AN: I don't own any of the X-Men Characters. I do own Kelpie, however, Gerri, Aunt Erika, Kelpie's foster family, the story-line, and all animal characters she converses with, including the gang members :P. Vixen belongs to one Melody S. (an ex-friend of mine), Aquifer belongs to Rob G. (soon-to-be famous fantasy writer!), Sensherak (aka Alan) belongs to an ex-online-bf whom no longer speaks to me, Jonny LeBeau belongs to an ex-online-acquaintance. Phew! If I've missed anyone, let me know :P

If any of you have read my bio, you'll know that I'm not fluent at Gaelic at all, I only know a few words and phrases. If any of you happen to know Gaelic, and I make a mistake, please, let me know, it's the only way I'm gonna learn! There are some Gaelic words in here that I've acquired through reading and such. Diolain means bastard; Mionnaich is just a curse word, with no real specific meaning. Galla means bitch; and a bhidse means sod it, which is basically our equivalent of damnit. Tha mi duilich means I'm sorry. Tapadh leibh means thank you; and 'S e do bheatha means you're welcome.

Please review, guys, as it keeps me in good spirits and in the writing mood. At the moment, I'm merely doing this as a pastime because I'm bored outta my mind, but next week I'll be going back to school and I'm going to need some motivation to keep posting :P

CHAPTER 5

Kelpie stared in awe as she got off the bike. This place is 'uge! she thought.

You should see the forest surrounded the school. It's just as big, said Ra as she landed on Kelpie's out-stretched arm then preceded to claw her way to her perch's shoulder.

Kelpie gritted her teeth at the falcon's sharp talons. I 'ate it when ye do tha'. If ye wanna sit on me shoulder, then lan' there.

Sorry, Ra giggled--or as close to a giggle as a bird could get.

"I'm not sure if Xavier will allow animals into the school," said Vixen.

"If she doesna come in, then neither do I. 'Sides, she's no' an animal. She's my frien'.

"Let me get this straight," said Wolverine. "She goes in, you go in. She stays out here, you stay out here." He gestured to Ra and Kelpie respectively.

Kelpie nodded.

"Fair enough," he said and turned to walk in.

"Wolverine!" Vixen scolded.

Wolverine turned. "What?"

"We can't just leave her here!"

"Why not?"

"Damn it, Logan, ya know why not."

"Are you two fighting again?" interrupted a man's voice. Looking up, they saw that a man in a wheelchair sat in the door of the school.

"You know us," Wolverine muttered sarcastically.

"Indeed, I do. However, why don't you introduce me to this young woman and her friend?"

Kelpie's chin came up as she said, "Me name is Kelpie." She pet Ra's chest with one finger, glancing at her. "An' this is Ra."

He nodded to each. "Kelpie, Ra. Welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. I am Professor Charles Xavier." He spoke then to all of them, "Come, we have much to do." He turned his wheelchair around and disappeared inside and the followed suit. "We'll leave the tour for later so we don't distract the children from their studies," Xavier said, stealing a glance at Kelpie from the corner of his eye. "Besides, it looks as if you could use some sleep."

"I'm fine, really--" Kelpie started.

"Nonsense. You'll get some sleep first, and we'll talk when you wake." He thought a moment. "Would you prefer a room on the first floor?"

Kelpie stared at him, her mouth hanging open. 'Ow'd 'e know?

Because I can read your mind, she heard his voice say in her head. You don't hide your thoughts very well. A first floor room is no problem, that way you can have access to your friends at all times.

"Tha'd be great," she said, "An'…maybe sumtin' away from the other students." She looked down gesturing to herself. "I dunna wanna scare 'em. I ain't exac'ly a sight ye see ev'ryday."

"No," said Xavier kindly. "There is a room available where Ra would be free to come and go as she pleases, you would only have to leave the door or the window open. That is, if you don't mind that the room is in the barn. There's an empty tack room we don't use."

Kelpie's eyebrow rose. "I'm nae sure if ye jus' insulted me."

"Not at all. You see, we've been trying to get someone who can speak with animals to move out there so the horses' every needs can be taken care of. You'd be surprised at how demanding they are. We have a student on campus who can speak with animals, however, she enjoys the company of her human friends much more."

"Nae, I wouldna mind a' all. I love animals."

"Great," muttered Wolverine. "Now they're gonna be even more spoiled."

