Sorry that this took so long but I had major writers block on this one, so yeah anyways here we go and let's get the ball rolling hopefully this chapter was worth the wait for those of you who were waiting on it.

I don't own anything relating to Sonic the hedgehog.

Chapter 4: Questioning

The next morning as Sonic shuffled off towards the school he sighed remembering the previous day and his encounter with Shadow. He didn't know what to think as he approached the gates but one thing was certain today began something new in his life which he realized quickly as he paused seeing Shadow at the gate. His Ruby eyes gazed upon him gently but at the same time with the same distrusting glimmer he came to expect from him. As he approached Shadow advanced closer and when they met he said in a velvety tone "You know you are late faker…"

"I know, I know. Don't remind me…" Sonic groaned as he headed towards the school building. Shadow gave a smirk "It would be wise to keep up with your timing wouldn't want that mask of your slipping off now would we…?"

Sonic frowned to this and gave a sigh "I told you already there is no mask I am who I am…now come on before we are late."

"It might interest you to know our first class is study hall…so…it will not be necessary for us to hurry to class if you catch my drift." Shadow urged with a wink.

"Are you trying to imply we should skip class? Amy would kill me if I did that and I don't want to brutally beaten to a pulp today. Besides you said we shouldn't be seen together right so…I better go." Sonic said trying to evade him till a warm hand caught his wrist and stopped him cold in his tracks.

"Are you afraid of her…or of being alone with me…faker answer me that question." Shadow asked with a gaze that stopped Sonics' heart for a moment making it miss a beat.

Sonic swallowed hard unsure of his answer and as he opened it to respond a voice cut him off, "No he just doesn't want to be associated with the likes of you."

Shadow's gaze became cold when he saw Silver approaching and Sonic released the breath he had been holding and moved to stand with Silver. "You again…do you really intend on being a nuisance? Why not save yourself the trouble and stay out of other people's business." Shadow said venomously.

"Because as part of the student council it's my job to keep our president safe from bad people like you." Silver retorted his amber eyes blazing with fierce hate and what seemed to be a flicker of jealousy that he was so familiar with the sapphire hedgehog that stood beside him. Shadow gave an amused smile to this statement, "I see so because you are on the council it gives you the right to make his decisions for him, so what if he chooses to go with me and miss out on a boring class what difference should it make to someone like you if he comes near someone like me?"

Silver choose this moment to take hold of Sonics' hand and said in a firm tone "Because he's a dear friend to me and I won't see him get into trouble because of someone like you."

With that Silver led Sonic away his grip firm on his hand leaving Sonic speechless, Silver usually was never so aggressive against other people. There was rarely a time he had a fight or issue about anyone or anything his heart was too gentle and sweet for it. This was outside his normal behavior which led Sonic to believe there was more to it than that. But he decided to let Silver lead him to class to which he stopped at the classroom and suddenly his grip loosened and he turned around and gave a gentle gaze to him the one Sonic was so accustomed to seeing. But this time there was more in his eyes a deeper feeling he couldn't place his finger on and give it a name. "I apologize for my brash behavior back there Sonic…I just don't want to see you get hurt by someone like him I know his type, they only are out to make their way in life stepping on whoever they have to in order to get their way."

Sonic understood his reasoning and had to say it fit Shadow's attitude to a perfect art, Silver had his point in saying this but he couldn't shake the look in his eyes something he never noticed in the white hedgehog before. He finally without a thought said "Silver…not to go off topic but…your eyes they look stunning."

This made the shine in Silver's eyes only grow more intense to these words and he shook his head and said "No…they are nothing special…"

Sonic couldn't help but to smile to this and he said gently "Thank you for looking out for me…you are a good person Silver, I don't think people give you enough credit for that." Silver finally smiled and led Sonics' hand to his heart and replied with nothing but pure sweetness "If anyone's kindness is overlooked it is yours. But know I'm always going to be there to help you in your hour of need just call for me and I will be at your side without a doubt."

Sonic gently pulled away and nodded "I will remember that, I suppose I'll see you later in world history then alright then Silv?" Silver blushed gently to the nickname and nodded before rushing off in the opposite direction.

