A/N: Ekhm. Greetings. It's good to be back after so long! Well I don't really have any excuse why I haven't written for so long, but... Well, I decided that I want to finish this story. So... Here's the chapter! ._.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic The Hedgehog or any of it's characters. They belong to SEGA and Sonic Team.

A Thing That Changes Us

Chapter 3.

Shadow had a really weird dream that night. It was definitely unlike any dream he had so far. True he had been dreaming about kissing Sonic (almost), but this was just... New. There had been so much feeling, touching, and passion in it, that it made Shadow feel quite overwhelmed. Hands touching, mouth kissing, and that voice...

"I love you Shadow."

Shadow's eyes snapped open, and he quickly sat up panting. This was the worst dream he have ever had. It's not that it felt bad, to Shadow it felt quite good, after all it was quite a new experience, but it was just... Disturbing.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" he thought slightly terrified. He had some weird dreams, his head was pounding and he felt extremely sick, not to mention the dull pain in his backside. It was the worst he had felt in ages!

Shadow was so indulged in his thoughts, that he haven't even noticed another person moving next to him on the bed.

"Shadow..." The blue hedgehog whispered quietly and with great effort. Honestly, Sonic sounded like he hadn't used his voice in years. Although his voice was more than enough to bring Shadow back into reality. Shadow quickly looked at the other and his face looked like he'd seen him for the first time in his life.

"Y-You!" He stuttered, obviously confused. "What are you doing here?!"

Sonic groaned in pain. Shadow's voice (although he loved it) pierced his ears quite painfully, that's how badly hangover he was.

"Ouch... Gee, Shadow you don't have to shout. I can hear you loud and clear, okay?" He held his head in his hands, but Shadow was still glaring at him bewildered, completely forgetting about his bad mood.

"Stop fooling around faker! I want to know how on earth you ended up in my bed!

This time it was Sonic's turn to be confused. He had looked at him, his eyes widening.

"Oh, fuck! I mean... You don't remember Shadow? Anything at all?"

Shadow's eyes narrowed in concentration, as he tried to recall the events from last night.

"I do remember that you've asked me for a drink..." He said slowly. "And I remember that we'd went to this pub and I drank this disgusting stuff, but after that..." He looked at Sonic expectantly, but Sonic just chuckled. "Shit, we got really wasted yesterday, haven't we?" He had looked at Shadow hoping he would laugh if off, just like him, but Shadow looked genuinely concerned about this whole thing. Obviously. Like Shadow would laugh something off. Instead his eyes had narrowed even further and he asked.

"What do you mean by that? What is that supposed to mean?" Well, it's not like the black hedgehog would know what 'being wasted' means. So, Sonic tried his best to explain it.

"Uhh… Well, 'wasted' is a condition when you kinda lose consciousness, you're not aware of what you're doing and you don't even remember it afterwards." He said scratching his head and looking at Shadow. Black hedgehog looked slightly horrified. He clearly didn't like the idea of not being aware of his own actions. What if he'd done something shameful? Something that he'd be embarrassed about till the rest of his never ending life?

"Y-You do remember everything that happened last night, don't you faker?" Sonic bit his lip. Shadow looked genuinely worried with what had happened last night. He couldn't possibly tell him truth, could he? So, instead he put on his best fake smile.

"Oh, come on Shads! Are you trying to tell me that you're worried? The ultimate life form, seriously?" He teased, which made his counterpart glare at him. Sonic chuckled.

"Don't worry! Nothing happened. We drunk a lot, fell on our asses a few times, got to your place and fell asleep. No biggie!" He exclaimed happily. "Don't take it so seriously Shads!"

Shadow's glare was replaced with a look of suspicion. He really wanted to believe the blue hedgehog, but there was something in other's voice that worried him. Something… Fake. But, before he had managed to question him about it, the other spoke.

"I think I overstayed my welcome! You're a great host and everything Shads, but I gotta run! I'll see myself out." He said, not looking at him and started to put on his on his shoes. Shadow looked at him surprised. He still hasn't told him anything!

"Wait! You can't leave! We still-" He tried to say, but was cut off by the other's hedgehog's lips. At first his eyes widened in shock as he had felt the other's lips on his, but soon he felt his eyes closing as gave in into the kiss. It was so passionate and it felt so familiar for some reason. Unfortunately the kiss ended as soon as it had started, although it still made the black hedgehog's legs go weak.

"Wha?" He asked confused.

