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Creed's Firecracker	By : Polymer Category: X-men Comics > Het - Male/Female Views: 4069 -:- 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
- 6
- 7
- 8
Haven

Disclaimer: I don't own X men, Marvel Comics does! This is FANFICTION, not for profit, but for entertainment only! This applies to ALL the following chapters as well!!!
Jubilee dried herself with the towel, and sighed. Every part of her ached, and she was bone weary. However her mind was still awake and alert. The so-called flop Victor had procured was a five star hotel in a wealthy part of Tokyo. From slum to royalty they had traveled in the space of six hours, and it was only the start of the full operation.

His knock at the door startled her, and she held the towel around her, hand raised to paff. "Who is it! Cause I'll fry ya if you come IN here�"

"Just me, Jujube," came Victor's laugh. "I've gotcha somethin' for tonight's little clambake. Since yer clothes were trashed in th' big battle royal�"

"Um, you got ME clothes?" Jubilee asked. "Um� should I thank you� or um� I mean I just got outta the�"

"I know ya got outta the shower, girly pie," Victor said. "Just do what ya gotta do, and pretty yerself up. Got a few outfits that might work, onna advice of the frail in da boutique�"

"You risked a helluva lot leaving me alone," Jubilee said through the door. She grabbed the bathrobe and pulled it around her, realizing she would have to go outside in this flimsy garment to where he was. Not that she figured he would do anything. Because if he did, she would find some way of showing him she didn't like peeping toms.

"Ya decent now?" he asked. "Cause it's my turn�"

"Okay�" she inhaled deeply, and walked quickly out of the bathroom in a blur of steam. Creed must be in the other room, and she saw the large closet was open, with several garment bags hanging and shoeboxes stacked with designer names.

"Pick somethin' out. Couple dresses with sequin's an glitter. Da rest of da stuff's fer knockin' around town in, but ya got a choice of three dresses there� an' if yer really gung ho, got some frail t' come schelp up ta do yer hair so ya look adult�"

"Um, I can do something�"

"Saved yer goodie bag with all the warpaint, but there ain't much else� tough luck. But these thread's are way better for ya anyway, I figure," Victor grunted, and she felt him walk quickly past her to enter the bathroom. "An by da way, better not try to make a break for it, cause we got a decent thing going. Wouldn't wanna ruin it now, would we by bolting in da big bad city?"

"I'm not that stupid," she shivered. "Dude� me go OUT THERE? I don't even speak the language!"

"Good t' hear it. Now scoot," he said, slamming the door. Jubilee exhaled, realizing he had not even looked at her. Just went about his business. Sighing she grabbed the hairdryer and started to comb at her lengthening do. It was flyaway, and growing out in chunks here and there, making a layered bob that was so fashionable. A battered bag of cosmetics were sitting on one side of the large bed in the sizable suite. A mini-bar and fridge stood next to the entertainment center. A small table and chairs were right next to the king-sized bed, and she saw his battered duffel stashed on the luggage rack. Shopping bags were neatly placed on the bed, and she started looking at the stuff.

High fashion togs, a.k.a. low cut halter-tops, and miniskirts. Strappy sandals, and short low rider jeans, the likes of which most fashion models and celebrities wore from Ambush makeover. Shaking her head, she inhaled deeply, and wondered how in HELL he knew her size. Whoever he was he had a clue about what women wore, to look good. She went through the underclothes and groaned. What the HELL was it with guys presuming women wore garter stockings? But these weren't the cheap Frederick's of Hollywood ones that were for playtime; they were real serviceable things that a woman could wear daily under a skirt.

In the zipper bag she found three different gowns. One in silver with sequins that was backless fastened around the neck while offering coverage of her chest. A red one that had straps that crossed the back, a diagonal skirt with strips of diaphanous red sheer veils and a low slit to reveal cleavage, and a sapphire blue number with shimmering beads on the shoulders. It was a strappy number that also fastened behind the neck, while the front was somewhat modestly low cut to show a hint of cleavage, but blue veil mesh was sewn into the revealing parts and hid what was revealed. A slit up either side allowed someone to walk in the above the knee mini, which was also sewn with pieces of veil immediatly inside the side slits. It had a built in bra, and was backless except for the straps that crisscrossed her back.

