(a/n: obies, then, back again! WARNING: I've succumbed to listening to Rascal Flatts and other anonymous songs that make me feel all mushy, so there will probably a largely increased percentage of fluff . . .as in . . .there'll be fluff. You are officially warned. Erm. . Thank you, lovely reviewers of my last chappie! RESPONSE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . . .sorry. Hyper. This chapter, by the way, is dedicated to Coyote Fire for her birthday (I got Dakota to read your story . . .she loved it! She was cracking up. Especially chapter two [her, honestly!] lmao!)
(First of all . . .moonfaith: seven hundred and twenty UPDATEs followed the wondrous finale of a NOW. I don't think I've ever laughed that hard in my life [yes, I counted . . you've no idea how bored I can get]. This is as close to now as I could manage, and if you look at it the right way I did update it now . . .just my now, not yours. Glad you like it! Read on!
(Eo: soon : believe me, that's much more comforting than 'now'. I'm getting them up as quickly as I can. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING. I'd say I loved you but that's a bit . . .weird.
(Coyote Fire: Major Happy birthday from me! I hope you had a god day! I did, anyway. Well, I suppose I should continue, then! Thank you for re-posting your story. It made me muchas happy! Lmao. I can't believe I'm starting to write like I talk. The best of both worlds . . .ah, you flatter me. You lie, too, but me an' my starving ego aren't gonna contradict you. It's just the alter ego you have to worry about . . .well . . three of the four, anyway, and Helen's already under lock-and-chain. Don't want her breakin' out, and lightning-ing people. ^ . ^
(Sadie Joyce – Myst Lady: How can Rei be a traitor?! She hasn't ever even MET the Sailor Scouts. And, as I'm sure M.J. could tell you, Emma Frost and her . . .erm . . .we'll call them students for now . . .haven't ever gotten along with the X-Men. They're as much opponents to the X-Men as are the Brotherhood and the Acolytes. Of course I saw X-Men 2 . . .erm . . .three times in theatre. Only that few 'cos no one else wanted to go w/ me. * pout *. Jubilee used to be my favorite. Emira is now, and I made her up, so I dunno if that even counts. I was glad to include our favorite mall-babe. [if you didn't get that, you pro'lly weren't as big a fan of the x-men cartoon (not evo) as me . . .I was a regular buff . . .sorry if I lostcha. Erm. And Peter Rasputin is Colossus, of course.
(Chibi-chan: I'll get into character descriptions later, but you'll find out. And believe me . . .Peter is cute. I would know. I get to describe him. * dreamy sigh * The reason that I put Rei at the top was 'cause on the last chapter I left off with her. The only reason that I'm not continuing with Makoto at the top of this one is that I'm actually done with her right now, plus the fact that Minako deserves to get her arse in this story! Lmao. I feel bad for leaving her out. One more thing . . .if that was criticism on any level, constructive or otherwise, I think I'd hire you and pay you for it. For some reason, I always get my feelings hurt. For once I considered it. And I think you're right. I'll work on it.
(Damia: ^.^ thanks for the clarification! Thanks for letting me call ya Damia. I like short names. Can't you tell? Mine's four letters long. Well, I'm glad you liked it, and since Coyote Fire knows where I live, I take it should be able to post more often [in fear of my life].
(Khenny: Love your name, by the way. I live on just a couple hours of sleep, not just function on them, so I know how you feel! I'm so glad you like it! Believe me, I'm ecstatic. I'd show it, but we've already discussed my lack of sleep.
(koosei: Of course I'll wish you good luck, what kinda friend would I be if I didn't. I'd agree. I made Magneto sound nice. What was I thinking? Lmao. I dunno what's gonna happen with that, so * shrug * we'll find out together. Read on! Review on!
(Celtic Rogue: On your request, I'll shove Rogue in there. Dunno how. Dunno where. But I'll do it. Rah. Um . . .thanks for the review, and I'd love if you did that again! Read on!
(SerinityRules: Thanks very much. I'd like to think the same!
(mae: I love questions! Thanks for them! The outer scouts probably won't come into it, sorry, because I think their powers are slightly redundant. Does Usagi have a true love? If you mean Mamoru . . .no. I just don't like him. Maybe she'll date another random character. I'm not sure. About all the scouts being on one side . . .well . . .that would be telling, wouldn't it?! You'll just have to suffer and find out!
Chapter 4.
