Companions (X men Fanfiction)

An Actual Good Meal

I returned a while later with a thrush and beaver. The beaver was very large and I was very pleased with myself. I landed with both of them with my claws and I exchanged a glance with Tony and Poultice.

"Are we ready," I asked as I picked up the thrush and rabbit. They dangled in my mouth and I padded forward.

Poultice picked up a shrew and a mouse that he had managed to catch. Tony picked up his two voles and padded forward with Poultice bringing up the rear. We pushed forward, a bit tired but I wasn't about to show it.

We pushed into the camp and the sun was already about to set. "We're back," I mumbled as I strode forward to where everyone was sitting around a fire that would be used to cook out prey. I set the prey down and looked at Logan.

Poultice set his prey down next to mine and then Tony laid his down. "It's not a lot but it should do," murmured Tony as he strode over to Erik and pushed his head against his leg.

"Don't worry," murmured Storm as she took each of the prey gingerly. "I'm sure it will do." She passed it onto Logan cringing. "I think this is more of your expertise. You can skin them."

Logan smiled before he took the prey and used his claws to skin them. I had long claws like Logan so I began to skin them. I peeled off the fur and skin from rabbit. Once the meat was ready I padded it to John who had collected some sticks that would be used to cook the prey.

He stuck the rabbit with a stick through the middle and placed it over the fire. Poultice gave each of the mutants a stick and I sliced the prey up so that each of the mutants had a fair piece of prey for them to eat. However once we were done I realized that there was no more prey left for Tony, Poultice, and I.

Logan looked over at me. He was using his claws at the stick and he was cooking part of the thrush. It wasn't a large piece and I knew that he would still be hungry. "You can share with me," offered Logan.

I shook my head, hearing the roaring of my stomach. "No you go ahead. I'm not that hungry."

Logan didn't believe me for a second. He ripped off a piece of the still cooking meat and tossed it toward me. "Eat that."

"I'm alright," I assured as I turned my head away from the meat. "I promise."

Logan narrowed his eyes. "If you don't eat that I will slice my claws into your wings," he threatened.

I laughed and licked my lips. "I won't eat it because I know someone who needs it much more than I do." Logan and I looked over to Poultice who was gnawing a bit on the thrush's wings. Pain filled my heart since I knew how hungry he was.

I smiled and picked up the chunk of thrush. I strode over and set it down beside Poultice. "Here," I offered as I nudged it toward his muzzle.

Poultice lifted his head and his eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I can't take this away from you. You should eat."

I shook my head. He was so selfless. "You're still growing and you need the best food I can find and right now I have brought you that. I will be fine. I promise."

Poultice's eyes brightened. "Thanks Starlight!" He pawed at the meat before he tore into it ravenously.

Tony rumbled in amusement although he didn't have any food either. "Don't wolf it down or you might choke."

Poultice swallowed and licked the blood from his lips. "But I'm so hungry," he complained as he took another bite and it was gone.

I wanted to tell Poultice to keep his tone lower because he didn't need pity but it was too late. Bobby immediately took some meat from his share and placed it to his companion. "Here."

"No I can't take your meal," he argued as his tail lashed as he tried to throw back the meat.

"Now don't be rude," I scolded as I pushed Poultice's shoulder with my head. "He gave you food now eat it."

Poultice nodded respectfully and ate the meat thankfully, his eyes gleaming. "Atta pup," I breathed in his ear, wishing that I could take all of the pain he would ever feel. I knew that that would never happen. I drew back, licking my paws and drawing them over my ears.

"I'm worried about Thruster," I confessed aloud as I looked at my paws and I felt the heat of the fire make me sweat. "I haven't heard from him."

"And I'm worried about Keen," butted in Poultice as he sat back on his haunches, now depressed at thinking about his friend.

"What is wrong with the little pup," asked Tony as his ears flicked in despair.

Poultice looked up, frowning with tears in his eyes. "I don't know," he confessed as his body shuddered. "All I know is that he is dying and there is nothing I can do to help him."

Erik looked over toward me. "That can't be possible. Is he really dying?"

I shuffled my paws. I really hadn't wanted to discuss this with them but I couldn't hide it now. "Yes. He was vomiting and he had a very high fever. Last time I checked on him he looked to be a few heartbeats from death."

"But those wolf-hearted men took him away," spat Poultice as his fur bristled. "They took others too! My friends." He hung his head and I pressed against him, trying to comfort him. I saw a strange look of longing in Erik's eyes and if made me tilt my head.

"We will get them back," Jean assured as she stretched out a hand and rested it on Poultice's shoulder. "I promise."

Erik sighed before he stood up. "Of course we will but right now the adults have a lot to talk about."

I looked to Bobby, Poultice, Rouge, John, and Kurt who all shouldn't be in the conversation. "How about you go and get some rest," suggested Storm gently.

I licked Poultice between the ears before I pushed him forward. "How can I sleep when I know that Keen isn't alright," he asked as he looked up at me. The whole group could hear and I heard the sympathy their voice as they talked about him and Keen.

"I know it's hard but you must. Please, for me?"

He turned and blinked his eyes. "Can you promise me that we'll get him back," asked Poultice with round eyes.

"I promise you we will get him back but Poultice you might find something you don't want to find." I tried to keep my tone even but it wasn't happening.

"I know," breathed Poultice as he wiggled his haunches as Bobby pushed into a tent he was sharing with John. "Well goodnight Starlight."

He turned and darted forward into the tent. I sighed and tensed my muscles. Bad things were happening and I didn't know what to do.