Teardrops and Bloodstains – Chapter 5

Shadow: This makes me look stupid…

Tails: No… It makes you look cute!

Shadow: Wha? Tails… When did you?

Blood Wren: OK, ENOUGH! ON WITH THE DISCLAIMER!

Shadow and Tails: We don't belong to Blood Wren!

Sonic: Me neither!

Blood Wren: Ok! I own no-one! Apart from the chaos! (Not Cheese)

Shadow: Can we go now?

Blood Wren: Yeah… 'Sniff'

Funny disclaimer makes you want to put nice reviews doesn't it? Hahahahaha! (There goes my sanity)

'''

"I'm sick of lying down…"

"Tails, you know you can't get up."

"But Sonic!"

"NO!"

Another 'Bed Rest' day. As if I had a choice. My limbs are getting better, but slowly, too slowly. Well, things aren't all bad. Me and Shadow have started going out… well, staying in at the moment. Only Cream and Knuckles know, we decided not to tell Sonic, cos he'd flip. Speaking of Knuckles, he's gone back to the Island and says things are going well.

"Sonic, you know I'll try to get up again when you leave the room!"

"Well, maybe I won't leave then!"

"God Sonic, you act like your 5!"

How childish, he pokes his tongue out at me.

"Twin! Whack him around the head with your frying pan!"

"CHAO!"

"AAhhhhhh! Knock it off! SUPER! HELP!"

Along comes Sonic's Chao, Super.

"What's all this noise?"

"Oh, hi Cream! Sonic's not letting me stand up, so Twin's whacking him!"

"Tails! TELL HER TO STOP!"

"…ok… Twin, stop hitting Sonic"

One of my few pick-me-ups around here, Chao fighting. Our chaos fight, but not that badly. If it gets to bad, we break them up. It's like small children play fighting. It's usually me and Shadow with Twin and Dark, and Sonic and Cream with Super and Cheese.

Today's Saturday, and I really wanna go and see Shadow, but I can't. My body is almost incapable of large movements, so I can't walk. He comes and sees me when he can, but he's still being attacked by Eggman every few days. According to Knuckles, what happened two weeks ago shouldn't have been so bad for me. He said that the cold didn't help, but otherwise he's as confused as I am. He's going through it all on his own… I should be able to help somehow but, I can't. He recovers better than be, it took him 2 days to recover from the snake bite, and it took 6 months for me. How much pain is he in though? I know he's used to being alone but… this has never happened.

"Still thinking about Shadow?"

The mass of blue spikes sat down by my feet.

"Yeah…"

"He'll be ok, you'll see."

"Where's Cream?"

"Oh, gone into the kitchen with Cheese and Amy to bake cookies or something."

"Isn't Knuckles coming down today?"

"Yeah… Apparently he's got an Emerald substitute, with just enough power to stop it from crashing."

"What kind of substitute?"

"I did ask, but he didn't tell me."

I put my head back onto my pillow.

"How much longer am I gonna have to be like this?"

"Tails?"

"You'd think it would be great, lying back, doing nothing. But, it isn't. It's…it's…"

I tried to cover my face so the Sonic couldn't see my tears, but he moved my arm.

"Tails."

I felt his weight move of the sofa, and he comes over and kneels beside me. I… I try to sit up, but collapse half-way through. The tears are running freely now. I try to turn away, but Sonic now has his hand on my shoulder, gently stopping me.

"Do you remember that time when Eggman caught me? And you saved me?"

I nod. Why is he reminding me?

"You where unable to move for ages… but you never gave up hope… you where always finding new things to do."

Is that what I've done? Given up hope? Why didn't I back then? I was younger, I thought you couldn't die until you get old… but now, I see it everywhere, death. On the Floating Island, and down here.

"Sonic? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to die?"

He doesn't look taken aback or anything, and it sounds like he's had the answer in his head for a long time.

"I do… and every time I go on a mission, I think: 'Are they gonna be alright without me', and when I'm with you, I'm always worried your not gonna make it, but you do… just."

"You… you think I'm not strong enough? You know, to cope with all of this?"

"No, but it's normal to worry about your family and friends."

"Thanks Sonic."

"What?"

"You've cheered me up!"

"Good! We can't have you moping about the place now, can we!"

"Nope!"

"There we where acting as if we where kids again… Not knowing the pain and loneliness of Shadow, cowering on the floor. If I'd have known I'd have got up and run, I'd even crawl over to his house, but, I didn't know."

