Small Talk

Good day all!
I think I'm a bit more surprised that I'm here more than you all. I know I said that I would be doing this chapter until later in life, but since it's the day after Christmas and I'm leaving tomorrow for New York and I wanted to do something important day, I decided to do this. (Avoiding DA, friends might kill me I think). So.. Surprise! This is my Christmas present to you! These chapters have been getting pretty.. there is a word to describe it, but I'm just gonna use important for right now. Oh wait, we really are getting to the good stuff now... You guys better like it cuz you have no idea how I run myself ragged with my work on these.

Anyway, let's get on with the announcements and you can get reading.

Announcements
I will probably stop updating this story after my birthday. Since I just improvised and went back to lose leaf paper, I haven't done much. I'm trying to write out Chapter 26 and I am having major writer's block.. I hate myself for that. I feel like I'm updating too fast so I'm just gonna take a well deserved vacation. Don't worry, I'll still be here for you guys when you need me and to read your badass stories. I dunno when I'll come back from my break, but I know I won't be gone for no longer than 3 months..

Reviews
Christian Ape99: Yeah, kids these days have been corrupted at an early age. It's surprising when it ranged even below 6 or even 5. I just hope it was only okay to use that on child Ivy. Oh, and Miskit is a panda bear. I just thought it fit his personality nicely. I hope your holiday season is amazing as well and for your family. And, nice to meet you Kevin Timothy Metzner, you've helped me raise my number of having friends named Kevin. That's a cool last name. Name's Arianna, and I have no idea where my last name comes from.

The Always Important Stuff:
Zera characters belong to: Me
Sonic Characters belong to: SEGA
Noah and Spencer characters belong to: werewolf99

On your mark, get set...READ! (since your lives depend on it. .-. Jk..maybe .=.)

Chapter 21: Problem Solving

No school. That's all Zeren thought was the good thing of the situation he was in.
The bad thing: The reason why they were all home.

G.U.N. two of their top agents had spotted Zera. She was sure they weren't following her to find the Groter household, but the family wouldn't take the chance of sending her out there. But that wasn't the thing that had bothered him. It was the fact that Liah Marks, his former girlfriend, had come back in his life in the worst way possible. She was the one that made Zera wig out yesterday. She was the one that hurt her, threatened not only her, but everyone else he cared for as well. She's taken the breakup harder than she let on.

Now all of his friends were also paying the price. Espio and Vector couldn't stay with the rest: they were teachers, not students. Espio clearly stated last night that he was more at risk than Vector was. One of the operatives knows his face well, and he figured she's still bent on revenge against him. If she saw him in the streets, all hell would break lose. But Charmy is here, as was Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Rouge, Shadow, Amy, and Cream and Cheese. Vanilla allowed her daughter to stay with Jackie today for the time being when Jackie called last night. As much as Jackie wanted to stay home and be with her children, her guest, and their friends, her job needed her more (sadly).

"Ms. Jackie, please be on the look out for the operatives, One is a female red fox, her eyes uncanny and green. The other is a pretty male wolf, color of eyes are an unforgettable Caribbean blue. Don't take a liking to either... They may say they don't want to hurt me and they others, but they also can't disobey their orders...Please, be safe and come back to all of us in one piece." Jackie had smiled as she put Zera in a hug, which she awkwardly returned.

"Don't worry, this isn't the first time I've been involved with authorities." Is what Jackie had said as she walked out the front door.

And now...

"Oh, good morning Jackie. I think my friend and I are ready to place an order for our drinks."

She wanted to take back every single word she said.
"Um, great! What would you like to drink on this interesting Thursday morning?" Did she look nervous? She felt nervous, most definitely. Here she was, serving the enemy! The enemy of the girl she so badly wanted to call her daughter in law.

"I would like to have some...apple juice! What say you Raldo?"

"I'm fine with orange juice Jackie. And please excuse Ivy's loudness, she is a bit too hyper this morning." Jackie took a glance at the girl who was now known as Ivy through the corner of her eye. The expression on the girl's face said, 'clearly you're joking, you should've saw yourself'.

"Hmph! I am not!" She responded back childishly. Jackie could only chuckle as she walked into the kitchen, now hiding in one of its corner.

"Please, may Chaos bless me and the children."

XxX

"Guys, we can't just keep sitting here and moping around! We have to act now if we want to continue to keep Miss. Zera here and safe with us!" "Chao chao chao!" Everyone was surprised to hear the youngest of them all, Cream and her chao pet Cheese, speak out so seriously. Then again, she wasn't that cute little 8 year old girl she use to be...

"Cream and Cheese are right. Doing nothing won't solve our problems, Zera's problems!" Tails spoke alongside of Cream. Well, the younger generation felt like kicking it up a notch.

"But what exactly, are we going to do? I may not be the genius like the fox boy here, but I know this: We're trapped. If Zera said they got spies moving in, we don't know who to turn to. Anyone could be a spy. People that are still friends outside our professional group can be one. Hiding may be a bad choice, but it's our only option. This isn't surrender exactly so I'm a bit okay with it. Going out and fighting them head on isn't good enough either. Rouge and Shadow know more about G.U.N than all of us could. They know their power, which could be more than our own. And we can't wait for them to come to us. We can't fight them here, it's too populated. I may not like people, but I would hate to live with a guilty conscience knowing innocence got hurt or even died due to our actions." No one could say anything after that. Knuckles had probably hit it outta the ball park with saying the smartest point anyone could have come up with. Tails had a small moment of shame to feel. Sonic was fidgeting from where he was sitting. He didn't like this.

"Sonic, relax.." Zeren said quietly, even though this was Sonic he was talking to. It was like telling a bird to not fly. He wanted to reach over and give his pal a comforting pat on the back, but his hands were full. As was his lap. Sonic, Joey, and himself were sitting on Zera's bed. Zera was with them as well, just, laying down. Most of Zera's upper body was in Zeren's lap, while the rest of her was in Joey's lap. Zera was resting peacefully, trying to gain back some power she wrongfully lost the previous night. Zeren was stroking the sleeping face, worry everywhere on his slowly paling face.

