I LIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVEEEEEE!

Did you miss me? I'm back everybody! Glad to BE back!

As for the story, I hope, fellow readers and reviewers, that you didn't think I gave up on this story. Like I said many times before, I hate it when I read a story and see the writer has abandoned it. I don't want to do that to this story, as it was a huge project for me and since I had a lot of support. If it wasn't for the kind reviews of all of you, I think I would have given up this story a long time ago.

Speaking of reviews...I HAVE 200?! ! I feel...so...awesome! :D Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Also, I forgot all about leaving my little Author's Notes in the last chapter...hmm...oh well! On with the story!

Disclaimer: I'M STILL ALIVE!


Shadow cut through the darkness, making his way to Sonic's house. The only thing he seemed to focus on was his breath, clear in the bitter cold. He watched it form a white wispy cloud, before it would fade away. He became fascinated by it.

He slowly raised his hand in front of his muzzle. He breathed in quickly, feeling the chill of the air sting his tongue, before blowing the air out. The white puff hit his hand, stilled for a second, and then dispersed.

Gone.

Shadow's thoughts were never bright. He wasn't like Amy Rose, whose mind was one-tracked in such things as pink ponies throwing up rainbows and singing flowers, he despised the very thought of what went on in the girl's mind. His thoughts were more logical, as his eyes analyzed every detail possible.

I've never felt so…empty…

Shadow rolled his eyes. Of course, you have. Think of the ARK. Think of the Doctor, Maria…the dreams you used to have of Earth. Think of how they were destroyed. Yet, none of those could compare to what he felt now.

He had left the hospital only a short time before. The nurse had came in and told him he had to leave. Shadow glared at the nurse and was ready to tell the nurse off when Blaze stopped him, telling him that it would be better if he left and got a good night's rest. Shadow didn't argue against her, and solemnly left the room.

But now, as he looked up to the night sky, he wished that he had persisted. He had left her all alone in that empty room. Even when he fell asleep beside Blaze, feeling her heartbeat and watching her chest slowly rise and fall, there was still that uncertainty between them. Nothing seemed secure to Shadow anymore.

He looked at his reflection as he walked past a store window. Shadow the Hedgehog wasn't there. He wasn't staring back at him, like he should be. All Shadow saw was a pathetic looking hedgehog, with his ears drooped, his hands stuffed in his pockets, and an unfamiliar look in his eyes. They weren't so frozen. They didn't look so hard and cold. They looked…sad. With a heavy sigh, Shadow turned away from his reflection and dragged himself up the street.

---

Reaching Sonic's house, Shadow noticed the plastic Santa that he and Blaze had put there. Her face seemed etched in his mind, laughing quietly as if she didn't want anyone to hear her voice…her melodious voice erupting into clear words and small smiles that were worth seeing.

His anger flared and he kicked the Santa off the step. Stupid, fat old man! Who the hell goes prowling around and breaking into peoples' houses anyway?! Shaking off his sudden fury, he cautiously turned the doorknob and entered the house. Immediately, his heart sank. He could no movements, no talking and cheerful giggles. There was no Christmas music blaring, like it usually was. There was only a stale silence that hung heavily in the air, threatening to crush the house itself.

He kicked off his boots impatiently and entered the living room. Everyone was there, but only one looked in his direction, and that was Sonic, who had been staring out of the window.

Shadow took a deep breath and took a seat on the couch. He fixed his sights on Tails, who sat in the middle of the floor, toying with a small robot. Tails' eyes focused the toy, caressing it gently as if he had it forever.

Curious, he turned to Amy and whispered, "Is the kid…okay?"

Amy looked at Shadow and weakly smiled. "Tails is very upset. He hasn't talked at all."

That's unusual, Shadow thought, the few times I've been around the boy he never shuts up.

Rouge and Knuckles leaned against each other across from Shadow. They sat together, glaring at the floor. It took Shadow awhile to notice that they were holding hands. He waited for Sonic to say something and embarrass the two.

Nothing was said.

Shadow finally realized that no matter what he created in his mind, it wouldn't make things the way they were before the fire. He had started to assume that everyone would go back to the normal routine, the regular behavior. Shadow scowled to himself, feeling foolish. Why wouldn't they be upset? They were friends with Blaze…they had every right to be emotional.

Amy Rose watched Shadow as he closed his eyes, his breathing becoming shaky. No one else seemed to notice, so she lightly tapped him on the shoulder, checking to see if he was all right.

Shadow's eyes snapped open and flashed to Amy. She looked worried.

"Shadow, I may not know you as a friend…but I know you well enough to know when you're upset."

Shadow glared at her. "I'm fine, Amy. Don't pester me."

Amy shook her head. "Shadow," she said, "it's okay if you feel sad. No one is going to judge you if you let yourself cry."

His ruby eyes widened as she gave him a comforting smile. He noticed her own eyes swelling with tears.

"Everyone feels lost and scared at some point…believe me, Shadow. You don't have to keep up this strong front when we can see you are just as scared as us." Amy patted his hand. "Please, don't isolate yourself…not from us…"

Shadow slowly looked to the floor. In spite of himself, his throat started burning as he watched tiny droplets fall from his eyes. Shadow quickly wiped them away, although tears started to well up in his eyes again. He gave Amy a smile, one she had never saw before.

"Thank you, Amy Rose."

Some Amy and Shadow friendship forming here. If anyone remembers Sonic Adventure 2, you would remember when Amy helps trigger Shadow's real memories about Maria and shows him that he has to help save the Earth. I guess I just sort of liked the mood they created and wanted to bring some of that into the story, so I wrote this chapter. I hope you don't read this and think: Filler. I actually think I HAD to write this, to help it flow a lot more and to show some comfort in this rescue-mission-gone-wrong ordeal.

Anyways, read and review.

-Kendell

P.S. I'M NOT DEAD! 8D