"Hey, Sonic, Rouge's on the phone, she says it's urgent."

"Cya in a bit, little bud!"

And with a wink, he went around the corner. After a few seconds of muffled sounds:

"WHAT! Rouge… are you serious? You sure he's not out? You are? No, I can't tell her… look I can't, not now, she in a bad enough way without that! I'll go over and check it out. Ok? Thanks."

He walks past the door.

"Tails I gotta go check something out, I'll be back soon"

"Wh…" I start, but only to be met by the slamming of the door.

"Twin, could you follow him? What? You wanna take Super? Go on then, just don't get caught ok?"

I put my head down, unable to keep it up anymore. I hear the Chao-flap swinging and I know they've gone. I sink fully into the sofa. Where Shadow? Is that why Sonic's gone? I can feel it now, there's something wrong. Despite all of Sonic's advice, I start to move, I'm gonna have to try harder… as I stand, my legs give way and I land on the floor. Why? I know Shadow's in trouble, but can't I do anything? I grab the sofa arm, and heave myself up again, only to fall onto the sofa again.

'Knock'

"Hang on" Came a sweet little voice from down the corridor. I saw Cheese zooming towards the door.

"Chao!"

"What? It's open?"

"CHAO!"

"Thanks Cheese! Is Tails here?"

"Well, I can't exactly move can I?"

"I'll thank that as a yes then."

Around the corner came Knuckles, looking better than he did last time I saw him, and I didn't see him much, he'd kinda left me and Shadow alone.

"So, how are you feeling then?"

"I'm ok… do you know where Sonic went?"

"No, I've just seen him and he mumbled something… sounded like 'Eggman', why?"

"Oh… no reason."

"You think it's Shadow? Hasn't Eggman stopped it yet?"

"No, and he hasn't come round for ages, he said he didn't want to worry me, but now I'm more worried that I ever could be. I'm, scared Knux."

I think he's realized that I've only got him to turn to at the moment, Sonic's gone, and Shadow is... somewhere, the Chaos have gone, and Cream, Cheese and Amy are too busy cooking.

"Have you told Sonic about you and Shadow yet?"

"No... I don't want him to know..."

"But he'll find out!"

"I know! Do you think I don't?"

I'm back on the verge of tears, and arguing pointlessly with Knuckles...

"At the moment, I don't really care about anything apart from Shadow..."

"..."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that I could carry you over to Shadow's house."

"What? No... Knuckles... I couldn't... I'd hurt you..."

"No you wouldn't, and I won't hurt you"

"But if Sonic..."

"If Sonic sees us, blame it on me, it is my idea."

"Thanks Knuckles..."

"I'll go and tell Cream and Amy..."

"Ok"

They're right, Sonic WAS over-protective of me... I'd just got used to it.

"You ready?"

I nod... and Knuckles scoops me up into his arms.

"I'll try not to go to fast, but hold on to my jacket, just in case"

He gives me a swift smile, and opens the door with a push. The cold winter air blows through my fur, making me shiver slightly. This was the first fresh air I've had in weeks. He breaks into a run, making me grab his jacket to stay on.

"You ok?"

"Yeah"

He looks at me.

"I'm fine!"

We arrive not 5 minutes afterwards, Shadow lives on the top floor of a 6 story building. Knuckles carries me up the steps. As he climbs, I'm getting nervous. We get to the door of Shadow's flat, and open it... it's a mess, there's blood everywhere, smashed glass and the only light is coming from the TV, but it's just visual noise. Knuckles glances shiftily around, checking if it was safe.

"Shadow?"

"Knuckles? Shadow's down here, Eggman hasn't given up on him yet."

"The blood... who's?"

"Both... Eggman can now fully control him..."

"...No..."

"Tails!"

"Yeah, I carried her here."

"WHAT! After how she is?"

"I had to! She needs to see him Sonic! Have you not been paying attention to her?"

"STOP IT!"

Tears are in my eyes, rolling quickly down my face to join a small puddle of blood on the floor.

"Ngg..."

"Shadow?"

The dark figure rose from the floor, having to hold onto anything he can to stand.

"Shadow, do you know who I am?" Sonic said lightly.

"Yeah..."

"Good, your voice is normal again, do you know what happened?"

"Eggman tried to control me again?"

"Well, yes and no. He did try to control you, and... he did"

"What? I don't remember anything!"

"Shadow?"

