The long awaited Sunday challenge: Chibi date or mini hedgie: draw the 2 as chibi hedgies or make one of the tiny and adorable! Like teacup tiny. What I've done is loosely related to the challenge unfortunately. I'm not very good with the whole 'chibi' concept, but I still hope you all like this in the end. It took me a number of days to do this, so... enjoy!

-There's More To You-

"Urgh! You will not win this time hedgehog! I swear it!" His frustrated exclamation echoes as his hands begin to wildly press buttons along the dash of the hovering insect like mech, the legs appearing spindly yet sharp like daggers and the many eyes allowing for numerous beams to blaze in my direction.

Doing a move almost similar to a pirouette just to mess with him, I leap and bound out of the paths of bright yellow rays with laughs of joy and mockery escaping me. The feel of the heat as they just barely miss me is like a drug; being so close to danger and yet escaping it just by a hair… I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Spinning around with a smirk upon my visage when the barrage ends, I expect Eggman to be hovering with his face flushed in fury and his large mustache tussled beyond repair… only the space before me is empty. The cloudy blue sky and vibrant grass is the solitary sight for miles ahead.

"I've got you now."

Spinning around with a yelp I see his machine materialize from thin air—apparently having been cloaked, a function I didn't know it possessed—just as his fist slams on a button, activating the mechanism that allows for the largest laser to fire.

I try to move, my pupils dilated at the sight of the oncoming threat, but even I'm not quick enough to escape the area fast enough completely unscathed. White agony flares against my left flank sending me careening to the ground as waves of what seem like electricity begin to surge and twist and mutate my insides to unbearable degrees.

I vaguely hear Eggman's laughs as his machine drifts closer in order to take a look at his handy work. All that reaches my mind is finding the will to breathe and maybe even curl tighter into my protective ball as if it'll make the suffering go away.

"Not so lucky this time, huh, blue pest? Hehe, now that my coercive persuasion ray is managing to intercept your pint-sized brain, it'll only be a matter of time until—" he abruptly stops before a shocked noise escapes him.

"What!?"

The ever burning, every changing sensation finally pulls a scream from my lips and I see the sky above me start to become swallowed in darkness just as Dr. Eggman admits in a troubled voice, "This is not what I planned at all…"

~XxX~

Why… does everything hurt? Slowly peeling open my eyes, I witness a clear azure sky with the sun much lower on the horizon than I remembered from before. What happened before again? As I sit up and rub my head I recall Eggman showing up while I was attempting to enjoy some of the warm sun rays before the bitter chill of fall swept through, spewing his same old tune about defeating me and taking over the world.

"Oh man Egghead!" I exclaim in frustrated remembrance, only… I couldn't have because surely that tiny, sweet, and positively adorable voice most definitely doesn't belong to me. Feeling my heart surge and pound against my rapidly expanding chest, I take a look down at myself and nearly break down in a fit of hysteria at how small I am; the size of a two year old hedgehog at least.

"Oh no, no, nononoNO! What did he DO!?" I holler in a high pitched childish voice while moving to stand on my small legs. Feeling the world nearly spin out of control from the drastic change of events I attempt to calm down with large steady breaths in order to think of a rational explanation and possible plan.

"Okay, Sonic, so Eggman turned you into some kind of miniature version of yourself. No big deal. The only weird thing is that he didn't kidnap you and do Chaos knows what with this helpless form," I shudder at the thought, "First things first. Find Tails. He'll know what to do."

With an actual plan in mind, I feel much better about my situation and turn to the west where I know Mystic Ruins and subsequently the workshop is located. With a concentrated expression, unbeknownst to myself, I put one foot in front of the other and attempt to take off like I normally do…

…I should've known it wouldn't be that easy.

My face having connected with the ground painfully, I'm shocked to discover this form's low tolerance for pain as little tears are already tracking down my muzzle in rapid trails. With a helpless sniffle I shake my head in futile. "Great. Just great. Now what am I going to do?" the whisper is low, being carried off into the wind as the sun steadily falls lower in the sky, taking more of the afternoon's light and, more importantly, warmth with it.

