The darkness of the small cave was broken by the warm morning rays filtering in through the mouth of the cave. A gentle cool fall breeze slowly filtered in through the cave entrance as Gadget stirred ever so slightly in his slumber. He had propped himself upright against the wall, making sure not to lie on his sprained wrist. A warm smell blew in on the gentle breeze prompting Gadget's nose to twitch. His stomach growled nudging his brain into consciousness, his eyes slowly opening, placing his glasses on his muzzle.

"That was the best night's sleep ever," Gadget said happily. "I wonder if Zerinn's up yet."

Gadget scanned the area a small frown pulling at the corners of his mouth noticing that his sack was open and the bottle of water he'd given Zerinn was drained dry and the second one was half empty. Gadget couldn't help, but feel a stab of annoyance at the jackal's apparent selfishness.

"No, I don't think it's wise to get mad at him, and it does smell good whatever it is he's cooking."

Gadget followed the smell, stepping out of the cave greeted by the early morning sun peeking over the crest of Green Hill Zone. His sensitive hearing picked up the sound of the Flickies beginning their morning chorus the sounds of the running waterfalls not too far away from the small cave they were sheltering in, the fine mist of water droplets were rising from where the water struck the lake.

Gadget heard his stomach rumble again, his nose twitching detecting the smell of something was cooking. The wolf turned around spying a several meters in front of him there was a small campfire. Zerinn was sitting not too far away from it tending the flames being careful not to get burnt. He was holding something on a stick carefully roasting it for the second stick was embedded in the ground with something long impaled on the tip of it.

Upon closer inspection Gadget realized it was a snake that'd impaled on the edge of the stick. The wolf looked over seeing the lizard that was cooking with the jackal making sure that he wasn't going to burn anything.

"It's a good thing that you're up," Zerinn said offhandedly. "Your breakfast is almost ready. The snake's mine, and if you want to go hungry, that's fine by me."

Gadget felt his stomach recoil at the fact of eating that poor little lizard that'd done nothing to him, and it had minded its own business until Zerinn had killed it and how could the jackal be so casual about killing innocent creatures. He ignored the jackal's offhand comment.

You can pretend its chicken. Besides, it's all you have to eat for now. Gadget hated his logic watching Zerinn looking at him. Those mismatched eyes appeared to be judging him. He slowly withdrew the lizard from the fire satisfied with how it'd been cooked waiting for it to cool handing the still steaming piece of meat to Gadget.

"Eat slowly and wait for it to cool," Zerinn warned him. "I don't want you burning your tongue yet."

Gadget watched the jackal make his way over to claim his snake sitting back down on the ground, taking the first hungry bite into his snake. Gadget swallowed the bile taking his first hesitant bite into his lizard. It was almost like eating chicken, which was a nice feeling. What was not lovely was feeling the tips of his teeth scraping across the surface of the white bone leaving an unpleasant sensation against his teeth.

"Just eat the flesh, don't eat the bones and the organs."

Gadget complied seeing Zerinn removing the bones from his half-eaten snake setting it down on the ground along with its kidneys, brain, lungs, and heart. The two of them ate in a comfortable silence depositing the remains of their breakfast on the ground. Zerinn busied himself putting out of the campfire.

"So then where is it that you're heading to?" The jackal asked casually. "Also, where are you from Gadget?"

The pair of questions caught Gadget by surprise. Under the warmth of the morning sun, he made sure to level his gaze at the jackal. The way that those mismatched eyes were watching him Gadget wasn't going to lie it made him nervous.

"I'm a runaway," Gadget answered. "I have an interest in tech and machines, and I want to be an inventor."

"Okay, you haven't answered my first question."

Gadget began to sweat nervously, feeling his heart begin to beat quickly mentally debating whether or not to tell the jackal the truth. Jackals were untrustworthy by nature and had been rumored to pretend to befriend anyone they came across only to stab them, in the back and take all of their possessions.

"Look, if you don't have a plan, then how are you going to survive in this cruel world?"

Gadget saw Zerinn beginning to stand up taking a few steps towards the wolf his expression remained neutral, but Gadget could see that thick tail swishing slowly from side to side stirring up small strands of grass that became stuck to his tail.

Just tell Zerinn the truth. Gadget thought. The wolf took in a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. Here was the thing. He barely even knew Zerinn having met him previously just yesterday very late at night he might add. He'd only gotten to know him for two hours or more it was hard to tell since most of those hours had been spent sleeping.

