Misuki on the back of it. The two of them said their good-byes to the others.

"Have fun you two!" Amy exclaimed.

"Not too much fun, if you know what I mean, Shadow." Knuckles teased while wearing a slightly serious expression.

Shadow rolled his eyes. "We'll be back sometime in the morning." With that, he and Misuki took off.

Misuki held onto Shadow tightly as the wind brushed through them. She savored the feeling of adrenaline that made her heart pound through her chest. That was mixed with excitement of this surprise. They rode for about twenty-two minutes before he stopped a few feet from the lake. Misuki looked around as she jumped off of the bike in confusion. "Where's the surprise, Shadow?" As she finished asking her question, her vision was blocked by his hands. "What's going on?"

"It's not a surprise if you see it before you're supposed to." He said.

She felt him slowly guide her forward, pushing her body a little bit every two steps. "Are we there yet?"

"Just a few more steps." He told her. "You'll love this. I promise."

They walked several more steps before Shadow made Misuki stop abruptly. "Okay, we're here." He removed his hands from in front of her eyes and let her see the surprise.

The first sound Misuki let escape her lips was an elongated gasp as she stared at a perfect outdoor breakfast for two. Both plates were decorated with French toast topped with strawberries and syrup. Next to that was a side of eggs. In the center stood a small vase with pink and yellow flowers inside of it. Next to that was a tall serving glass of orange juice. The whole scene was set up a good distance from the lake. Misuki became more mesmerized by everything as she got closer to it. Staring at the breakfast made her hungry and caused her eyes to lighten up. "Shadow…all of this is…wow."

Shadow sat her down and then walked in front of his plate and sat down, staring at her shocked face. "Try the French toast. Tell me what you think."

Misuki cut a small piece of one of the French toasts and sampled it, letting the flavor set in her mouth. "Oh my god, this is amazing!" Her mouth was still full of food as she spoke. "Did you make this?"

"Guilty as charged." Shadow answered. "I woke up very early, cooked it in the RV and got it all down here while it was still hot." He poured orange juice in Misuki's glass and handed it to her. "This is one of my anniversary gifts to you: a romantic breakfast for two."

Misuki drank some of her orange juice and kept her surprised expression during breakfast. "This is so romantic, Shadow. I can't believe you did all of this."

"To be honest, Sonic helped me set the site up. The food was all me." He ate some of his breakfast. "I'm glad you're enjoying all of this."

"Who wouldn't enjoy this?" Misuki stuffed her mouth with eggs and French toast. She chewed it and swallowed before she continued speaking. "I seriously didn't expect you to go all out like this for me. This so beats out last year."

"So, what do you want to do after this?" Shadow asked her. "Whatever you want to do, we'll do. Then we'll come back here tonight and spend the night by the lake. What do you say?"

"That sounds like fun!" she exclaimed. "Let's finish breakfast and then I'll let you know what I want to do."

Author's Note: I wanted to let everyone know that in this story, Shadow is more light and cheerful than normal. Like I explained in the prologue, he has and is still going through character development like the others ^_^

Please R&R

Next chapter may not be up until the second week of March, which is when I will be out of school for spring break ^^ I will also be celebrating my birthday! The chapter will be up either the day before or after my birthday. I will try to have it up before ^^ Until then…stay tuned!