Hunter's Night

Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic; he and related characters belong to Sega. Predator(s) belongs to their proper owner(s)

This chapter is what I to call a fill-in thing. You'll get it as you read, I tried to do this one carefully.

My bad to all of you guys who got another alert for the same damn chapter. I didn't notice what I was doing and accidentally delete this chapter and well, here it is…again. My bad guys who've already read this, I wanted to replace it and I sort of clicked on delete, well bright side is that I got some annoying errors! I hope I got them all. Yeah I know, you don't really care.

Enjoy, a side note most longer sections that are italicized are recent flashbacks

Chapter Eight – Hollow and Alone

City;

Outside was calm setting. The recent rainstorm that had come was gone, leaving the streets and concrete walls and sidewalks flushed and soaked to the brim. Windows were cleaned of any dust collected and the sewer holes were now filled from a drenching rain. A soft moonlight shined upon the reflecting coat of water that had remained on the roads and walkways. The air was still, trees and their branches had not moved since the storm and the grass below had not moved or swayed at all. The green of the grass was now more pleasant as it showed the moon's gentle glow from above, their dark color blending in perfectly to make the large field they were.

Even though there was no wind, she felt cold. It was like the shiver-myth that you are told when there was ghost near; it was chill that went down underneath her skin. With great care she opened the glass door. One glance back made sure that all of the chairs were on top of their tables if they were not booths. A quick thought reminded her that she put away all of the supplies and took a quick inventory check, and had cleaned up the counter. All of the money was in the safe and locked away till the return of the owner tomorrow. She slid her hand down across the set of switches on her left; cutting off all of the light in the building, showing that she had indeed shut off the lights in the back room. Quietly a sigh of pure stress escaped her lips, her right arm rose as she leaned completely on the tip of her right leg as she balanced herself with her left hand. The fingers of the right hand quickly press the numbers on the pad, beeping after each. After all seven numbers there was triple bleep, quickly but with a gentle touch the pink rose closed the door, letting the system do its work for the night.

Amy shivered and rubbed her arms, the fear chilling her spine completely. 'Oh man…' She looked around, her guard up. Her emerald orbs looked for that distorted image that the invisibility power made. With a shudder she shook a little fear off and walked to her next destination, which didn't relieve her much. The past three have been some short of hell for her. Her co-workers and even her boss had noticed. She was jumpy and nervous with certain metal sound, such as a metal sheet or slice sliding against a metal surface, making something similar to that terrible sound she now feared. Coolly, she played off some of awkward acts but some were just not going to be let off easy. This entire incident had her paranoid; she even snapped around and drew a knife when she heard a distant woodpecker's driving its beak into the bark of a tree filled with its prey. The sound was so close to that purr that she had heard so many times that night; luckily it was only a co-worker next to her who saw the strange reaction.

Careful not to let the strap of her purse slide down her shoulder she tugged it towards herself more; she then looked to her hand. Small and very fitting gloves did not hide how her mind was expressing her fear. They were shaking; even home couldn't provide much comfort anymore. It broke in without sound, after Shadow of course but still. Amy whimpered a little, quickly a car blazed by, followed by a gusting swirl of wind.

Amy held down the hem of her dress by the front to keep them from flying up, "Jackass!" Her voice cursed through the night air. The sound tried to catch up to the driver, she knew it he wouldn't hear it but still it would've been nice.

'I hope everyone's okay,' her sudden thought came from looking into the tree clutter on the left of her walking path, reminding her of Mina's home and the Shadow and the entire group. One of the main concerns was Knuckles and Rouge, just because they haven't been heard from since they departed from Shadow back in the city. She was walking the outside path; the sidewalk lined the city's edge. It wasn't secluded but it was not in the dead center of the city, she never walked through there at night. This path crossed through safer areas similar to suburbs and non-urban type. She lived nearby her work, it was a ten-minute walk but it seemed like an eternity lately. The pink hedgehog had noticed many things about her normal walk route due to her over examination of the surrounding for her safety. There was a pair of lights in one that never went off and all of the houses look the same, the only difference was the color. But even that was similar all shades close to white or cream colored, and even a light shade of yellow on a few. The lawns were all cut and kept a-like, this seemed like one of those 'we like it the same' neighborhoods. She felt right now when she turned down offers of homes and live hear when she was looking for a new place to move to.

