"PAWS FOR THOUGHT."
written by bamon w/o a beta.
Chapter One: How Do You Know Its A She?
This was definately one of those things that on hindsight was actually one of the most stupid things she could have done. She had her powers back, surprise surpise the cure wasn't permenant, and because she felt she could not return to the manor after leaving it days after Logan had done just after Jean's funeral, she had decided to do the hero thing but on her own. Her powers had grown, she could use any mutant ability she had absorbed at any point in her life at will. She still couldn't touch anyone skin to skin without her personal mutation kicking in but the fact she was a one woman army on her own definately had its plus points. Mainly no one could kidnap her - again. Well, not without some serious weaponage on their side and a good ass kicking from Rogue for their efforts. She had realised one good point about her own personal mutation; because a touch could be deadly she could not be raped. She was very relieved with that revelation. Other women weren't so fortunate.
Still, she realised she wasn't quite so invincible with this one stupid mistake.
How was she supposed to know what this damn mutant woman could do though?
Despite her new lack of an advantage, Rogue growled as intimidatingly as she could at the bad guy. Er, woman.
Unfortunately it wasn't quite that effective coming from a domestic cat that just about reached between ankle and mid-thigh on the five foot nine woman.
Silver lining though - Rogue thought she made a rather adorable cat. Plus she did still have her powers, they just weren't as powerful in this smaller form.
Why couldn't the woman however have just turned the barrel nearby into a knife to attack her instead of changing Rogue's body from human to that of a big cat?
Rogue didn't know and unfortunately couldn't ask in this form. Her fur rose as the woman out right laughed at her. Fortunately the human man the rival mutant had been torturing had gotten away.
"Aww, don't be so angry kitty. I think this is a major improvement on your looks."
The woman taunted, a smirk playing on her red rose lips which matched her red hair. The colour reminded Rogue of Jean Grey and that just made her even angrier. What the hell had Jean had that she didn't anyway? Why couldn't Logan just look at her once the way he had looked at Jean? It wouldn't be so bad if she could tell if the Wolverine, the feral in Logan, felt something different to Logan. She had never been able to work out on how to draw the Wolverine out so he could have full control. When she did work it out though she intended on finding out just how the Wolverine felt.
Despite doing her best and most ferocious hissing and spitting it still failed short to intimidate. Rogue supposed it wasn't surprising. She was after all the size of a domestic cat and from the long soft fur she could see she was most likely Persian in breed. Why Persian she had no idea, but at least she was cute. No one could ever be mean to a cute cat, and Persians were definately expensive so that helped in giving her protection too. This was a decent form until she could return to her human one, and Rogue had a feeling this female mutant infront of her wasn't going to do the honours.
"Now kitty, this isn't the way a good pet is supposed to behave."
The female mutant purred, which Rogue found rather ironic since she was the cat not her attacker. Maybe they could go into a purring war? Of course she'd have to think of something happy first...
Flipping her red hair over her shoulder the female mutant smirked at the new cat's situation. She had heard of this 'vigilante' so to speak, and boy had this woman been putting wrenches into her plans. HER plans! Well, not any more. Half tempted to just throw the cat off the docks nearby and let her drown but of course that would be the coward's way and she was no coward.
"Now pretty, since you're out of commission as far as hero things go, I will be regaining my control over this fair city."
At these words Rogue's eyes widened as she fell silent. So this was the infamous 'The Don'? She had to admit she was expecting a male, and this woman rather did leave a lot to be wanted. Disappointing, in a word. Still, with the ability The Don had Rogue supposed she wasn't that much of a disappointment. It was quite an impressive ability especially when changing the form of one living thing to a different form altogether. With a wink thrown Rogue's way the redhead disappeared into the depths of the alley way leaving Rogue on her own in a large city as a cat.
Rogue would be lucky if she didn't get trampled. Huffing, Rogue turned and headed the opposite way to get out of the alley way and onto the main street. She supposed she had only one choice at this point; go back to Westchester. She wouldn't be able to find a reversal here, and as a cat she would not be intimidating to The Don. If she went back to Xavier's she would not only be safe, surrounded by strong mutants, but maybe - just maybe - she would be able to get someone to figure out her plight. Then they could go all intimidating-like in the leather catsuits after The Don and get her to change her back. It was the best plan she had. Now she just had to figure out how to get to Westchester from here.
A grin suddenly appeared on Rogue's feline face. Well as much of a grin as a cat could do. She knew the perfect plan. She still had her powers, all be it a bit 'muted' as it were due to the sudden decrease in size. However, if she could make a big enough of a spectacule then the Blackbird and X-men should be sent to find out what is going on. She could then hitch a ride on the Blackbird and be back at the mansion just in time for dinner. Now she just had to find a place that would be important enough to warrant their attention. A bank or police station perhaps. There was a police station nearby...
