-Chapter 9-

Still in my swim trunks, I was still deep in the woods trying to locate the unknown aircraft. It seemed to have malfunctioned and crashed out nearby but where had it gone? I could have sworn I saw it land here and yet there was no trace of any indication of a crash near me. Continuing the trail of what I thought was the landing sight I saw broken trees and limbs. There it was! I raced over to the giant spacecraft to investigate only to find the thing had self destructed. How did someone make this thing self destruct without it making a sound? Whoever it was this must be some advance technology, I suppose I could take some evidence to Tails for him to analyze.

I rummaged through the parts that were still kind of good when I grabbed a random part of the burnt machinery and looked it over. It had half a logo on it of a lizard- wait is this the work of the prototype? The lizard on the emblem looked nothing like Biolizard... I shrugged off the idea since it was utterly impossible for Biolizard to have survived all those years ago from the explosion from his artificial chaos overload. I teleported back to the beach to find a very ticked off Rose and a blue pest hovering over her.

"I told ya Ames, he just took off!" The cobalt hedgehog exclaimed as Amy grew redder

"That's not the point Sonic! He just left out of nowhere without me!" The pink hedgehog exclaimed as she flamed up with anger

I smirked at Sonic's futile attempts in trying to calm her down. I guess Amy must have taken a liking to me after the short time we spent together, but she's really overreacting. I planned walked up and braced myself for the lecture and scolding I would probably get from Amy about leaving unexpectedly, but then- as if on instinct- I snuck up on Amy and wrapped my arms around her waist into a hug. I don't know what came over me since I never knew this feeling before but it felt weirdly... How should I put this?... Right? Though that probably sounds corny.

I felt Amy freeze as I asked, "So you were worried about me?"

"S-Shadow?" She replied as I pictured her face go pale. I smirked as I saw the look on Sonic's face.

"W-where were you? A-and could you let go of m-me?" Amy asked as I did as told. I released Amy and told her what I had found- but I left off minor details...

"-so have you seen Tails?" I asked Amy as she nodded and pointed at the yellow fox toweling off nearby

I walked over and chatted with him a bit before I asked if he could look it over and see what it was made of and possibly who it was made by. Tails agreed and seemed intrigued to find out how it worked.

Soon the night ended and everyone departed as Rose walked up to me with a smile. I felt slightly uncomfortable around her now since this feeling had developed whenever she was near but disregarded this odd sensation once more as I asked, "Are you ready to go Amy?"

She nodded but requested we walk home for a bit.

"You know we're pretty far from my house right?" I informed the pink hedgehog as she responded slowly

"Yeah I know... but I'd like to look around a bit still!"

I looked at her about to say no but her face seemed to have pouted and pleaded to stay a little longer. I sighed and gave in as she squealed and raced off before I had a chance to follow. In my endeavor to keep up with Amy she entered the vast building filled with bustling shoppers.

'Dammit.' I thought frantically looking through the mass of people in the mall I scoured the region for the petite pink hedgehog but she was no where to be seen. Now it's time to see how well I know Amy I suppose...

I viewed the area seeing all the stores, restaurants and cafes seeing if any would look as if it would appeal to Amy. I saw many places lined together as well as a second floor to the mall, this may prove more difficult than I had anticipated. There are many places that would look as though Amy would go into so there must be a way to narrow it down...

The surrounding shops all seemed appealing in a female's eyes and I can only assume what Amy would like in the short time I've known her. I saw clothing boutiques and small stands- though a small cafe stood out to me most. It displayed sweets and seemed like a cozy shop, there were books lined against the wall as well as a small bar area to order food. It wasn't a large cafe but it was two stories tall with a sign showing that the rest of the library of books are above. The walls that weren't shelved with books had cherry blossom wallpaper making the cafe a little Japanese like. One glance outside the shop you could see the decoration of a small deck leading inside lined with tables and chairs. I suppose staying outside this cafe in a chair Amy will surely come around to check out this place.

I sat in a chair out front so Amy would be able to see me- maybe I should get phones for us later on so I can find her easier than this. Minutes passed as I watched people walk by, a couple girls go past me inside as they giggled. Soon the little bistro started to fill up and some of the girls started to ask if they could sit with me. It was a sky blue cat with two of her friends, one was a shy, light green bunny and a red wolf. The cat wore a short black skirt with a light blue tanktop that was laced around the edges with black high heels. The wolf wore a red t-shirt with a leather mid-drift jacket and ripped skinny jeans wearing red and black sneakers. The bunny wore a flowered dress and matching high heels. It started off with the blue cat who walked up and beside her was her wolf colleague as her shy bunny friend hid behind both of them.

"Hey, um, sir?" I heard a feminine voice call out as I turned to face the three

"Yeah?" I replied quite gruffly- however it was not intentional but it didn't deter her either

"Would you mind if we sat along with you, it seems all the seats are taken. We promise not to bother you." The blue feline asked

"Go right ahead." I told them facing back to the passing crowd away from the three girls as they whispered about themselves. I'm sure they probably didn't know but I could hear them loud and clear, but I do have good hearing since I live alone- er, well used to.

"He seems kind of... off. Should we have sat with him?" I could tell the blue cat had asked her friends

"But doesn't he kind of give off a mysterious feeling about him?" I heard a rougher kind of voice whisper but it was still a feminine kind of voice so I assumed it was the wolf replying

"Yeah I guess? I mean he is pretty cute too, right?" I heard the cat say

Maybe I should have said no, I was saving these seats for some friends...

