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.

To firewhisperer: Oh just you wait and see what happens at the dance. :p Oh, and l really enjoy getting all your reviews for each chapter I write. *gives a shiny award*

Chapter 25

Naomi was lucky, she didn't run into Sparky again for a few days. She saw her in passing; always in the company of Hart, who at times looked almost in pain to be around her as she clung to his arm and babbled on endlessly about something she'd done during her break, or how much she'd missed him. It was odd to see them, she was a great deal shorter than Hart and acted like a kid sister most of the time. Naomi wondered if that was how Hart thought of her.

Rune had vanished again almost as soon as he had appeared again. Storm had had ArchAngel help heal the more major injuries, including what looked like a few knife wounds across his lower back. Then he'd gone back to his room, which he then disappeared from. Cat was sitting on the edge of Naomi's bed when she came back up to her room. "Storm said she's called in some help to find Rune." Naomi blinked then nodded. She didn't understand why Cat was telling her this stuff.

"I'm sure he's fine, Cat," she walked over and rubbed her head, "He probably had something he needed to finish."

The little girl sniffled. "What if he doesn't come back?" Naomi saw the beginning of tears in her eyes.

Naomi sat down next to her, Cat laid her head on her lap. "If he doesn't come back I'll punish him something good when I see him next." Naomi replied and stroked her hair softly. She already was planning what she'd do first if he didn't come back to the house. Curse had taken her out shopping for new clothes the day before, apparently it was a custom to buy new outfits for every event attended. If Rune didn't show up for this dance she didn't know what she'd do with the new clothes. "How about we go for a walk?"

Cat sniffed again and wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Okay." She hopped off the bed and took Naomi's hand, the two of them walked down the stairs and into the backyard. Siren was sitting on the back steps with a camera in her hands. Cat immediately looked interested in what Siren was doing. "Can you take a picture of me?" She asked, releasing Naomi's hand and sitting next to Siren.

Siren smiled over at the little girl, "Sure, I'm kind of sick of landscapes." She looked up at Naomi, "Mind if I take your picture too?"

"Not at all." The three of them walked off a short distance and Siren began snapping pictures. They mostly consisted of Cat acting silly in one fashion or another, Naomi mostly watched though occasionally Siren would snap a shot of her. Naomi smiled as Cat shifted and curled up in the flowers. "How long have you done photography?" She asked as Siren took shots of the kitten.

"A few years," she replied, "Its an artistic outlet that can't be effected by my powers." She looked up at Naomi, "So choir was out, we're suppose to be like everyone else. I always find it hard to be like them when you're special, am I right?" She looked back through the camera, "Ivy does most of the gardening though, she's got pretty good control of her powers so she can get away with it."

Naomi felt shadow separate from the house's shadow on the stairs from the back yard, one she'd never sensed before. She closed her eyes and tried to make out who or what it was. She followed its movement over to the side of the house, "Something's here, I've never seen them before." She stated.

Siren looked over her shoulder, "Probably another teacher. You can't know everyone Naomi." She said with a shrug. "I mean, did you know I was out here?"

"Yes, I felt your shadow." Naomi replied, "I don't know how it works but... I guess its cause everyone's shadows are different so I recognize them once my shadow's stolen them once... does it makes sense?"

Siren shook her head and took another picture then stood, "Sounds weird, but what's not at this school." She smiled, "Sorry about what Sparky did to you," Naomi blinked, "Word travels fast in a small place. I'm sure her trainer tried to get the energy out of her, she's been falling asleep in her classes after training."

"Who trains her?" Naomi asked, she was still watching the strange shadow in the back of her mind.

"Guy named Shockwave." She replied, "He's pretty cute if you ask me." Siren noticed Naomi was only half listening. "Look, if it bugs you that much I'll watch Cat, you go check out your mystery shadow and then come back and try and listen to me, alright?" She was laughing slightly as she said it.

Naomi looked at Cat popping her head up and down out of wildflowers and chasing insects that took off, "You sure?" Siren waved a hand and went back to her picture taking. Naomi walked off in the direction of the errant shadow.

He was a big guy with his hair in a sort of V shape off the top, she could tell that from the shadow. She walked around the side of the house and paused when she saw the person leaning over what looked like a grave stone and putting what she guessed were flowers on it. "I can smell ya kid, no use hidin."

Naomi stepped out from behind the tree, she'd never been to this part of the yard, she thought it had all been plants. She looked at the three grave markers, Professor Xavier, Jean Gray, Scott Summers. She wondered who they'd been. The school was called Xavier's, Naomi guessed he'd been the founder of the school. She looked back at the ill-shaven man in a dark shirt, a vest and jeans. "Who are you?"

He raised an eyebrow, "New student?" He didn't wait for her reply, "Just call me Wolverine."

Hahaha, the arrival of another wonderful classic X-men character. ^-^ This is gonna be fun.