"Zeren, I can't! This is bull roar! We've gotten through tougher situations than this! With the Black Arms, the Meterex, Perfect Chaos...something else that I remember, but also can't seem to point out... But, we made it through A okay! Strong, loud, and proud! This should be no different!" Sonic stood up, seeing that he could go on a roll with it. "Take this guy for example!" Sonic stood next to Shadow who was in his usual calm and cool stature, though his eyes were narrowing slightly. A peach arm wrapped around black shoulders. Shadow growled. "Whoa! Down boy! Anyway, just look at Shadow here. Used to be a fearsome enemy, now a cuddly buddy! And he is pretty damn hard to beat!"

"If you want to keep that arm of yours Faker, I suggest you take it off of me." Shadow warned the blue hedgehog. Sonic didn't budge. In fact, he kept going!

"And G.U.N used to have a hold on him! What do you call this?"

"I call this 'Faker stop touching me or you will be getting your ass kicked by the Ultimate Lifeform'. " Shadow didn't raise his voice one bit, and yet it boomed throughout the house. Zeren's lips twitched, then he shushed Shadow. Zera had started to stir from the noise, and Zeren did not want to face her wrath when of if she woke. Zera's featured relaxed again, then fell deeper into her sleep. Zeren and Joey sighed in relief. They didn't want a repeat of last time...

"So you see, we can't just give up now. We didn't in the other situations, or on the other people. And we could've died the whole time too! We won't be starting now." After what seemed like an eternity, Sonic decided to let go of Shadow. Ruby eyes glared harshly at the escaping blue prey.

"Wise words Sonic. I agree with you, but I'm also with Knuckles on this one too. We gotta start proving this with some kind of action then." Rouge spoke up. She was beside her hero, alongside Amy. Tails, Cream, and Cheese were sitting on the floor, surrounding the coffee table. Charmy was sitting on the arm of the couch the guys and Zera were occupying.

"And that's just what we're going to do! Right Sonic?" Amy clapped happily. Sonic gave her a thumbs up as he sat back down in his spot.

"So, how are we gonna do that? What's our firs step?" No one had an easy answer, or an answer at all for the bumble bee. No one had any good ideas.

Except for Zeren, of course...

"I think I know where to start." He started. Everyone looked at him, hope starting to appear in drained eyes once again. "It could be risky, but it's the only chance we got right now."

"Well, what's your idea Mr. Zeren?" Cream asked while she was petting Cheese. Zeren looked like he was still pondering things over for a moment. Then his face brightened up.

"Right! Okay, let's do it! And sorry guys, this is a solo mission...with Zera of course." Shadow frowned.

"Zeren, you seriously aren't actually thinking about taking her out. Outside where the enemy is just circling us like sharks waiting to chew off our limbs like we're innocent little bunnies."

"Did I just get ignored completely?" Cream thought sadly, a pout forming on her face.

"Shadow, this is possibly the best time for her to go out into the public. Think about it: This whole thing started yesterday. If they're still sending information to the boss, then they'll be too busy to be looking for Zera. We can sneak out!" Zeren explained. Shadow didn't say anything. He looked like he wanted to, but he couldn't. "Sonic, could you hand me my jacket please? It's the white one."

"Alright...I can allow you to go out with Zera. Not in that way of course." Shadow started. That caught the orange echidna off guard, making his favored white jacket land on his face. Zeren glared while Sonic chuckled nervously. "But, only on one condition:... I'm coming along with you both."

"Wait what?! But why?" Zeren was close to whining. Sure, his idea was a mission purpose, but he also wanted to use his time to be alone with the female hedgehog. Having Shadow of all hedgehogs would just ruin everything.

"You'll be needing protection, will you not? I know you are not weak and can take care of yourself, but the girl is down for the count, meaning she'll slow you down as well. Don't think of me as a guardian, (Knuckles would be out of a job). I'm only going to be with you as an assistant." As usual, his face was an unemotional blank. Zeren couldn't find if Shadow had any other kind of intentions. It looked like Shadow's mind was made up, and Zeren knew he couldn't push him out of it.

"Oh, alright Shadow, you can come along. Can you take Zera for a moment? Please don't wake her up." Zeren instructed as Shadow scooped the girl in his arms. Joey frowned, while Zeren had a look like he wanted to kill him, but also a bit sad. It just upset him how good the two of them looked together.

Flash!

Okay, now it annoyed him since Rouge had to take a picture.

"Rouge, you better delete that picture by the I get back." Shadow threatened the albino bat who was smiling quite happily in the arms of knuckles.

"Calm down Stripes, it's not like I'm going to send it to anyone...But now that I think about..." The smile grew while the frown deepened.

"Rouge."

"Alright, alright! Jeez Hun, know when to take a joke. Setting it to wallpaper!" She sing-songed. Shadow had no other choice but to sigh.

"Zeren, we can go now right?"

"Yeah, we can." He faced the rest of his friends and team mates. 'We'll be back in a bit everyone. Do not open the for anything or anyone. If someone knocks, don't answer. The code if it's us is 3 knocks: the classic. And Shadow's screaming of course." Zeren walked out of the door before Shadow could comment. He turned to the others.

"Farwell." And was out with nothing else.

"I just have one question after all of that." Cream spoke up after a minute of so. "Were they just ignoring me and where exactly are they headed?"

XxX

"Zeren, I wouldn't call you crazy without a reason. But this, this is a pretty damn good one to say so." Shadow stated, feeling but not showing how awkward he felt. He felt like a father carrying his sleeping daughter in his arms because she passed out from too much fun and sugar. To why Zeren was looking crazy in the black male hedgehog's dark red eyes, was that he made Shadow use his hoodie to cover Zera up. It was ridiculous.

"I don't mind. You've called me worse in the past I think." Zeren called over his shoulder. Just down the street, and they'll be-

"Oh hey, it's you again!" Zeren heard a voice call out. He groaned as he skidded to a halt, Shadow doing the same. Sure, it could of been anyone on this street this voice was looking for, but he knew the familiarity to the voice. It was one of the girls from the other night, Nickki. He plastered a fake smile on his face.

"See? I told you we would meet again. Sadly, I still must be on the run." Nickki seemed to pout, but it vanished when she looked behind him.

