Hey ya'll! Hope everyone liked the first chapter now here's chapter 2. enjoy.
And YAY! I have a computer in my hotel room, woot! I have my life back! (lol I'm so sad, my life is on the computer about 85 of the time).
-ultimate gammy91
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Chapter Two – Secrets Unfold
It was a quick journey to where the X-men and the Acolytes had set up base but it was probably one of the longest silences. Though, the silence wasn't taken to notice that much when Sirius had changed back into his dog form before walking beside his daughter Rogue. With the Acolytes leading the way, Sirius kept a watchful eye on the Cajun who was at the lead and the girls took up the end of the group with Sirius close by.
Kitty, who had become a little anxious of Sirius, was a little hesitant to be around him seeing as she'd never actually seen a man transform from a dog, she was a little apprehensive and at the least, a little spooked by Rogue's apparent father. Sirius had tried to show his remorse for frightening the young girl by walking in between the two girls and brushing his shaggy head under her hand but the act was squandered when Kitty jumped slightly at the contact and began to space herself from him. Sirius didn't take offence of it but he didn't try again.
When the six of them had made it to the camp site it was already growing dark and there was a fire set in the middle of where most of the X-men sat. Some were quiet with solemn faces and others in hushed or gentle conversation while the more arrogant of the two teams sat glaring at one another. But despite some unspoken disputes between them, the sight of them was relieving.
"Rogue! Kitty! You're alvight!"
With the sudden 'bamf' sound, Kurt who had been the first to notice them, had teleported within seconds to stand before the two girls and pull them both into a friendly hug while everyone else finally noticed the groups presence. However, it was Scott who noticed Sirius first.
"Where did that dog come from?"
With that, Kitty, Remy, John and Piotr all focused their gaze on Rogue but it was tripped ten times over when everyone else turned their gaze from the mysterious dog to Rogue as well.
Feeling like a thousand pairs of eyes were gawking over her like some main attraction in a Zoo or something, Rogue finally let out a defeated yet slightly aggravated sigh and said rather irritably towards Sirius.
"Ya can transform back now Dad. It should be safe."
With that all eyes were immediately focused back on the dog but it wasn't a dog that stood before them, but Sirius in his human form. The others, even Kitty who had seen this happen before, all gawked at the transformed dog-to-man for about a full a full minute before Sirius gave a small smile of acknowledgement and made his way over to stand by Rogue once more. It was then that the questions began to pour out of everyone's mouths like someone was fast forwarding them like they were controlled by a remote control on fast forward.
"Who is this guy?"
"Is vhis guy a mutant or somet'ing?"
"Cool! He can turn into a dog! What else can he turn into?!"
"Dad? Since when do you have a Dad?"
"Is this some kind of practical joke of Mystique's?!"
The comments and questions continued to go on and on until finally Professor Xavier managed to talk over the rummage of noise with a mental yell for quiet that was so loud it caused almost everyone to groan slightly or clench their temples from the strange alien buzz in the back of their minds. When they'd all settled down and taken the hint for silence, the Professor spoke. His expression calm and understanding as gently spoke.
"Rogue, would you please mind explaining who this is? Now that everyone is listening."
All eyes fell back on Rogue like a heavy weight was being laid on her shoulders but it wasn't her who spoke up. It was Sirius.
"Not to seem rude but I think I can introduce myself, my name is Sirius Black, I'm Rogue's father. And I'm guessing you are whom I left my daughter with under the impression she would be kept safe under your supervision?"
The remark was obviously sarcastic of course, but it was directed specifically at Xavier. Rogue recognized the tone in his voice and immediately tried to remedy some of the tension by speaking up.
"Dad it's okay. We got outta there okay, it's not-"
"Not now Marie, I want Professor Xavier to answer my question."
Sirius kept his eyes locked with the Professors with a rather cold sarcastic smile across his slightly worn face as he waited for the man to speak.
The Professor took a moment before answering. He considered the man before him and tried to look into his mind but the man would only let him in so far and that was far as the truth that he was Rogue's biological father.
