Hi, all!

First of all, I'd like to thank MissCoolCookiexd on WattPad for making me a cover for this story! I've never had anyone make me something before, so it feels really special.

I wasn't expecting to get another chapter out until after university, but apparently a couple days ago at one in the morning my brain just decided that yes, I am. So… here it is! I already have an idea of how I want to start the next chapter, but this time I may not have time to get it up, so this will most likely be my last update for a while, unless I magically find the time, which would be nice.

Some of you who've read the old version may notice some very familiar dialogue in this one. A large section of this is a slightly updated version of an old scene, but with a different outcome this time. There's also a section where we get a different perspective of a piece of dialogue (those of you who know the section may be able to finish the line yourselves). I think this new version is going to be more fun to play around with…

Thank you to everyone who has read, commented (or left kudos), it really makes my day, and I hope you all continue to enjoy what I have to share!

Chapter Five

A blinding pain rocketed through his arm.

Sonic screamed. Sitting bolt upright, bleary green eyes snapped open. He only vaguely registered blurry purple and black around him, but right now that's not what his mind cared about. He was – literally – painfully aware of the fact that something or someone was holding his arm. The same arm that had just dragged him back to consciousness. Sonic yanked his arm away from whatever was holding it and cradled it against his body with a defensive growl.

After the initial spike of agony, the pain in his arm dulled to an achy throb. It was still not pleasant. At all. But it was manageable now.

"Idiot," Sonic heard a voice mutter to his left. "If you hadn't dislocated your shoulder in the first place, it wouldn't be painful now, would it?"

The voice was deep, gravelly.

Sonic swung his head around. Against the purple backdrop, a dark figure stood. He still couldn't make them out. But they were a hedgehog. He could tell that much. He hissed, primal fear overtaking any sense of pride he had left. Not that he had much of that left. If this was the same person who'd just been holding his arm, they'd hurt him. That's all his mind could comprehend.

Then his vision cleared.

It was Shadow. Not Dark. Shadow.

Not Dark.

Sonic stopped hissing but hesitated to relax. This wasn't Dark, and that was a relief. But it was still Shadow. As much as Sonic would like to consider him a friend, he'd made it clear long ago that he wanted nothing to do with him. Shadow was a wild card, not always on his side. Shadow hated him. It was hard to trust him completely. Plus his arm still really hurt.

Or…

No.

He'd dislocated his own shoulder. By running around like a fool. That pain wasn't on Shadow. At least, not entirely. Sonic subtly tested his arm while still holding it. He could sort of move it now, though it hurt like crazy when he did.

Had Shadow… set it?

"Wha?"

That was all he could manage. Chaos, he must look pathetic right now.

If he was here – wherever here was; Sonic assumed it was Rouge's apartment, though he'd never been inside before – that meant Shadow had brought him here, right? So he'd found him. When had that happened? What happened after he'd dislocated his shoulder? Everything was so foggy. He vaguely remembered talking to someone. He supposed that must have been Shadow but he couldn't remember.

"There's not much going on in that brain of yours, is there?" Shadow asked.

Sonic huffed. "Excuse me?"

"What the hell were you even doing out there?"

Sonic narrowed his eyes. He resisted the urge to growl at Shadow. Where was this interrogation coming from?

"None of your business," he snapped.

Shadow folded his arms. He didn't look impressed. Though he never did. This was Shadow, The Ultimate Grouch. He always looked moody. That was his default setting.

"Faker," Shadow said slowly. "You've apparently been missing for five days. Your shoulder was dislocated. Not to mention you were either going into shock or having a panic attack when I found you. Do you have any idea how worried your friends have been?"

Sonic looked away with his ears bent back. He didn't respond. A rolling growl rose in his throat. He didn't need Shadow to remind him of his friends. He had nothing to do with this.

"I best be leaving," Sonic said, forcing his tone to be light.

It was clear that Shadow wasn't pleased by his deflection. Nor was he convinced by his tone, which must have come out wrong judging by the look on his face. Sonic didn't care.

Still holding his arm close, Sonic made for the front door. Shadow, being closer, reacted far faster. As Sonic reached the door, Shadow slammed his hand against it, keeping it shut. With his hand on the door handle, Sonic started growling again. He felt his fist tighten around the intricate handle. What the hell was Shadow's problem?

"Shadow…" he growled in warning.

"Faker."

"You mind moving your hand, pal?" Sonic hissed through gritted teeth.

Shadow narrowed his eyes. "What's going on with you, hedgehog?"

"Why the fuck would you care?"

