I dont know if I can thank you all enough for all the reviews that have been flooding in with every chapter. Not to mention the speed at which I've been writing this lol. Anyways, heres your next dosage:

Part Five: Complicating Factors

Starting off, Shadow traced his way back to the ever-so-helpful billboard where he last saw his restrictors. He kept his speed at a light run, just enough so his air shoes would glide easily. Finding the sign easily enough, he began comb the area, looking for anything shiny. Unfortunately, his hunt was in vain, for the bracelets were nowhere in sight. Dammed street trash must have picked them up. This makes things complicated.

Now Shadow was in a predicament. While it was quite invigorating to flex his full muscle once and awhile, the risk of over-exertion and blackout was far too annoying a weakness to have. When it came down to it, Shadow could acknowledge that he was too great a threat not to be kept in check. This meant finding those restrictors, or possibly even acquiring new ones. And there was only one person he knew of at all who was capable of making such restraints for him.

Dr. Eggman.

Shadow shook that thought out of his head as quickly as it had come. There had to be another alternative. He would rather have the Biolizard's help before that mad scientist. So, since that option was not an option, he had to find the first set. Which would require someone quite skilled at finding shiny objects and the like. And besides, I was heading there anyway…

A few minutes later, Shadow was standing at the upper door to K.H.A.O.S., the door that actually led into Rouge's lush apartment above the popular club. The owner had been quite clever in its placement, concealing and positioning it so only invited guests would be able to even knock. He had been there many times, often just for a night or two after some of his more strenuous adventures and battles. It was almost humorous to Shadow that he found himself there once again with the scent of another woman on him. Too bad that aroma had been created with the stains of blood and confusion.

He knocked at the entry and waited, the muffled sounds of stirring forms barely registering even to his ears. Then the heavy stomps of someone approaching, which struck Shadow as quite odd until the door opened to reveal a blurry-eyed crimson echidna, clad in only his boxers.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Knuckles asked, clearly annoyed.

"I would say 'good morning' but it hasn't been one. Is Rouge around?"

"Shadow!" her voice rounded the corner followed by her form. Wrapped only in a silky housecoat, she flew past her guardian and embraced the hedgehog in a hug "Where were you last night?! I was so worried when Cream came back all alone! What happened?" Then it dawned on her that Shadow looked unusual. Parts of his fur was distorted and discolored. Patting one of them on his shoulder, Rouge's eyes went wide when a dried dark red substance came back with it "Shadow… is this… blood?!"

"Damm, man! Who did you pick a fight with?" Knuckles inquired.

Shadow shook his head "I'm afraid it's not quite that simple."

Rouge led him inside, gesturing for him to have a seat in an over-plushed chair. The two treasure hunters took up the other couch. "Tell us what happened Shadow! Cream told us you went to Amy's house after those two left, and that Amy was really not herself. What happened after that?"

The ebony hedgehog sighed, working to recall all of the night's events "I went to her house alright. Had to break down the door to get inside. I guess she wanted to be alone in her final moments."

"'Final moments'?" Knuckles echoed "You don't mean she…!"

"Oh my god!" Rouge added "Amy…killed herself?"

"If I had been a minute later, she might have succeeded too. There was so much blood, I was almost certain she was gone. But she was still breathing, so maybe deep down, even she didn't want to die. I took her to the hospital as fast I could. They're doing everything they can, but…"

Rouge's mouth was covered by her hands, eyes threatening a flood. Knuckles sat in deep thought, brow furrowed in confused concern and gaze twitching. Neither of them really knew what to say. This whole situation was as unexpected to them as it was Shadow. "I don't suppose you two saw anything at the party that would explain this?"