"I'm sorry Shadow." He heard the other whisper in his ear. Sonic gave him the last quick peck on the lips, and before Shadow could even blink the other jumped out of the window. He was gone.

A wave of all different emotions crashed into the black hedgehog. Embarrassment, anger, fear… But the strongest one was definitely confusion. He didn't understand the actions of blue hedgehog at all. Why would he kiss him? Isn't that what lovers do? Or maybe Sonic just tried to make fun of him? But, the weirdest thing was… Why did he enjoy it so much? He blushed at the thought.

"There's no way I… With him… Hell no! What are you even thinking about?!" He scolded himself. It had felt so right though. Like it wasn't the first time it happened. He let out a huge sigh, only now realising how tired he was.

"I shouldn't bother myself with it." He exclaimed aloud. "I bet it's another one of his stupid jokes. Just to piss me off." He let himself fall back onto the bed, as he had looked around he noticed something very unusual.

"What the?!" He whispered bewildered for the umpteenth time today. It was a blood stain. On his own bed sheets. Just what the hell happened yesterday?

"I'm never drinking again," He decided determined.

At the same time…

Sonic ran around the city aimlessly. He couldn't stop running, it helped him think better and currently loads of different thoughts were invading his head. Obviously, all of them were about a certain black hedgehog… His worried face had flashed in Sonic's mind, and he felt a wave of guilt washing over him. It made him realise, what he had really done. He made the one he loved drunk, just to have sex with him. He took advantage of him. No, he FORCED himself on him. After all, he recalls Shadow telling him to stop. And he didn't.

"But I couldn't tell him the truth." He thought slowing down and finally stopping. "He'd never forgive me, if I did." He clenched his fists in frustration. "Shit! I'm so selfish! Even though I know that I hurt him, I still think about myself! He punched the nearest block breaking the wall. "I'm such an ass!" He said aloud, making people around give him weird looks. So, he quickly escaped the place deciding that he had to tell somebody. He couldn't tell Tails… He was too young and innocent, he wouldn't understand… It had to be somebody with experience and he knew only one person, who was currently in a relationship. Although, he pretty much would like to avoid talking to him about something like that, considering he's probably gonna tell him off for what he did. Well… Probably, anybody would.

"I have no choice…" He sighed, and headed towards the Angel Island.

A few hours later at Shadow's place…

Rouge the Bat tapped on Shadow bedroom's window.

"Hey, Shadow open up it's me!" She yelled. Obviously, she could have broken in like she always does, but today she felt especially generous. "Come on! Don't make the lady wait!"

After another few seconds of waiting the window finally opened. And Shadow's face greeted her.

"You don't have to shout Rouge. I have a really bad headache, and I'm in no fucking mood for this!" He barked at her. But the bat didn't care about his unusual outburst, but only stared at him puzzled.

"What in world happened to you!? I leave you alone for mere 24 hours and something like this happens! What have you been doing since yesterday?" she asked, eyeing him. He looked like a mess, and had bags under his eyes. He looked at least 20 years older. Shadow had closed the window behind her and replied annoyed.

"Fuck!" He swore running his hand through his quills. " I thought, I had told you not to shout."

"But, I didn't shout right now, sugar." She retorted smartly. "I'm using the tone I always use."

"Hmph! Whatever. Just speak a bit quieter then." He said walking over to the bed. Rouge gave him an intense look. His behaviour sure was quite odd, totally not Shadow like, but for some reason quite familiar…

"Don't tell me he's…"

"Shadow have you been drinking yesterday, by any chance?" she asked taking a seat next to him. He had looked at her and then she smelled it.

"He stinks like vodka… " She thought, her nose cringing. Shadow didn't answer, but she didn't need to hear it.

"You know what forget it. I already that know you have. You stink like hell." And then she suddenly burst out laughing. "God, I would have never thought, that there'll ever be a day that I would see you hangover. She teased laughing.

"Ha ha. Very funny. If that's all you have to say then leave." He growled at her obviously not amused.

"I'm sorry! It's just unexpected that's all!" She grinned at him. "Okay… So what the story? I will never believe that just suddenly decided to go wild and try some booze!" He glared at her.

"And what makes you think that?" He questioned.

"Coz you're way to stuck up Shadow. It's always business with you!" She chuckled.

"Hmph!" He snorted. "Go away, I don't feel like telling you anything!" His statement made the bat pout.

"Oh, come on! We're the best buddies aren't we!? I always tell you everything!" She replied offended.

