Disclaimer: I do not own the Xmen….. I would be so freaking rich.. Do I look rich to you?? Huh Huh?? Huh?? I don't hear any answers!… Oh and I don't own the songs either… :p

Been quite a while since my last update huh? Sorry!!! *bows before her readers* I am SOOO Sorry!! Je Suis Desole!! Gomen Nasai! Lo Siento!! I had a major case of writer's block. I think I have may broken it by now!!

Plus fan fiction.net has been on the fritz lately.. Or am I the only one who noticed that? *looks around for others*

Anyhoo, I'm straying from the topic at hand.. Thanks to all who reviewed!! I warn you, this story may be really long considering the plot that I have thought up.

Thanks to:

Linda Keene: Thanks I'll try!! ;)

Krys Xanthina: Umm.. Magic cow and golden eggs? Should I be afraid? I mean, I know every one wants a piece of our favorite little firecracker but must we go that far? *gives a hug to Krys Xanthina and pats her head because of her insanity*

Ishandahalf: I'll try to add in more Romy. Everyone knows how much how we love Romy! *wink wink*

GreenFairyGirl88: My dear, I can't be telling you about the Grandiose Tournament all willy nilly!! One must wait until the author feels the need to tell thee.. Not a moment sooner!! *wags finger in a motherly fashion*

There we go!! My FABULOUS shout outs!!

And by the way, I am soo sick of seeing Rogue feel sorry for herself… so we are going to up the ANTY here!!

' ' thoughts/ or telepathic speaking

" " speaking

*duh… you should know that by now*

Recap: Everyone has gathered to have a slight celebration after the defeat of Belladonna. Rogue is horribly depressed and so is Spike. Remy tries to coax his love out of her sadness but it comes to no avail. Spike begins to countdown the minutes before their happiness and their very lives shall come to a halting end.

Let us continue now!!

The Hurt of the Past and the Love of Another

Chapter 35: Southern Hospitality

" Let's kick some ass, Southern Style!"

~RoguesHeart~

Spike sat at the table, his eyes never leaving the clock. In about 20 minutes both he and his sister were about to battle it out in the Grandiose Tournament.

Currently, Rogue was in the other bathroom preparing her fighting uniform. Spike, being the uncanny fast changer was already sitting outside.

He was dressed in a one piece black suit. Blended in was the tiniest hint of red, similar to his sister's. Wrapped around his arm, was a silver bangle. Which had currently taken the shape of a stainless steel viper. This seemingly harmless arm band could simultaneously turn into a whip whenever Spike willed it to. He wore a pair of specially made glasses which allowed for him to see hidden aspects of his opponents. On his right hand, he had a matching black leather glove with a skull and cross bones embedded in diamonds across the top. With his middle and index finger cut out, it saved room for his silver inhibitor ring, much like the one Rogue had worn in her earlier battle against Belladonna. He also wore heavy combat boots with multiple silver straps up the side.

Leaning down, he gently brushed his hand against the sheath that was hidden directly in his boot. The dagger was still in place. It would be their fail safe, as long as one of them were still standing they were guaranteed success.

Glancing back at the clock, he watched as the long hand slowly moved to eight fifteen. Breathing in deeply, he grudgingly lifted himself up from his chair. Walking over to the door, he nonchalantly lifted his hand to knock upon it but he stopped in midair when he heard somewhat silent sobs escaping from behind it.

' Rogue?'

Immediately the sobs ceased and were replaced by a guttural southern tone.

" Yes Spike? "

Frowning slightly, Spike answered.

" It's nearly time darlin, we should be goin' now. "

" Yes, ah agree.."

Minutes later, the bathroom door swung open revealing the Southern beauty. Though her radiance had dimmed considerably since the last time they had spoken, she was still a knock out.

She stood before him, wearing an almost identical outfit to the one she had worn when she had fought Belle. The same weaponry was placed around her waist, and she too had a snake arm band. Yet that wasn't the only thing impressive, on her face there was such a look of determination…in her eyes, so much pain.