"Mister Black. Let me explain our situation before any brash accusations-"
"Oh no Mister Xavier I think I understand perfectly well and this time –yes I know of all the other times these things have happened- Will be the last time that it'll happen. I don't want to come back here to collect my daughter's lifeless body."
"I understand your concern Mister Black. But you still don't know the details of this mess. It's a lot more complicated than that-"
"No I understand what problems you and you're kind have with this world-"
"Hold up- He's not a mutant? Bit how can he shape-shift from a human to a dog if he isn't a mutant?"
The argument was interrupted by a confused Scott Summers who stared perplexedly at Sirius and the Professor. Giving the "Fearless-Leader" a momentary raised brow, Sirius who had only just taken notice of Scott's visor, turned around to face Rogue instead with a concerned and obviously questioning expression across his face.
She returned her father's stare with a slightly worried and yet all the same just a questioning as his own. Moments or so later he gave her a meaningful look only a father could master and lent forward to whisper something that everyone else tried hard to catch but failed as he was only loud enough for Rogue to hear. When Sirius drew back Rogue had an anxious and almost blanched slightly as she asked gently.
"But what about the rules? Once the Ministry gets hold of this?"
"And since when have you ever considered the rules?"
He said this in a fatherly sort of tease as he gave a small smile that she returned before returning back to her anxious expression. Letting out a sigh Sirius (the others proving themselves invisible for the moment) and replied reassuringly.
"I made a visit to Dumbledore before I came looking for you. He's given his approval and that's enough for me White Wings. We cannot exactly dodge this without telling your friends the truth."
Thinking over the prospects of what could happen and weighing down her father's reassurance of the decision Rogue nodded in defeat and agreed but before the strange gut feeling of nerves burned from the bottom of her stomach her father whispered.
"If you're not up to this, White Wings. I will tell them."
Though the thought of her not being the one the spill the beans her childhood pet name was enough of a boost to build up some courage though her mind still rang with nervousness and doubt. How could she honestly tell who she had considered to be her second family a secret she'd been keeping for over three years? It was no piece of cake but to her satisfaction it wasn't her who was going to spill the truth.
Before speaking, Sirius cleared his throat, his voice had been rather dry from the lack of use being a dog for most of the last few days, and began to speak.
"I am not and never was a mutant. I am an Animagus."
"What's an Anim- Amigis- or whatever it is?"
Asked a perplexed Bobby Drake but his reply was an in the form of an irritated glance from Sirius that made him back down like a frightened puppy before Sirius replied.
"As I was saying. I'm an Animagus, I can change from my human self to a dog's. When any of our kind becomes an Animagus they change into an animal that best fits their personality so to speak."
Though this was all taken in clearly, the confused looks across most of the group's faces was baffled with bewilderment or confusion. Few moments passed before someone spoke and that was actually Logan.
"Sorry to interrupt Bub. But what exactly do ya mean by "your kind"?"
Sirius and Rogue shared a glance before Sirius replied, sending an irritable cold glare towards the Wolverine before replying.
"What I mean, Mister Logan. Is that for the past three years my daughter has been attending in secret to a school for witchcraft and wizardry, so in answer to your question, we are wizard folk. I'm a wizard and my daughter, Marie, a witch."
There was a stunned silence about the group as everyone stared either blankly or bewildered save for Logan who was stunned yet hiding it behind a scowl and one particularly interested Acolyte, Gambit who kept his gaze casual and calm as always though there was a particular glint in his eyes.
When the blaze of silence broke out Rogue could only roll her eyes in irritation. She knew what she'd be in for when the truth broke out and now that it had she felt that half the tone of weight that had been dropped on her shoulders evaporated but was suddenly filled once more by all the questions.
"You're- You're a Witch?"
An expression of total bewilderment crossed Kurt's face as he spoke while he stared at Rogue and then Sirius. He half hoped that one of them would suddenly shout out "SYKE!" and admit that it was all just a huge joke. But it never came.
Rogue shrugged helplessly with a broken sort of smile on her face as she feebly replied her adoptive-brother.
"Yeah…pretty much. Surprised huh?"