Sonic caught the flicker of surprise in Shadow's crimson eyes. He didn't swear often, and definitely not around someone like Shadow. It sort of slipped out. He was starting to get a little… frantic. Ok, little may have been an understatement. His breathing was getting shallower, more rapid. A sudden wave of claustrophobia kicked in, sending his body into fight of flight mode. The walls were closing in. He couldn't breathe. It was a similar sinking sensation to that of Dark's sea of blood.

He hated it.

He needed out. Now.

With only a brief hesitation between thought and action, Sonic flung himself at Shadow, teeth bared. He lashed out, aiming to strike the other with his fist. He was too sloppy, too slow. Shadow moved out of the way effortlessly as his fist collided with nothing but empty air. Sonic stiffened, awaiting a blow that never came. His arms were swiftly pulled behind him instead. Shadow was trying to subdue him rather than attack outright.

Sonic did not like being restrained.

"L-let me go!"

He struggled in Shadow's hold, trying to ignore the protesting of his already delicate shoulder. Having it twisted in such away behind him was painful, and Sonic's jerky movements trying to throw of Shadow weren't helping at all. His rival was freakishly strong. Probably on account of him being genetically engineered. Combine that with his questionable health and mental fatigue, Sonic had no chance.

Accepting that his current tactic was having no effect, Sonic decided to switch it up. Instead of trying to fight away from Shadow, he forced all of his weight back. He must have caught Shadow off guard like he'd hoped, for they both went tumbling to the floor as he threw of his rival's balance. Startled, Shadow loosened his grip enough for Sonic to squirm his way out of his arms and hop to his feet. He was already opening the door when Shadow shouted something after him.

He didn't hear what it was. He was too busy making a mad dash for fresh air. Something in the back of his mind acknowledged the silence coming from down below while he was on the stairs. As he dashed through Club Rouge at the bottom, he confirmed that he must have been in Rouge's apartment. He supposed Shadow must live with her.

Sonic took all this in within seconds, then he burst through the doors to the outside. He took in massive gulps of air like he'd just surfaced from a lake. Sonic fought past the image of that bloody sea again at the thought. He was sure Dark had helped bring that mental image to the forefront, the bastard.

'Fuck you,' he spat at Dark in his head.

He was greeted by silence. He couldn't decide whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Considering Dark was chaotic, spiteful entity, it was most likely a fucking terrible thing. He may be screwed. Dark was plotting, which was never a good thing.

Sonic's heart was hammering in his chest as fast as his feet could go. It wouldn't slow down.

He stumbled a few steps down the street, clutching his tightening chest. Everything blurred into a grey mess around him. He wasn't aware that his legs were failing until his knees hit the pavement. A stinging alerted him to the fact that he'd skinned his knee. He kept his injured arm on his chest and placed the other on the slightly cracked pavement. He could barely feel the pavement anymore; his body was numb. He tried to focus on his hand. On occasion, the blurry white and red cleared enough where he could see his hand properly.

It was shaking.

His eyes zeroed in on the inhibitor. Its lightly glowing surface made him feel sick in this moment. He was sure Tails had made them that colour on purpose, hoping that it would be easier to accept them. It wasn't. They were just steadily making him hate his favourite colour. And why did they glow? Was it because they were made of a different material than Shadow's? Or was it to do with his Chaos?

There was the rapid sound of footsteps behind him. He couldn't even find it in him to growl at Shadow. Why wouldn't he piss off, damn it? When hands closed around his wrist to pull him to his feet, he wanted nothing more than to kick, punch, scream in protest, anything to make the other go away. But his body wouldn't respond to any of his commands. He knew he was hyperventilating, and that was bad, but he couldn't calm down. He'd never had this much trouble with stuffing down his emotions before. Why was it so hard now?

Was…

Was it Dark?

Or the inhibitors?

Or both?

Shadow started to guide him back towards the club; he had no choice but to go with it. Grey was replaced with black and purple as they entered the club. Sonic was only vaguely aware of the tables around them as he was shepherded towards the stairs again. As his mind gradually began to clear, Sonic grew hot in embarrassment. He glared at the floor but even that was half-hearted. All the fight had left him along with his energy in his initial flight. All that was left was that tired, hungry feeling.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" he dejectedly mumbled. "I want to be alone…"

He received no answer. Not that he was expecting one.

About halfway up the stairs, Dark started to laugh. A chiding, chilling cackle. Sonic wanted to throw up. He kept repeating the same sing-song of a mantra.

"Tick-tock, Maurice. Tick-tock!"

He really hoped that was just Dark trying to fuck with him. It didn't help quell that bubbling anxiety in his chest though.

