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Ultimate Mariko	By : Polymer Category: X-men Comics > Het - Male/Female Views: 1702 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men comics, or any of the characters from it. I make no money from from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Part 20

Kitty Pryde yawned and crawled up out of the coach class seat. It had been a cramped ride for the twelve hour flight, and she was ready to get in some sightseeing before looking for Michelle and Logan. She stuffed the tour book into her shoulder bag alongside her Discman with her favorite Cat's laughing CDs.

Once she had freshened up in the lavatory after waiting in a long line, she took stock of her carryon. It was one piece of luggage that she crammed all her necessities into. Logan had taught her well enough what to take and what not to take on Trans Atlantic, or in this case� pacific flights.

"Wolvie, where are you," she muttered, biting her lip.

Her mentor he was. Where else did she learn her style of fighting, street and dirty, except from him. Not much of that kung fu stuff, but the tae bo, and ju jitsu. Even a style he had picked up in Israel which took advantage of using the heels of her hands and the end of her elbow to pummel someone into submission and get them to release her to fight another day.

Off the plane Sprite wandered, and yawned once more. She was in a cluster of about fifty tourists, and headed towards customs. She grinned, following the line past the garish tourist booths to buy one's first share of Japan. All the chairs were loaded with people eating sushi or other meals that were far better than the cardboard they served as food, or the tiny foil pouches of peanuts and a flat glass of soda she had the night before.

In the long lines she waited for customs. She set her bag down with a jingle, and handed her card over. The bag passed through the machine, and she heard a ding. "Excuse me miss, but what is this?"

He pointed to the side and she chuckled when she saw the X ray scan of three skewerlike objects in what appeared to be gauntlets. The special strap on wolverine claws would come in handy, and then some. However she tugged out a release form and waved it under his nose.

"Um I'm a salesperson for Cutlass kitchen gadgets� I'm selling the latest in kitchen equipment� for Worthington Industries�"

Reaching into the bag she pulled out three kitchen knives, razor sharp, and a piece of rope and a hunk of leather. She sliced through each of them, as she said, "Just imagine how nicely your steak will be cut�"

"You wouldn't mind having a job for Ginsu, would you?" the man behind her asked.

"Excuse me but this is NOT a salesroom. Please stow your wares and move on," the clerk moaned, not impressed as she packed it all away. Giggling she dragged her bag and walked away.

Luckily they bought the whole story about her selling them as kitchen knives. She had the small release form that designated her as a salesperson from Warren's little company. Idiots bought ANY excuse. That metal detector attendant didn't know WHAT hit him.

Now as she wandered out of the gate she wrinkled her nose. Something was watching her. It wasn't the surveillance cameras, and was following at a discrete distance. Though she didn't have Logan's senses, she knew well enough from her mentor how to know she was being tailed. Glancing back and forth with her eyes only she sensed a slender figure in a trenchcoat was walking just to her left with a hobbling gait.

"You can't fool me," she chuckled, and ducked into the ladies room. When she emerged, she thumped right into a tall man in a brown coat.

"Nice try cherie, but Gambit know a trick or three," he laughed.

"What the HELL are you doing here!" Kitty hissed. "That wasn't you�"

"It was me, kitty," said Kurt as he walked up, hiding behind a countenance suspiciously resembling Errol Flynn with the laceup shirt and long black duster coat.

"You what the HELL are you�" Kitty got out. "I thought you weren't gonna come!"

"We aren't the only ones here to see you," Kurt smiled.

"Katya," said a deep Russian voice to her left, and she blinked up into Pyotr Rasputin's blue eyes. "It is good to see you, malishka�"

"What was THAT crap about not coming along?" she asked, tugging his collar. "Oh god� you scared the hell out of me!"

"I am sorry my Katya� I should have accompanied you instead of stopping you," said Pyotr.

"You big goon, I'm SO glad to see you!" Kitty cried as she threw herself into his arms and kissed him on the lips.

"What are we, chopped liver?" Kurt pouted.

"Shh mes ami, let da lover have a tender moment," Gambit said as he pulled Nightcrawler to the side.

