Simple Duties
Plot Summary: Willow tries adjust to the new life with Mutant X She quickly learns that being part of Mutant X isn't always about playing hero all the time. Hints at a B/S relationship. A much lighter and shorter story than the previous. Much shorter. This story takes place three days after the conclusion of "Healing the Feral Heart". I think you have to read "Healing the Feral Heart" in order to understand what's happening here.
Chapter 1 – Bright & Early
"I want to thank everyone on the committee for choosing to honor me with this prestigious award. Receiving this is just a dream come true for me. A lifetime I have spent trying to break the mold in genetics and this award is a vindication for that work."
Scanning her eyes around the room and seeing the smiles on all the audience, she finally felt accepted and relieved that society was no longer judging her as a freak. As she worked through her speech, she secretly analyzed all the men, clad in tuxedo. Damn, she thought, I should win this award more often. Picking a few out, she memorized their faces for mingling after the ceremony.
"I'd like to thank my mentor Adam Kane, for his support and understanding. For sending me in the right direction. My close and beloved friends, Brennen, Jesse and Emma, who where always there for me, through thick and thin. And finally to my sister, Shalimar, who couldn't…be…here"
She smacked an annoying tickle, which mischievously played on her forehead. Remembering where she had left off, she continued on with her speech.
"Uhh…I'd like to thank my sister, Shalimar, who unfortunately was unable to join us tonight…"Again, the annoying tickle made it's way to her forehead. Smacking furiously at the sensation, she quickly lost track of where she was and what she was doing.
The room was still dark, with a small light emanating from the halls of the Sanctuary as Willow laid in her bed continuing to struggle for more sleep. Again, she felt a tickle on the forehead and slowly opened her eyes to see a pair of yellow ones staring back at her.
"Wakie, wakie sleepyhead," Shalimar smiled as she observed Willow turning over onto her other side, trying to buy several more minutes.
Shalimar giggled and shook her head. "Come on you big baby, don't make me get rough with ya."
"Some other time, alright? I'm busy," Willow's voice trailed off, as she began to slowly make her way back to lala land.
"Oh no you don't." Shalimar rolled Willow back to face her. Seeing her sister's eyes closed, she shook her head knowing she had no other choice. Not that she was complaining though.
Quickly, she rolled on top of Willow, straddling her and pinning her arms with one hand above her head. Catching Shalimar's drift, Willow's eyes flew open as she began to squirm under the powerful hold. Seeing Shalimar's eyes glowing yellow, she tried to brace herself for what was about to come next.
Shalimar chuckled at the anxiety she smelt from Willow. She enjoyed torturing Willow, but only in a good way of course. One of the pleasures she was robbed of in her younger years. Now knowing she had the chance to make up for lost time, she wasn't gonna let it pass her by. Dropping her free hand, she ran her fingers up and down Willow's tummy, remembering from previous experience, where her weakness was.
Willow immediately squealed and squirmed, trying in vain to escape Shalimar's little torture session. Shalimar's eyes twinkled. She did entertain the notion of easing up on Willow, but nah; she was enjoying this too much.
Several minutes passed. Willow was huffing like crazy, begging for Shalimar to stop. She started to hiccup, probably a result from laughing too hard. Shalimar finally let up, giving Willow some room to breathe.
Giving a mock glare, Willow threw her pillow at the laughing Shalimar. "Big meanie."
"What?! Not my fault you can't get your lazy ass out of bed," Shalimar mustered an innocent smile.
Willow just rolled her eyes and threw herself back down on her pillow.
"Come on, get up! Otherwise, you get a second helping." Shalimar's eyes glowed yellow as a mischievous smile crept up her face.
Knowing Shalimar would make good on her threat, Willow relented. "Fine. Anything but that."
"Good. Get your tracksuit on. We're going for a little run." Shalimar got up and pulled Willow up.
"A run?" Willow looked up at her.
"Yeah. Adam wants your training to start today and this will help to build up your stamina." Shalimar smiled chucking the tracksuit at Willow.
Quickly slipping on the suit, Willow ran out of her room to follow Shalimar. "What for?"
"Because you need to build up your strength." Willow and Shalimar turned to see Adam approaching the two of them. "God knows the GSA won't rest until they have you back in their grasp and you need to be at the top of your game to beat them."
"Oh come on, Adam. I've managed to evade the GSA for over a year. No way they can catch me." Willow assured herself.
"That maybe true. But had it not been for Brennen and Jesse, you'd be in their grasp." Adam reminded her.
Willow shook her head in defeat, knowing Adam had a point. Damn him.
"Come on, it's not gonna kill ya." Shalimar rubbed her back and pushed her onward.
"Willow, get used to Shalimar being your shadow. She's gonna be in charge of your training." Adam smiled glancing over at Shalimar.
"Yeah and don't expect me to go easy on you just cause you're my kid sister. In fact, you just might wish you'd never have met me." Shalimar winked at Adam as she led Willow away.
"Somehow, I get the feeling you maybe right," Willow sighed, following Shalimar.
Adam just laughed and shook his head. "Ferals."
"I heard that." Shalimar's voice rang from a distance.
3 miles north of Stormking Mountain…
The sun was just rising over the mountain, as the red sky slowly gave way to a blue one. It was quite a beautiful morning, with not a single cloud in the sky. Leaves flowed in harmony with the gentle morning breeze as birds woke from their peaceful sleep to serenade each other with a sweet song. Their songs were interrupted by two swiftly moving figures rustling threw the trees, inadvertently disturbing the peace of the morning.
Dodging the branches extending downwards towards the two individuals running through the forest, they quickly made their way down to a clearing.
Bursting with energy, Shalimar stopped and glanced behind her and laughed as an exhausted Willow made her way towards her. "See, what'd I tell ya. Piece of cake"
"Ya, just a regular walk in the park," Willow huffed sarcastically, holding her side as it screamed in pain.
"Sore?" Shalimar looked at her with a smirk.
"Yeah, my side is killing me." Wiping sweat off her forehead, she looked up at Shalimar. "Why am I doing this? I can take care of myself without this crap."
"Like Adam said, this crap is to…""Ya, ya, ya, I know. Building up my stamina blah, blah, blah. I just don't get it." Willow stared at the ground, kicking a lose piece of dirt.
"Willow, you're a part of Mutant X now. And being part of Mutant X is a big responsibility. You're part of a team now. This training we're giving you, is for our benefit as well as yours. It's gonna help you to focus yourself and give you better control over your powers. Being a feral isn't an easy thing. We're unpredictable and more likely to act on emotion. When you're in a dangerous situation, the last thing you should be doing is letting your emotions get in the way. You have to trust us."
Willow stood for a moment and looked Shalimar in the eye. "I trust you guys. I'm just not used to this."
"I understand. But get used to it, because it's part of everyday life." Shalimar turned and inhaled the morning breeze. "Come on, let's get back to Sanctuary. We'll have some breakfast. Then you and I have a date in the dojo."
"But that's three miles from here." Willow sighed knowing where this was going.
"Exactly, six miles every morning. Bright and early. Make sure you're up or I'll be there to make sure you are." Shalimar winked and began running back towards the brush.
Willow shook her head. "What have I gotten myself into?" She took off after Shalimar, trying to keep up with the feline feral's seemingly endless energy.
End of Chapter 1