His ears prick up at my voice. He slowly turns around, wincing at the obvious pain.

"Tails?"

Knuckles knows what to do... he lowers the arm holding up my legs and holds me steady, but I know he can feel me shaking, about to fall. Shadow walks up to me and catches me as I start to fall. I can't help it... I start to cry again. Why do I do this? I wrap my arms around his neck, while he holds my waist. I'm trembling, but I think it's a good thing. I can see through my tear-drenched eyes, the look on Sonic's face. He looks confused and shocked at the same time.

"Why didn't you come and see me?"

"I couldn't... I didn't want to hurt you so... I stayed away."

"You could have told me though... about Eggman controlling you now."

"This is a first... I'm sorry."

As those last words came out of his mouth, a faint glow starts to go all around him, then me.

"What's going on?"

"I... I don't know"

"That's all I remember... Knuckles said we collapsed at the same time... Sonic went mad of course, at first blaming Shadow for doing it, then Knuckles for bring me there. Shadow was, of course, awake before me..."

I woke up with a start; the room I'm in is pitch black. I'm covered in sweat... but, I can move my legs... What's happened...? Shadow? Where are you?

"Tails? You're awake?"

What!

"What? How can you tell?"

"I'm not called 'Shadow' for nothing... I can see in the dark better than you. Hang on." I can hear his footsteps, only lightly. 'Click' A small light flickers on, casting a dull glow around the room. He glances around a few times.

"We can't let Eggman see us now..."

"What happened?"

He walks over to me slowly, I can see the scars from the flat... almost fresh.

"He got into a bit of a rage, overtook Mobius..."

"WHAT!"

"Shhhhh! If he hears you, he'll kill you!"

"How can he hear me?"

"He's spent his "time off" rigging the place up with cameras, hidden mics... you know; the usual."

"Why did we, err, collapse?"

"My Emerald was protecting us."

"What? It knocked us out cold!"

"Yeah, but we were glowing until we woke up."

"Glowing?"

"It's like an energy field, nothing can hurt you, but people can pick you up... good thing really..."

"But why us... why then?"

"Well, then because that's when we where in danger as us... I hate this to sound mushy but, we think it's cos of the connection between us... that's what Knuckles said anyway."

"But... why does it heal me? The Emerald?

"Heal? Can you..."

"Move my legs, yeah I think so."

"My Emerald has some funny ways of hinting... heh heh. Come on... you need to sleep..."

"No... I've just woken up, why would I need to sleep?"

"Well, I've gotta go and check on the others, this kind of mayhem, the chaos don't like it, neither does Cream. Do you wanna come too then?"

"Yeah, but...will my legs cope?"

"Should do... come on."

I get up, wobble a bit, and fall onto him, my hands on his shoulders and my muzzle in his chest fur.

"Whoa! Tails? Are you alright?"

He put his hands on my lower back to support me. I start to blush, but he can't see me, in his fur. I look up at him, he's already looking down at me, blushing… freely? I start to look down in my embarrassment but one of his hands leaves my back and lightly pushes my chin up. Then, he kissed me again. I'm still new to all of this so I'm trying not to make a fool out of myself. After a while, we break up. I'm shaking again, but it isn't bad, I'm just nervous.

"Are you ok?"

He's speaking softly into my ear, making me shiver a little.

"Yeah"

"Shall we go up?"

"What? Oh... yeah."

He takes my hand a guides me along. My legs seem to be ok now... We walk through corridors and passages, he looks like he knows his way around though. After a while, we get to a door with one of those small, round glass, well, spy-holes. Shadow knocks the door, and an eye appears in the hole. After about a second, a large amount of locks and chains can be heard, followed by the creaking of the door. A worried looking, pink hedgehog pokes her head out of the gap, Amy.

"Quickly you two! Get in!"

We pass through the gap and into a brightly-lit room...

"CCCCHHHHHAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOO!"

Two young chaos came rushing towards us.

"You missed me?" I say to Twin, as she flies into me, almost knocking me over.

"Chao!"

I look over at Shadow, who has Dark sat in-between his quills.

"Heh heh... Chao!"

"Cream! If you can't control them? Who can?"

"I'm sorry Sonic, I don't know why they did that!"

"Hey Sonic! Don't blame it on her! I think they wanted to see us!"

"Shadow? Tails! You're walking!"

I nod as the blue hedgehog dashes over.

"How?"

"Chaos Emeralds are wonderful things..."

"Knuckles?"

