Well guys if you thought all I could write was doom and gloom then you are sadly mistaken.

This is a loooooong light hearted chapter that will make you think I actually have soul before I destroy eveything you love with a character. Muahaha!

Hope you enjoy this chapter, it came at the price of my fingers (ouch) so please leave a review, tell me your thoughts and I shall update soon.

Enjoy! Zoomp!

It may have taken a while, but Shadow soon found out the secret to winning over the younger blue hedgehog: Food.

He could barely take his eyes off the blurred image of Sonic stuffing his face with his third chilidog. Shadow hadn't even started on his own and Rouge had left the room in disgust at the mess that was being made. Apparently not having a real home made one forget about table manners.

"You've never tried a chilidog before?" Shadow asked, raising his brow. The moment he found out this piece of information he couldn't get his head round it. He thought it was normal for every child to at least try a chilidog on a day out, whether to the beach or to an event, it was just thing people did. Shadow himself was found of them and rarely got to treat himself to one. Now he wasn't sure he wanted it, or if he would get the chance to eat before it was snatched from his plate.

Sonic seemed to be in complete bliss. Not only was he starving at this point, so much so, his stomach had made him nearly throw up after the first taste, but once he got past the unpleasant feeling, he found the most amazing thing happened to him. He tasted something that didn't taste of crap!

"Never, mum never… let us because they were… too "common"" he answered, mouth still fall and chewing down the rest. He was ready to move onto the forth one, but sadly Shadow had only brought four in total and the last one was still on his plate, untouched. Sonic gave it the saddest eyes, longing and desperate.

"I see." With a low sigh, Shadow pushed his plate forward, allowing the teen to snatch it up and shove it in his mouth. Within seconds it was gone, and he was happily licking his fingers clean. This was probably the most comfortable Shadow had seen his prisoner be. He had hoped he could keep things this way.

"Well, I can bring home some more if you like, and show you how to make them" he said, standing from the table and picking up the plates. For a moment Sonic had paused, as if not only taking in the words, but the gesture behind them. Needless to say, he looked like a mouth in front of a cat who promised not to eat him. He was trying to work out why Shadow was being so nice, but appreciated it at the same time. Timidly he nodded his head, whispering a small thank you.

Shadow didn't respond, merely a humph, as per usual, obviously not realising how difficult it had actually been for the thief to show gratitude.

After cleaning up, Shadow returned, Rouge close behind him. The dining area was in the front room with the living space. For a guy who was possibly evil and had probably killed a bunch of people in the past, he sure had a lot of nice stuff, Sonic noticed. The main room of the house was large, taking up the most of the first floor. He hadn't fully seen the whole house yet, but so far what he did see was impressive. Everything was spotlessly clean, well except for the table, but that was his fault. Against the far wall was a large fire place, with an almost giant TV above. There was also a lot of fancy ornaments, lots of kick knacks Sonic didn't think Shadow would own. In a strange way, it reminded him of his mother's favourite room. He didn't know if he felt comforted or unnerved by it.

Shadow snapped his fingers, getting the kids attention, before motioning for him to join them on the sofas. Sonic quickly did as he was told, but sat on the same couch as Rouge, keeping away from Shadow.

Turns out the agent was not wasting any more time. He opened a map of the state and placed it onto the coffee table in front of his, pen already in hand. "In order to catch Eggman we will need to direct to his base, it's the only place he will be hiding now. We've checked almost everywhere in this vicinity" he pointed to their own city, most of which was covered in black X marks where he had crossed off failed locations. The map itself was full of them. "No matter what we do, we can't pick up a trace. Sonic, where is his base located?"

The question almost threw him it was so sudden. Sonic barely had the time to register that they were now planning this "mission" to capture the mad man, now he was hit with this. He found himself stuttering instead of answering.

"U-u-um…"

"Well, where is it? You've been before haven't you?" Shadow grew impatient.