"Totally! He comes off as a 'bad boy' type too." I heard the wolf chime in once again as I still had yet to hear the bunny join the conversation.

I glanced over to the group to find all three of them staring right at me, I could've sworn I made eye contact with every single person who sat with me. I felt a weird chill go down my back as I saw them all watching me watch them. The wolf and cat had some kind of devious smile going on while the bunny tried to hide herself. I rolled my eyes at the duo while feeling bad for the bunny who obviously felt embarrassed for either herself or for her friends' actions. I was just hoping Amy would realize how late it was getting and would try to at least find me or go to one last place- hopefully this one if she's hungry.

"So..." I heard the cat say slowly as I turned my attention to the weird girl duo, "What's your name mysterious hedgehog? I'm Nova and this wolf here is-"

"Kiva." The red wolf butted in

"Yeah, Kiva. And this shy bunny here is Brie." Nova finished off as Brie kept her head down as she waved a very shy hello

"I thought it'd be rude of us just to sit here without asking what your name was or even starting a conversation with you!" Nova continued a little too peppy for me...

"I'm Shadow the Hedgehog..." I growled at them unintentionally feeling bad that I made the shy bunny flinch, however it sparked something in the other two friends.

"Mind if we ask what you do for a living? Kiva and I work at a restaurant while Brie works at a library." The blue feline said attempting to start a conversation with me. I suppose that's what happens when you tell your name to strangers- which I completely regret...

"It's... classified." I said realizing I probably should have rephrased that sentence to sound less interesting

"Classified? As in like government stuff?" The red wolf, Kiva asked intrigued

"Wow, he is mysterious..." Nova the blue cat said shifting in her seat

'Dear god, what have I done?' I thought realizing I sparked interest even in the shy bunny who lifted her head in curiousity

"Do you mind shedding some light on that statement?" Kiva asked as her friend Nova punched her shoulder

"Kiva!" The feline exclaimed as the wolf rubbed her shoulder

"What?" She replied annoyed, "I just wanted to know! Nothing exciting ever happens to us and it's a hot guy!"

"It's okay." I interrupted the two's arguing, "I'll tell you guys if you want."

I could tell the bunny was interested and I thought it'd be good for her to show at least signs of opening up to people or she'll end up like... well... like me. Though Amy seems to be changing me somewhat and I'm in a good enough mood to actually try socializing. For once.

"I'm kind of with the government- but I'm a soloist. Though that's all you're getting out of me." I stated as Nova and Kiva both sighed in disappointment, though the bunny seemed satisfied and probably was more mature than these two.

"So why are you here?" Nova asked me as I glanced through the crowd trying not to forget I was waiting to come across Amy

"Waiting for a friend." I replied as the duo grew interested once more

"Ooo, another guy?" They chimed in unison

"No, a female." I said as they looked shocked

"She you're girlfriend?" I heard a timid feminine voice ask cautiously as I turned to see the bunny ad finally talked- even her friends were shocked.

"No." I retorted abruptly and continued to scan the area hoping Amy would finally show up. Thousands of face and colors and yet none were hers.

"Soooo..." I heard Nova start slowly, "You're single?"

I regret every decision up to this point I have made. What the hell was I thinking being social for once? This is why I prefer being alone. At this point it would be rude not to reply I suppose- but when did I care about being impolite?

Amy's image flashed into my head. Dammit. Fine.

"I suppose so." I replied as this conversation carried on when finally I found her. She finally saw me in front of this cafe and raced up to me.

"Shadow! I've been looking for you why'd you leave me?" Amy pouted as I shrugged

"You ran off airhead." I replied as she turned red with anger

"Oh I see why you don't like her that way. Her face like that is not attractive at all." Nova declared as Amy turned to the sky blue feline who just shifted in her seat with content

Amy glared at the trio and I saw the bunny sink further into her seat in fear. I grabbed Amy's arm to try to calm her but that only enraged her slightly more.

"See here furball I'll-" That's where I mouthed 'sorry' and teleported Amy back to my house.

"Shadow?!" She exclaimed enraged as I walked off to my own room and locked the door until she cooled down. I don't know why she was all worked up over what a girl said about her, does it really matter of other people's opinion about yourself? Girls get worked up over nothing and overthink lots of things. This is why I like being alone so much, besides she didn't need to blow up over those trivial things- she's beautiful in her own way just as every girl is. It's not right to call a girl unattractive either since every girl should be treated with the utmost respect from a guy.

Banging on my door interrupt my thoughts as an enraged pink hedgehog is on the other side yelling and scolding me as I laid on my bed after this rough day.

"Who were those girls and why were you talking to them?! They were rude and-" I fell asleep- thank god- in the beginning of her lecture.

Terribly sorry for taking so long, I had writer's block so this point on I'm going to try to make my story somewhat professional by making it like an actual book. I'm planning on having longer chapters but it will take more time plus I'm balancing out school. I took a break since I started failing some classes so just bear with me. Plus I'm collaborating with a friend for the female parts so with that in mind we both have to be available to help out with this story.

I'll fully return when I believe I have everything for the story in order since I've brought my grades up to straight A's -well and one B... But I believe I'm a bit amateurish at writing- and I'm an over achiever. Until I get inspiration to continue writing my story I'll take a break for a bit for my sake before I feel as though my story is crappy. Hopefully I'll return soon though!

Once again terribly sorry for delays, but I hope you all understand!