Shadow hadn't a clue what to do.

He hadn't planned on watching over the flighty hedgehog. He hadn't even intended to find him in the first place. Now he was stuck.

It was alarming how limp Sonic had become in his grip. When they were back in the apartment, Shadow lead the surprisingly unresisting hedgehog to the settee again. His blank eyes were on the floor. He didn't move once he was released.

Shadow didn't trust that though. He cautiously locked the apartment's door. He couldn't risk Sonic making a run for it again. There was something seriously wrong here. He narrowed his eyes. There was a strange taste in his mouth. Was this why his friends were so worried? Did they know Sonic was… off? He found it awfully suspicious. What was causing his strangely sour mood? It felt wrong for the usually upbeat hero.

Shadow got a glass of water from the kitchen and set it on the low coffee table in front of Sonic. He didn't even react.

With a frown, Shadow reached for his communicator. He should probably call Rouge so she could deal with this. Or better yet, call his annoying friends. At least he wouldn't have to babysit the catatonic hedgehog anymore.

"Faker."

Nothing.

"Faker, I'm going to call your friends."

That got a reaction. Sonic's head snapped up. His emerald eyes were widened in alarm. Why alarm…?

"No."

"What?"

"Don't… don't call them."

"Why not, Faker?"

Shadow narrowed his eyes when he got no response.

"Sonic, why don't you want me to tell your friends where you are? They're worried about you."

"I'm aware," Sonic mumbled, looking away.

"Then why-?"

Sonic cut him off with a shake of his head and returned his gaze to the floor. That just added another layer to this puzzle. So Sonic didn't want to see his friends. That certainly wasn't a normal occurrence as far as Shadow knew. It didn't look like Sonic was going to elaborate either.

Shadow sighed and sat down in the dark leather armchair. They stayed in silence for quite a while. Eventually it started to get to Shadow. Which was silly. He liked silence. It was just… Sonic being silent didn't feel right.

He wasn't sure why he was obeying Sonic's bizarre wish. But he was. Shadow wondered if contacting Rouge counted as telling a friend. They weren't that close, right? As long as Rouge didn't say anything, that should be fine. Right? Why was he even trying to reason this? He really should just call Miles and be done with it. But if Sonic ran off again, it probably wouldn't end well.

As he was debating bringing up Rouge to Sonic, he saw the other lift his head from the corner of his eye. Sonic opened his mouth, only to quickly close it again. He dropped his gaze to his shoes with an aggravated sigh. But Shadow saw, he heard.

"What is it, hedgehog?" he asked.

"No-nothing."

Shadow shook his head. This hedgehog was somehow being more difficult than usual.

"Look, if you want to say something, then say it. You're not typically the… quiet type."

For a moment, Sonic just opened and closed his mouth like a startled goldfish. He kept trying to start something, but it didn't seem like the words were coming. Eventually, he settled for a quiet "doesn't matter" and tried to go back to staring at the floor. Shadow wasn't having any of it.

"You don't have to tell me anything, alright? Just… speak! Say something!"

He thought he was being fair, but apparently Sonic didn't think so.

"Why do you even care?" he suddenly snapped. "I thought you'd like the silence! I thought you'd like to see me as a complete and utter mess! I thought you'd like to see me-"

Whatever he was planning on saying next died on his lips. It almost sounded like he choked. The spluttering, growling sound that followed seemed to be borne from frustration. Or aggravation. Shadow couldn't quite tell. Sensing he'd overstepped, he felt he needed to calm the other down.

"Sonic-"

"Forget it!"

Sonic dashed to the door again like Shadow predicted he would. After he tried the door and found it locked, he just stood facing the door for a moment. Sonic let his head fall against the door, forehead against painted wood, with his ears folded. Shadow wasn't sure if he should do something or if nothing was the better approach here. He was far from being fine, that was abundantly clear at this point. For some reason, Shadow was finding himself wanting to know why.

"Sonic, we can go back to silence if you'd prefer, just sit down."

"Open. The. Damn. Door."

Shadow's ear flicked at Sonic's tone.

"I can't do that," he replied calmly.

"Why not?" Sonic spun around with a growl. "If you won't get off your ass, then just give me the key!"

"Not gonna happen, hedgehog."

Sonic glared at him from by the door, but did not move. Shadow was expecting him to start fighting tooth and nail for the key. But he didn't. Sonic stalked back to the settee and grabbed the glass from the coffee table. He sat down and took a sip, purposefully avoiding making eye contact with Shadow. His ears were still folded.

