Disclaimer: Kirriah Logan, her two tigers Sai and Kye, and mother Yukia Logan a.k.a. Wingblade belong to me so no using them without permission. Seiobo is mine too but she's a bitch so you can have her. Any Saiyuki or Marvel characters belong to their respective creators and not me. I have no money so don't sue.

Special thanks goes out to Finem without your help and support none of this would be possible. You rule. Also to all whotake the time to read and review this story, you make writingthis woth it.

"words telepathic"-- speech

words-- thoughts

Chapter 2: Assassin Retrieved

Xavier Institute

Westchester, New York

Seiobo soundlessly popped into her destination – the corner of a large room (almost could even be considered huge) containing a very nice looking katana and looked around. Victorian windows revealed an elegant view of both the north and east sections of the well-kept grounds outside. It was so beautiful in fact, that if she didn't know any better Seiobo would almost swear that she was looking at a scene from Tenki itself. A large and comfortable bed ran parallel to the eastern window, which offered a peaceful and natural view to gaze at as one was falling asleep. At the head of the bed was what looked like a bed for one of the tigers with another such bed placed between the girl's bed and the door to the room. In the corner between the two windows was a cherry wood desk that that sported a nice computer beside which was a small shelf of the same wood which obviously used for little more than a place for storing school books and supplies that were seldom used. On the other side of the east window a dresser made of very high quality cherry wood was lined up with the south wall. A few feet over, Seiobo noticed a cherry wood framed full length mirror where her teal edged golden eyed target was examining herself in a savage looking outfit. Lastly directly next her was the door to the room beyond which was the door to what was apparently a walk-in closet.

o—o—o—o

Fifteen year old mutant and rookie X-Man, Kirriah Logan Code Name: Tiger Queen, looked over her sleekly muscled image in the mirror as she adjusted her solid black armbands before she dawned on the finishing touch to her new X-Man uniform -a solid black mask that covered her cat ears offering some much appreciated protection from injuries. Her uniform consisted of a two-piece outfit (black with purple wild stripes), which showed off her well-toned, tan midriff attractively. The top designed to be similar to her father's. There was even a place for her tail to fit through comfortably. Lastly she admired the flat healed solid black boots that ended at a single point just blow her knees.

"Weird how all our names either suit us or our powers huh guys?" Kirriah thought to Sai and Kye who despite all appearances were neither her subjects or pets but rather siblings with four legs. They'd discovered the ability to mind speak to each other during a training simulation in the "Danger Room" meant to hone their team working abilities. "I mean take Dad for instance-he's called Wolverine, which is a small solitary and violent animal who is fiercely loyal and protective of its family. That is so him. And Mom is called Wingblade also fitting as she flies and uses a katana at the same time… Oh shit I almost forgot my katana! Mom and dad had it for me as combination birthday and first mission present. They'd both kill me if I forget it!"

Kirriah had barely turned away form the mirror to go look for her katana when she noticed what looked like a beautiful young woman standing in the far corner of her room. For a moment she was stunned to see her and stared at her as if she were a vision and not real. Why didn't she have a scent? Everything has a scent and if this "woman" had a scent why couldn't she smell her? What did she want and how did get here? For that matter how long had she been standing there? As Kirriah stared at this vision from her past she decided to consult one of her siblings on the matter. She decided that the one affectionately referred to, as the "mature one" seemed the best choice in this case as Sai seemed just as confused about the intruder as she was. Neither she nor Sai were completely sure if Kye had ever been confused a day in her life.

"Kye, what do you make of this? Is she real or am I going nuts?"

"Well Kirri," Kye began in her usual no-nonsense voice "She defiantly is there. As to what to make of it I have a bad feeling about this. "Look behind her."

Kirriah glanced at the space behind the intruder and gasped in shock and surprise. Propped up in the corner where she left it was her katana. This lady whoever she was had popped in the perfect place as to cut off her route to her weapon. Well no matter she always had her claws and Sai and Kye would protect her if they weren't enough. Worse come to worse the Professor always maintained a sort of telepathic link with everyone living in the mansion so she could always call for help that way. So with that in mind Kirriah squared her shoulders and prepared to face this intruder into her territory. As if on cue, Sai also took a defensive posture. If he and Kye weren't her self-appointed protectors, Kirriah might have actually been afraid to be in the same room with the two white Siberian tigers as they were twice the size they should be.

