Disclaimer: On the prologue. If you're so worried about go look at it for all I care!
A/N: I have a beta everybody! WOOHOO! Meet Pillsy!
Night Panther
Chapter 1 (First Impressions)
Harry stepped back as the noise got louder and louder. His black ears twitched irritably, his mind in a panic, hands shaking. Harry looked down at his hands, his mind not processing the fact that now his whole body was shaking in fear of what the strangers might do to him.
His head snapped up as a twig crunched about two meters away from him. Eyes wide in a curiosity only a kitten could hold Harry stared at the newcomers with a combination of fear and wonder warring in his green eyes.
A few hours earlier at the Mansion
Professor Xavier sat behind his desk, hands clasped, looking at three of his X-Men, a serious expression donning his aging face.
"Scott, Ororo, Logan. I've called you three here today because it seems that we have found a new mutant in need of our help, he seems to be hurt." The Professor said.
"Where did you find him Professor?" Ororo asked worriedly, concern bubbling up at the mention of a young boy being hurt.
"What does it matter he's probably just a stupid little kid!" Logan said gruffly, arms tossed around, slouched in his chair. Scott and Ororo looked at him scandalously.
"Now Logan, don't be that way! From what I was able to pick up he has powers like yours Logan." Xavier said looking at Logan expectantly, "He also had some power that I couldn't quite identify; I want you three to bring him to the Mansion safely."
"Of course, Professor. We'll bring him back safe. Let's go team, to the Jet." Scott said, his face set in a determined line. 'No one should have to go through anything close to what Wolverine went through, especially a mere child' He thought. Ororo and Logan followed him through the door.
--------------------------------------------------
Cyclops, Storm and Wolverine pushed past the brush of a dense forest. Wolverine taking the lead as he cut the branches away from their path stepped into a clearing, Storm and Cyclops stopped on either side of him.
There stood a boy of about five feet and two inches, his long black hair reached about mid back. If they hadn't known better they would have thought him a girl. The boy looked about 15, a couple of black cat ears poked their way through his hair and a tail swished to and fro irritably, the boy seemed to be shaking in fear. Storm made to step forward and comfort the boy when a twig snapped and the boy's head rose in fear and curiosity.
Wolverine caught his breathe. The boy had the most beautiful wide, almond shaped green eyes he had ever seen. That boy, there was something about him that just made you want to hug him until he let you in. He looked at his two companions, it seemed that Storm felt the same way; she took a step closer to the boy.
Back to were we left off with Harry
Harry's ears twitched as he observed the two men and one woman. The woman had dark skin and white hair while one man had sandy blonde hair and a pair of sunglasses on, the other man caught Harry's attention. While the lady looked to be a few inches taller than Harry and the man about six feet, two inches, the other man was around six feet and had the brightest blue eyes. His attention turned away from the man when he heard another twig snap.
"Hello, my name is Ororo. What's your name, if I may ask, dear?" Storm said in a soft voice, her words calm and sweet as to calm the boy.
Harry just stared at her unblinkingly, he took a step back his shaking slowly leaving. Though they were strangers, his instinct told him that he could trust them with his very life. The woman, Storm, he corrected himself, smiled at him and held out her hand for him to take. He looked at her then the two men, the taller of the two gave a slow smile.
"My name is Scott. We have powers, just like you. We can help." Cyclops said his voice warm.
Harry turned to the other man, the one that Harry had felt a strange connection too, he could tell that the man had felt it too, though he just grunted his name at him, "Logan." Harry looked back at Ororo. He hesitantly took a step forward, his ears and tail swaying with the faint breeze. She smiled encouragingly, hand still outstretched. He slowly put his small, delicate hand in her smooth, warm one. She held his hand and stood up, easily five inches taller.
Logan swiftly turned on his heel his arm sweeping over Harry's head. Harry, expecting to be hit, quickly took his hand away from Ororo and put his arms over his head, taking a few steps back, shoulders hunched and his eyes lowered.
Storm gasped at the obvious signs of abuse and Cyclops knelt next to Harry. Wolverine turned around at the noise and his blue eyes widened at the effect of his carelessness.
'Oh Merlin! He's going to hit me, he's going to hit me! Just like Uncle. Like Uncle.' Harry thought with fear his eyes squeezed shut in panic and pain. He started to shake.
"Shh, shh. It's ok! We're not going to hurt you!" Scott kept whispering into Harry's ear his arms slowly snaking around his slim waist and picking him up, "Shh! It's alright."
His shaking slowly ceased, but the pain that had until now not shown itself got increasingly worse as the pain from his stomach started to move to his scar. Harry whimpered as flashes of images passed underneath his shut eyes.
Murder. Torture. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were attacking a small town. He was killing little children, and torturing the parents as they watched their children die. There was blood everywhere.
He could hear frantic talking around him as the strong arms carrying him set him down on a mat of some sort. Harry tensed up as hands wandered his body, taking of his clothes looking for injuries. It was too much, the vision made him want to just kill himself.
Harry opened his eyes to see three people hovering over him with concern. He squinted his eyes, everything was blurry. He could barely make out their profiles. They were talking to him, asking him questions but nothing registered. He moved his head and raised his hands. Harry's eyes widened in shocked surprise at the red blood staining his hands, he started to shake. His breathing grew erratic and he started to get cold, his shivering worsening as his panic grew at the sight of his bloody hands.
He started whimpering as blackness came creeping in. his eyes sought out Logan, locking eyes he grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him close.
"Please…help…me!" Harry whispered into Logan's ear, his voice soft and melodic, sending shivers down Wolverine's spine. His hand lost its grip and he fell back onto the bed unconscious.
Storm, Cyclops, and Wolverine rushed into action. If they didn't hurry, the fragile boy that they had only known for ten minutes and already wormed his way into all their hearts was going to never wake up again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End Chapter! Thanks for all the reviews everybody! They always make me giddy and happy! Next Chapter: Everybody's reaction to Harry's sudden disappearance!
