Capoeira de Toad? To Which I Call Home, a x-men: evolution fanfic

Disclaimer: Okay, we know this whole song and dance.I see no reason to repeat it.

Okay, due the content I have recieved in reviews, I have decided to continue it. Don't like, too bad. I do. I'm glad those of you that read the story reviewed it and those that didn't, hopefully you will this time.

This is just a bit of reflection on What is is different about X23 and how her life is now.

Enjoy

To Which I Call Home

X23 rode back to the mansion with Kitty and Rouge, sighing as the two girls babbled endlessly about the movie they had just watched. It was something called The Notebook and while Kitty had found it good and Rouge liked the cast ensemble; it had just been plain boring for X23.

It wasn't that the story wasn't nice, it was just too slow and boring fro the girl.

Not even paying attention, X23 fingered the edge of the CD that Todd had given her and looked at its title as the car drone on the road. It was a CD-R, a title scrawled over the faint lines read Gruopo Capoeira Camara Vol. 1. Closing her eyes, X23 could almost hum the two songs she heard.

"Hey Laura, like, what you got there?" Kitty asked, X23 opening her eyes to see the valley girl looking at the CD curiously.

X23 shrugged. "A CD that T-…that a friend lent me." She said carefully, not sure whether Todd would want the two X-Men to know what he was doing when his own teammates didn't know.

"Really? What kinda music is it?" The valley girl asked.

"It's a kind of Brazilian music." X23 said shortly, in a tone that meant 'that's-all-I'm-gonna-say'.

"Ya wanna play that CD in the car, sugar?" Rouge asked, blocking Kitty from asking anymore questions. "It's gotta be better than the crap we're listen ta now."

X23 breathed a sigh of relief as she handed over the CD to Kitty, the valley girl sticking her tongue out at her gothic friend and slid the disc in the player. X23 gazed longingly out the window and blushed and she found herself remembering a certain green boy boy's flexing back.

X23 really had no idea why seeing Toad like that had affected her so much or that he was worried about her. She had never been this flustered before in her life and X23 had seen a lot for a sixteen year old cloned mutant. Assassinations, forceful information recovering, deep undercover, high pursuits, guerilla combat; there was little of the human body she had not seen and several men that weren't too shabby in looks department.

So why had Toad affected her? It was ridiculous, completely absurd; Todd was a hood, he was uncivil, he ate bugs, he had beautiful eyes….X23 stopped short and shook her head. Where the hell had that come from?

The slow strumming of metal strings and a low flute sound mixed with a maraca soon filled the car and X23 smiled as her thoughts were pulled back to what was happening in the car. She watched the confounded face of Kitty and Rouge's blank stare as the music began to gently speed up..

Slowly the chorus of singers with a drum and a tambourine began and washed over the three teenagers with a wondrous South American culture.

Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá
Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá

"Laura…This music is beautiful." Kitty breathed in awe, her eyes wide as she looked back at X23. "Where is this from again?"

"Brazil. Part of the reason I like it so much is that is different." X23 said softly with a small smile, Kitty nodding quiet furiously

X23 hadn't heard this or any other song on the CD song yet but she was sure she was going to love the songs on the CD. She would have to thank Todd for lending her the CD and see if he wouldn't mind lending her some more.

Slowly she let her head bob in rhythm to the music as she had seen Todd do, patting her thighs softly with the drum beat. As she hummed with the music, X23 felt a shiver done her spine as the amphibious mutant's scent came from her clothes and a shuddered breath escaped as the music rang through.

Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá
Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá

Que som o que arte e essa de luta e brincadeira
Que roda maravilhosa e essa é o Capoeira Sul da Bahia
Em cada som em cada toque em cada ginga tem um estilo de jogo
Em cada som em cada toque em cada ginga tem um estilo de jogo

Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá
Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá

Lauê lauê lauá
Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá
Lá lauê lauê lauê lauá

"Sugar, ah'm gonna havta to burn this CD from ya." Rouge said, nearly making X23 jump but she controlled herself in time.

X23 gave a firm nod as they approached the X Mansion and X23 watched the large gates open up, letting them pass through. She loved the Xavier Mansion, a warm and comforting feeling radiating from the very walls she walk by and a sense of security that she had never had before.

Yes, she still had horrific nightmares and they were still reoccurring frequently as she closed her eyes each night. Some memories were hers, some were Logan's and then there were the ones of being captured again, helpless and powerless to do anything.

And to add on to that, she didn't know how to live in a society with out looking for any signs of attackers, spies, agent or any other form of conflict. She had spent so long of her life fighting and hurting others, that she didn't trust herself in the outside world.

Sometimes it was painful that she couldn't really consider herself a normal person or that it was all a bad dream and her father would rescue her, even though he had in a way.

He had sent SHEILD away from her, he had fought with her when she thought she didn't need him, he offered her a home and a family. X23 smiled, Logan was her father and she was proud of it.

As the car stopped, Kitty ejected the CD and handed it back to X23 as she lazily took it back. The two girls got out of the car while Rouge parked it in the garage and X23 twirled the sleeve disc in her first two fingers slowly as she walked to the front doors.

