"I'll go fish out my sewing kit," Jill said, watching Kaden finish off his water. She quirked a brow at his muscular form, but stood and left the room. She was back a few moments later with a small packet in hand. "Lay down. I'll sterilize the needle and get to work." She'd brought some actual bandages and gauze with her this time: she'd picked it up while she was out. Disinfectant in one hand, she sat down and looked at his deep wound with a grimace. "I'm sorry if it hurts. I'm not really a doctor, and my victims are made of metal." Threading the needle after passing it through a lighter's flame (she slipped it back into her pocket when finished) Jill slid her goggles back over her eyes. The old bandages were removed. Biting her lip in concentration she carefully dabbed the bloody wound with some disinfectant liquid before starting to stitch it closed. It was clean, and stitched, within minutes. Jill steadily placed some sort of healing medicine on the newly stitched gash before leaning back. Her bloody fingers didn't seem to trouble her much.
"I didn't make you pass out, did I?"

Kaden nodded and then laid down slowly. He didn't move as she stiched him. He just staired at the ceiling nad ignored the pain he could. HE wasn't a whimp that was for sure, not when he had been abused all his life. "You're fine." he said as he watched her finish up and put on the odd medicine. "Well at least it will heal better now." he said and then looked at her and smiled crookedly. "It takes a lot more to make me pass out." he said and then blinked at her, it was funny that everything was fuzzy and out of forcase, since she had stole his glasses. "Is it ok if I can see clearly again... Or are you hiding someething?" he asked teasingly and smiled reasuringly.

Ty stopped once the hand on his shoulder commanded him to do so. He wasn't sure if Xavier could gage his power on sight or if he could feel how much energy he was using but the orphan made sure to use enough to work up a sweat. His first blow was by far the worst, as he had used it to see just how much power he could generate, and even then he hadn't used all of his newfound strength. From then on he simply unleashed the fury of blows on Dante that would weaken him but probably not kill him unless he didn't defended himself. Thankfully, he had.

Nodding to Xavier now that his job was done, Ty left the room not looking back out of fear that the seasoned mutant knew that he had shown a small manner of mercy to his comrade and may use that against him later. If he did, it was unlikely that there would be anything that the youth could do about it so there was little point in worrying about it at the moment, but he would keep it in mind. It would seem that he would have to use his head at all times around Xavier. There was no room for failure and weakness wasn't allowed. Not that it bothered Ty any, but even he had a little compassion in his heart for certain people.

It would be hard to walk around with no attachments at all. He cared for Jill for some reason but he hadn't seen her since they arrived and he wondered if she was alright. There was no telling what was going on in the mind of that madman, but what could he do if she was in trouble? Nothing. Smiling to himself and shaking his head to dismiss any other negative thoughts the male walked into his new room and glanced around it with little disdain for its look.

It was an average looking room, more than he had ever had growing up, except for when he stayed with his employer who took him in for the winter. The room had a matching furnature set that looked like cherrywood and his bed was framed in the same look. He had a black sheet set and the comforter was a gold red and black tribal looking design. All in all, it was almost too much for the teen, but he was more than happy to have a room to call his own.

"Oh," Jill reached for Kaden's glasses but paused before handing them back. "Hiding something? Like my hideous appearance?" The blonde laughed, putting the glasses into his hand at last. "Can't say I'm in the best condition right now."
Her goggles were pushed up on top of her head again, and Jill was certain that the blood on her fingertips had gotten into her hair at some point. Oil, blood, dirt . . . whatever she had been working on was officially all over her face and once-clean white shirt.
"Hungry yet? I've had some pizza sitting in the fridge for almost an hour now." She'd picked up food, clothes, and materials while she'd been out . . . it was always nice to have quick resources right down the street.
-

((Pssh. Xavier will call the Elite - aka Ty, Dante, and Kyreian for their first mission soon: the second group of mutants need to be tracked down after they heal up a bit.