Though she said this rather shamefully, no one answered her. Hell no one could do anything but stare on, all except for Sirius and surprisingly neither did Gambit, though he was still listening. His eyes were filled with glowing interest as he lent casually against a tall tree trunk with one leg cross over the other in a foot lock while his hands continued to shuffle a deck of cards while he watched the two teams gawked on at the two. It was though they were looking at them like they were alien creatures, which for the record would've almost been normal compared to the truth.
The quiet after Kurt's question was broken again when Logan decided to speak. His gaze directed at Rogue's with an almost disappointed or possibly angered expression across his face.
"So, there's some kinda society of- Wizards and Witches? And Stripes? You're part of it and never though we'd like to know?"
Rogue nearly turned away from Logan in shame at his words. The stern scowl had said more than enough that he wasn't happy but after breaking away from her feelings of shame she realized that everyone was waiting for her to answer. So she did.
"It's not lahke ah didn't wanna tell ya'll Logan. Ah would've, believe meh ah would've but it's against our laws t' tell Non-Magic folk. Ah had no choice."
"I thought you didn't consider the rules, Marie."
When Rogue heard this cold and distinct tone of hurt she was surprised to see that it was Kitty who had spoke. Her eyes were set into an icy blue glare and her arms were crossed angrily as she glared at her. Hurt in her eyes and anger in her voice Rogue couldn't help but feel lower a thousand times over. However, before she could reply her hurt friend she was cut off by the Professor.
"Rogue, I think it might be best if your father and I speak alone a moment. Everyone, I think its best that we leave this discussion for the morning. We've all had a difficult day and I think it best if you all get some rest."
Though everyone was thinking of protesting to this, they all knew that the Professor's word was final and so everyone headed to a area of free space with a sleeping bag under arm (from the X-Jet they'd managed to save before mansion was destroyed) and turned in for the night. Questions still buzzed through their minds and passed between each other as they walked their separate or grouped ways.
Rogue watched them walk away one by one or two by two noticing the suspicious or curious glances they directed her way before passing by. Normally she'd glare back or scowl angrily but this time she didn't. She couldn't bring herself to.
She was about to go grab her own sleeping bag when she felt a comforting hand rest on her shoulder. She didn't need to turn around to know that it was her Dad.
"Are you alright White Wings?"
At first Rogue was tempted to nod and lie but she gave up in the end and shook her head as her shoulders dropped sadly.
She felt her Dad pull her into a tight hug both knowing how much she needed it. When he pulled back he held her by the shoulders and looked down into her eyes and asked hoarsely, his throat giving way again as he spoke.
"They will have to accept this. Sooner or later, for better or for worse they will, you'll see Marie. If they are truly your friends and they understand your reasons then they will come around."
Rogue nodded with a small smile of understanding. Sirius returned it feebly, his weariness taking its toll in his slightly worn face, he had obviously been traveling some time before reuniting with Marie.
"Ya look worn out Dad. How long have ya been-?"
"Three days. But don't you worry about me. I've had a lot worse you know."
He gave a knowing smile and the two shared a small moment of recognition before their time of father and daughter was disrupted by Xavier who had momentarily left to talk with Magneto, Ororo and Logan.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but could I speak with you a moment Mister Black?"
Sirius looked at Xavier a moment and nodded, his stern and cold expression had resurfaced with his annoyance towards the Professor. He wasn't in his good books again just yet.
Before following Xavier onto the X-Jet, he returned his gaze back to Rogue. He gave her chin a small affectionate nudge with his knuckles before raising his wand and with a small flick of a wrist and a small flash of purple a deep green and black sleeping bag appeared in his arms. He handed it to her and said before making his leave.
"Get some rest, I'll go explain things to Professor Xavier."
Rogue took the sleeping bag but not before giving a feeble smile and replying.
"Don't get too harsh with 'im Padfoot. He was as much a victim o' that mob attack as ah or the others were okay?"
Sirius gave a stern expression as he pointed at her with his index and replied rather protective yet angry way.