Minako Aino (a/n: . . .DOES SO EXIST . . .erm . . .sorry: got carried away) chewed cutely on her full lower lip . . .or so thought Peitro Maximoff. He studied her carefully, the way her long blonde hair shined brilliantly when the sunlight fell on them. Hair of lacquered honey and pale gold sunshine. It was held, pardoning a few adamant tendrils, away from a heart-shaped face of flawless, pale skin with a eloquently tied bow.
For living in Japan, she certainly looked far from Japanese. Blonde with cerulean eyes that made Peitro want to dive in headfirst. Made him want to drown in them. And these were feelings that he both abhorred and lived for. Feelings like that were weaknesses. And weaknesses weren't to be permitted. Yet, looking at her, that one flaw didn't seem so bad.
There was only one thing truly wrong with that picture. Those cerulean eyes were shiny with tears. Two trails of already shed tears trekked down her face. And an urge to walk up to her and kiss that pain away nearly overpowered him. He resisted. He had a purpose for being there, and he'd do it. He would enjoy himself, however. As if anyone could stop him.
She sat at a profile to him. Her back was straight, but her shoulders hunched slightly forward, her head hanging in a mix of shame and anger. She stared vaguely at her hands, as if they were the reason the world wasn't a happy place, but at the same time, beyond them – not seeing anything at all. She wore short yellow shorts and a white tank. She was obviously dressed for some sport.
And judging by the volleyball that rested behind her crossed ankles, Peitro made an exceptionally clever guess as to what it was. She was slender and athletic looking. The weeping girl wasn't made for tears. Just a look at her told her that she was meant to smile. Forever. And he would do everything in his power to make that happen.
^.~ (if I knew a completely cheesy grin I'd be using it!)
Minako could feel that someone was behind her. Several yards behind, but advancing. She didn't turn to fact them, as it was probably another of the girls on the team, coming just to hurt her even more. She didn't need that, and she wouldn't stay and take it.
After a moment's solid resolution, she jumped lightly up, and swiveled around to face them. But no one was there at all. Minako didn't know what to think. She was more than positive that someone was there, but there was no denying that no one was there anymore. Sighing, she turned again to sit back down, to think more. Minako, despite rumors of the contrary, was very intelligent. She just didn't want to spend her life analyzing instead of doing.
When she turned, there was someone already on the bench. She hadn't heard anyone approach in her movement. Again, she was confused. "Hello." She murmured, and returned to her seat, picking up her volleyball and setting it on her lap.
"Heya!" The tanned, silver-haired boy answered. He stretched almost languidly, and turned to her, his face emotionless. His sapphire eyes met hers, and Minako's breath hitched in her throat. "What's wrong? You were crying."
"Nothing." She answered, turning her gaze to her volleyball.
"C'mon. I'm a stranger, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid or that I don't care. You were crying. What's wrong?" He insisted, catching her chin with a hand, pulling her gaze to again meet his own. Contrasting her previous thought, the boy was anything but emotionless. He just kept all of them within his eyes.
"I didn't make the volleyball cut." She answered softly, rolling said ball between her palms, as if she were prepping to play.
"Halfway through the season?" Peitro answered just as quietly, his smooth, disbelieving voice heavy with sarcasm. She simply shrugged, and again looked away, hoping he couldn't read her eyes as easily as she could read his. "I think I know the truth."
"You think so? Well, I don't agree, and I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me alone, now." Minako snapped, praying that he didn't really know the reason she was crying. It was bad enough that only four people accepted her as it was. If a stranger could tell what she was, there was definitely going to be some problems. Then maybe everyone would know. Minako couldn't take that.
"You don't mean that. What's your name?"
"Aino, Minako."
"Name's Peitro. Call me Quicksilver. The only reason I know is 'cause I'm one, too. Interested?" Minako didn't move her gaze from her volleyball, but instead nodded silently, pleading with Selene that he was telling the truth.
"Awesome."
^-^
Ami ran her fingers through her hair again, and then marched with great determination up behind Kurt. She tapped him on the shoulder, and he whipped around to face her. "Ami! What happened to your neck?! (a/n: I'm guessing you're all about to the point of realizing that I'm not going to kill his accent . . .as I've said before . . .keep pretending please and thank you!)
"Nothing important." Ami answered, laying a hand on his shoulder. "A mutant attacked me, 'Mira and Bry. Don't worry about it. We took care of him. How are you? Did that man hurt you or anything?"
"No, Logan can be a bit of a taskmaster, but he's just a teddy-bear deep down." Kurt answered, bringing a hand up behind his head.
"Oh yeah, a real teddy-bear, elf." Ami teased him lightly, and Kurt grinned. "So, where're you headed to?"