In her balled up fist, she held a small knife, which she had used to cut her left arm with. It was tradition, before a battle, all the members of the T.M.A. were held to a duty of conformity. They had to share a blood pact with their partners, promising they would never betray them in the scene of a fight.

In theory, Rogue and Spike didn't need to. They were already bonded by blood…after all they were brother and sister. No one would be able to say other wise. They were identical in nearly everyway. There eyes, their hair, their pain. They shared everything despite if they had wanted to or not. Not like they had ever had a choice in the first place.

Rogue nodded to Spike, her emotionless mask held directly in place. Spike returned it and began to head out the door closely followed by Rogue. They were going to war.

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I missed the sweet smell… I miss it everyday.. I miss my best friend cheap cigars, stupid kids, and movie stars… And I miss the last song.. And I miss you… and this time this one is for us…..

I blame myself, but you're standing there to long…. I miss the last song……

Theory of a Deadman, blared loudly into Wanda's ears. She didn't care though, there was nothing she enjoyed more was to listen to music.. Just to take her mind off things. But now, she played this song in commemeration.

To all those she had lost in these short years of her life.. To all that she had missed, to every thing that she had taken advantage of. She had never really thought about it… she merely thought it would stay there forever, never leaving…

For years, she had spent her time hunting down her no good father. Searching for the one thing she was denied her entire life. A family, a home, and people that cared for her. Only now, now she realized she had it all along. The Brotherhood, though many would say it wasn't much of a team nonetheless family, she had to admit was her home . And they most definitely treated her like one of their own. They all cared for each other, even if they didn't want to admit it.. They cared….The Brotherhood, the Xmen, even Magneto cared enough for her well being… She had friends, family, and a home… All this time, she had been searching for something that was already there waiting for her to find it. Now, now it was too late.

No, this time, she played the song for someone else. She played for the hopeless situation that now, one of her very own friends were placed. Rogue.. She had no idea what had happened to her so long ago to make her want to leave home… leave the very place that had watched her be brought into the world. Now she did… she had no choice… Now she and her brother would have to suffer through their pain alone.. No one to help share the burden…

A single tear slid down her face, Wanda didn't even bother to wipe it away. No, she wouldn't allow for her pride to get in the way this time.

Right now, they needed her support, and she would give it to them. They were the only ones to treat her for the person she was, not what she could do… It was time to repay the honor..

Shutting off her CD player, Wanda headed down to the arena. She would do all that she could to help them through this…

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Shine bright morning light, now in the air the spring is coming.. Sweet glowing wind, singing down the hills and valleys… Keep your eyes on me.. Now we run the edge of hell… hear my love sweet morning light.. Wait for me…. You've gone much further….too far…..

He had to keep up the pace. He had to reach there before it was too late. It wasn't too late for him to erase what he had done. Not to late to save the lives that he had placed in Jeopardy so long ago.

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His next match was soon. Then he would get his revenge…

Sighing deeply, Aspen pulled his fingers through his slightly tangled blond hair. Wincing slightly, he turned his attention to his side.

It still hurt from his previous match against the telepath. She had to be the first one to ever lay a hand on him besides his trainer.

It infuriated him. Since when did he become so weak that a mere woman would be able to penetrate his defenses?

Clenching his fist, he began to flex and unflex. His body began to tremble from the inherent fury that he held fast inside his body. The rage was billowing to fast….he needed to save it for his fight.

Aspen stood up slowly from his chair. Strolling over to the window, he gently pushed it open allowing for the light warm breezes to brush against his heated face.

Slowly he could feel his anger beginning to dissipate, only to be replaced with an unknown emotion. It was like a sense of calm….

' Feh, like the calm before the storm.'

They had betrayed him, and it hurt. It hurt him deeply.

Betrayal……Traitors……kill…..Kill…..Destroy…….Betrayed…….Kill………kill…..traitors……..

They would have to pay for that injustice.

A light rapping at the door snapped Aspen out of his reverie.

" Come in."