She didn't like the similar, she didn't like the same. It was boring, but she new some one who was never the same, while his mind and personality was the same, he never liked doing the same thing. Exploration was his passion; he loved new places and so did she. It was her gift one time, at full blazing speed he took to a beach in Mexico, why? It was her birthday and Tails had forced him into giving her a special present. That wasn't romance filled evening but she felt closer to after it. Things were asked and he answered truthfully.

I don't know…I can't tell you what I want. I don't really know what to say Amy. I like you but I've never really looked for anything deeper…in anybody for that manner, despite what you and others thought before, not even Mina. Love, I have not a damn clue; I might have felt it but I never thought about it. Amy you'll always be my friend, I know you want more but honestly I can't give you an answer to your question. I'm not going to lie to you to save your feelings, but I'm not gonna lie to get you to get off my back with that marry me question; the only thing I can say that truly say what I know is that whatever happens, it happens you know? I'm not going to avoid it or fight it; what ever is due happen in the future.

The words did not crush her spirit at all, no, how could they? Never had she heard such truthful words from him. It was like he said, it was a response to her question; it didn't give her false hope that he did like for more than a friend but it didn't put up that emotional brick wall of 'just friends' either. So there was the hope and that was more than enough to keep her, finally she smiled. Amy looked up and let out a soft gasp, 'Wow…I'm already home…I really drifted off there…' She was staring at her small pink home; she looked down and gave confused look. At her door step there was a rose with a small paper slip. She kneeled down and picked up the rose, the note was attached to it.

To Amy, if this ain't Amy; put the note and rose down you nosy stalker and pray I don't hunt you down for pulling some crap like this!

First of all it was hard as hell to walk out here without people staring at me like a cripple, not to mention they all looked at me like an idiot when they saw this flower but that's not for this paper that's for another piece of paper. If you can, file a complaint to your area because you guys barely have any flowers, good flowers because it took forever to find this one, anyway…

I just want to say thanks for everything. I'll see you when I see you, take care.

Crippled and bored as hell,

Sonic

P.S. - Next time you come can you bring some of your cookies? The jar you left us yesterday is empty…it was all Tails, I swear. Thanks.

P.P.S – Sugar, chocolate chip and peanut butter, please.

All Amy could find her herself to do was roll her eyes with a smile. She sniffed the rose, noticing warmth grow inside her. Her cheeks flushed a little as the rose's sweet scent reminded her of many things. Not even the faint purr-clicking sound in the distance bothered her, with a spin she went aside her house; the blissful smile on her face not fading anytime soon.

She wasn't going to let go. It wasn't possible. They had fought for so long; they had been through so much and now for it to be like this? She hated him in way right now, he gave up. But her thoughts lashed back at her, telling her to never think that; he would never give up, it wasn't in him. He didn't know about giving up, it wasn't in his vocabulary. Why could he be stubborn once again and refuse to give in?

Quickly her thoughts turned though. Maybe it was too much for him; he could only take so much. Knuckles was too stubborn at all times, he wouldn't give up. Not even if it was stronger than him; he didn't always think things thoroughly. He probably had no clue as to what was circulating his system so quickly because of his movements.

But it was that stubborn fighter that she loved. So committed to what he does; no matter how stupid it seemed. His loyalty to a rock he despised was incredible, all for his ancestors. It was an honor that was bittersweet to him;

It was a day like any other day on Angel Island back then. A deep blue sky, not a cloud to be seen out above the ocean, "And you care why batgirl?" His voice was deep and calm as he spoke with his eyes closed.

The breeze that reached this height was cooling and gentle, past the deep and lush forest and beyond the light jade colored plain was a holy place. The crumbling stone that once made a proud and bold shrine was now in ruins due to ancient wars and natural age and poor maintenance. But that was not guardian's fault; after all he only knew how to do what his job was meant for; protecting the huge green emerald that the shrine was meant for.