After sulking over my abysmal situation, a slight shiver from the wind brings a spark of my old determination back and I rise to my feet with resolve. "This isn't a time to give up, especially not in this weather. Maybe this was Eggman's plan all along. Turn me into some toddler and leave me out here to die. Well, he must've forgotten who he's dealing with." With the tenacity I'm known for, I put one foot in front of the other and begin to head in the workshop's direction, heedless of the degrading weather conditions to come.

~XxoOoxX~

"Where could he be…?" the genius of a fox mutters worriedly while looking out of the workshop's window at the rustling bushes and thrashing trees as the chilly wind blows in from the north with aggression.

"We have to do something, Tails! He could be hurt!" his old friend, most notably known for her fiery passion and borderline obsession over Sonic exclaims in clear worry.

Turning away from the darkening view of the terrain nearby, the kitsune gives her a pacifying look in hopes of avoiding a dramatic meltdown. "We don't know that. Maybe he decided to find somewhere else to sleep tonight. You know how he gets when his mind wanders and he finds a new region."

"But you know that's know what happened," she shoots down with a stern stare that has his orange ears flattening in response, "There was detection of activity from Eggman and he promised that he'd be back later today. It's getting late, Tails! And if you won't do something, I will."

Holding his hands up in surrender as he finally allows his inner worries to flourish for his best friend and brother of all things but blood, Tails manages to craft a plan before the rash hedgehog dashes out into the oncoming weather. "Okay! You're right. I was just being… hopeful that my suspicions were wrong and something didn't happen to him. Look, if we're going to search for him we should get someone who'd be able to pinpoint Sonic with ease."

With dubious dark green eyes Amy places a hand upon her hip. "And who exactly is that?"

~XxoOoxX~

The shrill ringing of my telephone forces me to open my eyes and move into a sitting position in my four post bed. Annoyed from being removed from my somewhat relaxed state after a solid week of GUN assignments, I turn steaming eyes to the accursed phone that sits innocently upon my dark wood nightstand.

Snatching up the sleek obsidian phone and tapping the lime green 'answer' button, I waste no time. "What do you want?"

My intimidation apparently renders the caller speechless—something I was aiming for—and I quickly move to press the red 'end' button, except a voice filters through, forcing me to remain on the line.

"S-Shadow! H-hi, uh, this is—" the shaky response comes before I interrupt fluidly.

"Miles."

A subtle clearing of his throat can be heard before he continues, "Tails. Yeah… I was wondering if I could ask for your assistance… if you aren't too busy or anything."

Why again did I give him my number? Sighing through my nose, I let my crimson eyes trail around the rather barren room as I respond indifferently. "What could you possibly need my assistance for when you have that Faker around who'd be more than happy to help?" Hmm. Maybe I should put up a painting or even a potted plant, not that the lack of décor is of importance…

"Well, that's just the thing. Sonic's missing." Now this actually catches my attention.

"He's missing? How do you know he isn't just off exploring the world or something?" I instead inquire as the sound of howling wind strikes my notice of how the colder weather most likely is just blowing in.

"I don't think he is this time. There was a sighting of Eggman earlier and Sonic almost certainly had a run in with him, but he hasn't shown up like he promised… with this weather, I'm getting a little worried." He explains with every bit of concern a brother would have for their sibling.

Damn it. There goes my down time. "Fine. I'll have a look. That flamboyant energy of his shouldn't be too hard to locate," I concede while moving from underneath the warmth of my duvet.

"Thank you, Shadow," the sincerity is clear even over the phone, but I ignore it.

"Hm." Hanging up without further words, I lean down to where my shoes reside and begin to slip them on over my black socks, making sure to place the very sleek yet durable cell phone back on the nightstand afterwards.

Maneuvering through my single bedroom house towards the front door, I place my gloved on the doorknob then think better of it and grab my crimson scarf just as I exit the abode. My prediction was correct as the cold weather has finally moved in as demonstrated by the punishing winds attempting to strike fear in me by coating me in icy gusts. Unfortunately for it, I was designed to deal with much worse, so it glances off me ineffectively.

Gliding forward sluggishly through the clustered woods, I start to sense for that Chaos energy bathed in a purity and liveliness that I have yet to encounter in another and allow my thoughts to be consumed by the one I'm searching for. Why exactly am I searching for that annoying hedgehog anyway? Branches and leaves obscure my set path and I swat them away absentmindedly. Yeah, his brother is worried, but that doesn't explain why I'm the one out here searching.

