She was back.

She was back, and Sonic had already seemed to have forgotten him.

He knew that was going to happen, but it still hurt….

The two stared into each other's eyes lovingly; it was easy to pretend that he wasn’t jealous.

It was easy to pretend that there wasn’t a knife stabbed in his heart.

“Sonic….” His voice spoke out quietly. He didn’t seem to hear him.

“Sonic.” He tried a bit louder, but still not even a twitch of the ear.

“Sonic!” He tried shouting as loud as he could.

But the blue hedgehog still couldn’t hear him. Instead he smiled to Farah. “I’m so happy you’re back. I was going so crazy that I KISSED Shadow! How stupid am I!?”

More knives stabbed at him as Sonic laughed with the one he truly loved.

Blood poured out of the wounds…. He fell to his knees. Sonic was now standing in front of him, eyes shining maliciously. “You aren’t worth my love.”

He jabbed the final knife in himself.

_______________________

Shadow’s eyes shot open, his ears pinned down to his head.

It was just a dream….

He curled up slightly on the couch, trying to calm his breathing.

Great, now he’s dreaming about him.

He’d rather take the other dreams….

Anything over that pain….

Anything over those emerald eyes holding a different expression….

Sonic wouldn’t actually do that, would he? He never seemed to hold any real hatred for him….

But that kiss couldn’t have been out of love.

Everything was so confusing….

“Shadow?” He glanced over to see Haizea standing, holding a small glass of water. Shadow looked away now feeling awkward while she walked towards him, sitting on the couch. “Was your dreamscape disturbing you?”

“Um….” Shadow sighed. “Yes…. It’s nothing of your concern; I’m use to having nightmares….”

“Oh, well I find that it is always easier to sort things out when you tell it to someone else.”

“I hardly even know you.” Shadow felt his usual suspicious attitude arise.

“That is true, but you are a friend of Mahkah, and I want to help you in anyway I can.” She smiled. “You don’t have to share if you don’t want to, but I’ve been told that I am a good listener.”

He glanced away; he didn’t usually share these types of things with people. Heck, it took him months before he decided to tell Rouge about the Mahkah and Farah dreams. But, for some reason. This girl made him want to tell it all. “I don’t really know how much of it you’d understand….”

“I can always try.” She smiled politely.

He sighed. “It involves your brother…. I… don’t know how much you know about his life here….”

“The most I know is that he goes by Sonic and has only made friends in this generation.” She helpfully added.

He nodded. “He’s saved many people…. Including me, I guess….” Shadow again found himself looking away from Haizea, a blush lightly dusting his muzzle.

She just smiled politely, gently gripping his hand. “He must mean a lot to you, then.”

He simply nodded, muzzle getting a bit brighter. “He’s always been a sort of reminder to me. Of what I promised a friend long ago…. And, don’t tell him I told you this, but… he makes me happy….”

“It must be hard for you… knowing that he is already taken….”

“I-I never said it was in that way.” Shadow cursed his stutter as he felt his face heat up.

Haizea giggled quietly, hoping that they weren’t waking her brother and Knuckles. “Is that not what we were implying?”

Shadow had never felt so embarrassed in his life. “I-I don’t know….”

“Do you love my brother, Shadow?”

She was making this more awkward than it should be…. At least, that’s what Shadow thought. He took a deep breath before wordlessly nodding.

“You act as if it’s your fault that you love him.”

Shadow looked up to her. “Is it not my fault?”

“Of course not.” She smiled, glad Shadow was finally looking towards her. “You can’t choose who you love. It’s just something that happens.”

“But he’s taken….”

“Yes, but it’s not your fault.”

He took a deep breath. “What do I do…?”

“Have you told him?”

“Wh-What!? No of course not!”

“Then there’s your answer.”

“That wouldn’t solve anything….”

“How would you know if you haven’t tried?”

“Wouldn’t that just make things worse?”

“Of course not. Mahkah is understanding, and I’m sure he’d love to know. Who knows, maybe something could happen.”

“Don’t get my hopes up.” Shadow rolled his eyes with a sigh. “He’s meant to be with Farah, and I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

“If you say so… then I’ll leave you be.” Haizea sighed, standing up before mumbling to herself. “I once gave the same advice to Farah, and it worked out just fine….”

___________________________

“Haizea?”

“Yes, Farah?”

The goddess of happiness stood nervously. Haizea stopped playing her harp, looking to her curiously.

Farah bit her lip. “Um… Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Haizea gently smiled, gesturing to one of the seats near her. “Sit down.”

Farah sat down, still seemingly nervous. “I, um…. I wanted to know if Mahkah was seeing anyone….”

“You mean romantically?”

Blushing, Farah nodded.

Haizea giggled slightly. “Is there a specific reason you would like to know, Farah?”

“U-Um!” Farah squeaked slightly, gripping on to her dress. “C-Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course.”

Farah looked down and said in a whisper, “I… think I love him….”

Haizea’s smile grew. “Have you told him?”

“Wh-What! Of course not!” Farah’s face turned red. “Th-That’s not something you just do!”

“I don’t see the matter in it.” Haizea replied. “Wouldn’t you like him to know?”

“Yes! Wait, no…. Maybe?” Was Farah’s uncertain answer. After a look from Haizea, she tried explaining it. “I mean, what if he doesn’t return them?”

“That is what you must find out.”

“But… I’m scared….”

“Even if he doesn’t return your feelings, I know Mahkah still cares for you. This is just something you must try.”

Farah took a deep breath and nodded. “O-Okay…. I’ll do it….”

And then she left.

____________________

“This is something you’ll just have to try.” Haizea said to Shadow before laying in her sleeping bag. “I will see you in the morning then. Good night.”

Shadow watched her for a bit before deciding to lay down. Her words echoed in his mind as he wondered if he really should tell Sonic.

No. No good could come from telling the other of his feelings.

‘This is something you’ll have to try….’