Chapter 28

Victor let Vincent rest for a few more moments so the kid could more fully pull himself together. However, he didn't want to wait to long. He was pretty sure his other three pups were not staying out of trouble. One of their own had been verbally attacked and scared and they were not the type to just quietly take that. He needed to get back before they killed anyone. Once the boy's breathing had fully evened out, Victor stood and held out a hand. "Ready to head back, pup?"

Vincent twisted his lips into a self mocking smile. "Not really but I'm going back anyway aren't I? I mean you didn't let David leave."

The large blond shook his head. "Nope and, like I said, ya really think I'm gonna do less for you than I do for my other pups?"

The raven haired boy shrugged again but stood up and began walking back in the direction of the mansion. "You could...but you haven't so far."

Victor didn't take insult at the statement. The kid had had it rough for years. You didn't turn something like that around in just a few weeks. If you could, he wouldn't still be so messed up. He wouldn't still be having the bad memories that woke him up in the middle of the night and made him wonder if he ever wanted to leave the safety of the closet again. It was easier now, though, with Scott sleeping next to him. His lover's warm body reminded him that the chains and arena and such were in the past.

They were close enough to the mansion that his hearing picked up the sounds of children playing and he paid more attention, trying to see if he could hear his other pups. However, he couldn't detect any sign of them with any of his enhanced senses even as they walked out of the forest. He really hoped they had behaved themselves enough that they weren't locked in their room or something. He'd hate to have to disappoint his lover and Professor X by breaking down a door or two.

Keeping Vincent near him, he headed straight for Professor Xavier's office guessing that either they'd be there or the headmaster of the school would know where they were. He also wanted to know about any punishments handed out as soon as possible.

The professor asked them to come in as soon as the big man knocked and Victor kept a hold on Vincent's shoulder as he opened the door. Breathing in deeply, his senses were already checking to see who was there before he even stepped into the room, Vincent a sullen and silent shadow next to him.

Charles was sitting behind his desk, his hands steepled in front of him and a benign smile on his face, but Victor could smell the tension off of him. He was not happy.

All of the teachers were present...again. So were Bobby, Marie, Warren and another young man that Sabretooth didn't recognize. The teens were all huddled on one couch, arms crossed defensively. His pups were gathered on the other couch, sprawled disrespectfully over the back and sides. Vincent immediately walked over and flopped down between Scylla and Wolf, a closed expression on his handsome face.

Scott stood on one side of the desk while Ororo stood on the other, facing each other but silent and Victor wondered how the argument was going even though no one was currently talking. Closing the door behind him, he leaned back against it, waiting.

Charles continued to calmly smile. "Thank you for coming back, Vincent."

The young man shrugged for an answer and the tension in the room seemed to grow thicker.

The professor took a deep breath before speaking. "It has come to my attention that you young people can not seem to be in the same room for any length of time without a fight. I want this stopped immediately. It is detrimental to your own learning and growth and it is a poor example for the other students." Bobby opened his mouth to say something but Charles held up his hand and continued. "I really no longer care whose fault it is perceived to be. The eight of you are obviously not going to get along and have antagonized each other to a point that no one is right. So, I am instigating a rule that I expect everyone to obey and enforce." He gave a pointed glance to both Ororo and Scott. "You two groups are not socialize. If you have classes together, you are to sit on the opposite sides of the room. In the cafeteria, you will not stand in line together and you will remain at your usual tables. Other than that, I do not want to hear about any member of either group being in the same room as any member of the other group. Anyone found violating this rule will be punished...anyone. I am not even going to ask who was there first anymore. I am tired of the infighting and, if you all can not control yourselves, then you will remain separate from each other. Also, I am tired of rumors." He turned his gaze fully onto Bobby and his friends. "I can't forbid you not to speak your hate at all but I will not have a subversive propaganda movement in my school. Mutants have enough problems in this world without turning on each other." He returned to splitting his attention between the two groups. "Therefore, from this day forward, you do not have to like each other but you will tolerate each other. If you can not manage this on your own, I will arrange your schedules so that you do not have time to even notice anyone else exists. Does everyone understand me?"

Victor didn't glance at Marie and her friends to see their reaction. Those children didn't matter to him. However, he did fix his own pups with a stare, watching there reactions. The four of them all nodded, somewhat sullenly, and he relaxed. He didn't care if they had attitudes as long as they agreed to follow the new rules. He understood the headmaster's point and he agreed it was the best solution. It would keep his pups from being antagonized and keep them safe and that was the important thing. Pushing himself away from the door at Charles' nod of dismissal, he gave his own low growl, opening the door and jerking his head at the kids. David and the others immediately stood up and sauntered through the door, though Wolf couldn't let it lie. He turned back and smirked at the other kids, flipping them off briefly before Victor gently but firmly cuffed him on the back of his head. The teenager looked up at him in annoyance but then lowered his eyes at Victor's hard gaze, understanding his father's reprimand.

He followed them through the halls until they were in the boys' dorm room. Closing the door behind him, he got to the point. "I expect you to obey the new rule."

Wolf flopped back on his unmade bed, his arms crossed over his chest. "It's not fair. You know they're going to try to catch us. Try to maneuver us into being in the same room with them so we get in fucking trouble. Hell, they're probably gonna try to start shit in that weather bitch's class since they know she doesn't like us."

Victor snickered from where he leaned on the door. "How many times I gotta tell ya? Life ain't fair or easy. Yeah, they're gonna try t'fuck with ya. The runt still fucks with me and I'm under my own set of rules, remember? Ya think that's fair. Ya think the people I've killed would think it's fair I'm still alive, livin' pretty good and have a family?" That brought him startled looks. "Yes, pups, I killed before I went into the arena. I am a killer. I done a lot of shitty things and I probably will do more but one thing I don' do is give up. Ya gonna give up now 'nd let them back ya into a corner just cause ya don' think somethin's fair? Or are ya gonna take what life's handed you, make the best of it and say t' hell with fairness and anyone that tries to push ya around?"

Vincent shrugged, "We're not weak like those other shits. I gave them what they wanted today but that don' mean it's gonna happen again. Let 'em try their shit. Not gonna let them fuck up my life for their amusement. I got plans."

Victor smiled in pride as his pups all nodded in agreement.