"So what did Mariko's letter say?" Logan asked casually as they walked along.
"That she doesn't believe that I killed my father, and she's not sure if my uncle truly believes it either." Shiro responded in a somewhat dry tone.

Logan made a noise similar to a snort. "Mariko's a smart girl. I'm not surprised she came to that conclusion."
Shiro gave him a side glance. "She was happy to see you last time."
Logan gave a huff. "The girl went through a bad time with that bastard of a father of hers. She sees me as some kind of savior or somethin'."
"She sees you as a friend, who helped her escape. Give her more credit. And watch your language. Awful or not, her father is still technically royalty."
Logan rolled his eyes. "My sincerest apologies."
_

For the most part, Magneto and Logan were at least attempting to be civil to each other, which was helped by Shiro and Kurt keeping Logan occupied. Anna Marie tended to stay close to Magneto, almost unconsciously, and it was a little exhausting at first to be so aware of Logan's eyes constantly on her. But she eventually ignored him, knowing it likely had something to do with Zaladane's death, and the unspoken feud between Logan and Magneto.
The circlet was her guide in locating the shards that were nearby, and her focus sometimes meant she was taking the lead of the group, getting a bit farther ahead. She moved with purpose and determination, qualities that Magneto admired and respected.
After several days of making their way across the countryside, the group came across a hot spring, and Anna Marie, in a very sweet fashion, implored Magneto to let them stop for the night.
Not that she had to try very hard.
Given that she was the only woman in the group- a realization that she just now had- it was insisted upon that she go first.
Magneto, of course, stood guard, but not without opposition. Logan, of course, chose this moment to voice his opinion.
"Awful close to her, ain't ya?"
Magneto raised a brow. "If you take issue with it, I believe it is her you should voice your concerns to. She asked me to stand guard."
"Oh, I'm sure she didn't have to. I find this whole 'she met you on accident' story a little too convenient, bub."
Magneto fixed a harsh glare at Wolverine. "Whatever issues you have with me, issues I am clearly aware of, do us all a favor and leave them elsewhere, Wolverine. Feel free to ask her yourself about the chain of events. I do not have to explain myself to you, nor do I have to apologize for feeling responsible for the girl."
"Good. Maybe you'll keep this one alive this time."
Clearly, Logan was looking for a fight, and Magneto was a split second from giving it to him, before Kurt teleported between them.
"Tents are set up! Logan, didn't you say there might be some fish nearby? Perhaps I could help you in fetching some for dinner."
Logan's attention was now on the blue mutant in front of him, his innocent question not fooling him for a minute. Kurt was trying to deflect him, diffuse the situation. He couldn't say he faulted him for it, after all, they had just been arguing over his sister.
"Sure. Come with me, kid."
He led Kurt away, who turned and nodded at Magneto, who breathed a sigh of frustrated relief.
"Everythin' okay?"
He turned at the sound of Anna Marie's voice, and she was wrapped up in a towel, her hair wet and curling down her back. He wasn't sure what part of the conversation she had heard, but judging from her facial expression, it was enough to bring about the worry lines on her forehead.
He nodded, an attempt to reassure her. "All is well. Your brother recruited Wolverine in finding dinner."
She seemed to mull over his words, not quite believing that everything was fine. After all, she could hear Logan's goading as she got out of the water, and Magneto's attempt at civility.
She wanted to offer words of encouragement, but what could one say? She didn't know the reason behind Logan's resentment towards Magneto, only that it was obviously something to do with the woman she had been reincarnated from.
"Are you feeling better?" His question tore her away from her thoughts, and she smiled.
"Much better, thanks." The time spent in the hot spring had done wonders for her. "Highly recommend it."
He chuckled lightly as she made her way towards camp.
Kurt and Logan had managed to wrangle up some trout from the nearby river, a satisfactory dinner for the group. Shiro and Kurt had taken the first chance after dinner to jump in the hot springs. Anna Marie, relaxed and a bit tired, had gone to bed in her tent.
Magneto and Logan, each staying as far as possible from each other, eventually took a turn in the hot springs, just as the crescent moon was coming up. The warm water helped ease Magneto's tired muscles, a sign that he was indeed aging, although not as fast as a human.
Upon stepping out of the hot spring, Logan's sniffing caught his attention.
"Something's up." He gruffly announced. "Someone's been here."
Honing in to each magnetic signature at the camp, Magneto made sure all were accounted for.
Shiro and Kurt were in their tents, but Anna Marie….
Logan realized it about the same time he did.
"The girl's gone! I'm tracking her now!"

She was almost asleep when she felt herself being dragged through some sort of portal, similar to the one that opened when Kurt used his teleportation. She hit the ground with a thud, and frantically looked around.
"Do not be frightened, little Guardian. I mean not to kill ya." The croaky voice of the woman that stood before her reached her ears.
"Who are you?" She demanded, the shiver of fear running down her spine. "What do you want?"
"Do not fret, little Guardian. You may call me Margali. As for what I want….well, I intend to bring Zaladane back from the dead. Which means, I need you."