Sorry for the delay.
Thanks for my friend Kazuhiro for the helping me with translate.
Without further ado, good read.
It was pretty insane, maybe part of some of his many delusions, but which was the reason of him feeling warm arms around him? He felt weird, while his mind gradually dove deeper in the darkness of unconsciousness…
Sonic noticed that something had happened when the other's hiccups stopped, and such body softened motionless on his arms. The Blue Blur slowly rose the dangerously fragile hedgehog he once hugged with a very attentive care, once such kind of treatment was not common to the other, yet the Cobalt Speedster noticed that, if proper care wasn't taken, a disaster could happen; he wasn't carrying an object, but another living being's body, just like himself.
It was never so torturous to carry the other to his bed, mainly when every inch of that body showed a clear "FRAGILE!" alert. Luckily, the fitment was close, which made it easier. Still there were obstacles, other setbacks on Sonic's way. The open window was an example, from where a frosty wind entered this bedroom, and the consternation for the one he carried was exceeding.
Once he finally laid Shadow on his bed, resting the Black Blur on blankets and pillows, running to the window to close it shut as quickly as possible, cursing the cold winds and the dark sky, which showed signs of possible upcoming rain, or at worst – which was more frequent on this season – snow, in a low tone.
His trip back was postponed, once he was afraid that something bad could happen to his speed rival. Never out of his nature to let anyone fend for themselves, and it wasn't gonna happen now; this Tenacious Blur was not known as the Hero of Mobius for no reason, and he knew that, if he needed help, Shadow would be there for him. Of course, his own way, once the Avengeful Dark Blur never fit himself in the "hero" stereotype, choosing to act alone, and usually "in the dark".
Something called his attention. Muffed moans. Quickly reaching Shadow to check what it was, he noticed the Ultimate Life Form sweating intensely. Sonic lost no time, taking off some of these blankets, trying to measure Shadow's temperature with the back of his hand, instantly noticing it seemed to be on fire. Losing no time, he ran towards the kitchen, bringing a cup of water, and a white towel – the only he could find -, and began drying the excessive sweat from the other's forehead. It was clear he needed help; he couldn't take care of another being by himself, and, for that reason, he bursted outside, being as fast as he could at locking the door and taking the key with himself.
He felt the cold wind surrounding his body, though he had no time to go back or give up, and, even if bothering someone at this time was annoying, he would ask the help of the one who always knew what to do or not, his faithful companion of journeys, the Twin-Tailed Vulpe, Miles "Tails" Prower.
Reaching his destiny, he showed no hesitation before knocking the door. Once, twice, five times, until the fox opened the door, wearing a blue pajama, and an equally colored hood by his head, slightly rubbed his eyes, muttering.
"Sonic… Do you know what time is it?" Tails asked, with a tired tone, looking sleepy at the breathless hedgehog.
"Tails… I… Need help… P-please…" Breathlessly, Sonic answered, holding on the wooden door jamb for support, slightly bent, and his head lowered.
"First, come inside. It's too cold here." The small fox answered, slightly trembling.
"I d-don't have… Much time…" Gradually, the hedgehog's breath stabilized. "Shadow's ill… Tails, I have no idea of what to do…" He admitted, with his head lowered.
"How's him, Sonic?" The fox asked, showing concern and interest in his tone.
"No good… He's unhealthily thin, and was burning with fever when I saw him. I don't know what to do, nor how to help him…" The Blue Blur's emerald green eyes showed a comprehensive, clear sadness, a look Tails already saw, and understood, the look of someone feeling impotent before an emergency.
Sighing, the young fox gestured with his hands for Sonic to wait. Running inside his residence, Tails removed his sleeping clothes, and grabbing his first aid kit in the bathroom. Going back outside with some urgency, he had a purple scarf around his neck, offering a second to Sonic, which formally accepted it, quickly wearing it as well. Then, both departed in a wild run through the wind. The time was short, and each second was vital for Shadow… And for Sonic, as well; his pride and honor lied in helping others in need, regardless of who it was.
Seeing Shadow's residence caused a fear to take over Sonic's chest. "What if he didn't came back quickly enough? What if his run for help took too long? What if… NO." Shaking his head to wipe away these thoughts, Sonic finally reached the front door with his companion, and quickly opened it. As they came back in, these thoughts still haunted the Azure Speedster's mind, and it slowly grew roots, just like weed.
