Shadow opened his eyes weakly, feeling vertigo through his entire body. The last thing he remembered was Chris mentioning GUN again, and then nothing.
Did I just faint in front of all those people? Shadow groaned in embarrassment and covered his face with the pillow. The faint creak of the door echoed softly through the room.
"Shadow?" The hedgehog groaned from the headache and opened ruby eyes tiredly. "Hey, kid." Chris walked into the room, holding a steaming cup in his hand. "I brought some tea. Vanilla said it should help with your headache." The hedgehog narrowed his eyes, not saying a word.
"…That's really generous of her." Chris nodded, concern completely evident in his blue eyes. "Are you feeling any better?" Shadow groaned, "If you're asking me if I don't see the room spinning anymore, then yes." Chris sighed in relief. "That's really great. A lot of people were concerned." Shadow frowned, "I don't need their worry." Chris raised his hands up in surrender.
"I know. I know. But they all care about you Shadow." Shadow looked down at the floor, not speaking. "Do you feel okay to get up?" The black hedgehog nodded and got off the bed slowly. He shook his head as Chris stood up to help, and walked a few paces forward, his hand against the wall for balance.
"Breakfast is ready, children." Both human and hedgehog turned toward the door at Vanilla. She smiled at Shadow, "So glad you're feeling better, darling." Shadow nodded, "Thank you, Vanilla." The adult bunny smiled and closed the door softly. Chris nodded at Shadow, "Let's go."
…
"Hi, Mr. Chris. Hi, Mr. Shadow." Cream's childish, innocent voice filled the room as they entered the dining room. Chris gave a warm smile to Cream. "Hey, Cream." Shadow just gave a curt nod to the bunny girl and sat at the table.
"So how did you sleep, Mr. Chris?" Chris laughed good-naturedly. "You don't have to call me 'Mr.', Cream. Just 'Chris' would be fine." Cream blushed, "Sorry. I forgot." She turned solemn and asked quietly, "How's Miss. Ella?" Chris' heart ached seeing Cream's sad face. Ella was kind of like a second mother to Cream. During the first few months in Chris' world, Cream was separated from her mother.
Ella took care of her as if she was her own child. They cooked and cleaned the house together and Ella had comforted her when she was scared or missing her mother and Emerl, the robot she had befriended…and destroyed.
"She's fine, Cream. But she really misses you." Cream nodded, a few tears falling down her face. Shadow felt a tug at his heart as he watched Cream cry. He got off his seat, walked to Cream, and gently patted her head. Cream smiled tearfully at Shadow in thanks, then wiped her eyes. "Is everybody else in your world alright?" Chris nodded, "They're alright. They miss all of you, though."
"Hey, everybody!" Everybody looked out the window and saw no other than Sonic the Hedgehog waving at them from the window. "Sonic!" "Mr. Sonic!" Cream and Chris ran out the door to meet their blue friend. Shadow grunted in frustration. He's so annoying!
Vanilla noticed the look Shadow was making and patted the hedgehog's shoulder, "He may seem a little over-active, but he has a good heart." Shadow nodded. He was sure that this Sonic guy had a good heart, it's just his attitude and enthusiasm was starting to get on his nerves.
Might as well go out too… He gave a nod to Vanilla, got up from the table, and went outside.
….
"So, how are you today, buddy?" Chris shrugged, "I'm doing pretty well, Sonic." Sonic looked toward the door, "How's Shads doing?" Chris' smile turned to a worried frown. "He's better than last night, but his head still irritates him a little."
"I'm fine, hedgehog." Everyone turned to look at Shadow as he emerged from the front door, Vanilla beside him to help his balance. Sonic just gave him a thumbs-up, "Sure thing, buddy." Shadow growled irritatingly, "NEVER call me 'buddy'."