Pyotr's arms flew out at his sides, and then he wrapped them around Kitty's waist. Boosting her up he grabbed her hips and held her there so she could continue. Kitty gasped as her impulsive peck deepened, with Pyotr's tongue teasing at her lips and his arms crushing her close.

She was dizzy when she drew back, and his blue eyes gleamed with happiness. "Katya, I'm so glad to see you. I feared that I had angered you�"

"Never big guy. You came through," she whispered, fingering his face as he kissed her again.

"Ahem," Nightcrawler coughed, and he set her down. "Don't mind us, but we traveled far to seek you too�"

"I'm also glad to see both of you clowns," Kitty laughed as she opened her arms to Kurt. Gambit held out his skinny arms for a hug, but backed off when Colossus shot him a dirty look. Instead he kissed Kitty's hand daintily.

"Enceinte. We are both glad to see you made it in one piece� one lovely piece� non?"

"Love ya too gambit. But don't look but the big guy's jealous," Kitty whispered.

"Love is good, yes?" Gambit grinned, clicking his teeth.

"Don't push it," she said, jabbing his stomach. "so� you guys are here�"

"Why don't we talk over coffee�" suggested Colossus. He picked up Kitty's bag and extended his hand. She saw his backpack slung over his shoulders and slid her hand into his. Loving the feel of his massive hand cradling hers she sighed.

"Sounds good," Kurt said as he rubbed his hands together and Gambit grinned at the sight of the young couple's blissful reunion.

***
"Holy crap, what a joint," Logan muttered when the limousine pulled up to a large gate. Forever the roads had curved up into the mountains. The small retinue had been joined by another, and with police. He was convinced that his original concept of the Yashida family wealth was about to be blown wide open.

"This is the ancestral complex," said Shiro as he waved with his hand. "For acres it extends, encompassing the villages in the next county or so. We are perhaps 50 miles from Tokyo� and this is but the west flank of the mountains that the lands reach�"

"Uh huh�" he muttered, glancing around. "Nice. Do you guys use horses to get around?"

"As a matter of fact, now that you mentioned it, we DO have a stable," said Mariko, glancing around. "Damn it's been so long since�"

"Cousin, your language," Shiro chided. "Do not forget you are a daughter of the Clan Leader. Although you were once estranged, you can no longer consider yourself an outsider�"

"What changed his mind?" asked Logan.

"Excuse me?"

"Seems that last time I checked, he wasn't all hearts and flowers with either of ya," Logan said as he folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his seat.

"He's got a point," Mariko said as she moved over and felt Logan's arm slide around her shoulders. "I am honored by the fact he WILL accept I am who I claim to be, but he does seem unusually kind. Is it out of family duty he takes pity on me to let a wayward daughter return home� or do I dishonor him by speaking so plainly?"

"No Cousin, you do not. My love for your brother is not unconditional. It comes at a price. It was he who admitted his folly that he did not attempt to free us till recently� but it was he who sent me the means of our escape from Weapon X..."

"Ya mean he sprung ya, or paid yer contract out?" Logan asked.

"He paid for our release," said Mariko slowly. "For THAT I am grateful. But he insisted that I was not legitimately an heir�"

"Also his folly. He merely was following the Lord Shingen� my father's wishes. That we believed you were disgraced or dead, to protect you�"

"Protect me," she said with a sad laugh. "The twisting of honor and duty for the sake of the Clan� had it remained so, perhaps it would have been better�"

"How so, Cousin�"

"Had it occurred to you that it was dangerous bringing me back to life� finding that I was alive after being presumed kidnapped and dead for so long� that many uncomfortable questions would be asked� and that the process of freeing our clan's tikes to the underworld would be compromised further?" asked Mariko.

"That was discussed. But our clan suffered a blow with the capture of our Lord. And although our brother is ready, he has not your popularity�"

"Excuse me?" she asked. "I have not been seen publicly since age 16� the people forget�"

"You are still in the hearts of the clan, and the media. Those in the government know and respected you even at a young age. They called you the shining star. The dignitary that would be. As a girl your wisdom in assisting the Lord was known�"

"Laying it on thick, isn't he," Logan rolled his eyes. She nodded.

