A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Gizmac, since they seem to be the only one reviewing constantly.
-(XME)-
Chapter 10: Thinking About You
"I understand professor," Jean said, her mind still taking in what the older man had warned her about. Nodding at her, Xavier began to move away when the red head had just thought of something. "Professor, wait!" Jean pulled out the orange flyer she had folded up and placed in her pant pocket. Unfolding the paper, the teen gave it to the man.
Xavier took the flyer and looked over it. "Do you think we should go?" the red head asked, standing in front of her mentor. Xavier seemed to think about it, as if weighing the risk, the benefits, the consequences. After a few moments of silence, the man finally spoke, his words chosen carefully. "I believe it would be beneficial to us to go. We may be able to meet this Jack, learn more from him and maybe talk him out of coming after Kurt."
"We should try at least," Jean said, then her head turned towards the door, which was still open as the sun was beginning to set. Logan sat right outside the door, a small Kitty looking dwarfed next to the man. Both of them were looking out into the yard, where their elf sat. "What about Kurt?" Jean asked, "I do not think it would be safe for him to get that close to Jack."
"No, I am afraid Kurt will have to stay here, if we decide to go. Not only for his physical safety, but for his mentality as well."
-(XME)-
He listened to the fountain running behind him. The water trickling down the smooth stone, clear as glass. Gathering in the layered pools, then circling back to the top. It was a peaceful sound that helped to calm his rather frenzied mind. Letting out the breath he had been holding, the boy curled his tail around his legs, which were pressed to his chest. It gave him what little comfort it could, while his arms were folded on his knees. Looking up at the blue skies, Kurt leaned his head back up against the cool stone.
Such a wonderful day it was. The skies were clear, hardly a cloud anywhere. The temperature had been right all day, not too windy, not too hot. Often he asked himself, how's the weather up there? He found out one day, a day he wished he could live in forever. The day Robin and him had become friends…
His fawny feet curled their toes around the edge of the wooden crate beneath him, as his spaded tail twisted around the arm of one of the hired hands. With a swift push, the boy sent the crate flying into another man, while the one behind him was pulled over the child's head as he landed on all fours.
Watching the man fall on his partner, whom was trying to get up, the wild boy gave a snarl and leapt out of the back of the truck. His tail whipped wildly as he landed behind the men and took off running on all fours. His cloak had been removed, leaving the child wearing a pair of shorts and an under shirt.
Kurt ran from the truck and headed towards the road, other trucks being unloaded around him, hired hands just staring as the blue creature ran. Crates and tarps were dumped in front of him, but proved to be no obstacle as Kurt easily leapt over them and continued on his way.
What happened after that was fuzzy to Kurt. The memories were nearly ten years old. Then they came back to him, as if thinking of them was like calling to them. Closing his eyes again, Kurt finished his reminiscing.
As he neared closer to the trees, he could hear the cries of those chasing him grow more desperate and loud. Not bothering with them, Kurt kept his mind focused on the forest ahead. If he could reach it, then he would be safe. His acrobatic skill would come in handy, maneuvering through the trees. Thus keeping him out of harm's way, out of their reach.
Kurt grew ever closer to freedom, his heart racing with excitement, his breathing growing rapid at the thought going home. Then it all halted. His feet stopped, landing him on all fours again. His tail shot straight into the air, as the boy crouched on the ground. Looking up at the object that had gotten in his way, Kurt began to whip his tail again in anger. Snarling at the being in front of him, the boy waited for them to move.
A young teen stood in his way. She was the only one of the pursuers who was able to catch up and be able to catch the child. She stood just over five feet, her body slender and matured. Two hands were placed on her hips as she gave the boy a "gotcha look," while her long dark hair moved gently in the breeze.
Kurt's golden eyes met with the girl's steely olive eyes, their pupils slitted like a cat's. Scoffing at the boy before her, "Vhat do you zink? Can you handle me?" Catrina Lowered herself to a fighting stance. Her hands shot out like claws as her feet stayed on their tipi toes, ready for her to pounce. Kurt just narrowed his eyes and whipped his tail even faster. At such a young age, he was hardly a match for the well trained circus performer, but he was a determined boy, trying to get home.
Attacking first, Kurt leapt forward with another snarl. A malicious smile crossed the girl's face as she dove forward, going under the leaping mutant. Using her cat like reflexes, Catrina turned onto her back just as Kurt's tail sailed over head. Reaching up, the Russian's slender fingers wrapped around it.
Catrina's feet hit the ground as she flipped back over to her stomach, landing in a crouching pose. Kurt felt a sudden tug on his tail and pain shoot throughout his body as he was hurled back. Catrina let go of the blue mutant's tail as he sped past her. Kurt landed to the ground, rolling a bit and bouncing because of the force of the Impact. When he stopped, his body instinctively curled up from the pain.
Holding his stomach, Kurt closed his golden eyes and wished it would all end. Then he felt Something sticky and tight fall upon him, pinning his body to the ground. Not caring any more, the child kept his eyes closed, content with just listening to those around him.
-(XME)-
She watched him from the doorstep, his body shaking slightly from crying. She wanted to go to him, to comfort him. But she knew now was not the time. He had to be left to himself for a bit, to get things together. If he wanted her company, then he would have sent some kind of sign her way, wouldn't he have?
