A Time for Two

Tails found himself wondering around in a grassy area far from the jungle. He did not even remember how he did it. He was looking at the map he had found followed it for a few hours and when he looked up he was here. He sighed softly as he sat down in the grass and looked up. He didn't know how he was going to get home and soon he knew the sun would be going down soon. He was good at looking at the position of the sun in the sky and knowing how much time he would have left. It was a chilly day and the kit had also forgotten to bring a jacket with him. He was too excited to see where the map was going to take him. Now he could see it was a mistake.

"I wish Sonic was here." The blue hedgehog had vanished a few days ago running off to who knows where. It seamed that no matter where the hedgehog was he could always find his way back home. Unlucky for tails he was nothing like that. He shivered softly as the wind blew pushing his fur up against him and then pushing it away from him. He wanted to go home now. The problem was now that he didn't know where home was.

Shadow was too indeed in this grassy meadow but for him he knew the area very well. He didn't live too far from the place. He had his own little house here and he was now coming home from getting some food. The radio told him that the night was going to get to below freezing and it would stay like this for a few days. He didn't want to get stuck in the house with no food. Soon he was in his small home. It was nice and cozy for him and it was in the middle of no where. Here he could live in peace and not have to worry about being attacked by anything or anyone. He went and put the brown bags on the table and went to his favorite chair and sat down. He had picked up a newspaper while he was in the city and was now looking to see what as going on. Nothing much from what he could see. He had a strange thought run though his mind. He was wondering how the others were doing. He knew that Sonic had once again vanished and he had saw Knuckles preparing for the cold nights. His mind however was wondering about the small kit Sonic always left behind. The little fox that would follow the hedgehog to hell and back if need be. He sighed softly wishing he had someone who admired him the same way he did.

The day started to pass and the kit looked around tying to see where he was. He was lost witch was strange for him. He knew his home area like the back of his paw; this place was new to him. He looked up at the sky and saw that the sun would soon be setting and at the rate of the cold coming in when the sun disappeared so would the heat. He found himself whimpering softly and held himself close hoping it would keep himself warm. "Sonic…"

Soon the sun fell and Shadow watched it from his chair. It was nice he thought to himself. Being in his chair sipping on the morning's coffee he made a face. It was kinda bitter and because he had warmed it up it didn't taste that good. He shrugged it off as he put the mug on the small cup holder beside him on the small table.

The kit shivered heavy as he kept walking. The sun was down now and the wind was picking up. He could feel the cold attaching to his fur holding onto him. He didn't know why such a thing was happening but it was making him feel colder. Each step for him was getting harder as the sun fully disappeared heading to the other side of the planet. He hated being so far from home he knew he would be able to make it through the night. Its just he didn't want to do that. It was hard. He felt his body get colder as she walked through the forest soon as he looked up he saw a light coming form a house.

"Who would have a house all the way out here?" He kept walking and hoped whoever it was they would be nice enough to let him stay; but he had to get there first.

He stretched as he scratched his head a little and was about to turn into his bed and spend the night watching TV until he falls asleep when he heard a loud thud at his door.

"what in the hell?" He walked over to the door. By this time the sun had set and it was getting cold. He wondered who would be out in such a cold right now. As he opened the door the head of a kit hit the ground softly. He looked at the kit.

"Tails.." He was breathing lightly and the cold rushed into the small home not only from the outside itself but from the fox as well. He went and picked up the fox and closed the door putting him on the couch. "Why in the world are you out here. " The fox was breathing hard whimpering. Shadow couldn't help but smile the kit needed him. He soon went and put a blanket on the kit and put some logs in the fireplace so he could warm him up.

The kit shivered for a long time as he slept. He must have passed out the hedgehog thought. Then the same idea came into his mind. Why was he out there anyway? This was no where near where he lived. He must have gotten lost somehow. He didn't mind he would help him just because he was being nice. Soon he looked and saw the fox open his eyes and look at him.

"Shadow?" He looked at him. He couldn't believe this was his home. He would have never guessed he would be there. "What are you doing out here?"

"I live out here." The fox then sat up. He felt a rush of blood rush though him and he placed a paw on his head. "Ow." Shadow had a mug waiting for the fox.

"Here, drink this." The fox looked at the hedgehog. He looked sincere and worried about him. It was strange, he thought that he didn't worry about anyone but himself but the way he looked at him now he didn't feel that way." He took the mug and held it with two paws and he blew on it and soon drunk some of it. When he put the cup down their was still a bit of liquid on his muzzle and lips. Shadow couldn't help but smile. "What is this Shadow?"

"Just some warm tea to help warm you up." Tails nodded at him thanking him for helping him. "Tails what are you doing all the way out here."

"Well I had found a map and well I was following it. When I looked up I didn't know where I was. I tried to find my way home but I just got more lost and well It started to get cold. I saw your house and was trying to get here. I guess I must have passed out."

"I see.. well if you wish I can take you back to a familiar place in the morning. It is too late to try and go out now." The kit nodded, he knew it was too dark though if you had to leave out you could. He didn't want to cause him any trouble after all he did take him in. Shadow smiled at him. "You are welcome to stay in the small guest room that I have." Tails ears perked up as he looked at him. He was surprised really he didn't think such a small house had a guest room. He now knew he was wrong. He kinda felt bad. He had never really got to know him as a person and here he was taking things from him. He would have never guessed such a thing from Shadow but that was because he didn't know him. He looked down softly.

"Tails what is wrong?" Tails looked away.

"I'm sorry Shadow its just well. Your being so nice to me and I never really got to know you and well I've seen you around for almost a year. I feel bad about it." The hedgehog smiled, the fact that the fox had any symphty for him was enough.

"Its alright, I understand because I don't say much when I do happen to see you or the others. It is my own fault." Tails just stared at him. He had never seen Shadow talk this much about himself where it didn't have anything to do with his past. It was nice to see him talk about something else. He then took it into his own interest to look around the small house. It was cozy to say the least. It wasn't black but a mix of grey and red. He didn't have many pictures up of course but he did have a small picture on a table. It was of him with all of them. He tried to think hard of when they had taken it. He was surprise Shadow had a picture of them but it just made him smile.

"So you just stay out here all alone?" Shadow nodded his head.

"I like the quiet and it's away from people so I'm not bothered at all. Knuckles comes by once in a while to say his hellos but I would say that's it." Tails looked down at his cup. He had made a choice. He wanted to get to know Shadow a bit more. After all he did tke him in from the cold. It was the least he could do.