Chapter 4: Traveling Dreams

I'm confused and happy.

I was being dragged by a hedgehog everywhere, hearing his childish laughters echo in my head. We played hand games, hide-and-seek, tag…We talked for a long time. We raced. We collapsed next to each other in a plain when we got tired.

Why am I so happy with this hedgehog? Do I know him?

My mind went back to the race. It was a tie when we ended it…wasn't I supposed to be the fastest thing alive? Yeah…there's only one person who can catch up to me like that…Shadow?

Just as the riddle was solved, the laughing and smiling kid faded and was replaced with a cold looking hedgehog. His eyes were menacing and full of hatred. He looked ready to kill. This must be the Shadow when he had just experienced Maria's death…his one friend…his first and best, and perhaps last.

He dissolved into the air. Someone tapped me behind my back. I whirled around.

"Shadow?"

"Faker."

Shadow grabbed my hand and ran. I was suddenly night. So we ran under the bright moon, surrounded by glowing flowers that blooms in the night.

Us, the two distant spiky shadows under the moon shuffled through the dark green grass, carried by the wind.

He stopped by a tree, hopping on it. I hauled myself up next to him.

No words were exchanged as we took in the beautiful sight before us, the bright, full moon beaming down at the lake under it. Thousands of fireflies darted around like little moving stars.

The next few moments was a blur. All I can remember is that Shadow and I got really close…and…and…

It's no use. I can't figure it out. However, when I blinked and opened my eyes once again, he was gone, and so was the moon, lake, and little dancing lightning bugs, Instead, it was replaced with a garden of flowers. The scent was sweet, but after sniffing it for two minutes, I became dizzy.

Just then, a female hedgehog in a black hank top with a hot pink miniskirt came from behind a rose bush. Her emerald gaze similar to mine was awfully familiar.

"A-Am—" I started, but she hugged me before I could finish her name.

"I know you're having a hard time…but I'm just wondering who you're going to choose…me…or him…?"

And then, I wasn't able to control myself. My mind flew everywhere. A series of pictures from different scenes appeared and disappeared in a quarter of a millisecond, switching to a new one as soon as it had appeared. It ended with me back on the tree with Shadow, and our hands laced together.

Green eyes snapped open. He was back on the Universal Airline with his friends…wearing his headphone, listening to Shadow's music…

His hand felt particularly warm. It was comforting. What was it…? It certainly wasn't the blanket that had magically appeared on top of him…

Sonic lifted up the cover and peered under it. Shadow's firm grip tightened as Sonic shifted a little. The blue spike ball sweatdropped. But as soon as it ended, he felt his cheeks warm up.

Maybe the covers were unnecessary. And he lifted them off. As soon as he did, cold air hit his bare skin. Nope. That's not it. And put the covers back to place.

He looked over at the sleeping counterpart. Like the time before, he couldn't tear his gaze away. Shadow's fluffy chest rose up and down to the rhythm of his slow breathing, his eyelids fluttering slightly once in a while. He let out low, barely audible snores that slipped out of his smooth tan lips. His fingers let go slightly of Sonic's hand before wrapping them around it again for a better grip.

Ding! An inspiration started painting itself in Sonic's mind. He needed his sketchbook…but they were still back at his old seat. Slowly, he got up and walked towards Rouge and Amy. Then he stopped. Shadow was still holding on his hand. Sonic bit his lip and thought for a moment before peeling the stubborn fingers slowly off from his hand. Shadow's hand fell and landed with a small thump. It was limp, but it had a certain stiffness that it didn't have before.

It's okay. It's not like I'm not returning or anything. He reached over Rouge and slipped the sketchbook from between the sleeping hedgehog and bat, pausing between the times when they groaned and flipped around in their seat.

Tip toeing back, and sat down back in his still warm seat next to his companion. It's a good thing he had outer seats…or else that would've been a real pain sneaking back and forth. (knowing Sonic he'd just wake everybody up)

Now that he was covered with the warm with body heat blanket, Sonic pulled out the table tray once again and clicked the dim lights option from the switch on his arm rest. As he was about to draw, the inspiration wasn't as strong anymore. Just as a test, his hand snaked back to the stiff hand. Shadow relaxed, and the other's peach lips stretched into a smile.

Sonic and I promised each other, the day after he realized that I wasn't dead from the ARK incident where I gave him my power ring. We'll never let go of each other, and always watch each others' back.

It sounded like a promise that only couples would make. I didn't like that fact, it made me uncomfortable, but I don't want to see him bothering me every day. So I agreed…

And that leads to the time where we went on a quest to foil Dr. Eggman's plans for taking over the city again. We went through forests…went through many traps…but we stuck together, like the promise we made. But…it didn't last as long as we'd planned.

We were separated, and we let go of each others' hands unwillingly. Dammit.

I was then alone in the darkness, all alone, the cold wind and emptiness ate away at me slowly. My body turned stiff. I don't want to move…I don't want to move at all. I don't want to breathe…

A familiar gloved hand appeared in front of me. I traced the hand to its owner. Peach arms, chest…Blue fur…grassy eyes…confident smile.

"Sonic."

"Whatcha waitin' for? Come on Shads."

I grabbed his hand, and he tightened his grip. We ran and ran, raced to freedom and happiness and light.

The promise wasn't broken after all.

Unconsciously smiling, Shadow's eyes fluttered open. Outside the plane was still very dark, but it was brighter than before. He sat up, and Sonic averted his eyes from what he was working on to the awakened sleeping beauty.

"Heya," greeted Sonic.

"Is that me?" Shadow blinked a few times to get the sleep out of his eyes. His eyes focused.

"Oh…uhm. Yeah, I guess…" Sonic looked away from Shadow and wouldn't meet his gaze again. He took the sketchbook off the tray table and hugged it, as if it were private. Which, just might be the case.

During the process of hiding the drawing, Sonic had hauled Shadow's hand along with him, forgetting the fact that they were still holding hands. Peach muzzle turned redder and he quickly muttered an apology and let go.

Shadow didn't reply.

Okay, I decided to cut off there. Aww...what's gonna happen during ze awkward momento? Next chapter will come soon...Throw me some ideas by PMing me if ya wanna...That'll let me update faster...

Sonic: Gotta go fast!

Shuddap.