Aspen listened as the door quietly swooshed open. Soft pattering of feet reverberated through out the semi silent room.

" Hello Aurora."

" Aspen." she said calmly.

Glancing out the corner of his eye, he watched as she delicately glided over to where he stood. Her silver hair coursed down her back in dramatic waves, her violet eyes glittered dimly as she caught his gaze. She was dressed in a one piece white leather uniform with matching boots. She wore a pair of leather gloves to coincide with the rest of her outfit.

" Are you ready for our match?" she asked lightly.

Aspen turned slowly, his hand carefully adjusting his uniform.

" The real question is, are you?"

A light scoffing noise escaped from Aurora's throat.

" Do not question me, Aspen Rise."

With this, she turned on her heel and left the room leaving a smirking Aspen behind.

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" Spike?"

" Yes Rogue?"

Both Rogue and Spike were walking to the arena, where they were about to participate in the Grandiose tournament.

" Where are the others goin' t' fight?"

" In de arena."

" Ah know that Mr. Smart Aleck. Ah mean where in the arena?"

Spike laughed uneasily.

" Ah know, just kiddin. "

Rogue rolled her eyes in annoyance.

" Well.."

"Well what?"

" WELL, Where are they in the arena?!"

Spike laughed again, enjoying the fact that he was annoying his sister.

" Ah honestly don't know.."

Rogue sighed and leaned against the wall, awaiting for the doors to open so the match would begin.

Yet she didn't have to wait long, for in less than a few minutes, the booming voice of Nathaniel Essex echoed through the entire area.

" Welcome Ladies and Gentleman, to the Grandiose Tournament!!"

Both Spike and Rogue heard the crowd cheeringly loudly but was immediately hushed by Essex's voice once more.

"Today, our fighters shall be competing in the most challenging of all areas, the tag team matches!"

The crowd cheered loudly, anticipation welling inside of them.

" Our first fighters are of the most talented and skilled of our troops. They all have succeeded in training and have become our best warriors in the entire T.M.A. history. First up are: Aspen Rise. . . And Aurora Riley!

The crowd cheered when they saw the two enter into the arena, garbed in their fighting uniforms. Standing onto the plat form the guards directed them to, they enlisted into their fighting stances, making the crow go wild.

Essex cocked an eyebrow slightly at their aggressiveness but turned to continue his announcements.

" And our other fighters are: Spike Spiegel and Rogue Star!"

Both Rogue and Spike walked out into the arena, waving to the crowd as if they were celebrities. A lot of men whistled at Rogue as she walked past them in her skin tight leather suit, Rogue merely passed them a flirtatious wink and flashed them a gorgeous smile. Spike watched as the women swooned over him, and he bowed graciously and blew a kiss over to them. A few of the women fainted out of lust, and a few sighed while a few looked like they were going to throw their undergarments at him. Rogue and Spike smirked at each other and stepped up onto the plat form.

The crowd began to cheer louder, apparently they had made quite an impression on them, much to the agitation of their opponents. Rogue flashed another smile, and turned her thoughts towards Spike.

' Spike?'

' What? . . . '

' Why is Aurora here, didn't she just have her baby?'

'Yes, ah suppose she did. . . '

' Spike?'

' Why is Aspen her partner?'

Rogue could feel Spike mentally shrug. His eyes remaining impassive the whole time, but she could sense his worry.

' I think Essex may have something t' do with it. Ah mean she was supposed t' stay in

New Zealand.'

Rogue nodded her head slightly.

' Then what de hell is she doin' here? '

Spike looked about as blank as she did.

Essex's voice rose above them, snapping them out of their conversation.

" We shall change the atmosphere, so the fighters can be free to fight as they wish."

Rogue and Spike watched with mild amusement as the room began to shift.

Reaaaaaaaaaaaaallly short chapter but hey, at least it's an update.. I've been really busy lately. Sorry. But I'm sure I'll be able to update sooner!!

But if you could be little dears and review for me, I'd be ever so happy!

REVIEW!!

~RoguesHeart~