A/N: Hey, here's the fifth chapter!

All: HOORAY!

This chapter is special for Halloween! Because it was Halloween not too long ago!

Marine: Mmmmm, candy…

Me: Now believe me, this chapter does seem a bit random and pointless, but remember, everything that happens in this story has a purpose. And you will eventually see what follows…

Amy: Moving on…

Sonic: Okie dokie! He does NOT own me, Tails, Shadow, Amy, Blaze,-

Rouge: Skip ahead!

Sonic: Ok, we all belong to SEGA!

Me: That's a job well done!

Sonic: Yay!

Knuckles: I think he was being sarcastic…

Sonic: Shut up!

Knuckles: Make me!

Sonic: Shut up!

Me: Ok, while these two keep bickering like 4 year olds, let's get on with the story!

Hope you like it!

Chapter 5

*Normal POV*

8:30 am the next morning, Ryan woke up to the small glint of sunlight shining through the window. He looked over to Shadow and observed him.

He noticed that Shadow looked different when he slept. He didn't have his usual frown, instead a soft face. But as he was staring at Shadow's eyebrows, he hadn't noticed that his eyes were now open.

"What are you looking at?" Shadow asked him. Ryan quickly looked away. "Nothing!" "I'm not being rude or anything, I'm just wondering." "Why don't you just read my mind?" Ryan retorted. "I'd rather not…" Shadow dragged his feet out of bed and onto the bed. He slipped on his shoes and Ryan slowly did the same.

"Need help?" Shadow asked blankly. "I guess so." Ryan replied hastily. Shadow walked over and helped him up.

They slowly walked to the kitchen for brunch. They rounded the corner, and Tails noticed Ryan.

"Ryan, you're OK! I'm so glad!" Tails exclaimed, walking over to him. Then he noticed Shadow. "Oh, what are you doing, Shadow?" he asked. "I'm helping Ryan." Shadow stated. "Oh really…" "Don't worry Tails," Ryan piped up. "Shadow and I are good now. I forgave him." "Oh really…" Ryan nudged Shadow, "Shadow has something to tell you, Tails." "Oh really…"

"Tails, I'm sorry I've been ignoring you. Now I realize that I am very lucky to know that you care about me. So, thank you for not giving up on me." Shadow told him. "Oh really…" "Slip out of the trance, Tails!" Ryan exclaimed. "Oops, um…Wow, Shadow…" "We talked and he's going to go back to the old Shadow now." Ryan said. Shadow nodded in agreement. "Wow, Shadow. Thank you." Tails said to him.

"Well, um…Since we're all good now, let's have brunch. I made us some fruit with whipped cream!" Tails said. "Let's dig in!" Ryan exclaimed.

After they had eaten their meal, they continued their conversation. "That was great, Tails!" Ryan praised. "Thanks…" he replied shyly. "So, what's happening around here in the next couple days?" Ryan asked. "Are you forgetting what tomorrow is?" Shadow said, pointing out that there was an obvious answer. Ryan just looked at him and Tails strangely.

"Ryan, tomorrow is Halloween!" Tails said. "Oh, wow. I have no clue what I should be." Ryan stated. "Well you have some time to decide. The party is tomorrow night." Tails replied.

"What are you two going to be?" Ryan asked curiously. "It's a surprise!" Tails answered. "Except for Sonic's costume. We already know that one!" Shadow exclaimed. Both he and Tails broke out laughing hysterically.

Ryan felt awkward. "Anyways…I know what I'll be. But I would need to borrow your cape, Shadow. Is that ok?"

Ryan and Tails looked at Shadow hopefully. "Um…sure!" he exclaimed, plastering a fake smile across his face. Now Ryan and Tails were happy. That's good. He didn't want to give Ryan his cape at all, but he had to do what he had to do.

The next evening after dinner, everyone had gone and prepared their costumes for the party. One by one, they had made their way to the party.

*Ryan's POV*

When I arrived at the party, three others were already there. Marine who was a pirate, Blaze who was a witch, and Tails who was a vampire. I walked to them.

"It's Darth Vader!" Marine shouted. "But who is it actually?" Tails asked. They all thought for a moment.

"Is it Manic?" Marine asked. I shook my head. "Is it Knucklehead?" Blaze asked. I shook my head again. I took off my helmet and they realized it was me.

Marine removed her eye patch. "Crikey! Now I recognize ya!"

"Nice costume, Ryan! It's cool how you used Shadow's cape!" Tails commented. "Thanks. You all have nice costumes too!" I replied back.

Then a zombie walked in the room making this weird noise. Marine shrieked. "Relax, Marine. It's just Tikal." Blaze stated. Tikal smiled. "Hehe, that was fun!" she said.

I put my helmet back on just in time to meet a school girl. "Nice outfit, Amy!" Blaze shouted. "Thanks!" she replied. "I hope Sonic likes it!"

"Where is he anyways?" Tikal wondered out loud. "I don't know, but look!" Tails said, as he pointed at two newcomers. Batman and Catwoman.

It was Knuckles as Batman, and Rouge as Catwoman. And they looked good! "Aww…You two are so cute together!" Amy exclaimed.

Tails leaned in close to me and whispered, "Knuckles and Rouge are dating, just so you know." "Ohh…" That makes sense now.

Then Sonia and Shadow walked in as an angel and the devil. "Are they dating too?" I asked Tails quietly. "No, they just teamed up pretty recently I guess. I don't know how she got him to agree though." he replied. "But I think Sonia has a crush on you." "Yeah right, Tails. It doesn't mat-" I was interrupted by Manic storming in the room.

