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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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Chapter 23

Logan stood out on the balcony, a cup of coffee in his hand. He took a deep breath enjoying the cool morning air. He reached into the pocket of his jeans he'd thrown on for a cigar and only found a crumpled pack of Marlboros with one left. "Gotta be a sign..." he muttered, lighting it up.

Back in the vast bed, Mariko's nostrils twitched at the smell of tobacco. She smiled, and pretended to be asleep in the large bed. The night before, she had given instructions that nothing else would interrupt her 'private time' other than someone quietly bringing breakfast into the 'sitting area' just off the bedroom. If she listened carefully she could hear her cousin's footsteps echoing in the hall, and his mutterings to himself.

"Should I or shouldn't I," she heard muffled through the wall.

Another voice answered, and she heard the exiting lady in waiting mutter, "The gaijin is awake Milord�"

"Is he?" asked Shiro. "You must keep a civil tongue in your head, woman. Mind your place�"

"Apologies milord," the woman whispered. Mariko winced at her cousin's lack of personal skills. She was definitely going to have to speak to him about this.

"Is the Lady awake?" Shiro asked.

"I did not ask, but the Lady requested specifically that she was not to be roused. I left breakfast and coffee, and saw the gai� the Consort awake and walking around. He was smoking a cigarette in the castle� and is that not forbidden?"

"Not necessarily, woman," said Shiro with amusement. "What was his mood?"

"He could hear me as I approached, and grunted at me like an animal� told me not to disturb him, and muttered thanks. He was wearing only thin pants and�"

"Enough. Leave me. You will not discuss this with anyone else. Nobody must hear the private doings of what was seen, understand."

"Yes Lord Shiro," she whispered.

Sighing, Mariko heard the steps of the departing duo, and buried her face in the pillow. Definitely needed work on his people skills, and an introduction to the 21^st century. Although he disliked and distrusted all Western things, thanks to his mother and father, there was no excuse for treating the hired help with nothing but contempt.

Meanwhile, Logan closed his eyes feeling the jolt of nicotine to his bloodstream. The feeling dissipated as quickly as it came but for a split second it relaxed him. "Damn healing factor." he said under his breath. He vaguely heard someone moving around inside. 'Must be Mariko...pretending she's asleep again.' he chuckled.

Mariko mumbled, hearing her cousin just outside in the hall, and cursed. She was glad when his footsteps receded. Slowly she yawned and felt the healing factors in her own body attending to the aches and pains of the midnight Olympics she had shared with Logan. She mumbled, "Shimata, I hate mornings� Except for the obvious..."

"You awake in there darlin'?" he called in. "There's some coffee n' stuff in there."

"Oh good," she yawned, and then stretched like a cat. She grabbed Logan's discarded flannel plaid shirt, and threw it on. From a pile she grabbed a clean pair of his black boxers, ignoring the sumptuous silk robe that a servant had set out for her. Slowly she padded her way out to the veranda, and saw him standing there. There was a light mist in the mountains, and she smelled his delicious scent along with coffee. Her long hair hung down, and looked very different without the wigs and ceremonial hairpieces he'd taken off before. His dogtags around her neck jingled lightly.

Logan stubbed out the cigarette and leaned against the balcony door, just inside. He saw she was wearing his favorite flannel shirt and he chuckled, "Mornin' darlin'�"

"Mornin' yourself, lover..." Mariko smiled, rubbing the shirt. "Smells like you... but ain't the real thing... Won't Shiro love seeing me like THIS... he'd have a fit!"

Immediately she thought of the list of things the major domo had run by her to do today, and groaned. Logan shook his head imagining how bad the guy would flip as he walked in and over to the table. he grabbed a cup and poured some coffee into it, making it just the way she liked it. he handed her the mug and hugged her, kissing her lightly on the neck. "You ok?"

"Yes, thanks," she murmured, kissing him back. "Just thinking about how much I forgot about protocol. Kenuchio will need me to baby-sit him... as always..."

"Kenuchio?" asked Logan, raising an eyebrow.

"That's my brother, the Silver Samurai... Kenuchio Harada, in case you wondered about his name..." she murmured, sipping her coffee.

"Different last name� I thought you said he was your brother� or half brother� or cousin?"

"His mother was Shingen's sister," said Mariko. "And his father was a scientist that worked for Clan Yashida. As for me, my father stepped aside, and Shingen became the Lord of the Clan."

"How does Shiro fit into this again?"

"He is my cousin� Shingen is his father� but since Kenuchio Harada was older, and my age, he was named the heir when I supposedly 'passed away'."

"So, what makes YOU the heir� if your dad gave up the title?"