"Is your friend here carrying a dead body? Or his pregnant girlfriend?" She had that face that was hoping for the later option which was the covered person be a male or female belonged to the black and red stranger and not the guy she was currently crushing on. Too bad for her, the boy she liked was in love with a dead body and/or a pregnant woman. Shadow, knowing what it means to act, lightly started to dance on the heels of his skates.

"Yes yes! My darling is about to blow! We are in a rush beyond imagination! Who wants to admit that their kid was born in the middle of a busy disgusting city street? My boy here will have to speak with you on a later date. Until then!" He managed to have a free hand to grab onto Zeren, forcing him to run down the corner with him, leaving a greatly stunned and confused Niccki to process what just happened.

"Wow Shadow, never could picture you as an actor." Zeren said, a small smile drawn on his lips as they stopped in an alleyway for Zeren to catch his breath.

"Tell anyone about my little Broadway performance, and you will be put in the hospital." Was all he said. It was noted. Silence was stalking them. Zeren was all the more use to Shadow's silence, but this time it felt...different. Like...Shadow knew.

"I know you know dude, so just say it." Zeren said after finally being able to breathe again. Shadow glanced at Zeren, then slowly started to smirk.

"Oh, so you felt it. I dare say, your powers are getting stronger." He paused, then continued on. "I realized where you were taking us when we stopped to talk to that girl. We're going to see them, are we not?" He asked simply. Zeren nodded. He was surprised that he didn't try to attack him yet. Zeren knew how Shadow felt coming out here, now especially like this. He sighed. Everything just has to be awkward with this guy.

"Yeah...glad you understood. I was getting nervous when you said you were coming. Sorry if this all kind of forced you to go with me.

"It's alright. You remind me of myself when I was with Maria like this." Shadow said lowly, like he didn't even want the orange male to hear. Oh, but he did. Zeren's eyes widened.

"Whoa Shadow, did you just say-"

"Oh look, there's Noah. He came out the back door. We can sneak Zera in the building this way without causing so much attention to ourselves." Shadow purposely interrupted his friend while he tried trotting over to him. Zeren sighed, then went after him.

"Shadow, what are...please don't tell me that this sleeping thing in your arms is her."

"Who said I was sleeping?" Piped out a voice. All the guys froze over, Zeren in the most fear than the others. He slowly removed his jacket off of Zera.

Only to see the face of Zera, alert and awake.

"How...how long have you been up?" He had to ask.

"About the time you guys were stopped by that girl. I did not enjoy the pregnant girlfriend statement even though it protected us. Nice acting there Shadow, I could use a few lessons from you." Shadow shifted in embarrassment. He had prayed that she was still asleep when that little scene played. Zera's attention went back to the male echidna. "So, who was that girl you were talking to Zeren?"

Uh oh.

"Zera, please don't get the wrong idea!" "I would never look at any other woman than you!" "She was the one that started talking to me, so I'm innocent!" Any one of those could have worked. They were the things that he wanted to say.

But...

"She's just a friend." He said the thing he knew he shouldn't have said. Silver eyes narrowed.

" 'Just a friend', you say? I suddenly don't believe you. Shadow, if you be kind as to put me down. Still not happy about being held, thank you." She said as the black and red hedgehog set her back on her own feet. A soft glare was placed on the nervous echidna, then shifted to the new fellow now known as Noah.

"I didn't think she'd be all that...punctual." Seeing as that was a way to be taken as an insult, he cleared his throat. "Beg pardon lass, sorry. Ignore that sudden comment. I'm Noah, the fine owner of this place. Zeren has told me and my brother quite a bit about you. And I didn't think you'd be this beautiful, nor think that I would be meeting you this soon, not that I'm not glad to meet you." He said as he shook her hand, now glaring at Zeren. The poor boy felt appalled.

"Why does everyone have to keep glaring at me today?"

"Noah, if we can continue this 'lovely' conversation inside. There's a reason why we came here to this back door." Shadow spoke up, already slipping in the doorway while Noah was still holding the door open. Feeling awkward about the handshake going on for too long for comfort, Zera slipped in after Shadow, leaving Noah and Zeren for one more weird moment.

"I can see why you like her so much."

"Shut up and get inside you old goat."

"Sheesh, touché." Noah giggled as Zeren rolled his eyes at Noah as he entered the building, Noah still smiling after him.

XxX

"Noah, you got some news you want to explain to me here?" Spencer said as calmly as he could. Shadow, Zera, and Zeren were in the back room with Spencer just when Noah arrived.

"No, not really. Our friends are here, aren't they?" He replied, a some what of a sarcastic smile on his face. Spencer was about to make a smart remark, but remembered he couldn't with their 'guest' being present. He glanced at her slightly, and it was still a sharp gaze.

One look at her, and it was a sight. She seemed so innocent, so young, so adorable on the outside. She was deemed normal on the outside for the most part. The bangs and the eyes were out of the question of normal. But he knew she was different on the inside. Inside, there was probably a dangerous, unstable, twisted, murderous, untrustworthy, insane demon of a being.

But that, of course, was just his first thought and inside impression of her.

"Don't mind Spencer. He doesn't really like...females...and gets ahead of himself sometimes. Either way guys..." Zeren pointed to Zera with pride, " This is Zera, codename: Zoey Allen. Please treat her well, I'm counting on you guys to keep her and each other safe." He started.

"Hold up! You're giving her to us now?! Did something happen already?!" Spencer raised his voice. Zeren slightly cowered behind the female hedgehog, for she was un phased. And neither was Shadow.

"Yes. 2 G.U.N undercover operatives has spotted Zera last night. As we speak, they are sending information to their head, and are on the double watch just for this young lady. Zeren decided that they seemed to be busy, we snuck out of his house to bring her to you. They would search house, but they would never think to look in a bar." Shadow said, looking at Zera as if he was angry with her, though he didn't even let that thought cross his mind. He had no reason to be with Zera. He was only...anxious.

"So until we're certain they completely searched every neighborhood, you'll bring Zera back to my house. Safely, and unspotted." Zeren added, his face well made up. Noah and Spencer didn't give a verbal response. They responded with their eyes. Both said I'll do my best. Spencer's of course having a bit less feeling in them. Happy enough with that, he turned to look at Zera again. He wanted to hold her close, feel her heart beat against his chest, feel her warm fur...But he knew that would only just embarrass her and even him.

