The Book of Mostly Fluff

What if? (Shadow and Maria)

"Shadow?"

Shadow blinked, that voice sounded familiar. He looked around before spotting someone running up to him. The person was blonde, almost platinum. The woman seemed to be wearing a blue dress with a jacket. He blinked yet again, why were they so familiar?

"Shadow?" The woman repeated, "is that you?"

Shadow could only nod, but his confusion somehow seemed to be present enough for the woman to notice.

"Shadow don't you recognize me? It's me! Maria! You know th..." The woman continued on with her long speech, Shadow seemingly tuning her out.

Maria? Why was that name so familiar?

"We were friends on the Ark, remember? We use to hang out all the time!"

Ark.

That word hit Shadow like a truck, memories flowing back into his mind. Memories of this woman, no Maria dieing in front of him. There was no way this was her and yet, he could feel himself tearing up. This had to be a dream he kept repeating to himself. It just had to be.

"That's.. Impossible. You died, I-... How..?" Shadow was completely baffled. This had to be a prank, this wouldn't be the first time he found himself in this position.

"I dunno myself actually," the supposed Maria answered. "I just remember waking up in a room with some random gun bozos who seemed quite surprised I actually lived."

Shadow nodded, he wasn't all that convinced yet he still had the urge that it was her. In reality he really did hope it was her.

"Do you remember when we switched Dr. Gerald's pen ink with green dye?" It was a sudden topic change, which startled Maria a bit but Shadow knew exactly what he was doing. Seeing Maria's grin, he knew he was on the right track.

"Fool, it was pink ink and how could I possibly ever forget. His face was priceless!" Maria replied.

Shadow's grin grew, it was her. He immediately threw his arms around the other, hugging them tight. Maria, startled at first, hugged just as tight. Shadow burried his face in the others midsection, smiling uncontrollably.

Maria was alive, she's actually here! It isn't just a dream!

Maria couldn't help but smile as well, rubbing the others head, minding his quills. Shadow let out a soft purr, which just made Maria smile ear to ear.

They were reunited again, and this time it would stay that way.

Till death due them part.