Trapped

"You know this is the second time I had to bail out both of you."

"Sorry Scott. I promise I wasn't always like this! She turned me into this." Rahne accused. Tala opened her mouth in a mock face of surprise.

"Me? How could I turn you, the ever so good one, into a law breaker?" Tala asked. Scott shook his head.

"Forget about it. No, don't promise it won't happen again. I know it will." Tala grinned he was probably right. They got into the car and drove to the mansion. Tala rolled down the windows and let the wind blow through her hair.

Tala needed to think before she had to tell everyone what had happened. She couldn't focus her thoughts and they drifted absently as she listened to the voices. They were always there in her head. These were the voices she had grown up with, each one unique and wanting to be with her. They were a constant comfort but they also made it hard to think.

With the car parked Tala climbed out and convinced Rahne that she just wanted to go to sleep for a little bit. Tala watched as Rahne walked into the mansion. Tala changed into her dog form and walked to her hole. It was the same as she had left it but there was a sent around it that she couldn't place. She slid into her hole and drifted off.

Tala didn't know how long she slept for but when she woke up she felt better rested then she had in days. She climbed out and stretched, yawning. "I thought you would never wake up." Tala spun around but it was too dark to see. She changed to her human form slowly.

"Who are you?" Tala called. Thinking about the cougar she had met today, or was that yesterday? Her eyes changed adjusting to the night. There standing not far away was a figure barley moving.

"No one you need to worry about who I am. This is all about you. Breath Tala, your lungs need air." Tala breathed scared that he had known that she had been holding her breath.

"How do you know my name?"

"I know you far better than you would think. I have been watching you." Tala felt a shiver run up and down her back.

"Why would you waste your time watching me?"

"Don't worry I'm not wasting my time. You have something that I want and I will get it one way or another."

"What do I have?"

"You'll see." The voice sounded distant as if they were walking away. But the shape was still in front of her, just standing there. Tala reached out and felt the trunk of a tree. Cursing her stupidity she did a full 360 turn. No one was there. Growling under her breath she walked back to the mansion. She really didn't want be out here alone any more.

Not wanting anyone to wake anyone up Tala slipped into the kitchen without turning on the lights. She flipped the switch to the light and sat down at the table. Who had that guy been? What could she ever give him? She had nothing. Her body twitched. She stood up and paced around the kitchen. She wanted to sleep to just relax and to forget but she couldn't go back outside by herself and she couldn't sleep inside. Alright if you don't feel comfortable on the ground leave it. She walked out to where the pool was and reached out into the darkness with her mind.

The touch was gentle, scared almost. Tala soothed it as much as she could, then entered the mind. It was an owl. The memories trickled into her mind like a leaky faucet. Her body was changing, shrinking and becoming lighter. Tala beat her wings but barley lifted off the ground. A chuckle echoed in her mind. I bet you didn't do any better your first time. How do you work these things anyways?

Mental images flashed into Tala's mind. After she felt comfortable with the movements she tried them. It took two tries before she was in the air. She was wobbly but instinct came before she fell. She flew higher then made a mad dive for the ground. She pulled up just as a crash was evident. Her body had pumped adrenalin into her system and this was the best way she ever imagined to release it. She had forgotten about the owl but knew it hadn't gone far. It couldn't have. Her power had limits and breaking contact this far from the ground would be fatal.

She soared over the grounds silent as a shadow. This was the best feeling in the world. No limits, she was defying gravity in a way. She laughed feeling giddy and slightly sick from all the twists and turns. Something jerked at her mind. Tala felt the owl's fear and it pulled away. It was flying away taking all of its memories with it. Tala felt her body change. Crap!She headed for the ground but her body was too heavy for her wings and they were starting to disappear.

No, I have to make it I have to make it. Tala was plummeting straight for the ground in a few seconds she would be died. Tala closed not wanting to see the ground coming at her. HELP! Unlike all the other touches that came into her mind this one ripped in. Memories came in like a flood, so much so that Tala couldn't make out what they were about. When she hit the ground she did so on her feet, no not feet paws. She looked down; she had become a cougar once again.

'Are you alright strange one?' Tala nodded before she remembered that the cougar wouldn't understand.

Yes thanks to you. Where are you? The cougar emerged from the shadows of the forest. Tala was closer to them now then the house.

'Why were you in the air when you are meant to stay on the ground?'