"So, in other words he needs my public image at his side�" she said slowly. "To legitimize his claim if the Lord is found dead�"

"Yes."

"How quick he is to anticipate such an unfortunate event," she said as she lacked her fingers together and let the sleeves drop and conceal her hands. Her eyes were narrowed to slits though she was not directly looking at Shiro. Deadly calm and predatory in the beautiful package, Logan thought.

"So thought I, but he is practical, and my loyalty is to him. But he knows that you are the true and legitimate heir by the fact that your father is the elder brother. And you are the first born�"

"But since she's a woman, she's not as high on the totem pole, is she?" Logan cut in.

Shiro looked at him exasperated, but Mariko held up a hand, and glared at her cousin to be silent. "He is right. And that is unfortunate�" said Shiro. "That is why you, your brother and I must be as a triple rope to drag our family from..."

"Enough I get the point," she said, slipping into western colloquialisms. "Now, is he at the compound?"

"Yes. He awaits you anxiously. And he will be surprised at your� significant other. I suggest for your sake, Logan-san that you hold your tongue� untill bidden to speak� for although you are the Lady's consort, you must mind your place and learn our ways�"

"Flamin' terrific. I'm your pupil, sensei," said Logan. "I guess I gotta hell of a lotta studying to do on all this bushido?"

"Yes. Please, he's just asking you to behave yourself. You know I loathe this�you having to subjugate your spirit for the sake of..." she trailed off.

"I can handle it, darlin," he said softly. "It's for a good cause. I'll behave. But I won't kiss up to anyone� this whole thing reeks�"

Fortunately he said this in a voice low enough that Shiro could not hear. He didn't have the same enhanced senses that Mariko had. The scent was similar to hers, but lacked the wildness that exuded from Mariko. That factor that was the tie to Sabretooth. Her lips were closed, and he knew the small pronounced canines were what she was hiding. Along with the heavier makeup that blocked the wildness of her features.

Lost in thought, he became aware of the fact they had stopped when he felt the car engine die. He glanced sidelong to see what resembled garages and a vast complex that towered overhead and could not be seen in its grandeur. They had passed through several gates, wending inwards to the palace, and now were in the outer courtyards of the main castle area.

The door was opened, and he waited as she emerged first, then was followed by Shiro. Out of the other limousines came the two attendants that flanked her. Logan felt forgotten for a moment as he fell into step beside Shiro, and then walked behind a few paces. Something jarred his nerves about the joint. While the wildness was present, the taming of nature hit his stomach sour to look at the pruned gardens. Then he opened his perceptions and sensed that nature was not totally subdued, but channeled. Gently urged to adopt a natural and manicured orderly appearance. Japanese culture strove a balance with natural elements, and he did find a calming sense there that he wouldn't anywhere else. Save the wilds of Alberta, Canada.

They walked up steps, through paneled lacquer doors into a main receiving chamber. He was thinking of every anime he'd seen with Kitty, and the Shogun movies. While this wasn't the Emperor's palace, it was likely the Yashida clan were first cousins or a direct ancient line that stretched back centuries. Some of the staff wore traditional kimonos, while others were suited in western apparel. The images spun, and his senses almost overloaded taking it all in. Only her scent a few paces ahead kept him centered and able to face the figure in gleaming silver standing before them. There were guards that were in ceremonial armor, while others were wearing the swords thrust into their belts. As this was a semi official thing, he was not too surprised to see the tall broad shouldered man who stood at the heart of it all.

"Sister, I welcome you," he said quietly as he inclined his head, and he saw the sunburst upon chrysanthemum device on the armor and robes. Going whole hog.

