Chapter 6
Awkward Acquaintances and Ban-aids
It was during dinner that night that Rouge decided to make Maria's life even more complicated. After the chase and questioning from the team, Maria thought for sure she would get a good night's rest. After all, she has had non-stop action for the past two days, threats, and appearances from new enemies and dreams. How could it get any worse for her? Well, she was about to find out.
"So," Rouge started, trying to make conversation at the quiet table. "Do you have a place to stay, Shadow?"
He looked up from his soup bowl and sighed, "Last night was my last night at the hotel, so I guess you could say I don't have a place to stay."
Maria kept her eyes focused on the floating alphabets in her soup. She didn't want to look up for fear he would look straight at her. Everyone else at the table was silent, probably because they had used up there voices to throw questions at her. Even Sonic didn't say a word, although he looked interested in the conversation.
"I know!" Rouge said, smiling, "Why don't you say with me?"
Maria practically spit out her soup.
"If that's okay." Shadow said, trailing off. He glanced at Maria and back to Rouge.
"Maria is staying with me too." Rouge said as if she just remembered. She turned to Maria and asked, "Maria, is it okay with you?"
Maria looked up to see both of them staring at her as well as everyone else. She looked back down and said, a little too loudly "Yeah! Sure! It's fine with me! Doesn't bother me at all!"
"Then it's settled." Rouge said, "I'll help you move your things in."
@----------
Maria climbed out of bed, realizing it was way too early to go to sleep. She gazed at her clock that said 6:30 and sighed. 'I better go downstairs and wait for them to get back, I don't want to be rude.' She went into her closet and put on a bathrobe over her large nightshirt. She walked down the stairs to the living and plopped down on the leather love seat. She sighed and rubbed her eyes. 'I wanted to see Shadow so bad, so why am I acting like this? I-I have this weird feeling every time I see him, I don't think that's how meeting an old friend should feel like. I can't help but not look at him and ignore him because when I don't the feeling gets so strong it hurts. I know it's not my disease; this is different. But, if I can deal with my disease; then I can deal with this.'
Just then she heard the front door open with a friendly greeting and the shuffle of feet. "Hello, we're back!" It was Rouge's voice. 'Shadow would never say something like that,' Maria giggled to herself. 'I guess it would be easier if I went to meet them.' She got and went to the front door. Rouge was messing with her keys trying to find the one that locks the door. Shadow was standing near the stairs holding onto one bag of luggage.
"Do you guys need help?" She asked, trying to hide a blush from creeping up her face.
"I'm fine, but you can show Shadow to his room. It's the first on the right." Rouge said. She pulled out a purple key. "Ah ha! I found it!"
"Okay then." Maria said. She looked at Shadow and nodded, "Follow me." She started up the stairs with him right behind her. It felt as if there was no one behind her; she couldn't hear his footsteps as they climbed the stairs. But then, it must be from battle experience; having to be quiet all the time. She opened the door on the right and stepped in.
It was a sky blue room with dark blue carpeting. The bed was right near the window and the closet was opposite that. The room had wood furniture too. Shadow placed his luggage onto the bed and Maria snapped to attention. "Oh, do you need help?"
"That would be nice, thanks." Shadow said. He handed her some cloths and went back to unpacking. She went over to a wood dresser and started putting them into the draws. "What brings you to Station Square?"
The question startled Maria at first, as she wasn't expecting him to make conversation. He seemed like the silent type even though he was very talkative when he was little. "I came to find.someone."
"Did you find that someone?" Shadow asked, moving some shoeboxes into the closet.
Maria sucked in her breath trying to think of an answer. Did she want to tell him? How could she? "I found him.but.he doesn't know I've been looking for him."
"Well, I think you shouldn't leave him in the dark too long." Shadow said. He went back over to his bag.
"I know, but it's hard because he doesn't know who I am. And I'm shy." Maria said, she felt that it was so easy to talk to him.
"I guess you'll just have to build up your courage. I'm not an expert in this field." Shadow said. He pulled out some bathroom supplies and closed his empty bag. "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?"
"Down the hall, across from my room, the salmon colored one." Maria said. When he left, she hugged the shirt she was folding. She rubbed it against her face and smelled his scent. It smelled like pine so he must have been living in a forest before coming to Station Square. 'I'll tell him.soon I hope.'