As the doors opened and X23 stepped into the foyer, she saw that the Professor was waiting there. Gulping, she walked over to him and saw how his eyes were twinkling kindly. Xavier was a lot like a grandfather to her in the same sense Logan was her father, so she greatly respected what he said.

"Ah, Laura, I was hoping you and I could speak in my study for a moment." Xavier said kindly and they went off at her slight nod.

Laura looked impassive on the outside as she walked with the wheelchair bound man down the hallway with her hands in her jacket pockets, inside however was another thing completely. She literally felt her insides were then thousand angry snakes that were trying to scatter and were instead chained together.

She knew Xavier could feel her panic and tried to douse by thinking it could be anything. They rounded a corner and went inside a room with a desk and several bookcases, the lights giving a warm feeling to X23's damp skin.

"Now, I understood that you had an encounter with Mr. Tolanski." Xavier said calmly while X23's eyes went wide. "However, I know that neither of you were in any real danger nor that he was intending on harming you."

"Wha…You knew what was going on and you weren't angry?" X23 asked incredulously.

"Laura, it was very clear that Todd knew what you were doing, even if he was uncomfortable with fighting you." Xavier said as the cloned mutant sat down slowly and watched her with a small smile. "And I take it you learned a bit about Capoeira as well."

"You know what it is?" The surprises were seemingly endless tonight for X23.

"At a cultural conference, a group from El Salvador, Brazil did a live demonstration." Xavier said, linking his fingers while X23 nodded absently. "It was most impressive and quiet pleasant to watch and listen to."

She let her mind drift back to Toad's graceful figure executing perfect and seemingly flawless moves. He and Mr. Smith had been amazing to watch; Todd had this knack for the art and was so well toned…..the mere thoughts were giving her shivers.

"He was so- I mean it was so beautiful to watch." X23 said embarrassedly as she covered up what she was going to originally say. "I found the music to be the most amazing part."

Xavier smiled and nodded, the thoughts that rolled off her mind told him that there was more to her attraction to the Brazilian art than the music. Todd had made quiet an impression on her with his abilities, the young mutant obviously aware of how much strength and skill to use against her.

Xavier was actually impressed by Todd and the way he conduct his actions with Laura. Granted, the stories about her being Wolverine's daughter had earned her much awe and fear. But Todd was different there; his cocky attitude and unknown caring nature had allowed him to fight Laura while holding back while at the same time give her the much wanted run for her money Laura had been looking for.

But what had really surprised Xavier, was the mixed emotions that Laura was feeling for him. The older man smiled sadly as he remembered how he had tricked Todd into auditioning to see if he was a mutant, Xavier now greatly regretting his actions in the past with the young boy.

"Professor, am I in any sort of trouble?" X23 asked cautiously and Xavier chuckled as he shook his head.

"No my dear; I am actually glad you and Mr. Tolanski had this little encounter." Xavier said with a small twinkle in his eyes.

"Really? Why?"

"When you sparred with Mr. Tolanski, what did you think of him? Was he, say, a worthless, orphaned trouble maker who nothing more than a thief?" Xavier asked X23 so calmly and smoothly it shocked.

"No!" She said her response fast and strong, her face contorting to a mix of horror and determination. "I never thought that tonight; in fact, it more likely the exact opposite."

"That is exactly why." Xavier said, smiling broadly. "You saw a side of him tonight that was dedicated, strong, skilled and ultimately, more respectable than is normally known by."

X23 lowered her eyes to the ground in thought; yes, Toad had been all of those things and then something more at the same time. Slowly, a faint smile rose to her lips as she thought of something but dismissed it quickly.

Todd wouldn't waste his time on me anyway X23 thought bitterly. No matter how sweet he was…

"Why don't you get some rest, my dear? You might feel some of that pain in the morning." Xavier said.

X23 nodded softly and bid the Professor goodnight, leaving the room slowly as her thoughts continued to bombard both of their minds.

X23 lay on her back and sighed deeply, eyes wide open with her arms behind her head.

She hated when she couldn't sleep and groaned as she sat up, hugging her legs to her chest. She stared grumpily across the room, while the clock on her bedside table ticked away and her roommate's rhythmic breath mingled together.

Looking enviously at her roommate, X23 also was very grateful for Rahne Sinclair and for her not being scared to share a room with her. The red head was curled under her cover like her wolf form and looked like she was twitching her feet and hands, with a contended smile.

X23 smiled, the Scottish girl was very understanding and patient with X23 and since the two shared heightened senses and a healing factor, they had a lot of fun together. Her smile broadened when the two had made Kurt take at least three showers because of his teleportation.

X23 quietly got up and walk out of her bed in her pajamas, the long legs sweeping along the floor as she went out the door. She was quiet, one thing she was proud of. She could catch anyone off guard and was able to slip past anyone without getting caught; it was great, since she could taste dinner before anyone else.

