Half Human

Hey guys thank you to everyone that took the time to revew this story, this chapter is dedicated to you.

Along with updating this story I have also updated and added more Rayne/Warren pics onto my website, she is exactly how I imagine Rayne, fragile looking but extremely tough (Sarah Conor Chronices :P )

Anyway I still don't own Sky High

Rated T for upcoming horizontal scenes and language.

Please Read and Review.


Beginnings

"Rayne…RAYNE!"

Sitting on the couch across from me Will waved his hands back and forth trying to get my attention. Inwardly I scolded myself, what kind of predator let their defences drop so easily. In my old life I would have been the one to prey on anything stupid enough to lose focus.

"Sorry what?" I asked pleasantly.

Since that fateful first day it had been them and me. Friends, something I had not anticipated or truly wanted at the time, now extremely important to me. I had gotten to know them all personally and didn't take well to people who tried to get in between them and me, just ask any of the stupid losers who had tried.

"It's your turn to ask someone." His grin clearly told me he knew I hadn't been paying attention.

Glaring I ran my tongue over my lip. He'd made the mistake of making himself my target.

"Uh oh, looks like you pissed her off Will." Zach pointed out gleefully, having in the past been exactly where Stronghold was about to find himself.

"So Will…" Stretching out his name I lazily wiggled my toes.

His gulp was audible.

"Truth or Dare?"

"Truth." He decided quickly, he'd seen what happened when I got to pick the dare.

Pouting at his choice I twirled a curl of hair in between my fingertips. "Hmh…Okay is it true that you use bounce sheets on your skin to smell nice?"

Yes a completely dorkish question, but when asked to a guy.. a total ego basher.

Will's face went from pale to paler before turning red.

"What?" He choked, his eyes shifting from person to person looking for help.

"Come on Will you picked truth." Layla pushed, trying not to laugh.

Crossing his arms he mumbled downwards.

"What?" Zach asked.

Even Warren who had been silently reading on the couch behind me looked up, waiting for his answer.

He didn't look like he was willing to repeat himself so I decided to help him out.

"He said only sometimes."

His look of embarrassment changed to disbelief. "You heard that!"

Grinning I shrugged, "I can also smell the bounce fragrance on your skin."

Whistling Zach jumped up from his spot beside Magenta, "Yo, what do I smell like?"

Wrinkling my nose I huffed. "I am so not going to be your personal smeller."

Grabbing him by the back of his outrageously bright shirt Magenta dragged him back onto the couch. Watching I hid my smile at the way he let her tug him around, there was definitely something between them even if they didn't know it.

"So whose turn is it now?" Layla asked.

"Warrens." Will pointed out, over his embarrassment.

"Pass," His voice flat, his face still hidden behind his book.

"Come on Warren." Layla whined. "Fine, whose next?"

"Me," Will claimed looking in my direction.

Uh oh.

"So Rayne, Truth or Dare?"

"That's not fair! You guys are picking on me!"

What sounded like a snort escaped from behind the book. Turning I glared at the cover knowing Warren would know what I was doing.

"Well?"

There was no way I was going to pick dare when he wanted revenge. "Truth."

He was quiet, trying to think of a question that would get me back for what I had asked him. Making eye contact with me Layla grinned once before leaning in and whispering in Wills ear.

My eyes popped. "No Way!" I burst, mortified.

That got everyone's attention quickly. Having sensitive hearing thanks to my power could definitely come in handy.

He looked 100 percent evil sitting there on what was now known as the "Evil Brown Couch" beaming at his girlfriend.

Growling under my breath my pupils dilated in warning. My features enhanced, outlining the edges of my face and the wildness restrained in my eyes. Layla didn't even blink an eye at the threat, too used to my barbs. Instead she stuck her tongue out. It was in that second I realized I really didn't scare these people.

"So Rayne, whose hotter Lash or Warren?"

Hell, it didn't even matter to me that a guy had just asked about the hotness of another guy. No this was not good, fidgeting I pretended to think about the question. For me there was nothing to consider. While Lash may have appeared attractive from the distance that I had seen him, Warren was something-different altogether.

I was drawn to him and there was nothing I could do about it. There was just something that made me feel safe enough to be myself, there was never the need to try and control myself. Which when looked at from my point of view was not exactly a good thing. I wasn't willing to let myself lose control of my animal self. The people in this town were polite to me if not distant, I wasn't about to prove myself a failure.

