In Cosmo's Shadow
By Kellie Fay
Disclaimer: Sonic, Shadow, Tails, Cosmo, and the others all belong to SEGA, Team Sonic, 4 Kids and other people not me
Please Please Please Review! I'm feeling lonely again!
Chapter 21
The Return
The front door opened easily without squeaking. That surprised Shadow. After an entire year the door joints should be rusty and creaking. Slowly Shadow finished opening the door, and peered inside. "Is there anyone here?"
Silence answered him so he went in. Like the door the room looked clean, like someone lived there. Someone swept the floor, had the bed made neat, and a vase of fresh Daisies graced his table.
The flowers made Shadow wonder who kept the place neat? He turned to the private room where he placed things for Maria. Did someone dare to go in there?
Even if they did so, you have no right to complain. He told himself. You haven't been here for over a year. If someone has moved in they will have the right to throw you out.
He went inside his private room. Someone not only kept this room clean, but on the table rested a beautiful little crystal vase with three star flowers inside. Not only that, but there appeared to be additions to the room. Shadow saw bright floral blue curtains on the window. A plush bear, and puppy lay on the bed, and under the vase, which did not belong to Shadow rested a little pink lace tablecloth.
Shadow sighed again someone came into Maria's room, and most likely used it. He wanted to be angry about it, but he knew he had no right to be.
He waited for a few hours wondering who came to live here, but no one showed up.
Just before the sun set he heard someone on the front porch. When no one opened the door Shadow went outside, and found a basket on his porch. Underneath the towel covering the basket Shadow found a casserole dish with a vegetable pie a bottle of iced tea three cup cakes and five star Fruits.
He also found a card made on blue paper that said in simple block print, good to have you back Shads, enjoy dinner. S
Obviously someone knew he returned to green hill zone. Considering the note Shadow had a good idea of who knew. Still curious Shadow took a peek around the corner. By the window three small saplings just reached past the window small pink and red flowers threatening to bloom.
Shadow sighed. "You may tell Sonic while I do appreciate the meal, I would prefer to wait a few days to announce my arrival."
Pure delighted girlish laughter answered him. Smiling Shadow went inside, and ate his dinner. While he ate he wondered, if Sonic knew he had returned to Green Hill Valley who moved into his home?
Or did no one move in, and they fixed it up for me, but why then would they go into Maria's room? They know how I feel about her.
Shadow went back into Maria's room, and looked at the new additions. They did seem to fit here. He decided not to be cross about it until he found out who, and why they came into the room, and then would decide if he should be angry about it.
The next day Shadow woke up very early in morning, and raced to the village. He wanted to make his apologies subtly. He quietly slipped inside Tails' workshop. The little kit while meticulous when building machines, when dismantling machines that gave the ultimate sacrifice, he couldn't seem to sort as he went.
Shadow sorted all the parts by size, moving the larger pieces to their proper places. He also swept the place spotless, and managed to slip out without the little kitsune finding out.
For three days Shadow would slip into Tails' workshop or Amy's home, and do chores that they were unable to do. On day four when he walked out onto his front porch he saw Sonic sitting in a chair his customary way, leaning on the two back legs, with his feet on the porch railing.
"Morning Shads," Sonic said brightly, just like he always did. It didn't appear to bother Sonic that he vanished for the better part of a year.
Not sure what Sonic wanted, Shadow greeted him cautiously. "Good morning,"
Without even opening his eyes Sonic said, "If you plan on playing helpful brownie again this morning don't bother with Amy's house. It's starting to freak her out a little that someone is sneaking into the house when she sleeps."
Okay the warning made sense, yet Shadow knew Sonic better than that. The stubborn blue busybody was fishing for something; information perhaps, or that need Sonic had to help others made him think Shadow needed him.
Shadow now could recall that impulse programed into him that compelled him to want to hurt others. He wondered what it felt like to be compelled to want to help others.
"How's Cobbler holding up?" Sonic suddenly asked, opening his eyes
"She is well," Shadow said deciding on a neutral approach.
"She's eating all right and everything?" Sonic asked sounding genuinely concerned. "I worry about her a little. She's getting old, and she never leaves the garden anymore."
"Pie and the chao are taking good care of her." Shadow reassured him, and felt rewarded when Sonic relaxed slightly.
"So when are you going to make your big grand entrance back in the village?" Sonic asked.
Shadow sighed. "I do not know. I am reluctant to showing myself to the others after so long."
Sonic nodded in agreement. "Take it from one who pulls vanishing acts a lot for whatever reason, just show up one day. No reason no explanation, like they should take it as a given you're back. Tell you what, I'll help you out. Day after tomorrow is Knuckles birthday, and we want to surprise him with a party up on Angel Island. We're meeting over at Amy's house tomorrow after lunch. I'll make sure the door is unlocked, just show up, and hang out in the background and I'll just say something to you randomly." Sonic chuckled. "They'll be so shocked that I take it so smoothly they won't do anything less."
"If you think that is best," Shadow said. Privately Shadow thought Sonic had a good idea. That Sonic would simply accept Shadow's presence even after his year absence would help the others do the same.
"You'll see it will work like a dream," Sonic said with a big grin on his face.
Coming Soon:
Chapter 22
Not Apologies:
Finally Tails managed to find his voice. "Shadow?" Shadow simply nodded his usual greeting.
"When did you get back?" Rouge asked.
"Recently," Shadow said remembering something Sonic told him. Keep them guessing about stuff. If you keep them off balance they might forget to be nervy around you.
Cream couldn't resist. The little rabbit launched herself into Shadow's arms. He caught her almost absently. "Shadow! I'm so glad you decided to come home. I've been taking good care of your home while you were away."
"So you were the one redecorating. I wondered," Shadow said.