"Marie Lilianna Black, do you honestly have any idea how scared I was when I heard about the attack on your boarding home?! If I lost you-"
"Ah know Dad, ah know. No one knows that better than ah do. But ya didn't lose meh. Ah'm still here ain't ah?"
Rogue's tone was a mix of reassurance, annoyance and the effort to try and calm Sirius from another rant on how he could've "lost his little girl again" though she knew his reasons for this fear of loss, she had the right to get annoyed at him for constant need to push his point farther than necessary.
At first Sirius looked like he was going to go on but one look into his daughters smoldering Emerald eyes he gave a defeated sigh and replied gently.
"Alright. I'm sorry. But I just-"
"Want to know that ah'm safe."
"Yes- and not have to-"
"Worry about me?"
It obvious this conversation had been rewound a couple of times before, so often that it was practically burned it each of their memories.
Letting out a sigh of total defeat, Sirius nodded, knowing that he should seriously think of a new parenting tactic to scold his daughter about the importance of safety, before pulling her into a last hug.
"Just go get some sleep and-"
"Keep my wand at the ready."
"Tell me again how you manage to do that?"
Rogue grinned as she gave him a last squeeze of a hug and replying as she let him go and began to head in the opposite direction.
"It's an automatic thing we kids have against our highly protective parents."
Sirius chuckled hoarsely before giving a last wave and turning around the other way but not two steps passed before he turned around and asked in a faked bewildered tone.
"Me? Highly overprotective parent? Never."
Rogue shrugged, a teasing glint in her eyes as she waved and said.
"G'naght Padfoot."
"Good night White Wings."
He said with his hand raised in a opposite wave before descending up the Jet ramp and out of sight. However, as he left, he failed to notice the pair of red ember eyes watching them in the darkness. He grinned shamelessly as he made to follow "White Wings" into the dark.
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When Rogue finally found a free spot she was disappointed to find that it was beside Kitty. A small fire sat between her space and her own. Kitty sat with her legs and arms crossed with that same glare across her face as before.
Knowing she had something to say but not wanting to bring it up when it could be avoided, Rogue put down her sleeping bag and laid it out in silence. Silence wasn't a good idea according to Kitty.
"Rogue- like, how- how could you not tell me about this? I'm your roommate and your best friend! We tell each other everything! Why couldn't you just tell me?!"
Kitty's mix of bewilderment and anger caused a heavy pang of guilt in her. It had never been that she hadn't wanted to tell them all. It was just the fact that since they were what Wizards called Muggles, as in non-magic folk, it was against the law for her to reveal herself as a Witch to them.
"Thank gawd Dad's taken care o' explainin' it."
But it seemed that if Kitty was ever to forgive her or in the least bit understand her reasons for secrecy, it would have to come from her.
Giving Kitty an apologetic look and biting back her irritation on the matter Rogue gave a weak shrug and replied truthfully.
"Look, ah wanted tah Kit. Believe meh ah did but it's against our laws. Ya'll Muggles can'te-"
"Muggles-?"
"Non-Magic folk."
"Kitty's confusion probably tripped with that last comment. Her expression turned almost tearful as she replied in a clearly hurt and possibly quite insulted tone.
"So… You couldn't tell me because I'm like, a- a Muggle? Because I'm different from you?!"
"Kitty calm down, ah ain't discriminatin' against ya, it's the law for mah kahnd. We're not supposed t' let the Non-Magic folk know that we even exist. Ah'm not even allowed t' tell ya know!"
Though Rogue tried her best to explain this to her best friend, Kitty only continued to glare as she crossed her arms angrily and replied through clenched teeth before lying
"Like, whatever Rogue."
And with that she lied down with a light thud and pulling her sleeping bag up over her shoulders and turned her back to Rogue. Rogue was pretty sure that would be all she'd see until Kitty found it in herself to forgive her.
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Well how was that? Hopefully ya'll enjoyed that. Next chapter there's gonna be some slight Romy though that relationship is gonna take a while. Plus a little more is revealed about Rogue being a witch. (and by little, I DO mean little). Next chapter will be up very quick!
-ultimate gammy91
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