Chapter IV: Beasts at Heart

To guest reviewer: it is confusing, especially for Jean who has struggled to be as normal as she can be as a mutant, she wants to be normal and thus whatever emotional connection she forms with something she considers weird she'll push away. Samantha on the other hand is emotionally disconnected, she has suffered a number of years at the hands of the Dursley's and in the Facility; she was rejected by her crush and shortly after that she was captured by Kimura, who would for a time become her tormentor. So yes I agree it is confusing, but let them grow and see them come together and come apart,

And another thing one of Jean's uglier traits is that she's an extremely jealous individual.

-December 26th, 1998 Break Neck Ridge, New York 4:00pm

Under the setting sun Samantha stood over the corpse of her would be assailant, a rather large white furred beast, covered in its own blood. The creature was humanoid in nature and was difficult to kill, only truly dying when she ripped out it's heart, the battle had left markings around the forest… Noriko had been missed informed and that had led her on a rather active goose chase with nothing to show for it. Her clothes were cut into ribbons and her phone had been lost somewhere downwind, and Ford had without a doubt already returned to the estate. She sighed and started her way back to civilization. Two days earlier it had been Christmas.

It brought an array of memories to life, chief among them was the one during fifth year, it had been a pleasant enough day, Draco had been on the other side of the castle being a right git and she and Hermione had spent the day together while Ron was away with his family. It had, at the time, reminded her friendship with Jean that had come to an untimely end. So she did what usually did when she felt vulnerable, she dived into a search for Laura, and thus there she was; cold, hungry, and alone.

By the time she had made it to the base of the mountain, Logan was waiting on his bike, an Old black Chief. He had a black leather jacket and blue jeans. "Chuck said ya might need a lift." When she made no movements toward him Logan simply stared her down. "Get on." After what felt like a century she nodded and mounted the bike. She felt his eyes travel across the numerous fading scars the beast had inflicted on her body, until they stopped at her bloody right hand, still clutching its heart. With a shake of his head Logan took off in. "When we get back you're telling me what happened up there, got that kid?"

"…"

"We are gonna have a talk, kid. Still gotta a few things you need to know."

"Not today."

They road in silence, neither looking forward with what had to be said.

- January 1st, 1999 Black estate, Salem Center, Bayville 6:00pm

Samantha dodged and swerved around a number of wooden practice targets, taking lethal jabs when the opportunities presented themselves. Like in her fifth year these wooden enemies would blast her with magic regularly simulating a true combat. She had started with eight targets, she had cut the enemy numbers in half before she took her first blasting hex, breaking one wall and denting another. This new addition to the house in fact a sub level styled in what she would consider an inverse temple in honor to her fallen mentor Tanaka, who would regularly tell her tales of his homeland and would provide a safe heaven for her and Laura.

She then growled, pointing her katana at the offending target, and launched herself once more into the room. Her movements were precise but lacked grace, something that Tanaka would constantly badger her with. 'You are like a drunken cat' he would say. 'You enjoy playing with your prey, but you rarely allow yourself too. You let anger dictate how you move so you always go for the crippling attacks that end with your enemy dying too quickly.' Sadly it was true, she enjoyed the hunt more than she should and that worried her to no end, internally at least, externally it was nay impossible to tell what she was feeling at any given moment. With the flat side of her blade she redirected a stunning curse at the nearest target, before separating the attackers head from its shoulders, in the span of the next sixteen seconds Samantha had bisected the remaining two wooden targets, concluding her evening training. Releasing a tired breath she left the house elves to clean up as she decided to place the nameless katana back in her armory.

The armory was located directly under the mansions central staircase, it would serve as an entrance to the temple and was easy to access should she ever be attacked in her own home she could easily in trench herself for weeks at a time. Most if not all the weapons stored there were gifts from Ragnok with the katana being the only Goblin made weapon, the others were purchased from some small time company named A.I.M. They were surprisingly advanced when it came to warfare. Her favorite being her Thermo-optic cloak she could wear under her clothes, even though it was nowhere near as effective as her invisibility cloak it had its uses.

The doorbell rang alerting her of a visitor at the door. Stripping her sweaty clothes she quickly covered her in a black bath robe, one of the few downsides of living in an Estate who's occupants had said surname all their bloody clothes were either black, red, or some dark blue. Locking the armory, Samantha took her time answering the door, observing her surroundings making sure that nothing was out of place. Without really thinking about it she opened it and was tackled by a very bored Luna. "Where have you been?"

"Vacationing."

Luna's face brightened significantly, dragging Samantha inside. Samantha noted the slightly thicker clothes her friend was wearing, a green wool sweater and heavily layered sweat pants. Had it become so cold? She hadn't noticed any significant drops in temperature in her time in Bayville. "So this is where you live?"

"Yes. It's been in the family for generations."