A stronger gust blows past allowing me to sense a small drop in the already chilling degrees. He's always boasting about how cool and awesome he is, he should be able to get out of whatever situation he's managed to get himself into this time, I conclude with a petulant frown. I have half a mind to turn around and forget about the whole situation, but a nagging feeling deep inside won't seem to allow it.

Growling in annoyance and seeing the moon's shine magnify the field up ahead, I try to figure out just why that is. Maybe it's because I would… possibly miss the challenge of having him around? Shaking my head slightly as I skate slowly through the swaying grass, I know this isn't quite right. I would miss his banter? No again. With a huff I try to simplify it once more. I would miss… him?

I nearly halt in astonishment as this seems to ring true. Impossible! I wouldn't miss that Fake if someone took me to his gravestone. This oddly enough sends chills down my spine where the cold weather can't and I put on a burst of speed towards the much closer energy. Why would I miss him? He's just a nuisance. A person who loves to push my buttons on a day-to-day basis. But as my brows furrow, an answer buried so deep in the recesses of my mind it nearly rejoices at my recognition, comes forth. It's because I… It's because I care for him.

My shoes deactivate subconsciously as I reach this startling revelation, in order for me to gaze at the small azure hedgehog before me collapsed in the grass, nearly hidden from sight due to his size. Puzzled yet overrun with concern that I mask behind my uncaring countenance, I kneel next to what is undoubtably Faker and scoop him into my arms.

The chill along his form attempts to leach into me, but my warm temperament is far too strong to challenge and in turn allows him to snuggle closer and garner heat. I stare wonderingly at the tiny hedgehog in my arms, at his small limbs, round stomach… admittedly adorable visage. How did you get like this, hedgehog?

Not permitting myself time to come up with an answer, I utilize the single Emerald I always possess in order to travel home and away from the cold instantly. Faker hasn't moved once since I picked him up, but from the fast thumps of his heart and his steady breathing, I know he's just fine… apart from the obvious. Ignoring my mostly sparse living room, I relocate to the only bedroom and place him in my bed, seeing just how tiny in size he is in comparison as the thing seems to practically swallow him up.

Tucking him under the cover to preserve heat, I turn to exit, but pause in hesitance. My brow furrows for a moment before I act. Gently rubbing the palm of my hand along his forehead in comfort, I murmur quietly, "You'll be fine, hedgehog." Swiftly detaching myself from the situation afterwards, I move towards my next destination: the kitchen.

~XxX~

I wonder just how long he walked, just how much cold he suffered before he collapsed from exhaustion, from the bitter cold, I contemplate while scooping up a hot bowl of homemade soup. As I turn off the stove and exit the pristine kitchen in favor of my bedroom, the discovery of tired emerald eyes staring in my direction upon entry causes me pause.

Schooling my expression into a blank one, I stride towards the bed and have a seat at the edge, all the while his wide, fatigued eyes follow me. "How did you get like this, hedgehog?" I question smoothly with an arched eye ridge.

He seems to ponder this in advance for a while then speaks in a surprisingly adorable voice that complements the chibi-ish form he currently possess. "Well, I was fighting Dr. Eggman before. He got a lucky shot on me and suddenly I was in this horrible twisted pain," his face scrunches up here at his recollection, "Then I woke up alone and like this. I couldn't even get to the workshop to figure out a way to return back to normal," his tiny voice mutters dejectedly in the end.

I suppose the kitsune was right to worry, but… Looking at the greatly saddened hedgehog in hoglet form lying in my bed I come to a decision. I'll make sure nothing happens to him. Lifting a spoonful of soup from the bowl I hold, I steadily move it towards his small muzzle in a stoic manner.

His expression is one of puzzlement as he beholds the gesture, a question leaving him gradually instead of a quiet acceptance like I hoped for. "What's… this?"

"Soup I prepared. What else?" The spoon is still held quiet near his visage.

He shakes his head as he attempts to sit up straighter while answering. "Not that. What am I doing here?"

I open my mouth to respond when that annoying ring sounds, forcing me to replace the spoon in the bowl in order to answer the call. "Yes?"