"I know what you're thinking Zeren. I'll be fine. Remember I know to take care of myself, I've been doing it for a good amount of my life." She have him a small, sad smirk. He bit his lip, daring himself to do what he wanted. He did it.

He gently lowered his head to lightly kiss her forehead.

"I know. Better safe than sorry though." He said with a charming smile to her shocked yet rapidly blushing face. He walked away, just at the door before he turned his head again. "Come along, Shadow." With no hesitation, the male hedgehog followed behind him, shutting the door gently.

"Did you really just-"

"Realize this Shadow: I didn't question you when you talked about Maria, then I would hope that you would not question what I just...happened to do with Zera."

XxX

"What am I going to do? What am I going to do now?" Jackie pondered for the longest time. The situation just got worse. When she thought and hoped that the pair would be leaving soon, instead the fatal opposite happened.

Another pair had joined them.

"They multiplied...They must be the other operatives with them. Great, now I'm in double the trouble...I have to call him." Jackie decided. Shuffling to her special corner, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed her son.
"Zeren, please get your ass at the diner pronto. The enemy is coming in here in pairs! Where are you?!" She hissed as soon as she heard Zeren pick up the phone.

"Hello to you t-wait, WHAT?! They're at the diner?! And they're multiplying?! Mum, I just dropped off Zera with Uncle Noah and Spencer! And that isn't that far from the diner!"

"WHOA, WHO SAID YOU COULD TAKE MY GIRL OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE?! YA KNOW SHE CAN'T BE OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW!" Jackie did nothing but scream at him. Well, someone needed to do some breathing exercises...

"Mum, inside voice please. But yes, I had to. They would be searching the houses, but who would ever think to look at a bar, right? C'mon, tell me I'm good." He heard her grumble with a bit of unsatisfactory.

"Zeren, please just get here, alright?" She said tiredly. It wasn't even the afternoon yet, and Jackie was already low on energy. He felt bad.

"Alright Mum, Shadow and I are on our way. Give us a couple minutes, we'll hurry there. Please don't panic and stay low. Bye." He put his phone back in his jacket pocket, giving Shadow a look. He must of heard the conversation with those highly trained ears of his. With a nod, Shadow started to travel faster, hoping to get to Jackie in time.

"So, are you guys joining these lovely people?" Jackie was forced to smile and chat with her customers/opponents. She felt like her teeth were going to shatter any second if she made her smile any bigger. The panda bear shook his head.

"Oh no Ma'am, my counterpart and I had already eaten earlier today. We just decided to meet up with these two here. We should be leaving shortly and out of your hair soon. Sorry if we (mainly them) were of any trouble to you." He said, giving her a small polite smile. Oh, why did evil have to be partly adorable? Oh, if only this generation of men were as handsome and gentlemanly as hers were, she would've had a happy marriage...She blinked.

"No, you aren't any trouble to me at all dear." "Not like that at least. You have no idea how much of a threat you are to my happiness!" "So can I expect to find your payment on the table?" She asked, eye slightly twitching for no reason to everyone around her though she knew better.

"Huh? Oh yes, of course Jackie. Hopefully Ivy and I can come to an agreement with this payment." He smirked when Ivy gave him a look that clearly said I'm not paying. Jackie just chuckled lightly as she walked away again.

"Why me? Why is it always the mother that deals with the most stress in her life story?" Jackie whined softly. She turned her head when she heard the front door open. She yelped in joy (hopefully quietly) when she saw her son had leapt onto the scene.

"Oh Zeren, thank you." She whispered as she held her son. He patted her back, then looked over her shoulder.

Only to see that eyes of jade were staring at him.

"So this...is the great team that was hunting down my Zera... I should just strike them down where they sit. But I know I can't..." He let his mother slip out of the hug.

"Oh, where's Shadow by the way? Didn't you say he was coming along with you?" She glanced around, hoping to see her black and red hero in one of the seats, or in a booth. She frowned slightly.

"Hmm? Oh, Shadow decided to sit in the break room. He just had this bad feeling to come in. You know, since this is G.U.N we are talking about. Who would know what would happen if they saw Shadow."

"Guess that makes sense...So, what are we going to do now?" She asked him curiously. That, was actually a good question. He was sure he had some form of a plan earlier. Now, it has escaped him, and he honestly hated that. (Then again, who wouldn't be pissed off when that happens. It pretty much ruins your life until you could remember it again. And for most people like him, it sometimes does and doesn't. It's all pending).

"I dunno Mum...let's just, shoo off the people that's planning to harm my, our, Zera." Zeren whispered back to his mother. She nodded slightly, suddenly feeling nervous and scared. She grabbed their check and placed it on the table quickly without saying a comment and back to her son in wait.

"Speakin' of Zera." Jackie started. Oh boy, here we go..Zeren tensed at the neck, now beady eyes forced to look upon their mother's. "I know you said it was in the best interest to send Zera to our trusted friends and I can see your reasons to be correct, but...were you okay with giving away Zera?" She asked, suddenly serious and not afraid to give her son a look. He didn't want to hear that question just yet.

"I wanted to do what's best for her. My feelings have nothing to do with all of this." He replied a bit too fast, which was at his mother's pleasure. She knew he was lying that way.

"Oh, I know that not even you believe all that pish posh. Admit it, you didn't want her at a place were guys pick up girls faster than I can pick up dirt. And you know how fast I can be." She said with a wink. Zeren tried to fight a blush, but it was proven useless as the color of love graced itself on his cheeks.

Was it true? Yes, it was true though.

"I felt more fearful than courageous when I let Zera go. I know those two can take care of her, but what happens if a drunken customer storms on her, attacks her, rapes her or even worse, steals her first kiss from her?...From me...I wanted to be her first kiss, her cuddle, her first love, her first...everything..." The blushing intensified as his thoughts took a dramatic run upwards. "I thought I put on a brave act when I kissed her forehead but..." He sighed, "It broke as soon as we left. Hell, I thought I wasn't even acting the whole time... I just don't know what I'm doing anymore or if I even can do." He sounded deflated in a way, another sigh escaping. Man, this kid likes to sigh a lot. His mother smiled at him with sympathy as she patted his back.

