"Shadow...?"

The dark hedgehog sighed. He sat in the back of a cart, trying to sneak out of Eggman's camp, with the thieving bat, Rouge. She had given up trying to talk to him two days ago, and now she was starting up again.

"...What?" He answered rather sharply. Rouge didn't appear to notice.

"When's your birthday?"

Shadow didn't answer, just stared into the darkness.

"..."

Rouge could take a hint. "You don't have one, do you?"

"..."

"I'm right, then," She said with a cocky smile.

"..."

"...So...Aren't you gonna pick one?"

"...Why would I do something as pointless as that?"

"Please?"

"...Fine. Just go to sleep."

Five minutes went by, until it was Shadow that spoke again.

"Rouge?"

"Uh huh?"

"What's the coldest month of the year?"

"January...or February...Or December."

"Then December. December 25."

"Christmas! The happiest, gift-giving-est, loving, wonderful-!"

"Shut up. I don't want it anymore."

Another five minutes passed.

"February 31."

"...It doesn't exist, Shadow."

An hour went by before Shadow spoke again.

"July...July 21."

"...That's they day Maria died, Shadow, isn't it?"

"..."

"Why?"

"...To remember her."

Rouge smiled weakly. "Is that what Maria would want? Your birthday is supposed be happy. The day Maria died wasn't happy for you, Shad."

Shadow stared at the cart wall and didn't answer.

"You remember her already."

Still, Shadow was silent. Rouge gave up trying to get him talking. Another half hour went by.

"January 22."

Rouge looked at Shadow. "That's..."

"Your birthday. I know."

Rouge smiled and shifted herself into she sat next to Shadow. "Shadow. You're birthday's supposed to be your day. It's no fun when you share it with someone else. You want the full experience."

Shadow stared at the bat girl. "I...do not know what to do..."

Rouge stared at the ceiling. "Pick the day that you really felt like you were real. Most people's birthday's are the day's that they're born. Pick the day you really felt you were alive."

Shadow was silent for a moment. "That day...was May 19..."

Rouge was silent for a moment, staring at Shadow. "Sh-Shadow? That's the..."

"Day we met," And for the first time Rouge had ever seen, Shadow smiled, "I know, Rouge, I know."

Rouge stared quietly at the hedgehog before her, until a large smile broke out on her face. She slipped her hand into his.

"You make me feel alive," Shadow finsihed.

Rouge smiled. "You are alive," She wispered, "In here..." She placed her hand on his head, "And here..." She pointed at his heart.

Shadow stared at the celing. "You're alive in there, too."