Did I mention: I like the avi, Mars. :yes: Color scheme is very catchy. I like the red/brown, and with Seer's avi I LOVE the silver/purple. *laughs*))

Laughing Kaden shook his head and then sat up slowly. He smiled and shook his head more. "Youre beautiful. Grease blood and all." he said and then stood. He adjusted his glasses again and then blinked threw them. He then grabbed a cloth and chuckled, "hold still." He then cupped her cheek with one hand and whiped the oil off of her nose. "They. All better." he said lightly and then kissed her nose. "Thank you for everything you have done for us."

Jill laughed at his comment on her looks, throwing her hand out to pose for a moment before letting herself fall back into a relaxed stance. When Kaden told her to sit still, she obeyed. The blonde blinked a few times before smiling crookedly when he wiped something off of her nose. When he left a kiss in its place, Jill laughed quietly. "I'd rather trust a few normal men than some guy who can sprout wings."
At that moment Leon stepped into the room with a towel wrapped about his neck. He was wearing a loose pair of black sweats and a matching t-shirt, though it seemed to fit him rather well. "Should I give you two some space?" he asked, quirking a brow as he sat down on the other couch. Humor was dancing in his gray eyes as he watched the two of them for a few moments.

Jill laughed, shaking her head. "You were in the bathroom, slowpoke. I couldn't get to a mirror so your friend helped me out." She wrinkled her nose in the soldier's direction before looking back to Kaden. "Bathroom's all yours, Tiger." Jill sent a fake glare in Leon's direction. "Here's hoping my water heater is good enough for a hot shower after his."
A damp towel flew across the room to smack Jill in the face, and she scrambled to keep herself from stumbling.

Kaden laughed lightly and shook his head. "Nah, spectical is over. Come for the next show." he said lightly and then laughed hearing Jill. "Alright, but make sure Leon doesn't eat all the food by the time I'm out, I'm starting to get s bit hungry." he said lightly and passed Leon, giving him and Jill a soft smile, his glasses still cracked. "Its fine. I like cold showers... And if I really want I'm sure I could figure out how to heal it myself." he said lightly and dissappeared into the bathroom, and he was out in five minuets. He didn't dilly dally, because he honestly didn't enjoy showers that much. Just another daily routine fhat took up vauluable time. Walking out as he finished bottoming up a silky marroon button up shirt, and black jeans he was surprised that his new found muscles, actually made the shirt a bit tighter then it would have been usually. But he didn't mind, he was just greatful for the clothes.

Jill smiled as Kaden left the room. The remaining two let silence fill the air before moving once again. Jill threw the towel back at the soldier, tapping his knee as she passed. "Knee feeling better?"
"Much better," Leon chuckled, bundling the towel up on the edge of the couch. He looked down at his knee for a few moments before shaking his head in wonder. "We're lucky to have someone like him, you know."
The blonde shrugged, smiling a bit. "I'd agree." She headed toward the kitchen to start the kettle. Hot chocolate sounded like heaven at the moment. By the time the thing whistled both Leon and Jill were talking about the "baby" that the woman was working on throughout the time Leon was in the shower (they finally decided that he'd taken almost a half hour). The adapted and fixed hunting rifle was something akin to a sniper hybrid with uber reloading capacity - it was a machine-gun make on a sniper with a hugely long clip. As they spoke, Leon questioned her . . . and found that the mods that Jill was making was anything but legal. Somehow no one with the authorities had found out, and when the did no one seemed to care. She had a gift, just as Leon and Kaden did: weapon modifications.

"Let me see yours," Jill said, nudging the soldier's arm. Somehow he'd ended up beside her, and quite a ways into her personal bubble space. Leon drew his pistol (actually, it was Dante's) from the small bundle of things by the couch. Offering it to her, he chuckled as Jill whistled in admiration. "You said you picked this up while we were there?" Inspecting the weapon, she seemed starstruck. "This little guy is a . . . real beauty." Leon could have sworn she was close to drooling all over the handgun. "Mind if I study it for a while?"
"Be my guest." The man waved a hand toward the weapon she was holding before sitting back down. It felt so good to be able to rest again. He'd been on the run for a long while. His only fear now was another event like the apartment: mindless undead roaming about. It seemed to happen every time he settled down; it was his fault to begin with.