@--------
"News at Noon continues with the information on the case against former basketball player.."
Shadow and Maria sat on the leather couches while Rouge sat at a high table behind them with papers spread out all over it. She scratched her head and scribbled in something. "Rouge, what are you working on?" Maria asked.
"Oh this?" Rouge asked "The same old case with the creature. I was asked to fill out what I saw yesterday. It's really hard though to give accurate details though."
Just then the phone rang. "I'll get it." Maria said. She ran over and picked it up. She nodded her head a couple times and hung up. "I've got to go out, I'll be back in a bit."
"What for?" Shadow asked.
"I got a call from my doctor. I have a checkup today." Maria said, running upstairs. She put her jacket on and went toward the door.
"Oh yeah! Maria-never mind, you have to go now. Go visit Amy's house on your way back because I won't be home to tell you about the dance." Rouge said.
"Dance?" Maria asked.
"Go! Go! You'll be late!" Rouge said, making shushing motions with her hands. "Ask Amy about it."
"Okay then." Maria said, sweat dropping. "See you guys."
@-------
"Ms. Maria, I just went over the tests from last visit, it seems the disease hasn't gotten any stronger but it hasn't lessened." Dr. Hodge said, looking over the papers in his hand. "I just can't see how you got NIBS. The disease died out over 50 years ago, and it was incurable then."
"I told you before, I am the reincarnation of the last person to have it, so I got it from her. I know it sounds bizarre but you have to believe me. By the way, you said you had something important to tell me." Maria said.
He sighed and said, "I just went over the papers for your friend Shadow the Hedgehog and I am truly astonished at what I found."
"You mean how he was created so well?" Maria asked.
"No." Dr. Hodge said, "He has the cure."
"What?" She shouted.
"The only way for you to be cured of NIBS is to get antibodies that contain enough power to wipe out this powerful disease without causing damage to the rest of the body. No such thing has existed, until now. Shadow has those antibodies and they aren't in use. It's as if they are waiting to be used." He said.
"Then-then how do I get them into my body? Through surgery? Or through a blood donation?" Maria asked.
"A surgery wouldn't make any sense." Dr. Hodge said, sweat dropping. "Normally it would be through a donation but these antibodies are new and delicate, I believe injecting them into you could destroy them or change them. There's not enough to play around with either; only enough for once."
"Once? What are you talking about? And then how am I supposed to get them?" Maria asked, completely confused.
"I'll be straight with you. The only way to get them is through.sexual intercourse. That is where they are located and as I said before, it's a one shot deal. I'm afraid getting that to happen, is up to you." He said, pushing up his glasses.
"I-I understand." Maria said, shaking and blushing at the same time. How could she get him to do that for her when, he didn't know anything about her?
@---------
Maria hugged a pink heart pillow to her chest as she listened to the information Rouge was supposed to tell her.
"There's going to be a dance next week at the plaza. If you want to go, Rouge and I were planning to invite you to come with us to look for dresses. So, do you want to go?" Amy asked. She laid some tea on the table in front of them and smiled. "Here, have some."
Maria nodded and took the pink mug and drank from it. She sighed and said, "A dance, huh? It sounds wonderful. I think I'll take you up on that offer. Are the boys going?"
"Yep, all of them!" Amy said. "I hope I can dance with Sonic, at least once."
"I'm sure you'll get to." Maria said, laughing. She looked at the mug and thought, 'this will be the perfect time to tell Shadow about being the reincarnation. If he can accept me for the past Maria then I can tell him about NIBS. I'm sure he'd help me then. I wonder.what kind of dress I should look for?'
@-------------
As Maria climbed up the staircase, sounds of water coming from the bathroom could be heard. 'Someone must be using the shower. Man, I thought I could sneak in there before anyone else.' She went into her room and grabbed her night cloths. She leaned against the wall next to the bathroom door and waited. She heard the water turn off. "Hey, I'm waiting to take my shower next so don't take too long!" Maria shouted through the door. The next thing she knew, the door opened and reviled a very wet Shadow. He had a white towel wrapped around his quills and one around his mid section. His fur was messed up probably from the futile attempts to dry himself. Maria could feel her nose starting to bleed; he looked so sexy.
"What did you say? I couldn't hear you." Shadow said, staring at her.