"Who are you and how did you get in the mansion undetected, let alone my room?" she demanded of the intruder.

"Why, I do think I am hurt." The woman said as she put her hand over her heart and appeared and sounded t o be truly hurt. She continued sweetly, "You mean after that afternoon in the woods we spent together nine years ago you do not remember me? And I was so sure we had a connection."

"Obviously not as I have no idea who you are." Kirriah to Kye's delight and the annoyance of her visitor was not an easy sell and refused to back down. Kirriah had no intention of trusting someone who just popped into her room without warning.

Seeming unfazed by her defiance the woman continued to use the same sweet voice, "Well, Kirriah, I suppose that you might have forgotten me as you were only six years old no matter I shall tell you again." Drawing herself up into an obvious regal pose she continued, "I am the Queen Mother of the West and Goddess of Immortality, patron goddess of all feline creatures, Seiobo."

"Nope, never heard of you." Kirriah stated casually as she stalked cautiously towards the self-proclaimed kami stopping several feet in front of where an apparently resting Kye lay on her bed between the door and Kirriah's bed. Kirriah was a little freaked that this "Seiobo" knew her name but she didn't become an X-Man by cowering before telepaths and people with strange powers. While she had never met one, Kirriah's dad had assured her that kami definitely existed. However without solid proof she wasn't going to believe that this strange woman was one. Even Seiobo really proved to be a kami, she still wasn't going to back down without a fight. Defiantly standing firm, she said, "So what do you want with me Seiobo? Either state your business or get the hell out of my room! I don't have time to waste with you I have important things to attend to that don't include you."

Anger briefly flashed across the kami's face, which caused Kirriah to grin to herself. That's it get good and mad. It'll make my job so much easier. If she was dealing with a telepath who could teleport it might be a good idea to contact the professor and get someone up here to back her up.

As if reading her thoughts, Seiobo spoke again in that same sweet tone except this time it was edged with a hint of cruelty. "It will do you no good to call for help at this point my dear. I have blocked off all communication to or from this room. I did not wish to be disturbed."

"So now what guys? I'm supposed to go on my first mission as an official X-Man today! I can't believe this we're stuck here with this, this…." Kirriah was too frustrated, mad, and scared to finish the thought but her meaning was clear to her siblings. When all attempts to contact help proved unsuccessful, Kirriah knew she was trapped. However, she also knew that she could still fight and fight she would. Kirriah stood her ground and braced herself for whatever attack Seiobo might throw at her. No one would capture her without a fight and if this "goddess" thought she would roll over and submit just because she was cornered she was about to receive a BIG disappointment.

o—o—o—o

Seiobo wasn't completely sure what Kirriah's reaction to her sudden appearance and introduction would be but this wasn't it. She expected to be met with fear or perhaps reverence. But facing a suspicious, defiant brat who would struggle rather than go submissively like a good little weapon was the last thing she expected. Defiance was not acceptable and Seiobo would not tolerate it from anyone let alone this itan brat. Why wouldn't these things ever accept their place and submit to the authority of their betters (namely her and everyone else)? Well, at least the brat couldn't call that Professor of hers or anyone else for help as she had sealed off the room against any outside influences. Seiobo always took every precaution no matter how unnecessary it seemed. After all, one can never be too careful. That left only the two tigers but she wasn't the goddess of cats for nothing. She'd make sure they couldn't attack if she had to. She could and would use pain to make them submit, but that was up to them.

o--o--o--o

Kirriah trembled in furious frustration. She wanted to scream or cry anything release the tension that had built up inside her. But she also knew that if she did she would be playing completely into Seiobo's hands if she hadn't done so already. The first rule of battle she was taught was to never give in to anger in a fight as it clouds ones judgment. Kirriah tried taking a few deep breaths clear her head. If she was going to get out of this situation she had to be calm. She didn't see a way out of this situation. Of course that didn't mean that there wasn't one to be found if she could just stop and think.

Sensing his little sister's distress, Sai extended his consciousness toward Kirriah and brushed her mind gently. "Come here, Kye can handle any aggressive actions that bitch can throw at her. Let her take care of Seiobo and let me take care of you."

