Chapter 220: Welcome to Japan
The smell of jet fuel clung to the air long after the X-Men's plane had touched down. Logan was waiting on the tarmac, black suit jacket hanging loose off his shoulders, tie pulled like it was already strangling him. He hated ties. He hated airports. But he was grinning anyway. Today wasn't just another mission. It was his damn wedding day.
The doors hissed open and they filed out. Charles rolled forward first, calm as a mountain in his chair. Storm came next, white cloak stirring in the humid Tokyo breeze. Kitty trailed close, wide-eyed and practically bouncing, Colossus steady as a red-bronze wall at her side. Nightcrawler bamfed down from the ramp in a puff of brimstone, grinning like the devil.
And then Logan's nose twitched. Another smell, layered and strange — like two lives woven together. He didn't place it right away. He stepped forward, cracking that grin wider.
"Well, well. Look what the wind dragged in."
"Logan," Xavier said warmly. "Congratulations."
"'Bout time one of us tried for normal," Storm added, her voice carrying like soft thunder.
Kitty darted in and hugged him before he could even grunt a reply. "Ohmygod, Mr. Logan, Japan is amazing! Do we get kimonos? Do we—"
Colossus gently lifted her by the back of her jacket and set her down, deadpan. "Kitty. Breathe."
Logan barked a laugh. "She's fine, Rasputin. Let the kid have her fun."
He sniffed again. Something missing. "Wait. Where's Summers?"
The group glanced at each other, awkward. Colossus cleared his throat. "Cyclops remained in America. His grandparents recently discovered they still have family. They would not let him leave."
Logan's face twisted into a scowl. "That scoundrel ditched me on my day? Figures." He spat to the side. "Slim never could keep his priorities straight."
Before the silence could get heavy, Logan turned his head toward the odd scent. Behind the group, half in shadow, a girl stood stiff and awkward. Black bodysuit, streak of white in her hair, and a scent that made his senses itch. She smelled like oil and sugar at the same time, two people crammed into one skin.
"And who's this?" Logan asked, eyes narrowing. "She smells… like a mesh of two folks."
Nightcrawler stepped forward, tail flicking. "Ah! This is Rogue. Our new probationary teammate. She joined after asking Professor for help."
Logan's gaze stayed locked on her. "Help with what?"
Her eyes flicked down, shame thick in the air. Storm answered instead. "Her powers are… invasive. And she was part of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants."
Logan's lip curled. "So you isolate her, eh? Keep her back like she's contagious."
"It's complicated," Storm said carefully.
"Complicated, my ass." Logan stalked toward Rogue. The girl stiffened, like she expected a punch. Instead he clapped a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Hey, lass. You showed up at my wedding. That's enough honor in my book. I won't stand for isolation here. You're welcome. More welcome than that blue elf who'll scare the guests."
Nightcrawler yelped. "Eh! Do you dislike the old after the new?"
Logan turned, grinning with a wolf's humor. "You jest."
For the first time, Rogue let out a short, sharp laugh. The sound was like glass breaking, but it was real.
Logan smirked, satisfied. Then he glanced at Xavier. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I been waitin' on you lot a hella long time. Nature's callin'."
He swaggered off, leaving the team exchanging puzzled glances.
---
The men's room smelled of bleach and aftershave. Logan slipped into a stall, locked it, and crouched low. His claws itched in their sockets — not out of threat, but instinct. He could smell her before she moved.
"Darlin'," he muttered. "You've been tailin' me a whole week. What the hell are you doin' in the men's john?"
From behind the toilet tank, Yukio slid into view, all smirks and wild eyes. Black leather, knives strapped at odd angles, hair like a storm. She perched on the porcelain like a crow.
"It's more exciting in men's toilets," she purred.
Logan pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're somethin' else."
"You're my type." She leaned in, predatory grin. "Why don't you ditch that doll and come run with me?"
Logan stared back, jaw tight.Then he shook his head. "Problem is, we're the same type of trash. Poison. That's why I can't. We'd burn each other up."
Yukio's grin only widened. "That's even more exciting. I won't give up."
He stood, pushed the door open. "Me neither." And then he was gone, leaving her laughter echoing off the tiles.
---
Back at the car, the team was loading up for the ride to the Yashida mansion. Xavier had a diplomatic smile plastered on. Storm stood with quiet poise. Kitty tugged Colossus' sleeve like a kid begging for candy.
"I want to see the bride," she said.
Logan adjusted his jacket as he slid into the driver's seat. "Even I can't see her 'til the wedding. Family tradition."
Kitty pouted. "That's not fair."
Colossus rumbled in his deep voice, "Tradition is important. We respect it."
Nightcrawler leaned between the seats, eyes gleaming. "Ah, but Kitty is young. For young love, traditions feel like chains, no?"
Kitty swatted him. "I'm not—! Shut up!"
Rogue, quiet in the corner, finally spoke. "So… you really can't see her until the wedding?"
Logan caught her gaze in the rearview mirror. "That's the way of it." His voice softened, just a hair. "Sometimes, darlin', the wait makes the seein' sweeter."
The car pulled away from the airport, neon lights of Tokyo blurring past the windows. Logan sniffed the air — exhaust fumes, soy sauce, cologne, sweat. Beneath it all, something sour on the wind. Trouble.
But for tonight, he said nothing. Tonight, he was just the groom.