ISSUE #6

Nathan who had taken a bullet for Noriko lay sleeping in the infirmary of the Institute.

" Thankfully the bullet missed anything Vital, or else we'd be burying a student today."

Beast said to Scott and the others as he went over the boy's medical exams.

" We should have sent an adult with them. This our fault."

Scott said as he looked over at the boy.

" Scott, there was nothing you could have done. He made the choice to save Noriko. HE lived to see another day. Nori might not have been so lucky. So, that's a win in my book."

Emma said to the man trying to cheer him up.

" Yeah, slim. This happens, at least the kid ain't afraid."

Logan said to the man.

" Yeah. Beast we're going to move ahead with the plan."

Scott said to the man.

" You sure, Scott?"

Hank asked.

" What's the plan?"

Kitty asked. A question the others wanted to ask as well.

" Hank thinks they boy's body grows and adapts to his powers. The more he's pushed to his limits the faster his body grows and adapts. I wouldn't be surprised if when he wakes up he's bullet proof."

Scott explained to the X-men.

" Are you crazy Slim?"

Logan asked.

" Yeah, Scott Ah don't think that's ah good Idea."

Rogue said adding in her own two cents.

" Listen, you think I don't know that? I don't like it any more than the rest of you but..."

Scott was explaining before the arrival of a new guest interrupted him.

" Uhm... Is now a bad time?"

Noriko asked as she stepped into the room.

" Not at all. We were just leaving."

Scott said as he walked out of the room.

The others soon followed.

" So, how is he doing?"

Noriko asked Hank, who being the doctor was the only one to stay.

" He's doing just fine. As I was telling the others, the bullet passed through him with no problems. After resting for a while, he'll be back on his feet with no problems."

Hank explained to the young woman.

" Good... That's good. Do you mind if I?"

Noriko asked as she pointed over to the boy.

" No, problems at all Noriko."

Hank said as he returned to his work.

Noriko walked over to the boy and pulled a chair out to sit.

" Man, that was rough. Glad to see you made it Sparky. Sparky, that's funny huh? You can thank Mr. Logan for that one. Considering my powers though, the irony hasn't lost on me."

Noriko laughed as she looked down at the boy.

" I'm sorry you got hurt protecting me. I promise I'll make it up to you when you wake up. First thing I'll do is make sure you're welcomed to the New Mutants with open arms."

Noriko said as she squeezed the boy's hand.

Having said her piece, Noriko stood up and left the Med Bay. Though not before saying goodbye to Hank.

" Have a good day Mr. Mccoy."

Noriko said to the man.

" You have a very good day as well, Noriko."

Hank said to the woman as she left.

Noriko left the Med Bay and headed back upstairs towards her and Sooraya's room.

" Hey, Noriko!"

Josh called out as he saw the girl walking towards the stairs.

" What's up Johs?"

Noriko asked.

" How's he doing huh?"

Josh asked

" He's doing fine now. Thanks for your help earlier."

Noriko replied to the boy.

" Glad to hear. Is he awake yet?"

Josh asked

" No, he's still out. Anything else you need?"

Noriko asked.

" Nah, that was it. See ya later."

Josh said before walking away.

Noriko turned to go up the stairs only to be stopped by another voice calling out to her.

" Noriko!"

David called out as he walked up to the girl.

" What is it David?"

Noriko asked with venom in her voice. Something David took notice of.

" Look. I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. And I wanted to check in on Nate."

David said to the woman.

" I'm fine, he's fine. Bye now."

Noriko said before turning away from the boy.

" Nori don't..."

David was saying before being cut off.

" No! You don't get to call me that! Not anymore."

Noriko said to David before storming off up the stairs.

' Damn it David. You really threw it all away.'

David thought as he watched the woman ascend the stairs.

" The nerve of that bastard."

Noriko cursed as she walked up the stairs.

' He dumped me, and he thinks we're just cool? The nerve.'

Noriko thought as she walked down the hall.

" Hey, nori."

Cessily called out drawing Noriko from her anger.

" Hey, Cess what's up?"

Noriko asked as she looked up at the red head.

" Have you seen Julian around?"

Cess asked.

" No, trust me you'd know if I had met Julian today."

Noriko said to the girl.

" Oh, yeah. I guess that's right. Anyway, you were down in the Med Bay, right? How's Nate doing?"

Cessily asked, changing the subject.

Noriko seemed to simmer down.

" He's fine or so Hank says. I still feel bad though."

Noriko replied to the woman.

" Don't feel bad. He saved you and he did it without hesitation. I think he likes you."

Cessily said teasing the girl.

" Knock it off Cess. This is serious."

Noriko replied.

" Okay! Okay! Sorry, only trying to lighten the mood. Seriously though. As long as he's fine things are going to be alright. Try to cheer up, I'm sure he'd hate for you to be sad over him."

Cessily said to the girl.

" Yeah, you're probably right."

Noriko said in agreement.

" All right, I gotta go find the pink haired idiot. I'll see ya later nori."

Cessily said before walking off.

Down in the Med Bay beast was going over Nathan's exams again when the boy started to awaken.

" Ugh! My stomach hurts."

Nathan said as he slowly sat up in bed.

" My word. How? I mean, Mr. Drake please refrain from moving around too much. You are still hurt and could reopen your injuries."

Hank explained to the boy as he slowly laid him back down.

" How is... Ugh! How's Nori?"

Nathan asked.

" Thanks to your heroics she's just fine. Though a little upset over your current situation."

Hank explained with a smile on his face.

" Is that right? Well, at least she's safe."

Nathan replied.

" If you don't mind my asking. How did you know there was an unseen gunman?"

Hank asked.

" I heard the gun firing. Live with my stepdad long enough you get used to the sound of gunshots."

Nathan replied.

" You heard the gun firing? But how did you know Nori was being targeted?"

Hank asked again.

" I heard the sound of the bullet; I could hear it moving towards her. If that makes sense."

Nathan explained.

" I see, did anything else happen?"

Hank asked

" No. Why the questions all of a sudden Hank?"

Nathan asked in confusion.

" I believe we've found another use of your powers. Your sense of hearing is stronger than even mine of logans."

Hank explained as he and Logan both had really sharp senses themselves.

" Okay, that will be all for now. I'm sure you want to get out of here as fast as possible, so the best thing to do is get some rest and let your body heal."

Hank said before leaving the boy's side.

" Alright, thanks Hank."

Nathan said as he laid back down in his bed.

" No, problem young man take care."

Hank said before turning the light to the Med Bay down and walking out.