Ignoring him, Xavier changed course and they followed him down a side hall whose door opened up to the grounds. He led them down to the barn. There were only four stalls filled and each horse's name was engraved on a gold plaque above it's respective holding. On one side of the barn were the mares, on the other, the stallions. From the mares' side she heard only soft-spoken whispers full of curiosity about their new visitors. There was Clover, a brown mare with a white patch over one eye that resembled (go figure) a four-leaved clover. Then there was Starburst, a brown and white pinto mare. Her skin almost matched Kelpie's own, with different markings, her prominent being a white star on her forehead.

"Relative of yours?" Vixen asked.

Kelpie gave her a sarcastic laugh.

On the other side of the barn were the stallions. One, Sun Flash, was a bright palomino stallion. He shook his mane and whickered as they passed and Kelpie heard his teasing tenor voice in her head and she smiled at him. He was only a few years old and full of mischief, she could tell already.

Kelpie was forced to stop in front of the stall next to Sun Flash's due to the hatred and malice rolling like a black cloud from inside. She heard an angry neigh and the sound of a hoof hitting the side of the stall as she paused and looked up at the name plaque. Wrath.

"He's quite a hand-full," said Xavier. "Not even Gerri, the girl I told you about, will go near him."

Kelpie frowned as she listened to Wrath's hateful ramblings. "E's been hurt. Badly. E 'ates humans."

"Indeed, we figured as much. We purchased him after he through a shoe and lost a race. The owner nearly beat him to death out of anger."

Kelpie stood, frozen to the spot as she listened with growing pity to the hateful words the horse through at the humans through the stall door. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes at the horror the poor animal had endured.

"Well, I'm sure you can get to know the horses and their habits later. For now, lets show you your room."

Kelpie nodded and turned to follow him. There were two tack rooms at the back of the barn. One was empty except for a four-poster bed--minus the canvas and curtains--and two windows.

I apologize if it's a bit dusty. It's been a while since anyone has been in here."

"Tis perfect. With a few plants an' sunlight, 'twill be ideal. Tapadh leibh."

"S e do bheatha."

Kelpie's eyes widened. "Ye speak Gaelic?"

Xavier smiled. "Only what I can pick up from your mind. Since you think in both languages, I can understand you. Were you to only speak and think in Gaelic, however, I would be completely lost."

Kelpie's countenance fell. "Oh."

"You might want to meet Dr. McCoy, however. He's very good with languages, and if he doesn't know the language already, he's a fast learner."

Kelpie smiled. "I'd like tha'."

"He could prob'ly brush ya up on your English as well," Wolverine said.

"Aye, an' leuk 'oo's talkin'."

Xavier cleared his throat. "If you care to, I can have someone bring some curtains for the bed."

Kelpie smiled. "Nae, I 'ave sumtin' else in mind, but tapadh leibh, Professor."

"You're welcome. We'll leave you now to get some rest. If you need anything at all, just ask."

Kelpie followed them to the barn door and watched as they walked back and into the school.

Don't look now, my friend, said Ra, but I do believe we have an audience.

Where?

Ra looked up to the school and Kelpie followed her gaze. Standing in the window were numerous children staring at her, their mouths hanging open. Whether in awe or horror, Kelpie couldn't tell from this distant, nor did she care. She turned and went back to her new room, closing the door and locking it behind her. She opened the window and set Ra on the sill. Ye may go if ye wish. I'm gonna decorate a bit, an' then I'm gonna take a nap.

I just might take that offer. I'm awfully hungry. Maybe I can find a mouse or two.

Kelpie grimaced and stuck out her tongue. I dunna see 'ow ye can eat those.

I'm not connected to them as you are. Their blithering pleas don't bother me. Besides, by the time I catch them, they're already dead with fright.

Verra funny.

Laughing, Ra took off from the windowsill and Kelpie watched as the bird disappeared. She sighed and moved to the middle of the room. It probably wasn't a good idea for her to use her powers twice in a day, especially considering the small amount of sleep she had retained. Shrugging, however, she sat and placed her hands on the floor. Beneath her, the cement floor creaked and groaned then finally gave way as plants broke through to pop into view. Before her eyes, this time open and watching with pride, the flora began to grow, the tallest almost touching the ceiling. Vines wrapped themselves around the bedposts and slid their way to the top, creating a canvas. Then they spilled over the sides, creating the illusion of curtains. Different flowers sprouted from the vines. White lilies, blue morning glories and yellow and pink hibiscus. Purple and white lilacs--her favorite--wrapped themselves around her headboard.

