mutant on mutant
title: mutant on mutant
length: one-shot
pairings: jaeho, yoosumin, akame, junda, tanaka
rating: nc-17
genre: fantasy
a/n: so, this is what happens after you've seen Xman: Origins, Wolverine.
summary: the best of Korea opted against the best of Japan. Who will survive this bloodbath?
-mutant profiles-
(During the battle, everyone speaks the same language. Why? Because I made it so =D)
The morning came too early and the night came too late. As the plane landed on the sleek runway, Changmin finally felt the nerves of both excitement and fear course through his veins. Being mutant didn’t mean he lacked such feelings; in reality such feelings were enhanced. Changmin still had a choice just like every other creature on this planet. He had a choice to fight or run away.
Like hell if he would run away from a battle so intense that the scars would not heal until the following spring. Changmin was definitely not a coward. Having him and his closest pals fight against the mutants of Japan thrilled him to no end.
It was downright nerve-racking, but Changmin loved it all the more.
Yoochun wore an expression of great concern, but a confident look glazed against his dark eyes. He held Changmin’s hand as he and the others exited the plane. Junsu’s soft giggles of excitement could be heard behind them.
“So, when do we meet up with them?” asked the redhead once they were heading out of the airport. A rental car was waiting for them to take. “We don’t have to wait long, right?”
“Hush, Junsu,” said the one with jet black hair. “Yunho already explained everything to us before we got on the plane. I hope you were listening.”
A guilty look crossed Junsu’s face. “Sort-of,” he admitted as he scratched his cheek.
The one called Yunho gave the redhead a firm glare as he opened the door the rental car; apparently he will be driving. Junsu gulped as he got into the back seat with Yoochun and Changmin. Seeing the fear begin to crawl up his friend’s skin, Yoochun took the pale hand within his fingers and rubbed the skin softly in assurance.
“Jaejoong, the map,” said Yunho as he began to pull out onto the crowded road. Beside him, Jaejoong produced a small sheet of paper from his coat pocket. A smile stretched across his face as he showed the drawings scribbled on the note. “Aren’t they cute, Yunnie?” he asked as he showed the paper to Yunho. “I drew them while we were on the plane.”
The driver seemed to never spare the paper one glance, but he stilled murmured a hushed, “Yes, they are” before demanding for the map again. Jaejoong chuckled and produced yet another piece of paper from his coat pocket. This time it was the map. Yunho looked it over once before pressing hard on the gas pedal and speeding away from the airport. Jaejoong chuckled at the driver’s antics while Junsu squealed and Changmin and Yoochun snuggled comfortably against one another.
- -
“We have to wait until midnight?” Kame asked his five friends who were seated around the table. “Isn’t that a bit…ironic in some kind-of way? Cliché perhaps?”
“It’s questionable,” reasoned Maru.
“The quicker the better,” Koki said quickly.
“Are there planes still flying at that time?” asked Junno with an odd expression. Ueda shrugged as he continued to snap his fingers, causing small flames to spark above his skin.
“This is what I was ordered,” said Jin in a calm, firm voice. “And Johnny-san personally gave me these orders. I am going to have us proceed with them.”
Maru nodded while Kame sympathized. Everyone eventually came to an agreement and the matter was dropped. The new subject that came up was the Koreans themselves.
“I wonder what kind-of powers they have,” Koki mused, excitement laced in his voice. “Whatever they are, they better put up a fight or this is going to be lame.”
“They are so skillful that none of the higher-ups have anything on their profiles,” Maru explained. A white cat jumped onto his lap, demanding attention. Maru gladly scratched the small white head. Koki said nothing as he watched the scene; his mind was too warped in constant thought of the oncoming battle. Kame was staring at Jin who was gladly staring back. A silent communication spoke though their eyes before Jin got to his feet and looked over his five friends.
“We have three hours before we have to leave for the airport,” he explained. “Pack lightly so we have no baggage, and take a short nap; everyone needs their strength tonight.”
With that, Jin left the table, grabbing Kame’s hand along the way and gently pulling the smaller mutant behind him.
Junno let out a heavy sigh before looking at Ueda. The redhead looked thoughtful, something Junno has not seen in quite some time. “What’s wrong, Tat-chan?” he asked softly.
Ueda began to stroke the skin upon the back of his palm almost delicately. “I’m just thinking about tonight…” he murmured. “I’m wondering how this is going to turn out.”
“We’re going to kill them, of course,” Koki exclaimed with a sure look in his eyes.
