A quick thank you ta sheisbeautiful-sheisnotme for telling me about using that sentence starter twice shudder (u know which one i mean) and u're right about her responses sounding tinny so i went back and made a few quick changes to the last chappie.

I also noticed that of the reviews I received no one wanted to lay claim to my damn muse. Sigh

Maybe next time. Anyway enough of my little pity party, on with the story. . .

Deadly Nightshade

Chapter 2 - Old Friends and Lovers

The roar of the Blackbird two days later alerted everyone to Logan and Ororo's return. It was early in the morning but everyone was awake. An unusual occurrence considering that it was Saturday and that Logan was not there to train them in the Danger Room.

The reason for their all being awake was obvious as they had all been informed that the two older mutants would be returning that day. All the students had been waiting eagerly for Logan's returning so that they could learn more about the mysterious Nightshade. However, they soon found that they would have to wait for several more hours before they could learn of Nightshade's mutant ability.

Upon their return Logan and Ororo were greeted with the uncommon occurrence of all the students at the institute waiting for them in the hangar. Even Jean and Scott were there.

As they disembarked the professor's voice could be heard in their minds.

'Logan, Storm please come to my office as soon as you have finished with the Blackbird, and the rest of you please find something else to do. But do not go far as you have a Danger Room session at 5 o'clock.'

The Professor's Office

"What happened out there Logan?"

"We were to late Chuck. Someone else got there before us. Looks like the kid left with 'em."

Sitting behind his desk, Xavier steepled his fingers in front of him and looked at the two mutants before him. Sighing he rubbed his temples before saying, "Thank you Logan, Ororo. You may go."

Standing the two moved to leave the office. Just as Logan was about to close the door behind him the professor called out, "Logan, we will be testing out a new mutant later today."

Nodding Logan pulled the door closed and went to the kitchen in search of a beer. Upon reaching it he heard voices coming from inside.

"I wonder how powerful she is?"

"She must be pretty powerful if the Prof. is getting Logan to do the testing personally."

"And, like, what about her name? Nightshade. How totally cool is that?"

"Maybe she iz poisonous like zhe plant."

At the mention of the name Nightshade, Logan froze to listen to the rest of what they had to say.

"Maybe her power is just bad fashion sense. Seriously, nobody should wear that much leather. I bet it's not even genuine."

"Shut up, Jean."

"Yeah, you're just, like, jealous that she's way more prettier than you are, her clothes are, like, totally cooler and probably more expensive than yours."

Before the argument could continue someone else spoke up.

"Come on. It's nearly fahve. We better get ready and head down to the Danger Room."

Upon hearing that Logan decided to forego his beer and instead get changed before heading down to meet Nightshade.

The Danger Room

It wasn't long before everyone was gathered in the observation deck. All except for Wolverine who was down in the danger room waiting for Nightshade to appear. At exactly 5 o'clock the doors opened and she stepped in wearing a long sleeved black top that stopped just above her belly button and a pair of black pants sitting low on her hips. Her feet were bare. Moving further into the empty room she eyed the man before her. He stood in the centre of the room wearing a white muscle shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants.

"Told you I'd see you around Logan."

Turning Logan saw Nightshade standing in front of him with one hip cocked and a hand resting lightly on top of it. At the sight of her, heat began to build up in his belly and spread outward. It seemed that even after ten years she could still affect him the same way. With all the blood in his body heading south the most Logan could manage in reply to her statement was a noncommittal grunt.

"Is that any way to greet me Logan, especially after what happened in the bar?"

Shrugging Logan turned away and looking up he said, "Run Wolverine Alpha Training Simulation."

In the observation deck his words were met with shock by all but the teachers. The simulation Logan had asked for was one of his personal training sims and was at a level none of the students or other teachers were at.

Down in the main room the metal walls had disappeared and been turned into the plain walls of a dojo. The floor was covered in mats and along the walls were various types of weapons, ranging from swords to whips and some weapons that were unidentifiable.

Turning to face Nightshade he watched her eye the various weapons with a grin. Her gaze was almost loving, especially when she looked at the whips.

Taking off his shirt he spoke two words, "Let's go."

Moving they both stood in the centre of the room. Dropping into a fighting stance the two began to slowly circle each other. It was unclear who made the first move but soon the two were fighting. To those watching it wasn't so much a fight, but a dance. One that the two combatants were clearly familiar with. The group in the observation platform watched as Logan began to deliver a series of attacks that started of slowly but became faster as Nightshade blocked each movement.

It wasn't long before Logan unleashed his claws and flew at Nightshade. Those watching were shocked but Nightshade wasn't. In the blink of an eye she had two daggers in her hands. Smiling she met his attack with the daggers. Shockingly, Logan's adamantium claws didn't slice right through the knives as those watching had expected. Instead he had to hook them before flinging them away. In that time Nightshade had managed to flip away and pull yet another dagger from within her outfit.

