Shadow wandered about through the thick trees, nearly tripping over fallen branches and scattered rocks. "What a mess," he figured and kept walking. His ears twitched when he heard one of the twigs behind him snap. He turned around sharply. "Who's there? I demand an answer of you! Reveal yourself!"
A small, yellowish fox popped out from one of the bushes and blinked, looking around. "Huh? What- Oh! Shadow, hey there!"
Shadow frowned, allowing his guard to go down a tad. He's no threat. "What is your business here?"
Tails, remembering his purpose, began searching for something on the ground. "That's right! I almost forgot. Oh...where is it?!" His tail wagged restlessly as he flipped over rocks and branches."Nope, not here. Let's see...hmm..."
"I'll repeat," Shadow grumbled, "What is your business here?!"
Tails sat up for a moment. "Oops. Sorry. I was looking for this really rare mushroom called a Maiden's Devil. It's extremely poisonous. Even looking at it will get you creeped out." His large blue eyes wandered back on the ground wildly. "They're pretty rare because they only grow in specific spots- Mossed rocks and soaked soil."
Shadow rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, two-tails." He continued his exit.
"Wait, Shadow!" Tails boldly piped up.
Shadow stopped in his tracks, silent and grumpy. "..." What the hell does he want now?! I'm busy!
"Umm...I know this is a big favor and all but...um..." Tails blushed a bit and swallowed the lump in his throat. "Uhh... Can you please help me look for the Maiden's Devil? I could really use the help."
Shadow turned around to look at the young fox. "Not that I am refusing your request," he said, "But just tell me this; why do you need such a thing?"
"I need it to make this...drink. If the juice of the mushrrom is mixed with the right chemicals and ingredients, I can make a high-powered drink that'll increase one's speed dramatically!"
"I'm guessing that this is for...SONIC...right?"
Tails became nervous and shook his head uncertainly. "Well...n-no. In fact, I can give you some of the drink when I'm pretty sure that it's safe to drink. Hehe.. Pretty redundant."
Shadow popped a vein. "Keep your lousy beverage!" he growled, "I don't need it. I can outrun that fool any day!" He looked away. Though I DO want to have my speed doubled to see what it's like. Hmph!
Tails laughed. "Y-yeah...you probably can. So, are you going to help me?"
Shadow shrugged. "Whatever it takes to get you out of here." He began looking under some bushes and rocks. Then, it came to him. "Wait- what does this organic lifeform take appearance in?"
Tails sweatdropped. What? "Well," he stammered, "If you mean...what it looks like, then it's...uh... It has a red top with yellow spots and its body is very pale and leather-like."
Shadow noddded. As if by luck, he found something behind a tree. "Is this what you're looking for?"
Tails went over to the tree to inspect the dark hedgehog's finding. "YEAH! And better yet, there are five of them all grouped together!" He took out a bag and placed the mushrooms inside. "Thanks, Shadow!"
"Hey," Shadow said darkly.
Tails turned a bit pale. "W-what is it?"
Shadow glared at him and then looked away grudgingly. "Make me one of those drinks, will you?" he mumbled.
Tails smiled and laughed merrily. "All right. And I promise not to tell Sonic." He spun his two tails rapidly and flew back to his house. "See you around, Shadow!"
"Hmph," Shadow simply replied and ventured deeper into the forest.
Amy had just woken up from her nap and was now on the roof of her house, staring up at the sky. Where could he be? Her eyes wandered to the ground. "He's not coming back, is he?"
"I'LL SAVE YOU, AMY!!" a deep voice cried.
Amy blinked and turned to her right. "What in the- Aaaahhhhh!"
A large purple cat jumped at her and caught her. "You're safe now...or maybe not." His fur frizzled as they descended to the far earth. He landed on his soft belly and laughed. "Hehe. Cats always land on their feet, but I land on my belly. Right, Froggy?" He looked at the green amphibian on his shoulder and smiled.
Froggy blinked. "Rrrriiiibit," it croaked and nodded dully.
"Mmmmppphhhmmmmpppphh!" Amy's muffled screams came.
Big quickly stood up and looked at the crushed hedgehog on the ground. "Oops, I'm sorry, Amy. Hehe. But I saved you from falling...that's good."
Amy, petrified and enraged, turned to him and cried, "I WASN'T IN DANGER, BIG! How much of an idiot are you?!! I was simply standing on my roof!" She panted, short of breath. Then, realizing her harsh words, she looked at him apologetically. "Big...I..."
Big couldn't stop the tears in his eyes from falling and looked down in shame. "I'm sorry...I'm just useless..."