Ueda suddenly appeared doubtful. “I’m unsure about the whole thing.”
“All of us are, Ueda,” Maru reasoned in a soothing voice. He continued to pet his cat upon his lap as he continued, “To worry about the battle before it starts is only natural. All of us will have such thoughts tonight.”
Junno stood leaned across the table and took one of Ueda’s warm hands. “I’ll be with you the entire time,” he promised; a caring glaze came over his eyes. “You can count on me.”
Ueda let his fingers delicately stroke Junno’s soft skin. He slowly nodded before allowing the taller mutant to pull him to his feet. Together, they left the room with relaxed expressions upon their faces.
Maru glanced at Koki. “Shall we retire as well?” he asked. Koki huffed and gave his companion an amused grin.
“You sound so old, Maru.”
Along with the small white cat, the two mutants left the room, passing by two doors before opening a third.
“Everyone is resting,” murmured Jin into Kame’s ear. The redhead gladly had his partner enclosed within his embrace under the bedsheets. Kame snuggled into Jin’s unbelievable warmth, seeking the security. “Kame?” Jin said in concern.
It seemed like ages before Kame finally spoke. His voice was lowered to a mere whisper. “I’m afraid.”
Jin somehow expected this. He tightened his hold on his partner and kissed the skin upon Kame’s forehead. “There is nothing to be afraid of. We will get through this.”
“And the others?”
“Do not doubt them,” Jin assured confidently. “You have all of us by your side, as cheesy as that sounds. Do not doubt our strength.”
“But this is so different Jin,” Kame said softly; his voice was strained as if his throat was tightening. “This time, we’re not fighting some weak thug or even a middle-class thief. These guys are at the top, and they’re mutants.”
“And so are we,” Jin replied, his voice as strong as diamonds. “After we defeat them, there will be no more killing. We can live a normal life together and won’t have to worry about Johnny-san or this company any longer. We won’t be trapped any longer.”
Kame buried his face into Jin’s neck and let out a shaky breath. “We don’t have to kill them…we can just beat them senseless then return home.”
Jin closed his eyes as he said sadly, “You know that is not possible Kame…”
And that was true; Kame knew it all too well. The mutants they were about to fight were Korea’s prisoners just as much as he, Jin, Maru, Koki, Junno and Ueda were Japan’s. It was downright horrible to know that somewhere in their bodies rests a chip capable of killing even their bodies with one shock of electricity. Their fellow Korean mutants probably held something similar under their own skin.
It was at that moment Kame realized how much of a prisoner he was. He and his five friends were the last of the mutants to be captured on this miserable planet, and used as slaves to do their human master’s bidding. But after years and years of service, Jin came to put his trust in their master, for the man promised to release the six mutants after this task is completed. Kill Korea’s mutants and you shall be the last of your kind to live.
There was not much of a life to live once they were to be released. Still, such a life was better than the one the six mutants had now.
Kame relaxed against the gentle strokes he felt upon his back. Jin’s touch was soothing.
“We’ll be free after this Kame. Let’s get back the life we deserve, okay?”
Kame nodded, the hair upon his head tickling Jin’s chin. The redhead held his partner until they were fast asleep.
It was not but two hours and thirty-two minutes later, that his eyes snapped open just in time to watch Kame be yanked from his arms and thrown through the glass doorway by air itself.
Shock, alarm, fear and absolute fury coursed through Jin’s veins at that very moment. Kame’s body rolled across the shattered glass before slamming into the granite pillars holding up the balcony railing. A cry of agony tore through his lips as his figure shivered from the onslaught of all over his body. Shards of glass protruded from the skin of his arms and bare chest.
Jin landed above Kame within half a second as his fangs ripped the thin layer of skin behind his lips and claws carved streaks against the granite floors. His eyes blazed as he scanned for the attacker while a fierce growl escaped his throat; his body shielded his partner from view.
“Woah, did I make the kitty cat angry?”
Jin howled as he glared up at Changmin standing upon the mansion roof. Nothing could describe the fury raging with his chest. Kame’s whimpers fueled the raging fire. Changmin’s mischievous smirk intensified it even more.
“You look so scary, Kitty-san,” Changmin cooed, his eyes dangerously playful. “Why don’t you come up here and play?”
The taunting went beyond pissing Jin off. The redhead leaped from his position, arms outstretched so his claws could cut Changmin’s throat. Within that mere second though, a blur of white passed by Changmin and struck Jin’s chest. The redhead howled as his body was flung to the ground two stories below where Kame lay upon the balcony. A heavy body slammed into his chest upon impact before disappearing completely. Jin rolled onto his claws and feet and lunged for his new enemy, meeting empty air before he landed upon the ground once again.
