First day

The bell rang releasing the school from their first day. Tala stood up and stretched her stiff legs. She walked out the door making sure she didn't see any of the x-men. Luckily she didn't have any of them in her class but she almost wished she did. It had only been three days since she had joined the brotherhood but the transition was harder than she would have thought. They were ok but only because they didn't talk to her. Tala mentally shrugged. What can you do? Nothing absolutely nothing or at least that is what you are doing. Shut up. The intercom buzzed. "All those interested in joining cross country please meet Coach Philips in the gym." Tala thought about it. You have done some running over the summer. Yeah some that's all you have been doing. Well then it should be easy right?

Tala stopped running. I'm going to die. They are going to have to carry my body off on a stretcher. That's a great way to encourage yourself. "Hey are you ok?" asked the Coach. How could she tell him that she was just going to keel over and die? She couldn't. Not on the first day, can't show weakness. This was something she had drilled into her mind over the summer. So she lied.

"I'm fine just need to catch my breath."

"Ok but you need to keep running or all your muscles will cramp up." Too late "Just keep going you only have ten more minutes then we will be done." Tala gave him thumbs up and he practically sprinted off. I won't be alive for another ten minutes. Tala started to jog again but every step set a wave of pain through her body. Her mouth was dry and breathing in air was ripping her throat apart. What I wouldn't give for water. There it was the drinking fountain. It seemed to simmer and glow as if it was made of gold. She ran to it and used it to support her weight as she drank and drank filling her burning stomach.

When Tala's mouth was no longer filled with foam she stopped and breathed. She turned back to the track and was about to jog feeling like a new person when water log hit and hit hard. She almost doubled over from the pain. She knew what was going to happen. She moved as quickly as she could to the trash can, just barley making it. After spitting trying to get the taste out of her mouth she turned her head to see the coach and almost half the team watching her. She felt her face go red from embarrassment.

The coach turned to the team. "Did I tell you guys you could stop running? You're still doing your work out. Go." The team ran off. Tala could hear someone laughing. At me, oh why did I ever join this stupid sport? "Tala are you ok?" He was coming towards her but she could tell that he wanted to get away from the horrible stench by the look on his face. Tala shrugged.

"I think I'll live." In a little hole where no one can find me. "I'm sorry that I interrupted things." He looked like he was going to laugh.

"Don't be, most of those kids out there were just looking for an excuse to stop anyways. Do you feel better?"

"Besides my burning throat, yea," Tala said.

"Well why don't you get cleaned up and we will see you tomorrow? Don't worry about it; I threw up my first time running. It doesn't mean anything about your ability as a runner. Tala shrugged.

"Thanks coach."

Tala turned on the TV and flipped through the channels. Nothing good was really on so she turned it off and lay on the couch. She could feel tears coming and for once didn't care. Just as long as no one saw her. She walked out to her 'nest' and sat down next to the entrance. She put her head in her hands and cried, sobbed was more like it. Releasing all the stress that had built up since he came.

She didn't notice as the figure watched her. The figure had been watching her for days now. It knew about her hole were she slept and how easy a kill could be. But she fascinated it. No other human it knew left the human world to sleep with the trees.

Get a grip! So what, you threw up big deal. What had they ever done for you before? You don't need to impress them. Just go back, not for them for you. Get stronger, faster, better. You can't be weak, you can't be weak. A branch snapped. Tala jumped to her feet and whirled towards the sound. There sitting there never taking its eyes off her was a cougar. Tala jumped back and hit a tree. The cougar didn't move just blinked its light blue eyes at her.

Getting over her initial panic Tala reached out. Her mind touched the cougar's. The cougar felt her, she was sure of it, they always did. Still the cougar didn't move just watched. The mind was so alien to her own dog set mind, that she felt uncomfortable. Memories of watching Tala made her shiver. Her body started to change as more memories flooded her mind. Tala was fascinated as she watched cubs play and grow the pride as they killed by themselves, the joy of being a mother. Tala looked at the cougar.