Amy shook her head guiltily and tried to comfort him. "No, Big, don't be sorry. I just lost my temper there for a moment and...I didn't mean to say those mean things to you. You didn't deserve it." She went over to him and gave him a warm and friendly hug. "Sorry, okay?"
Big brightened up right away and smiled. "Okay! But, why are you upset, Amy?"
Amy looked up a the sky sadly. "Well...Shadow left a while ago, but never came back. And I'm becoming worried. What if I did something that made him leave? What if he hates me? What if...if..." Tears spilled from her eyes and she choked in between breaths. "If...he...never comes...b-back?!" She fell to her knees and sobbed.
"Don't be sad, Amy," Big pleaded, "I like it better when you smile."
Amy stood back up and wiped away her tears. She smiled at the big cat and sniffed, "Thanks, Big." She then stood firmly with a brave face. "And, I just realized something. If I truly love Shadow and have faith in him, then I know that he'll...he'll come back." She brought her hands together, full of hope. "I know he will."
"Yep!" Big nodded and smiled with her.
Unoticeably, Amy's smile turned into a small frown. Easier thought than known.
"Okay, Amy, well...Froggy and I have to go fishing now. Bye-bye!" He opened his umbrella and was carried away by the wind. "Weeeeeeeeeee! this is fun, huh Froggy?"
"Rrriiibbiiit!" Froggy croaked.
Amy watched as he disappeared into the distant clouds and sweatdropped. Incredible! His weight isn't bringing him down!
"Hey!" a cocky-ish voice called.
Amy turned around and stared into the jade-like orbs of her once-beloved. "Sonic?" She waved. "Hey there! So, what's up? Anything going on?"
Sonic looked at her, confused. Why is she treating me so casually. "Amy, is something wrong?"
Amy dropped her false smile and looked down at her feet. "Sonic, there's something I need...and WANT...to tell you. Something really important."
Sonic nodded. "All right." Another confession I bet.
"Sonic..."
"Sonic, I love you." Then she hugs me and starts to try and kiss me. Sonic started to smile a bit. "Yes?"
Amy sighed. "I don't love you. I'm sorry." She looked up to see him and nearly gasped.
Sonic's smile turned into a shocked "O" and his eyes were very wide. "W-what?! Amy, I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?" He tightened his fists and tried to ease the watery, warm pain in his eyes. "I..."
"Sonic...I..." Amy was at loss for words as well. "I was wrong."
Sonic felt a small tear trickle down his cheek and wiped it away. "About what?"
"Remember when I said that I'd wait for you? Well, I can't. I realized that...I've only had a crush on you. It wasn't love." She laughed, blushing. "And..I know that I hadn't been with Shadow for very long but, for some reason, I feel something different for him. Something that feels warm and comforting. And just a moment ago, I became aware of my true feelings." She looked at Sonic with a guilty expression. "He's the one I love, Sonic."
Sonic felt something shatter inside of him, but simply smiled. "I'm happy for you, Amy," he said.
Amy was baffled and looked at him in shock. "What? You're not...mad?"
"Mad?" Sonic grinned, as if nothing serious had happened. "Heh! Why would I be mad? Hey, if you really do love Shadow, Amy, then go for it!" he winked at her. "I'm happy as long as I know you're not miserable and alone" As if I can say that! I love her!
Amy got her emotions back and smiled at him, thankful of his calm and accepting reaction. "Thank you, Sonic."
Sonic laughed, "Sure thing!" Maybe I should tell her now. "Amy, about Shadow..."
"What about him?"
"He's..." Sonic frowned. "I saw him a while ago, before I came over here the first time."
Amy gasped. "WHAT?! Why didn't you tell me?! Where was he?!"
"He was running over Sunset Hill again. I don't think he saw me because he didn't even bother to insult me or anything."
"Ooh! I have to see him! What if he's in trouble?!" Amy ran over to Sonic and begged, "Please, Sonic! Please! Take me to him! I have to know if he's okay or not! I'm worried!"
Sonic looked at her. She really is worried about him. Though it was a short time spent together, they developed a really close bond. He sighed. A bond...that I can't break. "All right. I'll take you to him." He picked her up bridal style and ran towards Sunset Hill. So this is what a broken heart feels like, huh? It's quite painful. But I have to stay true to my word. If she's happy...then I'm happy. Some of his tears flowed into the air. "I'm happy..." he told himself.
Amy looked up at him and gasped quietly when she saw his glistening tears. Sonic... She nestled herself into his arms. "I'm sorry."
Yeah, I know there's more angst in here. But just think of this as an Ouran High School Host Club twin-story...for the people who know that anime. The characters in this story have their moments, too.