"Chapter Seven;
Struck Down"
-- Sonic's POV
When I heard Shadow's silence, it was like saying the words I needed to hear. I felt relieved. I enjoyed my time, and glad he was, somewhat, was having a good time, as well. I bet he wasn't expecting this, at all.
It gave me a good feeling. I heard the sounds of the choas, heading for the field. I, then, remembered the basket of food I left there. I got off of Shadow, and ran to it, before the choas could get it.
I, luckily, got it just before they could munch on the food. It was one of Shadow's favorites, and took a lot of work to get it right. Shadow, just came, looking a little confused.
-- Shadow's POV
"What's in there that's so important?" I asked, slightly irritated with the hedgehog, who nearly trampled me when he ran off. He turned to face me, chuckling nervously.
He soon sighed. "I found a recipe, you said you liked what it was called, so I made it, for you." He answered. Now, I was completely creaped out. I never expected him to actually listen.
I sighed, and sat down on the grassy plain. Sonic had pulled out 'Zenzon Muriki.' I did have it once, and it was good. However you don't really expect someone to get the recipe off the Internet when it came from an uncharted island. That incident was both humiliating, yet extraordinary. It was one of few times Sonic, and I, got along.
The dish looked as gruesome as I remembered it to be. I scooped up the green covered meat, and swallowed. My eyes bulged out, slightly; it tasted better than when I last tried it. "You like it?" He asked, nervously.
There was no hiding this. I put the plate down, and turned towards him, just as I swallowed it. "It tastes just like it did the first time!" I said. He smiled, knowing what I said the first time I tried it.
Now, of course I wanted to leave, but I knew Sonic as the talking type. So, when I got up, he grabbed my hand, firmly. I looked down, and found myself gazing into his emerald orbs.
For some reason, I couldn't avert my eyes. We stayed where we were, silently staring into the others' eyes. "Why am I staring at him? Why can't I move my line of view?" I wondered, looking down at Sonic.
-- Sonic's POV
We were just staring at each other! I loved looking into his eyes, but could only question why he was staring back for a change.
I saw the confusion that masked his threatening eyes. For the first time in awhile, I saw passed them. His loneliness, his pain, and his lust for something to make the hurt go away.
I understood, now. Shadow was afraid! He was clinging onto his past, and to Maria. He was searching for someone who could help, but he didn't know who he could trust; it's a wonder why he's actually on our side! Shadow was unsure of anybody around him to be a help, though, because he was also afraid they'd also cause him more pain in the end.
My eyes began to water when I saw his struggle. I didn't want to see him this way! There was a long silence, just staring at each other a little longer. I finally spoke. "Shadow?" I questioned in a soft whisper, my anguish evident to all who could hear. Shadow, snapped out of his trance, gave me a questioning look. "Why don't you speak out? Why don't you try to give someone a chance?" I asked.
Shadow's eyes widened, then looked away from mine, trying to evade my stare.
-- Shadow's POV
I stared into the hedgehog's eyes. He wanted me, I could tell, but he looked like he was at a loss. For some reason, this happy-go-lucky, overconfident, obnoxious, stubborn, annoying hedgehog seemed way out of character.
Come to think of it, there was always something about him I never got. Sonic had a lot of friends, and fans, and would always speak out, but for some reason, his family was never mentioned, nor his childhood. This confused me. Sonic liked talking about past events, why haven't I heard any of these?
I was puzzled as I tried to search for answers, but was pushed out when I heard Sonic speak. "Shadow?" He questioned, in a hushed tone. I looked down at him, only just realizing the tears that had just begun to fall from his eyes. He sounded concerned, and scared. "Why don't you speak out? Why don't you try to give someone a chance?" He asked me.
My eyes widened. I looked away, not wanting his pity. How? How could he see through me? I shook my head, then looked back at him. "What are you talking about, Faker? I don't need anybody!" I told him.
Sonic stood up slightly, and wrapped his arms around my neck. He let his head drop some, leaving it against my chest. I felt my heart race, and I could feel my face light up in embarrassment, as his calm breathing was blown against my neck.
-- Sonic's POV
It wasn't rocket science! I could tell he was lying. When I placed my head on his chest, my ear was to his heart, and I was looking up at him. He was a bit taller, so he can look down at me, but I still wanted him to look down just to see I care.
I felt his heartbeat pick up. He was embarrassed, I could tell. For him to feel shy, about a lot of personal subjects, was natural. "Shadow, who are you trying to fool? You let your guard down, the mask you have is easy to see behind, and right now, I see a pained hedgehog with only one fear: opening up, and getting hurt in the end." I told him.
Shadow scoffed, then turned away. "Yeah, right!" He said.