A sideways glance to the female tiger was rewarded with a nod and almost instantly Kye was on her feet. With one impressive leap, she was between Kirriah and her would-be captor. Kye gently nudged the distraught teen in the direction of the male tiger, who was still crouching defensively on his bed. "I've got this bitch you get your ass over to Sai now. Don't make me snap at you."

With a resigned sigh, Kirriah slowly relaxed her guard and hazarded one more defiant look at Seiobo before dashing over to where her big brother could protect her. Kye's mental voice had sounded really pissed. As soon as she was in reach, Sai was curled around her protectively and gently but firmly backing her towards the door of her room. "You've got to get out of here Kirri" Sai's voice flowed warm and familiar through her mind. "I doubt that whatever she did to block our ability to communicate extends beyond this room. Go get help, we can hold her here."

Kirriah had determined to be strong but everything about this whole situation seemed so overwhelming and Sai was so warm and comforting that she couldn't help but cry. "But what about you guys? I can't just leave you here!" She wailed silently.

"Hush!" Kye's voice came to her from across the room. "We're not the ones she wants. Now get out of here before I get really annoyed." The words were harsh, but Kirriah could feel the true concern behind them. She knew that her siblings were right. She was helpless if she stayed here, the only way to get out of this was to get help from the others. She buried her face in Sai's fur, dredging up the all strength and courage she had gained from all of her years of training.

"Well." Seiobo began smugly, casually leaning against the wall, ignoring Kye's aggressive posture and waited for Kirriah to finish crying. When the sobs had ceased, Seiobo continued before Kirriah had enough time to truly compose herself "I take it you now understand that you are completely alone and at my mercy." Seiobo paused waiting for the girl's reaction.

Kirriah climbed up Sai's back just enough to rest her chin on top of his spine so she could see the woman clearly. Now that she had a plan, she just needed to keep the strange woman distracted long enough for her to reach the door. Keeping her voice what she hoped was calm and neutral Kirriah asked, "So what's your point? What do you want with me?"

Seiobo smiled maliciously at the teen before her and attempted to approach the girl sneering, "My point is that you are to be my triumph against a murderous creature who calls himself 'Monkey King'. I created you for this, now I'm here to complete the contract"

At her first step toward Kirriah, Kye growled and bared her teeth as she asserted her presence to the goddess further by forcefully sending, "Take just one more step and I will kill you!"

For the first time in her life, Seiobo found herself apprehensive. What is going on? Who said that?

"That would be me." Kye retorted coldly as Seiobo continued to look around in confusion. "I am right in front of you. And here I thought you were an all knowing goddess. My name is Kye and I am the tiger that is in your face growling. I remember you and don't appreciate your meddling in Kirri's life. However I am grateful Seiobo, for the wonderful gifts you gave my brother and me. Even so, I will bite your face off if you take one more step toward my little sister." The tiger snapped her impressive jaws to demonstrate her ability to carry-out the threat.

Kirriah saw her opening as Kye kept the woman distracted. Smiling inwardly, she scrambled for the door with all the speed and stealth of her 15-year-old body. She was inches from her target when she suddenly found herself sprawling backwards onto the lush carpet of her room. She looked up to find the woman standing over her.

"Honestly, Kirriah, I'm hurt. Are you really trying to leave so soon? And after I came all this way just to see you."

Kirriah looked across the lengthy expanse of the room to where she had last remembered the woman standing. There was no way anyone could move that quickly unless…

"So ya've either got super speed or ya can teleport. Well I've trained with the best, lady. It's time to see how tough ya really are!" With that said, Kirriah leapt straight up in the air with all the agilities of her feline muscles. "SAI!" She called out to her brother who was already leaping under Kirriah and towards the intruder. As Sai passed under her, Kirriah planted her feet on his shoulders and pushed off, simultaneously propelling him faster towards the woman and her towards the windows. Before she reached her goal, however, the woman appeared again directly in her path. Kirriah thought to plow into the woman and knocked her out of the way, but before she reached the intruder, she seemed to hit an invisible barrier that sent her bouncing away from her.

"Who is she?" Kirriah thought to her siblings as she landed in a low crouch on all fours.

"Dangerous" Came Kye's simple response as she advanced placing herself, once again, between Kirriah and the woman.

