Author's Note: Hooray! I actually wrote a longer chapter. Whoo! It was five pages on Microsoft Word. = |  Anyway, well, chapter three. Hope you like it. Oh, and just for the record, from now on I'm going to be typing what Nightcrawler says, as he would say it, not how it should be spelt. (Ex: Kurt Vagnah [Germanyish] = Kurt Wagner [how it should be] ) And I don't know if Nightcrawler likes pet rats, but he does in my fan fic. ^^;;

Disclaimer: It's too painful to say…

Bladewing

Chapter Three: To Start Again

            Arriving at the Institute was like landing from any plane, ear popping. She had been chewing gum, as was Corai and Klara. Jasmine was rubbing her head like crazy; her fuzzy body perched on Tara's shoulder. Tara's suitcase of belongings was behind her, and Jasmine's cage was in her hands. It was late afternoon, early evening when they arrived.

            As they got off the plane, they were greeted by Kurt, Scott, Jean, Kitty, Evan, and some of the other X-Men. Kurt had a big goofy grin on his face, and his arms wide open in welcoming.

            "Velcome! It's very nice to vee-" he cut himself off, not knowing that the addition to the team had such an obvious mutation, like himself. He didn't have his holo-watch set, he never really felt the need to put it on in the Institute.

            Tara immediately noticed Kurt. It's not everyday you see a blue, tailed, two-toed, two-fingered guy with golden-yellow eyes. She just kind of stared at him, but no one really noticed, since they were all staring at her, not informed that she would have a non-retractable physical mutation. But in a few moments they shook off the surprise, all used to a physically mutated person being around them.

            "It's like, totally nice to meet you. I'm Kitty," Kitty said.

            "Yeah, great to have you as a part of the team," Scott added, "The name's Scott."

            The rest of them said their hellos and lastly Kurt finally became back to normal. Corai and Klara had joined the rest of the group, telling them about what had happened, figuring that Tara wouldn't want to be questioned so much.

            "Vow, I didn't expect you to have such an, uh, obvious mutation," Kurt said looking down, "Vell, like me. By the way, I'm Kurt Vagnah. Like I said bevore. It's very nice to veet you."

            "Well it's very nice too meet you too Kurt," Tara went over and gave him a hug. He blushed a little, but when he saw Jasmine, jumped back being startled.

            "Vhat is that thing?"

            "Oh, that's Jasmine. She's my pet. Hope she didn't scare you. She's quite friendly and won't hurt you," Tara took her off her shoulder with one hand and held her out to Kurt to pet. Kurt, now aware of what 'it' was, went over to pet her and pick her up.

            "She's so sovt," she said, one of his blue fingers gently stroking her tiny black head.

            "She's not a mutant too, is she?" he asked, a bit frightened. He placed her back on Tara's shoulder.

            "No, no, she is perfectly normal," a voice came from the other side of the room. A bald man in a wheelchair came around.

            "It's nice to have you as part of the Institute Tara. I'm Professor Xavier. Founder and creator of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, and the X-Men. And you can plainly see why it is better that you go to school here, rather than where you used to."

            Tara looked down, a little ashamed.

            "Believe me, there's no reason to feel sad or ashamed of it. Here, I got you something," Professor Xavier pulled out a watch from his jacket pocket.

            "A watch?" Tara asked, taking it from his giving hand, examining it.

            "Not just a vatch. Put it on! It's great! I have one!" Kurt said in excitement, showing Tara his holo-watch.

            "It's a hologram watch. It'll make it seem as if your wings aren't actually there. Kurt uses his to make him appear normal, no blue skin, tail, or only having two fingers."

            Kurt activated his hologram and Tara's eyes lit up.

            "See? It's great! Put yours on," Kurt insisted, turning his hologram back off.
            Tara put Jasmine away, figuring not to startle her. She put the watch around her left wrist, "How do I work it?" She said, not very good with technology, although she did spend a lot of time on her computer at home.