He was sure that his absence would've been noticed at the refugee camp by now. He couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to put as much distance between himself and Chad's group as possible. The wolf would never admit it, but he was also slightly intimidated by the jackal. He could faintly make out his ribs, which were beginning to show on the jackal's sides, he still maintained that hostile expression on his face.

"Okay fine I was heading to Sunset Heights because there are people back at this refugee camp who want me dead because I have a fascination with technology."

Gadget ignored the small twinge of guilt having come up with a line, mostly due having lied before. Gadget saw a glimmer of surprise in the jackal's eyes for the corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. Gadget noticed that he was still maintaining that emotionless expression on his face.

"I'm not surprised that they want you dead," Zerinn replied coldly. "Eggman lovers aren't exactly popular. Besides, I've heard a rumor that a two-tailed fox that was bullied because he loved to tinker with machines."

Gadget knew the story of Sonic the Hedgehog. Having followed the unauthorized biographies about the blue hedgehog, his mother had brought home, and the news articles his father would pin up in their home. Sonic was Mobius' hero who'd saved the planet from Eggman many times over the years. He'd remembered hearing his parents talking about Sonic's first ever exploits when the Doctor had launched an attack on South Island and just at eleven years old Sonic had effortlessly defeated the mad scientist.

He'd also heard through whispers from the members of his refugee group that Sonic was currently in the process of taking back Westside Island from Eggman; his only companion was a twin-tailed fox only known as Tails who'd joined Sonic in his quest to help save Mobius.

If only he'd gotten to Westside Island sooner. Then maybe my parents would still be alive.

Gadget pushed away from the bitter thoughts forming in his mind making sure to hold out a half-empty water bottle, certain Zerinn saw it seeing the jackal's ears beginning to fold back against his skull Not an easy feat when he saw a scowl appear on Zerinn's face.

"You drank nearly all of my water," Gadget said slight anger creeping into his voice. "You're an idiot because I needed that water to last until I reach Sunset Heights, since I know there's an orphanage there."

He saw the Jackal's ears fold back against his head slightly, a small scowl forming on his face. Zerinn slowly got up approaching Gadget until he stood quite close to Gadget clenching his fist.

"Well, then you're not the one who was bone dry, thirsty," Zerinn said quietly with a hint of menace. "I'll tell you what I was doing in Green Hill Zone."

Zerinn took several steps towards Gadet causing the younger wolf to flinch in fear; the movement didn't go unnoticed by Zerinn, briefly smirking before he spoke in a severe low tone.

"Out in the desert if you're weak you becuase I was the runt of my litter, I had to do a stupid trial that involved me having to cross the desert in a single night, or I'd get kicked out of my clan," Zerinn replied turning on his heel. "Okay, we're even. You gave me shelter and water, and I fed you. You're on your own if you're heading to Sunset Heights."

Gadget felt his heart plummet to the bottom of his chest. There was no way that he could cross the desert alone not without protection. What if Chad and his gang were hiding somewhere out there in the desert?

The second notion that occurred to Gadget knowing Sunset Heights was at the other end of a desert. He knew that it would be foolish to wander about in the scorching hot desert until his supplies ran out and he died of thirst.

The tread of footsteps moving through the grass alerted him that Zerinn was already walking away. Gadget put on a burst of speed running ahead of Zerinn startling the jackal a scowl forming on his face. He folded his arms across his thin chest, his eyes narrowing appearing hostile to Gadget.

"What part of this is where we part ways do you seem not to understand?"

Gadget dropped to his knees, clasping his hands, looking at Zerinn with a pleading expression on his face, seeing the jackals' ears flick up in surprise. Gadget mentally kicked himself for resorting to manipulating someone like this emotionally, but it was the first thing that came to mind.

"Please. Look, we don't have to be friends, I need your help to get to cross the desert to reach Sunset Heights. The second we arrive there you can head back to your family I promise."

Zerinn gritted his teeth trying to avert his gaze away from the begging wolf. He was doing what Kaito did. Zerinn felt a small crack in his heart thinking of his younger half-sibling. He knew that without him Dune and Oasis would be tormenting Kaito. Usually, Zerinn would put a stop to it, however, due to his absence it made him worried sick about Kaito since his younger sibling hadn't grasped the concept of fighting back yet.

"Do you have any relatives?" Zerinn questioned setting his jaw. "I'm not escorting a liar across the desert."