"Umm.erm.that I w-was getting in next so d-don't take to long, that's all." Maria stuttered, trying to take her eyes off of him.
"Oh yeah, sure. I'm almost done. I still have to blow dry my fur but I can do that in my room." Shadow said, thoughtfully. He went back into the bathroom and closed the door.
"Man," Maria sighed, "I don't know how much longer I can take this." She put her hand over her nose and ran to get a tissue.
Later that night, Rouge returned home. She and Maria hung out in Maria's room, talking about anything they could think of. Shadow turned in for the night, saying he was really tired.
"So, do you think a red dress would stun Knuckles? You know, it being the color of his fur and all." Rouge asked.
"Well, I think if it sparkled or had sequins that would do better than just a plain dress. You'd also have to buy red eye shadow and lipstick so it would match perfectly." Maria replied.
"I think you're right, but then.what about purple?"
@--------
Maria (Human Maria) ran past the corridors of ARK holding up her skirts with her frail hands. She ran as fast as she could but she was having trouble. Still, she wore a smile on her face because of who was chasing her.
A black and red hedgehog glided across the floor laughing as he followed her. He was much faster than she, but he wanted her to win the race just so she could be happy.
The hallway in front of her had gotten darker by the minute;, her vision was failing her. All of a sudden, her body wouldn't listen to her. She stopped in mid-run and collapsed onto the ground. As she fainted, she could hear Shadow calling her name. It was such a shame he always had to worry about her. He had such a strong heart.
"MARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
@--------
"MARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Maria woke up from her dream, sitting up straight and looking wildly about her. That scream.the scream had woken her up.
"No! Maria! NOOO!!!!"
It was coming from Shadow! Maria got out of bed and ran to his room. When she got there, Rouge was already standing by his bed. Rouge ran over to her and pointed at him saying, "Shadow's having a nightmare, no doubt about you."
Maria went over to his bed and looked at him. He was tossing and turning back and forth; his sheets were getting twisted with his movement. He was sweating and his face showed pure anguish. "Maria.don't die.you can't leave.me." Shadow muttered.
Maria sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his face, gently saying, "Shadow, I'm here. I'm here." She was crying.
"Don't.leave." Shadow muttered, grinding his teeth.
She leaned on top of him and hugged him; pressing her cheek against his. Maria stroked his chest hair as she spoke, "Shadow, I'm here, I'm back. You don't have to worry anymore.I.won't leave you again."
Shadow calmed down and fell back to sleep, no longer squirming around. Maria got up and fixed the covers so that they were normal again. She slowly walked over to where Rouge was standing and whispered, "I don't know how long I can put off telling him."
"Then don't at all." Rouge whispered back, closing the door behind them. "You told the rest of us and Shadow is the one who needs to know the most."
"I know," Maria said, "But I'm scared."
"Scared of what?" Rouge asked.
"That, he won't believe me." Maria said.
Rouge slightly smiled and put her arm around Maria. "Look, if he believed you in his dreams, he'll believe you in real life. Plus, the dance is right around the corner. You can tell him then, it will be perfect."
"I guess you are right." Maria said, half heartily. She still felt so sad that Shadow was still going through so much pain; she wanted him to be done with it.
@----------
Maria spent the next morning in her room deep in thought. Shadow woke up that morning acting as if nothing happened' probably because it happened to him all the time so it wasn't a big deal. Either way, she and Rouge didn't mention anything about it.
Maria sat at her desk, combing her quills with a brush. She looked at her self in the mirror noticing how much she looked like the past Maria.and how much she didn't. She sighed and looked down at her hands, which were covered with band-aids. She didn't know she was that bad at sowing. All morning she had been working on her dress for the dance. Instead of going out to buy a dress, Maria decided to make one especially for the dance...for Shadow and the sake of her confession to him. The blue and white dress lay neatly on her bed with some of the hand stitches coming undone already. But, this was to be expected. It wasn't easy making a dress you've only seen from your dreams. Yes, it was the late Maria's dress she was trying to make.
Maria looked at her reflection again and saw the bags under her eyes. She sighed and said; "I learned something else last night while I stayed up to make my dress. I found out what the feeling I keep getting really is. That soft feeling inside my heart every time I see Shadow; the same feeling that hurts so bad when I'm not near him. I know its love. Ever since I first saw those memories of him, I fell in love. A dark stranger that only existed in the recesses of my mind, always. I love you, Shadow-Kun."