After a lot of fussing and sweating she managed to get the blue thing on. "Holy hell," she mumbled, turning around and around. Tall boots that came to her calves were made of blue velvet, and were pointed toed things with tall heels that put her up two inches to what would be called average height. Now five two and decidedly looking on the glam side, she began to apply her makeup and style her hair.

"He says I take forever in the bathroom," Jubilee murmured, and put the finishing touches on her look when she heard his heavy footsteps.

"Damn, ya clean up nice, frail," he whistled and she shivered, slowly turning around. He tossed a blue wrap around her neck and she felt him standing behind her, two inches separating him from her. Vigilante Victor stood in a black dress suit with amber silk tie, a vest, and his hair freshly shampooed and slicked back. Green eyes glinted dangerously yet appreciatively at her choice in attire, and she felt a strange sense of pride. AT first she feared he would be giving her a lascivious leer, but instead he was simply looking her up and down the same way Gambit did a pretty girl.

"Thanks, you're not so bad looking yourself� where the heck did ya get THAT thing?"

"This ol' thing? Just some stuffed shirt crapola t' look the damn part. We're goin' out onna town tonight, so ya gotta look legal. And damn if ya don't in THAT getup."

"I don't have to drink do I?"

"Only if ya want to, and I need ya sober, Jujube. Maybe a few t' take the edge off, but ya gotta keep your eyes open and your mouth closed, and look pretty. We're goin' huntin' for info� at a little place that's not too far away�"

"Strip joint place, or high class bar?"

"Night club. Stuffed shirt place," he said, and shoved something into her hand quickly. "Handbag's got some a' yer stuff I managed t' save."

"But those jerks trashed my purse� I lost all my Ids, my passport," she murmured, as she opened it.

"Got ya some courtesy of someone who owes me a favor."

"Nobody died to get these, did they?" she asked, opening up a passport that had what was clearly a fake name, but her picture, and very official looking markings. Also was a driver's license bearing the same moniker, and from Los Angeles California, listing some Beverly Hills address. IT made her shiver because it was a shred of her past. How well did he know her?

"Um� thanks� Vic�" she trailed off. "I'm not gonna bother where you got these, but thanks�"

"Enough ta make ya legal. Stick with me, an ya won't get lost. This may be some shi-shi joint, but it's a dump just like the place we left," he instructed in a gruff but semi concerned tone. "An' there's a hidden compartment where yer heater's stashed. Only don't forget what I told ya about how t' charge it, and when t' use it�"

"So I'm Miss Juliet Ling?" she asked, watching him pull on a long leather duster coat.

"Yep� close enough to yer name. Now enough talk, let's go� and I'll fill ya in onna way," he said, grasping her hand and sliding it through his arm. She strode through the door first, and watched as he locked it behind them. The pageant had begun.

***

Back at the Yashida ancestral complex, Logan inhaled deeply as he tried the Japanese version of meditating. Still he had on that outfit that was given to him by his ladylove. The sun was setting, over the mountains and it reminded him of one of those bamboo paintings with the variegated hoes of gold, yellow and red melting together. Damn, it was beautiful here. Once he got accustomed to the differences, he had to admit there was an element of harmony he had not experienced at the dumps he had stayed at in the past.

Still it was a gilded cage, and he sensed Mariko was just as antsy in it as he. Although born into it, she had changed enough that she felt like she was rehearsing for some pageant. He glanced down at the swords he had set in front of him, and slowly pulled them open. They weren't fake; they were the REAL THING. Drawing out the wakasashi, he saw the gleam of the steel bright and lustrous. The handles were lacquer and wood, and Logan couldn�t' resist pulling the entire sword out and glancing at the hair's breadth.

He stood up, slowly testing its weight as he swung it back and forth. It was the medium sized sword, the wakasashi, and the other was the tonto, a smaller gentlemen's blade that severed some purpose that was grisly. Ritual suicide. Seppuki� or was it Hari-Kari? Either way, a nasty way to go.