"I-I-I ugh… yes kinda" he couldn't look into the crimson coloured eyes, they practically burned through his skull.

"Then where is it?" he snapped.

"I don't know."

Silence. A pin could have dropped and sound the same as glass that shattered. Shadow became stiff, causing only worry to fest inside the younger man. "You don't know…" he repeated, each word getting louder than the last.

Sonic felt himself start to sweat under the cold glare, shutting his eyes for a moment to block the fears out. "I-It's just… nobody knows where it is. You can only see Eggman when he calls you. Everyone has their own place to wait in the city where his robots pick you up."

Shadow softened his gaze, only a small amount though, placing his chin in his hand. "I see. What happens then?"

Sonic gulped, and much to Shadow's surprise, only one of his hands trembled in his lap. Rouge had noticed as well, raising her brow to the black hedgehog questioningly, as if he could explain. "Well… They blind fold you… to stop you from seeing where they're taking you. It's only when you're in the base, standing in front of Eggman when they take it off."

Rouge smiled widely, impressed with the information, "Ah the good old doctor learned from his past mistakes I see" she laughed, though Sonic didn't understand what she was talking about, Shadow did, and he wasn't in the mood for her careless jokes.

"Yes well his learning has led to the death of hundreds of people. I'm not letting him get away this time. Sonic" he addressed the other hedgehog. "We will need you to get into the base. You will arrange a meeting with Eggman and we can use you to locate the…"

"NO!" Immediately Sonic stood up, all meekness and fear turned back into anger. Shadow was quick to follow him.

"I agreed to help you find him, you never asked me to be part of the mission! I've done my part, so leave me out of this!"

"Are you forgetting that you are still imprisoned for the crimes you committed, stealing and assault! If you don't help us capture Eggman then you will lose any chance of walking free!"

"Fine, throw me in a cell! I'd take that any day over going back to Eggman!"

Shadow snarled, his fists clutched tightly as he stepped closer. "As I recall, you wanted death over a life in a prison cell. In fact, I'm sure that can still be arranged."

"Go ahead, save Eggman a job!"

"Right that's enough" Rouge quickly interjected, again pushing herself between the two boys who were close to arguing with their fists. She pushed them both back, trying to keep as much distance between the two. "We can't plan anything until you two sort things out" she turned to Shadow, "Threats aren't going to help you, I thought you had learned this by now! Keep your temper under control or you'll end up with a repeat of last time!"

Shadow crossed his arms and looked away with a grunt. Annoyingly she was right.

She then turned to Sonic, who had already looked defeated. "And you! If you had any shred of decency in you you'd realise that everything Shadow has done has been to help you. Eggman is destroying lives, I'd have thought you of all people would understand how painful it is and would be grateful for the chance to do something about it!" Her words hit him like a knife, and he flinched as the severity of them before looking away. It's like he didn't care… he just…

"As for the plan" she said to the both of them, "it can wait! I am going to go home, pour myself a nice bath and enjoy the rest of my day off. I do not want a call on my communicator saying one of you is dead or that Sonic escaped! You are both going to spend the day, getting along, having a tea party or whatever the hell it takes to stop you two from trying to grab each other's throats! Got it!?"

Neither boys said anything, and no matter how much they attempted to hide it, they both felt diminished by her dominating words. Shadow had worked with her for many years, he knew that when Rouge was mad, there is no threat she wouldn't carry out, so long as her point had been made. Even though he knew from a statistic point of view, he was far more powerful, the white bat had a way of emasculating him. Sonic didn't know her that well however, so he was feeling the general overwhelming nervousness of having someone shout at you.

But either way, reluctantly, the two hedgehogs nodded and agreed to Rouges demands.

"Very well. But tomorrow we will make the plan, and you will be part of it!" Shadow growled, getting in the last word. Sonic didn't take kindly, narrowing his eyes in return.