Besides I owed a lot to Warren, in those first few weeks of tentative friendship if Layla wasn't around to offer her assistance it was him in some way helping me. At lunch I would stare down anyone who tried to eat with me yet there he was sitting down across from me, the same knowing look in his eyes from the first day we had met. Only later from Layla had I learned how out of character it had been for Warren to sit with me, apparently before I had come along he had preferred his own space. In class the other teens would watch me from the corner of their eye, no one willing to sit near me, even if I was polite they still drew away. There were whispers through the halls that they thought I would turn out to be a villain, that I really was half-animal and not meant to be a super hero. At times like those when I would squeeze me eyes shut tightly while trying to control my temper from fighting back. It would be him suddenly beside me or leaning against the lockers meeting my gaze and not turning away that saved their lives.

Neither of us acknowledged what he did for me, instead forming a strange kind of friendship. It turned out our outlooks on life were pretty close, our preferences in music and books the same.

If not for one incident I could have gone on pretending it was only platonic between us.

Having walked outside to get some fresh air I had gotten in a few steps before instinctively leaping out of the way of a blast of water. Turning I growled at the boy who had been stupid enough to target me. From the corner of my eye I caught a second stream directed my way. Twisting I managed to dodge the attack, a smaller burst of water hitting me directly in the face as a result. The anger and fear was immediate as the water got in my eyes, blinding me from the outside world. Raising my one hand to my eyes I tried to wipe the water away, the world blurry. The tiger in me couldn't stand it, my other senses flowed outwards on high alert. There was an almost girlish scream then the smell of burning hair wafting through the air. I was being consumed by everything around me, every scent and sound assaulting me. It would be so easy to turn, letting my senses take charge like before. Suddenly fingers clamped around my wrist, their heat scorching my skin.

"Rayne."

The voice confirmed what my racing mind had already recognized about the person who had grabbed my hand.

"Warren." I whispered harshly.

I forced myself to focus solely on the person I knew I could trust. My wrist burned where his fingers looped across my skin, the safety I felt in his grasp alarming me. The movement of his other hand towards my face had me holding my breath. Slowly he drew his finger across my eyes as if trying to help me. Gradually the holes in my vision disappeared leaving me with the image of a cleared lawn, only me and Warren standing alone. Taking a step back I tugged myself as gently as I could out of his grasp.

"You okay?" His words came out gruff, the look in his eyes indescribable.

Frowning I nodded, I should have been more upset, if this had happened at any other time I would have lost it yet because of the person standing in front of me I hadn't.

Unbelievable.

Not believing me and without hesitation he moved closer, invading my space. I was aware of him on a level I really didn't understand and it made me mad, he could take the control away from me without even being aware of doing it. Tensing I was ready to take a step back away from him.

"Don't." His words an order this time.

I responded purely on instinct my eyes changing, taking in every movement he made. This was the first time any of the group had seen my struggle so clearly. There was no way to hide the way I strained to control the predator in me. I needed him to leave, to give me space to collect myself. I needed to run, to be free, if only for a little while.

He had to be an idiot.

Without showing an ounce of fear he raised his hand, palm up, to my face. Using his index finger he traced the side of my face before moving to the corner of my eye and gently following the curve downward. I gaped up at him, his touch imprinting onto my skin, no one had touched me willingly in so long. I let out a silent gasp, my stomach tightening in excitement and anticipation. His own eyes darkened before me, his smile disappearing as stark concentration replaced his features. I tilted my head up towards his own, his hand dropping to the curve of my neck. I couldn't feel anything but Warren.

"Rayne."

His voice broke me out of whatever trance I had been in. Shaking my head I tugged myself out of his grasp, my emotions as confused as me. I didn't know if I wanted to strike out at him or purr at his touch. The human in me yearned to be excepted, to be wanted. I couldn't risk it though, if he or anyone ever found out about the real me no one would want to talk to me.

I couldn't look at him as I continued to back away, sure he would be able to see the pain I was in reflected through my eyes. With my hands held tightly at my sides I turned swiftly.

"I'm sorry," The words stiff. "I don't want to hurt you."