I was just testing out flying. Quite fun really you should try it. There was an amused laughter.

'No I learned from you not to fly.'

Thank you for helping me, how did you know?

'I just did, it was almost like when I know my cubs need me. Is that you are strange one? Just another cub I am going to have to watch out for?' Tala felt the laughter behind the words.

Very funny, no I can take care of myself. The laughter died

'You can't fool me strange one. I see your memories just as easily as you see mine. I might not understand some of them, but I know that you seem to find trouble.'

I noticed. Tala thought back to just less than an hour ago. Did you see someone in the forest tonight, besides me? The cougar swung her tail back and forth thinking.

'I never saw them but the sent was strong, there was someone.' Tala sighed.

I was afraid of that. The cougar sniffed the air and hissed. Tala didn't have time to question what had happened before the cougar had loped off.

Tala shook her head; the cougar had a habit of doing that. She was walking to the door when she realized she hadn't changed into her human form. She concentrated on the change but it didn't work. Confused and frustrated she tried again, nothing. Growling under her breath she went to the nearest balcony. It was only the second story. She jumped at it and dug her claws into the small chips in the stone hauling herself up and over the railing. She circled the spot before laying down. She was safe here.

Screaming woke up Tala. She yawned, mad that someone would interrupt her sleeping time. She turned towards the guilty Kitty. Trying to figure out why she would be freaking out Tala looked at her body. She was still a cougar. What in the world? Don't worry it is just me. Tala tried to plead with Kitty. She was on her feet now. Kitty slammed the door. Tala looked around, then off the balcony. It wasn't too far of a jump, plus the pool was right there.

Tala leapt off of the balcony and into the freezing water. Cold, cold, cold, way too cold She quickly swam for the nearest side but her body was three times heavier and weighing her down. She climbed out the side looked back at the balcony. Standing there looking at her was Logan. Without a thought Tala growled a warning to him. She was just trying to tell him to leave her alone. He must have taken it as a challenge because he jumped off the balcony.

Logan looked at this cat in front of him. Well this should be easy he thought. His claws came out and he charged at it.

Tala jumped away and hissed at him. What are you doing? Tala extended her claws to their longest. She knew that she wouldn't win a long term fight. If she could just keep him away from her long enough to gain control over her powers she might be able to change back. Lagan attacked again; when she tried to leap away he drove in that direction and sliced her shoulder. Tala yowled in pain. Something inside of her snapped. She was no longer had control over her body. Her mind called to all the voices in her head. Each voice providing a memory she could shift through. She felt her body changing but not to her human form. Her mouth grew longer and her teeth grew sharper, needles. On her back wings grew six times their normal size. She pushed off the ground and circled Logan. He whirled around confused but not letting her out of his sight. She dived slashing at him one way then snapping at him the other. Always she stayed out of his reach.

Logan looked at the beast in front of him. He had no idea what this thing was, but it was defiantly a mutant which meant he shouldn't kill it. He wasn't worried every time it made impact by the time it came back to attack again his wound had healed. However this system was getting boring. Slowly he inched his way towards the pool. When he figured he was close enough he waited. All it had to do was made one mistake, it wouldn't be long.

Tala dove at him, he was closer to the pool now but that didn't matter. In fact that was good he was retreating, or so she thought. She was about to claw his head when something went horribly wrong. He was suddenly behind her and grabbed her long tail. He swung her around then threw her into the pool. Tala hit the bottom of the pool before the shock wore off. Slowly she made her way towards the surface. Her wings weighted her down. She didn't have the energy to climb out of the water. She sat panting on the edge and whimpered. So cold, have to get out of the water, have to get out of the water, so tired. Her claws started loose grip and she fell back into the water unconscious.

Hey thanks for reading! Please review!

Kool-Actually I know a couple of girls who play the trombone. Thanks for reviewing! You have no idea how much it means to me. Please update soon.

Turtle: Yea she can change into different animals! Who knows, I'm sure there are some bob cats out there in those woods. Thanks for reviewing!

Yobanut: So you're mine now? Weird, jk. Well I'm glad that you approve of my story. sticks tongue out I'll try to add Gambit but I might need your help with it.

A dragons wings: Hey thank you for reading and reviewing! Good luck with school.

Yaya: Yea Tala's back. She just missed you too much. Can't wait to read your story! Thanks for reviewing.