"No…I went outside to fetch her and Cream when they arrived, then stayed outside to chat with Knux here. I didn't even know they left until you mentioned it" the bat answered. "I can't believe Amy would ever do something like this…"

"I didn't see Amy leave, but I did see her crush chatting with some squirrel chick on their way in. Think her name was Sal…Sally…, anyways, they went in together, but didn't leave the same way. She left earlier in the night with some other fox, one of the band members, I think. Sonic came out near closing, stone-ass drunk. Even tried to square off with me" the echidna added, sifting through the nights events as best he could.

Shadow let out a small chuckle "I bet that went well."

Knuckles also grinned "Knocked him out with one swing. Wasn't even trying really. Silver and Tails had to drag him home."

Hmmmm… the wheels were turning in their heads now. "You don't think…Sonic was cheating on Amy… I mean, its Sonic. He's better than that" Rouge started.

"Were they…dating?" Shadow asked. The last part of that sentence came out rougher than the rest, and both the others noticed.

"I don't think so" the echidna added "Sonic never has let Amy get that close. I mean sure, he hasn't been resisting her as much lately, even hanging out with her more. Maybe Sonic was just being nice and she went overboard with it. You know how she can be."

"True. But to go that far? He must have really messed her up" the huntress countered.

"That doesn't matter right now" Shadow interrupted in a loud growl. "Right now, what matters is there's an innocent young flower in the hospital and she may never recover! We can talk about social mistakes later."

Rouge nodded. "You're right. Did the doctors say when we can see her again?"

"They are going to try and create some time tomorrow afternoon…but…"

"Oh?" the bat asked.

"Actually, I also need your help before then" I can't believe I'm asking this.

"Well sure, Shads! What can we do?"

"We?" Knuckles tried to inject.

"I need to find my restrictors."

The treasure seekers both gave him a semi-blank stare.

"My bracelets" Shadow clarified.

"OH!" Both said "Is that all? Leave it to me sugar." Rouge added, batting her eyes.

The ruby-splotched hedgehog sighed "Thank you." Shadow never was one to as for help normally. But then again, the past thirty-some hours had been quite unusual.

"However, first things first. Shadow, you look like hell" she continued "Why don't you grab a shower while I make some breakfast."

He gave a trademark 'humph' "Since when did you cook?"

"A lady picks up a few skills when she travels in search of precious gems" she smiled with one hand on chest "Besides, if knucklehead doesn't get something in that belly, he'll spend half the trip complaining."

"I would not!" the echidna countered. As Shadow made his way down the hallway to the shower, he couldn't help but flash a smirk at the sparring of words taking place.

Oh well. Guess it makes them happy.

That little thought stuck a very sensitive nerve. Those two argued more than any couple he had ever seen, yet they were inseparable. He couldn't quite wrap his mind around the inner dynamics of such a romance, but Shadow wouldn't put much of anything past his own limits. Or theirs really.

Then there was the two youngest comrades, Cream and Tails. If there had to be an example of innocence and downright cuteness, it was those two. Always playing together, having fun and sharing sweet nothings. Such simple pleasures fulfilling simple needs. Sometimes it was enough to make him gag, but deep down it was actually painful to see. A reminder of opportunities he had missed, being isolated in the heavens with only one person to truly call a friend.

And of course, Blaze and Silver. Two warriors, fighting an epic struggle alone yet always side by side. If there was an easier setup for passion, he simply couldn't think of it.

That left himself, Shadow the Hedgehog. Planetary hero, or alien killing machine? Cold-hearted loner, or just trying to find his place in the world?

Even he wasn't sure which one was correct. Yet there was one other who never gave up trying to help, who was never really scared of what he could do. The sweet little flower that now lay in between life and death. But, hadn't Shadow done the same for her? Risking his own life to save hers, never turning his back to her voice…

Did he, Shadow the Hedgehog, care that much about someone else?

As the steaming hot shower worked its way through his stained quills, he came to a simple deduction to such a grand argument.

Only one way to find out…but for now, it's up to her.

And so the wheels begin to turn in Shadow's mind of events to come... but what will those thoughts mean if she never wakes up?

Bring on the feedback!