Sorry I haven't updated in a while, been enjoying my winter break while I can. I'll give you guys a two-for-one deal again, because of my little absence. I warn that they are kind of short though. Hope you enjoy nonetheless.

Disclaimer: I don't own Shadow or Amy, they belong to SEGA, blah, blah, blah…

x*The Mini Adventures of Shadow and Amy*x

-Chapter Ten: Nurturing the Flower-

Her soft whimpers were the only things heard beside the nearly silent volume of her TV in front of them. Shadow looked down at the small pink hedgehog nestled in his arms as she held onto her knee. Though the girl was hurt, he felt a very strong urge to say, 'I told you so,'.

Once he felt comfortable enough to go out with her again, they decided to go over to the park. Amy began complaining of boredom and suggested they play a little game of chase. He hesitated at first, but when the girl took off, he supposed he had no choice. So, for the first few rounds where she eventually got caught, they were fine. No one got hurt. But the fifth or sixth round, Amy ended up tripping trying to avoid a small infant crawling in her path. She got the baby back to its mother, and as she walked away, Shadow noticed her limping.

"Are you okay?" he had asked. She started to nod, but looked down at her knee. He followed her gaze and saw that she had skid to a stop so suddenly that the cement tore through the denim of her jeans. And her skin…

So, here they were, in her home again. She changed into a skirt and allowed the ebony male to treat her wound. Apparently it still stung by the way she trembled every so often and her whimpering. No words had been said since he'd finished and they settled into this position somehow.

Amy wrapped up in Shadow's arms while resting in his lap…and neither moved. The female was clearly content where she was, resting her head against his chest (the exception of her hands under her head), and the male thought that if she was comfortable, they'd be okay like that. She whimpered again, curling up against him even more. He responded by holding her tighter.

~.~

A hour or two at most had gone by and the two hedgehogs still remained as they were. The female, however, had insisted on talking to take her mind off the pain, while keeping tears at bay to keep from looking like a baby in front of the ebony male.

"There was this one time Sonic tripped and fell on his face. He nearly broke his nose, but he tried to walk it off and look cool even though everyone saw it happen." Amy said softly. Shadow leaned back against the couch, listening but at the same time, not; unless it was of his interest. Sonic falling on his face? He'd tripped him many times before, he'd lost count.

"Also, one time, Knuckles, Rouge, and I pulled a prank on Sonic by-" she stopped when he adjusted her slightly, "-saying we were having a chilidog making contest. He came and we made them, but when he left to 'help' Rouge, Knuckles put a lot of hot sauce in the chili. When Sonic ate it, I almost thought he'd breath real fire." the female giggled weakly. Glancing at her knee, she sighed.

"It still hurts?" Shadow asked gently, guessing what was wrong. In the next moment, a blush appeared on Amy's muzzle.

"Um, well…"

"Amy…"

"It did…about an hour ago," Amy said, quietly. She shrunk away from him a little, fearing his reaction. His face was unreadable at first, before he frowned and narrowed his eyes.

"So, this entire time, you were okay?"

She bit her bottom lip, "Maybe…"

It was silent for a few minutes, before Shadow glanced at her. Gathering her up, he tossed her on the couch, stood, and left. The pink female couldn't help but giggle when she realized why he left so suddenly.

He was embarrassed!

"How dare she…" Shadow asked no one, stalking away from the female's house. Why hadn't he seen it before? The tears in the corners of her eyes, her weak and innocent role…all an act! He stopped for a minute and sighed.

He had been so out of it, he didn't bother to think that after so long, she'd have been fine. Instead, he sat there, with her all snug and comfy and babbling like she usually did while not caring if he left at all. It didn't even bother to check the time. It was obviously late now, having been there for two hours at most. The sun had set.

Maybe it was that small but somewhat noticeable soft spot he had for her that made him oblivious to her act. He was still conflicted on his feelings for her; that would make that spot vulnerable.

He was showing he cared, right?

…Was that what she wanted? To prove to him that he did care in some form of way?

Running his fingers through his quills, he looked back at the house. He hadn't walked but four blocks…of sidewalk blocks. Shaking his head, he smirked slightly. She knew what she was doing and he knew she was laughing having succeeded in embarrassing the male. Tsking to her mentally, he started walking faster.

Enjoy it now, Rose. Payback will be mine soon enough.