-(XME)-
Being considerate of the girl's health, the man stood from the step and walked a bit to the side before he pulled out the cigar and lit it. It was an old habit, one he did to calm himself, but not often since he started spending more time at the manor. He was concerned for the well being of the teenagers and didn't want to harm them in any way. It was okay for him to smoke because his lungs would just heal in time. Because of his regeneration ability, Logan didn't worry much about drinking and smoking.
Letting loose a breath of smoke, the man looked over to the young teen whom use to be sitting next to him. She looked worried, just staring out at Kurt. He felt sorry for the girl. She had to stand by and watch her best friend be hurt. Now she can't do anything for him to help him heal. Taking in another breath of the cigar smoke, Logan watched Kitty for a moment before his eyes trained back to Kurt. He was still shaking a bit, possibly from the shock of it all or from the crying he had done just a bit ago. Two mutants hurt in one day, and all because of one flying circus girl.
Dropping the half smoked cigar, the rough Canadian twisted his boot over it to put it out. Then he stood for a moment or two, allowing the smell of the cigar to be carried away, before sitting back down next to his 'Half-pint.'
-(XME)-
He sat in the corner of the cage, which was stowed away somewhere dark. Probably back in one of the trucks like the one he had just escaped from. His legs were propped up and his back leaned hard against the bars. Kurt's spaded tail tapped lightly against the steel beneath him, while his thumbs rolled over each other.
Kurt didn't know how long he had been sitting there, and he didn't care really. He was just happy when some light was finally let into the space where he was. Although he could see in the dark, it was a like a cat's way of seeing: he needed a bit of light.
Wincing as the white light flooded the room, Kurt placed his arm in front of his eyes. When they finally adjusted, the light was gone, a loud thud being the indication that whatever door had opened was now closed. Kurt sighed, disappointed that he was still stuck in the dark room. Placing his head back on his knees, the boy began rolling his thumbs again. Then his ears picked up something. There was someone else in there.
"Hallo?" the boy called into the darkness. There was a giggle, then what sounded like metal sliding against the bed of the truck. "Vho's zere?" there was another giggle, a bit closer this time. "I mean it, shov yourself! You don't vant me angry…" Kurt allowed a growl into his statement, casting away any frightened feelings he had. He knew he could be dangerous, and he just hoped that whomever was in here knew that as well.
But the reply to his threat was completely different than what he had expected. It was soft and sweet, and came from a girl. "Machen nicht sein zorning," came the voice. Kurt calmed down a bit, but still kept himself alert. He learned not to trust the people of the circus, being with them for nearly a week now. "I vill not harm you."
"Zen shov yourself!" the boy called to the girl. Who in return showed a playful nature. Turning on a flashlight real quick, "Boo!" the girl frightened Kurt. As the boy gave a small cry, the girl began to giggle uncontrollably. "It's not funny," Kurt pouted, no longer being weary of the girl, seeing as she was as old as or younger than him.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Kurt turned away from the blonde headed girl, who still held the flashlight to her face. Seeing the boy pouting, she stopped giggling, as much as she could. "I'm sorry, I just can't help it." When Kurt didn't' turn around, the girl rolled her eyes and pointed towards something on the floor with the light. "Vell at least I brought you food. Zey hadn't planned on feeding you for a vhile."
Looking over his shoulder at the where the flashlight was pointing, the boy saw a tray of biscuits and butter. Looking closer he saw some fruit as well. Looking up at the girl, who had now calmed down and wore a prize winning smile, Kurt nodded and gave a quiet thank-you. His hand barely made it through the bars of the cage as he grabbed one of the biscuits.
Seeing that he could reach the food, the girl turned to go away, her job done. "Vait…" she turned around. "Vhat is your name?" Smiling the girl said, "Robin." Nodding as if he approved, Kurt went back to eating. Giving a smile of her own, Robin headed out of the truck, hoping to see more of the unusual child.
Robin came back later that day, saying she was his new guardian. At first Kurt had been reluctant to trust her, but as things progressed, they began to enjoy each other's company. Before the show was to start that night, Kurt asked her what it was like to fly. To his amazement, she had grabbed him under the arms and had lifted him into the air. Flying was like nothing Kurt had expierenced before. He felt free, like no one could harm him, as the air rushed past him. The ground had raced beneath the two mutants, as Robin soared into the sunset.
-(XME)-
Kitty shot to her feet once she saw him stand up. As the boy began walking back towards the house, she sped to his side, walking with him. "Are you alright Kurt?" Kitty asked, looking up at the blue mutant. His fur was a bit damp looking underneath his eyes, a clear sign that he had been crying. Giving a soft smile, Kitty stepped in front of him. "Is everything alright?" she asked again.
"Nov it is," Kurt said, willing to stand there in front of Kitty. "I hope so," the brunette whispered, reaching up and touching the boy's cheek. Kurt smiled at this and gently took her hand away. "Zank you Kitty," Kurt said before continuing towards the house, the petite girl right behind him.
-(XME)-
A/N: Okey dokey, here ya go. Another chapter for ya to REVIEW on.