"It doesn't mean that I listen to it willingly…" He said quietly.

"What?!"

"It's nothing."

"You're so mean Shadow!" She crossed her arms angry. He sighed tiredly. Sometimes, he just couldn't handle that woman.

"Seriously, Rouge It's not big deal. Sonic just wanted to go drinking with me, I agreed since I owed him for saving me from the doctor." Rouge looked at him suddenly surprised.

"Big blue did?"

"Yeah." Shadow confirmed nodding. "We went to the bar, had a couple of drinks and I returned home. That's it." Of course, he didn't tell her that Sonic had brought him home, or that he spent the night here at his place. She could get the wrong idea…

"Why would she!?" He thought angrily. "It's not like anything of that sort could possibly happen Shadow!" He had felt himself blushing a little at the thought and then he looked at her hoping that she didn't notice. But, she didn't even say anything like he had expected her to. It was weird, because she loved to tease him about these kinds of things. Instead she looked kind of absent, troubled, like she was trying to figure something out. He didn't like her face at all. Something was up.

"What?" He questioned giving her a suspicious look. "Hey! Earth to Rouge!" She must have snapped out of her trance, because her eyes focused on his again and she smiled mysteriously at him,

"Gosh, your breath stinks Shadow! Go brush your teeth and meanwhile I'll prepare some aspirin for you. Trust me, I know how annoying a hangover can be!" She got up and left the room not giving him a second glance.

"Yep. Something's definitely up." He thought looking at the empty doorway.

Meanwhile at the master emerald's Shrine…

Knuckles yawned. He was so bored. It had been such a beautiful day and he was stuck here guarding the master emerald… Like always. Rouge already left a few hours ago… He would never admit it, but he grew quite attached to the bat. He always felt that rush of excitement and happiness whenever she came to visit him, but also he felt lonely when there was the time for her to leave to work. He had never had such problems before they started dating, though… Yes. Knuckles the Echidna and Rouge the Bat were dating, for a three months now. To be honest, to the red echidna it still seems kind of impossible. He had never expected Rouge to suddenly grab him and kiss him during their, yet another fight for the master emerald. He had always thought that she liked Shadow, since they were always working and hanging out together, but Rouge explained to him, that she had never liked Shadow 'that way' and the same goes for Shadow, since he couldn't bring himself to love anyone again after Maria died… And besides Rouge said that she always had a crush on… Well… Him. The echidna had blushed and suddenly became quite proud of the fact. Actually, he was so indulged in his thoughts about his girlfriend, that he didn't even notice the figure sneaking up behind him.

"Hey Knuckles wake up!"

"I LIKE HER TOO, OKAY?!" He echidna confessed loudly, forcefully brought back to earth by the figure behind him. The blue hedgehog, who was now in front of him, burst out laughing.

"I know you do Knux, but you don't have to be so loud about it, you know?" The echidna's muzzle was red again, but this time with anger.

"Screw you Sonic! You moron! You can't just sneak up on people and yell in their ears! That's so low, man!" He hissed. "And stop laughing!"

"Fuck, man I'm sorry! But it's was just so FUNNY!" He grabbed his sides. "I swear I've never expected a reaction like THAT!" Echidna's gloved hands tightened into fists dangerously.

"Sonic…" He growled.

"Okay, okay I'll stop! I'm sorry Knux. I'll never do it again… Promise!" He said crossing his fingers behind his back. "Besides, I gotta admit that I'm kinda jealous of you, man…" A hint of sadness flashed through the hedgehog's face. Knuckles on the other hand looked shocked, completely forgetting about the fact what he was supposed to be angry with him.

"What?" The echidna asked dumbly. Sonic only bit his lip. Knuckles knew about this habit of his. He always did that whenever he had felt guilty about something. Something that he had a big trouble sharing with. The red echidna felt that in a few seconds he's going to find out the real reason behind Sonic's sudden visit.

"Sonic?" He asked in a slightly softer voice, in attempt to encourage the blue hedgehog to confess.

"Knuckles…" He started taking a deep breath. "There's a reason for me to come here today. I wanted to share this with somebody, because I can't handle it by myself… And… I kinda thought, that you would be the best person." The hedgehog looked him in the eyes deadly serious. Knuckles had no doubt that this was a serious matter, and that his friend wanted to tell him something, that was affecting him greatly, so he decided to be serious too.

"Okay, Sonic. You know that you can tell me anything and I will never say a word to anyone about it. I promise." He said seriously putting his hand on Sonic shoulder and squeezing it lightly. Sonic only nodded biting his lip again.