Sonic sipped at the water until it was all gone. It was like he hadn't drunk for a while but trying not to make it look like he hadn't. If he'd been out in that forest for five days, it was entirely possible that he hadn't. Shadow blinked. Had he eaten?

After a moment fiddling with the glass, Sonic got up to refill it.

He refilled it a third time before Shadow determined that he probably hadn't eaten. He wasn't a very good cook himself, since he didn't need to eat that often in the first place. Maybe he should let Rouge know.

While Sonic was refilling his glass again, Shadow sent Rouge a message. He only told her that he knew where Sonic was, while also asking her not to tell Knuckles or Miles. When she messaged back asking why, he told her Sonic didn't want them to know but he didn't know why. He told her to come back to the house.

Shadow hoped she'd hurry up.

Rouge frowned at her communicator.

She'd just left Knuckles who'd been searching the forest by Central City. Tails hadn't been present. Knuckles told her that he hadn't let Tails know he was still looking for Sonic. She'd tried asking what was going on, but the echidna wouldn't clarify what was wrong or why he wasn't including Tails. It had piqued her interest when he'd originally called her. Now, however, she was starting to get suspicious. She had to admit that Shadow had a point – Sonic did disappear quite frequently.

What really made this time so different?

That's why she'd agreed to go out and help Knuckles. She was hoping he'd let something slip, tell her something that might reveal the real problem here. But he hadn't. The stubborn echidna was as tight-lipped as usual. It was rather boring. She couldn't even fluster the echidna today, he was too focused on finding Sonic that he'd ignored her flirting. How rude.

And then Shadow contacted her.

After making it clear that he wanted nothing to do with the situation, he apparently got involved. Rouge snorted. How hypocritically ironic. What changed? What made him want to find Sonic in the first place?

Rouge admired the gorgeous green Emerald she'd swiped from Shadow's room, watched as the sunlight glinted off its faceted surface. Maybe he was just being spiteful because he didn't have his precious Chaos Emerald. If he didn't want her to take it, he shouldn't have left it out on his bedside table. Rouge rolled her eyes and stuffed the beauty back into her little black crossbody bag.

Shadow said not to tell Sonic's friends. She'd respect that. For now. Only because she loved a good secret. If Shadow really knew where Sonic was, she wanted to know. Had to know. She'd decide if she still wanted to keep this little secret between them once she knew the full situation. Unfortunately, it sounded like Shadow didn't know either. But she'd find out. She had her ways. And who better to go to than the source himself?

After stretching her wings out, Rouge took to the skies. Her communicator buzzed against her wrist again. She looked at the little words that appeared on the screen: Be quick. She rolled her eyes. Would a "please" kill this man? She beat her wings a little faster, fixing her gloves. She could have been spiteful and taken her time just to piss her roommate off. Could have stopped by a few shops to appreciate the bright, shiny, perfect jewellery on display. Could have maybe even swiped a few pieces for her ever growing collection.

But if she wanted information, she had to know where Sonic was. Shadow was the type of person to withhold that information if he was angry. Besides, her curiosity was getting the better of her.

She touched down at the doors of her club in record time. She frowned when the key wouldn't turn any further in the lock. The doors were unlocked. She rubbed at her eyes after releasing a puff of air. She'd wonder if that hedgehog was raised in a barn if she didn't know his story. She'd locked the door for a reason, to protect her club, her liquor!

Oh, she'd thrash that hedgehog.

Didn't he realise how expensive her liquor was? She had some premium aged red wine in the back from Holoska, excellent quality gin from Adabat, several spirits straight from Apotos! So much costly, delectable alcohol... and that damn hedgehog may have just compromised her supply.

She locked the door behind her then started skirting around the tables, making her way over to the bar. After a quick once over and determining that her roommate may yet live another day, she stomped to the stairs. The door at the bottom of the stairs was also unlocked, which wasn't ideal either. But, surprisingly, the front door to the apartment was locked. Huh. So… so he can lock the front door? But not the club? After he unlocked the doors in the first place? She was going to sit down and have a nice, long conversation about her property with him after this. And he would listen. She'd make him listen.

When she opened the apartment door, Rouge had to do a double take. And then a third. And an fourth.

Well. She knew where Sonic was now.

Being pinned down on her fucking settee.

He was hissing and growling. One leg was curled towards his chin, foot firmly planted on Shadow's chest. The other was braced against the cushions. Shadow had him by his wrists and looked just about as pissed off as he usually did with the hero. His knee was pressed against Sonic's stomach. Sonic looked scraped up but there was no telling if that was from their little scuffle or not; Rouge thought it was a possibility.

Was this why he wanted her to be quick?

"What the hell is going on here?"