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[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

Tuesday night after Shiro returns to the mansion, he takes Leyu to talk to Xavier. Short, nothing too special.


Home sweet home, Shiro thought, dropping his duffle bag onto his bed. Leyu followed him, laying her bag down next to his, and looked up at him questioningly. Right, first things first. Leaving Alex to do what he wanted, Shiro took Leyu downstairs to Professor Xavier's office. A talk was in order. He knocked on the door and stood back, awaiting a response.

"Come in, Shiro," Charles called through the door. "And welcome back."

Shiro repressed and shiver and opened the door, ushering his sister in. "Hello, Professor. I need to speak with you. It's rather important." Leyu remained silent, contemplating the old bald man whom Shiro seemed to hold in high regard.

"I am entirely at your disposal." Charles smiled, at Shiro, and at the shy young girl behind him. "May I have the honor of an introduction, young lady?"

"This is my sister, Leyu," Shiro said as she bowed. "I would like to enroll her here. She's not a mutant as far as I'm aware, but . . ." He sighed and took a seat. "We have no where else to go, Professor."

Charles frowned slightly, then gestured to the waiting chairs. "Please, sit--you look worn to a thread. How did this happen?"

Leyu sat down next to Shiro, but otherwise remained silent. Shiro hadn't told her much, either. "I have been kicked out. My cousin Keniuchio wanted me to . . ." He paused, unsure if he should say everything, especially in front of Leyu. "To do something that I could not. When I refused, he threatened to kill me if I did not leave. I couldn't leave my sister with him, Professor, so I took her back with me."

"You did the right thing, Shiro." Charles' voice was definite. "You and Leyu are welcome here, and will always be."

"Thank you," Shiro said, bowing his head slightly. "I apologize for the short notice, but . . . it was beyond my control." He tried to smile for Xavier, but it wouldn't come. "I think I should warn you about the power he commands, though."

"Whatever it is, he will not touch you here. Still, if he is likely to try, I'm sure Scott will appreciate the warning--unless you would prefer to rest, first."

"I don't know if he would try something so bold," Shiro said slowly, chewing his bottom lip in thought. "I don't envision myself getting caught in situations like Mr. Dayspring seems to every other day, but I will tell Mr. Summers, yes."

Charles nodded, smiling wryly. "I'm very glad to see you have no ambitions in Nathan's direction. One perpetual injury-magnet in the house is quite enough." He sighed. "And how are you, Shiro? This must have been hard on you. Both of you. Is there anything I can do?"

Shiro folded his hands in his lap and looked down. "No, I don't think there is anything to do, Professor. I . . ." He glanced at Leyu, who was paying more attention to the setup of the room than to the conversation. "I will be fine. It will be better this way, I think."

"I hope so," Charles said quietly. "I very much hope so. If you think of anything that I can do, please let me know immediately." He smiled. "And I believe all the students will be moving quarters very soon--Mr. Marko has been working on some extensive remodeling this summer--but we can certainly find Leyu a temporary room until then, and make up a class schedule for her to start in the coming term."

"Thank you very much, Professor," Shiro said as he stood up. He wanted to say more, to express his gratitude, but couldn't find the right words, so he just bowed again and led Leyu out.