Wounded is a sequel to my story, Forsaken. There will be moments were they reference Forsaken, or events in Forsaken. It might be wise to read Forsaken before reading Wounded.

Also, I tried VERY hard to add a Japanese holiday fit into this story, as I found it very interesting and believed it to fit in very well with the story. I did as much research on the holiday, and in no way do I mean to have it insulting or rude. I do hope everyone who reads this that celebrate are not offended.

Thank-you very much and I do hope you enjoy Wounded. You guys earned it.

A white dove flies down onto the window's sill, chirping its good mornings to the lighten world around it. The sun slowly warmed the skies, taking the resting dew from the leaves below back into the clouds above. The glowing sun glistened into the room, warming the young hedgehog and his guest from their chilled night. The white dove continued to chirp, hopping on the other side of the sill; its tail feathers wiggling gleefully.

The chirping woke Ivo from his weak daze, flinging his head up from the pillow it was resting on. He began to yawn, rubbing his watering eyes awake. He turned to the window, seeing the white dove twitching and flicking its feathers about before finally fluttering away. "Good morning, mother." He stretched, letting off a shaken yawn as he lifted himself slowly from the bed. He was trying not to wake Sonic, but failing. The hedgehog looked up, his ears still folded from sleep; his eyes have yet to begin glowing. He lets off an adorable yawn, baring his small yet sharp teeth. Ivo chuckles softly, placing his hand on Sonic's head. "Sorry, kiddo. Did I wake you?"

Sonic nods unknowingly. "Not really. 'Morning." He yawns once again, resting back onto his own pillow. "Did you have a nice sleep?" His voice was drained and tired; most likely do to him staying up late.

Ivo nods gently, fluffing the hedgehog up in his blanket, gently pressing his lips on his forehead. He always found it precious how soft the hedgehog looked asleep, all curled in a ball, wrapped up in his blanket. He couldn't help but tear up at the sight. But why, he wonders. He presses his forehead on Sonic's, sucking the tears back.

A voice comes from behind him, causing him to flinch, turning around. "W-Whua?"

Tails stands at the door, holding the handle. "I was asking if you were hungry." He tilted his head slightly. "Are you ok? You seem a little pail."

Ivo nods, smiling softly, as he always did. "I'm fine. Emotions can be weird at times, and seeing Sonic like this must have hit a nerve or something." He sighs gently, rubbing his hand on Sonic's back. "I might have had a dream about my mother last night."

Tails stepped back, knowing from what Ivo had said before about his late mother. He had explained how he missed her dearly, and that he would find himself waking from tears. "I see." He didn't want to conversation to linger, shaking his head with a smile. "Well, breakfast is ready."

Ivo bows his head in a thank-you, turning back to Sonic. The young hedgehog had grown quite a lot over the two years he had been watching over him. And their relationship had only since gotten stronger over the years as well. Sonic had told him he is like a mother to him, causing his heart to swell. He gently picks up the drifted hedgehog, waking him on the spot. "Hu, what's wrong?"

Ivo only chuckles as he walks down the stairs, placing Sonic down at the bottom. He begins rubbing his arm, nervously. Even though it has been two years, he still felt uneasy in the Thorndikes' house. He sat at the table, head lowered and mustache drooping. His eyes never seem to connect to anyone else's. "T-Thank-you for having me here for the night," he mumbled to the table after everyone has arrived. "I do not deserve this much kindness."

There was a chuckle aside from him, but he didn't turn. "How many times do we have to tell you? We like having you over." It was Chuck, who placed his hand on his shivering back. "You are very helpful, actually."

Tails wiggles, turning to the others. "Hey, isn't anyone going to tell him? I would think someone would have told him by now."

Ivo managed to look up, confusion in his eyes. "Tell me what? What's wrong?"

Of course, the young hedgehog's voice comes up, after swallowing his mouth full. "Oh, right. We are going to Chris' parent's summer home!"

Ivo smiles, relieved it wasn't anything bad. "I do hope you have fun. I want to hear how it." He was interrupted by Sonic.

"You are coming with us, silly!"

"I-I'm what?!" His voice grew louder, which never seemed to happen much anymore. "You guys don't have to invite me to your summer home. Wouldn't I be intruding?" He looks around, frantic.

Chuck shakes his head. "It is in honor of your second year anniversary of being reformed." Ivo's face grew pail once again. "That is something everyone should be proud of. Two years is a very long time, if you really think about it."

Ivo began rubbing his arm, causing it to grow warm. "I don't deserve this – any of it. Two years is nothing compared to the fifteen I have committed." He never did like talking about his reformation, or anything that happened to him. His name seems to always sting him in ways he didn't really think was possible in a name. He mumbles it under his breath, Sonic's ears twitching. "Eggman…no one loves someone like that."

"I like you." He looks up to the hedgehog, his tail flicking gently. "You helped me when I needed it most, remember." He looks down at Sonic's right arm, where a scare forever lingers. "I don't know what would happen if you were not there for me. So…if you don't want to see it as a two year anniversary for you, think of it as a two year anniversary for me."

The child always knew how to give Ivo a soft smile on his face. He nods gently, turning to his breakfast. "I still don't believe I deserve this, though."

The gain looked at one another as Ivo left the room, his head low as normal. They had a worried feeling this was to happen. Ivo never did give himself praise anymore, it seems. If it was something to him, he would always point out something negative about it. Sonic leaped out of his chair, following the man.

He was staring out the window, watching as the birds flew over the trees. "The white dove is gone." He spoke in a sadden tone. "I always imagined white doves to be my mother."

Sonic slowly meandered to Ivo's side, taking his hand. "There is nothing wrong with that."

"She liked the color white…and doves were her favorite animal. So…" He sighed, choking a bit from incoming tears. "Sorry."

"No, don't be." Sonic wiggles a little, trying to smile. "It is alright to miss your mother." He turned to look out the window as well, pointing to the ocean. "Around there is where we will be going tomorrow; beside the beach. It is large, and has a lot of room. You'll like it there. There are trees around the house, and the sound of the ocean will calm you." He turns to Ivo, smiling. "And you did say you'll teach me how to swim someday."

Ivo gives off a soft chuckle, rubbing the tears from his eyes. "Thanks, kiddo." He turned to look out into the distance, sighing softly. He didn't quite know why, but he felt it wasn't such a wise idea to being doing such a thing when his emotions are this twisted.