Your POV

Tapping a pen to your lips your eyes scanned over the pages of possible solutions, you didn't have much time to do your personal research so you always had to be quick in reading and taking your notes. Over the last year you had found several methods to kill supernatural beings that might work against you.

There were the obvious sliver blades, you knew poisons didn't work but were willing to try several together. But you wouldn't try starvation as you'd quickly learned from your research that it didn't kill any supernatural being.

But there was one thing that had caught your attention today. It was a poison called Obsidian Elixir.

"Maybe this one will work..." you mumbled to yourself making a note, circling the word with many question marks.

You were willing to try anything at this point. You had messed up the lives of so many people that the guilt was unbearable, however you would never have thought in a thousand years that you would consider taking your own life.

But you couldn't see any other way out of this. By now you were sick of hiding and the useless research, and... you wanted to see your mum and dad again. In your mind everyone would win, you'd finally get to see them again, and the Hunter Society would no longer have to bother with you.

The only person you would regret leaving behind is-

*Knock!* *Knock!*

Throwing your notebook back into the draw you slammed your draw shut facing the door as it opened. However you had expected Cream or Amy to poke their head around the door, not Tails.

"Hi (Y/N), how are you?" he asked with a smile.

"Uh I-I'm fine, w-what are you doing here?" you stuttered slightly.

This, like Sally, was the first time you had seen Tails for a whole year.

"Sally asked me and Sonic to fill in Shadow's place whilst he's on his mission, Sonic upstairs catching up with Chuck." Tails explained.

"Catching up?" you questioned.

"Chuck is Sonic's uncle, he loves nay excuse to see him again." Tails said with a small smile.

That was a first time you'd ever seen Tails have a trace of happiness in his expression, as when you first met him it was just after Cosmo's murder. He'd been at the funeral but even now you'd never gotten the chance to ask him what his connection to Cosmo was.

"I just came in to let you know that we're here, give a shout if you need anything." he said heading out the door.

"U-um! Tails?" you called timidly after him.

"Yeah?" he asked turning back.

You hesitated for a second wondering if you should even say anything, after all you didn't want to open up old wounds. But you could still see the dark marks under his eyes which still looked just as lifeless. And at that point you knew he had barely forgotten her at all.

"A-a year ago... At Cosmo's funeral... I s-saw you there, and I've been wondering since then what connection you had to her, as she was my best friend growing up in the orphanage..." you trialed off only being able to face the floor.

A screaming silence fell.

Rubbing your arm already regretting even saying anything you dared to look up and saw Tails eyes watering. He allowed a single teal roll down his cheek.

"I loved her...." he spoke in a choked voice.

At those simple three words it suddenly all came rushing back to you, 2 years ago when Cosmo was still alive....

"What are you grinning so widely about?" you asked Cosmo.

Taking your seat next to her you placed down the two coffees you had both ordered sat in the coffee shop.

"Was I smiling? I didn't even realise!" she continued to grin.

You also noticed her cheeks were a dusty rose.

"Come on out with it, otherwise I'll have to interrogate you." you chuckled at her.

"W-well you have you promise not to laugh." she bargained, her blush deepening.

"Of course I won't." you promised.

"Well... I may or may not have... sort of met someone." she said slowly fumbling with her fingers.

"And what do you mean by that?" you questioned further getting excited.

"I was just in town the other day, the library in fact and started talking to this really nice fox. He was looking at mechanics books. And then I started going to the library more and more often and every time I saw him. And we've kept of talking." Cosmo explained.

"Aww that sounds so sweet!" you beamed.

"A-and I'm considering maybe giving him my number, as I'd really like to get to know him better." Cosmo said still blushing.

"I think you should!"

"Really? You don't think it'll be too forward of me?"

"Of course not! Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

Coming back to reality gazing at the heart broken Kitsune you answered your own question. This. This was the worst thing that could happen.

"I marked her... and she was the only one for me..." he added on somberly.

This earned a small gasp from you. Over the last year you were well educated in vampires and their traditions including how vampires mark their mates. It's a simple symbol to say they are claimed and is two fang marks on the partners neck.

If the marks don't say that means they aren't the vampires true mate, but if they do... its a symbol on a contract of eternal love. And it is seen as the ultimate sin to kill a marked mate.

Cosmo....

Shaking your head desperately trying not to cry yourself you went over to your dresser and opened up your photo album which you had treasured. Frantically flicking through the pages you reached the one you required and delicately pulled out one of the photos.

Stepping towards Tails you then held it out to him.

"I want you to have this." you said, your voice catching.