"Honey, don't push yourself, and you should especially can't put pressure on Zera and yourself. Let it all flow naturally. And I know she cares deeply about you." Hope flashed threw his amethyst eyes. "So don't stress over this. I'll bet she'll admit that she fell for you by the end of the week. And it's Thursday, so it will be very soon I say." He blushed all over again when she winked and she walked away to tend to her customers that were and weren't spies.

"She's right though... Zera is new to feelings after all, and I shouldn't scare her like that... But sometimes I can't help it. She's just so...amazing that she drives me crazy..." He started to chuckle softly at his childish advances towards the female,

when he heard someone laughing along with him.

He shivered. He knew that laugh. That light laugh that once had as least not annoyed him too much. Now it was just causing him grief and distress. He turned around to look a the ice cream bar, and saw the person he knew he would see.

That bitchy fox, Liah Marks.

"Oh, I'm sorry, didn't mean to interrupt your chuckle fit." She said slyly, turning herself to face her ex, stirring her milkshake with her straw then took an innocent slurp. "Ahh~. So, what's up tiger? Why aren't ya in school?"

"I could as you the same thing, foxy." He replied, venom now in his voice. A smirk was born on Liah.

"Sick. I left early cuz I was sick. Now now, don't start calling me a liar babe, you can always check temperature if you don't believe me~." No, he really didn't want to do that. He could actually tell that she was already telling the truth. Her eyes had rarely noticeable but still there bags under them. That black nose of hers was starting to turn an interesting shade of red. Yeah, she had a little something going on with herself.

"No need, I can tell. But why are you here, and not at home eatin' some chicken soup?" He already knew the answer to that but he wanted to hear it all come out of her mouth. She smiled lightly, teeth just barely visible.

"Why, I came to see you of course. And your mother too. I always liked her though she never liked me. I knew she never did, dunno why though, I am quite fabulous." She smiled again when Zeren narrowed his eyes.

"Because?" A sour response was made. A chuckle erupted.

"Because? Because I know what you know. Or should I say, I know who you know." Her smile grew, but it disappeared after a moment. " I know about your 'cousin' Zeren. You should really keep your conversation on the down low. Foxes have especially good hearing, not even doors can stop us from getting what we, and now I, want." No, she was bluffing. She couldn't have known about.

"Wait a minute..." Memories came flooding back the night he went to Noah and Spencer to talk about Zera. The girl he ran into by accident, how she spoke to him, the weird vibe he got from her from that bump. "That...that was you, wasn't it? You were the girl I met that night! How...why did you do it? What do you have against her?" Zeren was starting to feel something bloom up inside of him, and he was slowly starting to enjoy that feeling. The feeling of power...

"Why? Ha! It should be obvious. I don't like her, and she's an obvious threat for everything. I know she likes you, she partly admitted to it when I confronted her that fateful day about you. It was cutely pathetic really." She took another sip while she smiled like the creature she was opposite of, an angel, while Zeren glared at her. Zera was anything but pathetic. He was about to reply back before she tried continuing. "She's dangerous Zeren." Too late. "A threat to all of us. Besides the fact that she of all people stole your heart completely. And only in a few days. You definitely have some charm left down there after you dumped me." Jade eyes shimmered in anger. "She...of all people Zeren... You don't know how much that hurts..." She may have been pouting, but Zeren's deadly stature did not change.

"Hurt? HURT?! You couldn't even begin to imagine what that word even means!" He growled, starting to close the space in between them. "You caused Zera pain, you caused everyone of us pain! Over something so incredibly stupid! Dating me... I had hoped you wouldn't turn out like a bitch, but you've proven me wrong and worse." He hooked his fingers under the collar of her shirt, gently lifting her off the floor. "I wanted to forgive you but it clearly looks like I can't."

"Hmph, why so serious?" She didn't seem at all intimidated by his threatening demeanor nor his dangerous hold. His fingers were close to her throat. She can't anger him any further. What to do at a time like this?

Play the innocent girl.

"Perhaps I don't, but that only applies physically. Mentally, emotionally I know what pain is." She finished off her milkshake, then yelped. That wasn't brain freeze she felt. "Oww!" She yelped again, the pain increasing. She looked down at Zeren and her face drew up in horror.

His gloves were glowing a pure white kind of shine, and yet something about it seemed dark and evil. Zeren himself, looked like a demon. His orange fur was no more. Dark blue, an evil dark blue. Pearly white teeth grinded against each other as if trying to become sharper, then curled into vicious grin.

"Because when something is about Zera, I'm dead serious." Zeren replied. He knew he was causing a scene, but he didn't give a damn.

Of course, until his powers started to feel out of control and static was erupting on his gloves. He dropped her.

A warning to show you what will happen to you and your stupid Z Killerz if you come anywhere near Zera. You'll never find her, or harm her ever again." He stared her down as she remained a rock. "Damn it, why won't she leave? I'm about to pass out here..." "Get out of my mom's diner. Now." He bellowed. Slowly, as if she dipped in a pod of electric eels, she twitched as she left her money the counter, and twitched even more when she walked out the door. Minutes went by, and he finally let out a relieved breath. His fur started to change back to its beautiful orange glory, but the sparks were still alight. He sighed, then glanced at his mother.

He was so lucky that those spies left before his mother blew up.

"THE HELL ZEREN?! YOU COULD'VE KILLED HER AND YOU!" Surprisingly, no one else seemed like they wanted to leave, it was quite an interesting scene after all. Plus, Jackie had plenty of outbursts here, so it wasn't that scary or weird. Jackie may have sounded pissed off and looked slightly pissed as well, but her face held fear and sadness. Eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying this entire time. Her bottom lip was shaking, quivering. Slowly, he staggered over to his mother, holding her in comfort. She whimpered lightly, feeling afraid for her youngest yet again.

"But, you know I always pull through Mum...Sometimes you gotta worry about your other son, y'know?" He chuckled lightly, releasing her and started to head back to where he thought Shadow was.