"Shadow! Have you seen any sign of him?" the kitsune immediately asks followed by the more distorted sounds of that pink annoyance demanding if I said anything yet.

With a roll to my eyes, I observe the wide imploring emeralds that seem to demand my full attention, even in his weary state. "Yes. I have him."

"R-really? How is he?"

Sighing in exasperation I watch as Sonic's little hands clench around the cover as he glances around my room. "He's… weak. I thought it would be best if he rested before I brought him to you. He'll definitely need your assistance then." I explain calmly when Sonic's eyes find their way back to me.

There's a rustling over the phone before that Rose girl's voice begins to blare over the phone. "Where's Sonic! Bring him here right now—" Smoothly pressing the end button, I place the phone on silent then put it back on my nightstand before turning my focus back to the oddly patient hedgehog. Something seems off with him.

"That was Tails, huh?"

I can't seem to decipher his tone, despite the child like quality to it. Sitting the soup down seeing as Faker is determined not to eat until he gets answers, I offer him a bored look. "Clearly."

He nods. "So why am I here instead of there? Why are you helping me, Shadow? I thought you loathed me and all…" he trails off as his eye lids lower gradually then snap back open as if he realized his state of near slumber.

Is he truly that exhausted? "Would you rather I'd left you there to die from exposure then?" I answer with a question just as his face scrunches up in discomfort.

"N-no, I…" he breaks off into a small fit of coughs that causes concern to swell in my chest like an uncomfortable knot. Seeing the worry I must have written across my face despite my best efforts, he raises a tiny gloved hand as if to wave off my uneasiness. "'m fine. I just don't understand why you're doin' this Shads…" he trails off once more, but this time he doesn't regain consciousness as easily and I refuse to sit idle as his small form struggles for stability.

My palm moves to his forehead as the other lies against his chest. The heat I feel radiating from him is alarming and I don't find it at all surprising that he didn't mention his state of sickness. "Damn it, Faker." My teeth are bared as I notice not only his high temperature, but how his Chaos energy is starting to unravel as it destabilizes erratically.

For the first time since the ARK, I feel genuine fear attempt to pull me into its unforgiving depths. When a fortified structure threatened to self-destruct with no apparent signs of escape didn't provide a shard of fear in my form, seeing Sonic like this… I can hardly find the strength to pull in another breath.

"S-Shadow?" his small voice questions once before his cloudy eyes close with finality. Without a second's hesitation, I pull him into my arms and warp to the fox boy's workshop with no other visible options.

Miles is sitting at his impressive computer, the clear stiffness of his posture deceiving the calm demeanor he attempts to give off, while Rose sits not too far from him, not at all trying to hide her worry. The two startle at my appearance, but I don't have time for their frivolous questions as I show them the ill appearance of Sonic's little form.

"He needs to be returned to normal. Something is gravely wrong… something that I hadn't foreseen whilst he was in my care," I admit with shame hidden in my otherwise emotionless expression.

The pink one snatches him from my arms and cradles him near her chest as if I did her a personal wrong. "What have you done to him? He's… h-he's—" Before she can break in two while gazing at her hero, once so strong no abnormally fragile, the orange fox steps in with a forced calm.

"Amy, there's no time for that. Sonic had a run in with Eggman, remember? Shadow has nothing to do with this. Go put Sonic on the bed over there. I need to get a scan of him quickly."

Her forest green eyes shoot me a look overflowing with promises of retribution, but she does as told, placing Sonic down gently on the white sheets of the bed similar to one you'd find in a hospital just as the fox kid pulls out a handheld gadget of his own creation.

I feel restless as I stand off to the side and watch the process taking place, my inner revelation from earlier attempting to rise forward and take hold of my attention once more with nothing else to occupy my hands at the moment. You care about him. He's important. You—

"Oh no…" The words are a blessing and curse; they yank me from my thoughts, but the heavy sorrow and anguish that flows from just those two words are enough to smother the room in perpetual darkness.

"Tails, what's wrong? What's going to happen to Sonic!?" the demand is harsh and frightful as the pink hedgehog's green eyes begin to awash with tears.

"He's… Whatever Eggman did greatly destabilized his Chaos energy and the only way to fix it is to find a way to return him back to his form like Shadow said, but… I don't even have the slightest clue where to begin. This is a transformation of some type for sure and I could try to make something, but…" he bows his head as his ears lower miserably, "we don't have that kind of time."

