((A/N: I'm not dead! YAY! And my copmuter is working now (for the most part) and Lin and I shall be continueing this story. If your reading "Rain in the Heart" please be patient with me. I can't figure out how they should wake up... anyways. Hope you like the chapter. We had fun writing it.))

Disclaimer: we own nothin but out Charries and their pets.

Fight Between Friends

Lin sighed as he waited for the other kids and smirked when he saw two familiar shadows on the ground. Looking up at the two that approached him, Lin's mouth grinned wickedly as he caught two katana swords with a deft, reflexive motion.

Taking off his jacket, Lin stripped his shirt off and put the jacket back on, allowing his bare skin and tattoos to be shown for all their glory.

"I take it you guys want to have some fun?" Lin asked, strapping the sheathes to his waist and unsheathed them in the blink of an eye.

"I need to let off some steam." One said shortly, his voice sound like two people speaking at once.

The man that had just spoke was tall and lean, maybe half an inch taller than Lin. His long brown hair reached past his shoulders and while a small section at the top was pulled in a ponytail, the rest hung down around him freely. Lycurgus's tightening jaw muscles made his beard shift back and forth and his mustache was the only facial hair that was neatly trimmed, amber yellow eyes gleaming with the seething rage.

His bodily appearance was reflected in his fashion. A long black leather coat hung down to his thighs, a button up shirt was undone underneath and was buttoned only to the second button. The shirt reached his belt, sitting loosely around the waist. The belt and a black sash that held a katana held up his brown pants. Heel raised biker shoes thudding against the metal slightly as he walked forwards.

"Figures you'd still be upset, mate." Lin said kindly as the three of them entered the Danger Room. "What about you, Scales, or you just here to keep Furry Company?"

Two swords unsheathing behind Lin echoed. Lin grinned as he looked over his shoulder to see the other two people taking up their stances.

"The latter as usual, Lin." The second person said with a cheeky smirk, his voice rough, tinted with a foreign accent not really matching his appearance.

Dark blue eyes burned against his yellow tanned skin, creating an ethereal appearance to the man. His long hair was twist into tendrils and pulled back into a Japanese styled topknot. Unlike his counter part, Seraph only had a thin beard line, tracing his jaw and going to his chin and his mustache was thinner and neater.

Long black pants defined his body but at the same time hung loose around his legs. A kimono was left open as it hung from his shoulders, his large and highly detailed dragon tattoo revealed. It covered his entire upper body. The body art was only partially concealed by a thin black sleeveless shirt, but the bright colors made it very clear what was under there.

Lin nodded, suddenly whirling the swords around his body in a silver blur and stopping with the tips pointed at both of them. Orange stripes flared up in his eyes as Lycurgus and Seraph let their coat and kimono slide off, then Lin flexed his bare arms.

"Let's dance."

Lycurgus charged at Lin in a heartbeat, swinging his sword up from along the ground and Lin parried it off to the side. Lycurgus arched his arm around his head and brought it down on Lin's other side. Lin swung his second sword down to block the attack and then switched the left hand sword into a reverse grip.

Seraph's blade smashed against Lin's own and the ex-SHEILD agent back flipped out from between the two. Seraph charged at his friend while Lycurgus stumbled slightly, the human incarnation of Seraph bringing his weapon down in an overhead attack. Lin crossed the blades and buckled underneath Seraph's strength.

Seraph, grinning wickedly, spun around in a blur, giving a kick with his left heel, and disarming Lin of one of his swords. The blade few in a arc, blade shining until it stuck fast into one of the rooms metal walls. Lin was now matching Seraph blow for blow as each mans attack met defense and vice versa.

Hopping back, Lin lunged forward and hammered Seraph across the face with the a fist wrapped around the hilt of his sword, and leapt into the air to deliver a double kick to Seraph's chest. The attack caused Lin to become completely vertical. Spinning in the air he landed into a crouch as Seraph went skidding across the floor.