            Professor Xavier rolled over to show her.

            "This button activates or de-activates the hologram. This switch on the side," he pointed to a small knob that looked like the pin you turn on older watches to set the time, "changes the image that is projected. For instance you could change it so you could look like were the opposite gender," he smirked at Kurt, who blushed again and gave a smile.

            "Ok, so, here goes," Tara pushed the button on her left, activating the hologram. It didn't change much, just that her wings were gone. Looking at her back, she smiled with extreme joy.

            "They're gone! They're gone! Well, they at least look like they're gone. But I look normal!" Tara was jumping for joy and Professor Xavier smiled with satisfaction and Kurt chuckled at his new friend jumping about. She pushed the button again, wings coming back to vision. Like Kurt, figuring there's no need in the Institute.

            "Oh, Corai, Klara, would you like to show Tara to her room? I'm sure it'd be nice to finally settle in," Professor X looked at Tara.

            "I'll do it Provessor. I have to go upstairs anyway, I have to vinish the rest ov my homevork," Kurt insisted.

            "Fine. And the rest of you," Professor X turned to the group talking about the day, "I want you all upstairs too, there's no need for teenagers to be wandering around the X-Jet."

            "C'mon. Grab Jasmine, I'll take the suitcase, and ve'll be upstairs in a vlash!" Kurt said taking hold of the large suitcase as Tara took Jasmine's cage.

            "I'm just gonna teleport us up there, it'll be quicker."
            "Teleport?"

            "Yeah, that's my pover. That and agility. Now c'mon," he took Tara's hand, both of them blushing a little.

            In an instant they were gone. The smell of sulfur and a puff of smoke the only thing that lingered behind.

---

They reappeared in front of a door in the mansion part of the institute. Again, a puff of smoke and the smell of sulfur was brought forth.

            Jasmine's heartbeat was extremely fast, and Tara was wide eyed.

            "That, was so cool!" Tara said, regaining her breathe.

            They were in a large hall, beige-yellowish in color, and doors all along one side. It was quite elegant.

            "This is your room," Kurt said opening the door. Inside it was the same beige-yellowish color, maroon-red curtains adorned the large windows and rather big bed with the same maroon-red color bed spread was against one wall. Several fluffy white pillows were there, a dresser with a mirror and six drawers was also in the room, along with a door, leading to a closet Tara presumed.

            "Wow, it's great. And I get this whole thing to myself?"

            "Yup. Everything. My room is the last door on the right side of the hall, avter you just exit your room."

            The room was at least twice the size of her normal room back at her house. Kurt put the suitcase down and Tara put Jasmine's cage on the dresser, in front of the mirror. She looked at her reflection, looking at the wings glimmering in the sunlight.

            Tara studied her new home in the reflection of the mirror. It was all so overwhelming, and it was only going to get more confusing.

            "Don't vorry," Kurt placed a blue hand on her shoulder, "Everything's going to be just vine. I got to go now," and he disappeared, and although she knew he was right down the hall, and although Jasmine was right there, smelling the new area, it seemed like she was all alone.

            She decided to unpack her clothing and other things, setting up the room to her liking. During the time, people walked in and out. Corai and Klara were always together the few times they came around. Scott and Jean visited, Rogue, Bobby, Kitty, and Evan all came and passed.

---

            After all was unpacked, and all the walls were covered with posters, drawings, pictures, of friends, family, herself, and Jasmine, Wolverine dropped by.

            "Hey kid, what're you doing up?"

            "Still settling in."

            Wolverine looked at the room. Most of the walls were covered.

            "Looks settled to me. So, how ya doin'?"

            "Just fine, just fine," Jasmine appeared from under the back part of her hair, sniffing Logan's scent, to see who it was. He grunted at Jasmine.

            "I don't know how you can keep that thing."
            "Easily," Tara smirked.

            "Hey, are we allowed to paint parts of the walls?" she asked, looking over a bare area of wall.