Rouge, whom had been ease dropping on Maria, sighed with content, "I knew it all along she was in love with him. I just needed to hear her say it. This is great! I'll be playing matchmaker! I just hope she'll confess his feelings to him to" Rouge then thought, "I need to call Amy, she may need some help on that dress she is making."
@-----------
Shadow leaned back on the leather couch with his eyes closed, his hand extended towards the ceiling. He opened his eyes and looked at his hand, "Maria.I heard you last night, I know I did. You never said those things to me before in my dreams. I know something is going to happen soon so please lend me your strength. Maria."
@----------
Kimmie's Corner:
Kimmie: Hello all! I'm back! This chapter was so much fun so I hope you enjoyed it! School has just started for me and my mom is really making me buckle down this year. That means, I'll won't have more than a little time to work on my chapter each week. That means that it will be a longer wait for the upcoming chapters but don't worry! I'm going to finish this story if it's the last thing I do! (School is the reason I didn't get this chapter up so fast) Okay then.
Shadow: Kimmie you forgot to.
Kimmie: Oh yeah! If you want to read more Sonic from me, please check out my other fanfic, The Journey To Station Square. It's a Shadow and Mina Mongoose fanfic, a unique pairing for fanfiction.net. It's very good though! I'm trying to get other people to support the pairing so please see if you like them! I greatly appreciate reviews too, since I haven't gotten any yet. (I probably put the fanfic up when no one was looking ^_^;) See ya!
Preview of next chapter:
"Hi, I'm Tails "Miles" Prower. The dance is happening and I wonder what's going to happen. By the looks of Maria's bandaged hands, I suppose she has something made for the dance. I hope it turned out all right! I hope she is all right too. After fainting when picking up Cream from the train station, I'm surprised she's even going. Shadow seems worried too; he says it is the calm before the storm. I'm not too worried though, even though I believe what Shadow says. Who is this girl claiming to be the reincarnation of Maria? And why is our Maria so scared of her? I hope things will get sorted out but right now it's all up to Shadow. I hope I get to dance with Cream.
The next chapter is "The Confession Of Truth And The Double Lies" See you there!"
It was during dinner that night that Rouge decided to make Maria's life even more complicated. After the chase and questioning from the team, Maria thought for sure she would get a good night's rest. After all, she has had non-stop action for the past two days, threats, and appearances from new enemies and dreams. How could it get any worse for her? Well, she was about to find out.
"So," Rouge started, trying to make conversation at the quiet table. "Do you have a place to stay, Shadow?"
He looked up from his soup bowl and sighed, "Last night was my last night at the hotel, so I guess you could say I don't have a place to stay."
Maria kept her eyes focused on the floating alphabets in her soup. She didn't want to look up for fear he would look straight at her. Everyone else at the table was silent, probably because they had used up there voices to throw questions at her. Even Sonic didn't say a word, although he looked interested in the conversation.
"I know!" Rouge said, smiling, "Why don't you say with me?"
Maria practically spit out her soup.
"If that's okay." Shadow said, trailing off. He glanced at Maria and back to Rouge.
"Maria is staying with me too." Rouge said as if she just remembered. She turned to Maria and asked, "Maria, is it okay with you?"
Maria looked up to see both of them staring at her as well as everyone else. She looked back down and said, a little too loudly "Yeah! Sure! It's fine with me! Doesn't bother me at all!"
"Then it's settled." Rouge said, "I'll help you move your things in."
@----------
Maria climbed out of bed, realizing it was way too early to go to sleep. She gazed at her clock that said 6:30 and sighed. 'I better go downstairs and wait for them to get back, I don't want to be rude.' She went into her closet and put on a bathrobe over her large nightshirt. She walked down the stairs to the living and plopped down on the leather love seat. She sighed and rubbed her eyes. 'I wanted to see Shadow so bad, so why am I acting like this? I-I have this weird feeling every time I see him, I don't think that's how meeting an old friend should feel like. I can't help but not look at him and ignore him because when I don't the feeling gets so strong it hurts. I know it's not my disease; this is different. But, if I can deal with my disease; then I can deal with this.'
