A/N
When I got done with this, it was actually shorter than I realized. Oh well. I'll try to make the next chapter longer!
"I tell you, we would have gotten back to civilization if Mr. Logan hadn't stolen away the jet under our noses." Jamie said sulkily. He and his friend were sitting at the edge of the forest.
The two young mutants had been trying to sneak onto the jet. Again. They figured the best way to order a pizza, as there seemed to be no currently working phones in the shack, was to search the jet for a cell phone.
The first time they had gotten caught on the ramp and told to beat it by Mr. Logan. When they tried to protest the injustice of the mush they had been eating, Mr. Logan threatened them with more training.
The matter was not pressed.
Now they had been about to try again, a scant day after their first attempt, only to discover the jet had disappeared, along with their instructor.
"I wonder where he went?" Julian twitched his nose thoughtfully.
"He probably went to get Roberto and Amara." Kurt called from above. "They were supposed to arrive at the mansion today. I heard we'll all be going back soon."
"Aw, but I was having fun!" Jamie pouted. "Except for everything that's been happening."
"Warren finally started flying again, so the Professor thinks we should move ourselves back to the institute." Kurt ignored Jamie.
"Good, I was feeling bad when he ran into those crows." Julian said happily. His warning to the winged adult hadn't come soon enough, when several days ago he came too close to some nesting crows, which were none too pleased with his presence.
"Of course we'll finally get more food, better food." Jamie was off in his own world of pros and cons.
"Have you seen Arcane? I haven't seen him around." Julian asked.
"Nein. Not once. Maybe he decided the shack was a lost cause and left. He's not all that responsible, Ja?"
"Only with responsibilities that aren't mine." A slightly annoyed voice said from the confines of the forest. A second later, Arcane stepped out of the shadows and walked past them.
"Where have you been?" Kurt asked.
"I was off having a vacation."
"But I though you were already having a vacation." Jamie said innocently.
"Right." The man left them to go fiddle around under the hood of his car. Jamie decided to go into the house to find some edible food, of which he knew there was none. Kurt ran off to go catch a fish, as he promised them he would do before he left.
Which left a certain small furred mutant alone.
Of course, there was only one person to talk to.
Julian got up from his seat in the grass and walked towards Arcane, who was still messing with his car.
"Whatcha doing?"
"I'm attempting to fix a car."
"How do you fix a car?"
"I have no idea." The older mutant sighed. "I was hoping to get a few extra miles out of this thing, but it appears to be on it's last legs."
"I though it had wheels."
"It's a figure of speech."
"Oh. Like raining cats and dogs?"
"Exactly." Arcane stood back and let the hood of the car slam down. It didn't fit correctly. He brought his fist down on the hood hard, leaving a small dent but also causing the hood to sit straight.
"Wow." Julian said, visibly impressed. The older mutant just shook his hand and massaged the red mark the action left.
"Why do people look under the hoods of cars?" He asked suddenly, perking his long ears up.
"We believe that the power of lifting the hood will give us insight to the problem."
"Oh. Does it?"
"No. It does the exact opposite and confuses you."
"Oh. Then why do you do it?"
"Same reasons. But sometimes I do know how to fix it."
"Cool." Julian suddenly found himself bored on the subject of cars, of which he wasn't all that fond of anyway. He wondered if Jamie found any food. "I'm going inside. Good to see you again, Arcane."
Arcane watched the kid walk into the old shack.
"Where does she get off with raising a kid that laid back?" He asked aloud, then shrugged and went back to examining the hood of his car.
"Why are we camping? Shouldn't we be back at the Institute?" Amara complained loudly from her seat.
"Like I told you a couple hundred times, Princess, we're gonna give the three I left up there a few more days to explore and such before we bring them back. Besides, Chuck is hoping Dolittle's kid is gonna come up with some more info on the situation. Besides, a little woodland life should be good for you."
Roberto frowned. "Why aren't we looking for them anyway?"
"Because they ain't here anymore, and until we can figure out a way to get to where they are, we're stuck." Wolverine said with a growl that clearly told them what he thought about the situation.
"We aren't giving up, are we?" Amara asked with a hint of alarm.
"Course not! We just met a stalemate, for now. We'll figure out something." Wolverine said with overwhelming certainty.
But back in his mind he wondered if he wasn't being optimistic.
Optimism, the Wolverine? Hear something new everyday, eh?
Laureate: True, he isn't a good influence. But think of all the things Julian learns…err…never mind. Hope you like this chapter!
Raliena: All reviews seemed to make it, so I think you're in the clear.
Anon(girl): Alright, tell him I appreciate his input. A fireplace should work nicely. Hope you like this chapter!
PrincessOfWildfire: I don't blame him either, I'd probably do the same thing. Hope you like the chapter!
Asteria: Planning to do so! Hope you liked this chapter!
Lunarious: Alright, I will read your story, and I hope you get around to reading the rest of the fic.
Kally will take the reviews again, and offers everyone fish shaped lollipops! What flavor? Now, now, that's a surprise!