"So you want to involve your pet cats," Seiobo sneered, ignoring Kye and callously directing her comments toward Kirriah. "Alright my dear, if that's the way you want it. As the Goddess of Cats I have the power to defeat them easily enough but can you handle losing them?"

Kirriah snapped her head up and stared at Seiobo her shock, fear and disbelief plain in her eyes and on her face. Kirriah was aware of the hot tears that burned her eyes and flooded her vision and closed her eyes against them only to have the damn things start to flow down her face. Losing Kye and Sai was too devastating to think about but so was leaving the rest of her family to serve this strange and cruel kami –for that is what she had to be. A choice like this – it just wasn't fair. How could anyone expect her to make that kind of choice? As Kirriah wondered what she should do, she noticed Seiobo calmly begin to approach her once more. It was almost –no it was exactly the same as when Sai and Kye stalked their prey on hunting trips.

o—o—o—o

As she had warned, at Seiobo's first step toward Kirriah Kye lunged for the kami's throat determined to rip it out first. Just before she could connect with her target however, a severe pain lanced through her entire being and she fell to the ground curled up in as tight a ball as a tiger her size could against the pain. For a brief moment Kye couldn't see or hear for the pain and felt truly confused for the first time in her life. Kye was furious. That wasn't supposed to happen. When she lunged to attack something she always connected with it. So what the hell happened? Who had caused that searing … Seiobo. So that was it. For the first time since she and Sai were bonded to Kirriah nine years ago, Kye knew she was helpless to help her little sister. All she could do was to glare at the woman-thing in utter disgust as another attack would more than likely have the same result as the first.

When the pain died away and her senses cleared, Kye noticed Seiobo had actually crouched down to her eye level. And is that a genuine look of concern for me on that kami bitch's face? Kye heard what sounded something like a sincere apology for hurting her come from Seiobo as well as a warning about something else but she was too enraged and tired to hear her out. Like I would ever forgive her after that. Kye thought to herself. If she can do this to me what could and would she do to little Kirri if she gets to her?

o—o—o—o

Seiobo regretted hurting the female tiger after all tigers were some of the greatest cats in the world. They were strong and smart –most of the time. Before moving on to finish her business with her chibi assassin, she knelt down to make sure that the tigress had not been hurt too badly. Ignoring the hate in the tigress's eyes and the hurt in her own heart it caused she whispered softly in a truly apologetic voice, "I am truly sorry you had to go through that my fine lady. I need your Kirriah to do this important task for me; it's why I created all of you. By the way, she will never be able to ever return to this world as she is about to undergo certain changes soon that will prevent her from ever fitting in it again. Because of this, you and your brother will be accompanying her to the world where the Monkey King lives."

With that, Seiobo traversed the distance that remained between where she stood by the recovering tigress to instantly be in Kirriah's face firmly holding her chin. Laughing menacingly at the fear in Kirriah's eyes, she ignored the teen's feeble attempts at getting free of her grasp and said, "You have been a real pain to deal with, but it will all be worth it to see you finally submit to me. You will now agree to willingly go to the "Monkey King's" world and be my assassin right?"

Pleading replaced acceptance in the teen's eyes as she said softly, "Will you at least let me change, pack a few things, and leave my parent's a note first? And what about Sai and Kye are you gonna let them come with me? 'Cuz I won't leave 'em. I can't; they need me." the last sentence was said so soft that, even though Seiobo's ear was bare inches from her face almost missed it. She truly is a pathetic creature. Even if she is part tiger, she is still part …whatever that thing is.

"Of course, my dear child and you may pack whatever you think you need as long as it is not more that you or they can carry." Seiobo had taken the teen's response to mean that she agreed to her proposal. She didn't want to deal with all the questions and responsibilities of officially making the girl her servant for all eternity –not yet anyway. Her submission was good enough…for now.

Seiobo released the girl and watched as Kirriah cautiously moved past her and disappeared into the closet. A few minutes later, a seemingly calm Kirriah emerged. She wore a simple outfit consisting of a plain tight-fitting black t-shirt that slightly showed off her midriff, a pair of black jeans, solid black hiking boots, and a black leather jacket (she still wore the armbands from her previous outfit). Straight away the teen became immersed in the packing of both the tigers' beds as well as her own clothes evidently aware that this was going to be a one way trip. Afterwards she checked over a large backpack with a bedroll attached to it. The teen then fastened everything (with the exception of the backpack which she placed by the female tiger) to the male tiger's back through the use of a strange looking harness after which she retrieved her katana from its corner. Everything she decided to take with her either fit on his back or in her pack.