"Oh Zeren...you have a better idea to why I worry and am a bit overprotective of you..."

"I think you could've handled that a bit better, if you don't mind me saying so." Shadow said as soon as he entered the male changing room. Shadow was sitting in a chair with one leg propped over the other, head leaning against the wall. Lidded eyes opened halfway towards the echidna. "I did say that your powers are getting stronger...just not in your control. Seems to me like you have something else in common with Zera. How adorable." Shadow smirked, but it faded when he saw Zeren slump against the wall. Already knowing what's going on and no need to ask questions, Shadow traveled to the kitchen, returning very shortly with a glass of water. "Drink this now, you'll start to feel better soon. Guess even you have your limits." Zeren eyed him with attitude, but took the glass with small gratitude. The glass gently kissed his lips, letting the clear liquid enter his mouth. He let out a sigh of relief as he started to cool down, the overpowering blazing feeling dying down. When he felt that his power level of sanity was safe, he gave the glass back to Shadow, who went to the kitchen to wash it up.

"I can't believe I went that far...I wouldn't believe it if I didn't do it myself...I was dark...When did the ancient scrolls, hell, even Knuckles tell me that that wasn't possible for us?...How could I have done it. with no stress and no thought about it?" Zeren was confused, Perhaps when they head back home, he could ask the usually distanced echidna for some help.

"Perhaps Knuckles, maybe even Joey can help elaborate on this. Do you want to get going?" Zeren turned his head slightly to see Shadow leaning against the door frame coolly. He would only go if Zeren said so and was feeling okay with a small adventure.

Maybe he cared too much about Zeren.

But to his relief, Zeren nodded as he slowly rose to a stand. Shadow, not always doing this, tried to offer a hand to help him up but Zeren politely refused.

Okay, so 'politely declined' in Zeren's book meant a harsh glare to the hedgehog who didn't show his kind side so often and shove his hand away.

"And I thought I was a rude person...Then again, Zeren can be just as bad as me when it comes to positive and negative attitudes..." Shadow sighed as he followed his comrade back into the restaurant. Jackie glanced at them, smiling slowly when she saw her orange boy walking well and alive again. She'd hug'm, if she wasn't busy with customers. Zeren took his mother's smiling face as the cue to leave.

"Shadow, do you think Zera is okay?" Zeren asked after awhile. He wasn't being limp like anymore, but he was walking slower. Shadow was okay with that, he wanted him to pace himself. He shrugged.

"Well, that certainly didn't boast up my confidence and hope in Zera..." "If you want to check on her already, you're not looking crazy and desperate...In my book at least." Shadow felt a tired glare on him, but he ignored him. "It's only been...20 minutes, if your roles were reversed, wouldn't you think that that was a bit...weird?"

"Hey hey, it's better to be safe than sorry Shads." Zeren protested. But, he also saw the dark hedgehog had found a good point. It did sound a bit...creepy. "I feel like she already sees me as creepy...What exactly did Liah tell Zera? How much did she tell her? Is that why she was acting so weird around me that day?" This made Zeren tense up with just the thought. He anxiously wanted to call Noah, but he figured he would be busy. It's soon Bum Hour anyway. "What if...possibly I said too much...Liah was listening in to the conversation, and she could've gotten ideas to get rid of Zera and I..." Worry was staining his face. "No no, not even Liah would be stupid enough to try anything at this time. It's too soon..." The again, Liah has been quick to make moves in the past. She is a very unpredictable foe.

Zeren was very sure she'll do something so insane it could easily take them all down in one move.

"Would you like to share with the rest of the class what you're thinking?" Shadow commented. Zeren blinked, and was finally aware of his surroundings. They had finally escaped from downtown, and back in Zeren's neighborhood. In fact, they were just now entering the final block to his house. To safety.

"Shadow, call me crazy again-"

"Alright, you're crazy Zeren."

"...Not funny...But...You wouldn't think that Liah...Well, she wouldn't go as far as to call one of our enemies...Eggman, G.U.N..." Zeren said slowly. This question was interesting.

"I can't say for sure. Only if you've proven yourself guilty. And you haven't...right?" Shadow didn't feel like listening to the whole fight Zeren had with the female fox.. He only wanted to watch since it was a bit amusing in a dark way, which Shadow was completely okay with. But still, just the thought of Zeren giving something away as precious as information on Zera made his insides burn, and the rest of him grow a temper. "You didn't say anything about her to the fox, did you?" Shadow asked again, being more persistent and closing the space between himself and the quiet echidna. Zeren didn't respond, he didn't want Shadow to find out he actually was guilty. He would kill him! With nothing holding him back!

Except, maybe his mother and brother. Okay, so he'll just end up in the hospital for the rest of his high school career.

"It...might have slipped out somewhere in our conversation...in my moment of stupidity and rage..." He said sheepishly before running like hell like his life depended on it, which in this case, it honestly did.

"ZEREN!" Shadow roared. Oh yes, he pumped those legs faster. His life might end sooner than he thought and hoped it to be. That was the angriest Zeren had ever heard Shadow been. More angry than the Joey incident, the prank on him and Sonic, and especially the Christmas party humiliation he suffered a few years back. He was angrier than all of those combined! He was afraid to look back.

"You know you can't outrun the Ultimate Lifeform, dear boy." Said boy screamed in fear, for Shadow's voice was close to him. He looked behind him, making him step up his game.

Shadow's usually calm and collected ruby eyes were a maddening blood red, almost as bad as Zera's when she was that pissed off. Almost.

"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR! DREAMS TO START AND FINISH!" Zeren sobbed out, almost crying in joy when he saw his house come into view.

"Oh don't worry, I'll make sure that they'll happen for you." Shadow cracked a crooked grin towards the frightened echidna. "Darn it, it got to the steps. How did that little thing beat me here? I could've ran circles around him more than once!" The hedgehog grinded his teeth together in aggravation. Beaten by an echidna in a race. Heh, what a shame. This will first and definitely the last time that that would happen.