            "What?" Wolverine had a bewildered look on his face.

            "Paint the walls. Like, paint them a different color."

            "That's up to Professor Xavier. Don't ask me."

            "And where is Professor Xavier?" Tara asked turning to Wolverine. Jasmine retreated back to the hood or Tara's sweat shirt.

            "He's in his office. First floor of the mansion and to the left after you get to the bottom of the stairs."

            "What's he doing in his office?"

            "His bed room's added to it as well. Through a door," Wolverine turned to leave.

            "Thanks," Tara smiled and went back to examining the wall.

            It was late, about ten thirty. She went back to Jasmine's cage, placed her inside, and started for bed. She changed into some loose clothing, her regular nighttime attire. She had difficulty changing though, her wings getting in the way. In the end, she just plucked a feather and made slits for her wings, trying to get them through without making the holes any bigger. As she headed for the bed, she sighed.

            I guess this is my new home.

            She didn't bother getting under the covers, but instead just fell onto the bed, arms splayed out. Her wings lay over her body, camouflaging most of her with the dark surroundings. Tomorrow she would start a new life, getting acquainted with everything.

---

            The next day was Saturday. The sun had risen at about 5:30 – 6 am, it was now 7. Most of the rays of light did not pass through the heavy maroon curtains. Tara was still asleep, almost in the same position, but arms under her pillow this time.

            Nightcrawler bamfed into the room, already dressed in his training outfit, smiling face and cheery grin full of life.

            "Good morning Tara!" he looked down at her, and slowly walked over to her.

            "Vakey, vakey sleep head," he said, slightly shaking her arm gently.

            Not today Kurt, she's had a rough night.

            He walked to the door, but before leaving, turned and looked over her glimmering wings in the few rays of light.

            Someone pounded at the door.

            "C'mon Kurt! Get Tara, we've got practice in the Danger Room!" It was Evan.

            "Shhhhh, do you vant to vake her?" he whispered as he opened the door, "the Provessor just told me not to vake her. Now let's go," he exited, but turned and looked at her once more, just before closing the door. It shut with a click, and Tara turned her head at the door in her sleep.

---

            At 11 o'clock, after all the X-Men had finished their practice session and were well off into their daily lives, Nightcrawler, Klara, Corai, Wolverine, and Professor Xavier went into Tara's room to check on her.

            "Is she still asleep?" Wolverine grunted.

            "She musta not had slept vell, I know I never sleep like this, unless I vas really, really tired."

            "Eh, I used to sleep like this," Corai commented, not too surprised.

            "Ditto," Klara said.

            "I'm not surprised either. She's had it very rough. I think it's best we let her rest for as long as she needs today. We'll give her, her school schedule tomorrow. I'll make sure she's in classes with people she knows," Professor X motioned to the there students.

            The five of them decided to leave, not much needed to be said until she awoke.

            "Hey Profvessor, why do her wings shine like that?" Kurt asked, staring at their gleam.

            "Her wings aren't just used for flying. They have adamantium edges, very much like Logan's claws. I don't know how it happened, but then again, I don't know why many things about mutants happen," he smiled at Kurt with a sense of reassurance.

            Kurt smiled back, and they left.

            About ten minutes later, Kurt bamfed back into her room. She was still in her dreamed state, so he quickly picked up a feather that had come off her wings, twirled it in his two fingers, then bamfed back to his room. He gently placed it in his dresser drawer, near other favorite possesions.

            Right after he had gone, Tara awoke. She groggily looked around, not sure if the previous day's events were real or not. Then she realized, they were real. She did have wings, she was among other mutants, and –

            She was cut off by the small smell of sulfur. She sat at the edge of her bed, and thought a moment, recalling her thoughts and memories before she had slept.

            She did have wings, she was among other mutants, but she was also among Nightcrawler. And Coria, and Klara. And Professor Xavier.

            So she changed, got herself ready for a new day, and headed out of her room to Professor Xavier's office, chuckling and cheery as she left.