"Yeah, we're all here, even the Chaotix and Big..."

"Basically, the plan was to get the Chaos Emeralds back, because this was making Eggman more powerful. But first, they all had to recover from the battles just to get here. A chunk of Sonic's ear was missing, a large amount of fur was singed off of Big's coat, Knuckles had more cuts and bruises, and everyone else was just tired."

Sonic still doesn't understand the whole 'Me and Shadow' thing. I think it's because he doesn't want to, it's like his brain doesn't register it. It's a lazy afternoon, the heat from the surrounding flats is keeping us warm in here and Me, Shadow and Cream are on the floor, with our chaos. My head is resting on Shadow's stomach, I can feel him breathing. It's making me sleepy. Dark and Twin are having some sort of staring contest... and the loser gets hit... by Twin's frying pan or Dark's fist. I hear the voice of Amy saying something about food and drink, so everyone rushes off apart from Me and Shadow. I feel a change in his breathing, it's quickened? I lift my head from his stomach and look at his face, no... Eggman may not be able to control him anymore, but he hasn't stopped shocking him.

"Knuckles!"

My voice is becoming panic-stricken. I can't shout too loudly, in case Eggman hears, but... Knuckles comes dashing in.

"Not again! Tails... Has he just started?"

I nod, now too scared to speak. Knuckles has always been the... the kind of doctor in the group, we've never known why.

"Damn... we're gonna have to let him take this one, I can't stop it..."

"What!"

"None of us are strong enough to help him, and no, only one person can help... I don't know why, but... that's just how it is."

I can hear Shadow cursing through his teeth...

"Can we... at least, move him? It's just his hands we can't touch, right?"

"Moving him could send the shock through his body... we can't. I'm gonna go and tell the others ok? Stay with him... but don't touch his hands... please?"

I nod, still terrified. My ears are starting to droop, and I can't look down at him, curled up in pain... I can't stand it! I'm too scared to cry. All I can do is sit and watch him in his own private hell, completely powerless to do anything...

"It lasted about an hour after that. I stayed by his side all through it, whether he knew I was there or not didn't matter. When he finally regained consciousness, he wasn't making much sense. He just muttered something then fell asleep again. Knuckles came up to me at about one in the morning, and almost forced me to go to sleep..."

I can't sleep... I'm trying so hard but I can't. What's that? Shadow's glowing?

I look down at my hands, I'm glowing too? Knuckles and Cream are sleeping in here too, but they're not glowing.

"...glowing until we woke up..."

But... I'm awake now. My ears prick up, a small flurry of wings? Twin? Sure enough, the small chao and Dark flew in... they're glowing too? I can't help it, I've gotta wake him up. I slip off of the sofa and onto the floor. How do I wake him?

"Chao!"

Dark was trying to lift his arm up.

"Dark! No!"

He sat up on a jolt, knocking Dark through the air. His ears flat on his head and his eyes wide.

"Wha!"

"Shadow! Shh... please. Are you ok?"

"Yeah...wait, you're glowing!"

"So are you and the chaos... shouldn't we..."

He covered my mouth with his hand.

"Don't wake them up. They're not in danger. I have to go... Alone Tails"

I push his hand away.

"Why alone?"

"Tails... Eggman can see me... the small chip in my head sees to that. And he's worked out that where ever I am, you are. He's not stupid, and he's not after Sonic, me, or even Amy this time... he's after you."

Twin sits on my lap, and I put my hands down to stroke her trying to avoid Shadow's gaze.

"I know..."

"I've gotta lead him away from here, away from you..."

"I was fast. I still can't remember it all. But I can still see Eggman's face as he blew a hole into the side of the building. He was using his earliest machine; you know the one, with the orange and brown ball? He smashed it through the wall, waking them all up. I remember Sonic evacuating the flat, starting with Cream and Amy... Knuckles helped too... but me and Shadow couldn't move, we where paralyzed with fear, just sat there, like young rabbits in the road... just staring into the headlights of oncoming death"

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Ok... 2:22 in the morning, I'm a bit tired, making my writing moody. I'm gonna start Chapter 6 now, and I've still got a day before I can post any of this up. Yeah... I signed up what... 2 days ago now... and I've written 5 Chapters? A new record for me. I can never get past the first paragraph. Yay! 7 and a half pages!

-Edited- Typos typos typos… I'm editing this from chapter 11 (not up yet) downwards… hmm… Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I hate TYPOS!