"Hey Rouge ... Why is Shadow always so ..." Amy turned around to face the one she was talking about. "Grumpy?"

They were currently walking in a forest, trying to look for the location Sonic sent the help message to G.U.N.

Everyone was good ... but Shadow of course.

Rouge let out a small laugh, "He is always like that but I have to admit, he looked grumpier than usual."

"Is it because I am here?" Amy asked.

"My detector confirms it." Omega interrupted the two and Rouge nodded in agreement.

"I still can't believe you challenged Shadow to a motorcycle race." Rouge laughed a little bit louder. This peaked in Shadow's interest.

"I can't believe it either," Amy responded.

"Also, where did you get a motorcycle?" Rouge asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Shadow doesn't let anyone ride his bikes...especially BB and the bike with a rose keychain," Omega added.

"Oh, I rode the one with the rose keychain, I gave him that bike after all."

"Really? Well, that is not as strange I guess. It will be really strange if he did let you ride BB." Rouge said, she looked around the forest as she paid attention to the area.

"BB? That is his favorite bike, right?" Amy asked.

"Yeah ... He is super protective of BB. If he ever lets you ride BB, that means he likes you." Rouge tease, "Romantically, I mean."

Amy blushed instantly at the comment, she laughed a bit nervously. "That can't be true, come on. It's Shadow we are talking about, he-"

"That assumption is correct. Shadow has only let one person ride BB. He really liked her ... romantically ... my sensor doesn't lie." Omega said, making sure his steps were heavy enough so Shadow couldn't be able to hear their conversation.

"What?" Amy exclaimed, "Shadow liked someone?"

"Yes, didn't you know?" Rouged added, "She used to work for G.U.N. until-"

"It's here."

The three jumped as they heard Shadow right behind them.

"WE WEREN'T SAYING ANYTHING!" The three of them screamed in unison.

Shadow looked at the three with a monotone face. Of course, he knew that they were hiding things from him.

But right now, he didn't have the time.

"Yeah, sure." Shado added, "Anyways ... According to the GPS, this is the place Sonic sent the emergency message. Split and look for clues."

The three nodded. Amy walked around, looking at the grass to see if there were any clues of the blue one.

However, her mind was occupied thinking about Shadow. She still couldn't believe that Shadow was actually in love with someone. Without any doubt, Shadow kept surprising her.

She shook her head, right now it wasn't the moment to think about that.

"Now, if I was Sonic ... Where would I be?" Amy thought.

She looked around her, the tall trees caught her attention the most. If she was Sonic, there was one place she would like to be.

Shadow tried to keep an eye on the members. Rouge was to his right, Omega to his left and Amy to his-

Ah, Chaos.

Shadow looked everywhere. He was about to panic until he found Amy on top of a pine tree.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Shadow asked angrily. "Get down here, now!"

"Shh!" Amy said to Shadow in which that instantly made him angrier.

"Get. Down. Here. Now." Shadow added, "Or I'll make you."

Amy kept climbing and climbing. As she got higher, Shadow's voice became smaller. She will deal with Shadow's anger later. She noticed blue fur and she sighed in relief as she noticed Sonic sleeping softly in a tree branch.

Amy clear her voice.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?" Amy screamed in which Sonic jumped drastically.

"Amy? What are you doing here? Wait, what am I doing here? What's happening?" Sonic looked at his surroundings confused.

"AMY IF YOU DON'T GET DOWN RIGHT THIS SECOND, I SWEAR FOR ALL CHAOS THAT YOU WILL REGRET IT!"

Sonic looked down the tree. "Wait, that's Shadow?"

"Yes, Team Dark and I came here to look for you and Tails," Amy responded.

"Wait, Tails?"

"Sonic, you went missing for a whole month! We didn't know about you and you sent an emergency message to G.U.N. Tails came to look for you and now he is missing as well."

Sonic's eyes widen in terror. He grabbed Amy's hands to try and get a grip on himself.

"I ... I don't remember anything."

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"Alright, let's start from the beginning ... what were you doing before going into the forest?" Rouge asked.

Now, Team Dark, Amy, and Sonic were in Twinkle Star Village. A nearby village next to where they found Sonic. They were in a small hotel room.

"I was actually coming here. I heard that this village was been terrorize by criminals and decided to check it out." Sonic added, "I was running through the forest ... and I don't remember anything else after that."

"Well, now that's strange," Rouge said.

"We should do an investigation," Shadow added. "Tomorrow morning, we-"

Shadow was interrupted as someone paranoidly knocked on the door.

Omega opened the door and a villager showed up, scared.

"Please help! Mercenaries! They are destroying the village!" The villager said, almost begging.

"We will be right there!" Sonic said.

The villager left and Sonic immediately stood up from his chair, he got close to Amy and extended his hand to her.