Lastly, Kirriah went over to the computer desk and typed a note to her pathetic parents.

After finishing her note the teen stood up and the two tigers came to her side without any verbal prompting from the girl. Of course that didn't mean she hadn't called to them. Without turning around to face the goddess, the young mutant girl spoke. "Ok. We're ready now."

Without saying another word, Seiobo stretched out her will, pictured the spot where she wanted to plant her assassin and in a flash of light, they were in a forest only a few days travel from that disgusting animal's new home.

Seiobo checked the condition of her new assassin. The girl had lost consciousness –most likely from the transfer. Otherwise she was fine and her two tigers were in perfect condition to take care of her. Satisfied now that her assassin was now retrieved and perfectly placed, Seiobo returned to her palace in Tenki.

o—o—o—o

The woman had turned what should have been the best day of her life into the worst. She had hurt Kye without even touching her; Kye, the strongest of them by far. If Kye couldn't fight this woman, then how could she? She didn't want to do what this woman wanted her to do, but how was she supposed to resist? She would have to agree, at least for now. She'd wait, see where they were going, and when Seiobo mad her mistake, she would pounce and find her way home.

Kirriah didn't have to read minds to know that this goddess had no intention of ever letting her see her home again, but she would have to find a way …somehow.

Swallowing her pride, Kirriah swallowed hard, took a deep breath and begged Seiobo to let her pack, leave a note and change, and most importantly not to make her leave Sai and Kye. Even though she had said that they needed her the truth was that she was the one who needed them. She could fight and take care of herself in most wild environments, but the three of them had been together for so long and she didn't know what she would do without Kye's guidance and Sai's sense of humor to get through what was about to happen.

To Kirriah's surprise and confusion, all her requests were granted.

Carefully she edged past Seiobo before dashing to her closet to change. She couldn't bear to keep her uniform and the memories of what it had almost meant for her, but she would keep the bracers as a reminder to herself of where she came from. The all black look she selected suited her mood. Carefully Kirriah folded up her uniform and left it on the shelf. Taking three more pair of jeans and shirts as well as other essential clothing, Kirriah grabbed and pocketed her image inducer just before she exited the closet.

Pointedly ignoring her new master, the teen moved straight into packing her clothes and supplies and her siblings' beds and grooming supplies and double checked to make sure her wilderness pack was survival ready.

"Little sister, you are going to let me play pack mule, right?" Sai asked as she mad her last checks. She sighed inwardly.

"Umm…sure if you want to." She hated making Sai play pack mule, but there was no way she could carry everything they would need on her own. Kirriah dug out the harness that Sai had dubbed the "Tiger backpack" and moved to fasten the harness to his back. "Just let me know if it's too heavy for you."

"If I didn't want to I wouldn't have offered silly." Sai retorted in his usual light voice as he stood patiently through the process. By the time the harness was secure and loaded up, he'd lost track of how many times Kirriah had checked to make sure that the pack wasn't too heavy. So when she'd finished packing everything, he asked, "What? Is that it?"

"Wha? Did I miss something?"

"Not that I can see. It was just that you asked so many times if it was too heavy and this is a pretty light load. It's not like that you keep a bunch of stuff."

"Hey Kirri," Kye cut in. "Get your katana."

The relief from hearing Kye's strong voice again almost made Kirriah cry all over again, but the task at hand did not allow time for that. For now she had to be strong; there would be plenty of time for tears when she arrived wherever it was that she was going. Placing her pack by her big sister, Kirriah went to the corner and retrieved the precious weapon before heading to the computer to leave a note explaining the situation as best as she could to her parents. Both of them were going to be so upset (especially her dad) but that could hardly be helped. When she finished, she stood up and found that the world decided to start some crazy spinning dance sometime during the time she was writing the note to her parents.

"Ok guys I need you to come over here 'cuz I if I try to move I'm gonna fall down."

In almost no time her precious siblings were by her side. Taking a deep breath she addressed Seiobo in what she hoped was a clear voice. "Ok. We're ready now."

The last thing she remembered was a blinding flash of light.

o—o—o—o

(end of Chapter 2)

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