'Still not buying it, dude!' That's what I wanted to say, anyways, but I'm not gonna be that person, now. Not when he needs someone to help him passed his problems. "Shadow, I care about you, and I know you're not happy! Ever since Maria died, you grew angry, sad, and alone. It got better when you joined us, but it doesn't mean it helped when you barely opened up. You want someone to help you, someone who's like Maria. Who can feel your pain, and I can feel it right now. You think you can't get that, though, because you know that the first person you meet isn't gonna be the one. I know that mine wasn't! But, still, even if you don't want me, you do need somebody, and I want to be that somebody. I know you're afraid of losing comfort, Shadow! You don't have to be scared! I'll be here, to listen, maybe not as your boyfriend, but as your friend, still." I told him.
Shadow's eyes had saddened, and he began to shake, uncontrollably. He fell to his knees, making me to fall with him, my hands still in the same position. I felt his head on my shoulders, and felt something wet, and warm. I didn't know that Shadow could cry, but I was pretty sure he needed to.
I pulled myself up, my chin on his shoulder, and my hand on his back, slowly stroking it. The ebony in my arms began to sobbing harshly. I felt his real pain, and now, all I could do was hope he'd stop soon.
-- Shadow's POV
I don't know what came over me! When he finished his exclamation, I saw through so many of my memories, that I just couldn't stand through it all. Now, I was crying on Sonic's shoulder.
I felt stupid! Pathetic! Weak, even! It was too much for me to take in one sitting. I wasn't surprised by Sonic's actions, though.
He was pitying me, that I know. "It's okay!" He whispered to me. I ignored it. "It's okay, Shadow! I know you're in pain. I may not know how it feels, but I know you're struggling through it. So, please, don't ignore this! I want to help you! I know you don't like pity, Shadow, but I swear to you, my doing this is more than that. I care about you! Just talk, and I'll listen, okay?" He told me.
I didn't want to listen anymore. I struggled through Sonic's grip, but he only tightened his hold. I just wanted him to let go! I continued my way through the struggle. Sonic's grip didn't loosen any.
I finally caved. I stopped moving, fewer tears racing down my cheeks. I rested my head against Sonic's, as my breath came out wearily. I felt tired, and I didn't have the strength to look Sonic, dead on.
I somehow found myself drawing nearer to him. After that, though, my mind just drifted.
-- Sonic's POV
I could see his exhaustion, but his head against mine, I was so tempted to feel the others' lips, but I tried my best to restrain myself. Slowly, I saw Shadow's face become closer, his eyes closing.
That's when I felt it.
His lips pressing against my own. He withdrew, and refilled the gap between us several times over. I finally held him in place, returning the tender touch of his lips with my own. His tongue forced its entry into my mouth, making me moan of pure pleasure. I thrusted my tongue into his mouth, tasting him, and it was so good! I felt him suck on my lips, his tongue searching for a new area to explore.
I was forced down, onto my back, the ebony holding me tightly, continuing to gain a relief from his thirst. It was like that for a little while, but he then just settled with pressing his lips against mine, and allowing his tongue to roam my mouth. I just wished that it could have lasted.
-- Shadow's POV
I could only continue to taste whatever it was, because it felt so good, it made me forget the pain. I couldn't remember what it was that made me feel better, but it was enough. I had forgotten my surroundings, the happenings, or who I was with.
Time soon caught up with me, though.
I opened my eyes to realize what I was doing. I-Sonic-we were kissing!!! I sprang off the cobalt hedgehog, wiping my mouth, and cursing myself for allowing this to happen.
"Shadow, I'm sorry! I don't know what happened! Shadow I-"
I raced off, trying to get as far away from him as I could. Pretty soon, though, I heard him start after me.
-- Sonic's POV
"Shadow!" I called, as I raced after him. I didn't want him to feel hurt, I was just trying to help! The whole kiss must of been out of his own subconscious. "Shadow, wait! I just wanna talk!" I told him.
He ignored me, and dashed on ahead towards his the city. Before I could say anymore, though, by the time we reached the entrance, Shadow chaos controlled away, probably back to his apartment.
I stopped in the middle of the road, only a few feet ahead of where he disappeared, and fell to my knees. I slammed my fist into the concrete as I felt my tears reform. I blew it! I just blew it, and I knew it!
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" My head darted up, as I came to face a green hedgehog in a red motorbike, with blue eyes, scars across his chest, and wearing a black jacket, green, and black shoes, and red sunglasses.
I growled glaring up at him in a way, I bet, Shadow himself could find intimidating. "What do you want, Scourge?!" I yelled up at him. He grew his maniacal smirk, chuckling as he did so.
hope u enjoyed! sry it took so long! i'll try, and update faster.
