Breezes

On warm summer nights, the windows of the mansion were left open, admitting breezes and letting voices escape. Whispers. Secrets. In the garden behind the mansion, Logan sat, relaxing and searching for his Chi. Letting the voices reach him. Not to hear the secrets, but to touch the souls. To share intimacy without exposure of self. To keep a distance.

A breeze blew.

"What are you making?"

"Peach cobbler. Do ya like desserts?"

"Actually, I can't remember."

"Would ya like ta try some?"

"Yes."

Logan closed his eyes, legs crossed, back of hands resting on knees. Breathe in, hold, release.

The wind shifted.

"Ah, my pretties. How lovely you look tonight. Mm, you smell so wonderful. There is such serenity within you all. Shall I create some rain for you to drink?"

Breathe in, hold, release.

The wind moved.

"So, you up for pizza?"

"Monumentally, my young Tonto. Just let me finish this one last experiment."

"Tonto?! Since when am *I* the sidekick?"

Breathe in, hold, release. Find the Chi, the energy within. Like a golden glow, just out of sight.

A breeze swirled.

"It's a beautiful night."

"Not as beautiful as you are. Have I told you today how much I love you?"

"With every thought."

Breathe in, hold, release. Find the Chi. The energy. The lifeforce. Let it come, slowly drawing nearer.

A gust went by.

"Are you going to keep that gun on you all night? Even here?"

"It's my duty."

"If there were any danger, I'd sense it."

"Not if you were the source of the danger."

"That... wasn't fair."

Breathe in, hold, release. Allow the Chi to permeate muscle and bone, bringing its energy and light, creating a state of heightened awareness. Keep it steady.

A breath of air passed.

"What is this? A fungus? How?... Goddess! My plants, they are all infected!"

Keep it steady. Breathe in, hold, release.

A heavy wind began to pick up.

"Is that what you think of me as? A sidekick? Your little tag-along?"

"That isn't what I meant to imply."

"It's what you said, isn't it? Isn't it?!"

Keep it steady. Breathe in, hold, release.

The wind howled softly.

"Well, well, well. What have we got here? A couple a lovebirds, non? An' playin' wit'out invitin' me. I'm hurt."

"What we do is none o' ya business."

"Oh, it not, is it? Jus' t'row me by de wayside, neh?"

"Uh, maybe you had better leave."

"Maybe you should!"

Keep it steady. Breathe in, hold, release.

The wind beat heavily.

"I resent you constantly treating all of us like we were the enemy."

"I know what happens. In my time-"

"To hell with your time! It's just as plausible that you were sent to break us all apart. Why don't we just find out for sure?"

"Get that knife away from me, woman!"

Keep it steady. Breathe in, hold, release.

The wind screamed.

"Damn, everyone's fighting again. I better go stop it."

"No, let them work it out for themselves. Stay here."

"I can't. I have an obligation."

"And what about your obligation to me?"

Keep it stead- Concentration broke, Chi fled. Logan opened his eyes and frowned. Once again he couldn't find inner peace, but perhaps he was searching for it in the wrong way. He was part of a team and it was the X-Men who were unbalanced, who were pulled out of alignment, their Chi unavailable.

Standing up, Logan turned to look at the mansion. The wind had changed again, shutting off all the voices. He knew what the problem was. Now all he had to do was figure out how he was going to solve it.

The End

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