"Hope they don't expect me to do a damn fool thing like that," he muttered, resheathing the blade. However the other blade, the katana was the longest, and he frowned, realizing this sword didn't exactly match the others. IT seemed not the same quality as the first two. Judging by those that Shiro wore; these seemed just a hair's breadth nicer. Far the best out of all the weaponry.

"It's the real thing, Logan-san," said Shiro. "My cousin requests you to join her in the family shrine�"

"Um, sure� when's dinner?" Logan asked, picking up the weapons and trying to figure out HOW they were to be positioned in his belt.

"IN an hour. But she requested to see you, alone�" said Shiro as he automatically helped position each sword. Except for the katana, which he carried at his side.

"Um aren't I supposed to take that one? Or are ya scared I�m gonna cut myself?"

"It will become clear. As you noticed these are real swords. Having been in the family for generations�"

"I'm no weapon's expert," Logan said as he walked alongside Shiro, out of the room. "But this here katana ain't the one that goes with this set�"

"You catch on fast, Logan-san," Shiro murmured quietly, walking more rapidly. His red kimono swept out behind him, and he pointed to the swords at his belt.

"For instance, those three you have are all identical in the hilt. And I betcha when ya draw 'em outta the scabbards, they'll be the same grain of forge," he said. "But these ones ya gave me, the katana's not the same kinda steel� it's newer� it don't smell the same� I bet there's SOME reason� and they seem AWFULLY nice compared t' even yours�"

"This way� we're almost there�" Shiro said, evading his question.

Under the main complex they entered the bowels of an inner dark sanctum. Logan smelled incense and a female scent that he knew all too well. Something about the place both unnerved him and made him feel an odd sense of peace. Perhaps it was the fact that it radiated peace that made him jumpy. It wasn't something he was familiar with at all.

"Go in," said Shiro.

"Don�t you�"

"Go in, she's waiting," Shiro said.

"Um what's this all about�"

"Don't ask questions, just respect her wishes. That is the FIRST lesson among all you must learn if you are to be champion�"

"Consort, champion, beloved one� I know I'm gonna have to learn all the Japanese words t' keep this all straight," he muttered under his breath. Slowly he stepped inside the shrine, and saw something that took his breath away. Kneeling before a large set of images, all Shinto family possessions were her figure. Praying with an inclined head on a ceremonial mat. He felt his breath quickening as he stepped inside, and then heard the door sliding shut behind him.

"Um� I'm not sure what to do in here� I don't wanna do something that'd dishonor any ancestors or anything�" he murmured. "Help me out here�"

"Kneel next to me, that's all you need to do� be with me," she whispered. Logan walked over and drew up the costume so he could kneel in that odd way that Shiro had drummed into his head. He set the one sword down at his side, and glanced sidelong at her. Her eyes were shut and her lips were moving, hands clasped in silent prayer.

"This some ceremony�" he asked through the side of his mouth. "I don't know what to do�"

"I'm asking the blessing of my ancestors, to approve my choice. There's something that you need to know� I have to ask you once and for all if you're willing to do what they're expecting�"

"I love ya, right? Isn't that what matters? Shiro mentioned champion� and somehow the words are pretty darn similar to beloved an' consort� it's all new t' me, but it sounds pretty serious�"

"Dead serious. I didn't want any of this to happen, but there are ancient traditions that you need to learn. So much and there is almost no time�" she murmured, fighting tears as she knelt there, motionless and facing the images of her ancestors.

"It's all something t' do with this thing you gave me. I'm guessing it's like Lancelet and Guenevere�"

"Correct� beloved. I see you've brought your swords� they are to your liking�"

"These things ain't just some fancy dress thing. They're REAL, aren't they? And if I'm not mistaken, probably really old� I don't know if I can take 'em�"

"If you love me and respect what we share, you must. It's tradition�" she said, turning her head to him.

"Then tell me why the heck the katana don't match the other two," Logan said, confused as he held up the blade. She laughed, and put a hand to her head.

