My Heart My Home - by Darlin

A/N - Well, blackpanther2288 I hope this update was fast enough for you although it's a much shorter chapter. I must say your review made me laugh and yet feel wretchedly irresponsible! Masterpiece indeed! Curse writers block! But thanks for still reading and letting your feelings be known. And thanks to bluemist418; Isis Aurora Tomoe (hope you update soon too! And thanks for the sweet words); thanks to lilWolvie (long time no see and good to have you back!); thanks to TheWolf, TigerStorm, Verena Gruen, you wonderful soul you; and finally last but not least, thanks wOLF8 (what's up with Diablo?)!

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Chapter Nineteen - True Colors Revealed

After a morning of serious snow removal with and without powers along with much frolicking in the snow, the rest of the day loomed ahead without any planned activities and the school was teeming with restless children. Many were shouting and running throughout the halls still playing a wild game of hide and seek while using each of their own distinctive powers. The Professor, upon his arrival, had immediately put an end to the use of extreme powers during the game but he decided to overlook minor transgressions as long as they remained within reason and no one was hurt. After all it wasn't much different than a typical danger room session.

Being so warned whenever a student spied a teacher, sensibly, the word would pass and they would quiet down if only till the teacher moved on. Hank however was too preoccupied to pay much attention to the students as he was giving Shiro and Keniuchio a brief tour along the way to the staff dining room. Kurt, who was ever kind and courteous, and very much adored by his students, merely smiled absently at the children as he and Yukio roamed through the hallways speaking in low tones to each other. Logan and Ororo, it was said, were making out in the stairwell and to the youngsters great relief Scott and Jean were monitoring the security system which meant that the two sterner teachers would be kept busy for at least a full hour as everyone knew Scott's anal retentive nature and Jean's strong urge to please him.

A few students were occupying themselves in the recreation room including Kitty, Jubilee, and Rogue who were sitting together watching Bobby and Peter playing a video game.  Several other students were watching TV or playing table tennis nearby. Rogue was hoping to play the winner of the intense video game but Kitty and Jubilee were pretty bored and when Jubilee was bored she liked to talk.

"You shoulda seen them," Jubilee said for the fourth time that day.

"I wish you would stop talking about them like that. I mean they're our teachers and it isn't very nice of you to go telling everyone their business," Kitty said.

"What? Like it's a secret or something? Puh-lease! You were the one who told me you saw them kissing that first day he came back. You're the one who shouldn't have been spying!"

"I wasn't spying!  I went back to get something and I saw them.  I wasn't trying to see them.  Now I just wish I'd kept my mouth shut."

"Well next time remember that, Pryde - but let's face it, we could all see it coming - none of us are stupid!"

"Speak for yourself," Kitty snapped.

"Ah agree with Kitty," Rogue said. "Ah don't think Logan wants all his business spread all over the school an' to their grandma's too."

"Whatever!" Jubilee fumed.

"You should listen to your friends, Jubilation," Peter interjected. "Miss Munroe has been nothing but kind to all of us. She does not deserve you gossiping about her."

"Just because you have a crush on her doesn't mean you have to get all righteous . . . teacher's pet," Jubilee grumbled.

"He does not have a crush on her!" Kitty said quickly, and with indignation. Then changing the subject because the first one didn't sit very well with her, she said, "Did Logan say anything about the Oriental lady that's next door to him? She's very pretty."

"You are so not politically correct, Kitty. We are Asians. Repeat after me . . ."

"So what am I supposed to call everyone else in Asia then?" Kitty argued back.

"Can you girls please shut up over there?" Bobby yelled.

"For what? So you boys can play your little game? What is it anyway? Pong?" Jubilee laughed at her own wit.

"Leave him alone!" Rogue jumped into the fray. "They're playing Grand Theft Auto, not some lame-o Pong an' you need quiet in order to concentrate if you want ta win," Rogue said.

"Yeah, right! Like it takes a brain surgeon to play a stupid video game," Jubilee laughed.

"If you think it's so easy why don't you play the winner?" Rogue asked.

"Sure, no problemo."

"Oh, I want to see this, no one's beaten Peter since we got this game," Kitty laughed.