Just then she heard the front door open with a friendly greeting and the shuffle of feet. "Hello, we're back!" It was Rouge's voice. 'Shadow would never say something like that,' Maria giggled to herself. 'I guess it would be easier if I went to meet them.' She got and went to the front door. Rouge was messing with her keys trying to find the one that locks the door. Shadow was standing near the stairs holding onto one bag of luggage.
"Do you guys need help?" She asked, trying to hide a blush from creeping up her face.
"I'm fine, but you can show Shadow to his room. It's the first on the right." Rouge said. She pulled out a purple key. "Ah ha! I found it!"
"Okay then." Maria said. She looked at Shadow and nodded, "Follow me." She started up the stairs with him right behind her. It felt as if there was no one behind her; she couldn't hear his footsteps as they climbed the stairs. But then, it must be from battle experience; having to be quiet all the time. She opened the door on the right and stepped in.
It was a sky blue room with dark blue carpeting. The bed was right near the window and the closet was opposite that. The room had wood furniture too. Shadow placed his luggage onto the bed and Maria snapped to attention. "Oh, do you need help?"
"That would be nice, thanks." Shadow said. He handed her some cloths and went back to unpacking. She went over to a wood dresser and started putting them into the draws. "What brings you to Station Square?"
The question startled Maria at first, as she wasn't expecting him to make conversation. He seemed like the silent type even though he was very talkative when he was little. "I came to find.someone."
"Did you find that someone?" Shadow asked, moving some shoeboxes into the closet.
Maria sucked in her breath trying to think of an answer. Did she want to tell him? How could she? "I found him.but.he doesn't know I've been looking for him."
"Well, I think you shouldn't leave him in the dark too long." Shadow said. He went back over to his bag.
"I know, but it's hard because he doesn't know who I am. And I'm shy." Maria said, she felt that it was so easy to talk to him.
"I guess you'll just have to build up your courage. I'm not an expert in this field." Shadow said. He pulled out some bathroom supplies and closed his empty bag. "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?"
"Down the hall, across from my room, the salmon colored one." Maria said. When he left, she hugged the shirt she was folding. She rubbed it against her face and smelled his scent. It smelled like pine so he must have been living in a forest before coming to Station Square. 'I'll tell him.soon I hope.'
@--------
"News at Noon continues with the information on the case against former basketball player.."
Shadow and Maria sat on the leather couches while Rouge sat at a high table behind them with papers spread out all over it. She scratched her head and scribbled in something. "Rouge, what are you working on?" Maria asked.
"Oh this?" Rouge asked "The same old case with the creature. I was asked to fill out what I saw yesterday. It's really hard though to give accurate details though."
Just then the phone rang. "I'll get it." Maria said. She ran over and picked it up. She nodded her head a couple times and hung up. "I've got to go out, I'll be back in a bit."
"What for?" Shadow asked.
"I got a call from my doctor. I have a checkup today." Maria said, running upstairs. She put her jacket on and went toward the door.
"Oh yeah! Maria-never mind, you have to go now. Go visit Amy's house on your way back because I won't be home to tell you about the dance." Rouge said.
"Dance?" Maria asked.
"Go! Go! You'll be late!" Rouge said, making shushing motions with her hands. "Ask Amy about it."
"Okay then." Maria said, sweat dropping. "See you guys."
@-------
"Ms. Maria, I just went over the tests from last visit, it seems the disease hasn't gotten any stronger but it hasn't lessened." Dr. Hodge said, looking over the papers in his hand. "I just can't see how you got NIBS. The disease died out over 50 years ago, and it was incurable then."
"I told you before, I am the reincarnation of the last person to have it, so I got it from her. I know it sounds bizarre but you have to believe me. By the way, you said you had something important to tell me." Maria said.
He sighed and said, "I just went over the papers for your friend Shadow the Hedgehog and I am truly astonished at what I found."
"You mean how he was created so well?" Maria asked.
"No." Dr. Hodge said, "He has the cure."
"What?" She shouted.
"The only way for you to be cured of NIBS is to get antibodies that contain enough power to wipe out this powerful disease without causing damage to the rest of the body. No such thing has existed, until now. Shadow has those antibodies and they aren't in use. It's as if they are waiting to be used." He said.
"Then-then how do I get them into my body? Through surgery? Or through a blood donation?" Maria asked.