"What do you, Amy? Want to kick some butt with me like the old times?"

Amy giggled as she took his hand, "Let's do it,"

Shadow rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Rouge, Omega you both go look for clues about Tails whereabouts. Sonic, Amy and I will go after the bandits, be careful."

.

Shadow was baffled at how good they looked together. They were perfectly in sync even when they were fighting. Blue and pink fighting together, and him ... alone.

Not like he needed anybody anyways.

Or so he thought.

Sonic and Amy fought five mercenaries as they protected each other back. Sonic was fast with his punches and kicks and Amy was very talented with her hammer-like always.

Shadow looked at the pink once again ad he threw one of the mercenaries to the ground, smacking him right in the face. Shadow had to admit that Amy was a ferocious warrior. He even would like to train with her someday.

But of course, he will never say that out loud.

Distracted as he was, a mercenary was heading behind Shadow, ready to attack him.

He turned around and put his arm in front of him in order to protect himself. He waited for the mercenary to attack him but the hit never came.

Amy was right in front of him, protecting him with her hammer. The hammer made contact with the mercenary's sword and now it was battle of strength.

Amy wong and push the mercenary away from Shadow and her.

"You alright, Shadow?" Amy asked.

"I don't need your help," Shadow said.

"I know," Amy added, "But I still want to help you."

Amy noticed that Shadow's hands had a tight grip.

"Why?" Shadow asked, "Why do you ... help me? Why are you like this ... to me?"

Amy was surprised. She was confused at Shadow's sudden change of attitude.

"Because ... I-"

"Amy!" Sonic ran towards Amy, he looked up and down at her, making sure she was alright. "Are you alright? You aren't hurt right?"

Amy looked around, there were no more mercenaries around. She smiled and nodded, "I am good, and you?"

"Never been better." Sonic looked side to side, nervous, which was a strange view for Amy. "Look, Ames, after we find Tails and get at the bottom of this ... I was wondering ... If you and I could ... spend some time together-"

"Omega, Rouge!" Shadow said loudly as he interrupted the couple.

Rouge landed softly in front of the tree hedgehogs and Omega wasn't too far behind either.

"We have confirmed the location of Miles 'Tails' Prower," said Omega.

Sonic got close to him asking immediately, "Where is he?"

.

"My husband found him the woods and brought him here." said a very old cat woman. "Your friend was terribly beaten and worst of all he is infected with a strong poison."

"Is there a cure?" Amy asked.

"Yes, there is. There is a blue flower called 'Silent Princess'. On the outskirts of this village, there is a cliff, right underneath it, you will be able to pick up the flower." The cat lady added, "Bring me five and I'll make the cure."

The air felt heavy as the cat lady left the team on Tails room. Candles lighted the room and gave enough heat to warm everyone. This was no hospital room, but it was cozy enough to make everyone feel welcome.

A few minutes passed and nobody said a thing.

"Alright then," Amy said as she stood up from her seat, "Sonic you stay and take care of Tails. Whoever did this might comeback we need your abilities in case things go wrong. Rouge, I am sure more mercenaries will come eventually, you will work as our vigilant. Fly above the village and if you see anything strange, contact everyone. Omega you will be our first defense in case more mercenaries come. Go to the outskirts of the village and be on the lookout."

Amy turned around and looked at Shadow, "Shadow, I need your speed. Carry me all the way to the village's cliff as fast as you can and I'll do the rest."

"Is everyone ready?" Amy asked.

"Yes, captain." Sonic smiled at her proudly, he was happy to see Amy doing the thing she does best. Being a good leader.

However, not everyone was happy with it. "Since when did you start giving orders?" asked Shadow.

"Since you stopped given them, now let's go," Amy responded as she playfully patted on his right shoulder.

Shadow sighed loudly. Damn Amy Rose... She was good.

.

Amy and Shadow arrived after 10 minutes at the cliff. It was a beautiful one indeed. The vast pine trees surrounded the cliff, the wind ran through the tall grass as fireflies illuminated the air. The moon and stars shone brightly and the ocean underneath the cliff crashed against the rocks.

"You can stay here, I'll go down the cliff and get the flowers," Amy added as she got closer to the cliff. Amy was ready and past walked Shadow but his voice stopped her.

"No, you can't go."

"Why not?"

Shadow wanted to make up any excuse, anything that might stop her from going down that cliff and being put in such a dangerous situation. He knew that when it came to Amy, it was already a lost cause.

But he had to try.

"You are a temporary member of team dark, I am the leader and you must follow what I say," said Shadow.

"You said so, temporary, not permanent. I don't care if you kick me out." Amy added, "Don't worry Shadow, just stay there and don't move. I know how afraid you are of heights. I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position."