"First period I have Physics." Ami answered. "I have something to tell you, though. I've been accepted into this elite school. The Hellfire Club's asked me to become a Junior Member. I'm transferring to their school."
"So, you're leaving me?!" Kurt pouted, thrusting out his lower lip. "Just when we meet. How could you do this?" Ami giggled at his obviously fake tears. "I thought we were friends, you're laughing at my pain! How dare you?"
"It's quite easy, actually. You just have to look at your face . . .from there it's natural." Ami shrugged.
"Oh, you're a true friend, aren't you?" Kurt answered, and they both grinned. "So, does this mean that you're going to leave me to Logan's wrath, then?"
"Oh, of course not." Ami answered. "Look, we've gone to this school together for who knows how long, and we haven't run into one another before now. It won't be any different, except now we'll see each other outside school. I just wanted to let you know. Unfortunately, we're about to both be late, and I've gotta book it."
"Bye, then. I'll see you soon."
"Oh yeah! Here!" Ami turned and tossed him a balled up piece of paper that had her cell phone number scrawled across it in her impeccable handwriting. "See ya, Kurt!" He couldn't see her face, but Ami was blushing red as she hurried to physics.
^o_o^
"You're not the only one that we're bringing with us, Princess." If anyone else had called her that, Rei would probably have done something akin to rearranging her face, but she could sense a deep respect within his words. Respect bordering almost on awe. She was flattered instead, but barely managed to avoid blushing once more.
"Who else is coming? Another mutant?" Rei questioned, excited to meet more of her kind. More allies.
Her grandfather hadn't taken her departure as badly as she had at first suspected. He accepted both her leaving and her reasoning behind it. He blessed her and gave her a teardrop-shaped ruby amulet for protection and love, and she worse it around her neck. Ever since she'd left the shrine, she'd been fingering the necklace fondly.
"Yes, she's another mutant. A friend of mine, Pietro, has gone to get her." John answered, stroking her long raven hair tenderly. Rei turned and smiled at him. John was so unlike shat she'd expected.
He was an American, but completely opposite of what she'd experienced of them, thus far. Every male American she'd met so far had been brash and completely barmy (or had at least acted it). John was suave and intelligent and graceful. Rei had just been beginning to believe a guy like that didn't even exist.
Obviously, Rei had spaced out, and John did his best to smother a chuckle at a starry-eyed Rei, as she stared at nothing. "Rei, C'mon." John tugged her hand upon seeing the flat he, Pietro, and Mystique shared. Rei shook her head, as if to clear it of thoughts, and she followed him, her fingers still entwined with John's.
Mystique was there, lounging about in her black dress. Rei almost immediately noted it was perfect for fighting.
"You must be Rei Hino." The indigo skinned woman smiled warmly, displaying sap canines. Rei nodded and exchanged firm handshakes with the woman.
"Yes, ma'am. And you are . . ."
"Raven Darkholm, but everyone calls me Mystique, instead." The woman replied,
"Mystique, then." Rei answered. "I take it you're our supervision?"
"Nah, just another kid." Mystique's form melted away into a teenaged girl that was neither short nor tall, with very plain mousy brown hair that reached her shoulders and brown eyes that neither sparked nor shone at all. If Rei had to, she wouldn't be able to describe the girl as anything but average.
"You can change back into yourself, now. This form is freaky." Rei said after a moment, squirming lightly at the complete unnaturalness.
"This is myself." Mystique answered in a higher voice than before.
"No, it's not. Please change back." Rei answered. Mystique grinned and resorted to her normal self.
"You knew. That's intriguing." Mystique noted. Rei shrugged.
"Sometimes I just know things." Rei responded and she was glad for the interruption when the door opened. A tanned boy with white hair strolled in, whistling slightly.
"Hello lovely people of the flat!" He greeted them warmly, grinning.
"I take it that things went well?" Mystique replied, smothering a grin of her own that shone clearly in her eyes.
"Very." Pietro replied, waltzing about the room with an imaginary date.
That must be my barmy American then. Rei sighed to herself. I just had to wonder, didn't I?
"What're you on, man?' John asked, his voice laced with underlying humour.
"Air!" Peitro replied dramatically. "Miss Minako Aino will be coming by later today!"
^-^
Makoto's jaw dropped open upon seeing Xavier's Mansion. Peter quickly followed that example. "Thi-This place is huge!" She exclaimed. In English. The professor had telepathically taught both she and Peter English in mere moments.
"Woah. So much bigger than home." Peter added.
An African-American boy on a skateboard whizzed by, waving with his unoccupied hand at the newcomers.