It was a peaceful altercation this time. There had been eight fights in the past two weeks, and he could sense that she wasn't here to fight this time. Maybe it was her tone of voice, or approach to him, possibly even the landing she made right in front of him. Or could've just been the fact that she walked up the steps of the shrine, sat on top of the gigantic jewel and woke him up by tossing a pebble on his head.

She score one on him, so he slept in late; not completely his fault.

"Well," The white furred bat began, "For the past couple of months, we've been fighting over this thing—"

"—And by that you mean; you've been trying to steal and I've been guarding it—"

Her aqua eyes rolled as his constant 'correction' was getting really annoying, "—Whatever, that's not my point here," She licked her lips and continued, "Well I wanna know why you're here 24-7, what's got you so stuck to a rock you bitch about? I've hear some of the rants when Sonic comes around to get you away from this thing."

The echidna guardian crossed his arms. Was he going to answer? Her curiosity was building up anticipation and making her so anxious! She had to shift position, resting her stomach on the smooth and flat surface of the Master Emerald's glowing top. She sighed as nothing came from his mouth, for once she actually wouldn't mind a response from him. What made him so committed to it? Was it a personal jewel? Could be a family heirloom? Maybe it was something more than just a crystal he guarded daily; it could've been a special possession that was all he had! Rouge bit her lower lip, to the point where her fangs were beginning to hurt her lower lip. Her thoughts raced back and forth as the second's silence turned into to minutes that became hours among hours even though it was all a mind trick and only half a minute had passed.

"I'm a guardian, simple as that," Knuckles mumbled quietly through his lips, "So far, I'm the last in the bloodline of guardians that are given the honor to guard it…"

She caught every play of his words, "So wait, there aren't any like you?"

The echidna stood up and sighed, "Not that I know of,"

"So," Rouge's voice different from before, it was a tone he couldn't recognize, "Do you consider it an honor?"

She saw his locks sway as he looked up and to the side. Slowly he turned, stopping at the point where she could see the stone purple of his eyes. "I want to but…" His chest rose as he inhaled deeply and exhaled it out, "As you can see, this 'honor', doesn't really let me enjoy life," His eyes were staring coldly at it.

"Don't leave," She cried as the reality of his death finally began to set in. "Don't leave me you knuckles head!" Her scream was muffled by the fur of his body. She was crying into his chest. It wouldn't leave her mind.

He was gone.

This wasn't a game where you had a second chance. You couldn't collect a hundred rings and get an extra chance. In reality, you bleed until your organs gave out. This poison was shutting out his systems one by one, until the whole thing could not go on. Rouge's mind tried to understand it, not accepting but trying to know what life was like without him. Even if was of interest to her, she could never go to the Master Emerald anymore. Without the scarlet guardian watching it with hardened eyes, it was just a worthless rock to her. She was after a different gem, a new jewel that would finally bring happiness to her heart and fill it. It was red, loud, and she was resting on it right now.

That jewel was Knuckles the Echidna, remaining guardian of the Ancient Master Emerald; now deceased in the morning hours of the night.

"R-Rouge," She gasped and opened her eyes. Through the blur she saw the white of his eyes, the bold violet orb set in them, "Can you," She felt the chest rise as he breathed deeply and exhaled, "Kind of take it easy?" His neck tilted his head towards his left arm. She gasped, this wasn't an image in her head, it wasn't a mind trick; he was moaning. "You're pressing the needles and stuff deeper into my arm…and it really hurts…" He grunted as he tried to move gently.

"You're alive!" Immediately she snapped into hug, "Oh god you scared me out of my mind," She began to cry again, "Don't ever, ever, ever do that again!" She screamed at him. He flinched from the tight hold; she only flushed a little and lessened her grip. Knuckles still felt his body as if it were to snap in two.

"Well that's it," The old beaver groaned as he smacked his own face, "I'm done for the night!" Calmly he took a deep breath and walked away, "Nurse!" Two women approached him. Rubbing his forehead raised the question from the two women as to his well being, but he shrugged it off and told them he was fine, just stressed out.