Jill tinkered and tested the weapon for many minutes, hardly noticing when Kaden came out of the bathroom. Leon had gotten into the refridgerator and pushed the box of cold pizza in the man's direction when he entered. "Feeling alright?" he asked, gray eyes passing over the other male. It was strange, but he looked a bit different. Maybe it was the fact that they were clean, but Kaden appeared . . . bigger somehow.

Kaden smiled and nodded taking a piece of pizza from the box. "Starved." he said lightly and sat on the couch next to Leon. He was mainly focased on eating a few of the delious pieces before he commented on Jill. "Leon, that gun is just covered in slobber by now I'm sure." he said nonchalantly as he grinned and supressed a chuckle. He then looked at Leon's knee and smiled. "Does it feel better?" he asked curiously, hoping that his attempt at healing Leon had worked well.

"Drool and lipstick, baby." Jill laughed, glancing over her shoulder before moving to the other side of the table. She wanted a clear view of the guys in the room. She listened (or perhaps she was daydreaming?) while the guys talked, still tinkering with the modified weapon.

"I'm feeling better than I have in a while," Leon said, smiling a bit. "Other than being hungry enough to eat twenty of these things, I'm feeling fine." The soldier punched Kaden's shoulder lightly. "You've got quite the talent, Kaden."

((:XD alright, I have to get this moving. Next post I'll say that they've been laying low for a few days/weeks or something. That way I can get the Elite moving to track them down. :lol:))

((sounds good to me.))

Kaden chuckled hearing Jill and nodded silently agreeing, though it was because he had been scarfing down his piece of pizza hungerily. He then was surprised that Leon's pounch didn't hurt as much as it should have, he pounched as hard as the bullies in school did when passing him in the hall. Swallowing Kaden shook his head and smiled at Leon. "Most of it was instincts... And others the inner nerd... But honestly I'm not that good... Or cordinated... When it comes to fighting..." he said lightly and ran a hand threw his long damp hair. "Ive been a school pounching bag for years... I guess I picked up on a few things." he said and shrugged as if it was nothing. He was an honest good kid most of the time, but a burning inner anger and need to be dangerous and feared lingered beneath waiting to be let out.

"Finished the pizza, eh?" Jill had finally broken away from "the baby" to come and look at the boys. They had managed to whittle the food down to the last slice . . . which they'd graciously left for the woman. After accepting it from the box Jill rolled her eyes. "I have extra blankets. You two will have to sleep on the couches tonight."
Her oil-specked hand moved to give Leon's bangs a tug. "I don't want any trouble tonight, alright? Some good sleep sounds excellent." With a yawn, she moved back toward the gun table and began to eat her slice of pizza.
-

The living arrangements had worked out well for the three of them. As the weeks passed by quickly, Jill seemed to grow on Leon . . . and the boys seemed to grow on Jill. She honestly enjoyed having them around for company and for the odd bit of help. Leon had become her handy-man: he'd fixed a pipe in the kitchen, moved a dresser and boarded up a hole in the back of the house. Kaden had become her best friend - Jill told him just about everything with a clear conscience. When it came to food, she took Kaden's opinion. Guns, she took Leon's.
As they all rested up, healing quickly, the group seemed to grow closer together. It was the end of the fourth week, just topping the month, when Jill finally let her questions spill. "So," she finished laughing at something Leon had said, "I love you guys, I really do." The blonde patted both boy's shoulders (she was sitting between the two on "Kaden's Couch"). "But a girl must ask herself what to do with two handsome bachelors. The boys at work think I'm . . . overly married now." A grim smile appeared on her face. "They laugh about it, but I can tell they don't approve."