"Spike! Give it here!" A heavily accented Southern voice demanded. A girl with auburn hair and twin white streaks stalked after the first boy, who conveniently hid behind Peter.
"Who're you?" She paused.
"Rogue, Evan, these are Peter Rasputin and Makoto Kino." Both teenagers smiled shyly at the others.
"Hey, there." Rogue offered a warm smile to the new kids, and glared darkly at the boy who'd "borrowed" Rogue' brand-new, hard-earned CD player. "Give it, Evan, or I'll Spike you." She growled, holding out a gloved palm. Evan raised his hands in surrender, and returned the contraption.
"Later, Professor." Evan raced off.
"C'mon, Makoto, Peter. I'll show y'all around." Rogue motioned for the others to follow her. And they did.
~
"This is the kitchen. If you're hungry, get food. Snacks're on you, but meals we usually eat together. Whenever possible get here, and get out before my brother gets here. He eats everything."
"What's his name?" Makoto questioned, still drinking in the splendor of the huge estate. Peter had already asked his fair share of questions, and was silent.
"Kurt Wagner." Rogue answered.
"What?"
"Don't do that!" Rogue swatted at Kurt, who'd just 'ported into the middle of the kitchen. Both Makoto and Peter stared on in relative shock at the new teen.
"Sorry, but I need my after school snack." Kurt answered, not sounding very sorry at all. "Who're they?"
"New students. Makoto and Peter. And I think you gave 'em a heart attack." Rogue muttered, waving a hand in front of an unresponsive Makoto's face.
"Hi! I'm a teleporter." Kurt grinned, pulling the fridge open; his tail sneaked out and began waving around.
"Dude . . .you've got a tai." Makoto said vaguely, noting through her shock that she'd unwittingly used American slang.
"Yep." Kurt answered into the refrigerator, as he shifted many items around. "It happens." The note Ami had earlier given Kurt had been smoothed out and was sticking out the pocket of Kurt's jeans. Overcome with curiosity, Rogue easily slipped the paper from his back pocket.
"What's this, blue boy?' Rogue asked, holding the note up between her index and middle fingers. "Is it from a girl?"
"Give it back, Rogue." Kurt growled at her. Shocked at his unusually angry demeanor, his sister returned the parchment.
"Sorry, blue boy."
"No, I'm sorry, Rogue." Kurt replied gingerly, plucking te note from Rogue's fingers. "It's from Ami She's leaving Bayville."
"Ami? I thought you and Amanda were an item." Rogue replied, confused. Makoto and Peter wandered away. Rogue, Kurt, and a plate of food all settled at the table. "Wanna talk?"
"I s'pose." Kurt answered with a sigh of defeat. "S'Just . . .Amanda means the world to me, and all, but she keeps pushing me towards things I'm not ready for." He noticed her jaw tighten. "Not like that!" He blushed lightly. "No not like that. Mostly about my blue fuzzy self. The school knows I'm a mutant already. Isn't that enough?"
"And Ami?" Rogue prompted.
Kurt clutched the note he held tightly. "Ami's different than anyone I've ever met! She's so smart, and she's modest about it. She's gorgeous . . .and polite."
"And you've known her for a day?" Rogue asked, attempting to be a voice of reason towards her brother, who merely shrugged in return, helplessly.
"I saw her this morning at school. I think someone tried to strangle her. She said it was some out-of-control mutant. I think it was Sabretooth. There was a ring of bruises around her neck. They looked nasty."
"You were with Ami last night, though. Why would Sabretooth wait until you were gone until he attacked? Wouldn't you have been a better target?" Rogue didn't like to think of him as a target against the huge mutant, she'd been in the position before, and it wasn't a fun one.
"Jean had seen him earlier. Logan came out to get me. Maybe he wanted to avoid a fight with Wolverine."
"Sabretooth lives to fight Wolverine. They do nothing else." Rogue hated being the opposition in this conversation, and her voice was tight, a sure fact displaying it.
"I never said I understood it." Kurt snapped, nearly shouting. "But I don't think she' lie to me, you know? I trust her more than that."
"Calm down, Kurt." Rogue replied. "I didn't mean anything by it. If you really think it was Sabretooth, you should tell Logan."
"I suppose." Kurt didn't sound as if he agreed, but more resigned to it than anything. "Hey . . .where'd the new kids go?"
=^-^=
(a/n: sorry it took me so long to post more, I kinda ran into a little writers' block, but I'm mostly over it now. I hope you liked my latest installment! PLEASE REVIEW! Lmao . . .I'm desperate.)