"Let's get this party started!" he shouted. He was a DJ, so he went over to his turntables and started the music. Everyone started dancing, including me, and the party had started.

About fifteen minutes later, I was talking with Tails, Tikal, and Marine. When suddenly, Shadow and Amy, who were standing by the entrance, collapsed on the floor laughing like maniacs. Everyone else obviously looked at them instantly, and then we noticed what was so funny.

Standing in the entrance was Sonic, in a ballerina costume! Everyone else broke out laughing as well. Sonic just stood there, his muzzle as red as a tomato in embarrassment.

Amy hobbled over to him. "It's ok, Sonic. I think you look cute! But you still look ridiculous." Everyone laughed some more.

When everyone calmed down, I walked over to Shadow. "Hey, Shadow." "Hmm?" He turned around. "Why is Sonic dressed as a ballerina?" "Oh, 'cause he lost a bet to me last week." "That makes sense…"

"Well, are you enjoying the party?" he asked. "I am! How about you?" I answered. "Meh. It's fine." "When did you and Sonia team up?" "After the first battle at training, we 'talked' about it." "Ok, cool."

Awkward silence. I guess a gay baby was just born. Anyways…

"Well, I'll see you later, Shadow!" He just nodded back. I thought he said he would be happier.

I walked over to the group of Manic, Blaze, Sonia, Rouge and Knuckles. They were talking about Knuckles' balloon animal making talent.

Knuckles was talking already, "My fist animal was totally better than Sonic's chilli dog animal!" That made no sense. He really was a Knucklehead!

"Hey guys!" I greeted. "Hey, Ryan!" they all greeted back. Except for Rouge. "How did you all get inspired for your costumes?" I asked, hopefully changing the subject.

"Well, I was a DJ 'cause, who else would it be, dawg?" Manic said. "Shadow and I are opposites. So, we chose an angel, me of course, and him a devil!" Sonia explained.

We continued to the witch, who was next in the circle. "I was a witch because I wanted to be ugly for a change!" Blaze said. "Yeah, 'cause you've never been ugly before!" Sonia exclaimed. Blaze smiled to her as thanks.

It was my turn. "Well, I didn't have much time to choose, and since I saw this black helmet in the closet a couple days ago, I just decided to be Darth Vader!"

Next was Knuckles. "I was Batman so I could pair up with Rouge." Now everyone looked at Rouge. She glanced at me, then elbowed Knuckles. "Oh! Umm…Rouge was Catwoman so she could pair up with me!" he said awkwardly.

Everyone else looked at the two of them weirdly. Another awkward silence. Another gay baby is born. I turned to walk away just as Manic started a new conversation.

I decided to go talk with Amy and Sonic, but I was stopped. "Ryan?" someone behind me said. I turned around and I saw Blaze.

"Hey, Blaze!" I exclaimed. "I have something important to tell you." she said. "Ok, what is it?" "Not here, though. Come to the room that I share with Knux at 10 am sharp tomorrow morning." "Ok, I'll see you then." Blaze walked back to her group.

I turned around to see that Sonic and Amy were gone now. I looked around and saw them with Shadow. Amy and Shadow were laughing, but Sonic wasn't; I think I know what they're talking about.

Instead, I went over to Tails, Tikal, and Marine. "Hey!" I greeted. "What are you three talking about?"

"About you actually." Tails replied. "Really?" I said. "Yeah, and Rouge too." Marine pointed out. I took my helmet off and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, have you noticed anything about her?" Tikal asked. "No." "She's actually pretty mad at ya, mate." Marine said. "Why?"

"I think she's embarrassed 'cause everyone knows you beat her in that battle." Tails stated. "Yeah, 'cause you kicked her butt!" Marine exclaimed.

"But I don't want her to not like me." I said. "Rivalries are bad for us. Once, Sonia and I didn't talk for a month. It hurt everyone else a lot. But luckily we made up and all was well." Tikal lectured.

"You should definitely make up with Rouge." Marine said. "Well, I'm off to talk with Manic! See ya mates!" she said and she skipped away.

Tails leaned in close to me again and whispered, "I think Marine has a crush on you too." "What? No she doesn't!" "Yes she does. She kept talking about you earlier. And, I think she just asked Manic to play a slow song." "How would you know?" "I can read lips. And my eyes don't lie."

Surely enough, the slow music started then. I didn't recognize the song, I didn't really care for those kinds of songs. Tails and I walked over to Shadow who was now alone.

"I think the party is over for us." I said to him. He nodded in agreement. "Just wait a couple minutes." Tails proposed.

So we watched Sonic and Amy, and Rouge and Knuckles dance. I also looked at the others too. When I looked at Sonia, she was looking at me. When I looked at Marine, she was looking at me too. Wow, Tails was right.

"Let's go." Shadow said. "I agree." I said. So the three of us left. The party was almost over anyways. So we didn't miss much.

Shortly after, we arrived at our room, got out of our costumes, said our good nights, and crawled into our beds.

I smiled at Shadow from my bed, and he smiled back. But something wasn't right about that smile. It didn't seem real. But before I could think any more of it, my eyes had closed and I had drifted off to sleep.

A/N: That's the fifth chapter!

There was a bit of "romance" in that chapter. But this is supposed to seem a little bit real. But not much.

Amy: What does Blaze want to say to Ryan? Will Rouge stay mad at Ryan? Is Shadow hiding something? Find out next time on Journey For Friendship!

Me: Thanks Amy!

Anyways, thanks for reading. And thanks to SSXfanatic, Chaos Controller 15, and VideoGamesRock for the Halloween suggestions!

See all you wonderful readers next time!

10 000 words! XD

Hope you liked it!

Please R&R!