Roar

A/N: School's killing me. And please leave a review, I'd like to see how many people are enjoying this. Thanks so much for reading this far!

Shadow swallowed, stretching his leg out. Mei had finally relented after his episode and still allowed him to partner up with Sandy. It was just a brief stint and then he'd go back to being a mechanic. It paid well, he went to school for it, he didn't want to let Sandy or Static down.

He looked down at the sequined black and white outfit he wore, surprised it still fit after two years and Shadow had bulked up a little. He looked at his skates, sitting down as he put them on and laced them up.

Everything would be fine. He looked up as Mei walked in, dressed how he remembered for every competition. It reminded him of his step-mom only more serious and a sort of tough love exuding from her.

"You ready?" she asked, smoothing out an array piece of hair on his head.

Shadow looked at her, his leg, back at her and smiled. "No,"

Sandy chewed on her lip, watching as people filled the stands and not seeing Static once. Maybe he was on the other side or had difficulty finding a seat. She also hadn't seen Shadow yet, but he wouldn't bail on her, right?

"Sandy," Krystal called, waving at the young woman.

Sandy smiled at her coach, holding onto her for a few moments later as they hugged. "Is Fox checkin' in on Shadow?" she asked, pulling away.

Krystal shook her head, holding a tube of white lipstick out to Sandy. "He's helping Static find a seat. Mei's checking in on Shadow." She said, looking at Sandy as she applied the lipstick. "You look lovely,"

Sandy smiled, smoothing out her skirt. They were on in a few minutes and she at least wanted to make sure Shadow wasn't rethinking his decision. Sandy went to the locker room, pausing as she heard a woman talking.

"Sandy?" Clara asked, touching the other on the shoulder and making her jump.

"Why are you so wishy-washy with this? Do you want to skate or not?" Mei asked, hands on her hips as she looked at Shadow.

"I do, it's just. . .my injury, I. . .what if I'm not good enough? I haven't pair skated in years." He said, messing up his hair as he ran a hand through it.

Mei sighed, putting a hand on her former skater's shoulder. "I know it can be scary getting back into this, but you have me in your corner. And from what you've told me about Sandy and Static, they are too. I didn't train a quitter." She said, fixing Shadow's hair.

Shadow swallowed, standing up. It was almost silly to be afraid of something that happened two years ago, and Mei was right. Just because he quit once out of necessity didn't mean he should now. He went out of the locker room, coming face to face with Nazo.

Clara and Sandy were behind him, talking about some graphic novel they were reading, Berserk maybe?

"Not now, Nazo," Shadow said, starting to move past him.

"I just wanted to wish you good luck," Nazo said, holding his hand out towards Shadow.

Shadow looked at it for a moment. "Clara put you up to this?" he asked, gripping Nazo's hand.

"Just don't mess up," Nazo mumbled.

Shadow looked up as the announcer called Sandy and Static's name. Good. He wanted to see the crowd's reaction when they found him instead.