With a pleased look in her brown eyes, Rogue pranced down the street and towards the bank in a smug manner that was not very unlike a cat.
Rogue forced back a hiss that wanted to leave her lips. In the future she was definately not going to cause any scenes in a police station whilst trying to hide her feline form. Despite all the doughnuts the cops were eating and the coffee that now stained their teeth, they were quite proficient at closing in on her when they didn't even know there was a her to close in on. Basically, they were very clumsy, and that with big furnicture like desks and chairs around is a very bad combination as her tail had just found out.
However she had managed to put some ice around chair legs, put some small rubbish bins on fire, and to her delight used her bone claws that came out the top of her front two paws to carve into the wall spooky sayings such as 'bloody mary, bloody mary, bloody mary'. All in all she had caused quite a ruckus and she hadn't even gotten to Magneto's metal manipulation yet. As it turned out she didn't need to since the front door of the police station swung open to show Rogue the best sight possible. Storm, Jubilee, and Wolverine. Perfect, Rogue purred.
As much as Rogue wanted to run right for Wolverine she knew the best way to wrangle an invite back home was to do her best attempt at the 'cute kitty eyes' every cat could apparently do at the two women. Especially Jubilee. She had always had a soft spot for animals. Prancing smugly out from behind an overturned desk she waltzed right up to Jubilee and began rubbing herself against her old friend's legs. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Wolverine sniffing the air, seemingly her scent specifically, before furrowing his brows. Did she smell the same as before? She hadn't even thought about that...
She supposed not since Wolverine was now eyeing the rest of the place. She almost pouted but then felt a pair of hands grasp either side of her. Startled she threw her head up only to realise it was Jubilee who had picked her up and was now cradling her against her chest. Well, that wasn't so hard, although she could now understand why some cats did not like to be picked up. It could be quite terrifying watching the ground get further away the higher up you went.
"Jubilee, put her down."
Storm spoke, doing her best to put on her authoritarian voice. It did no good though as Jubilee, who insisted on yellow leather not black like everyone else, looked up at Storm with the saddest eyes in the world. Rogue found herself holding back a snigger. Jubilee had absolutely no clue she could do that look so effectively. It was hopeless for Storm now.
Sighing, Storm rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but you're taking care of her which means you'll have to pay for everything she needs, clean out the litter box, and feed her."
Storm told her as she grabbed Wolverine's arm and dragged him out of the police station. Jubilee followed them, skipping happily with Rogue in her arms.
"Sure thing Miss Storm, sir!"
Jubilee crowed, managing to salute Storm with one of her hands before cradling Rogue with both hands once more. Wolverine merely grumbled at the young woman in annoyance. Not only had he left the mansion for no fight what-so-ever ( disappointing! ) but now he had to put up with a cat in the mansion. How could one night go so wrong? All he had wanted was a beer and a fight in the Danger Room since apparently cage fights were not what appropriate role models do. Since when had he wanted to be a role model anyway? Storm insisted and unfortunately since Xavier was gone she had gotten a lot more stubborn. So much so she'd punish someone until they did what she said - aka take away all alcohol from the mansion until Wolverine promised never to go to a cage fight again. Now that had been a painful two weeks of no beer since she refused to let Wolverine leave to get some outside the mansion.
Finding everything entirely amusing, Rogue watched Wolverine stomp up the ramp into the Blackbird, Storm just behind him with a peaceful grace to her step whilst Jubilee skipped in. Rogue briefly wondered where Jubilee had picked up skipping because the last time she had seen the petit asian she certainly hadn't been skipping then.
Rogue barely flicked her tail as the ramp closed up, sitting quite happily on Jubilee's lap as Storm started up the Blackbird with Wolverine as co-pilot. It wasn't long before Rogue lowered her head down onto her front paws feeling quite drowzy. The past couple of hours had really put her through the ringer, and now the best thing she could think of was sleep. Yawning, she adjusted her body merely on instinct to go into the familiar 'feline curled up' pose with her nose buried between her front paws and her tail curled around her body. As she started to fall asleep she heard Jubilee's voice faintly...
"How do you know its a she?"
Wolverine's growl of fustration was the last thing she heard before she fell into a deep sleep.
This brand new adventure had the promises of being highly amusing...
Author's Note: I know, another story but this muse idea just wouldn't get out of my head! Besides, I thought a comedy would be rather fun... Hope you like it!