Tala didn't need a mirror to be certain she had changed into a cougar. She would look almost identical to the cougar in front of her. Light tan fur with white fur covering her belly and a blacked tip tail. The only difference was the fact that she would have a star on her chest and her dark brown animal eyes.

The cougar stood and walked to Tala. Tala stiffened, she might have the same body as the cougar but she didn't know how to use it. They touched and circled each other. What is your name? 'Name?' What are you known as? There was a pause. 'I don't have a name.' It was said questionably. Why have you been watching me? 'You were not always here; no other of your kind comes out here without a fire stick. You are different.' What is a fire stick? Images of men carrying guns filled her mind.

"Tala." A voice yelled through the trees. Tala turned to the cougar, but it was no longer in sight. Will I see you again? 'Will you look?' The connection broke between them and Tala felt the changes come back. She was in her human body when Lance came into the clearing. "I was calling your name. Didn't you hear me?" Tala nodded.

"Sorry but my throat is still sore from running." She didn't have to lie about that. She wanted to ask him about the cougar but something about him knowing about it didn't seem right.

"Well come on, we have a little mission tonight." Tala tried to question him about it but he wouldn't say anything. She sighed annoyed but was more curious. When Tala and Lance reached the house all of the guys were out side waiting for them.

"Man you guys are slow," complained Pietro. "Lets go."

"Where are we going?" Tala asked.

"We are going to go make a withdraw from the bank." Lance said. Tala felt something telling her that this wasn't going to be good. She shoved the feeling down, this was the most they had talked to her and she didn't want them to think she was a wimp. Last time you did this you almost had to go back. It doesn't matter if I go back now, he is here.

"Tala you and Toad are going to take out the cameras before we go in. Tala sighed this defiantly wasn't going to be good. Didn't you already learn what comes of this? Oh leave me alone. She changed into her dog form and walked into the bank with Toad. It didn't take long before Toad covered the cameras with a green slime that made her gag. The teller looked at them and Tala jumped at him knocking him down before he could push the button under the desk. She growled at him and kept her teeth bared.

"Give me the key." Fred demanded. Not making any sudden movements the man pulled out a silver key. Fred took it and walked away. Tala heard as he opened the cash register then another one.

Tala sniffed the air and her tail wagged automatically. Then she realized that she shouldn't be happy. Rahne tackled her and they rolled on the ground. They jumped to their feet and circled each other. Why her? Why couldn't I fight Kitty? Neither of them wanted to attack. Rahne whimpered softly and sat down. Tala couldn't help but do the same. She couldn't attack her best friend.

Tala looked back over to where the teller had been. He was gone probably ran for his life. Tala changed and hugged Rahne. "I'm sorry I tackled you." Rahne said. Tala shrugged.

"I needed someone to, just glad it wasn't wolverine. Rahne laughed.

"Yea then I would have to rescue you from him. You can't seem to stay out of trouble, can you?" Tala laughed and shrugged.

"Not that I can remember." Tala stopped laughing and looked down "Do you think I can come back?"

"Oh you have my permission. I thought Bobby would never stop sulking."

"I'm sorry that I ran away."

"You were scared, not that big of a deal."

"Put up your hands," yelled a voice. They both raised their hands slowly.

"I blame you," whispered Rahne. Tala couldn't hold back the laugh that came.

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't written in a while. Dumb school and sports Hope all is well with you. Um thanks for reading please review! I love to hear from yea! Have a great um what ever is coming up.

A dragons wing: she is scared she knows they can protect her but she is just scared doesn't know what to do. A little indecisive if you couldn't tell.

Yaya: Hey thanks for reviewing! Your awesome! Update your story soon. Iks sounds interesting.

Kool-wolf: Thanks for reviewing! Good luck with band. What instrument do you play? Six hours? I think I would die! Update soon! Please I love your story!

Yobanut: Hello yobanut. Man I haven't talk to you in forever! Jk. Thanks for reading my story it means a lot to me! I don't know if Bobby should like caramel. But that's just me! Please review.