"They don't know� and they're afraid to say�"

"Is this somethin' to do with that missing artifact?" Logan asked. "Is it some samurai sword that's missing? Is this some kinda test� cause I remember the guys in Weapon X sayin' something about a trade, that you were part of�"

"Creed accepted me as payment for services done through Shield. Each of the children was to receive training as agents of Weapon X. But I was considered like a spoil of war� but that wasn't all. The artifact they discussed but never admitted to what was missing� was one of a set of three swords. Each was forged out of a meteorite, hard and strong, and priceless. But also enchanted with the spirits of my ancestors�"

"Holy crap, you mean they're sacred� right?"

"Indeed. The three swords were missing, stolen. They were recovered with the help of the one known as Creed. But in exchange for me, he returned the items. However the last sword, the Honor Sword of the clan was a fake. The fool didn't know it. And that displeased my uncle."

"So they traded you for a bunch of relics� cute," Logan grimaced. "Don't tell me this whole thing was all about these sacred swords� there HAD to be more�"

"Much more. God, it makes me sick to think of how complicated it all was. Do you realize I could have been as easily married off to some crimelord? Shinobi Shaw� he hates Creed and the others because I was supposed to be�"

"Crap� " Logan groaned. "I hate this more an' more� anything ELSE I should know?"

"The others taken from the clan were far unluckier than I. And they'll stop at nothing to see me and my cousin dead. I wish I had never come, Logan. I want to do what's right, but I don't want to die. Even if it's the honorable thing to do� I don't want to lose the life I've made with the X men� with you�"

"Nobody's gonna die, so don�t' even GO there," he groaned. "Look, what do I haveta do? Defend ya; cause that I can handle. You know that�"

"Yes, but possibly far worse. I feel so helpless� if Uncle Shingen is dead, then I'd be expected to� that's why you have to learn these traditions� that's why I have to know now if you're really ready to take all this on. Because you might have to give up everything you ever knew� and to ask you to do that�"

"We've been through this� I�m not backing off from this� we're in this together. So let's just think about this logically. So a sword's missing. A really IMPORTANT one. Any ideas where it went, or who took it?"

"That's the problem�"

"You said these things were made outta meteoritic iron, right?" Logan asked. "Well that's kinda funny, cause um�"

Here he scratched his head. Mariko looked at him, nonplussed. "What's wrong?"

"Um� can we um� kinda go to my room� I've got something I gotta get off my chest�" Logan said.

"What is it?" she asked. "You changed your mind?"

"Nah� it's just� well, I'm not sure, but I think you should see something�" Logan said. Taking his hand she got up, and bowed respectfully to her ancestors before leaving.

***

"Logan-chan, you're scaring me� what is this�" asked Mariko as she walked at his side, his pace quickening.

"Um� where's the guestrooms� we gotta see Kitty and Gambit�" said Logan as he tugged her towards the guestrooms.

"Logan� what�" Mariko asked as he knocked on the rice paper screen.

"Shh, it's just a hunch� but I smelled something suspicious before� when I was payin 'em a visit. When I happened to sneak into Gambit's room, I saw a whole bunch of old stuff he'd somehow come across and he was showing it off. He got some old relics from some backwater place called Madripoor�"

"Madripoor� I'm guessing his family had some dealings with Yakuza, or something worse," Mariko shook her head. "Little wonder he had fascinations with things Asian� for other reasons�"

"Hey, you in there?" Logan called.

"Wolverine, just in time� we were wondering when this whole banquet's gonna get started," said Kitty. "How do I look� Hey Michelle�"

"You look officially as a lady of the court, Kitty," Mariko smiled.

"Belle, you are ravishing, the more I see of you," Remy called as he leaned over Kitty's shoulder.

"Stop droolin' Cajun. I gotta question for ya. C'mon in M'iko�"

"Nice of you t' visit, your majesty," Gambit kissed her hand.

"Knock it off, I'm still Michelle� when I'm around you guys," she said as she inhaled deeply and entered, Logan's hand on her back.

