"Is this information useful?" Kurogai asked Jean, his voice calm but with a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
Jean scanned through the files he had brought. "Yes. More than that, it's significant. It fills in a gap we've been struggling with, and it saves us weeks of data collection."
Kurogai's lips curved faintly. "Then my trip wasn't for nothing."
Without another word, Jean took the documents to the lab, her movements brisk and focused. Kurogai watched her go, amused at her urgency but understanding it completely. They had been pushing this line of research for some time now, yet results had been elusive.
Jean's determination was partly for herself, but Kurogai knew a portion of it was for him as well. He let her work undisturbed, turning instead to deal with a more delicate matter — Stryker's former secretary.
The woman had been under Stryker's control long before Kurogai got to her. Now, she was under his influence, her mind pliable but far from free. She could be trained as a useful assistant in time, but for now he lacked both the plan and the patience. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he had her placed in one of the ship's secure cells.
From across the holding area, a taunting voice spoke. "Another mutant? Seems you have a habit of turning on your own kind."
Kurogai turned his gaze toward the speaker — a blue-skinned woman sitting calmly in another cell. Mystique.
She was as cunning as her reputation suggested, an escape artist by nature. But here, in Kurogai's custody, she had no chance. He had reinforced her cell with layers of both physical restraint and mystic wards, stripping her of any opportunity to use her gifts.
"In my eyes, mutants are no different from humans," Kurogai said evenly. His tone was cold, not unkind, but devoid of sympathy. Mystique's unique genetic structure was valuable for his research; otherwise, he might have killed her the moment she was captured. Her abilities were too dangerous to ignore.
Mystique's expression shifted into a calculated smirk. "You haven't killed me, which means you want something. Work with me, and I can give you advantages you can't imagine." Her voice softened into a seductive purr as her form shimmered, transforming into that of a fragile young woman, eyes wide and pleading.
Kurogai didn't even blink. "You're seventy years old, Mystique. Your shape-shifting doesn't change that. Save your tricks for someone more easily swayed."
Her expression hardened, but Kurogai was already walking away. "Be glad your genes are useful," he said without looking back. "Otherwise, you'd already be with Magneto."
He left the cell block, ignoring her calls, and returned to the lab. Jean, Dr. Helen Cho, and the others were deep in study, completely absorbed in the trove of Stryker's research. Kurogai decided not to interrupt, stepping through a portal instead.
He emerged in the familiar courtyard of the orphanage. One matter still needed his attention — Rogue's situation. She wasn't suited to stay here permanently. Her uncontrolled abilities were a danger to both herself and others, and he had been considering relocating her somewhere safer.
"Brother Kurogai, you're back," Skye greeted, walking over with a bright smile. "Rogue's been fine all day. No problems at all."
"You've done well, Skye," he said with a rare, genuine smile. After a quick exchange with the orphanage director, Marie, Kurogai stepped outside, where Rogue was already waiting for him.
"Kurogai, I missed you," she said softly, then glanced around at the nearby children before speaking again. "How did things go?"
"It's handled," he assured her. "What about you? How have you been here?"
She nodded with a small smile. "Better than I expected."
"Rogue, I was thinking of taking you somewhere else," Kurogai began, but she surprised him with a shake of her head.
"Can I stay here?" she asked. "It's peaceful. No one looks at me like I'm dangerous. And Skye told me this place means a lot to you. You've protected it for years. If you're away, I want to be here — guarding it in your place."
Her words carried more weight than she probably realized. Skye must have told her about his past here, about the years he spent ensuring the orphanage's survival. And Rogue had her own unspoken reason — this place was tied to Kurogai, which meant he would return often.
He studied her for a moment, thoughtful. "You like it here?"
"Yes," she said simply.
"Then you'll stay," he decided. "It's secure, and with Skye here, you won't be alone."
Rogue's smile deepened, and for the first time in days, Kurogai felt a quiet knot in his chest loosen. Some matters, at least, had found their place.