Blaze sighed. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. She didn't want to show this kind of weakness to anyone, not even Sonic. She'd let out enough of her insecurities. And there he went again, cheering her up, reminding her that her burden was not hers alone.

She squeezed the Emerald, and finally looked back at him. "How can you always be so confident..." She wasn't accusing. In fact, there was a small hint of a smile on her face as she asked.