"It can't be any harder than Sims," Jubilee said glibly.

Kitty and the others, except Rogue, burst out laughing. Rogue was just glad the subject had changed once again because from what Logan had told her earlier she knew more than she wanted to know about the woman in the room next to him. He'd said her name was Mariko and she was his 'alleged' wife but Rouge would never tell anyone anything about him that he didn't want her to. Logan was like a father to her and she knew he was an honorable and good man who would never cheat on Miss Munroe even if he did have a wife. She had a very bad feeling about the whole thing. What was Logan going to do about his wife?

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As Logan and Ororo were exiting the stairwell where they'd been caught kissing earlier, Mariko was putting her face on. Just a little makeup, not too much for Logan didn't care for heavily made up women. She had the presence of mind to toss a few pieces of paper into the trash can to hide the pregnancy test she'd thrown away. Later she would sneak it out of her room but for now she had more important things on her mind, namely Logan. Jean had come up informed her that Logan was back and Mariko knew he would come to her.

Only he was taking his sweet time. She had expected him to arrive shortly after Jean had spoken to her.  When he hadn't shown she'd told herself he had been delayed. Then the delay had become almost insufferable and her temper had begun to show. In a full tantrum she'd yanked the curtains from their rods and pulled the bed covers off the bed. Her room was in shambles and she had left it that way, after all servants could easily fix the mess.

She felt justified in venting her anger after the grueling two month long search for Logan.  Not only had the search for him been unbelievably stressful and long but years of trying to maintain control over Clan Yashida had been extremely strenuous. Now she was faced with the painful truth that she was fast losing that control. Her heritage as head of the clan had been difficult at best but she had felt certain with Keniuchio's help the two of them could manage. Little had she known, Keniuchio, though family, had betrayed her and their clan.

It had been a shock to her when she began to realize that her brother had led her clan down a path she had never even imagined existed. She had found that so deeply were they entwined in Yakuza activities, or rather, in the criminal underworld, that she had been forced to turn elsewhere for help. Finding that help had been difficult, for to seek help she must first reveal her shame and dishonor.

After much consideration she had chosen two men to assist her.  Her first choice she had thought to be honorable and good only to find his true nature was that of an untrustworthy sneak, a tricky thief, and a pathological liar. That man was Matsu'o, a man of no consequence in her mind now, for with Logan by her side she knew she would be able to regain control of her clan as well as punish Matsu'o as he deserved. She envisioned a long and lingering death for him just as she had learned Matsu'o had planned for Logan so many years ago.

Putting these thoughts aside and forcing a huge smile on her pretty face she began to pirouette around the room with a grace and skill lovely to behold. So amazing was the drastic change in her manner that if anyone had witnessed the sight they might have wondered at her sanity. Her thoughts, once grim and desperate, now became firm and delectable. Logan would save her as he knew he must for that was who and what he was. It seemed so easy now that she had found him. Never the less, she was prepared to take matters into her own hands should he hesitate. It had to be done quickly now and she had no intentions of failing. Yes, the thought gave her an inexpressible joy and her smile became truly spectacular now.

Suddenly the knock that she had been expecting sounded on her door. Startled, she gasped in surprise and some trepidation. Eager to get down to business yet ever aware of Logan's unpredictable nature she glanced down at her long robe and patted the two side pockets feeling secure in her plan. Looking around the room she saw that all was just as it should be then opened the door.

Logan stood in the hallway with a sour look on his face. He glanced at her briefly then turned his head involuntarily back towards the hallway. Mariko followed his gaze and saw Ororo walking down the hall. This angered her. She had thought there was something between these two from the first but last night the woman had cleared that up. Now she was nearly certain her husband was at least lusting after the unusual flying woman and she was determined to put a stop to that at all cost.

"Come in," Mariko said politely, holding the door wide and smiling all the while. She watched Ororo's retreating figure for a moment before closing the door.

"I'll make this short, Mariko," Logan said briskly.

"Please, sit." She beckoned to the bed.

"No thanks." Logan said, glancing at the disheveled room with disdain.  "Look, you're a beautiful woman, gorgeous even, but let's face facts - I don't know you and, well there's no room in my life for a wife. I'm hooked up with this school and well, my life is here," Logan's words came out in a rush, eager to get back to Ororo.