"Likewise," she nodded. "I am surprised and honored, brother, that you have welcomed me home after such a long time�"

"Enter our house and lands as a member of our family, dear sister. You are reborn in our hearts this day. My sister is alive and has returned home to us," he as he extended his hand to her. Logan felt like he was going to be sick at the thought of this man who was hiding something. Parts of what he said were genuine, and yet there was jealousy plain and simple.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek, and he kissed the corner of her cheek as they ritually embraced and stepped back. Shiro was now revealed and the ladies in waiting flanked her on either side while others took appointed places. Some damn chess game he thought. Part of the retinue with the captain of the local police, and some other dignitaries from the Diet and a few reporters.

"Flamin' perfect," he mumbled, wondering what in HELL he was getting into.

"Shiro, cousin, I welcome you as well�"

"May I present another who has joined us�" Mariko started.

"I have seen you before, and welcome you also, guest," said her brother, looking oddly at Logan in his suit. He sidelong glanced at Mariko, who whispered in his ear.

"We are honored by your presence, Logan-san," he said charitably. "Please accept our hospitality� as you are acquainted with my sister�"

"Acquainted and well known," she said, reaching her hand to him. "As one that stands at my side as champion and loved one�"

"Indeed," said Shiro, squirming as Logan stood immediately to her side, stepping out of the way of one of the girls who giggled. He moved to stand on the acting Lord's other side.

"This day, in the absence of the Lord, I welcome my sister. To stand at my side and eat with us this night," he said. "Will you do us the honor of greeting our guests?"

"Yes," she nodded. "It gladdens me to be here. You are all welcome to eat with us at the� banquet� and I and my brother will answer any questions you may have of the media�"

***
"No way in hell," Logan mumbled when he saw the stewards laying out a folded silk garment before him. "I'm NOT putting that on."

"Milord, it is expected at a traditional banquet�"

"The suit was one thing but this�" Logan groaned as he picked up the robe and glanced over it. Black silk with white chrysanthemums embroidered on it and characters here and there. Far too fine for the likes of him. Although when he eyed the three swords that were brought in by the other 'valet', he reconsidered.

"Lady Mariko presents you with these in the honor of her service� it is customary for a lord to wear these at all official functions where traditional dress is demanded."

"Now that's a custom I can live with," he muttered as he saw them placed to the side.

Shiro Yashida stood at the entrance to the guest quarters, and saw Logan sitting cross-legged on the floor with a dissatisfied caged animal look on his rugged face. "Excuse me� are you doing well?"

"Do I look like it� damn� if I knew I'd have to be wearing THESE threads� hell�"

"Have you finished reading the first book of etiquette�"

"Yeah, but is all this NECESSARY?"

"If you are my cousin's consort and to take up the station she assumes for you, then yes," Shiro said gently as he waved the valets away. "It would dishonor her if you refused�"

"Damn," he groaned. "The things I do for love�"

"I understand�"

"How can ya, bub, cause I ain't too keen on this whole thing� in one breath she's wary of her so called brother, and in the other� I don't trust him�"

"Leave us," Shiro said as he clapped his hands, and the valets departed. Drawing close, he knelt by where Logan was sitting with books piled around him, scratching his head.

"Sorry, did I step on a duck?" he asked.

"You are correct, Logan-san, to distrust him," Shiro whispered. "But you MUST play the game. It is the only way you'll have any authority in the Clan. As Lady Mariko's consort your power is considerable�"

"Even though we're not married or anything?" he asked slowly.

"To be the intended of a noble is status enough," said Shiro quietly. "And the fact you're subjecting yourself to immersion in our culture despite your impulses to the contrary shows the depth of your love for my cousin�"

"I do love her," Logan said quietly as he tossed the book of Japanese etiquette down. "An I don't want anyone to hurt her�"

"Nor do I. That is why we must be allies. I don't like you much, Logan-san�"

"Feeling's mutual�"

"But my respect for you has grown in the last twenty four hours. Seeing you with my cousin proves that you are at heart not so different from us� after all�"

"Hurray for that," Logan mumbled. "Look, I don't wanna blow this for her� so I'll behave. But do I HAVTA wear this?"

"Yes, for her sake," he said. "Which is why I am here, to instruct you physically in a crash course in bushido for tonight's banquet. We have four hours, and there is MUCH to learn�"

"Great� lead on, sensei," Logan said, inclining his head.

