AUTHOR'S NOTE: Since people have been asking and asking, I decided to re-post this fic. In my opinion it's one of my better ones because it has a more spiritual aspect to it. However, I'm changing a few things as well as the storyline so I will not be just throwing the chapters in as soon as I finish them as I did last time. For those of my reviewers who have read this, you will not notice many changes except a few grammar corrections. To my new reviewers, welcome and please enjoy.

Also, this story is a special dedication to Bessie my GM on WoW. Hope you enjoy these two boys. ;p

Relax Darling'. I wrested alligators before I could write my own name. This just feels like goin' home. - Gambit

Chapter 1

He smelled the blood before he ever saw him.

Not to far away from his cabin he had caught the scent. Having nothing else to do that morning he had followed it. Tracking the source over the ridge to peer down into the clearing. He frequented the area often, taking advantage of the deer that enjoyed grazing there. Either the beasts were stupid or ignored his scent as they came again and again to feed on the lush green grass.

As he came over the ridge at first he saw nothing. Of course, sight wasn't everything as he sniffed the air carefully once again. Definitely blood, fresh too by the scent. He involuntarily began to salivate as the wind picked up blowing the sickly sweet aroma full into his face. Maybe he would go hunting that day. Fresh meat would taste good even if he did have enough smoked jerky and cooked venison to last him for three years.

Far below him he saw a figure shift in the clearing. He frowned reaching up to brush back a lock of blond hair from his face. He would need to have his hair cut once again. Hack it down short like he had last time.

Below him he watched with growing interest as a figure limped across the clearing. The stranger favored his right side nearly dragging his left leg as he slowly made his way across the grass. For a moment the feral was stunned by the sight of the intruder. Before he had thought he recognized the scent, but could not recall where from. As the sun rose it flashed off long auburn hair falling down around the shoulders of the Cajun. His head hung low as he took in ragged breaths fighting back either pain or the temptation to pass out on the spot, he could not tell.

"Gambit on my property, huh?" Sabretooth growled flexing his claws. He had grown weary of the X-Men after they had held him captive for so long. Once he had escaped he had entertained the idea of picking them off one by one, but the damn team stayed in a tightly knit group at all times. The only one he knew brave enough to venture out on his own was the runt, and so far he had fallen off the radar so to speak for the last eight months.

Down below in the clearing Gambit stopped in the middle swaying from side to side. It was then Sabretooth noticed a line of red behind the Cajun. The X-Man must be suffering blood loss by the glazed look in his eyes. From even where he was Sabretooth could see the young man was beyond exhaustion. Unless help came for him soon he would perish out there in the woods.

Sabretooth snorted about to turn his back on his quarry and head back to his cabin. He was in no mood to kill a man half-dead. In his current state Gambit would no doubt not even be aware who was upon him. Yet just as he was deciding whether he wanted to go back to sleep or not he heard a low growl echo up from the clearing. Despite himself Sabretooth frowned turning back around to peer once again at the Cajun.

Gambit had stopped near the middle of the clearing having heard the growl as well. An audible roar echoed from the tree line as a grizzly bear came lumbering into the clearing on all fours. Fangs bared at the trespasser as it came closer snorting and snarling. Gambit stood his ground though Sabretooth thought no doubt the man was absolutely terrified. Other than his torn trench coat and his stained shirt, pants, and black boots the Cajun didn't appear to have his usual arsenal. Not even his Bo staff or a card as he stood there glaring defiantly at the beast as it came towards him.

There was no doubt in the feral's mind the X-Man meant to die right then and there. He even meant to stand there and enjoy the unexpected show. Still, something compelled him to venture down closer. The thought of the Cajun being slaughtered by some mere bear angered him. Gambit had tormented Sabretooth with his past crimes during his captivity in the X-Men forcing him to recall memories that had previously never mattered to the feral. Even now recalling his past victims made his heart beat faster even as he bristled bearing his fangs as if that would scare away the memories.

Just as the grizzly roared making a charge for the Cajun Sabretooth felt his own roar ripping from his throat. In a matter of seconds he was down the ridge and bounding into the clearing headed straight for the beast. The look of complete disbelief on Gambit's face would have made the feral laugh if he had not been focused on the task at hand.

They collided only a few yards away from the Cajun. Sabretooth snarling as he ripped and tore at the thick hide with his claws. Biting where he could as he dug his claws in looking for purchase amongst the thick fur. The grizzly, having the advantage of size and weight over the feral easily crushed him into the ground. Doing its best to bite his head off.

Sabretooth snarled clawing at the animal even as its great head descended. Its maw opened wide going for his throat. Throwing his forearm in front of him the bear bit onto that, shaking its head from side to side attempting to rip the limb off. Not waiting Sabretooth reached up with this free hand narrowing his index and forefinger straight as he plunged both digits through the soft eye. Clear liquid and blood flowing down his wrist and arm as he shoved his fingers deeper to the squishy brain beneath.