"A surgery wouldn't make any sense." Dr. Hodge said, sweat dropping. "Normally it would be through a donation but these antibodies are new and delicate, I believe injecting them into you could destroy them or change them. There's not enough to play around with either; only enough for once."
"Once? What are you talking about? And then how am I supposed to get them?" Maria asked, completely confused.
"I'll be straight with you. The only way to get them is through.sexual intercourse. That is where they are located and as I said before, it's a one shot deal. I'm afraid getting that to happen, is up to you." He said, pushing up his glasses.
"I-I understand." Maria said, shaking and blushing at the same time. How could she get him to do that for her when, he didn't know anything about her?
@---------
Maria hugged a pink heart pillow to her chest as she listened to the information Rouge was supposed to tell her.
"There's going to be a dance next week at the plaza. If you want to go, Rouge and I were planning to invite you to come with us to look for dresses. So, do you want to go?" Amy asked. She laid some tea on the table in front of them and smiled. "Here, have some."
Maria nodded and took the pink mug and drank from it. She sighed and said, "A dance, huh? It sounds wonderful. I think I'll take you up on that offer. Are the boys going?"
"Yep, all of them!" Amy said. "I hope I can dance with Sonic, at least once."
"I'm sure you'll get to." Maria said, laughing. She looked at the mug and thought, 'this will be the perfect time to tell Shadow about being the reincarnation. If he can accept me for the past Maria then I can tell him about NIBS. I'm sure he'd help me then. I wonder.what kind of dress I should look for?'
@-------------
As Maria climbed up the staircase, sounds of water coming from the bathroom could be heard. 'Someone must be using the shower. Man, I thought I could sneak in there before anyone else.' She went into her room and grabbed her night cloths. She leaned against the wall next to the bathroom door and waited. She heard the water turn off. "Hey, I'm waiting to take my shower next so don't take too long!" Maria shouted through the door. The next thing she knew, the door opened and reviled a very wet Shadow. He had a white towel wrapped around his quills and one around his mid section. His fur was messed up probably from the futile attempts to dry himself. Maria could feel her nose starting to bleed; he looked so sexy.
"What did you say? I couldn't hear you." Shadow said, staring at her.
"Umm.erm.that I w-was getting in next so d-don't take to long, that's all." Maria stuttered, trying to take her eyes off of him.
"Oh yeah, sure. I'm almost done. I still have to blow dry my fur but I can do that in my room." Shadow said, thoughtfully. He went back into the bathroom and closed the door.
"Man," Maria sighed, "I don't know how much longer I can take this." She put her hand over her nose and ran to get a tissue.
Later that night, Rouge returned home. She and Maria hung out in Maria's room, talking about anything they could think of. Shadow turned in for the night, saying he was really tired.
"So, do you think a red dress would stun Knuckles? You know, it being the color of his fur and all." Rouge asked.
"Well, I think if it sparkled or had sequins that would do better than just a plain dress. You'd also have to buy red eye shadow and lipstick so it would match perfectly." Maria replied.
"I think you're right, but then.what about purple?"
@--------
Maria (Human Maria) ran past the corridors of ARK holding up her skirts with her frail hands. She ran as fast as she could but she was having trouble. Still, she wore a smile on her face because of who was chasing her.
A black and red hedgehog glided across the floor laughing as he followed her. He was much faster than she, but he wanted her to win the race just so she could be happy.
The hallway in front of her had gotten darker by the minute;, her vision was failing her. All of a sudden, her body wouldn't listen to her. She stopped in mid-run and collapsed onto the ground. As she fainted, she could hear Shadow calling her name. It was such a shame he always had to worry about her. He had such a strong heart.
"MARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
@--------
"MARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Maria woke up from her dream, sitting up straight and looking wildly about her. That scream.the scream had woken her up.
"No! Maria! NOOO!!!!"
It was coming from Shadow! Maria got out of bed and ran to his room. When she got there, Rouge was already standing by his bed. Rouge ran over to her and pointed at him saying, "Shadow's having a nightmare, no doubt about you."
Maria went over to his bed and looked at him. He was tossing and turning back and forth; his sheets were getting twisted with his movement. He was sweating and his face showed pure anguish. "Maria.don't die.you can't leave.me." Shadow muttered.
Maria sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his face, gently saying, "Shadow, I'm here. I'm here." She was crying.
"Don't.leave." Shadow muttered, grinding his teeth.