"First, you must learn to properly kneel," said Shiro. Logan grumbled and pulled his knees up to sit on his haunches. Shiro's black kimono splayed around his body, and his socked feet in those slippers were tucked under his backside. Three swords were thrust into the wide belt, and he noticed a fan tucked into the other side.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"All gentlemen of Japan carry a fan as well as the tonto, wakazashi and katana," he said matter of fact. "Now� try on the robes. I'll be out here to inspect you�"

"Lucky me," Logan muttered as he grabbed the pile of clothes and trotted off to change in the bedroom behind the ricepaper screen. Shiro chuckled.

"Lord Shiro, pardon my interruption, but there are more friends of Logan-san just outside�"

"Oh?" Shiro asked.

"They wish entrance. Lebeau-san� Rasputin-san, and two others�"

"I was not expecting others� but have them wait in the visitor's area, and watch them carefully. When I have finished instructing Lady Mariko's beloved in the ways of his duties I will receive them�"

"Will that be all, milord?"

"Yes. Wait for me and send word that they are friends of Lady Mariko, and as such will be treated with the proper hospitality of Clan Yashida�" Shiro nodded. "That is all. You may go�"

"Yes milord," the valet bowed and exited.

"What was that� they're HERE?" Logan exclaimed. He dashed out, almost tripping over his socked feet.

"Your fellow X men are most enterprising�" said Shiro. "I did not anticipate more allies�"

"Crap, they weren't supposed ta come!" Logan growled, adjusting the wide belt around the outer part of his ceremonial garb.

Shiro grabbed the silk and shifted it, realigning the way he wrapped the kimono. "Not THAT way. You're dressed like a DEAD man� it's THIS way and that�"

"Hell," Logan grumbled. "This is all crazy� what in HELL is Kurt, Kitty and Peter� and the CAJUN doing here?"

"That is what I wish to know. But we cannot refuse the help of other X men. It seems their arrival is timely."

"How did they know where I was?"

"The one known as Kitty is most enterprising. Shall we go to meet them?"

"God� one damn thing after another�"

"All in good time. First, you finish getting dressed, and then you will greet them. After we tell Lady Mariko�"

"They're gonna want a good explanation, and I for one have no flamin' idea WHAT to tell 'em�"

"We will think of something, Logan-san," Shiro nodded, thrusting the fan into Logan's belt alongside of the ceremonial swords. "Now, straighten up your hair and let me see�"

"Damn thing makes me itch," Logan grumbled as he strode to look at himself in the floor length mirror. His eyes widened at the sight of two Japanese lords in black and red kimonos, cutting a fine figure of a bygone era.

"You look presentable. The garb suits you far better than I anticipated� she will be most pleased�"

"Hope so, cause I'm only putting this costume on for her," Logan mumbled. He would never admit that he did look pretty darn good dressed up like something out of Ruoni Kenshen.

"Eat your heart out, Inuyasha," he mumbled.

"Come with me� she will be anxious to see you� and so will your friends. We must find them suitable attire�"

"What is this, a wedding or a funeral?" Logan asked as Shiro yanked him out by the elbow.

Both men strode out, the silk of their long pants hissing quietly with each step. A long hallway along the side of the building looked out onto the gardens and vast stone walls. Other buildings were visible in the complex, and he saw the guards walking to and fro, or rather sensed them beyond his sight. Place was locked up tight as a drum, he figured.

"This is a banquet in Lady Mariko's honor. To celebrate her return home. Almost as important as any wedding, funeral or other state function�"

"Is it so smart ta be so high profile, and do they NEED to know I'm�"

"You will be a good cover story, Logan-san. The world knows little of you, and the less the better. It is good to challenge our enemies honorably with a man such as you at her side�"

"Are ya kissing my ass or something?"

"No, merely getting used to the fact you might be around longer than you may think, for if�"

"Yeah, don�t' remind me�" Logan mumbled, trying to keep pace with Shiro.