When all was said and done, there was only one space left. The spot right in front of her bed and the middle of the room where the baobab tree would go. She turned on her knees and spread her palms on the unusually warm cement. Reaching deep inside, she visualized grasping the baobab seed with one hand her power with the other. The cement floor exploded open as the sapling broke through. She sent a comforting thought to each of the horses to keep them from panicking as the sapling grew, shaking the ground with its efforts. The tree pushed against the wooden ceiling beams and smashed through the roof until its upper branches reached outside. Finally the ground stopped trembling and Kelpie crawled unsteadily to her bed. She parted the fragrant vines and collapsed weakly onto the bed and into darkness as soon as her head hit the pillow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that night, Wolverine and Vixen were awakened by a number of screams. They shot to their feet and ran down the hall to the student's dorms, weapons at the ready.

Several girls were running around screaming, a peregrine falcon diving at them.

"Wait!" cried a girl--Gerri, Vixen recalled. She was fifteen and had telepathic powers with both humans and animals. She had short red hair cut to her chin, green eyes, and a body that every teenage girl longed for. "She just wants to tell us something!"

Ra was still flying frantically around them even after the girls had quieted. She screeched hysterically, flying to an open window--no doubt the one she had entered earlier--then turned back and circled around the group then again back to the window.

"What's wrong?" asked Vixen.

"It's Kelpie," said Wolverine, already turning and heading for a side door. Vixen hurried after him and they raced out into the night. Before even reaching the barn, their sensitive hearing picked up Kelpie's screams of agony. The horses were in a fright, stomping and neighing nervously.

Racing to the tack room, Vixen tried the door but found it locked. "Kelpie, let us in."

"Nae! Stay out. I'm--" She was cut off by a grunt of pain. "I'm fine."

"What's going on?" Xavier asked as he wheeled his chair up to them. Behind him were Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm and Nightcrawler. And further behind them were curious students gathered at the barn doors.

"We don't know," said Vixen. "Ra came into the school in a panic, telling us Kelpie was in trouble. Problem is, we can't get in to see what the trouble might be."

"Cyclops," said Wolverine. "Use your eye to blast down the door."

"I can't," said Cyclops, glaring at Wolverine's joke about Scott having only one eye. "If she's anywhere near the door, I could kill her."

"I vould try to teleport her," said Kurt. "But I've never been in zere."

"I've unlocked the door," said Jean. "But I can't get it open. Something's holding it closed."

"It's Kelpie," said Xavier. "She's curled up in front of the door, blocking it. I'm trying to get through to her, but she's in too much pain to recognize me."

"What's happening?" asked Vixen.

"I'm not sure. Her thoughts are too scrambled and predominantly in Gaelic."

Growling, Wolverine reached for the doorknob and wrenched at it, but the doorknob wouldn't turn. "I thought you said you unlocked it," he said to Jean.

"I did."

"Stay out!" shouted Kelpie before screaming again.

"Kelpie, let us in!" shouted Vixen.

Kelpie erupted into screams of pain and then, so softly that only Vixen and Wolverine could hear her, "Nae, jus' stay out."

"Kelpie--"

Another scream of anguish interrupted Vixen, then all was quiet.

"Kelpie?"

No answer.

Wolverine reached for the doorknob but it still wouldn't turn. Growling, he punched the door hard, his arm going through and tearing off the vine that was wrapped around the doorknob. He pushed gently against the door, just enough to squeeze inside so as not to move Kelpie. Ra flew in above his head and landed next to her friend, picking up a strand of hair and nibbling while making small noises in her throat, almost like a pigeon. Kelpie lay in a heap in front of the door, no longer wearing the features of a horse.

"Get her to the infirmary quickly," said Xavier.

As Ra reached to pick Kelpie up, Ra snapped at her and spread her wings, hunching over Kelpie's body. She hissed a warning and glared at them with one eye.

"Oh buzz off," Wolverine said, pushing the bird aside.

Taking flight, Ra began to dive at their heads as they headed out of the barn. Growling, Vixen turned to Nightcrawler, "Kurt, teleport her to the infirmary." And she handed Kelpie's limp form to him.