"Good to see you again," Kurt smiled. "And thanks for the lovely clothes� and the guestrooms are very comfortable�"

"Very," Pyoter said. "I hope we will look good at the banquet tonight�"

"All very handsome. But Logan said that he�"

"Yeah Cajun, I gotta ask ya, you had something stashed in your luggage that I smelled a hint of� and I'm smelling it really strong on yer hands� what the hell have ya been into�"

"Moi?" Gambit asked as Logan seized his hands and smelled them.

"Just as I figured. Smells like steel� iron� what have ya been polishing?"

"Just that old sword he was gonna�" Kitty trailed off.

"What?" Mariko asked.

"It was supposed to be a surprise. And we know you gave him those ceremonial blades because well� you know�" Kurt said quickly. "And well�"

"Those are not just ceremonial, they are real," Mariko corrected. "Each can be used as a deadly weapon in the hands of a master. They represent his status as my beloved and my champion�"

"Those are REAL?" Kurt shook his head.

"Told ya," Kitty stuck out her tongue.

"You gave those to him as a gift� so perhaps it would be in bad taste to�" Colossus trailed off as Kitty grabbed something.

"Um, well Gambit found some old antiques, and he was gonna give 'em to you� and he was polishing this� and since you're here� I guess the secrets out, because he figured�"

"Kitty, let me see that," Mariko said as she reached out, and Kitty hefted the scabbard and blade with some awkwardness. Her eyes gave a very strange expression, and Logan released Gambit's hands, inhaling deeply.

"Wait� that looks� Logan, those scabbards you have� they look just like�" Kurt said.

"Put them down here, I need to look at them all," Mariko said quickly. She knelt in front of the blades, as each were put before her. Slowly she drew out a cloth and wiped them along the scabbards, and pulled out each blade, looking at it carefully. Her eyes gleamed with recognition, especially when the wakasashi and tanto that Logan had been given to wear were almost indistinguishable from the antique Gambit had polished up.

"Gambit be seeing tings�" Remy shook his head.

"Identical, in every way," said Pyoter, crouching close to Mariko.

"Damn, it's just�" Mariko trailed off, and slowly pulled each blade partly out of their sheaths. Her eyes traveled over the inscriptions in the shimmering steel, and Logan saw a swirling pattern that showed each blade had been forged from the same metal.

"Look there, you can tell these two are made from iron. Meteoritic iron," she said. "You can see the grain. And this one� is the SAME chemical composition�"

Logan pushed past Pyoter, and leaned down to inhale the scent of each. AT first Kurt shook his head, and Gambit whispered some stupid comment that caused Pyoter to smack his shoulder and shove him rudely. "Mind your manners� she's our HOST�"

"Darlin� they smell the same. Exactly the same�" Logan trailed off.

"Gambit, you're BEAUTIFUL!" Mariko cried as she got up and kissed him soundly on both cheeks. "I can't believe� you said you got these in MADRIPOOR?"

"Did Remy do sometin' right?" Gambit asked. "Of all da luck� dat be de missing sword dat be da brother of these two�"

"Where did you� who did you?"

"Some little outta da way place. Called da Princess Bar or sometin'. It be a bar, an' a place of� entertainment�"

"A brothel?" asked Pyoter. Gambit nodded.

"What the HELL was a sword like THAT doing in a cat house?" asked Logan, shaking his head. "Damn� of all the friggin places� Cajun are you goddamn SURE that was the place?"

Logan seized him, almost shaking Gambit, and Remy was lifted off his feet. "What?"

"Logan� put him down� you're not making any sense!" Kurt shook his head. Kitty's eyes widened and she saw the look of anger and shock on Logan's face. Mariko's lips were pressed into a tight line.

"Who gave these to you, this is IMPORTANT," she said clearly as she stood next to Logan.

"I� da deal went by my brother. He stole dem, for a big client. Remy doesn't know WHO� but he be some BIG shot dat is a mercenary. He wanted to get rid of it� so Gambit bought it and t'ought it be worth sometin�"

"Who was it?" Logan almost shouted.

"Some guy dat goes by da name o' Creed," said Remy.

"Son of a BITCH," Logan growled. "You better not be shitting me because if you are�"

"He be named Graydon Creed� maybe he be da same family of da one you called Sabretooth, neh?"