Lady Mariko paced anxiously from one part of the room to another. Her instincts were screaming for her to bolt and run. This gilded cage would drive her insane, yet she knew that she instinctively belonged here out of a need for family and den. Ironic how her conversation not forty eight hours ago with Logan had foreshadowed this. Leading X Men Red was one thing, leading a CLAN was another.

Or was it? She was not alone. Oh how she wished her friends were here! As if answering her desires, she heard the voices of two men important in her lives approaching. The ladies in waiting went to receive them and she knelt on the floor, clapping her hands.

"Lord Shiro and your beloved Logan-san to see you�" said the lady in waiting in the blue kimono with pink flowers.

"Let 'em in I mean� show them in," she said, in Japanese after catching herself speaking in English. Dammit, the customs were so far back from her hazy memory.

"Leave us," she said and flipped the fan with flourish. Her eyes widened at the two handsomely clad daimyo, two modern day samurai that she could scarcely take in at first. Was this how Logan felt when he saw her in her traditional garb.

Eyes traveled from the socked feet upward towards the triple swords, and the slicked back hair. As ever it terminated in two points, and his goatee was shaven away. He had left the sideburns, and he seemed somewhat older and more timeless in the black and red kimono gracing his form. Adding height to his muscular frame and some strange bulk it sent her mind reeling in ways she had not anticipated. He belonged in that garb and her heart fluttered at the gleam of pride and love in his eyes.

It mirrored her own. He had done it for her. Logan wouldn't be caught DEAD in such garb in front of the X men, but here in Japan was another matter. "Cousin, are you well�"

"Um, hi," Logan grunted, feeling very uncomfortable. "We've got a problem."

"You look exquisite," she breathed, and stood up, glancing at him. They were equal height, and he took her hand, rough fingers trembling in hers when she stood next to him and faced Shiro's serious glance.

"Cousin, what's wrong� Logan-chan�"

"We've got some visitors. Members of the family who showed up�" Logan said as he slid his arm through hers and clasped her hand.

"Who�"

"Kurt, Kitty, Pyotr and Gambit. X men red," Logan mumbled. "Sorry darlin� but I don't think that they're gonna go away�"

"Oh damn," Mariko swore under her breath in English. Logan saw Shiro's disapproval, then shot him an angry look that meant, back off bub.

"Guess we'd better make 'em feel at home, huh, darlin?" Logan said quietly.

"That would be� appropriate," she said as she looked back at him miserably. How many MORE people had to be dragged into this?

"I will greet them� or shall you?" asked Shiro.

"Take me to them� I'm sure they will have a lot of questions� and we only have minutes to figure out just WHAT to tell them," Mariko mumbled.

"Easy darlin', it's okay�" he whispered as he forgot how embarrassed he was in his getup and focussed on being there for her. Whatever the situation, his pride would have to wait.

"Wow, oh my gosh wow!" Kitty whispered when she took in the surroundings.

"Da belle's gone up in da world," Remy whistled, glancing at the vases with a critical eye.

"Gambit, don't even think about it," Kurt barked.

"Easy friends, we are here for Logan and Michelle�" said Pyotr. "And we do owe them an explanation why we're here�"

"Step this way, guests," said the equivalent to a major domo, who was dressed in a black suit. They followed, while leaving their bags behind.

"Sorry for arriving so unexpectedly�"

Gambit interrupted her and said, "WE apologize for da sudden appearance� but hope dat we not upsettin' da Lord and Lady of da Clan�"

"Lady Mariko is most pleased and surprised to see you," said the major domo. "And if you will leave your belongings, she has instructed guest rooms will be prepared for your stay�"

"Lady Mariko?" Kurt asked, blinking.

"Of course. You are personal friends are you not?" asked the major domo, raising an eyebrow.

"Dat we are, monsieur," said Gambit, inclining his head. "Meant no disrespect� neh?"

"None taken� step this way�"

"Smooth Remy, smooth," Pyotr said out of the side of his mouth. Kitty held his hand, overwhelmed and wide eyed at the sight of the palace rising around her.

"Damn, that's something else�"

"I don't get it� Michelle is Lady Mariko?" Kurt muttered.