With the memory of that day still floating around in my head I came back to the present. Everyone was still waiting for my answer, oblivious to my day dreaming. After that day things had gone back to normal, nothing was ever said about what almost happened that lunch hour both of us acting like it had never happened and that was fine with me.

"Lash." I answered finally, careful to keep my voice steady.

Will's jaw dropped his face taking on a funny colour, he looked insulted on Warren's behalf. Zach and Ethan weren't much better clearly not understanding why anyone would like an ass like Lash. Their reactions didn't surprise me all that much. It was Layla and Magenta that had me worried. The second my answer was out they had looked at each other before staring determinedly at me.

Crap!

I knew they realized my relationship with Warren was different then that of the rest of the group but I hadn't expected them to see through me lie. I caught Layla's eye hesitantly un-surprised by what I saw there, silently I begged her not to say anything. Smiling gratefully I lent back against the couch when she nodded her head mutely. The boys oblivious to what was happening around them continued the game with it being Zach's turn to be questioned.

Moving on from Truth and Dare we decided on watching the newest Resident Evil Movie, something I had been dying to see. With the lights turned off and popcorn within reach of everyone we fought over the best seats.

Which was how I ended up crammed on the smaller of the couches beside Warren, who had yet to really say anything for the last while. He hadn't seemed in that bad of a mood when he had shown up here more then a few hours ago. No he had become quieter, angrier sometime while playing truth and dare. I wanted to say that it had been after I had said Lash's name instead of his own but I couldn't bring myself to be that delusional. Sighing quietly I lay my head against the couch determined to focus on the movie and not the extremely warm person beside me.

Eventually the movie ended after having killed off numerous people. Will had quickly and heroically gotten up to put in another movie, this time a romance/comedy Layla had wanted to see. Hiding me grimace I tried to pay attention as the movie proceeded through unoriginal plot twists and bad dialogue. Around 4 am the movie had finally shut off, everyone else already asleep. Carefully I got up off the couch trying not to make to much noise as I did. Going to the hall cupboard I grabbed as many blankets as I could reach. Able to see in the dark I easily navigated around the sleeping forms of my friends, draping blankets over their bodies. Moving back towards the couch I considered putting a blanket on Warren as well. I knew he probably wouldn't need it with his internal temperature being much higher then ours but it didn't seem right not to cover him up as well. He didn't move as I gently tucked the blanket around him, his eyes remaining shut as I pushed a piece of hair off his face. Just as carefully as before I got back onto the couch with my own blanket. Shifting I tried to find a comfortable position to sleep on, the couch was definitely not made for 2 people. Moving I turned back onto my side, there was no way this was going to work.

Through the darkness a pair of arms wound around my stomach pulling me across the couch. Looking up I found myself looking into the eyes of a tired, almost smiling Warren.

"Here," He whispered, his voice husky from sleep.

Tucking me against him he let me rest my head on his arm, my body fitting perfectly against his. Grabbing the blanket he covered both of us, settling down we lay beside each other in the dark. Slowly the sound of his heart beat strong and steady lulled me to sleep, the last thing I remember was the feel of his breath on my neck.

I was so comfortable and warm. Smiling I snuggled deeper into the blankets. Arms tightening around me had me opening one eye to look around. The animal in me was unusually quiet considering I was lying in someone's arms. It probably wasn't the smartest idea to sleep (literally!) with one of your best friends after admitting to yourself that what you felt towards said person wasn't exactly platonic but at this second I found I didn't care. His face was so unguarded in sleep, his features so relaxed compared to when I saw him at school. The smile that broke across my face couldn't be helped, who would have thought Warren would be a cuddler. Making sure not to wake him I got off the couch and tiptoed out of the room to make breakfast.

The next person up was an exhausted looking Layla who walked into the room yawning. Barely acknowledging my existence she sat down on one of the bar stools, her head supported by her hands.

"Morning," She mumbled finally. "You're up early."

"So are you." I pointed out.

"Did you sleep comfortably?" She asked, a not so innocent look in her eyes.


I couldnt resist finishing the chapter with a Layla moment, it just seemed to perfect to be true. So I think I've figured out how this story is going to go and it will probably be anywhere from 5-7 chapters long ( I know, not that long).

Again if you have any suggetions or comments please Read and Review.

I have tons of ideas for the next chapter which I will be starting as soon as this gets posted