"Vat? But I--" he began.

"Just do it. It's the only way we're getting her out of here without killin' the bird."

Wolverine's claws shot out and he smiled. "I've no problem with that. Anyone up for fried chicken?"

Nightcrawler paled and grabbed Kelpie, disappearing with a bamf and leaving a cloud of smoke smelling of brimstone behind.

Ra screeched frantically and flew out the door to search for her friend.

"Poor bird," sympathized Storm.

"Ah, it'll be fine," said Wolverine, sheathing his claws and walking out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She's been sleeping for almost a week," said Scott Summers. "Is she going to be okay?"

Jean shrugged. "I don't know. All her vital signs indicate she's awake. Not even sleeping, but she is sleeping. Sleeping as deep as if she were dead."

"What's this?" he asked, pointing to the vine that wrapped around Kelpie's right wrist.

"I'm not sure. It just appeared a few days ago. I wanted to cut it off, but it's coming straight from an artery in her wrist. Besides, it's not doing any harm. It just sits there."

He turned his attention back to his wife. "Have you been with her all this time?"

"No. Hank was with her earlier this week. Gerri promised Ra for me that I or Hank would be with her until she wakes. After much persuading from Gerri, they had finally got Ra to calm down and wait for Kelpie to wake up, but she wasn't happy about it in the least. "Hank had a convention in Washington to go to yesterday. He won't be back until next week."

"You need to sleep, Jean," Scott said, concerned.

"I can't--"

"I'll get Storm to come in and watch her. The girl will be fine."

Jean sighed. "It would be nice to lie down for a while."

"Come on." He grasped her hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, leading her from the infirmary.

Without being noticed, behind them the vine wrapped around Kelpie's wrist grew longer and wound itself around her arm and up to her shoulder.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ororo Monroe walked into the infirmary and looked at Kelpie lying on the operating table, hooked up to wires upon wires. She shivered, feeling pity for the young girl. Seeing the vine tangled around the girl's arm, she tilted her head sideways and studied it. Reaching out gently, she touched it then pulled back in shock when it stirred and grew longer. Storm picked up the girl's arm and turned it over. The thing was coming right out of her wrist!

The vine continued to grow, wrapping itself around Kelpie's neck. It didn't stop. It buried itself behind her back and then wound it self around her torso to encircle her chest. There, it split in two and one vine kept coiling itself around Kelpie's body. The other grew toward the ceiling, then stopped suddenly and teetered as if it were going to fall.

As Ororo watched, the vine turned and dove straight down. Ororo screamed as it broke through Kelpie's chest and the girl's body jerked as the vine hit the heart. A loud wail filled the air as the heart monitor's squiggly line went straight. The heart had stopped!

Storm ran from the room, yelling for Xavier.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott, Jean, Wolverine, Vixen, Nightcrawler and Xavier all followed Storm back to the infirmary and rushed inside. Kelpie's body was now covered completely with writhing vines. Not a single part of her body showed.

Hurrying to the table, they began hacking away at the vines, trying to free her. The vines hissed and screamed almost human-like.

Suddenly, Ra came flying into the room, Gerri running behind her. The falcon dove at their heads, scratching and biting, fighting against the X-Men for all her worth.

Wolveirne went to slash at the bird, then stopped in mid-air as he listened to what the bird had to say. His eyes widened and he grabbed Vixen from behind, pulling her away from Kelpie's prone body. "Stop! Everyone stop! We'll kill her!"

"What are ya talkin' bout, Logan? Let me go!" cried Vixen lunging again for Kelpie's body.

Logan held on tight and backed up a step for good measure. "The vines are healing her. If we cut them loose from her body, it'll kill her. Ra says that Kelpie is already half-dead. The vines will restore he life force and bring her back if we just let them be."

As they all looked at the lifeless body on the table, the vines stirred again and grew, recovering Kelpie and blocking her from sight.

"But it pierced her heart," said Storm. "I saw the vine break through her skin and bury itself in her chest. The heart monitor went blank."

Wolverine looked at Ra who was now perched on Kelpie's body, hovering over her protectively. He nodded. "The chicken says she doesn't know how to explain it but the vines are helping her. The plants won't kill her because they're apart of her. If they kill her, they kill themselves."