Before he could protest however, Rouge smiled widely and clapped her gloved hands together. "Wonderful! Now boys, no one better be dead tomorrow, alright?" She stepped away to take her leave, but not without looking back over her shoulder and addressing the black furred rodent, "Oh and by the way sweetheart, see to it sticky fingers over there gets a bath will you."

Shadow pulled a sour look as she left the house. He was supposed to bath him now?

Shaking his head, he turned around, ready to address the younger boy, but Sonic was the first one to speak, and he was beyond frantic.

"I'm not having a bath!" he shouted, backing up from the agent. Shadow sighed over the matter, not understanding where the reaction came from.

"Do you have to cause a big problem out of everything?" he asked tiredly. Sonic kept shaking his head however, "No! I'm just not having one, so deal with it!"

Truthfully, Shadow would have loved nothing more than to drop the matter and avoid causing anymore conflict, however, there was a reason Rouge said what she did. Unfortunately, the prisoner stank!

It wasn't something he noticed right away, but after finally getting him alone in the interrogation room, Shadow had started to smell something unpleasant. Sonic was covered in dirt. His jacket was filthy, his quills thin and looked almost wet, when in fact it was just greasy. The worst part was the serious body odour. The guy had committed his crimes by running at the speed of sound, there was some serious issues with hygiene here. Taking his shoes off was one thing, but this kid smelt like deodorant hadn't been invented. If he was going to steal he could have at least taken some of that. Shadow had been in some disgusting places in the past, smells were never something that he dwelled on or get repulsed by, but this case was different. This stink bag was staying in his house and touching his stuff.

"You don't have a choice. You smell like something that crawled into the garbage and rotted to death."

Sonic crossed his arms, turning away in disobedience.

"Sonic…" Shadow said warningly. Still no reaction.

"It's either the easy way or the hard way."

He laughed. Then Shadow unfolded his arms, "Very well."

A gasp of surprise and horror escaped from Sonic's lips as he felt two arms twisted around his stomach. Quickly, he felt his feet leave the ground, as the hedgehog who was the same height as he tried to lift him into the air. Sonic went straight into survival mode, and began kicking his legs and pounding at the hands that secured him. "No stop it! STOP IT!" he yelled, feet now back on the ground, but unfortunately being dragged instead.

"You asked for this" Shadow grunted, pulling the kid out of the room. For someone incredibly skinny he surprisingly difficult to move.

"No I didn't! I never asked for any of this! You put me in the bath and I'll slice your freaking throat!" Nothing was working, Shadow had too strong of a hold, and now the stairs were coming into view. He couldn't go in water… he couldn't. It was too dangerous.

As soon as they were near the banister, Sonic lashed out and grabbed the door frame just before they made it.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Shadow cried out, now realising how childish the situation was. He tried pulling but Sonic stood his ground, using his freakishly strong grip to keep him in place. In end, Shadow had enough.

He let go and threw his hands in the air, then he walked away.

Sonic blinked a couple of times, watching the agent leave.

… Did he win?

A small smile came to his mussel. He won… he actually won! He didn't have to go in water! This was awesome! He was nearly cheering, throwing his hands around in small victory dance as he prepared to rub this in Shadow's face!

"In your face sucker! You can't mess with the blue blur" he cheered to himself, fist pumping the air.

He got too cocky… and didn't see the handcuff that snapped around his wrist.

"What the… DAMN IT NOOO."

Yep, too late. Shadow had his hand cuffed, secured, and was no standing in front again, dragging him away from the door. Sonic didn't have a chance, he couldn't slip his hand away, nor could he pull the chain out of the agent's hand. He was stuck and out of ideas. In a desperate attempt, he lurched forward and bit down on Shadow's arm.

"Ow! You little pest" he grumbled, holding back to urge to slap him.

Sonic stared with complete bewilderment. He had extremely sharp teeth, yet all Shadow did was flinch. That's it, he was doomed.