Leon set down his mug of coffee with a frown. He knew they couldn't stay with Jill forever, but he'd just been getting comfortable. He didn't really like the thought of breaking up their group: he'd always been a man for teams. This was the second group he'd been with for over a week. The first one died because of him.
Shaking of the memories, Leon looked to Jill. Her motherly, yet friendly, attitude had grown on the soldier throughout their stay. He was wishing their accidental meeting meant forever. "Getting tired of us?" he asked with a slight smile.
Jill laughed, punching the man's arm . . . and shaking her hand afterward. "You, maybe."

Kyreian smiled at her parents, glad that she had stayed there. They had made progress, she thought, family-wise anyways. They actually talked more and she had the invitation to come over or call anytime just to chat. She waved goodbye and got into the taxi that would take her away from a home she thought she'd never have. It was amazing to think that her own parents were mutants as well...

Kyreian looked up at her building and took a deep breath. She went inside and used the stairs, going to her apartment. It hadn't really changed much. She set her bag down on her bed and sat on it herself. She looked around and sighed. She pushed the button on her answering machine and she listened to the two messages about jobs. She had missed the window for both, so she just erased them and started to clean her apartment. Amazingly enough, she even began to hum to herself. She was marginally happy.
The glass that she was putting away dropped from frozen fingers and shattered on the kitchen floor. She was very still, her body barely even breathing. Her eyes were glazed over, making the jewels that they were seem dull and dead. Within moments, she took a deep breath, life returning. The waking dreams were starting to get worse. She shuddered. Dante, as always, was present in this one. Ky put a hand out onto the counters edge to keep herself from falling. Her breathing was ragged as she tried not to cry again. She had done enough of that over the past few weeks. Taking a shaky deep breath, she stood straight and found her broom.

-----------

It was late and she had changed into a pair of black jeans and a black tank top. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the night light as she stood at her balcony, hands on the rails, looking up at the stars. She was trying to count them, ridiculously enough. It went well for a little bit, then she had to start over again. And again. It kept her mind from remembering her dreams, awake or not. They were always the same. Darkness and death, often, Dante's death. She shuddered for a moment, then returned to her counting.

Kaden had grown used to being with Jill and Leon as the weeked passed. He and Jill had shared many secrets, with Leon he had worked out and become stronger, and a better fighter. Things were balanced and good in Jill's house and Kaden even pitched in his slight cooking skills now and again. They had grown close and for once, Kaden felt at home. He felt safe and he felt loved. Sighing gently he ran a hand threw his long hair and looked at Jill. He then looked at the grown and closed his eyes. Was this it? Were they all going to split up? His chest squeezed at the thought and he nearly grimaced. He had become very close to Jill. very close. He didn't want to give up being with he at all. Ever. But it sounded like his few weeks of paradise were coming to a crash ending.

Dante sat nearby, listening as Xavier told them what to do. It was time to gather the Elite - and it was time to hunt. The male's hand lingered on the leather piece that covered the side of his neck silently. His recovery had been very unpleasant. His silver eyes flickered to Xavier and Tyrod, waiting for the command to leave.

"I want them alive." Xavier had just described their mission: bring Jill, Kaden, and Leon back to him - at all costs. They were powerful enough to be used. "Do whatever you must, and be wary of humans. They will only get in the way." That, and whatever hint of mutants the people got ended up on YouTube. With an ominous wave of his long-fingered hand, Xavier turned away from the two Chosen. "Go. Don't return to me until you've finished." He had full confidence that Tyrod would make sure things kept moving, unlike Dante who usually drug his feet to complete the task.

Dante smiled grimly as they left the room. "Excited, Tyrod? It's your first mission." And it should be Kyreian's first mission as well. They needed to bring her along as well . . . like a "training" of some sort. All of the Elite would do what Xavier said . . . and the older mutant seemed to know that Dante had her location in mind. Just knowing that Xavier knew that Kyreian was missing made Dante wary. He didn't know the full extent of the master's powers, but he had a feeling that Xavier knew where to find the woman.
-

((:XD I'm going to send Xavier to her . . . .))

