Tail. –n. 1. the hindmost part of an animal, especially that forming a distinct, flexible appendage to the trunk 2. something resembling or suggesting this in shape or position 3. the luminous stream extending from the head of a comet 4. the reverse of a coin 5. the after portion of an airplane or the like 6. a. tail coat b. the tapering skirts or ends at the back of a coat, especially a tail coat c. men's full-dress attire d. alcohol obtained in the final distillation 7. the buttocks or rump 8. a person who trails or keeps a close surveillance of another, as a detective or spy 9. the area directly behind a person in motion; the wake or trail of a person 10. a. sexual intercourse b. a woman considered a as a sex object 11. the hinder, bottom, or end part of anything; the rear 12. a final or concluding part of a sentence, conversation, social gathering, etc.; conclusion; end 13. the inferior or unwanted part of anything 14. a long braid or tress of hair 15. an arrangement of objects or persons extending as or as if a tail 16. a line of persons awaiting their turns at something; queue 17. a retinue; train 18. the lower part of a pool or stream 19. the exposed portion of a piece of roofing, as a slate 20. the bottom of a page or book 21. the lower portion of a type, as of g, y, or Q –adj. 22. coming from behind 23. being in the back or rear –v. 24. to follow in order to hinder escape of or to observe 25. to form or furnish with a tail 26. to form or constitute the tail or end of (a procession, retinue, etc.) 27. to terminate; come after or behind; follow like a tail 28. to join or attach at the tail or end of another 29. to fasten (a beam, stone, etc.) by one end 30. to dock the tail of (a horse, dog, etc.)

"How long will Ah have these individual training sessions?" Rogue sighed. She was made to participate in them at least three times weekly, where the focus was solely on her skills. On top of nearly daily team training, school, and homework.

"Until you're caught up," Kurt said.

Ororo tossed him a sideways glance. Almost scolding. "These lessons are beneficial for you and your team's safety," she assured Rogue.

"It's very easy to get caught off guard in an uncontrolled fight," Kurt continued. "These extra lessons help your reflexes and field awareness."

Ororo threw him another guarded look. "Without turning you into a cocky showboater," she added with her eyes still locked on Kurt.

Rogue shifted uncomfortably. Getting into the middle of the team leaders' fight was certainly not on her agenda. She thought she'd asked a simple question with a simple answer.

Kurt merely smiled in his devilish fashion, unperturbed. "Showboating is not learned from combat training or lack thereof, Liebchen."

"So how is it that you, Remy, and Bobby learned it individually?" Ororo shot back.

Kurt laugh, the sound rich with merriment. Ignoring the stab, he focused his empty, yellow eyes on Rogue, the corners still crinkled in a smile. "Today, we play tag."

Rogue blinked, holding her eyes closed for a moment. "Tag," she repeated.

Kurt nodded once, the smile still across his face. "You're it. Tag one of us. Powers on-limits."

"Ah don't think 'on-limits' is a phrase," Rogue mumbled. What good were her powers in this situation? She needed to touch one of them first in order for them to do anything.

Kurt nodded again, his smile come across more demonic the longer it remained on his face. "Einen Moment." With that, he disappeared in a flash of smoke and sulfur. Following almost instantly, the scenery changed about Ororo and Rogue. The metallic panels that made up the Danger Room shimmered away, replaced with weathered concrete and brick. Nearby walls disappeared, and buildings both far and near took their place. Kurt constructed an abandoned and rundown cityscape around them. Chilly wind picked up around them, playing at the ends of their hair. Lightweight litter crashed into Rogue's ankles before skittering away, melting into the shadow of a nearby building.

Kurt reappeared, that same grin still present. "Have some terrain."

"For what?" Rogue asked. Her tone came across more cross than she intended. Both Ororo and Kurt had agility on her. Both of them had mutant powers that would aide them in evading her touch. Both of them knew very well how to hide in the shadows. Rogue knew that Ororo wasn't everything she seemed on the surface. She may have acted like a goddess, but that wasn't everything.

Kurt winked. "Gloves off, Liebchen." He rubbed his own gloved hands together, adventure twinkling in his eyes. The only skin he had to offer for Rogue's powers to even work on him happened to be his face – or his tail.

An idea sparked in Rogue's head. What if … what if she cheated? Just a little bit. Just enough to give her a little head's start. What if she grabbed Kurt now, before he disappeared in what was arguably his most perfect terrain? She could channel Kurt to have even grounds with Ororo, then. If she didn't, she was certain she'd never find him again. And Ororo? Rogue would probably see her, but getting to her would be a different matter. Short of trying to launch herself to her death, Rogue didn't stand a chance against Ororo's mutant powers.

"Ready?" Kurt asked with no little cheek. He turned away, his legs tensing to pounce away. Seeing her chance, Rogue grabbed him. She grabbed him by the only thing she could. Ripping off her other glove as fast as she could with her teeth, she managed to grab a hold of his tail with her other hand before he could recover from the shock. He collapsed slowly, ended up in a piled heap on the dirty concrete.

Ororo laughed, covering her mouth with her hand as if that helped her etiquette in the matter at all. "You beat him at his own game," she commented after regaining a semblance of her control.

"Well, Ah don't exactly have the upper hand here," Rogue said. She felt a little sheepish as she tossed Kurt's tail away from herself.

"No, you did not," Ororo agreed. "Would you like to continue playing tag? Or would you like to change the game up a little? See if you can keep up with me, using Kurt's agility and cling without his teleportation?"

Rogue thought it over for a moment. "Let's see how well Ah can keep up with ya, Sugah." She felt a smile grace her face. She could only hope it didn't come across as creepy as Kurt's from before.