It was a common characteristic that vampires didn't keep many memories of the past due the fact they deteriorate over the years. But it was the least you could offer him, the last photo you took of Cosmo before she was murdered.

Tails took it gently from you, whispering.

"Thank you."

He left closing the door behind him. And not a second later you to fell to your knees sobbing uncontrollably again mourning the loss of your best friend.

~A little while later~

Giving a large sniff you rubbed your sore eyes hoping they wouldn't be too noticeable as if anyone asked what was wrong you're sure you'd loose it again.

You were sat in the drawing room focusing on the randomly patterned flames sat on a plush seat your knees pulled up to your chest. But the only thought that occupied your mind was how much you missed Cosmo and how much you wanted Shadow with you.

You jumped though when you felt a hand pat your shoulder. Looking up you were met with Sonic who gave a kind smile.

"Thanks." he said.

"For what?" you wondered.

"For talking to Tails." he said taking a seat across from you.

"I thought you would be the last person to thank me for that.... I hurt him." you attacked yourself.

"No, you gave him a chance for the first time to actually grieve." Sonic stated firmly.

This earned a questioning look from you.

"Generally as vampires we don't grieve, its not in our nature. But this often leads to us developing cold hearts. And I don't want that for Tails, so I'm thanking you as he's finally facing his grief and might finally be able to move on." he thanked you again.

To not be allowed to grieve was a horrible thing, you thought.

"I guess.... I'm glad I was able to help..." you said in a dry voice.

Sonic seemed to take notice that you weren't up to much conversation and so he stood up and left but not before giving you another pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks again."

Sonic left and after you heard the door click in a root reflex you held your cross. You still didn't know who the true gifter was, but it was too much of a habit.

I hope Shadow's okay....

Shadow's POV

Where's that damn fox!

"Shadow do you have visual!?" Sally asked through my communicator.

"No!" I snapped.

Trust Fiona to lead us into an abandoned chemical plant! She had probably been here for months and laid numerous traps for us. But we couldn't let this chance slip past. We'd engaged her in town and she'd given into the chase leading us here.

But if can apprehend her she can lead us to Scourge, who can lead us to his informant and most likely the seedrians killer. We all had to move carefully. Holding my hunters blade ready I scanned the area, it was dark but I could see just fine. Where was she?

*Clatter...*

My eyes darted to the sound and once she saw she was spotted Fiona tried to run. I sprinted after her quickly catching up. But on reflex she pulled out her ball and chain and started to attack!

"Fuck off you traitor!" she shrieked fangs bared.

Not listening I tugged the chain slicing it with my blade, she let go and began to flee as her last resort. But she tripped on some form of wire and her face turned grave. Rapid beeping could then be heard and countless explosions were heard.

The structure of the building began to collapse but even though all the ruble as I shielded my eyes I could see Fiona trying to run.

"Stop!"

I hurled my blade at her intending to wound her leg. But it impaled (Y/N) in the back instead.

I froze.

Storming through the now violently falling ruble I caught her just as she fell. H-how? How did this happen!? I was aiming at Fiona!

The blood stained blood stuck out of her chest, her eyes glass like open but lifeless, crimson blood trickling from her lips. Holding her I could already feel her warmth leaving her.

"N-no..."

I shook her gently.

"(Y/N)...."

No... this can't be happening again.

"And once again your existence brings the end of another innocent life." a cold, dark voice cackled.

That voice....it was... I don't care!

"(Y/N) please wake up!"

"Do you want to try to go back to sleep?"

"No, don't go back to sleep."

"Wake up...."

"Please... wake up..."

******************************

My eyes shot open suddenly. I sat up jolting rapidly taking in my surroundings. I was... Back in the safe house. I was in my room with bandages wrapped around my torso making me feel stiff sweating terribly.

But (Y/N).... How could I...?

"Shadow?"

My eyes darted to the door and relied consumed me as I saw (Y/N) standing there. Alive.

"Thank goodness you're awake!" She exclaimed.

She walked up the bed side putting down a tray of bandages on a bear by cabinet.

"Sally said during your mission Fiona wounded you pretty deeply with a blade that was laced with a poison they couldn't identify, they think it was my Scourge's informant who supplied it. It was powerful though because it knocked you out." (Y/N) told me nervously.

She was alive. It was just a nightmare induced by Fiona's poison.

"Is there anything you need? Should I tell Sally you're awake?"

My response was to pull her close wrapping my arms around her torso hiding my face. She was so warm. She gently held me back which I found a comfort. I had provided (Y/N) with comfort many times, but this was the first time I had looked to her for comfort. She gently asked:

"Shadow are you okay?"

I am now.