A wisp of darkness edged its way under the door. Kyreian's apartment was quiet . . . save the slight shuffling of her cleaning up her earlier mess. The unnatural cold that sifted into the room with the black mist filled the ground about Kyreian's ankles as Xavier's voice filled her mind. You've dreamed about him, haven't you?
-

Jill smiled a bit, looking from one man's face to the other. "I'm sorry, guys." Leaning her head against Kaden's shoulder, she tossed her feet up and into Leon's lap. With a laugh, she leaned back against the blond man. "I love you both. Really, I do." Her brown eyes moved to Kaden's face as she turned to look at him. "I have a guy at work who's willing to offer a place for you to share. He's a great man . . . in his older fifties. He really wants to get rid of the place."
Leon smiled grimly, his gray eyes moving to his coffee again. He knew that once they moved out there was going to be an infection again - his powers acted up whenever he felt . . . different. If he wasn't comfortable, then there was a high level of risk.

Nodding Kaden smiled grimly as well and then leaned down and kissed Jill upon the forehead. "Its fine.... I still have my parents' house we can go to.." he said and then gently removing Jill from himself he got up and grabbed the few things he owned. Frowning he walked into the landry room to grab the few clothes he had, his fists shaking as he did. He adjusted his glasses angerily and sighed. Why couldn't he tell her? Why couldn't he say that heart felt I love you to Jill that he passionately wanted to speak. It made him want to cry in frustration. She would probably be the only person to ever accept him... Besides Leon... And now things would turn bad again... He didn't wantthat, but it seemed he would never escape that fate.

Tyrod listened in silence as their task was given. It was simple enough, find and return Jill, Kaden and Leon. Honestly the male would have preferred to work alone since he could move faster by himself but Dante was more experienced if a lot less motivated. The young mutant was power hungry and he had a feeling Xavier knew it, and would probably control him through it but there was little he could do until he got strong enough to break free of this man.

Thinking about it now Tydidn't particularly like Xavier but he didn't dislike the monster either. Their relationship would be a simple master-pupil connection and not a master-servant bond despite its outer appearance. There was no way he would serve anyone as a slave but he would however allow himself to be used if in turn he grew in strength.

The thought of how powerful he would have to become to even challenge Xavier was intoxicating but he knew he was far from that level of mastery. As he revelled, his thoughts were promptly interrupted when Dante chimed in asking about his feelings, "Nervous?" He thought about the tense feeling in his body for a moment and then replied, "Nah, I think I'm more anxious to get it over than anything. If all goes well, I'll get to test out my new uncapped strength." Uncapped? No there's still a cap, it's just been raised until I'm ready to handle more. At least that's what I'm hoping.

"Well I suppose you know where they went? Lead the way. And lets not dawdle, I'd like to be back before dinner," he said with a venomous smirk. Looking at his companion, his eyes masking his thoughts and curiousity. Dante, how powerful are you?

Kyreian, for the first time, didn't flinch. Her dreams were filled with things that scared her far more then Xavier 'touching' her. She did however, close her eyes and swallow hard at the mans words. She knew that he would hear her if she used her mind, but she chose to speak out loud anyway. "What do you want, Xavier?" She opened her eyes and kicked at the black mist at her feet, trying to be rid of it. She knew coming home meant having to deal with this enemy. And she would, as long as it meant that she could see Dante and help him. She had a feeling that he might need her...though it was more then that. She hated to admit it, but she needed him. Her parents weren't enough this time.

Jill watched Kaden go with a sad expression. When the blond had disappeared, she turned her gaze to Leon. "I'm so sorry." With a heavy sigh, she pressed the rubbed her eyes. Letting her head fall into her hands, the woman leaned against her knees. "I really don't want to push you two out. What else can I do?"
The soldier shook his head. He had no suggestions: Leon thought that it wasn't the best thing for two unmarried men to be staying with a single woman anyway. Reaching over to rub her back in a brotherly-comfort sort of way, Leon shrugged his broad shoulders. "We'll be fine. Thank you for everything, Jill."

