(Y/N) stirred in her sleep, trying to shift or roll over however unable to due to the vines around her stomach. The lack of movability caused her to open her eyes, flinching at the bright flashes of light that cascaded through the canopy of leaves above them.

Wait, leaves?

The (a/t) rubbed her eyes, before opening them again and looking around. She was resting against a tree, the grass around her had grown, almost hiding her from sight. She turned her gaze to the vines wrapped around her, and a flash of memory came into mind.

She had been injured, shot by the people that were chasing them. They had attacked Sonic's house, and Shadow had gotten them both out of there, leaving the other two to fight.

(Y/N) didn't remember much after that, instead all she remembered was feeling cold, and then warm, and then cold again.

How bad was the wound? Was she going to be okay? Clearly she had survived, otherwise she wouldn't be awake now, but as she pulled at the vines she noted there was no pain. Once they snapped away, she checked her side to find the bullet on the ground next to her, a shiny silver coloured vessel that had been crushed by the vines.

"You're awake." The (a/t) jumped at Shadow's voice, turning to face him. He stood in front of her, holding that small flip phone in his hand. Had he made another call to his mysterious friend Rouge? What had he told her? And where was the Crescent Moon?

She sighed to herself, was that even what it was called? There had been so many names used...

The hedgehog knelt in front of her, snapping her out of her small thoughts. He then reached over and lightly touched her side, his eyes checking for the wound.

"It's gone." He said, almost sounding surprised, "How?"

"I think the forest healed me..." The (a/t) mumbled slightly, looking at the grass. She picked up the damaged bullet and showed him, "It's happened before... 150 years ago... When they were chasing me, they shot me then, and the forest had saved my life."

"So it protects you as long as you're protecting the Crescent Life Source?" Shadow asked, tilting his head.

"It looks like it." She nodded, "I'm... Still new to this... Being awake and... In the future... I don't know what is what..."

"That's okay." Shadow sat down, fishing around in his quills, "I was just fetching it actually, we were in such a rush last night that I left it in Tails' workshop. We're lucky he has a secret compartment to hide valuables."

He pulled out the powerful artefact, handing it to the (a/t), and for the first time she felt it's power surge through her body. Her eyes glowed a bright gold as she hugged it close, relieved to have it safe in her arms again.

Shadow watched as the golden glow disappeared, looking as if it was seeping into the golden fleck on the (a/t)'s fur/feathers. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, he saw their (e/c) colour, bright and happy, along with smaller flecks of gold. He hadn't noticed the gold before, but they seemed to add a beauty to the (a/t)'s shining eyes. A small smile pulled at his lips, and he held his head to hide it.

"So I went back to the house, Sonic and Tails are okay. They were able to convince the Commander they had no idea we were 'bad', and the agents did a sweep of their house and workshop. Again we're very lucky Tails is prepared for these situations. Otherwise we would have lost the artefact."

(Y/N) nodded slowly, "Now what?"

"Well, I also gave Tails the number for this." The dark hedgehog held up the phone, "So as soon as he has more information on the ruins, he'll call and let us know."

"That's good." She smiled, "But again, what will we do now?"

"There isn't much to do." Shadow shrugged, "Other than sit and wait."

"Oh... We can't head to the ruins now?"

"We could." Shadow nodded, "But I'd rather you rest a bit more, especially considering you had been injured."

"But I'm healed now."

"I'd rather make sure you're 100% okay before we start walking Mobius knows how long." The hedgehog huffed, "I'm not changing my mind. If we have to, we can stay here the night again, that grass around you was able to hide you. We'll be safe here."

The (a/t) frowned, before crossing her arms and nodding slowly. She just wanted to hide the artefact and keep everyone safe as soon as she could. Although as she thought about it, her ears started to lower. Where would she go after this was over?

Her family, her friends, her home, it must all be gone by now. 150 years is a long time, would anyone be able to live that long? Would she ever see her old home again?

Tears started to fill her eyes and she closed them, burying her face into her arms. No, she told Shadow she'd be stronger than this, she needs to focus. She can't let this affect her. Once this mission is complete, she'll be able to think and mourn then. But not now.

Even still, the ache in her chest didn't go away, and she had to wipe her muzzle to hide the tears as Shadow stood again, looking around the area.

"I'll go find some firewood, in case we are here for another night." The hedgehog stated, oblivious to the (a/t)'s tears, "Will you be alright here on your own?"

