Hello again to all my friends. I don't own X-men, but regardless the original characters that I'll be using in here do belong to me.

I just thought everyone should know, its hasn't been long since I started this one and this story already has over TWO thousand hits. You make me feel loved.

I wanted to add a hi to all those who started watching and reading my story: 4evErG0dzillandAslan, Bambamzing, CallistoRedBird, and eclispex.x .

To PieceofWork: Thanks so much! I realized that some of my characters sort of have disappeared a little bit, so they'll be making more appearances, Cat included.

To Kali3110: Emily is a most interesting character, she demands to be written. ^-^ Thanks for the review.

To Firewhisperer: You will get to find out that little gem later on in the story :p Granite girl was kind of random, she may show up more later though.

To Bambamzing: Yeah, I realize it was kind of abrupt and not really understandable. Its mostly cause Naomi didn't really understand what was going on either, so as she advances in her powers, things get more detailed and understandable. ^-^ Thanks for the review.

Chapter 17

Something collided with her window bringing her to full awakeness. She groaned as she rolled over, her muscles were in pain, their sudden abuse with the power training and the dance class, after such little use in her previous home wasn't the best combination. "Long, hot shower." She muttered and put a hand against her head. There was another thud against the window. She peered over at it.

Against the glass was a pair of white splats. It took her a moment to realize it was snow. Naomi got out of bed as quickly as her sore body would allow and opened the glass door. A small flow of snow laying on the balcony trailed into the room and onto her bare feet. She eeped at the cold but bent down and took two handfuls of the frozen liquid in her hands and smiled, "Lots of snow." There was about a half foot of snow on her balcony and there looked to be more on the ground below.

There was a knock on her door then in walked Cat, "You're awake this time!" The shapeshifter said with a smile. "You have a box out here too." The little girl was in a heavy winter coat, a cap and mittens. She leaned over and picked it up. "Its got your name on it and everything.. I think." Her little pink tongue stuck out between her teeth and her yellow eyes focused on the text written on the box. "N-A-O-M-I. Yep that's you." She held out the box. Smiling at the girl Naomi took the box, it was from Uncle Hank.

"Why are you dressed up for going outside?" Naomi asked as she opened the letter attached to the box.

"Since there's enough snow on the ground Storm thought it would be good for everyone to have a power training session together." Cat began, "We're having a snowball fight where we can use our powers." The girl smiled but also sighed, "There isn't much I can do in a snowball fight though. A kitten isn't very useful."

Dear Niece, I know its a little late for a Christmas present, so call it a new years gift. Naomi opened the box and found a second box, this professing to hold a cell phone. She continued to read the letter, Cat was talking about the trouble poor Dragon had with handling snow. I've paid for the first few months of it, give me a call some time so I don't worry myself into a gray furry beast instead of blue. Uncle Beast. Naomi smiled again and put the box on the bed.

"If it was me," Naomi began, "I'd have Dragon for defending the fort, he could melt incoming snowballs." She stated, she walked past Cathrine and stood next to her for a moment before putting a hand on her head, "You could be a very helpful member of a team as well, you could probably smell, or see very sneaky enemies and show them to the others." Cat's eyes brightened at the idea. "I'm going to get all cleaned up and then I'll come out and join you and the others alright?"

Cat nodded, "Bye Naomi!" With that the child ran out of the room, Naomi was sure to announce to everyone that she could be helpful in the snowball fight.

Naomi proceeded through the same activities as the previous day, without cutting her hair though. She added to her repertoire reading through the homework for her English class as well as she pulled out a fluffy white coat Curse had suggested for her to get when they were shopping. At first she was sure it would get filthy too fast but looking at it now, it would be excellent camouflage in the snow.

Storm was standing on the stairs when Naomi came down them, next to the professor was a large jug of hot water and the packets of chocolate. "Sleep well?"

"Yes thanks," Naomi replied, "Cat told me we're up to something fun today?"

"Oh yes, let me explain the rules. You can't leave the school's property, try and not use your powers on other people as much as possible you can do whatever you want to with the snow. Lastly, don't get hurt." Storm stated, "You'll be on Curse's team." Naomi nodded and started to walk away. "I heard from Cat that you can find where people can be best placed." She called to her, Naomi paused, "Its a useful skill."

Naomi blinked, it was a skill? She watched Storm over her shoulder for a moment longer then walked over to Curse. She was drawing shapes in the snow with her fingers, "You look down."

"Oh, Hi Naomi." She smiled, "Its nothing," Curse looked at the group of others who were working on building the fort, "They think I'm too unpredictable to be of any use."

A movement out of the corner of Naomi's eye caught her attention. Someone else was sitting a distance away from the others, he was under a tree, in a black coat with blond hair, his eyes were closed. "Who's that?"

Curse looked over, "Oh, that's Rael. He goes by Black Blade." She stood up straight, "He doesn't "play silly children's games"." She used her fingers to put in the quotes. "He's just a stubborn spoiled kid." She turned back to Naomi. "Anyway, I know I could be helpful if they give me a chance."

"But... didn't you say you can't control it once you give it life?" She reminded her friend.

She sighed and sank into a squat again, "Yeah... but I'm trying to get better at it..."

Naomi looked at the scribbling in the snow, "What were you drawing?"

"I was thinking of making little mini snow golems." Curse stated, "You know to make snowballs for us, but I don't know if that's what they would do."

The shadow manipulator looked at the drawings some more, "Why don't you try telling it what you want it to do before you bring it to life? I mean... no, that would be a little complicated wouldn't it?"

Curse stared at her, "I've never thought of doing that." She immediately began rolling snowballs in her gloved hands and making it into the shape of a small man. Naomi smiled while she worked but then looked back toward the tree, Rael was gone.

Coming up next: Epic snowball fight! -Pardon if it is sort of terrible, battles aren't my best writing subject at the moment. I think that's why I'm trying to put them in so much. Practice makes perfect after all ^-^