"I do. An Aunt and an Uncle living in Sunset Heights," Gadget replied quickly. "My Aunt is my mother's younger Sister, but she didn't like my Dad, so they had a falling out."

Zerinn scanned the wolf's face to check for any signs that he was lying. Having found no signs that he was lying, he let out a low irritated sigh. Playing the role of escort to this naive wolf was the last thing that he wanted to do. It was something that could potentially get them both killed.

"Fine. Just stick close to me."

Zerinn was startled by the sudden impact of Gadget throwing himself right at the startled jackal drawing him into a hug. His tail wagging like crazy. Zerinn's first instinct was to push the wolf off him, but he and Kaito used to hug in secret because their parents viewed it as a weak notion and besides it was nice to be embraced. He felt the wolf release him who blushed ever so slightly in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, and I won't get in the way I promise Zerinn."

"Fine then let's head out. I'm sorry about drinking your water," Zerinn said. "Let me make one thing clear Gadget. We're not friends, and honestly, I don't think we're going to be friends for a while, but I won't mind your company."

Gadget recoiled in surprise at the fact that the jackal had swallowed whatever pride he had and apologized. The wolf must have imagined that for a moment he saw Zerinn's face soften ever so slightly. For that brief moment, the jackal looked vulnerable, almost like an ordinary kid. His eyes seemed so lost, and unsure.

"I feel weak for apologizing to you," Zerinn muttered."I hate feeling weak."

"It's okay. You must've been thirsty, so we'll have to conserve our water supplies," Gadget said. "You're not weak for apologizing."

Gadget looked up at the midmorning sky. Zerinn dismantled their campfire scattering the twigs putting out the last of the dying embers before the two of them began their trek heading towards the border between Green Hill Zone and the desert that led to Saharais. Gadet went back to the cave gathering up the two bottles of water and his sack following Zerinn into unknown territory.

They weren't friends yet, but still, it was nice to know that he was no longer alone.

Meanwhile, back at the Refugee camp, Chad, Mara, and Aster walked out of the tent. All three of them were scowling with Chaturningng his head left and right scanning the area for any sign of Gadget. The camp was in a slight uproar with a few Mobians that genuinely cared for Gadget despite his strange behavior. Several citizens were running around the place calling for any signs of the red wolf.

"I can't believe it," Mara snarled. "That little punk ran off on us when we slept!"

"He won't get too far."

Aster tapped Chad on the shoulder. Chad spun around at the light tap on his shoulder irritation flashing in his eyes at the plump coyote bearing a small smirk on his muzzle for some reason.

"Aster if it's not something..."

"Look boss! That little freak left tracks behind," Aster said excitedly. "And they look like they're heading towards Green Hill Zone."

Chad followed Aster's pointing finger. Seeing the tracks that Gadget left behind for the wolf hastily had fled from the refugee camp embedded in the dirt a small smile spread across Chad's face that could only be sinister. Aster and Mara raced off no doubt to tell the Mobians in charge of the camp assuring the worried Mobains they would find Gadget and bring him back to the camp safely.

"Guys grab some supplies," Chad said. "We're going wolf hunting."

Mara raced off to grab some supplies giving Chad time to plan out his next strike mentally. The sinister smile never left his face. He was already imaging the best way to punish Gadget once he caught up with the wolf. The sound of Gadget's screams of fear would be music to Chad's ears.

Author's note

For people who may be confused about when this story takes place in the timeline, it takes place during the events of Sonic 2 in case people are wondering. As a small note, this is going to a be a platonic fic between Gadget and Zerinn/Infinite. Their friendship is going to be built upon gradually. Gadget also wags his tail when he's happy because happy Gadget is the best Gadget.

Have a fact about jackals. Jackals are opportunistic scavengers, and they will eat whatever they can catch and snakes, and lizards are a part of that diet.

My apologies if this chapter was shorter then the last one. I was tired when I wrote it, and the next one won't be a short chapter.

Last, but certainly not least a big thank you to all of the people who reviewed.

The Mystery Guest. Thank you so much for the review. It pleases me that you're enjoying it.

Turquoise Triangle. Thanks for the review. Also, the Mobians that like machines and technology are often shunned and hated because the other Mobians are afraid that the machine-loving Mobians will run off and join the Eggman Empire.

Spider Dom 321 Thank you so much, and I'm glad that you're enjoying it.

That's all for now. As per usual Thoughts/ suggestions and reviews are welcome and I will see you guys soon with the next update.