Lycurgus suddenly appeared in front of Lin, the X-Men teacher rolling to the side and then hand springing up. Twisting his hips around Lin leaped in the air; his right knee clubbing the bearded mans cheek brutally. Lycurgus was only just barley able to block the sword attack that came at his left side.

Lin leaned back before attacking; his sword becoming a silver blur on either side of his body as he pressed into a fierce offense, forcing the unshaven man aside. Lycurgus twisted, parried, and back away to try and avoid the dancing blade. Back flipping, Lycurgus held his body airborne with some of his power, and sent a river of ice out of his mouth.

Lin spiraled away airborne and took off around the room as the column of frozen water followed him, moving from side to side as the floor began to freeze.

- - - - - - - - -

Lena's first class had gone very well after her little run in with Sam. He had decided to be quiet the rest of the class. Afterwards however she had realized that there was a difference in all of the children's ages that wouldn't put them in the same class distinction. As soon as the students had left, bags in hand and talking about the many bruises from Lin and Lena's projectile nails, she went to find Hank in the nurse hall.

"It's very simple," he had told her, "After the High school had found out that they were mutants, they missed a lot of school, and after they tried to go back, found that they were unable to catch up." He shifted on the hospital bunk as Lena listened. "Because they are close in age however, we decided to school them all in the same classes. A few do have to redo a year, but if they were far enough ahead then we give them a separate lesson plan." Lena sat thinking about this for a moment before another question popped into her head.

"But what about Jamie? He doesn't even seem like he should be in high School yet." Hank just sat and laughed.

"True, true. But he is a very bright boy and was able to skip the rest of his eighth grade year and join the freshman in their lessons." Standing he gave a stretch before adding, "He may need help however, so please watch out for him. When I was teaching English for the short time I did here he tried very hard, but still has problems with concepts." Lena nodded and stood herself, smoothing the wrinkles out of her skirt as she did.

"That makes sense," she replied, "But now I just have one more question."

"What's that?" Hank asked as he began to head out the door.

"Can we move training sessions to after my class time?" Hank stopped and turned, eye brows raised in question. Sighing Lena walked past him into the hall, turned, and faced him again. "The kids were exhausted, and although the class went well, they kept on looking like they wanted to pass out. Not to mention that they were covered in bruises and fifteen minutes late." Hank chuckled at the last statement.

"That bit was my fault. I was having trouble trying to get them all fixed up at once." Strolling past his feline friend he headed down the hall, "But I think I can make it up to you." Lena raised an eyebrow as she joined him, walking past a few closed doors. "Go to your room and grab Pejime, then meet me down in the danger room." Lena's eyes widened.

"Wait, what?"

"Just do it, and put on the outfit I left for you." With that he entered an elevator and left a confused Lena standing on the other side of the doors. Shaking her head she headed upstairs, meeting no one now that the students were with Storm for Math.

Entering her room she found a human Pejime, fully clothed in a black tank top that showed off his lean arms, blue jeans, and some old sandals. He was reading a book on her bed, back to the head board, and showed know interest as she walked in. "Hank left you a present." He said, motioning with a wing to a box on the dresser. Walking towards it she opened the lid carefully to find a black uniform sitting inside.

There was really nothing to it actually; it was more like a bikini made of a dark, but very thin fabric. Thankfully it wasn't see-through, although the two silver X's over both breasts would have fixed the problem. The lower cloth was thicker than the top however which made her happy. It looked a little small. "What the hell?"

"Aren't you gonna put it on?" asked Pejime, a snicker in his voice. Shooting him a dirty look Lena quickly undressed and tried it on. Although it had looked small, it fit perfectly. A series of small scars now shown on her stomach, lower chest, and legs shown dully, and barley visible, but that wasn't the problem. Those were everyday scars that anyone could get, she just had a lot of them. The scar that she ever tried to hide was the one she was worried about, and now it was in full view. It went from the center of her chest between her breasts to her right hip. It was single line with no breaks that resembled a half moon. It scar tissue glowed dully in the light from her window.

"Well that's not going to work." she muttered.

