"Get back!" the man in the red shades growled at me, standing in front of the girl with red hair. What was it with these people and red?

I snarl, head lowered and hackles raised. This was my element, my area of expertise. I had been born in this form, raised in this form. Until the experiments had taken that away from me. I snarl again, daring any of the people to come and take me on. I whip my head around, watching the guy in the wheelchair. He moved his chair closer to me and I growl threateningly, lips peeling back from my white fangs.

Wheelchair guy watched me and I felt the pressure in my head again. This time, I don't hold back, shooting everything that I have at it. The pressure receded slightly before coming back. It was stronger, more powerful. I pin my ears back, backing up against the wall. Memories resurfaced, like someone going through them. I lower myself to the floor in a submissive position, flashing the whites of my eyes to the man in the wheelchair.

He moved closer to me, ignoring the growing tension from the people behind him. I watch him with wary eyes, pressing myself even lower against the floor.

"You have nothing to worry about. We won't hurt you," he said in a soothing voice, reaching a hand out towards me.

I make a series of complicated growls and whimpers, cowering. I watch his hand, expecting to be hit or punished for my behavior. The pressure searched before pausing.

"We aren't like those who have hurt you before, I promise. I know that you have every reason not to trust us, but please try," the man said in the same soothing tone.

I raise slightly, stalking forward towards his hand. I sniff at it, his scent filling my nose. Paper, ink, metal, oak, and something else that I couldn't place. I look up at him, staring into his light colored eyes before giving his hand a quick lick and backing off just as quickly.

The man relaxed, like a lot of weight coming off of his shoulders. He spoke again, but his words weren't directed at me. "Come forward, but don't crowd her all at once," he warned, backing off to give me my space.

I watch cautiously as the woman with red hair came towards me. The man in the red glasses didn't look to happy about it. The testosterone scent coming out of his pores said it all. I ignore him, eyes now on the redhead. She knelt down next to me, green eyes burning into my blue ones.

"Can you talk?" she asked gently.

Hesitantly, I shake my head, slow and unsure. There was a small gasp from behind the redhead. Looks like they didn't know I understood English.

"But you can understand me?" the redhead asked.

I give a swift nod of my head. I was thinking of some way to communicate with them. I look towards the wheelchair guy and rub my head against the ground before looking back at him. I knew that he had something to do with the pressure in my head and I wanted him to do it again. I would speak for them.

He looked confused before he seemed to understand. The pressure resumed in my head and I welcomed it. I spoke English in my head.

"Who are you?" I asked in my thoughts.

"My name is Professor Charles Xavier," the man said, giving a smile. "This is Jean Grey, Scott Summers, also Cyclops, and Ororo Munroe, also called Storm." He pointed to each person in turn.

"Where am I?"

"You are at my school for gifted youngsters," Xavier replied. "Scott and Storm brought you here after the car exploded. Do you remember?"

I nod. "Yes. I was there. Where are Logan and Marie?"

"They are here and they are safe. Logan will be here shortly. He has been waiting anxiously for you to awaken for days now," Xavier told her.

"How long have I been out for?" I question.

"You have been out for almost a week. We were quick to find out that you were a self-healer. Your burn injuries were severe, but healed within a few hours. Though why you were out for as long as you were is still a mystery to us," the Professor explained kindly.

I nod again, sitting down and curling my tail around my paws. "Thank you for informing me," I said politely. I cock my head, ears flicking forward. More footsteps. I scent the air, trying to identify the person. The scent was metallic and the smell of cigar smoke and beer hung around it. I smile discretely, eyes on the door.

A few heartbeats later, Logan came through the medical bay door. "Where is she?" he asked instantly, looking around the room.

He looked towards me and he growled, not recognizing me in my new form. I growl back at him, getting back to my feet. Logan's claws slid out and my growl deepened, hackles raising instinctively.

The Professor just gave me a look and I stopped, bowing my head slightly. Then he looked towards Logan. "Logan, I would like to formally introduce you to the young woman that you came by earlier," he said, nodding his head towards me.

Logan's claws retracted and I relaxed now that they weren't in sight. I watch him, icy blue eyes aglow.

"Kid? What the hell happened to you?" Logan asked, clearly startled.

"She is a shapeshifter, Logan. This is one of her forms tha-" The Professor cut himself off as I interrupted with my own thoughts. "Oh, sorry. This is her TRUE form, the one that she was born in," Xavier said, correcting himself.

"Her true form? You mean that this girl was born as a wolf?" Logan seemed even more confused than he had been before.

In response, I give a sad nod before looking towards the Professor. "Anything else you wish to know for now?"

"Just one last question. What is your name?" Xavier asked.

I give a small smile. "My name is not one of any of your tongues, but it roughly translates to Spirit," I answered.

Logan looked over at the Professor. "So, what's her name?"

"Her name is Spirit."