Before the smog of worry that normally wouldn't be able to affect me actually manages to strangle me, I offer a logical solution. "Or we simply make the Doctor to return him to his previous state."

~XxoOoxX~

Both youthful faces stare at him surprised until Tails utters with a distraught tone, "But we don't know where Eggman's base is…"

Crimson eyes roll as Shadow huffs in annoyance. He strides towards the lone cellular lying on the kitsune's workstation before rapidly pressing a precise string of numbers. When the receiver answers, the dark hedgehog immediately begins barking out information. "Agent Shadow 01K6R19A. Requesting clearance via Protocol H12. Security level red. Subject name: Ivo Robotnik. The location of the subject…?" Each detail is said quickly and precisely with a practiced ease that leaves the listening duo a bit confused.

Shadow gives a hum of acknowledgment before he ends the call and turns calculating eyes on the occupants of the room. "I know of his whereabouts. I'll be back shortly," his burning red eyes peer past the two to the little azure hedgehog squirming in discomfort upon the medical bed as an unknown emotion begins to leek past his defenses. His visage goes blank when he speaks. "Faker will be… fine."

"Chaos—"

"Wait!" Amy interrupts as she leaves the side of her hero with determination. "Take me with you! I want to help!"

Shadow turns to her with an empty expression that soon shifts into one of sardonic humor. "What? And let you miss out on the opportunity to fawn over Faker while he has no chance to fight back? I think not," and with that he vanishes in a flash a brilliant light.

Her fists clench tightly at her sides as her face reddens in fury at his insult. Tails, not having left his spot next to Sonic, calls out to his irritable friend in hopes of making things flow more easily while they wait for Shadow's return. "He's right, Amy. Sonic needs our support more than ever right now," his crystal blue eyes turn to gaze at the small hedgehog as a worried frown appears on his fuzzy muzzle. He moves his hand to grasp Sonic's small one and simply hopes.

Amy seeing the two decides to toss the dark hedgehog from her thoughts as she too takes ahold of the little hedgehog's hand. She's unable to stop a tear from running along her cheek when he gives the most heartbreaking whimper.

~XxoOoxX~

The Doctor is far less prepared for an attack or, rather, more prepared for someone of less stature than I. The gargantuan fortress with its fortified entrance and six sentries on post stand no chance against my shoot first, ask questions later attitude. Red illumination bathe every hall as alarms blare and I infiltrate with cold accuracy.

Humanoid machines start to appear in higher numbers once they realize, I'm one not to be trifled with. Without a thought I tear through space in order to materialize before my nearest victim, my fists strike ruthlessly against the cold metal, battering dents and gashes all along its unit until it's virtually destroyed by the copious amounts of oil and sparks emitting from it. Ripping through space once more, I perform a deadly roundhouse kick, cleanly removing the head from the robot at such a velocity the flying projectile manages to severely damage another.

I weave and dance through the creations in a swift, lethal dance, without sound, without emotion, until that feeling buried deep under years of suppression forces an upsurge to storm my form. The twisting of metal as my opponents wither in my wake doesn't deter me as I seek the infamous Doctor. His base may be grand, but nothing will stop me from locating him.

Halls upon halls I twist and turn through, becoming almost desensitized to the red light that seems permanent since my arrival. Doors nearing the hundreds all seem to be here to confuse one, as they all seem to be empty or filled with nothing but boxes packed with metal parts. My patience wearing thin as my mental timer on how long I've been away from that blue hedgehog grows longer, I finally come to a door that's unlike the others. This one bares the classic symbol of Eggman's smiling mug.

Kicking the door in with no caution, I slowly lower my leg as I behold the round man. The overall air around him holds no surprise, mind you, the alarms have been going off for a good while now, but he is weary of my presence.

I advance casually across the fallen door and towards his seated form, until there's only a couple feets distance between us. "So Doctor. You should know why I'm here."

He grumbles under his breath as he shifts slightly towards a peculiar looking hand gun with tools scattered all around it, the sight causing my muscles to tense in caution. "I have a clue. I didn't think you cared about that blue nuisance. I expected the fox to show up, but not you." He responds rigidly while looking at me over his nose.