"Try goin fury." muttered Pejime, glancing at her, laughter in his eyes. Shaking her head Lena did as was offered, ears popping out, tail sliding over the side of the bottom half of the uniform, and her fur wrapped about it. It now looked like she was wearing a strapless bra, and the lower half was covered, but it looked almost like she was wearing nothing. The scar was now a miniscule line in her fur. Lena couldn't believe it, the uniform was as comfortable as if she had been wearing nothing.

"I have to figure out how he managed this." She mumbled turning about to find that it stretched with her like a second skin. Stopping she smiled. "He couldn't have." Pejime looked up at the sound of popping bone and groaning muscle as he watched Lena transform into a regular black cat, the uniform was nowhere to be seen. The same sound went through the air as she became a tiger. Again no difference. She tried this with three more large cats, each time the uniform was nowhere to be seen.

Becoming human she turned to Pejime, eyes shining. "This is the best gift I think I've ever had." Pejime just rolled his eyes and went back to reading, a similar box sat next to him. "Ooo. Can I see yours?" She asked. One of his wings quickly encircled it.

"It's just like yours, but just the bottoms and they look like shorts." He grumbled and added, "The X's are on the sides." Nodding Lena headed for the door, fully furred and in high spirits

"Come on you," she called over her shoulder, "Hank wants us." Sighing Pejime grabbed the box and fallowed her down the hall as they began to head for the danger room.

-----------------------------------

Lena's eyes widened as she opened the door as Lin spiraled across the room, a guy in black pants and a see-through shirt spraying fire from his mouth and a man with long hair spitting ice in unison with the other at the X-Men teacher.

Lin turned head on to the attack, his swords slowly moving around. He arched both arms back as the two attacks came closer. The jacket Lin wore moved down slightly to show his tattoos.

Using his sword to cut through the ice and the fire, an explosion erupted when the two elements met. Lena shielded her eyes and gaped at Lin when he ran through the smoke. Quickly, he sliced and parried both of the men at the same time, his eyes burning.

"Seraph! Take a break!" Lin yelled the man in black pants nodding, the ice sprayer and Lin pressing on.

Dropping his sword to his side the mans body suddenly became flames, the fire showing every detail of his body. Weapon and clothes were consumed by the flames, and Lena's jaw dropped as the fire lengthened and stretched out.

Slowly the fire began to take the a very familiar appearance. Golden scales took place of the fire, glinting in glow of two fiery fins that formed on either side of the figures head. The flame then continued down the center of its head and back, spikes erupting on either side of the back fin.

Seraph, now nearly finished returning to his dragon form, roared as his eyes gleamed a golden color and its mouth opened wide to reveal his needle fangs. His serpent tongue flickering out wickedly.

Around his jaw, a thin green beard cam through the scales and then under his snout, enhancing the golden scales that Seraph was coated in. Lena's eye went wide when she realized that Seraph was an exact copy of the dragons etched on Lin's arms.

Seraph noticed the feline standing there and waved happily as he floated over. Lena tore her gaze away to only be transfixed by Lin, his swords deflecting Lycurgus's attacks rapidly before he dropped down and kicked the wild man's feet out from under him.

"Hey, Lena," Seraph said, the feline looking at him in surprise. "How are you this morning?"

"Fine, the kids worked well…" she started in an airy voice then stopped shaking her head, "…Wait, how did you do that?" she asked, catching a disturbing sight as Lin's sword halting at his friend throat while his opponent's was at his chest.

"Um, we're just holy beings. Something we can do." Seraph said in confusion, watching the other two walk over. "I never really thought about it."

"Hey, Lena." Lin greeted, his tone somewhat pleasant. "We'll clear out of here for you."

"As the feline wishes." The long hair man said, his ice blue eyes flashing at Lena, causing her shiver and feel like she was about to freeze to death.

Lin then froze, his eyes basically raking her body, taking in how she looked. Lena felt her cheeks heat up as the tattooed man nearly began to drool over her. Watching she saw his eyes narrowed. The dark line in her fur had been noticed by him.

"What's with the line?" Lin said gesturing to her stomach, Lena gulping. "Bad scar?" Lena nodded, saying nothing as she felt the blush fall away as a tinge of uncertainty set in. She didn't want to explain it.