At first it did not seem to work as the bear only clamped down harder on the feral's arm. Then, almost instantly the bear jerked raising its head as if to gaze at the sky. For an instant it held completely still Sabretooth crushed beneath it as it drank in the morning air. Almost with a quiet sigh the jaws went slack as the head dropped the legs giving out from the great beast as it slumped.

With a growl of annoyance Sabretooth shoved the head off of him. Working his way out from beneath the carcass he stood up. Shaking himself like a dog to loosen his muscles. Already the wound on his arm had closed leaving behind blood congealing on his arm. He looked over at Gambit who stood his ground continuing to stare at his unexpected savior in disbelief. Seeming to regain his composure Gambit tensed his tone dropping low as if daring the feral to come closer.

"You keep away from Remy, cher, you hear him? Leave him alone." Remy said swaying on the spot. Double vision had begun to set in for him even as Sabretooth came closer a frown on his face as he towered over the Cajun. For a moment they only gazed at each other taking measure of the other. Both men already knew it would be a hopeless fight. If Remy had had a healing factor similar to Wolverine or Sabretooth, he would have stood a chance. However blood loss and fleeing the grizzly had left him far to weakened to even see straight.

Without warning Sabretooth reached up and cuffed Gambit right on the side of his head above his ear. The Cajun yelped more from surprise rather than pain as he stumbled to the side before regaining his footing. Waiting, Sabretooth watch him recover his mind already working as to what to do with the intruder. He had moved slow giving the Cajun enough time to block the blow had he wished to. It had been a test to see how strong the X-Man fared and as Sabretooth had expected it was hardly a challenge. He could probably kick the younger man to death if he chose and leave his body out for the crows to feast upon.

"How the hell did you find me all the way out here?" Sabretooth asked him. There was no anger in his voice when he put the question to the Cajun. The fight with a grizzly had not got his blood boiling. In fact, he was more curious rather than hell bent on killing the other man. Gambit glared at him braced against another blow should it come. From where he stood he could see the red eyed man trembling from exhaustion. He was about to collapse any moment.

"None of your business, cher." Gambit snapped. Sabretooth bared his fangs his patience beginning to wear thin.

"Look, Cajun, I was tracking a group of poachers on my land last night. Didn't sleep for three days lookin for the bastards. You woke me up now you either tell me why you're here or I drag it outta ya. Which is it gonna be?" Sabretooth snarled at him. Gambit opened his mouth as if to argue then paused glancing again at the bear. Apparently he made up his mind turning his gaze on the feral again.

"Searching for someone, if you want to know." Gambit answered curtly. Sabretooth frowned looking about the clearing expecting to see a jet descending upon the place any moment.

"So where are the other X-Men? Why they leave you out here? You supposed to distract me or something?"

"You won't be seeing Scott or the others, least not with me, cher. They turned me out months ago." Gambit said.

This time it was Sabretooth's turn to be bewildered. He could smell the younger man was telling the truth. There had been no hesitation in his answer. For a moment Sabretooth thought it would be the perfect opportunity to gain his revenge on the young man. The knowledge the X-Men had forced him from his midst gave him pause though.

"Why?" Sabretooth asked for lack of anything better to say. At this the Cajun gave him a grim smile a harsh laugh coming from him.

"For being not only a thief, cher, but a 'cold blooded murderer' as Scott so kindly put it. Non, he said he didn't want the risk of me betraying them. So either Remy left never to come back or else they would imprison him. Which do you think I chose?" Gambit asked him bitterly.

"Who were you searching for?" Sabretooth asked ignoring the question. It became clearer to him what must have happened. Whoever the Cajun was looking for it was clear he was desperate. Up close he could see the young man was gaunt as if he had not eaten for several days. His eyes had the glazed over look of pushing himself to far. Even his skin was pale as he shook his head tiredly.

"Remy was lookin for….loookin for…." Gambit teetered on his feet. A second later Sabretooth had to reach out to catch the Cajun as he passed out. Gambit had been to fall forward trailing off mid-sentence as he went limp in the feral's arms.

Standing there in the morning light Sabretooth had no idea what he should do. Reaching out to catch the Cajun had been a reflex. He stared down at the man passed out in his arms. Frowning he looked about as if whomever the Cajun had been searching for would come walking out the woods for him to handover. No one came, however, a clear statement the man was alone. Spitting on the ground Sabretooth growled hefting the limp body over his shoulder. He would be back to cut the hide off the bear and retrieve the meat.

"Fuck, why does this shit always happen to me?" Sabretooth spat as he made his way back up the ridge to his cabin. The only upside to his morning the feral could think of was the fact he at least had that fresh meat he had wanted. He just wished a free Cajun had not been thrown into the bargain.