She lazily walked downstairs and out the front door, the cool night air greeting her warm skin in a slow and gentle breeze. X23 walked idly along the stone path and out onto the damp grass. Crisp, cool blades of nature folded under her feet as she walked, a song that Todd had played humming on her lips.

X23 had no idea why she did this, but she just felt the urge to be outside sometimes. And the feeling on new fell grass was relaxing to her and she continued to wander around the grounds, humming the Brazilian music.

As she walked around the corner of the mansion that led to the gardens, X23 froze. There was someone waiting for her, standing a few feet from her in a pair of tattered jeans and a green shirt.

"I see I'm gonna have to give you the lyrics for the songs, X" Todd as he leaned against the wall.

X23 was stunned into silence at the boy standing before her, his smile making her body rush with heat and sent her stomach spinning. Todd slowly moved towards her, pausing when he saw her step back.

"It's okay, X. I won't hurt you." Todd said as he reached out to her.

"I-It's not that, Todd." She said quickly. "I don't want to hurt you."

Todd smiled with a soft chuckle and walked up to her before she could step back. Carefully but smoothly, Todd wrapped his arms around her shoulder and pulled her close into an embrace.

X23 was shaking as the green boy held her close. What if Logan saw them? What if the X-Men came out? What if LOGAN saw them?

"X, calm down, yo." His voice was soft in her ears, a shiver stopping her shaking. "I know you won't hurt."

X23 cried as she flung her arms around the green boy, her head burying itself in his shoulder. Todd made soft shushing sounds as his hand rubbed up and down her back, X23's gripping his shirt tightly. Todd pulled away and looked curiously at her with that soft smile.

Damn, I am tired of making me feel like this X23 thought, gulping as the amber eyes never left her. Then again, he is rather…shit, what's the word…Cute? Sweet?

"Um, X, you okay?" Todd asked, snapping her back to him. "You looked a little lost there."

"I'm fine, really." X23 replied while her cheeks reddened. "I'm just worried about hurt people…because I don't want to lose anyone and…" She lowered her eyes from Todd's concerned eyes.

"X." Todd gently shook her. "You aren't losing me anytime soon."

White hot tears ran down her face, the amphibious mutant removing one of his hands to gently brush them away. As he gently stroked her face, X23 found her head leaning into his hand and wanted to do something, gulping at the thought, the plain urge she had.

But this brought up another embarrassing thought, she didn't know how to. X23 felt like she had the sun inside of her as she realized she could ask Tod to she her how to do it.

"Umm...Todd?"

"Yeah, X?" He asked, that damn genuine smile there again to make her turn red again.

"I…uh…don't know how to…um…kiss." X23 was sure that Todd was going to laugh in her face.

Instead, his smiled widened and he leaned a little closer. "Do you want me to teach you how to?"

X23 opened her mouth to reply, her heart now hammering in her chest as he got closer to her. She gave a weak nod and closed her eyes as he got closer, waiting fro him to make the contact when….

BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!...BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!…BEEP!

X23's eyes snapped open and she groaned as she saw the ceiling, not a pair of amber eyes. It was a dream, a bloody stupid dream. X23 growled as she swiped around on the clock before she sliced it in half.

"Stupid machine…"

"Aw, I was enjoyin' the wee bit of show you put on there, Laura."

X23 whipped her head around and saw Rahne sitting cross legged on her bed, a large wolf-like grin on her face. Rahne was sent into a fit of giggles at X23's look incredulity, the clone struggling not to go red as a tomato as her roommate rolled around on the bed.

X23 shook herself and tried to regain composure; she doubted Rahne had heard anything but she wouldn't take the chance.

"What are you talking about, Rahne?" X23 said as monotone and confused as possible.

"Oh I just meant how ye were cuddling up to yer pillow and had this far off, lovey-dovey look in yer eyes." Rahne said, looking at X23 upside down. "Must have been a real looker for ye to go at the pillow like that."

"You're imagining things. I need a shower before I go to school." X23 said trying to get the wolf girl to drop the topic as she got up.

"Ye are rather loud when ye talk in-a yer sleep." X23 promptly sat back down and Rahne laughed this time. "It's alright, Laura; yer secrets safe with me."

X23 released a breath of relief and got up to go out the door. Rahne was definitely one who never went back on her word, so X23 knew what she said would be kept between the two of them.

As she grabbed a set of clothes for the day, X23 noticed the curious look on Rahne's face and raised an eyebrow. She looked down at her clothes, then at herself and finally back at the girl; she hadn't seen anything wrong on her.

"What is it?" X23 asked.

"Just one more thing I'm curious about, lassie." Rahne said, causing the clone girl to nod. "You really don't know how to kiss?"

X23's face flushed into a dark red and flew out the door, Rahne's laughter echoing down the hallways. X23 had a feeling it was going to be a long day as she dove in the bathroom.

Okay; no clue when i'll update but rest asured I will. Review and tell me your desperate and I could do it in a week or two. Lunauc, If you want i can give you a hand writing one of the stories. Just if you want to.

Please review and tell me what you think.

-Lin