Author's Note: The way I will deal with Mutants here is as if the events of First Class are canon and that generally the events of X1 and X2 happened, pushed back five years, but without Mutants being revealed to the public. (Covered up by Professor Xavier and SHIELD working together, all talk of Mutants in government was behind closed doors in security meetings, etc.). Days of Future Past didn't happen in this timeline and neither did Apocalypse (due to DoFP not having happened his tomb is not unearthed when it was in that film). Thus this is four years after the events of X-2 (which also works nicely with the Iron Man timeline). For reference we'll say that Jean Grey was born in 1980, making her 25 in X1 and 32 now. Other ages can be extrapolated from there. Which is nice because that means the age gap between Storm and T'Challa is still workable if my fic ever moves that direction.

Also you may notice Shirou isn't as traumatized as he is by the end of UBW, that would be the five years of a healthy home environment.

Chapter 4: Relax

As if the situation could not have gotten more complicated, it was at that moment that Jim Jr opened the front door.

"Umm...can I help you people?" He asked, looking nervously at the odd group, before noticing Shirou and Steve behind them.

"Uh...are they friends of Steve's?" He directed towards Shirou.

As Shirou was shrugging, the man in the wheelchair spoke up, "Ah...we are here to speak with you about your son's...unique circumstances. Which from the presence of Captain Rogers I now assume you are at least passingly familiar with."

Feeling cautious but also fairly protected with Captain America right there Jim nodded, "Well I suppose everyone can come in. Would you mind staying too, Steve?"

The captain nodded and he and Shirou filed in after the wheelchair bound man, the rude man with the mutton chops he had thought was James, and a black woman with striking white hair.

After everyone, minus Jim Sr who was out at Bingo night, was settled into the living room, the bald man in the chair spoke up, "My name is Professor Charles Xavier, I run a boarding school for...gifted individuals like Shirou here. To help them learn to control and often hide their powers; but also to allow them to be around others such as themselves and aid in reducing any feelings of exclusion or loneliness they may otherwise feel in our society."

Jim, Shirou, and Steve chewed on that for a minute before Shirou turned to look at Steve, "So I guess you and grandfather were right. There's definitely more people out there than me, James, and that kid you guys saved from Auschwitz with these powers that spontaneously develop after childhood."

At that Charles's eyes sparked with recognition, "Yes, when we were associates in the past Erik did mention that he was liberated from his camp by Captain America. And Captain Rogers? You thought that our Logan here looked like this James fellow? Because you see, he has had some traumatic experiences and still has not recovered all of his memories."

"Well," Steve said, glancing over at the now named Logan, "Maybe he is a grandson. Because unless he has bone claws and could have fought in World War Two without aging-"

At that Logan held up a hand and popped out three metallic claws, "They used to be bone, far as I can tell. Before some suits got their hands on me and did summat to 'em. Plus we're pretty sure I don't age."

Steve blinked in confusion and then a grin spread across his face, "James Howlett it is you! You may not remember me but you were a member of the Howling Commandos with myself and even young Shirou's grandfather," He pointed over to the mantle, "You're even in that picture with us!"

Blinking, the short man walked over and picked up the picture frame, "I'll be damned, that's definitely me. I uh…'spose we can catch up later. The professor here has some actual business."

"So, you have a boarding school for...I guess these special kids?" Jim Jr questioned.

"We call ourselves Mutants, a divergent branch of human evolution. A small percentage of Homo Sapiens have something called the X-gene in their DNA. A Mutant is an even smaller percentage of that population in whom that gene has expressed itself. All kinds of exceptional abilities have been documented. Advanced healing, elemental control, and all types of psychic powers. Thus the questions become: what is your power young Shirou, what do you want to do with it, and do you want us to help?"

"Well I did some research on the folklore around similar powers," Shirou began, "From what we can tell I can psychometrically analyze objects and in the case of things that could be considered battle equipment I seem to be able to store a copy of the object and its memories in my mind and summon a copy at will."

With that he held out his arm and summoned the shield into place, "I also seem to become empowered by weapons that were wielded by individuals who were stronger than me. While I use the shield for example I get stronger and quicker, but when I use a kendo stick from my dojo nothing really happens in regards to that."

"Fascinating…" Professor Xavier said, looking closer at the object, "Is this?" He looked up at Steve, "This is a copy of your shield without the designs is it not?"

Steve nodded, "As I am also a friend of the family I have been training Shirou in how to use it to defend himself, and hopefully learn more about his powers."

"Wonderful," The professor stated, "With that all in mind I don't believe I will even need my powers to know what you wish to do with yours."

"Yeah...I...I want to follow Steve's example!" Shirou declared, "I plan to, once I'm old enough, be a hero of justice and save everyone that needs it!"

The X-men and Steve all noticed the steely determination in the young man's eyes, though his own father seemed oblivious to that declaration being more than a childish dream.

"And would you like our help with that?" Xavier pressed.

"I think so, yeah. But um...I don't know if I want to go away to boarding school? I mean I figure that's what a lot of kids do because their family might not be so understanding of their powers; but you can see that I am perfectly safe and happy here. And I'd also hate to give up on training with Captain America!"

Steepling his fingers the professor thought for a moment, "I believe they cancelled school for the rest of the year and just decided to use your existing grades for passing in the Boroughs?"

Shirou's father nodded, "Yes that is indeed the case. A pity, I had a few students who could have used the final exam to gain a letter grade."

"In that case...would young Shirou mind coming out and staying with us in the summers? Treat it as a kind of...Mutant summer camp, instead of boarding school?"

While Shirou was chewing on his lip considering what to do Steve chimed in, "If Professor Xavier would allow it I would be glad to visit occasionally to catch up with Ja-Logan here and perhaps do a training session or two."

"I shan't say no, but I will leave the final call up to Logan."

"Doesn' bother me any, might be nice to get a few bouts in in the Danger Room with the Cap anyways," He grinned viciously, "See how that shield goes up gainst the claws."

The young man relented, "Fine, fine! You guys have sold me on it. I'm actually pretty excited I was just worried about leaving my father and grandfather here. They're both grumpy and hopeless cooks, you know?"

"Hey! I can cook!"

"Dad, a frozen meal isn't cooking. That's...I don't know but it's not cooking."

Jim relented, "I still say I can cook, but you certainly do it better than I do, Shirou. But yes I say you should take this opportunity. But you can't ignore your summer work! The year before high school is very important if you want to get into Midtown!"

"Maybe I don't want to go to the same school my dad teaches at?"

His father let out a fake gasp, "You take that back! You're already a better electrical engineer than a lot of my senior students! The decathlon team needs you!"

Shirou rolled his eyes, "Right, so, when should I be ready?"

The professor chuckled at the family antics before responding, "It is currently Thursday. Would you mind if we came back on Saturday? Our students are still in classes thus that would be the best day to also introduce you to the students."

"I suppose we can have him ready by then," Jim responded.

After the X-men took their leave he turned to his son, "Are you really sure you want to do this Shirou? I won't stop you, but I wanted to make sure you weren't feeling pressured by them into this."

Nodding Shirou looked up at his father, "Yeah, I want to meet other people like me. See what they can do. Expand what I can do."

"Then I suppose you should make a list of what to pack!"

Shirou's Armory:

Vibranium Shield
Chitauri Dagger