"The echidna in ICU needs to be reconnected," With that groaned order the beaver shook his head and made his exit for another room.

In her worry she had leaned on him. By doing that her stomach had rubbed against his arm, at the elbow where needles were placed and his liquids were hooked to. Rouge had gripped on him and shifted his body so some of the cords disconnected, one being the heart monitor one.

"Jeez," He coughed, "Rouge I'm not dead," He chuckled a little as she whimpered, "But if you keep this up—" He stopped complaining when a hand tugged on his dreadlocks.

"You idiot!" She shouted, he flinched from the loud voice right next to ear, "Do you have any idea of the hell you just put me through?" It was in her eyes. The cluster of emotions in the orbs; worry, love, anger, depression, and joy…all at the same time, it was the ordeal she made it out to be.

"Umm…okay…" He exhaled slowly, "Judging by the way you're yelling and abusing me right I can only assume you're fine right?"

"Shut up," She scoffed before sniffling, "Don't you ever do that to me again!"

He was not a psychiatrist. Neither was the younger one.

In his opinion, ever since he found out she liked him; he thought she had lost it. And Shadow to him was just a piece of work on a level of its own. Opposites may be link in attraction but this one took the cake. Nothing could compare to this one, her personality and his withheld rage were something that could baffle most match makers. Once again, he groaned; Sonic the Hedgehog is not a psychiatrist! He shouldn't have to deal with this, isn't saving the world from utter destruction from Eggman and now this threat enough to allow him some breathing room?

"What the hell am I supposed to do?" Sonic scratched the top of his head, digging into his quills and relieving the roots, "You know him better than any of us! How should I know if you were right?" Sonic's foot tapped on the hardwood floor. It was only recently that he and Tails had ripped out the old blood soaked and stained carpet and quickly parted with Sonic's favored couch. It was dumped and burned where no one would find the remains as to not raise anymore idea by the neighbors. Tails already had a hard time explaining the broken glass from the other night.

Mina was sitting on the new sofa; it was day five and she was starting to worry. Shadow had left her wanting, emotionally and even physically; she was craving his touch and his presence. His affection had left a mark that no one could match. The way his hands caressed her body, hips, sides and all; it was something she wanted more than ever. The warmth of his words, the aura of protection he covered her with. He unwillingly left her with a void, he had completed her emotionally and the he was gone; she didn't know how much longer she could hold onto memories and hope itself. The love that had been planted long ago wanted to blossom but it can't without water…and she felt at fault for it.

It seemed like a fatigue had taken over since he left; she felt alone and empty. Tails' discovery of Rouge and Knuckles' location two days ago failed to arouse her much.

The most Amy could get from her was short smile, and even that faded in a few minutes;

"Dude," Sonic gave Knuckles the flat stare as soon as he entered the room, "Where the hell were you?"

Knuckles raised an eyebrow, "What the hell are you bitchin' about already? It's only what, nine in the morning?" The echidna gently moved around, sitting up without disturbing his company. The bat had fallen asleep during the early hours, he convinced her to lie on the bed by him since she refused to go back to her doctor assigned room. Rouge's bark and her verbal bites where enough to prove that she would beat up security if they took her away from him. And no, moving him was not an option; even though he offered it. One doctor's refused to take him out of ICU and second; Rouge wouldn't dare take a chance with him right now, despite Knuckles' constant protests and claims to how fine he was.

Sonic stopped when he noticed a curvy figure next to Knuckles in the bed. Tails and Amy soon follow shortly of Sonic's question into the room, "Okay first things, first," Wings stretched out and receded, he heard a female's gentle yawn, "Wow, Knux this is a little kinky, even for lonely guy like you don't ya think? What, playing nurse? I didn't know you knew about stuff—oof! Okay…you…got me…on that…one…" Sonic grunted as a quick fist fought the arching pain and struck him in the stomach.