The girl sighed again, keeping her eyes hidden in her hands. She wanted to cry. These guys were her life now. There was nothing she looked forward to more than coming home from work to find them sparring or watching a movie, eating something or messing around with their weight equipment. She would miss them more than life itself if they left.
"I'm not saying you can't be here. I want to hear from you guys every day," Jill's voice was low as she sniffed once. "I want you to come over every moment you get the chance. Stop by the shop to say hello. Don't . . . disappear, alright?"
Her gaze finally lifted. Leon saw her red-rimmed eyes fill with watery emotion. "You will come and say hello every once in a while, right?"
Leon frowned and yanked her into a brotherly hug. "Of course we will. We aren't that cruel."
"Yes you are," Jill muttered against his shirt. With a few more sniffs she seemed to settle down a bit. "Let's go to the park or something. I'm ready for a game of catch. Some sparring. Anything but this. You can pack later, fatso." Wiping the tears from her eyes, Jill poked Leon's stomach (and frowned when she found it nearly hurt her finger). "Go get blondie."

Leon found Kaden a few moments after his talk with Jill. Stepping up to the other male, he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jill suggested a day outside," he said quietly. He'd noticed how attached the two had grown . . . and they were both obviously torn that they were going to seperate.
-

With a grim smile, Dante nodded. "I didn't think Xavier would do that for anyone," he said with a shrug. The very fact that the "master" had unlocked another level of Tyrod's strength meant that he expected much from him. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."
They continued walking, finally stepping out into the sunlit world outside of the apartment building. "I don't know where they've gone," he said. It was then that he caught Tyrod's smirk. He wasn't sure what to think of this new recruit - and he wasn't so sure Tyrod was as submissive as he appeared. That was none of his concern, however. Right now his only concern was to get moving and find the group of mutants that they were tracking.

Scenting the air, Dante's silver gaze filled with shards of crimson. "We should start looking around town. I only need a whiff of them." He glanced to Tyrod, noting the power and confidence that radiated off of him. "I can find them before lunch. We will be back before dinner gets started." With a small smile, he lengthened his stride - they were in town minutes later.
They walked through the streets for a good half hour before Dante's red-streaked gaze widened. He'd caught Jill's sweet scent - she was nearby. Crossing the street and entering the building where the smell was coming from, Dante frowned. It was a gun shop - the men inside greeted them with gruff calls, but the mutant didn't reply. He was like a dog on a trail - and he backed out onto the sidewalk once again.
"Got them," he said, his fangs lengthening as he used more of his unnatural powers to track their prey. He'd done this too many times to count - it would be good to have others to do what Xavier wanted. Perhaps he would get a break every once in a while after Tyrod was trained. . . .
-

Xavier materialized a few feet from Kyreian, his red eyes stern. "I have a task for you," the male said, his voice sounding more solid than usual. Standing motionless, he blinked in a slow manner. "You were Chosen. Your resistance to this calling will only cause you more trouble." He let his gaze pass over her kitchen uninterestedly. "Dante and Tyrod have already begun. You should be with them, Kyreian." It was her time to train; to find out what Xavier expected of his Elite. "You will join them." He expected resistance, but that would be no problem for the male to deal with - it never was before. Xavier knew how to deal with those who refused to listen. Dante had proved to be difficult . . . Kyreian would be no harder to break.

Kaden looked up rubbing his now red eyes and nodded. "Alright hold on, something's in my eye." he said lowly and then after rubbing his eyes he cleaned his glasses once more and placed them on his nose. "Ok." he said softly and followed Leon to grab their mitts and a ball, as well as grabbing a few water bottles. It seemed their throwing some how alwas turned into sparring. Re-entering the living room Kande's eyes immediately landed on Jill, and then he looked at the gun table quickly, not wanting to stare, or for her to notice his red eyes. "I left the house number on the fridge... So you can call us up anytime." he said softly hoping her mood would lighten. He could tell that they all didn't like the thought of splitting up, but it was the descent thing to do.