"She is," said Kitty. "Dang it� I think we're gonna like this�"

"Don't be so sure mes ami," Gambit whispered. "She not gonna be too thrilled we crashed her party. She wanted nobody ta come with� and now we here�"

"She's stuck with us. Like it or not X men stick together�" Kitty said petulantly.

A rice paper screen slid aside and three ladies in waiting smiled politely. Each of them held up temporary house robes and slid them around their shoulders, after removing the coats. Shoes had been long abandoned, and Kurt wondered if he dared turn off his image inducer.

Kitty's eyes widened to saucers at the two people standing before them, arm in arm. Lady Mariko and a Japanese lord in ceremonial garb stood amidst two security guards and one or two ceremonially garbed samurai. Not the fully armored shogun type, but kimono wearing sorts with twin swords tucked in their belts. Gambit whistled through his teeth again, shaking his head.

"It is good to see you. I welcome you to my home," said a familiar voice. Gambit's eyes widened now at the sight of Michelle in full dress. For a long minute he was stunned.

"Funny seeing ya here," Logan said quietly.

"Wolvie?" Kitty got out; stammering when she recognized Logan decked in full traditional daimio gear. "Is that YOU?"

"In the flesh, er silk," Logan said. "Um� what brings YOU here?"

"Sorry mes ami, but we worried bout you. Good to see you in one piece�"

"Sit down� and bring refreshments. I'm sure your journey was long," Michelle or rather Lady Mariko said politely.

"This is a beautiful place," Pyotr said. "Forgive us for arriving so suddenly, but we were concerned you might need� our company during such an important time in your life�"

"Sorry indeed," said Kurt, as he inclined his head.

"Do we um� kneel or something?" Kitty asked.

"Nice ta see you too, punkin," Logan said, breaking his stern look. "But ya could have called�"

"I'm sorry Wolvie� we were just� oh heck is it okay if I give you a hug?"

"Kitty, I'm pleased to see you too," Michelle said, breaking décor as she held out her hands. "I'm sure it won't be a breach of code to get a hug from them�"

They got up and walked over to stand by the couple. Logan shook Pyotr's hand and hugged Kitty; swords and all while Gambit and Kurt both kissed Mariko's hands. Pyotr bowed and she moved over to embrace and kiss him on the cheek. Logan swept kitty in a hug, and squeezed her close.

"All kiddin' aside I AM glad ta see ya�" he whispered in her ear. "But yer not supposed ta be here�"

"Sorry�" she pouted. "But we thought you could use some backup�"

"I had asked that nobody else come," Michelle said softly. "I don't want to endanger any of you�"

"We know," Kitty said quickly. "And sorry if it's bad timing but�"

"The professor thought you could use the help," Pyotr said. "And apologizes if it breaks honor�"

"My friends I AM glad you are here," Lady Mariko said as she choked back unshed tears.

Kitty and Pyotr hugged her, while Gambit stood awkwardly by, looking at an invisible spot on the carpet. She pulled him over and hugged him too, and he smiled gently. Logan slapped him on the back, and sighed with a shake of his head. "What she means to say is that you guys are getting into something pretty deep here if ya stay�"

"We're X men. We stand together� and even though you ARE a lady of breeding," Remy said quickly. "Once an X man, always an X man�"

"Well spoken," Pyotr nodded.

"All this good feelin' is driving me nuts," Logan grumbled. "If it gets any more saccharine I'm gonna stick a finger down my throat�"

"Logan," groaned Kurt. "Really."

"You should not have come�" Michelle sniffled. Logan moved over and slid his arm around her protectively.

"It's okay darlin� we do need the help. An' when ya want 'em to back off, say so. But they at least deserve ta' know what's at stake�"

"What's the danger?" Kurt asked.

"Well, for starters, my uncle is missing, and it is unlikely we shall soon find him. And also�" she trailed off. Logan held her hand as she revealed the story in hushed tones. X Men red gathered near, and knew they had taken a serious risk getting involved.

***
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Ultimate Mariko