Knuckles shook his arm, the pain of his jerky punch coming to him now. "Shut up, don't start getting ideas." Knuckles looked to his right and made sure she was still resting, "Nothing happened, okay? We've had a couple of ruff nights is all," Knuckles closed his eyes and paused, suddenly he flushed violently, his eyes snapped open and heard a snickering, "That's not what I meant you idiot!"

Sonic smirked, "Sure, I'll just put aside the facts for now," He brushed air in front of him away as a gesture. He took a breath and continued, "Second," Knuckles looked up and made eye contact with the hedgehog. Sonic only had a few bandages, the ones on his head where gone and his ribs and left arm where the only ones left. There was a pause; the two stared at one another, Knuckles raising an eyebrow as to when he will continue. "You asshole!" He shouted, "How could you ditch us? Jackass!" Amy began to hold Sonic back as he ranted, "Do have any idea how badly I got my ass kicked?"

"I had my own problems idiot!" Knuckles kept his voice down as he felt Rouge stir, "Please it couldn't have much worse then what we went through,"

"Dude," Sonic relaxed and spoke slowly, "Three of 'em, huge like what? Ten feet? I fought one and got my ass handed to me." His voice sped up, "Then Shadow went berserk and killed one, then two more showed up and I'm like…shit…so by now we're away in the forest watching because these two new guys are like the masters or whatever and the start beating up on the others and then they get the emeralds and cut up a body so it melts itself away. And after all of that, they toss the gems back and leave…like it was nothing," Sonic breathed before continuing, "Then man, Shadow lost it and went nuts, Chaos speared the entire forest until that thing was done, it was completely flat!" The echidna had been hold a strange look currently which only seemed to worsen as Sonic kept babbling so quickly.

"Okay…" Knuckles decided to tell his story, "Umm…we got attack by the thing with yellow marks; it held her hostage and we found out later that we were falling to a poison. I had to carry her for who knows how long around the park to this hospital. I fought some big black dog like thing with armor, it cut me some and it ran off. By then, I was already seeing shit," Sonic chuckled, "Next thing I know, I'm here, half-awake and then two days later you're ass comes in bitchin'!"

Amy sighed as Knuckles finished, "This isn't a competition!" She groaned, "Look we came because we were worried, Tail's had been looking for you since then and well we're just happy to see you guys are doing okay." Knuckles nodded once at her sweet words, "Nice to see you two are getting along, about time," Knuckles flushed a little as Amy winked at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Knuckles barked quietly. He mentally kept trying to keep the tint on his cheeks down.

"Dude," Sonic spoke flatly, "We've all known for long time." Knuckles' jaw dropped a little, "It's not like you kept it a secret, cause it was like a book; both of you; even I could read it on you guys. You two were digging on each other,"

"Okay, whatever, fine. I admit it, I like her," Sonic shook his head and gave him obviously doubtful look, "Okay love her, you hear it?" Knuckles reached up and grabbed Sonic by the arm and yanked him down, "You happy? I admit it, I love her, damn!"

"Way to over react," Sonic took his arm back and scoffed, "Jeez, I was just messing with you," He rubbed his arm and shoulder from the harsh pull.

"So what now?" All in the room who were aware looked at him, "What happened to Shadow…and for that matter Mina?"

"You know that really complex and dumb story I just told you?" Sonic asked, Knuckles only nodded slowly, "Well it's a lot deeper than that." Tails and Amy sighed a little, "From what I know, Shadow ran off; him and Mina got into some kind of argument. It went a lot deeper with them…Mina's outside right now; she's been upset through this whole thing. By now, even you can kind of piece it together,"

"Yeah," Knuckles took a deep breath, "I guess we just have to deal with it, you think she'll be okay?"

"I wish I had a damn clue," Sonic walked around, everyone's attention followed him, "It took Amy forever to get her to come along,"

Amy walked over to the wall and leaned on it, "She's alone right now," The pink hedgehog looked to Sonic, "When I told we found you guys she smiled for a little," Amy paused, "When we were on the way here she had gone back to before,"

"All she wants right now is to see him; she wants Shadow's company and until he comes back, there's nothing we can do. It doesn't matter how hard we try, after all of this; she went through it with him and I can't even imagine what she's going through…" The group couldn't find words to say that would be truer than Amy's.