((Jill and Kaden are toooo cute! ))

Tyrod looked at his companion a bit confused, "He didn't do that for you?" The street rat had grown in strength substantially but he still wasn't able to gauge the power of others. He had a feeling that Dante was strong, probably far stronger than he let on but there was only one way to find out. Not now, later. You've got to gauge your own strength before you can gauge someone else's. He smiled as the male gave him a vote of confidence (or rather that's how he took it) and nodded in agreement, "I am too." In truth his body was trembling from excitement but he needed to control himself to be effective. This was simply one of the many harsh lessons he learned from growing up in the slums.

As they stepped out and Dante mentioned that he only needed to catch their scent the male smiled and nodded, "That's handy. I'll follow wherever you lead. . . brother." That's what they were now right? Brother's in arms, comrades, colleges or anything else along those lines. Xavier had branded them both which linked them together somehow. He wondered about the mark as he followed the older mutant around town for about half an hour. Then they came up on a gun store and it reminded him of Jill. Dante lead them in and then back out before declaring he had their location, "Good. After you."

As they began to follow the scent of their prey Tyrod figured he'd just go ahead and ask, "So, how did Xavier get you? And just what are your powers?" For some reason he felt like he wouldn't get a full answer regardless so for laughs he added, "If you tell me yours I'll tell you mine." He followed up his comment with a mischievous grin and wink.

"I'll call," Jill said, glancing toward the fridge as though worried the number would just disappear. The woman thought she saw a glint of tears in Kaden's eyes, but she was distracted by Leon as he started to push her toward the door.
"I'd like to get out there before we get old, Jill." The soldier was glad to see the blonde lighten up immediately. She barked a laugh and spun away from him. Snagging her keys, she darted by and smacked Leon's arm. Jill tugged on a bit of Kaden's hair just before she passed.
"We all know where the park is. Bet I can beat the two of you there!" With that she was gone. Running as fast as she could, Jill hurtled over the small fence in the front of the building and hit the ground running. Leon sent one glance to Kaden before giving him a challenging smile and following.

The three of them got to the park around the same time . . . though Jill was last, as usual. The boys had certainly strengthened themselves throughout their time together. "Give it over," Jill gasped, yanking the ball from Kaden's hands. With a breathless smile, she waved the others off. They would toss the ball around for a while (she'd kept it from her childhood years) before somehow turning everything into a mock battle.
"I made Leon promise you'd both come over almost every day," Jill called just loud enough to be heard. Fixing her ponytail as the others threw the ball back and forth, she smiled grimly. "I'm going to make you bring me food, too. It's back to Top Ramen and Cheetos for me." Catching the ball that Kaden tossed, she slung it back at him with unnecessary force - it was her favorite part about the game. Guys could catch it; girls always shied away from whatever was thrown at them. She was glad to have her friends with her.
-

"He didn't do that for you?"
Dante paused when the question was asked. He never answered Tyrod about that little fun fact. Truth was . . . it was Xavier that really started his life out. There was some freakish event in his past that was linked to the master . . . and he could hardly remember times without the ageless man. Luckily Tyrod didn't push about his power limits: Dante wouldn't have said anything anyway.
As they neared a neighborhood, Dante couldn't help but smile a bit. "Full of questions, are you?" He caught Tyrod's wink and let out a small laugh. "Xavier picked me up from a tribe in Africa." His silver eyes flickered to the other man. "And, no, I'm not lying." It had been a sacrificial ceremony gone wrong. The natives had believed the "white demon" to be the source of their recent misfortunes with disease. Dante had been a child - perhaps twelve - at the time. He didn't understand what was going on, but was confused when the indigenous people bound him to a stake. Their sacrifice was going to "appease the spirits," or whatever they claimed. All they saw was a winged creature - that was Dante's true form, after all.
With a snort, Dante pointed to one of the houses. "She lives there." That was where Jill would be . . . and it would be where Kaden and Leon were as well. Their scents were all together now. Stepping closer to the small building Dante paused again. The trail led away from the house. Turning to follow the now-clear smell (the other trail had been rather weak), the man brushed his hand over the sleeve of his red coat.
"Do you really want to ask me what my abilities are?" His brow creased. "Nothing Xavier can't handle." And something even Dante himself needed help containing. "Isn't turning into a monster a good enough answer?" Though he didn't mean to snap the comment, it certainly sounded more bitter than he intended.

