Cold Blooming

Theif of the Night

Night has fallen and Shadow was alone in the chambers as Knuckles hasn't returned since he practically kicked butt. It was probably for the best since Shadow right now didn't even want to see him. He was emotionally exhausted and didn't want to deal with any bullshit his husband will most likely have. So he just picked up a book and started immersing himself into the book, almost missing a chirp as he automatically turned his head to the window and saw his closest friend. 

"Rouge? What are you doing here?" He set his book down and walked towards the window with a small smile on his face as he hugged her. "Sorry I missed the wedding sweetie but you know how it is when you need to find the perfect wedding gift." As she said that she pulls out a red jewel bracelet with gold swirls on each big jewel. Shadow eyes widened as gently took the jeweled bracelet amazed by its beauty. Only Rouge can find something as brilliant as this with her keen eyes. "It is a beautiful Rouge thank you but I do have to ask where you found this." He smirked as he slipped it on his wrist easily. Rouge laughed and there was a twinkle in her eyes as she shrugged. "You know how I am with jewels plus this beauty would do better with you instead of collecting dust in some antique store. Kinda reminds me of how we met huh." 

Shadow remembers it well as a few years ago he caught her stealing some jewels in the palace and was ready to apprehend her but noticed some things that made him stop. Her clothes were tathers and she looked thin with her fur messy but what really stopped him was her eyes as they were dull yet still held a spark of fight in them. He closed his eyes and turned around but stopped to speak. "You should leave quickly. Doom's guards aren't very friendly with anyone who will steal from the King. There's also a sapphire bracelet on the top shelf. It will fetch you a good price and will make you comfortable for a while." With that Shadow left and went to his next training session where the scientist wanted to test his durability and energy drainage.

After a long painful test he laid on his bed resting his body to replenish his lost energy. He faintly hears a quiet chirp coming from the window and turns his head to see the bat girl from earlier today. She flew into the room and landed softly on the ground. She walked over to him and held out her hand and in it the sapphire bracelet that he told her to take. "Look normally I don't return things that I stolen but I figured since you didn't sell me out I owe you." Shadow sat up slowly, his body still sore as he pushed the bracelet back to her. "It's better off with someone who can value it then collecting dust in a room. Besides , my mother would've given this to someone who needed it more."

The bat girl sat next to Shadow looking at the bracelet. "If this was your mother's, why give it to a complete stranger, especially a thief? Why not keep it for yourself since it belongs to someone close to you." She was genuinely curious as to why this hedgehog would give something that has sentimental value away like that. The striped hedgehog shifted again as he settled back on the bed feeling more tired. "Like I said she would want someone else to have it so it's not collecting dust now you should leave before you get caught." The hedgehog closed his tired eyes trying to rest since he has to do more tests tomorrow. The bat stood up and walked towards the window ready to take flight. "By the way, the name is Rouge." The hedgehog didn't open his eyes as he spoke. "Shadow now hurry before you get caught." With that the bat name Rouge took off into the night leaving the exhausted hedgehog to rest.

From there on their friendship grew and Shadow later found out the Rouge was just a couple years older than him which led to her designating herself as his big sister. At first he didn't really care for it but over time and many nights spent hanging out with each other has brought him a bit of comfort especially on one occasion where his daily test has really taken a toll on him and he couldn't move at all and passed out on the ground towards his room. He vaguely remembered hearing a worried voice and seeing worrying blue eyes before falling into the darkness again. When he came to again he was on his bed and Rouge was fussing over him. "R-Rouge?" He tried to sit up but was pushed gently back down. "You need to rest, they really did a number on you so no arguing." Without further arguments Shadow did as Rouge asked and rested. Throughout the week he recovers and he didn't know how she managed to keep the scientist and guards away but when he asked her comments on an apparent accident in the lab they would take a long time to clean up. 

Back to the present Shadow and Rouge finished reminiscing and noticed how the sun was beginning to rise bringing warm colors into the sky. "Looks like it's about time I leave before I'm thrown out." She stood up and headed towards the window, her wings open ready to take flight. "I'll be back soon and don't worry I'll find a way." With that Rouge flew out the window into the sky destination unknown to the striped hedgehog. Shadow figure he could sleep for a few hours before Amy comes for their daily routine yet before he can lay down there was a knock on the door. He sighs perhaps sleep was not in the cards today. "Come in." He commanded as he stood up tying the robe around himself facing the door. His eyes narrowed as he saw who stood at the door. There was no mistaking that blue fur and easy going grin that plastered his face as emerald eyes cooley stared at Shadow. "Hey there Shadow right? Hope you don't mind me filling in Rose's spot today since I figure it's about time we get acquainted with one another."