'Shadow, are you calm now?" I don't need to get the taser do I?" Zeren warned his elder friend. After that awkward... daylight chase scene, the orange echidna wasn't going to take any chances. Shadow walked to him calmly, nodded slightly, and waited for the door to be unlocked and opened. He guessed that Zeren already pounded on the door, for not a moment after he joined Zeren's side did Joey swing open the door with the upmost of strength, almost ripping off the door hinges.

"Zeren! Thank Chaos you're alright!" The reed echidna pulled his younger sibling into a death hug, causing him to spur out.

"I...can't...breathe...Getting darker..." Which, thankfully, made Joey release the other Groter boy.

"What exactly happened out there? I heard you screaming." Joey glanced at the silent hedgehog. "Shadow, what did you do?"

"How dare he accuse me!...Even though this is the right time to do so..." "Nothing. I guess I let my thoughts get the best of my mind. Besides Zeren wasn't screaming that loud. He isn't that much of a girl." Said echidna was glaring softly at him.

"Dude, I heard you guys from just two blocks away. The entire neighborhood heard you. Hell I think even Zera could you guys from-..." That's when he realized the female version of Shadow wasn't standing with them. "Where exactly is she?"

Oh yeah, the others didn't know what these two did with her.

"We'll explain more of her absence when you let us inside." Shadow said, already passing by the Groter boys. Joey looked at Shadow, Zeren, than back at Shadow.

"Why is he our friend again?"

XxX

"You made Zeren scream again, didn't you? Rouge asked just as the male hedgehog slipped into the living room. He glared at the albino bat, then walked with the angry grace into the kitchen. "Jeez, what's got Mr. Sunshine to have a bunch of clouds over his head?"

"Let it go Rouge. Maybe he's stressed out. He wants to keep Zera probably just as much as Zeren does." Knuckles told his girlfriend, who immediately shut herself up. That might of been a first, but only for a different reason which she liked. That might of been a first. She looked up when she saw Joey and Zeren enter the room,

but no Zera.

"Wait, where's my girl at? What happened to her, what did you do with her?" Rouge was all up with questions. Knuckles had to hold his girl down. She looked like she was going to kick the living crap out of Zeren. Shadow chose the wrong time to come back out from the kitchen.

"SHADOW!"

That was all it took for Shadow's cup to fall out of his hand.

Slowly, as if being dramatic, Shadow tilted his head at Rouge that made his head quills bounce a bit.

"What the hell was that for? I wanted to drink that!" If Shadow wasn't steamed, everyone would have been laughing since this was his loose, childish side he was showing. Screw the others for knowing this and seeing him when he got startled, he wanted the cup of water! This was war!

"What do you mean 'what the hell was that for?" We are missing another living being! We're missing Zera! What did you guys do wit her?!" Everyone but Zeren looked at Shadow.

"First of all, I thought you didn't like her! Didn't you say that she isn't what she seems? That she's suspicious?"

"Who said I didn't like her? I love that girl! And that was in the past Mr. Stripes, before I knew and understood her. You know how I get when we get someone new to join us." Shadow's scowl didn't fade away, but it lessoned on its more...threatening features. "I saw what she really is: All she is is innocent, fearful, and lovable, and now I know not to be all spy and untrustworthy on her." She glared at her best friend. "It's you and Mr. Screams here I need to be thinking if I can trust you or not. So I'm going to ask you again: Where is Zera?"

Shadow didn't bother to look at Rouge, nor answer her question. Cream, knowing that no one else would be willing to do so, went into the kitchen and came back out with paper towels to clean up the mess. She innocently kneeled in front of Shadow, cleaning up everything and picking up Shadow's cup to return back to the kitchen. She appeared back with the cup filled with water. The young little rabbit shyly handed the older hedgehog the cup, hoping he would accept it and not daring to look him in the eye.

"Well, I'm waiting!" Rouge said impatiently. Shadow took the cup and whispered a thank you. Shocked that he actually spoke to her, Cream squeaked out a 'you're welcome Mr. Shadow' before sitting back on the floor, holding Cheese tightly and letting his huge chao head hide her embarrassed face.

"Talk to the boy who knows the most about the female hedgehog." Shadow said simply, finally being able to get a gulp of water. Rouge's turquoise eyes scanned over to the mentioned echidna who took his place from where he was sitting earlier.

"Have they just been sitting here and talking calmly the whole time Shadow, Zera, and I were out?" He calmly looked at Rouge. "I put Zera with Noah and Spencer."

"WHAT?!" Rouge and not surprisingly Joey shouted. The others gasped and murmured in unison before Zeren pressed on.

"I had to guys. She's safer with them than us. They'll be searching the neighborhoods, not the city. Besides, I know we can trust those two with her. She'll be fine."

"You don't look so sure of that yourself Chief." Sonic stepped in. Was his concern for Zera's well being obviously on his face?

"Well Sonic, looks can be deceiving." Zeren replied, a little harshly. Sonic calmly held his arms out like he didn't want to pick a fight with the male echidna.

"I still don't think that that was the best choice. You were thinking about it from your point of view, right?" A confused nod. "Well, how about from Zera's point of view?" A sly smile started to appear on Rouge's face when she saw Zeren tilt his head in confusion. "Dude, in moments like that, you don't think like you. You think like her. And you failed the test. Think about it. These guys know more about Zera than we and especially you do. What Zera and Espio told us last night proves it, mainly that wolf guy who clearly has a strong and deep relationship-"

"They were somehow friends Rouge. They weren't like that. He's too old for her anyway. Stop assuming every friendship will end up in a relationship." He commented quickly, hating bringing up someone that Zera liked more than him, even though that the guy has been and is still her enemy. Rouge smiled.

"For the first time ever kiddo, I wasn't assuming anything." She chuckled when she saw a tiny blush kiss Zeren's cheeks. "But anyway, they know her. How she acts, how she plans. Wolf boy can predict her next plan. G.U.N might be searching houses soon, but that special team could check the unexpected places. Meaning the club as well." Rouge looked like she was thinking something over.

"Well, isn't that dandy! So you pretty much just screwed Zera over, and not in the way you would want to." Knuckles said, smiling slightly when he saw Zeren glare with a large blush on his face.