Kaden sprinted and soon beat Jill along with barely besting Leon. Grinning at Jill as she huffed and tried regaining his breath he nearly laughed. It was cute that she still tried racing and beating them when she knew she couldn't. Or at least Kaden thought it was anyway. Letting Jill take the ball from him he backed up and set the waters down. He nodded and laughed hearing her. "Thats doable... But I'm not letting Leon cook. That would be a disaster." he said with a grin and then caugh the ball that was thrown really hard (for Jill) to him. Catching it hr then tossed it back teasingly, as if she couldn't catch a simple throw.

Although his first question was ignored, Tyrod dismissed the small rise of curiosity he felt. He had known people like Dante, before. They were the calculating type, and had a reason for doing everything whether they were motivated or not. People like him were more dangerous when they were pushed than any other time. He's entirely too laid back to be scary otherwise. The thought almost made the young mutant snicker but he held it in check.

They arrived in a neighborhood after a few more minutes of travelling and when Dante grinned, Tyrod knew they were close. The white haired male then answered the first part of his dual sided question stating he was found Africa. "Wow. . . That, I wasn't expecting." Ty wanted to ask him to elaborate but figured things would only get more complicated if he did. That and it may bring up some unpleasant memory that Dante wouldn't share. A mysterious little man, he is.

"She lives there." A viper's grin grew on Ty's lips. I can test out my abilities now. Then he saw Dante's head turn as if he had found a new scent. Or not. . . Truth be told, Tyrod had always wondered what had happened to Jill. Hell, he'd risked his own miserable life to save her for no good, logical reason and hadn't even gotten so much as a thank you. Not that he expected it but it would've been nice to hear at least. He followed his older brother as he followed the new trail. Apparently they were out, and hopefully somewhere wide open.

His thoughts of Jill were interrupted when Dante lashed out at him about the nature of his powers. Honestly it had been an innocent question, the boy was just curious. He cringed a little before recomposing himself and falling silent for an indefinate period, "I won't ask any more questions brother, my apologies." Everything I'm curious about is apparently too personal. The look on his face was downtrodden but he kept his head high and followed the older male without so much as a single peep for the rest of the way.

Kyreian watched the man with her blank face, sapphire eyes glinting darker. Then, slowly, she began to smile, an eerie smile that didn't seem to fit her face. She walked casually to Xavier, stopping in front of him about a foot away. Her eyes had begun to darken around the corners. She seemed to just brush off the cold that seemed to surround the man. "You know what I just realized?" She took a step closer. For all that her height was shorter then his, she still seemed to be a little imposing. "I am not afraid of you. Your an asshole, but I am not afraid of you. I will go like you say, but not because you ordered me to." Her voice dropped to a whisper, a growl. "You will never have me, Xavier. I am not yours, not a pawn to be played. I know what I am and where I came from now. I'm going because I choose too, not because you want me to." She lifted a hand with the back of it facing him so that he could see. Her veins were black roads against a porcelain plain. The roads were spreading towards her head, like snakes finding a place to lay. At this point, no white shown in her eyes, only black onyx and round sapphires. "I've had weeks, Xavier, weeks to plan, to think, to play, to experiment. I was not just a doll who had power when you found me but a weapon who was trained to learn. And I don't need you to do so."
She took a step back from the man to give him space. She smiled prettily. "Now, if you tell me where they went, I'll find Dante and get what information I need from him."

(Hope that was okay....Let me know if it wasn't)