"Okay… Here it goes. You see… Last night… I…" he looked away from the echidna unable to look him in the eyes anymore. "Last night I had sex with Shadow." He finished quietly and closed his eyes, only to open them again after a few long seconds of silence, to glance at the echidna. Knuckle's expression was completely unreadable, although Sonic could practically hear his brain trying to process this information. After another few seconds of stretching silence, the echidna finally spoke.

"Y-y-you and S-shadow?" He gulped. "You mean t-that you had to p-put your… Inside h-his-"

"That is not the problem Knuckles!" Sonic cut him off sharply. "It's not about the way we had sex! It's about me hurting him and lying to him!" Sonic looked away from him again. Something just snapped inside of him His eyes stung. He felt tears gathering and dreading to fall. Knuckles only stared at him. He was so confused about this whole situation…

"Sonic. Tell me what happened? What do you mean you've hurt him!?" He asked grabbing the hedgehog by his shoulders, and forcing him to look at him. "Tell me the truth Sonic! What did you do!?" Sonic's tears were falling freely from his eyes now.

"I-I…" He choked. "I was so selfish! I had planned all of this Knuckles! I took him out for drinking, I knew that he had never tried alcohol before. I knew that he would be too wasted, to know what he's doing, and I-I… " He sobbed.

"You took advantage of it…" Knuckles finished for him blinking slowly. "Oh, God… Oh, my fucking God…" He let go of Sonic. "Does he know?" He asked surprisingly calm. Sonic shook his head.

"No, I couldn't tell him Knuckles!" He said choking a bit. "I wanted to. I really did, but I couldn't! I knew he would never forgive me… And I…" He stared at the ground. "I love him so much… It would kill me, if he ever were to hate me..." Suddenly, he felt a fist connecting with his jaw. He fell to the ground and groaned in pain. He looked at Knuckles who had just punched him. The echidna stared back at him furious.

"What the hell are you doing, Sonic!?" He barked. "That's how you're telling people that you love them, now!? By making them drunk and having sex with them!? Are you fucking out of your mind!? What has happened to you!? Normally, you just come out and say it!" Sonic only turned his head away from the echidna staring at the ground again.

"I know… I know Knuckles… But I…" He let out a painful sigh. "I was afraid… I was afraid that he would reject me…" He looked at Knuckles again. "You know… We're both guys. It's not as easy, as you and Rouge. He… I don't think, that Shadow even considers the possibility of the two guys having a relationship together… He was taught that a relationship consists of a man and a woman… I really don't know what to do Knuckles… " He laughed ironically. "Right now, I still can't believe how desperate I was just to be with him… You don't realise how much I regret this now… Mostly when I know, that now I had lost my chance to be with him…" Knuckles's expression softened. He had pitied Sonic. He wasn't even angry with him anymore. He kind of understood the point of Sonic doing all this… But, still it was no excuse. What he did was definitely wrong and it should have never had happened. However, Knuckles was still Sonic's friend and he was the person whom the hedgehog had chosen to turn in for help.

"You have tell him Sonic." Knuckles exclaimed seriously, helping him up from ground. "Don't give up. You're THE Sonic the Hedgehog! The one who never gives up, no matter what!"

"Knuckles?" Sonic asked bewildered. "What are you-"

"You still have the chance! You won't know until you try, right!?" Knuckles shouted with passion. "Love knows no bounds! Emm… Supposedly." Sonic stared at his friend not believing his ears. But, after a second he burst out laughing. That was the Knuckles he had known for so long.

"I-I don't know what to say… Thank you Knux!" He had shouted happily, and hugged his friend.

"Yeah, Yeah… Don't mention it. I want you to be happy too you know?" The echidna grinned. "Now, lets try and make you win Shadow the Hedgehog's heart, shall we?"

"Definitely, my friend!" The blue hedgehog grinned as well, giving Knuckles a high five.

A/N: OMG! I finally finished this chapter! Gosh, it took so long… *coughovertwoyearsorsomethingcough* I'm sorry that you had to wait for so long. But, don't worry I'm determined to finish this story and I will. The next chap will be out in a week, or a week and a half since I'm working now and I need some time… Sorry, for all the drama that happened in this chapter, but is was needed so, bear with me, okay? Hopefully someone is still reading this story… If you do then review! Reviews inspire me, and make me happy. ^o^ Sayonara! ;*