"What was that Shads?" Sonic asked the hedgehog. Everyone turned their attention from the male echidnas to the two male hedgehogs. "C'mon Shadow, I know you just said something. Spill." Sonic got a bit demanding, which was definitely out of his character. Shadow, tightening his grip around his drink, stayed silent. He glared at his blue rival.

"You all want to know what I know shouldn't be said but must soon be spilled? Fine! Our beloved dork here let information on the girl go to a small but still worthy opponent: Liah Marks." Shadow glared at Zeren again, then walked back walked back into the kitchen.

"SHADOW!" Zeren shouted. Nope. The black hedgehog took no chance nor care to even hear his words.

"Zeren...You didn't. You wouldn't betray our little Zera, right?" Amy asked him. Her voice sounded sad, hurt, and scared. Zeren gave her a look of bewilderment.

"WHAT?! No, I would never betray my dear like that! I just..." He fumbled, now embarrassed on what happened and what he was about to say. "I was just...so in rage at how she was talking about Zera so I... kinda let a few words fly... I'm sorry, I should've handled my anger better than how I did..." He said bashfully.

"ZEREN!" Why was everyone shouting the first word that came out of their mouth? "Do you understand what you've done?! We're all vulnerable now! How could you do something like that?! Liah knows a thing or two about us all! G.U.N is surely going to come running then knocking down the ding dang door!" Tails said, panic and anger rising in his voice. Cream crawled over cutely towards the nervous kitsune and even started stroking his back to calm him down. He sighed at his frustration. Never before have any of them, except Sonic, seen Tails freak out this way and he was suppose to be the calm voice of reason.

"Maybe...maybe that won't happen Tails..." Cream, the girl who was suppose to be the most positive child there could possibly be out there, wasn't sounding all that positive.

"Cream sweetie, are you alright?" Amy now stood up to face her young friend. Sweet, brown eyes looked watery and ready to burst.

"NO!" She started. Everyone seemed to pause in time, even the ebony hedgehog in the kitchen made his sounds erased to be heard. Did Cream just...shout? "I just...I suddenly have...a bad feeling about this..." Small tears fell from big eyes.

"Cream...please, don't cry..." Tails said softly. He was uncomfortable for a strange reason. He never saw Cream cry...like that at least. He's seen her cry plenty of times before, over serious and unserious things. But she managed to put on a brave face in the end. Tails decided to do something that would make him feel even more uncomfortable but would at least make the little rabbit happy and smile. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. The tears stopped flowing.

"Tails..." Cream mumbled softly. She felt her face heat up. She had never before been in this much close contact with Tails like at the Christmas party. She inhaled softly, trying to get a good whiff of his scent while still, as always, trying to look innocent as innocent could be. Rouge knew better of course. She always did.

"Well, as cute as this little scene...is, I really must be going out now." The bat smiled sweetly, trying to get out of the hold of Knuckles. He frowned at her back.

"Always trying to escape from me Rouge, I think that's a bit suspicious." Knuckles sounded like he was whining. Of course, everyone knew that the male echidna wouldn't ever actually whine. He had too much pride. Rouge looked over her shoulder at her boyfriend, a sly smile drawn on her face.

"Maybe, but you definitely don't see me running away from ya at night, do you~?" Rouge rant made the echidna blush like he never did before, which only made her smirk deepen as she started to walk away from him.
"Ta-ta dearies, I'll be back in a little bit. Don't have fun without me!" She called over shoulder as she walked out the door, and was gone without another world. Curious eyes wavered at Knuckles.

"So Knuckles, care to ex-"

"NO, NO!" Was all he said. He did not need any type of teasing from his friendly rival. Zeren chuckled, glad that the anger and heat was taken off of him. Speaking of the knuckled fool.

"Knuckles, may I speak with you in private? It's actually important. In the kitchen if you may." The male echidna stood up, his elder companion looking confused.

"U-um, sure, but isn't Shadow still in there? Why not just.. go to your room or something?" Knuckles questioned. Something was up, Knuckles knew that for a fact.

"Actually, the black speedster is involved with this, so it's fine. Just c'mon already." Zeren said, walking into the kitchen.

"Wait, involved? Zeren, what's that suppose to mean? ARE WE GOING TO BE HEARINF FROM THE POLICE AGAIN?!" Knuckles roared as he got up and went after the younger, somehow echidna in the kitchen.

Why do I have the feeling we'll actually need the cops soon?" Amy commented, finally getting up off the floor to sit back in her seat. Tails shrugged, glad to have his moment done with Cream.

"Because we're us, no other reason to it." Tails said. He was just about to head upstairs when he heard Knuckles phone ring. Thinking there should be no harm in answering his friend phone while he was in a 'meeting' he picked it up off the couch and took the call. "Knuckles' phone, Tails speaking in his absence- Oh, hey." A pause while the person on the other side spoke. "Um, sure, I'll tell him so once he comes back. Just tell me why I need him to do this? You can't handle this on your own?" He tried chuckling but the other voice wasn't going to let him. He sighed. "Okay okay, just hurry up. Later." Tails said as he hung up. The girls and Sonic were giving him odd looks.

"What was that all about lil buddy?" Sonic asked. Tails shrugged, in a way not caring what was just going on...yet. He didn't want to have another outburst that will end him with another headache and weird feeling.

"That was Rouge...She wanted me to tell Knuckles to meet up with her in about a few minutes. Something about helping her picking up something?" Too late, Tails was getting that feeling that something was going to happen soon.

"And...you're not suspicious about that? I mean, this is Rouge and Knuckles we're talking about." Amy said.

"Let's just get there when we get there." Sonic said calmly, now laying down on the couch like there's nothing horrible going on. "At least, I hope so...Just have faith in Chaos Sonic, and all will be well..." Sonic prayed, hoping that he was right.

He could be wrong, right?

Well, that took forever to finish. I tried finishing this before I went to New York, but I had technical problems again. And once I came back, I was too tired and carsick to finish this. And now, it took me until 4:07pm to finish this. I feel accomplished. :Y Anyway, I'll let the things that needed to be said but ya'll could care less about and let you enjoy the rest of your vacation.

# of words: 10,782 ( Omg this has to be a record for me by far).

# of pages: 35

Happy holidays and a Happy New Year to all! ~Ari