"Really?" She whispered dreamily. "Any way where have you been on your vacations? And why wasn't I invited?" Her voice was laced with mock hurt,

"Mostly I was hiking and judging from your state of dress you wouldn't like walking in the cold."

"Hey! I'll have you no it's twenty degrees outside… and windy!" Samantha had learned early on that there were only two things that truly managed annoy Luna, someone criticizing her coffee and teasing her about her lack of cold resistance. For the most part it was rather entertaining revelation, Noriko would usually play them to fit her mood or when Luna had her working long hours at the café. Entering the living room, they were surprised to find Noriko lying on the largest couch with a Game Toy held at a distance trying to capture light.

"How did you get in?" Samantha asked.

"Open window by the kitchen."

"Why didn't you knock?"

" I did. You didn't answer, so I let myself in."

"…" Samantha simply raise an eyebrow at the girl.

"Its cold outside." She stated, not really looking away from her game

"Ha! Told you!" Luna cut in. Samantha turned to Luna. "What? It's true."

"Anyone else come in with you?"

"Well… Kurt came in but he's" CRASH! "harmless."

"…"

"…" Samantha sprinted out of the room with a certain fire in her eyes.

"… RUN KURT! RUN!" She heard Noriko yell over her shoulder. She would deal with the traitor on a later date.

-January 31st, 1999 Grind Stone Café, Salem Center, Bayville 7:00pm

"A new year, a new set of problems." Samantha muttered as she danced around her friend's establishment serving coffee and other drinks to any paying costume, a smile plastered on her face. She wore a white button shirt and a green apron with the café logo and a ridiculously short black skirt. Luna had asked all her friends to pitch in on this supposedly great Sunday. Noriko was working the machines, Rogue was begrudgingly taking orders, and Luna was glaring at the television with a passion her team was loosing and she and her family were not taking it well.

Samantha had taken to disappearing for short periods of time, searching for information on the Weapon X, which lead to Logan warning her to stay off it for a while, which she ignored, she needed to find Laura and she knew what to expect from the Facility just not where. Today would be one off her off days when she spent time with her friends and relax, but Luna needed help. Grind Stone Café was a family owned busyness and the Super Bowl was one of the years biggest grossers, sadly they didn't have the employees to man the event for night, so Luna had roped her and Noriko in and Samantha had dragged Rogue with her for the sake of spending time with friends.

As the evening advanced all was well until nearing the end of the third quarter. Duncan and his entourage entered the establishment; head among them Jean who had his oversized arm resting on her shoulders. She dressed in their regular attire and Duncan and his pals dressed in the winning teams colors. They were loud and obnoxious to the point where they were asked to leave by Luna's grandfather, Antonio. Which one of the Jocks responded with a mocking and derogatory comment. The DePaula family had been good to Samantha and she in turn had helped them when they were in need, without their knowing of course. Samantha shot a glare at Jean, informing her that if she didn't speak out Samantha would not be held responsible for her actions, wisely the telepath nodded. "Duncan, we're leaving."

"Relax Jean, we're not going anywhere, we're giving them money to serve us, and I for one am not leaving until I'm satisfied with the services rendered." His buddies chorused in their approval. Jean had her hand over her face to hide her embarrassment.

"Escuchame mijo, if you and your friends don't leave in the next five minutes, I will call the police." Antonio growled out his wrinkled hands clutching his wooden cane tighter and tighter.

"You're bluffing, old man. In fact-" Samantha smirked from afar as Noriko walked up to the group with a phone in her right hand. Her neon blue hair made her stick out despite her petite stature. To Samantha this display was rather comical coming from the outspoken yet calm individual she had known Nori to be.

"He might have been bluffing, but I'm not; the police are on their way."

"Why you little…" Duncan made to rise and with him half the football team. In an instant Samantha had traversed the room and was squaring off with Duncan, she saw the primal fear in his eyes, she heard the faint echoes of Jean's worries through the bond. Samantha stared him down, daring him to try anything. Survival instinct overwrote Duncan's need to be the alpha male and he backed away slightly, the others of his team took this as a sign to back down as well. "You'll regret this Wu. I promise you that." His attempt to save face was met with a wave of whispers from the other patrons and a cold glare from Samantha herself.

"Is that a threat Matthews?"

"It's a promise." He put his arm around Jean who violently shrugged it off.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jean storms out of the café with the man-child hot on her heels. Sirens approached and the students were blocked from exiting. Some one would deal with Duncan later, and if Samantha had her way it would be her.