There's that word again… Feeling bitterness towards myself nestle snugly inside my chest like a festering virus, I lash out with vehemence. "I don't have to explain myself to you Doctor, particularly after witnessing your idea of revenge against the Faker," I add with a slow sneer. "Let me see… You suddenly had this insatiable urge to see your greatest foe as a pint-sized chibi. Once you achieved this you were forced to scurry back to your hideout because the sight was too overwhelming," I turn and give him a sidelong glance, "I'll admit he's adorable, but I didn't realize you were into that sort of thing…"

Face beat red under his large, ruffled mustache, the Doctor rises to his feet in outrage as he points a dagger like finger in my direction. "That was not my intention! I made a slight miscalculation in my plan which resulted in his alteration! I only wanted obedience, not some lovable child to 'ogle over' as you put it," he defends in his honor.

Hmm. His words ring true, but still. It's always interesting to get a rise out of him. "Really? Than where is the reversal?"

His finger swings from my direction to the odd gun like device I noticed before. "Right here! I was working on it all afternoon. It should be fully functional and do the trick—Hey!"

I dash forward during his explanation and snatch up the device with a sudden impatience as my internal timer steadily ticks louder.

Tick, tick, TICK.

Without further acknowledging the Doctor as he angrily demands his invention back, I warp back to the oppressive atmosphere of the workshop to be welcomed by the sight of the ghastly pale form of my long-time rival and his friends wrought with tears.

Taking charge, I line up the gun and demand in a cold voice, "Step out of the way." Startled hiccups leave them before Tails pulls the protesting girl out of my path. My index finger slides easily over the trigger.

I fire.

~XxoOoxX~

I-it hurts… why does everything hurt? I can hardly think past the ripping and the tearing of my very essence. It's so blindingly hot with agony I just want to scream until my throat is torn raw, until there's no more oxygen in my lungs… until I pass into oblivion.

"—onic! It's okay… p...se be okay." One voice penetrates the darkness weakly.

"Don't …ve up. We n…d you, Sonic," another says in earnest.

I try with great strength to fight passed the hot tearing of my soul to listen to these voice… the voices I realize are my friends, but the pain is strenuous and daunting, sapping what little power I have to fight.

Ugh… please help me… My mind swivels and swirls in a twisted daze before a remembrance of something flares in my mind for the briefest of moments.

"You'll be fine, hedgehog."

W-was that Shadow? An oddly comforting touch seems to correspond with the recollection and for a while it feels as if the pain is more bearable and maybe I can fight against it…

Then everything spikes to a drastic degree of overwhelming agony in an instant and everything diminishes into obscurity.

~XxoOoxX~

Come on, Faker. You said yourself to never underestimate you. Prove true to those words. Wake up… The sun shines dully through the single window in the hedgehog's bedroom, bathing the room in a waking light. Nearly a week later and his eyes have yet to open, despite his return to normal and this is what is causing me unrest.

The moment I fired that gun, going off of blind trust of the Doctor, the blue hedgehog's energy began to knit itself back together as his form grew and returned to his teenage state, much to the delight of his comrades and inwardly myself. After minutes of awaiting a response, however, he did not stir; only slept on, completely oblivious to the world around him.

The kitsune nervously chalked it up to him needing rest after such an experience and suggested that we—as in me, because there's no way he and Rose could lift Faker all the way up to his bed—relocate Sonic back to his room. The pink one wasted no time in snuggling up next to her 'boyfriend' and I was forced to leave, otherwise my indifferent demeanor would be forever shredded to ribbons. Miles, or Tails as he prefers to be called, did however give me a heartfelt thanks to which I coldly ignored.

Why am I back in this room before Tails or that pink girl even have the inclination to get out of bed then…?

I can't seem to stay away.

Every morning since I fired that gun, I've been back to check and see if he had awoken in hopes of easing this nagging feeling in my inner depths. As the days passed though and an IV drip became required for his nutrition, I could no longer suppress the emotion.

So I sit here, just staring at his slumbering visage; the smooth span of his brow, the soft curve of his lips, and the relaxed spread of his quills across his pillows… and try to will him into awareness. "Wake up, hedgehog," I command in a soft, firm tone, "Do it for your friends. Do it for… do it for me." I plead gently in the end.