"No! You are wrong!"

"I'm sorry but you've got to admit I'm a complete stranger to you. I'm nothing like who you think I am."

"You are still the Logan I remember, still the same in heart and soul. That is all that matters."

It was with great effort that Logan reined in his temper. He'd known this wasn't going to be easy yet in the back of his mind he had hoped Mariko would at least try to understand his side. He knew it might be too much to hope that she would be the one who suggested that they get a divorce but he'd expected her to at least listen to what he had to say and think it over before making a decision. She was just firing off excuses without really listening or comprehending the foolishness of the situation, making this more difficult than it had to be.

Well there was nothing else to do but get it over with quickly, he thought because the sooner he told her it wasn't going to work the easier it would be for everyone – most specifically Ororo.

"All right, Mariko I'll be completely honest with you. I don't love you. . ."

"Love is not always necessary," Mariko interrupted him.

"That's not how I feel."

"It does not matter. Make love to me, Logan. You will remember me then," Mariko said. She went up to him and pressed her body against his.

"What?" Logan was too shocked to push her away.

Encouraged by this, Mariko kissed him warmly on the lips and encircled him with her arms. Logan was attempting to pry her surprisingly strong arms from around him without using unnecessary force when he felt a sharp prick on the side of his neck, quickly followed by another.

"What the . . . ?"

Grogginess overwhelmed him. His hands didn't seem to want to work. Mariko was still kissing him when he felt yet another prick even as he finally mustered the strength to push her away.

"W-what . . . did . . . you . . . do?" Logan's words were slurred.

 His equilibrium off, he staggered back, arms out stretched. Mariko was upon him in an instant throwing her arms around him. Logan saw her smiling face, felt her lips on his again as they tumbled to the floor together. Without hesitating, Mariko sat up and removed her robe, laying it close beside them.

Logan could barely make out her naked form as he fought to get up. Realizing that there was still some fight in her husband she rolled off him, reached for her robe, withdrew another small needle, and sunk it deep into his neck. She then straddled his body and patiently injected a fifth shot. Logan's eyes fluttered then slowly closed. Mariko wasted no time and began unbuttoning his shirt.

"N-n-n . . ." Logan moaned, still trying to resist the drug that was flowing through his veins.

"Sshh," she whispered in his ear. "You used to be so much more a man and so much more honorable. But no matter, you will be my husband because I say so and until I am finished with you. Oh . . . !"

Though Logan seemed quite out of it and his eyes remained closed his hands shot up, instinctively gripping her neck squeezing as hard as he could manage in his drugged state. But it was only for a span of seconds. Mariko, screaming in fright, managed to fight him off. Breathless with the effort of fighting even a sedated Logan she was thankful that he was too weak to cause harm. On their own accord, Logan's arms fell back to the floor with a dull thud and, breathing a sigh of relief, Mariko reached for her robe again. She was about to inject still another dose of the high powered narcotic when the door opened.

"I heard a scream, is everything . . ." Ororo's mouth fell open as she saw Mariko, naked and smiling, leaning over Logan, his strong chest bared as his shirt gaped open. Horrified and confused she backed away.

"He likes it rough sometimes," Mariko said, standing up, heedless of her nudity. Mariko began to move towards Ororo, the needle still in her hand though now hidden behind her back. A loud peal of thunder raged outside but Mariko gave no notice.

"I - I didn't - I didn't . . . I'm . . . I'm . . . so sorry," Ororo turned and fled down the hall.

"You had better be," Mariko muttered, slamming the door shut and locking it.

A blinding pain overcame Ororo as she ran down the hall oblivious to all. Completely unnerved, she was shaking worse than she had the other day. First the lipstick and now - but she couldn't let herself think about what she'd just seen. It was too unbearable and horribly so. She refused to let herself dwell on the shocking sight. She had to go, to escape and never come back.  It's what she had to do.  She would go to her room and pack, take a vacation. The Professor would understand. It was the only way.

"Miss Munroe, are you okay?" Kitty asked when Ororo ran into Peter in her distracted state.