Tails quickly entered that bedroom, shutting the door right in front of Sonic, telling him that, if he stood there as well, his nervousness would distract, and even bother him. The blue hedgehog frowned in confusion. Was him nervous? Was it obvious enough to be a clear reason for him to be kept outside? He had reasons to be nervous, it was someone known; close to him very sickened, and weak. For the first time in a good while, he had no idea of how to act. He was useless, and that was how he felt.
Time slowly passed as he constantly patted his feet on the small living room's floor. He tried watching TV, yet no of the available channels kept his attention for more than a minute, and the lack of news was a mental torture for him. But why was him so nervous? He didn't knew he answer, he simply couldn't find a reason. He just felt it.
Tails entered that room with a certain splurge, knowing that Sonic wouldn't be nervous for no reason. Knowing the Hedgehog, and his relaxed nature, it HAD to be a reason for him to be so worried, and that something was not right, so much for him, as for the people around him. The fox looked at the sleeping figure, sighing. He had never been so close to Shadow, and was even slightly afraid of what that dark figure represented, hence he never took the risk of being so close. Not that he hated or repelled the other, but he respected Shadow's personal space.
Fearful, he turned on the lights, with absolutely no intent of waking him up. Yet, he needed luminosity to be able to work. He careful and masterfully took off these blankets, and gently capped Shadow's mouth, suppressing a surprised gasp. That, in no way, was the same hedgehog they met before. That face, even asleep, showed tension and exhaustion. That body was unhealthily thin. His bones were even prominent on his poorly maintained skin, and his fur had absolutely no shine at all. Sonic was right… Shadow was very sick.
It was like seeing death in front of himself. It was scary, it was horrible. The young fox never saw someone in such decadent state, not even Sonic had reached such level before. It was too much for him to bear alone, but he needed to do it. Thoroughly examining the ebony hedgehog, he noticed some wounds that his fur hid. Some were already infected due to inattention, and others even seemed to have been made purposely, as if Shadow wanted to hurt himself. Not knowing if his suspicions led to the truth, he ignored his curiosity and began working.
It wasn't hard, once he used to take care of many wounds, from Sonic and many others, but the figure he was working on was different. Shadow didn't seem to have any strength, nor the ability to heal himself as fast as Sonic. Even knowing of his immortality, he doubted that his immune system would work properly in such state, hence he was very careful, giving the best of his attention and care, cleaning older, infected wounds, and covering them with gauze, to avoid further contamination.
Sighing tired, he rose a bag of serum, setting up a stand near the bed. He did that many times, but, in that moment, he felt insecure, to a point where his hands trembled. Why was it so hard? Maybe because it wasn't one of his best-known patients, and someone cold as the bedridden hedgehog could get offended. After a moment, he shook his head, in order to recover his focus. "Screw it.", he thought to himself, carefully sliding the needle with serum on Shadow's left arm, careful not to mess anything up.
Seeking on his suitcase for the right bottle, he also took a syringe, sucking in the right amount of liquid with the needle, soon injecting it within the serum. "Don't worry, Shadow. You'll be alright."
Looking at his work with a smile, satisfied and proud of it, the young, kind fox noticed that the hedgehog seemed a bit better. With a bright face, he left the bedroom, suddenly facing a sulky Sonic, which impatiently asked him.
"So, how's him?" He asked, still clearly concerned, by the look on his eyes.
"Very weak, so it might be his immune system. I recommend you to keep him in absolute bed rest, tomorrow" he was interrupted by a small moment of surprise when looking in the clock "or, better, later I'll be back, Sonic, if you're still alive. Knowing him, I know he's not letting that one pass."
"I know…" The Blue Blur answered, scratching his head with a little embarrassed laugh. "But I can deal with that."
Tails just glanced at him for a moment, and, with a deep sigh, commented.
"It's your head, after all. I did what I could, and now, all it takes is wait, for the medicine to take effect." Looking once more at his friend, he stepped outside. "Good night, and try to sleep. You're looking no good."
"Good night, Tails… I… I don't even know how to thank you." Sonic answered, sincerely. The look on his eyes shone serenity, making the fox smile.
"Just don't die." The fox smiled.
Sonic still waited in the door, waiting for his golden furred friend to gradually disappear from his sight.
R&R
by: Shadow Shirami and Kazuhiro.