"Yeah, I got one too; right here." Lin pointed to his chest. Lean blinked, staring at the long, angry, but delicate slash down his clavicle, his the wolf head tattoo right were it ended. She felt her heart slow until her smiled. His oddly design eyes gave him a predatorily look.

"Must say though, that outfit suits you quiet nicely..." Lin said suggestively, Seraph snickering while the long haired man rolled his eyes.

"But you still prefer her laying on you nude?" Seraph asked, Lena wishing the earth would swallow her up. She was about to start yelling when thankfully the gods intervened. Or at least Hank did.

"Lin, Pejime has declined to join Lena in this exercise." Hank's voice said over the intercom. "Would you mind terribly if I asked you to join in?"

Lin stopped and looked Lena square in the eyes, his gaze studying her this time, not her body. Lena looked back at him and he shrugged, looking up at the observatory. He nodded and gave his weapons to his frost spewing friend.

"Hey Lena, all jokes aside, you do look very fetching like that" Lin said, his jacket sliding off and grinning at her. "But, can you keep up with me, kitty-kat?"

"Keep up? I could run circles around you and your pets." Lena snarled, Lin was taken back by the amount of feministic power sounded through her voice.

"Jesus Christ, it was a joke, ya furball." Lin said, throwing his jacket back at the wall.

"Don't call me a fur ball." She growled back and headed into the room danger room, tail twitching angrily.

"Duck," Pejime muttered as he watched Lena and Lin begin.

Hank had set up a simulation designed to work on Lena's and Lin's flexibility and strength. Pejime had declined, saying that he wanted to read. So now he was sitting in the glass room over looking the danger room, book in his lap, and eyes watching his companion.

Seraph was staring at the teenager, confused. He had seen nearly all the kids in the house already but he had never seen him before, but his scent was familiar. Seraph reached out with his sacred powers and nearly gagged with laughter when he felt it was Pejime.

So, the pussy cat had some skills and the dragon was slightly impressed even. Seraph smiled and watched the fight bellow, waiting for Lycurgus to figure it out.

"You do realize she can't hear you right?" Hank asked with a smirk in his voice.

Pejime just rolled his eyes and shifted, making his wings rustle. The teen just watched as Lena did as he had said, ducking out of the way of a flying metal tentacle. Jumping onto its back she slashed into it with her claws, and jumped out of the way as it short circuited and died.

"Not bad, impressive almost considering her lack of training." Lycurgus said, Pejime looking at him in annoyance.

"Who are you?" Pejime asked rudely, Lycurgus smiling wickedly

"A friend…" Lycurgus baited mysteriously, Pejime fuming while Seraph watched.

"To the left…come on, take it already…" The dragon said, everyone look at Lin.

Lin was standing completely still, his eyes closed as two tentacles were on either side of him. He jumped up and twisted to the side, one hand on each of the tentacle above him. His leg then shot up and flew down, slicing the thing in half, swinging around the other one he blast it in half.

Looking over his shoulder, Lin held his arms out to the side and his came halfway to life, the upper torsos wrapping around his arms. Lena was wrestling with one while another sneaked up behind her, until a red bolt took it out. Lena saw the dragon head snarl with smoke coming out of its mouth, Lin using them to wrap around another and tear it to pieces.

"I think Lin is holding back...again." Lycurgus said nonchalantly.

Pejime is about to say something else but Seraph nods. "Yeah, he could at least shape shift to speed it up."

"Whoa, whoa; he can shape shift? That piece of tattoo trash?" Pejime asked, dropping his forgot book on the floor from shock.

Lycurgus stared at Pejime coolly, his scent finally giving him away and he laughed to himself. He was going to enjoy having this as an upper hand.

"I'll ask him to; just for you, Pejime." Lycurgus said, closing his eyes as shock covered the boy's face.

Lin looked up and smirked, his dragons receding back to tattoos while his wolf one shimmered slightly. And then everyone watched him transform, Lena and the environment around them watching with awe and fear.