Peter and Kitty had just left the rec room and Peter was walking Kitty to her room. They had been so absorbed in each other that neither had noticed Ororo dashing towards them. Peter had immediately changed into his gleaming silver armored form when Ororo had bumped into him but seeing who it was he reached out and caught her before she fell.

"I am sorry. I did not see you. Please forgive me," Peter mumbled apologetically.

"I - no - I mean yes. Of course. I'm fine. How're you?" Ororo tried to smile brightly but the effort was too much and she gave up trying.

"Um, we're okay I guess," Kitty responded hesitantly.

"Are you sure you are well?" Peter asked again.

Ororo looked at Peter and shook her head dumbly as she watched his gleaming armored body turn back into flesh and blood. Without thinking she grabbed hold of his shirt which was half unbuttoned and revealing his massive chest, much like Logan's had been in Mariko's room. The similarity brought back everything she'd just witnessed clear and precise and the vision played through her mind like a stuck record of old.

"Miss Munroe - Ororo, please tell us what is wrong," Peter said gently.

Ororo could barely comprehend what he was saying but when Peter's hands touched hers she looked at him with eyes full of anger.

"I better get Dr. Grey," Kitty mumbled and turned to leave.

"No!" Ororo cried out. "No, Peter, Kitty I need your help. Come with me!"

"Are you sure?" Kitty asked.

"Yes, but what I'm about to ask you might be hard. I don't know. We'll have to see. Come on!"

Peter and Kitty exchanged looks then hurried after their history teacher, eager to help her and still a little alarmed over her odd behavior. Soon they were standing in front of Mariko's room. They watched as Ororo leaned against the door clearly eavesdropping. Shortly thunder again sounded in the cold air outside and Ororo turned back to them smiling determinedly.

"Peter, knock as loudly as you can."

Needing no explanation from his favorite teacher, Peter did as he was told causing the door to shake unnaturally. They heard a startled cry from within then nothing else.

"Say, 'The Professor needs Logan now'," Ororo instructed.

Peter repeated her words but received no answer.

"All right, Kitty what I need you to do might be - is probably crazy but I have no other choice. Time is too short," Ororo said.

Kitty listened as Ororo explained what was needed and what the possible consequences might be. Much like Peter, and possibly because of Peter's willingness to help Ororo without a second thought, Kitty readily agreed to do Ororo's bidding. The girl's solid body began to fade ever so slightly before their eyes and taking a gulp of air Kitty sunk down into the floor. She traveled soundlessly through the floor and into Mariko's room unnoticed. Getting her bearings she phased through the floor until she was underneath the bed.

Ororo's warning had been on the mark for there on the floor on the other side of the bed, laid an unconscious and half clothed Logan. He looked as if he was dead and Kitty closed her eyes and said a prayer. When she opened them she could see his chest falling and rising slowly. She had solidified and was now peeking out from under the bed skirt. Seeing that Logan was alive if not well she turned her attention to Mariko who was still naked, placing beer bottles around the room.

The sound of running water could be heard in the bathroom which made Kitty curious so she ducked back beneath the floor and made her way to the small room. Peeking up from the floorboards only her head was visible but she was able to see clearly. A row of beer bottles were hanging over the side of the sink. Some had beer dripping slowly into the sink and others were already empty.

As she wondered what Mariko was doing she heard a blood curdling scream which nearly broke her concentration. Both females looked at each other, Mariko, her face ashen with fright and Kitty, or rather Kitty's head, which winked, smiled and disappeared back into the floor. In moments Kitty was back outside the room hopping up and down from excitement, back in her true form.

"You were right, Miss Munroe!  Oh my gosh!  Logan's knocked out on the floor but he's still breathing and she's got beer bottles all around the room and she's pouring the beer down the sink and she's naked as a jay bird! Storm, what did she do to him?  What're we going to do?" Kitty shrieked in one breath.

"Sshh, Kitty, not so loud. That's all I needed, thank you."

"But what do we do now?" Peter whispered.

Ororo took a deep breath then said, "Peter, get the Professor and, Kitty see if you can keep everyone out of this hallway. Get Bobby and Rogue if you need help."