Before Logan finally managed to divest her of the blade she had gotten in several good swipes across his chest and face. When he sent the blade flying into one of the walls Nightshade quickly jumped and used his shoulders as a springboard to send her across the room. Landing neatly she grabbed a long whip from one of the walls and quickly uncoiled it.

Her ability with the whip was shocking to all but the teachers. When she flicked the whip at him teasingly he started to grin as his body seemed to attune itself to her movements and know exactly how to counter them. By grabbing hold of the weapon she seemed to have given a signal to up the ante. All the occupants watched as she flicked the whip out and managed to wrap it tightly around Logan's neck. With a quick tug she brought him in close enough for her to shove him to the ground with well placed kick to his chest. Before she had a chance to pin him he rolled away, at the same time uncoiling the whip from his neck. Leaping to his feet he grabbed hold of the whip and tugged it, pulling it away from her before throwing it into a corner. Before it had even hit the floor he leapt at Nightshade again.

The fight continued for a good half hour at least but that time passed unnoticed by the two fighters as they allowed themselves to be caught up in the familiar dance of movement. Their bodies recognizing each other on an almost spiritual level. Both had been injured but Nightshade was the only one who still carried any vivsible wounds, all of Logan's injuries had healed thanks to his healing factor.

Soon the two were locked at a stalemate of daggers against claws before Nightshade swept her leg behind Logan's knees bringing him to the ground again. Falling on top of him she held the daggers to his throat. Their observers had thought that was the end but as quick as ever Logan managed to reverse their positions whilst throwing her daggers away at the same time. Once Logan was on top he immediately grabbed her hands in one of his and held them stretched out above her head. To stop her using her legs, he had hooked his feet so that they sat between her thighs and his shins weighted them down. His free hand, claws still unsheathed, were held at her throat in a kill position.

"Thank you for that demonstration Logan, Nightshade."

The professor's voice came through over the speaker, breaking through the trance that had fallen over the two combatants. Reaching down a hand Logan helped the small girl to her feet.

"You okay there darlin'?"

As she nodded, her tongue darted out to touch a cut on her lip. Before he even realised what he was doing Logan had reached out and pulled her in close. His mouth came crashing down upon hers before she could say anything. It wasn't like the passionate kiss shared at the bar. Instead it was rough and primitive, as Nightshade bit down on Logan's lip hard enough to draw blood. Drawing back she licked at the small amount of blood and immediately felt the absorbed healing power begin to work on her own injuries.

From the observation deck they saw only Logan and Nightshade kissing followed by Nightshade's injuries healing.

Pulling away from Logan she looked at him questioningly.

Shrugging he said simply, "Ya needed the blood and I don't think the kiddies wanted ta see ya bite their teacher, besides now we're even."

Nodding her head in understanding Nightshade collected the three daggers she had used during the fight and returned them to their sheaths, two tucked into the front of her pants and one tucked into the small of her back.

Once she had done that, the two joined the others. When they entered the room they were bombarded with questions.

"Oh my god, how did you do that?"

"Where did you learn to use knives like that?"

"Stuff that, where did you learn to use a whip like that?"

"Who taught you to fight like that?"

"Can you teach us to fight like that as well?"

"Children, please back away and let them breathe."

The calm voice of Ororo Munroe rang out above the melee of question.

"Nightshade will answer your questions at her own pace."

Looking to the weather witch, Nightshade sent her a smile of gratitude before turning back to face the other occupants of the room.

"First of all, I should explain a little of my mutation to you."

A/N: Sorry to leave it there I don't mean it as a cliffie, I just need time to figure out how to word her explanation 'cause at this point my little devil muse seems to have packed his bags and gone on vacation. Dances around the room happily.

No I haven't.

And where exactly have you been?

I'm soooo sorry mother I didn't realize that I had a curfew.

Bite me ya bastard.

'Gasp' How could you say that to me? I am appalled.

Yeah right and you're such an angel.

Yes I am.

So the horns and pitchfork are just a Halloween costume and your halo is tucked safely into your back pocket along with your harp?

Of course.

I don't think so since Halloween is loooong gone.

Bitch.

I'm so glad you noticed. I've been practising for years now.

Bite me.

No thanks I'm on a diet. Now if you'll shut up I can finish this author's note that no one will ready anyway.

Sorry 'bout that he tends to have episodes at the strangest times, anyway back to my little note. I would really appreciate it if you could review 'cause I personally think this chapter turned out kinda suckie so if you could give me ideas of what to fix.

p.s. Just so ya know i'll have the next chappie up by tomorro at the latest 'coz i hate cliffies so i don't like making people wait to find out what's gonna happen

if i'm lucky i can have it up later today but there are a few kinks that need to be dealt with before i can post it.

p.p.s. does anyone know if there's a place for original fanfic to be posted on this site?