Amy leaned on the wall nearest to the sofa's left armrest, right by the kitchen entrance. Her pink quills were combed as usual, while they knew the truth they kept it to themselves. New reports and journalist when crazy with the discovery of dead bodies and strange blood that glow found the more run down construction yards. New reporters for the past couple of days were having a field day with this story. And here they were keeping it to themselves; it was the safest thing to do. Mina was curled on the couch, not speaking with anyone. Rouge and Knuckles were going to be released in a few days, and Sonic had insisted that Mina stay with someone, while she kept refusing; Amy forced the choice on her. There had to be something she could do, Sonic and Tails weren't exactly qualified to deal with this type of sensitive situation. They could only watch carefully and listen.

"Mina," Amy began, she looked to the mongoose. Her figure curled, the mongoose's arms wrapped around her legs, hugging tightly as they were the only things she could hold onto. Amy heard some of a mumble from her, "Look I know you miss him but you can't stay like this forever; he'll be back." Mina's face showed itself.

"Shadow doesn't want to hurt me…" Amy raised an eyebrow, "That's why he left. Everyone saw him snap; how he killed one and then leveled the whole forest," Her voice was shaky, almost like mumble, "Amy, he left because he looked at himself,"

"Huh?" Amy sat down closer to her, "I don't follow," Sonic hummed deeply before sighing once;

'Damn Shadow, you left Mina really messed up…but that's not like you…man, what's going through that head of yours right now?' Sonic remained seated next to Tails, both listening hoping to grasp some footing on the situation. Like before; he was not a psychiatrist, this was a little too deep for him.

"It was in his eyes," Mina left her eyes drift to the ground. Her face was gloomy, "I saw it in his face, the blood he was covered in," The mongoose's voice was deepening as she continued, "It scared him…then we began to argue," She sniffled, "I don't want him to fight anymore; he doesn't have to, but he kept denying it; saying this wasn't over, but still…" Mina's eyes began to water, when her cold shoulder felt the physical warmth of a gloved hand she felt nothing. She wanted his arms, his chest; his body, his comfort. "He left in a quick teleport…soon I found him again, he looked me in the eyes and told the truth…" Amy's ears were deep into the conversation, listening to every detail.

"He told me that…he feared himself…for me. Shadow said that he could never allow me to get involved in his mess; it was something personal and dangerous. We parted but…" Mina's tears stopped as she sniffled, "I wonder if I should've been more persistent with him. I don't really care; I just want to be with him…" The mongoose let her right hand fall. The gloved fingers curved as to hold something, but she couldn't feel it; there was only air.

'Oh Mina…' Amy sighed as the yellow mongoose's attention completely faded, her eyes dim, 'Shadow would never leave you…I hope…no, I know. He loves you and you love him, this whole thing has him off. Give it time…he just needs to clear his head…hell I know I had my fair share of craziness after this…'

Everything rang with an echo, the sounds bouncing inside of his ears ringing into the deepest part of his mind. With a groan he felt consciousness come to mind as he began to think again. The black his eyes saw would not lift, even that simple act was exhausting right now, but he knew he was flat on the ground floor. He could the drenched grass below him; at the same time he could feel an excelling heat, the vapors were strong in temperature. Along with the chirping of birds he could hear his own breaths, the deep exhales were tiring. The only thing he could compare to his pain was fire being set to his lungs, the inhale felt like needles poking viciously at his heart and lungs. It was hard to move anything, his left pinky twitched as he tried to move his body. Not much wanted to move right because no matter how much he tried, the most he could get was a twitch. The hedgehog moaned as he felt the pulsing pain continue throughout his body.

Shadow tried again and found that a few muscles could move, "So this…is what…I decided…" He said to himself, he coughed harshly as the vocal cord use was irritating right now.

"I…I," The battered hedgehog forced his eyelids open, "Can do this…" Slowly the dark hue faded and he could see blades of grass. The dark emerald blades cutting into the skies from his distorted view, the hollow sounds of water drips rushing through his ears; all he could do was cough and hack up a spit of blood.