Sonic smirked at the hedgehog, "What, you don't like that name?" Chris turned to Sonic, glaring in warning, but the hedgehog paid no attention to him. Shadows' eyes narrowed even more and he took a few steps forward, "What did I just say to you?" Sonic smiled tauntingly.
"Sonic, no…" Chris looked at Sonic pleadingly, begging him not to cause trouble. Sonic continued on, "Not to call you 'buddy', buddy." Chris whimpered and covered his eyes with his hand. This is not going to end well…
Shadow growled even louder than last time, causing Cream to gasp and hide behind Chris' legs. Chris swallowed, turning to Sonic, "Sonic, stop it. Don't cause any trouble." Sonic turned his head toward the boy and frowned.
"Boy…some reunion this is. Maybe I'll come back when you feel a little more welcoming." He turned to run off, but before he did, he turned to Chris one more time, hurt in his green eyes.
"Try to remember who you're real friends are, kid."
The hedgehog ran from the house, leaving a group of bewildered people behind.
…..
Chris looked at the spot where Sonic ran, then turned toward Cream. "What did I do?" Cream shrugged, confusion in her soft, brown eyes. Vanilla had watched the whole thing and got the hidden message pretty quick. Letting go of Shadow, she walked over to Chris and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Chris, may I talk to you for a moment?" She gently led the boy inside the house, closing the door behind her. Vanilla sat before the confused boy and talked gently. "Chris…I think that Sonic…is a bit jealous."
"Huh? Why would he be jealous?" Vanilla gave him a motherly look, "I think he saw you focusing all your attention on Shadow, that he thought you forgot him." Chris' eyes widened, "It had only been a few days since you all went home. Sonic is one of my best friends, I would never forget him."
Vanilla placed her hands on his. "I know, Honey. But I guess it's kind of weird for him to see you not paying any attention to him anymore. At Earth, you idolized him. And…I guess he enjoyed that a little. Not even Tails treated him with that much attention." She saw a little bit of betrayal enter the boys' eyes and hastily added, "I'm not saying that he will leave you in the dust if you don't pay attention to him: he still would see you as a friend, but I guess you giving him all your attention made him think that that was how you showed him you cared."
Chris nodded his head slowly, although inside his head, he had to disagree. Him idolizing Sonic? That wasn't how he acted around him…was it? A few memories flew through his head and embarrassment and shame flew through him. He must've acted like a helpless baby around all of them.
I will never act like that again. With that thought through his head, he thanked Vanilla for the talk and went out to find Sonic.
…
Sonic groaned. Why did he act like that? Sure, he's upset about the Chris and Shadow dilemma, but that was no reason for him to be too harsh with the kid. Sighing, he looked out at the lake, filled with self-loathing.
"I thought I might find you out this way." Sonic looked up slowly, guilt reflected in his pale, green eyes. "Chris…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I-I mean…" Chris smiled softly at him, "I forgive you, Sonic. I hope you can forgive me." Sonic raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"What are you talking about, Chris? You have nothing to be sorry about." Chris shook his head. "Yes, I do. I…didn't really pay that much attention to you since I got here, huh?" Sonic looked down, a little embarrassed and nodded. "I know I…worshiped you I guess, back home…but just because I don't now, doesn't mean I don't care about you any less."
Sonic sighed, "I know I sound a little shallow, but I really did like all the attention. I'm sorry-I guess it was kind of a shock to me." Chris nodded, "I will tell you though, I won't go that far with idolizing you again. I was kind of acting like a baby last time; I'm too old for that now."
Sonic nodded, "I understand completely." Chris wasn't finished yet, "There's another thing with your behavior with Shadow. You can't be jealous that I'll spend more time with him in the future. I'm the only one Shadow trusts right now. His amnesia makes him vulnerable and he needs me. You have to be patient with him and with me."
Sonic groaned quietly, but nodded. He had no excuse to get upset with Shadow. The hedgehog doesn't have any memory. Why should he be angry at him?
Chris smiled, "Thank you, Sonic."