"Shingen always thought of me like a daughter. I was his first choice as heir, but Kenuchio was second. We were his hope� as was Shiro. He said often that the three of us were unstoppable. Shiro's sister was too young as yet to do much but be in school. But she is also a mutant. We have no idea what became of her�"

"Family tree's a mess," he mumbled. "Got a scorecard to keep the players straight?"

"I know it seems complicated, but it's a miracle I remember ANYTHING about it�"

"At least ya remember yer family, darlin'," he mumbled, a dark look crossing his face. Then he banished the thought, and smiled warmly at her.

"True, Logan-chan. I think that's the only reason he wanted me back, because he needs me to hold his hand while he plays Clan leader..."

"I figured as much. Just don't stress yourself out. we have a while before you have to go make an appearance. Don't even think about it," he told her running a finger lightly over her cheek.

"True, but you shall also have to worry about it soon, I'm sorry to say. Because your place is at my side� and for that I worry about you feeling as if you're giving up your true nature for my sake�"

"Don't worry about it. Like I said, don't think about it. By the way...I don't think I told you how good you make that shirt look." he grinned.

"Ohh that's just what I needed to hear..." she smiled, kissing his finger and nipping it lightly. "The best thing that looks good on you is me..."

"Damn right I look good on ya and don't you forget it," he said back pulling her against him.

"And I'd wear this any day over THAT sort of stuff. Silk makes me itch..." she confessed.

"You do look damn good in those robes and kimonos and stuff," Logan purred against her ear, nibbling it lightly.

"Thanks," she whispered, kissing his neck. "And I tell you again, how grateful I am that you're here, despite my protestations... now that I've come to my senses... I couldn't do this without you, Logan-chan..." she trailed off.

"I wouldn't have let ya come alone. I would have gotten here one way or another. you know that. But I'm glad you agreed." he kissed her lightly and pulled back, just looking at her w/ a smile.

Mariko's thoughts wandered. She wondered what will happen if Uncle Shingen was never found. Though she choked up, she smiled for his sake. Dark brown eyes took on a slight feral look, much like his own, and he realized why she had to wear the makeup and wigs. As Beast had hypothesized the mutation was grabbing hold. While she appeared mostly human, she possessed that side that resembled his now.

"Its ok darlin' don't be upset...think of other stuff. take your mind off it," he urged.

"I can think of OTHER stuff," she smiles lightly, taking his instructions. Her hands slid down to grip his backside through his denim jeans. Nosing his hair, she buried her face in it to inhale his heady scent.

"And those would be?" he growled next to her ear.

"MMM, something the mate of the Wolverine would do?" she joked giving a cute growl. She barely heard the knock at the door, indicating a servant or Shiro.

"Damnit." Logan cursed. He started towards the door. "Lemme just get rid of this person and we'll continue darlin' "

"Please don't kill whoever it is," Mariko groaned. "You MAY be my champion and my consort, but please keep in mind�"

"Gotta do what I gotta do, right?" he said.

Shaking her head, she let him go. Realizing that he needs to 'flex his muscles' as her 'consort'. She DID ask for no interruptions. He reached the door and opened it, fully intent on ripping them a new one for disturbing his quality time. Angrily he slid the panel open, and barked, "Whadda ya want! Beat it will ya!"

"Begging pardon for the interruption," the servant gasped as he backed away. he drops what he's carrying.

Logan let out a sigh, recognizing this particular servant and the fact that he seemed like a fairly nice guy. "Sorry. didn't mean to scare ya. now what did you want?"

"Umm... Milord, I... just wanted to let you know that Lord Shiro requests Lady Mariko, and yourself in two hours... for a state function... you are to tour Tokyo... to familiarize yourself with... our city... Lord Kenuchio also sends these garments with his regards... they are befitting someone of your station... and yet are casual enough to satisfy your desire... to be less uncomfortable..."

"Alright. tell him we'll be there in two hours then. No sense rushin' us." He took the bundle of clothes with a sigh. 'Great now they're dressin' me too. what next.' "Send my thanks." he muttered. "Anythin' else?"

"Um... nothing sir... that is all..." he said, relieved.

Mariko groaned and called to him, "Tell my BROTHER he does NOT need to dress my consort... He is capable of exercising his own judgement."

"Yes milady, at once," the servant said apologetically. "He shall know that."

He bows and closes the door.

Logan rolled his eyes. "I was gonna start cussin' at the clothes...but I don't think that'd go over well." He set the clothes down on the table and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Now...where were we? we DO have two hours to kill"

"Stupid..." she mumbles and starts cursing at her brother in Japanese. "The NERVE of him... that baka!"

A low growl escapes her throat and she feels like punching something. Fear crosses her and she realizes this must be how Logan feels most of the time.

"Calm down hon. C'mere and calm down. You can beat the stuffing outta him later..." Logan urged.