Amy Rose was just way too good at reading Shadow. He even was beginning to wonder if she had some type of special power. He didn't tell anyone about his ... problems with heights.

"How did you know?" Shadow asked as he watched Amy descend down the cliff, still, he kept his distance.

"It was more of a lucky guess. When I climbing that pine tree, you were so angry I thought you would go after me. But you didn't, and then I realized that your apartment is on the first floor." Amy said as she successfully landed in a large rock that was attached to the cliff.

"I am not scared," said Shadow, hiding the truth. "How you found the flowers?"

"Yes, I am almost done," Amy said, "And it's ok to be scared, I mean Sonic is scared of water."

"I am not like Sonic," Shadow sat down in the grass, looking away from the cliff and staring into the forest.

Silence surrounded them for a few seconds until Shadow heard Amy speak again.

"... So, I heard... There was someone you liked."

Oh, so that was what Omega and Rouge were talking about with Amy.

Reminder to self: Make them run ten miles for training.

"What about it?" he asked.

"Nothing ... I am just happy."

"What?"

"Happy that you have feelings."

Shadow rolled his eyes in annoyance. He played with the grass around him and looked at the fireflies that moved in the air. A few seconds passed like that in which the atmosphere became too silent.

Way too silent.

"Amy?" Shadow asked, but there was not an answer.

"Amy?" he asked again. "Amy?"

Shadow laid on his stomach as he crawled towards the cliff, trying to take a peek underneath the cliff.

He watched the ocean under him and he felt dizzy as soon as he saw how above the sea level he was.

But he couldn't look away, he needed to find Amy.

"Amy!" Shadow screamed, "Amy!!!"

He began to panic and his heartbeat began to increase, he began to sweat.

He was fighting an internal dilemma, he didn't know if he was scared of heights, or if he was scared of losing her.

"Am-"

"I am here." Shadow flipped from his stomach to his back and immediately stood up from the ground as he saw the pink one standing right in front of him.

"Where the hell were you?!?" Shadow screamed at her, embarrassed.

"I was on the other side of the cliff, picking the last flower."

"You know what, this is it! I am done with you!" Shadow continued and Amy was offended at his response.

"What are you talking about?"

"I am sick and I am tired of having to take care of you! I knew I shouldn't have brought you here!"

"Last time I check, you decided to bring me here! I was fine going alone!" Amy yelled back at him and she knew that now, there was no way back.

"If you went alone you would have been killed by now, I don't to G.U.N's Commander blaming for that!"

"Shadow, just admit it!"

"Say what?"

"Just admit that you worry about me! That you care for me!" Amy exploded, she gulped quickly to pronounce her words clearly.

"Just admit that you worry about me because ... you like me, don't you?" Amy added, "You like me ...as a friend. But you are too stubborn to admit it."

Amy noticed that Shadow's face was intimidating. The ruby eyes he possed had become blood red. His stance was firm as he walked towards her.

Finally facing her, he held her arms with both of his hands and me it clear.

"I don't care about you. You are nothing but a burden. The only thing I have done is take out those guys who were molesting you and now look at you! Assuming that we are friends." Shadow made a pause as he put his face close to Amy, making sure she understands every single word he says "You want to know why I did that? Because I pity you. Look at you! You were the leader of the Resistance, and now you are nothing but a waitress that can't seem to take the hint to leave me alone."

Shadow moved away and expected an angry reaction from Amy.

But her expression didn't change.

"I know ... " said Amy, "But deep down, I had hope that you ... That you were doing nice things for me out of the kindness of your heart."

Shadow stood quiet and Amy continued.

"That day at the G.U.N. ball ... you didn't care how I was dressed, you didn't seem to care that everyone thought I was a failure.

I felt so happy that someone like me could become friends with someone like you." Amy added, "I am working very hard and you have no right to put me down. If this is how you treat everyone who tries to get close to you, then I can see why she left you."

Amy knew that Shadow must have mixed feelings, but right now they weren't in the position to waste any more time fighting/\.

"I'll do you a favor," Amy sighed as she continued, "Carry me back to Tails and after this mission is done, you will never have to see me again. I promise."

Shadow wanted to take everything back. He wanted to beg for forgiveness. To tell her the truth. To admit that he immensely cared for her, that he appreciated every single thing she has done for him. From baking cakes for him in the middle of the night to withstand him even when he showed her his worst attitude.

To thank her, for actually being the first person who cared for him in such ways that warmed his heart.

She warmed his heart in ways he thought it couldn't be possible since it was broken.

But Shadow was incredibly dense and stupid.

His mouth was dry and he could only say one word,

"Deal."

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Acquaintance Pt.4: The Deal: END

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A/N: We will be entering a new arc called ' casual friend'. I am already writing the next chapter. I hope everyone is enjoying this!  Thank you!