Chapter 26

In the mansion kitchen Ororo and Jean are planning a special dinner.

"Are you sure this is what you need for this recipe Ororo ?" "I am not too sure Jean. I have never prepared Japanese dishes before but I thought that since it is a surprise party for Ryu I thought we should have a traditional Japanese dinner."

"Some of this doesn't even sound appetizing. Who in there right mind would eat octopus or eel ?" "We shouldn't judge any culture because they eat something we might find disgusting. I am sure there are things we eat that Ryu isn't too fond of ether."

Meanwhile on the mansion grounds. "Come on Logan you're the one who wanted to spar with swords and I keep finding too many openings in your defense. What's the problem are you getting too old ?" "Give me a break kid. I haven't used a sword in years. Besides your not perfect your bound to screw up sometimes."

"Man Ryu has Logan on the ropes." "You better hope Logan doesn't hear you say that Roberto otherwise that could be you sparing with him." "Come on Tabitha this should be easy for Logan. He has more experience than Ryu. He shouldn't have any problems taking Ryu down." Suddenly Ryu knocks Logan's sword out of his hand. "You were saying Roberto ?" "Well Ryu must have been using his powers in that spar."

Suddenly Roberto finds himself face down in the dirt. "If you ever say that about me again Roberto-san you'll find out for yourself what it is like in a real swordfight. I never use my powers in that way unless we were training in the danger room." "Don't worry about it kid he was just being stupid."

"No offence Logan but he is a member of my team and I'll be damned if someone on my team is going to talk about anybody like that ! I hope you like running Roberto-san because your punishment for your dishonor is to run one hundred laps around the mansion."

"You got to be kidding me Ryu." "Fine make it two hundred then. You want to go for three hundred ?" Roberto starts running around the mansion for fear of having to do more laps. " Like I said before I am glad I'm not a student here because knowing how I am you would probably have me running the ropes." "I am not trying to be harsh Logan but sometimes you have to put your foot down."

Back in the kitchen. "I have an idea Ororo. How about we call Mrs. Son she would know how to make this stuff." "I really didn't want to bother her if she was working." At the Son residence Sakura Son was reading some papers for a case when the phone rings. "Hello ! Oh Ororo-San I wasn't expecting a call from you. Is something wrong ?" "No nothing is wrong Mrs. Son we are having a surprise party for Ryu however we don't have a clue on how to prepare Japanese dishes." "Say no more Ororo-San. I have no problem helping you out and I know just the dishes to make."

Suddenly the alarm sounds and the Professor talks to everyone telepathically. "Everyone come to cerebro at once." "What's the problem Professor ?" "The brotherhood is attacking innocent people." "Don't worry Professor we'll stop them." "No Scott I am sending the New Mutants to take care of them." "You heard him guys lets go."

"Hopefully this drives the x-geeks out to play." "You said it Pietro we haven't had a good fight in a while." "By that slime ball you mean after we last kicked your asses." "Damn it all ! Sword boy and his punks. We wanted the X-geeks not the B-team !" The New Mutants dispatch the Brotherhood without breaking a sweat. "Don't these jerks ever learn ?"

"When do they ever learn Magma ?" "You got a point there Dragonforce."

After leaving the Brotherhood for the police the New Mutants return to the mansion just as Ryu was opening the door everyone jumped out.

"Happy birthday Ryu !" "Wow I guess with everything that's been happening lately I completely forgot today was my birthday." ["How could you forget your own birthday Son Ryu"] [Sorry mom I had a lot on my mind lately."] "Well Ororo-san and I made dinner for everybody."

"Mom what did you two make for dinner." "Just some of your favorite food." "Excuse me for a minute mom."

"Professor I need to talk to you in private." "Sure Ryu what did you want to talk about." "Can you do me a favor ?" "What would that be Ryu ?" "Please don't let anybody know what they're eating I don't want anybody to insult my mothers cooking." "I won't Ryu. You have my word." "Thanks Professor I owe you one." At dinner everyone with the exception of Ryu and a few others were wondering what the stuff in front of them was. "Well this is different than what we normally eat." "Well I guess we should dig in."

After dinner Scott, Kurt, and Rogue asked Ryu what it was that they ate. "What was some of that Ryu ?" "Well Scott I was wondering what did you think of my mothers eel teriyaki ?" "That was eel I was eating !" "And how was your seaweed salad Rogue ?" "That was seaweed ! I think I am going to be sick." "And man Kurt I have never seen anyone put away that many octopus puffs before !" "Did you say octopus ? Why didn't you tell us what that stuff was ?"

"I didn't tell you for two reasons Kurt. One I didn't want you to insult Ororo or my mother. Two remember that shaving cream you guys dumped on my head the other day. Consider this as payback for that."

"I am never playing another practical joke on you ever again !"

Ryu goes to his room to think about today. ["Well another year older and I still feel like hell every damn year.] Ryu looks at his sword. [" I might have avenged you father but I will always wish you were here to see what my life has been since you were killed."]

Ryu hears a knock on his door. "Hey kid you awake !" "The door's open Logan." "Couldn't help but overhear what you said. As far as I am concerned kid I think your old man would be proud of what you have done in your life." "You really think so Logan ?"

"Of course I do. You fought to save us all from a piece of shit ninja, you helped us through many battles, You took a small group of undisciplined kids and made them into an very powerful fighting force in such a short time, you even took an unbelievable amount of pain to prevent Magneto from getting his hands on a weapon that could destroy the world. I'd say you redefined the meaning of the word hero."