Heaving great breaths to center herself she wandered over to sit next to him. His arm slid around her shoulders, rubbing them lightly. Mariko said, "He's ALWAYS corrected me. I'm the older sibling, but he ALWAYS does this. Protects me... but smothers me."

"As I said...you can beat the stuffing outta him later but right now you got more important things to take care of..." he said w/ a smile, trying to distract her and calm her down. So far judging by how her muscles relaxed at his touch, she was backing off.

Turning her attention to inhaling his scent, she filled her senses with her awareness of Logan. She chuckled, "You've lived with this much more than I. Just when I think I won't be able to cope with this... feral side I see you and I know it'll be all right... Although Kenuchio was scared when he saw I'd grown 4 inches taller then when last I saw him."

"Good. Guy needs to be put in his place. it'll be good for him. and don't worry darlin' as long as I'm around everything will be ok. Nothin' will happen."

"Thank Kami," she murmured. " Just the thought of not being able to fight for myself, Logan... I can see it happening..."

Logan chuckled and ran his hand down her cheek and smoothed her hair out of her face, letting her rant. he knew she needed it. "Ya just need to let them know your not some little kid that cant take care of themselves. and if that don't work...let me deal with them."

"Sounds good to me," she whispered. She sighed deeply in contentment then followed with a smile.

"Feelin' better?" he asked pulling her close beside him on the bed. He lay down alongside her.

"Definitely," she whispered, nibbling on his neck. She kissed it lightly while rubbing his chest. The bed is unmade, but she doesn't care. For once she won't bother tidying it.

"I'd say you are." he chuckled, running his hands over her body, through the fabric of his shirt she was still wearing.

She murmured his name, then a low rumbling filled her body, like a cat purring. Her hands traced through his hair, admiring how it falls over his face, and framed it. He growled pulling her up tight against his body and nipping lightly at her neck. She murmured back, arching her back as her hand slid down and brushed his groin teasingly, then diverted to his hip. Rolling back under him on the bed, she glanced past his shoulder and then back to his face again. She could swear she sensed and saw something jumping from a roof to a tree, and then nothing.

"What's wrong?" he asked noticing her momentary faraway glance.

"Nothing... I just thought I sensed something... outside... as if we're being watched... But it's gone now..." she muttered.

Logan tugged her down, and nudged her lips with his. His hands found her breasts and lightly squeezed them through the red plaid flannel. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, and pinned her legs between his. However he felt the tension in her muscles, and snorted with exasperation.

Mariko sat up blinking. Shaking her head she sniffed the air. A whiff of scent vanished into nothingness. Like Logan's scent... her kinesthetic sense tracks a fast moving shape. How could Logan have missed it... moving from one rooftop to a tree, and then to the high wall of the Yashida compound. She could swear she heard a 'snickt' sound, too, but wasn't sure if it was her imagination.

Logan pulled back, muttering, "You look like you saw a ghost. what's goin on?"

"You don't smell anything do you?" she whispered, feeling the sensation again. Something had just moved past the window, a hundred yards distant in one of the other towers of the 'castle' complex.

Logan stared at her puzzled. he sniffed the air. something was at the edge of his senses but he couldn't get a lock on it. "I don't smell anything...not really anyway..."

"I... I could have sworn I saw or smelled something... But your senses are better than mine are... I'd think you would have... no... I must be imagining things..." she muttered. A scent wafted past her nose, and she could SWEAR it is almost IDENTICAL to Logan's scent, but fainter.

"Its almost like there's something there...but it isn't...cause I cant exactly smell it..." Logan shook his head.

The next instant her nose twitched, when it masked itself. Gently she nudged him aside and rose from the bed. A katana flashed into existence in her hand as she approached the window. Then she stepped out onto the veranda, and inhaled again. Something was moving, for she discerned it just beyond her sight, and then it was gone.

"Whatever." he muttered in frustration, sitting up on the bed. "C'mon darlin, come back here� I'll protect ya� besides, this place is locked tighter then a drum right?"

"Yes but�" Mariko murmured, and then they heard a distant scream. She curses and jumped on the edge of the railing, all set to leap off in the direction of it. A 'snackt' sound echoed, identical in the sound to Logan's claws sheathing.

"Mariko! what are ya gonna do? Pounce on it?" Logan yelled leaping after her. "Let me handle it..."

She leapt down, grabbing a tree to swing down. Security guards raced about the courtyard like ants. Whatever it was it had bypassed some of the best security money could buy. That posed the question that it was definitely not something she should leave to slaughter her guards. X men training surfaced, and she responded to it. Another scream resounded, accompanied by the brimstone scent of Nightcrawler teleporting.
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Ultimate Mariko