"Graydon Creed is Victor Creed, you dimwit!" Logan yelled.

"It's his full name. Legally. Graydon Creed Senior. Victor is his middle name� or at least the one registered with Weapon X," said Mariko, eyes wide with shock. "Gambit, I think he WANTED you to find these. He's no idiot�"

"You stupid son of a bitch� you don't realize WHAT you've done!" Logan snarled. "Because of your stupidity, they KNOW she's with the X men!"

"Logan, we don't know that!" Kitty shouted.

"Be fair, Logan, he found something that belonged to Michelle� you had better put him down now!" Kurt said.

"He didn't know� I'm certain of it," Pyoter said.

"Let him go, Logan. He's guilty of nothing but being a fool. And in the wrong place at the wrong time� a willing instrument for Creed to find me�" said Mariko angrily. "And that isn't the worst part. Because if HE knows where I am� then so do the others�"

"What others?" asked Gambit, as Logan dropped him on his backside.

"Silver Fox, Maverick, n' Kestrel. A.k.a. Wraith," Logan snarled. "The three stooges�"

"Oh hell," Pyoter shook his head. "And if they are involved� it's most likely that they were hired by another more powerful�"

"Victor had said he knew where it was� I didn't realize how well he knew," Mariko said. "Question is, WHY give it back unless� I just don't like it�"

"Who cares, you have it back, doesn't that legitimize your claim or something?" Kitty interrupted.

"Yes, for better or worse. Creed somehow helped me, and that wasn't out of the goodness of his heart. Which means that things got a whole lot more complicated�" Mariko said as she shook her head, standing up. Carefully she cradled all three blades in her sleeved hands. Everyone glanced at her, then to Gambit who Logan was standing angrily over. Pyoter moved between the thief and Logan, shaking his head.

"So now what?" asked Kurt. "Does it help that we are here, or make things worse�"

"You are already involved more than you know. Gambit more than he realizes�" said Mariko. "Logan, please come over here� and don't size Gambit up for a coffin just yet. He may well prove himself to you yet�"

"You see, she likes me, mon ami�"

"Shut up� just shut him up before I lose it," Logan snapped. Pyoter raised a hand, and stepped between them again. Kurt gently knelt near Kitty, and moved away as Logan walked over and stood opposite his love.

"These are yours now. I can think of none better�" she trailed off. "And you've done far more than I could have ever expected� although SOME of it's dumb luck�" and here she looked at Gambit, who was preening himself despite Logan and Pyoter's dirty looks, and Kurt's confusion. "Are you sure�"

"Absolutely," he nodded, hands touching hers as she slid the sheathed blades into their positions on his ceremonial garb. "Only thing is, I hope to hell you won't regret me doing it. Cause�"

"Take the darn things already, prince charming," Kitty shook her head.

"Kitty, really!" Kurt hissed.

"Not it's all right�" Mariko laughed, wiping away tears. Logan glared at Kitty and rolled his eyes. Pyoter moved over and slid his arm around Kitty, who blushed profusely.

"Sorry� I didn't mean to�"

"Maybe we should um� leave them alone?" asked Pyoter.

"I think maybe we'd better talk someplace private," Logan said as he took her hand, and guided her alongside of him. "Unless ya wanna say anything else� to this crew�"

"We meant what we said, when we came to help you, Michelle," said Kitty.

"All of us want to help as Katerina said," Pyoter nodded. "I know that I would stand by you�"

"All for one and one for all, eh?" asked Kurt. "Sorry for being flip�"

"Who be D'Artangion, then?" asked Remy. "Kurt be Aramis, Pyoter be Arthos, and da Logan be Porthos�"

"You're nuts� he doesn't eat enough to be Porthos�" Kitty thumped Gambit. "Stop being such a jerk�"

"C'mon let's leave these clowns before I put that one through a wall," Logan grumbled. "See you guys later� and um� thanks�"

"Thank you all, I'll have someone come bring you to dinner�" Mariko said as she hugged Kitty, and extended her hands to Kurt and Pyoter. Gambit moved forwards, and then backed off when Logan slid his arm around her waist and gently guided her out.

***
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