But then, much to his surprise, they weren't going up the stairs. They were heading outside?

"W-what are you doing?" Sonic asked, finally still for a moment as Shadow opened the back door to his garden. Not that there was anything nice to look at. There was just a basic porch with chair and tables. The rest of the garden only consisted of grass and weeds.

Shadow said nothing as he dragged the teen down the small steps, leading onto the grass. It suddenly occurred to the blue hedgehog he wasn't wearing any shoes, so being pulled onto a ground that was covered in mud was not a good feeling. Or so he would have thought had he'd not given up caring two years ago.

With no more warning, Shadow reached back and grabbed him by the shoulders. Then he felt himself be pushed against the wood work of the rather high porch, his head only just reaching the railings. Shadow then took the remaining cuff and snapped it around one of the metal poles, securing Sonic in the mud.

"What are you doing!?" Sonic yelled out, pulled against the chain, hoping that by some miracle he could dislodge it and escape. He had been so focused on doing that and kicking the porch in frustration, that the next part scared him almost to death.

He started screaming when he felt the force of cold water belt him in the back, drenching him in his jacket. It didn't stop there though. Too afraid to turn around, Sonic closed his eyes and pulled harder at the chain, fearing screams still leaving his lips.

Shadow stood from a very small distance, a hose pipe in hand and set at full blast. He grunted at the pathetic reaction, keeping the water aimed at the homeless teenager.

"You're being ridiculous" he stated, stepping closer so he could reach. With his spare hand, he tried to snatch the jacket away, but Sonic stopped panicking quickly enough to swing his free hand out, almost colliding with the agent, who almost got wet himself.

"Enough!" Shadow cried, aiming the hose as Sonic's face now, partly because he had to wash his hair, partly out of spite.

Sonic kept having to spit the water out his mouth, shivering when Shadow concentrated on wetting his quills for now.

It was horrible! HORRIBLE!

He didn't care if it was just a hose, he could die from this! The amount of times his dad threatened to hold him under the water if he ran. The times his brother threw him in the sea knowing he couldn't swim. Water was always his punishment, they always played on his fears! Why did Shadow need to do this to him? It's so much more dangerous now! He must not let him take his jacket away! He can't!

Shadow dropped the hose on the floor, but left it running. Sonic hadn't seen before, but Shadow had brought out shampoo, conditioner and all the other wash things he would need. Shampoo was first, and he would need to use a lot of it. Shadow never bothered about his appearance, or any personal care in general, but he had a house maid that would come in to clean and go shopping for him. She often brought back fancy products that promised to turn you into a new man, and while he used them, he didn't dwell on them.

Now however, he was glad for what she bought. Apparently one product wasn't enough and in this case, it definitely wasn't. Shadow undid the lid and dolloped it onto Sonic's head. The teen cried out at the weird feeling, not having done this in years. It felt like an egg pouring down his face. But quickly Shadow got his hands in, and rubbed his fingers through.

He was rough, and very aggressive, and Sonic felt like he was trying to rub his way down to his skull. Shampoo kept getting to his eyes, which he rubbed away, but not effectively. He couldn't decide if Sonic was trying to wash his head or pull his quills out, this was so painful, yet when he was going to say something, the water was back, drowning him in a sea of misery.

"Whhhyyyyy?" he moaned, spitting water out again.

Shadow kept focused on his mission. "I gave you the choice, you opted for the hard way" he stated, before reaching out for the zip of the jacket. Yet, before he could lay a finger on it, Sonic kicked out with his bad leg, catching Shadow, but not very hard. The ebony hedgehog looked down, realising there were still stitches and wounds he would have to be careful of. Water would be fine, but not at such a high force.

Knowing Sonic wasn't going to let himself be undressed, Shadow had only one other option. He grabbed the bottom of the jacket and pointed the hose underneath, aiming especially under the arms.

"AHHHHH! I'LL HELP YOU WITH EGGMAN, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"