He turned his red gaze on her, his ears perking slightly at her posture. She was hiding her face from him, her shoulders shaking lightly and her tail tucked around her body.

"(Y/N)...?" He walked next to her and knelt down, ears twitching to small sniffs and hiccups. He sighed and shook his head, sitting next to the upset (a/t).

The hedgehog gently placed a hand on her arm, and the (a/t) froze, going silent. Was he going to be mad at her? Yell or scold her for crying like this when they needed to stay focused? She raised her head slowly, looking at the hedgehog with her ears pinned back.

"I-I'm sorry..." She tried saying with a steady voice, "I-I know I should... Focus..."

"It's alright." The hedgehog said. He wasn't mad, or disappointed in her tears, instead he understood them. "I understand how you feel, I shouldn't have asked that of you, you must have loved your family."

"I do..." She sighed, leaning her head on her arm, "I just... I can't believe... I'll never see them again..."

"I know, and it must hurt, knowing so much time has passed." The hedgehog took his hand from her arm, "We're in this together, we need to work as a team, and that means looking out for each other. I'm going to find some firewood, once I come back, we can talk about this more. I'm sure you have many questions about the world now."

The (a/t) nodded slowly, watching as the hedgehog stood and walked off. That was the first time he had really shown he cared, and she couldn't help but smile at his kindness, he really must understand how she feels. But if that's the case, how? What happened to him that he would have to experience this? She decided to ask him more about it when he got back and hoped he would be more talkative about it then how he was at Sonic's.

~LATER~

Shadow finally returned back to the tree he had left (Y/N) at, his arms were full of small logs and twigs, sticks and dry leaves. Once he returned, he saw a circle of rocks not far from the tree, (Y/N) was plucking the taller grass and placing the grass in the circle.

He walked over and placed the wood next to the stones, raising a brow,

"I take it this is where the fire will be going?" He asked, an arm on his hip.

"It's far enough away from the tree that it's safe." The (a/t) nodded, before walking back and plucking the rest of the grass, "This will help start the fire."

"I know. It will also create black smoke that may catch the attention of unwanted guests." The hedgehog stated, sitting next to the circle. The (a/t) froze, before giving a small laugh,

"Oh yeah... It's uh, been a while?"

"Of course." Shadow nodded, "Maybe leave the fire building to me now, you've done enough to help. These rocks will keep it from spreading yes?"

"Yep!" She walked over and sat down as well, leaning on her arm, Shadow noticed she seemed more chirpy now, back to her happy self, "I want to watch you start the fire, I don't recall what rocks I'm meant to use to create the spark."

"I don't need rocks." The hedgehog shrugged, before building a small tower of sticks and leaves. (Y/N) tilted her head in confusion, about to ask how when he pointed at the fireplace, "Chaos Spear."

A green spark of energy left his finger, zapping the small branches and starting a small flame. Shadow then helped the fire grow to a warming size, before leaning back on his arms. The sky was starting to get dark now anyway, so it was definitely good timing on their part.

"How did you do that?" (Y/N) asked, staring at him with awe, "Can you manipulate fire?"

"No." The hedgehog shook his head, "Chaos Energy. It's the power source of the planet, and is kept safely stored in the Chaos Emeralds."

He pulled a yellow gem from his quills and held it up, "This is one of seven, when all are together, they can create powerful beings and stop evil."

"Wow... So there are more magical items out there..." The (a/t) hugged the Crescent Moon close, she had decided on using that as it's name from now on, it was very simple.

"Yes, and a bugger version of this one called the Master Emerald. Although that's not important right now." The hedgehog picked up a stick, poking the fire, "Do you have any questions?"

(Y/N) nodded slightly, shifting forwards, "Yes, how do you... Understand what I'm going through? What happened?"

Shadow looked at her, before sighing, "I meant about the world."

"I'll ask about that later." The (a/t) stated, "But I want to know about you, you clearly know so much about me, all I know is your name."

The hedgehog was quiet for a moment, staring at the flames that slowly grew bigger. He should have known this would be asked, but that didn't mean he wanted her to.

But she had a point, she knew nothing about him. It was only fair for her to learn of his past, as he had done for her.

"Alright." The hedgehog sighed, before turning to face her, "But it's a long story, I hope you're ready for it."