- February 10th, 1999 Bayville high school 3:00pm

Samantha was concerned, for the past week Rogue and Kitty had been escorted directly to and from drama club; Jean had disappeared from school; Scott was keeping his head down more than usual, walking away from Lance and Duncan when usually he would at least stand his ground; and Logan had taken to patrolling her home at the oddest times. He refused to divulge whatever had him so on edge. Had she been given a choice she would have gladly taken to eliminating whatever him so worried, but she had other things to worry about, the art project that she was supposed to hand in with her partner, Rouge. Resting her back against her favorite tree she stared down at the empty canvas, urging it to some how magically show her what to do, of course this proved futile. So she decided to close her eyes let her instincts guide her hands. With every stroke of the brush, the image in her mind became clearer, the shifting tones of the Black lake and the small waves crashing against the marsh. She could feel the sinister energy under the water. When she finally opened her eyes, she wasn't surprised to find a mostly abstract rendition of what her mind had produced. Seemingly satisfied with her half assed attempt.

It was a beautiful and sunny Thursday afternoon, which was major factor as to why Samantha decided to take a stroll through the park. It would have been the perfect day if it weren't for the horrible Dracula the musical cover booming from behind the bushes. The sudden wind shift let her catch four scents three she recognized as Rogue, Evan, and Kitty's, the fourth one made her pause, it reeked of old blood and sweat. A beastial roar spurred her into action, claws bared she charged through the wall of bushes. A giant of man held Evan above his head. he had long blond hair and dressed in a long trench coat. His teeth were elongated and resembled those of a large predator. "- You've gotta be sharp to mess with the Spyke!" Spikes of bone stabbed into creeds hand forcing him to roar, Samantha reached him in time for him to throw Evan at Rogue and Kitty. All it took to send the young witch into frenzy was hearing the pained scream of her dear friend and the scent of blood coming from their direction.

First she severed the tendons in the man's hands, for which he violently swung at her, slamming her against a tree. She staggers up, giving her opponent ample time to close the distance and lift Samantha by her neck. "Well, well, Look's like the mutt got lucky." He pulled her close to his face. "Didn't he tell you about me?" He breathed in her scent. "He's going to wish he had after I'm through with you." Samantha didn't show any outward emotion, though inwardly she was a storm of rage and disgust. She lashed out severing his throat from his neck, a fountain of blood covered her clothes. Evan shot a barrage of bone spikes at the creature's arms, he released her neck, the instant her feet touched the floor Samantha shifted her weight sending him to the floor. Her claws dug into his skull in quick jabs, permeating the ground with his blood and brain matter. She didn't stop, she couldn't stop, she wouldn't stop, She could feel the souls of his victims egging her on, men and women… mostly women, all calling for blood of their murderer, the rapist of their wives. Eventually the shouts of vengeance became too much for the young Witch, she clutched her head hoping to drown out the voices and she was shoved off. With one hand he held his face together and the other he pushed himself off the floor. "You're going to regret that bitch!" He launched himself at Samantha's fetal form, but Logan clad in his orange and blue X-Men uniform stood in his way.

"CREEEEED!"

"MIDGET!"

Using Creed's momentum Logan sent him across the field. "Picking on kids Creed?" His claws extended. "Bad idea!" Snarling and preparing to charge the wounded Creed continued to be defiant.

"Really? WHY?" The duo charged at each other both aiming to capture the other, one for profit the other for the seeking the truth of his past. Logan was faster, his claws dug into Creeds chest.

"It really PISSES me off!" With a heave he threw him at Rogue's feet. The goth didn't hesitate to put her hand on his face absorbing his mutation, especially his healing factor. The draw back was the sudden case of Lycanthropy Rogue developed.

"Ah man, I just shaved mah legs this morning."

Logan ignored her little comment and moved to his downed child. Picking her up he started for his bike, the brats punishments would be decided later.

-February 11th, 1999 Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngster, Infirmary. 12:00pm

For the second time in her Samantha awoke with sun seeping in from the same skylight, breathing in the all too familiar scent of sterile air. She decided to stretch her sore back, she twisted her torso and spotted her unexpected roommate. On the adjacent bed was Jean Grey with the same tubes and heart monitors. Their eyes for a moment before Jean looked away. Samantha's mind was running wild with possibilities, the bond, to he knowledge, should have dissolved by now, but with the proximity came the sense of the bond rebuilding itself, in her mind something was wrong.

Outside the room Logan was having a rather heated discussion with his long time friend. "What aren't you ya telling me, chuck?"

"Nothing you aren't ready to hear."

"She's my daughter, what did you find?" he asked more forcefully.

"Like Jean, Samantha has had a very tragic life Logan. It has left cracks in her mind."

"There's something else, and trust me Chuck I will find out." Walking away Logan failed to noticed the guilty expression that marred the professor's face. When the door closed he let out a breath.

'To find something as powerful as it in my lifetime… the future is too uncertain. I must not let girl fall to Eric or we shall all be doomed.'

A/N: Sorry for the wait. I've been traveling for a while and had to go to a choir competition for the past week. Sorry if the chapters weak… I just wanted it to end so I can get to work on the next chapter… think of this as a filler.