Sonic felt better going into the classroom and settling in the back as the other students got into their little clicks to chatter about different subjects. He thought about Silver a bit longer after what he had witnessed, he was the student council treasurer and had loyally been behind him as the president since he came to the school a year back. In the beginning Silver hardly spoke to him whenever he was near Silver kept to himself and was silent but always worked hard and was well balanced in terms of personality and family. His heritage came from his family who were both world famous dancers who had won countless world tournaments and tittles all over the globe. While Silver himself never expressed his love of dance Sonic could see in his eyes that he was doubtful of being able to live up to their name as he was far more interested in reading and writing. He forever had his nose buried in a book wither it was a manga or a thick chapter book he loved a good story. But he was brought from his thoughts when a schoolbag made an unpleasant thump on his desk startling him. He met an annoyed set of ruby eyes and a fuming Shadow who sat in a chair in front of Sonic but had it turned so he could face him. "Well I certainly hope you're happy thanks to you I was delayed enough for the drone patrol of the school's security guards to catch me trying to get to the roof. If you had simply come as I asked I wouldn't have gotten caught Faker."

"Look Shadow, study hall or not I still have a reputation to uphold what example would I be to the other students here if I demonstrated that skipping class was okay? Then I'd be in a world of trouble." Sonic said trying to reason with the dark hedgehog.

"You see therein lies your problem you think so much on how others would react if God forbid the perfect Student council president ever did something a healthy young student should do." Shadow said sarcastically.

"Right and how is that logic working for you anyways and besides Silver had his point so you shouldn't go shooting it down like that." Sonic pointed out.

Sonic then noticed the look on Shadow's face shifted to a more sly and devious look and that was when Sonic realized he had stepped on a landmine in this conversation. "Ah yes the white one, much like you believes he is as pure and innocent as the white snow. I saw you were quick to leave my hands to go to him care to explain that to me?"

"What business is it of yours who I choose to stand by, and besides Silver is my friend and he was just trying to look out for me is all there is nothing wrong with that." Sonic said growing defensive trying to keep Silver out of the crossfire of him and Shadow.

Shadow's gaze was a gentle blaze and he said in a tone of pure velvet "I see so does your heart pound harder in his presence or mine…?"

Sonic was floored at the accusation and shook his head to rid the thought from his head, he couldn't understand how the question fit into things. Silver was a dear friend to be sure but he had never felt anything out of the normal from him. Save for that instance that very morning, seeing the sparkle in his eyes and claiming their beauty was an unusual act that he had done without even a thought as to why. He answered hesitantly "I don't know the answer t that one and will you stop trying to confuse me with such silly questions and try and make sense for once?"

"I see…so there is a part of you that is uncertain about where you stand…understandable considering the mask you wear…you can't even see things that are plain as day to those of us who are true to their hearts." Shadow said leaning closer to Sonic his lips growing dangerously close to Sonics' and this fact alone drew the attention of so many people as he realized by the whispers of those around them.

His and Shadow's names were floating around in a most uncomfortable fashion and it made a red blush cross his cheeks and he felt deeply uncomfortable and asked softly "Shadow would you mind backing off people are starting to talk…"

"Let them say what they will if they were really so curious on what was going on they would ask us directly otherwise they will just draw their own ridiculous and usually outlandish conclusions. So quit paying attention to them and try to listen to me." Shadow said only to draw closer to him.

Sonic shifted away his discomfort becoming more pronounced but nodded trying to keep his gaze on those deep red eyes. "The white one…he's harboring a secret, one most can see…all but you. I can see it being deeply troublesome in my plans but for you it may be a welcome idea."

"Well if you know what it is why not tell me and be done with it?" Sonic questioned his temper a little flared by the secrecy Shadow had dangling over his head.

"What fun would it be for me if I told you something that precious…I suppose I'll leave you with that little tidbit and be on my way." Shadow said and drew away only to stand and leave out of the classroom careful to mind the hall as not to be caught leaving by one of the school's wandering security guards. Sonic had so many questions unanswered at this point but there was only one who had the answers to give and later that day he would try to coax them out of his white furred companion.

Little did he know that all of this was part of Shadow's plan…