He doesn't move or rouse at my request. He only inhales and exhales in rest.

Furrowing my brows in turmoil of yet another day of no progress, I gingerly raise a hand and smooth it along the expanse of his forehead and murmur so quietly one would be hard pressed to hear, "You'll be fine, hedgehog."

Taking my hand back slowly I move to stand when an abnormally large inhale causes me to halt. Before my eyes Sonic begins to revitalize. He shifts around leisurely then very slowly he reveals those emerald eyes I've sorely began to miss. "Hiya Shads…" bogged down with sleep of nearly a week's worth his greeting is still the most pleasant thing I've heard in ages.

"Sonic, you're awake," I can't help but state the obvious as astonishment and sheer relief refuse to release me from their clutches.

"Mmhm. I feel wonderfully rested. The best sleep I've had in forever," he responds as he slowly pushes himself up into a sitting position, his eyes simply staying on me as if he's locked in a dream. The unwavering gaze admittedly causes my eyes to dart downward as an odd fluttery feeling begins to take place in my chest.

"So what happened? The deets are kinda fuzzy on my end, I'll admit," he tells me with a soft chuckle.

Regaining my nerve, I force my eyes back to his as I give a short run down of what happened. "The Doctor accidently altered your form to that of a small child's. You grew deathly ill as a side effect when your Chaos energy began to destabilize. The Doctor was forced to hand over the device needed to return you back to normal and after sleeping for several days you've just now awaken."

The facts penetrate his skull sharply as the information sinks in and shock flares across his countenance. It, surprisingly, doesn't last long as his brows furrow and he turns accusing eyes towards me. "You're not telling me everything, Shadow. There's more to it."

I square my shoulders against his penetrating stare, my exit foreseeable in the very near future. "That's all you really need to know. Just be happy you're alive and go wake up your friend or something. They've been worried about you." Standing as I turn towards the large window, something stops me from leaving his room: his warm grip on my hand.

"They've been worried about me? Like you have, Shadow?" he prods knowingly.

Refusing to look at him, I attempt to break his hold on my hand, but he's very persistent.

"Don't deny it… I couldn't quite understand why you were helping me at the beginning…" he states slowly as his hand squeezes mine gently.

Realizing the discrepancy in his words, I whirl to face him completely in order to accuse him—most likely playing right into his hands. "You said you didn't remember anything, Faker!"

With a twinkle in his eyes he offers a small smirk. "I just wanted to see what you'd say," his mirth vanishes as quickly as it comes and in its place seriousness takes hold. "Something changed then, Shads, or more like revealed itself…" his eyes turn pointedly to our still joined hands and I try again to wiggle free from the hold, wishing it didn't feel as comfortable as it does, to no avail.

With a sigh I sink back into the chair next to his bed and allow him to weave our fingers together, feeling rather resentful to the flutter that thrives in my chest.

"I never knew why I couldn't stop pushing your patience all the time, why I just wanted to be around you and get you to acknowledge me. I guess the saying about boys picking on the one they like is true, huh?" he presses with a coy smile.

Without batting an eye I respond evenly, "Does beating you in retaliation for all that insistent prodding count, hedgehog?"

His look turns flat before he rolls his eyes in exasperation, his other hand coming over to cover the back of my hand in his grasp, which seems to draw attention to the IV in his arm for a brief instant. "You're trying to divert my attention, make us argue over nothing, and I'm not falling for it, Shads. Admit it. You fought for me. You got me back to normal."

I turn away and don't respond, but in not doing so I wordlessly answer his question.

He hums perceptively before he speaks, "There's more to you than what you wish for others to see, but there's one thing I do know that you can't hide."

"What is that?" I turn back to him outwardly uninterested, but feel my heart nearly lodge into my throat at the sight of his face mere inches away from my own.

"You feel the same as I do…" He pushes forward, closing the gap between us as his eyes drift shut in bliss. I'm helpless to fight against the insatiable urge… the yearning for this encounter, so as my eyes fall closed, I drive forward with a passionate vigor, taking him by surprise as I finally give in…

…to the love we both share.

Sonic the Hedgehog and all of the Sonic characters belong to ©SEGA