The crimson orbs lost their luster. Once they were fiery and bold, but now, as the raven hedgehog stared into the deep blue air above him; his eyes were dull and dead. The bold red had died and now he seemed so helpless, lying on ground like a newborn. So weak, the strength he once had was gone and now he couldn't even force a crawl. He couldn't even scream, even then; what would he scream for? Probably no one around for miles, and he pushed the most important person in his life away; who would help him? As he rested on the floor, several creatures loomed over him; inspecting and scouting to see what happened to him. Birds and eyes in the sky from an eagle could see his battered body, healing wounds opened slightly; blood soaked and dried into the ground below him. Vapors of haze were beginning to cool into nothing. Battered and broke he lay on the ground helpless; his orbs were grey and dead; the white of his eye we're lightly tone from pink.

He had been crying.

'I don't feel the pain!' His own mind screamed, 'So why does it hurt so much? Why do I feel horrible…like this is above me, greater than my own strength?' Shadow gritted his teeth; the taste blood in mouth was disgusting, 'No, this isn't anything I can't handle!'

Cracking came from certain joints as his body curved upwards, his fingers gripped into the dirt. The blood from the open wounds on his arms and his chest, even the impale in stomach dripped streams of droplets. The blood ran for only mere half second segments, it was build up, not bleed. The energy was gone, but what happened; he couldn't remember no matter how hard he tried. He could only remember the screams he yelled as he leveled an entire section of forest while the burning energy flooded his body. Everything else was a black out, the time gone felt like if in a sleep state, like if it were seconds ago. But the movements came and left, Shadow soon collapsed; his body could not take this much energy use from nowhere.

'C'mon, move; damn it!' His mind and lungs were the only parts moving at will. It was only with a few more attempts, ones which failed, that Shadow began to see the reality in his situation. It was simple; no energy; no movement, but could he really let himself be stuck here? 'I can't feel you there…' He mumbled the thought as a gasping breath, 'It's like every step I take…it's a mistake; but it really can't…' Shadow's grey eyes were soon accompanied by a few gently build ups. The watery drops slid down the crests of his eyes and the upper one ran over his nose, joining it all into a slow flow. 'Could it?'

'I've never cried before…' Shadow forced a mental order to his nerves; lashing out to the inners that they move him to where he wished, 'I've been stabbed, shot at and had my ribs broken; I've exhausted my body to the point to where my so called internal self preservation systems that I'm told about are not very effective; do I really have a limit? So can I continue as far as my blood can endure?' The raven hedgehog's body refused to move, 'I've never cried before; but I can't feel the bleed, I can't feel my blood cuts; I can't feel the broken bones; I can't feel the sore wounds; so what am I crying for? The pain is not like before; it's so numb, like its not there? Why then? Is it…because…' As the tears flow Shadow reached out with his right arm, he could see the wounds, some open and others closed. The torn gloves on his fingers where letting him see some of his fingers, all over the fabric was torn or pulled. Little loops of white yarn, some green or red, even both from the blood, rousing all kinds of memories from recent into his mind. His thumb and middle finger were exposed, it hand been a long time since he had seen his bare hands. Long ago he refused to remove his gloves, cleaning them by soaking them whole in water. Shadow could see his gentle and soft fur, it was like velvet in appearance; it just seemed supple. They had never touched blood other than what soaked through and even then it wasn't even much. His bare hands were clean, they had never seen the color of blood; but even now with his sight fading and blurring, he could still tell they were soft.

Something of a sniffle came from his nose. He grunted as his hand tried to grip something near him, he couldn't grab anything but air. Just as his eyes were almost shut, he whimpered, '…I can't feel you there…' Slowly his eyes shut, blurs of colors and light darkening into a black so deep that he lost his thoughts. The hand lost all grip in its fist, it flattened as it fell to the ground, only able to feel the cold air that a lone wolf feels in the dead of night.

As soon as I finish it…whenever that will be, but no fear; or should you? I don't know what the hell that was about.

Till next time, I'm gone.