She leaned on top of him and hugged him; pressing her cheek against his. Maria stroked his chest hair as she spoke, "Shadow, I'm here, I'm back. You don't have to worry anymore.I.won't leave you again."
Shadow calmed down and fell back to sleep, no longer squirming around. Maria got up and fixed the covers so that they were normal again. She slowly walked over to where Rouge was standing and whispered, "I don't know how long I can put off telling him."
"Then don't at all." Rouge whispered back, closing the door behind them. "You told the rest of us and Shadow is the one who needs to know the most."
"I know," Maria said, "But I'm scared."
"Scared of what?" Rouge asked.
"That, he won't believe me." Maria said.
Rouge slightly smiled and put her arm around Maria. "Look, if he believed you in his dreams, he'll believe you in real life. Plus, the dance is right around the corner. You can tell him then, it will be perfect."
"I guess you are right." Maria said, half heartily. She still felt so sad that Shadow was still going through so much pain; she wanted him to be done with it.
@----------
Maria spent the next morning in her room deep in thought. Shadow woke up that morning acting as if nothing happened' probably because it happened to him all the time so it wasn't a big deal. Either way, she and Rouge didn't mention anything about it.
Maria sat at her desk, combing her quills with a brush. She looked at her self in the mirror noticing how much she looked like the past Maria.and how much she didn't. She sighed and looked down at her hands, which were covered with band-aids. She didn't know she was that bad at sowing. All morning she had been working on her dress for the dance. Instead of going out to buy a dress, Maria decided to make one especially for the dance...for Shadow and the sake of her confession to him. The blue and white dress lay neatly on her bed with some of the hand stitches coming undone already. But, this was to be expected. It wasn't easy making a dress you've only seen from your dreams. Yes, it was the late Maria's dress she was trying to make.
Maria looked at her reflection again and saw the bags under her eyes. She sighed and said; "I learned something else last night while I stayed up to make my dress. I found out what the feeling I keep getting really is. That soft feeling inside my heart every time I see Shadow; the same feeling that hurts so bad when I'm not near him. I know its love. Ever since I first saw those memories of him, I fell in love. A dark stranger that only existed in the recesses of my mind, always. I love you, Shadow-Kun."
Rouge, whom had been ease dropping on Maria, sighed with content, "I knew it all along she was in love with him. I just needed to hear her say it. This is great! I'll be playing matchmaker! I just hope she'll confess his feelings to him to" Rouge then thought, "I need to call Amy, she may need some help on that dress she is making."
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Shadow leaned back on the leather couch with his eyes closed, his hand extended towards the ceiling. He opened his eyes and looked at his hand, "Maria.I heard you last night, I know I did. You never said those things to me before in my dreams. I know something is going to happen soon so please lend me your strength. Maria."
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Kimmie's Corner:
Kimmie: Hello all! I'm back! This chapter was so much fun so I hope you enjoyed it! School has just started for me and my mom is really making me buckle down this year. That means, I'll won't have more than a little time to work on my chapter each week. That means that it will be a longer wait for the upcoming chapters but don't worry! I'm going to finish this story if it's the last thing I do! (School is the reason I didn't get this chapter up so fast) Okay then.
Shadow: Kimmie you forgot to.
Kimmie: Oh yeah! If you want to read more Sonic from me, please check out my other fanfic, The Journey To Station Square. It's a Shadow and Mina Mongoose fanfic, a unique pairing for fanfiction.net. It's very good though! I'm trying to get other people to support the pairing so please see if you like them! I greatly appreciate reviews too, since I haven't gotten any yet. (I probably put the fanfic up when no one was looking ^_^;) See ya!
Preview of next chapter:
"Hi, I'm Tails "Miles" Prower. The dance is happening and I wonder what's going to happen. By the looks of Maria's bandaged hands, I suppose she has something made for the dance. I hope it turned out all right! I hope she is all right too. After fainting when picking up Cream from the train station, I'm surprised she's even going. Shadow seems worried too; he says it is the calm before the storm. I'm not too worried though, even though I believe what Shadow says. Who is this girl claiming to be the reincarnation of Maria? And why is our Maria so scared of her? I hope things will get sorted out but right now it's all up to Shadow. I hope I get to dance with Cream.
The next chapter is "The Confession Of Truth And The Double Lies" See you there!"