A/N: Sometimes it's good to take a break from writing longer stories and just put something random up. Also this is related to Living Pains.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Living Pains: Twenty Minutes to Bond

Shadow the Hedgehog was very annoyed. How did it come to this? Waiting inside the most feminine clothes store he had ever seen for his housemate. All because she wanted to apply for a job. Stupid driver's license. Why did he have to have one?

"Shadow stop pouting! I'll be done in an hour." Shadow shot her a glare. "Fine go look around, I'll call you when I'm down okay?"

"Whatever." He said standing up. He straightened his dark red t-shirt with the words "Creepy Doll" in black. He brushed off his dark-blue jeans before walking out the door. He felt better being outside that unbearably pink store Rose was obsessed with. He wandered over to the food court where he ran into Vanilla the Rabbit and her daughter Cream.

"Oh, Shadow. Um, I hate to impose upon you, but could you watch Cream for me?" This earned her a curious look from the ebony hedgehog. "Need to look at some things and I'm afraid Cream would get bored." Shadow glanced down at the smaller rabbit. She smiled at him shyly. Again he was roped into something because of cuteness. He was never going to live this down.

"I can watch her. How long? I only have forty-five minutes before Rose needs me."

"Only about twenty minutes. And thank you again Shadow, this means a lot to me." And with that she was off into the crowd. Shadow looked down at the shy little girl.

"So what do you want to do?" He asked, having no idea what the rabbit found entertaining.

"We could go to the arcade Mr. Shadow." She suggested in her most polite voice.

"Sure. Don't call me 'mister' okay?" She shook her head firmly.

"That would be rude Mr. Shadow." Remembering that she was young, and who her mother was, he managed to keep his temper. Which he nearly lost when she grabbed his hand hesitantly.

"What are you doing." He asked, doing his best not to get angry.

"Mother said I should always hold hands when someone is taking me somewhere. That way I won't get lost and no one will have to worry about me." Shadow couldn't help but let the ghost of a smile cross his face.

"Well then Miss Cream, where is the arcade?" He honestly had no idea. Amy was the one that spent all her money at the mall. Not him.

"It's that why Mr. Shadow." She pointed off to the right. They began in the direction she indicated, but had taken only a few steps when Creams stomach growled lightly. Shadow chuckled lightly.

"Have you eaten yet? It is lunch time." She shook her head.

"Mother and I are eating after she gets back."

"Well then let's get you a snack." He walked her over to a restaurant and bought her a small snack. He got himself a taco from Taco Bell. After they ate they wandered over to the arcade where Shadow got thirty dollars worth of tokens. Cream looked at him questioningly. "We might be here a while. So what do you want to play?" She looked around until she spotted the air hockey table. She glanced at him and he walked her over to it. "You think you can beat me?" She nodded. "Then let's go."

They played several rounds, Shadow only allowed himself to win three. Cream was actually pretty good but he's Shadow the Hedgehog. He still let her win though. After people grew annoyed by their hogging the air hockey table, Shadow saw they had ten minutes left before Vanilla wanted to pick Cream up.

"So princess, what do you want to play now?" Despite himself, Shadow was actually enjoying spending time with the young girl.

"Can we play that next?" She asked pointing at a fighting game. He looked at her strangely.

"Really?" She nodded enthusiastically. "Okay." They went to the machine and picked their characters. Cream picked a ninja girl and Shadow picked a knight with a giant right arm. Thirty seconds later Cream had a perfect victory over him. "How?" He asked in shock. "Rematch!" And so they continued until it was time to go. Shadow had won two matches, the first because Cream had gotten a ring out on herself, the second because he panicked and hit random buttons causing his character to shoot lightning at Cream's, knocking her out of the arena.

As they entered the cafeteria to look for Vanilla, Shadow discovered he was not in a bad mood. He had liked spending time with Cream. He spotted Vanilla walking towards them and waved slightly.

"Thank you again Shadow." She said sweetly.

"Don't mention it. I had fun. If you need anyone to watch her again call me." He gave her his cell phone number and was about to leave when Cream grabbed his hand.

"Cream don't be rude." Vanilla scolded her.

"No it's okay." He knelt down to her height. "What is it Cream?" She hugged him. He flushed bright crimson in surprise.

"Thank you Mr. Shadow." She looked at her mother. "Can Mr. Shadow come eat with us?"

"I don't see why not. Shadow?" He nodded with a small smile. Then his phone rang. He answered to Amy asking where he was.

"Yeah…one second Rose. Vanilla can she come to? I'd feel bad leaving her like this."

"Of course."

"Hey Rose, I'm in the food court with Cream and Vanilla. Get over here so we get eat with them." After he hung up they waited for a few minutes until Amy walked up to them.

"Hey guys." She flashed them a dazzling smile. "Where are we going to eat at."

"Can we eat there mother?" Cream asked indicating a Chinese food restaurant.

"I'm sorry but it's too expensive." Vanilla said sadly.

"I'll buy." Shadow said casually walking towards the restaurant.

"Shadow, I couldn't possibly ask you to do that."

"Which is why I'm doing it. If you had asked I probably would have taken us to Taco Bell." Amy snorted.

"Probably?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. They began to debate this lightly until Vanilla said something she knew would stop them.

"You two make an adorable couple."

A/N: Oh that Vanilla. Lolz. Anyway R&R please.