"What're you going to do?" Kitty asked.

"I'm going in," Ororo said decisively.

"But how?"

Pulling a lock pick from her pocket Ororo held it up for Kitty to see then she knelt down and inserted it in the keyhole with a flourish. More in control of herself than she had been in some time Ororo grinned at the kids and shooed them off. For the first time since she's gotten up this morning she knew that everything was going to be all right. Unlocking the door was easy and quick so she waited till the teenagers left to do her bidding then she turned the door knob.

It was not as disconcerting as it was minutes before to see Logan lying on the floor and Mariko still naked. This time Mariko was sitting on top of him, humming peacefully, her back to the door. Ororo saw that Logan's shirt, boots, and socks had already been removed and now Mariko was unzipping his jeans. Ororo shut the door soundly. She wanted to be heard and heard she was. Mariko twisted around, saw Ororo and jumped up, baring her teeth in a hideous snarl. Ororo braced herself ready to take her on if necessary but Mariko didn't approach, she just looked around the room wildly.

"I think you need to explain what you're doing," Ororo spoke as calmly as she could.

"Get out! You have no right here, he is my husband and I can do as I please!" Mariko cried and lunged for her robe.

Ororo watched the woman's every move. Mariko stooped, picked up her robe, and put it on, slipping her hands into the pockets not bothering to tie it.

"You want him too, I understand. We could share him, maybe. Come here, we will talk about this," Mariko said with a false smile.

Ororo shook her head slowly, wondering if she should electrocute the woman - just a small jolt, nothing too dangerous. It was tempting, too tempting and though she felt justified she forced herself to resist the urge to hurt Logan's wife.

"Why don't you just tell me what you're doing?"

"It is none of your business now get out or I will have Shiro put you out!"

"I doubt he'd be able to do that but if you want to give it a try go ahead, call him," Ororo said smugly. She couldn't help herself. Mariko knew she could fly but she had no idea what else she could do.

"Ororo, what's wrong?" the Professor's voice echoed in Ororo's head.

Though used to hearing the Professor's voice speaking to her out of the blue by now, it was still slightly peculiar, but Ororo didn't let it distract her. She took a moment to explain the situation through the mental link Charles established, all the while keeping an eye on Mariko. Mariko in turn was watching Ororo with cat like eyes now, full of anger and hatred. Then, finally coming to a decision, Mariko sprang towards Ororo, her hand held high above her head, a needle clenched in her fist. Ororo immediately summoned a strong wind that threw the smaller woman off her feet and Mariko crashed into the wall. Thunder and lightning flashed within seconds of each other and the icy drizzle outside became a harsh pounding sleet.

"What are you?" Mariko asked, appalled and terrified all at once.

"I'm my own arsenal you could say," Ororo said lightly. "Now tell me what you're doing before I have to hurt you."

"Ro . . ." Logan's voice was thick and heavy. His healing factor seemed to be kicking in but it was working overtime.

Both women gave a start at the sound of his voice. Mariko struggled to her feet but stayed against the wall watching Ororo carefully. For a moment she felt hopeless, even admitting to herself that she had lost but then she smiled prettily and went to her husband, ignoring Ororo who was already at his side.

"Logan . . ." Ororo's words were cut off when Mariko stabbed her in the neck with one of the two remaining needles that she had left.

"Oh, my husband, I am here," Mariko said, her eyes darting from Ororo who had crumbled to the floor and back to Logan who was trying to sit up.

Mariko placed her arms around him and kissed him. "You were wonderful as always," she lied. "We will have many babies."

"Wh-what . . . ?"

Down to her last needle she inserted it deep into his neck and Logan fell back onto the floor. Mariko quickly went to the door, opened it, and looked out. No one was in sight. Leaving the door opened she hurried to Ororo's limp body and tried to drag her out of the room. Ororo was heavy for the weaker woman but she was determined which gave her a strength she didn't usually possess. But once at the door Mariko hesitated. What if someone saw her? And Ororo was only drugged. She would wake though she would not stay so for long. A slow smile began to spread over her face and she dragged Ororo's body back into her room. She would call Shiro and he would finish what she'd started.