Look at the past - ShadOuge

Rouge sat at the bar of her club. It was nearly empty now as the hours ticked by. Shadow had dissapeared nearly five weeks ago now and the restless nights of worry had finally caught up with her. She took a sip of the cocktail that was in her hand a sigh rattling her frame. Why was the ebony hedgehog so difficult? so distant and mysterious? She thought back to their past searching her mind for an answer.

It was a warm sunny day, teens called out rowdily as they froliced waiting to be called in for first lesson. Rouge was sitting on a table sunning her face, leaning back happily. On her left sitting with her head in a book was Tiger a silver and grey cat, on the right sat Fenik, a red fox. He looked up at her with a smile. "Hey Rouge, blue at 10 O'clock." Rouge looked up in the direction Fenik had dictated to see Sonic and Knuckles headed their way. The lower years from the junior school were looking over the feild towards them, Any rose the pink hedgehog waved at Sonic and he rolled his eyes walking towards Rouge.
"Hey there." He said leaning on the table with a devious smirk. "Wanna walk to class with me?" He said.
"Whys that? You incapable of getting there yourself?" She said with a laugh. Rising carefuly she high-fived Tiger and started off towards registration.
"Ouch, you got burned Sonic." Knuckles teased playfuly punching Sonic in the arm. The blue hedgehog looked down for a moment before filling with optimism once more.
"Bah i'll get pleanty of chances." He said jumping up and running towards their classroom. Rouge and her friends took their seats in the center of the class, Sonic and knuckles sat behind them. The teacher was about to start when the door opened, a black and crimson figure stepped in, his face hidden by shade.
"Your late." The teacher said to him as he lurked in the doorway. Sonic through a crumpled ball of paper towards him laughing loudly. Shadow caught it and dropped it in to the bin stepping forwards and moving towards the furthest corner of the room. Sonic, knuckles and Fenik were laughing to themselves, making jokes about the dark hedgehog. But Rouge studied him swiftly, he seemed different. His face was darker, the left side bruised and swollen. Rouge gasped but seemed to be the only one to notice. He took his seat at the back of the room and dipped his head to the desk.
Later that day, at lunch time the youngsters were sitting outside enjoying the suns warm rays. Sonic was flirting with Rouge and Tiger, Fenik and Knuckles were talking and Shadow sat across the feild alone. His back against the trunk of a tall tree, sitting in the shade cast by its recumbent branches. Rouge had grown tired of the blue hedgehogs advances so rose and wandered to where the other sat in silence. She didn't say anything knowing that was not what Shadow needed. She knelt down beside him, giving him a small smile as he looked up at her. Concern flashed in her eyes as she looked back at him, one hand rising to gently brush the heavy bruise on his face, her motions soft and reassuring. He half flinched, closing his left eye as she brought her palm up to his cheek.
"What are they doing to you?" She said carefuly, her cerulian blues holding his crimsons. Shadow shook his head, not saying a word. "I guess you're afraid to say anything. I just want to say Shadow, i'll always be around if you ever want to talk."
"Hey Rouge don't waste your time on that faker. He probably walked in to a cupboard or something like that." Sonic chortled making rouge jump up in defense. Shadow rose too glaring darkly back at Sonic. He placed a hand on Rouges shoulder and stepped past.
"Leave this jerk to me Rouge." He said walking forwards.
"Theres no way she likes you Faker so keep your hands off." Sonic bit his emerald green eyes glistening.
"Getting jealous were we?" He said simply his arms folded over his chest. Sonic laughed,
"Ok how bout a challenge, a race. Around the track fastest one wins." Shadow knodded accepting the challenge and both headed towards the track.
"On your marks. Get set. GO!" Rouge announced as both took off at the speed of sound. Almost all of them were cheering Sonic but Rouge found herself silently cheering on the ebony hedgehog. 'Come on Shadow i know you can do it.' She thought to herself. Sonic was getting cocky, he had begun to run backwards as they turned on to the final stretch. Shadow smirked seeing the dip up ahead. Sonic didn't and tripped, landing heavily on his back as Shadow soared past and over the line. He stopped to look back at Sonic but walked away, back towards the quiet school. 'Shadow i know you are hurting inside but you dont need to hide it. You can tell me.' She thought as she watched his form retreat.

"Man where is he?" She said aloud, now entirely alone in the bar. She grumbled something when footsteps sounded behind her. A hand rested lightly on her shoulder.
"I love you." His familiar voice sounded. She turned around to face him. there was no one there.
"Man how much have i had to drink?" She said rubbing her temple. "Am i going mad?" she said rising and starting up the stairs towards the appartment she and Shadow had shared. She fumbled with the lock and stepped in, turning on the lights.
There sitting on the sofa was the black and crimson hedgehog.
"Shadow?" she said questioning her sanity. Surely her mind wasn't that cruel as to play the same trick on her twice.
"Who else?" He said simply. Then she knew it was him, it couldn't be a trick. She hurried forwards latching her arms around him in a spur of the moment gesture. She recoiled quickly, a light blush tainting her cheeks.
"Wow Rouge did you miss me?" He said softly
"I'm sorry i dont know what came over me. And yes i guess i did miss you. Where have you been?" she said trying to hide her embarassment.
"Its ok i missed you too." He said with one of his rare smiles. He returned the gesture placing his arms around her and pulling her close. She loved the warmth his body exuded and found herself closing her eyes.
"Shadow. I think i..." She cut herself off. looking up in to his eyes.
"I know." He said with a smile.