A frustrated howl ripped from his throat as he glared at Yoochun adorned in a simple white shirt and jeans. The figure was quickly replaced with another though because suddenly Jin was defending himself from another pair of claws and fangs. Yunho’s attacks were furious.
Changmin smiled gleefully once Yoochun returned to his side upon the rooftop. “That was easier than what I expected.”
Yoochun looked down upon Kame still lying upon the floor littered with shards of glass. “That was kind-of harsh, Minnie,” he commented with distaste. “You didn’t have to send him through a glass door. Have some mercy and kill him painlessly.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Shim Changmin.”
The brunette rolled his eyes. “Whatever Yoo-” His reply was sharply cut off as a sudden force collided against his body, catapulting him into the air. Yoochun gasped as he was thrown from the force as well. His body connected with the edge of the rooftop, burning marks into his back as he rolled upwards. Using his power, he teleported into the mansion, dropping to his knees as the pain seared up his spine.
That was when he received a different kind of burn - a lethal one.
Yoochun cried out as Ueda’s flames licked up his body. The redhead’s hands were stretched out towards his victim’s body, allowing the flames to shoot out from his palms and encase Yoochun in a fiery trap. Junno stood at his side, a guilt-ridden expression marring his face. As Yoochun’s cries increased, something changed in the wind. Junno had no time to guard himself as he and Ueda were suddenly attacked by an electric wave. The two companions crashed into the nearby wall, creating large holes in the process as broken wood began to crumble over them.
When the fires left his body, Yoochun fell forward onto the lightly burning wooden floors. Junsu gasped once he noticed the black burn marks covering every inch of Yoochun’s skin. “You bastards!” the redhead cried as he summoning more electricity and pushed it against the abused wall. There was a curtain of smoke and wooden splinters before Junsu realized his enemies had escaped.
Forgetting them for a moment, the redhead kneeled beside Yoochun, fear gripping his heart as he reached out to touch some part of his companion that was not damaged. “Chunnie,” his voice trembled.
In the midst of his death, Yoochun let out a laugh, a painful one. “So…rry…Su…” he whispered. He couldn’t even open his eyes, for every part of his body was charred. “Give…Min….a…hu…g…fo…”
Junsu waited and waited and waited as tears sprung from his eyes. “Give Min what?!” he demanded as his fingers ached to shake his companion out of desperation. “Give Min what Chunnie?! You have to tell me! Wake up! You can die like this, you can’t!”
As a sickening smoke rose from Yoochun’s burned flesh, Junsu let out a horrible cry as tears leaked from his eyes.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
Everyone who resided in or near that mansion saw the furious bright light emit from one single bedroom. As the building took on the abuse, a ball of electricity could be seen leaping from the balcony and into the forest. Junno’s sprouted wings pounded against the air as he barely dodged Junsu’s electric shocks. Ueda rolled against the earth, shielding his body in his flames.
Junsu stood on his feet while white electricity surrounded his body.
He looked like a fucking devil.
The intense commotion got everyone’s attention. Koki and Maru stood upon their balcony and spotted the ball of electricity that was their enemy and felt their hearts stop. The enemy had come here.
An excited grin immediately crossed Koki’s face. “Playtime!” he announced before dashing back into the bedroom. Maru followed, allowing his white cat to climb up and sit restlessly upon his shoulders as he followed Koki through numerous hallways leading downstairs. As they passed by one particular room however, a sickening smell reached their noses.
Maru peered inside Ueda and Junno’s room and grimaced. Koki couldn’t hold back a chuckle as he said, “Well, Tat-chan didn’t hold back!”
“Let’s go,” Maru demanded, yanking Koki away from the scorched corpse. They didn’t make it very far though, for there was a sudden crash and two bodies slammed into the floor in front of them. Maru was lucky enough to pull Koki out of harms way as he recognized Jin pinning a figure to the marble floors.
Jin looked beyond furious. His bare chest was marred with scratches that went unknown to him. Blood dripped from the claw marks carved onto his back, creating small puddles of red upon the floor. His fangs were inches away from his victim’s neck, but he seemed to be struggling. The victim’s eyes were locked solely onto his raging ones.
“Get off me,” the figure below sneered. Both Koki and Maru were shocked as Jin released his victim and backed away. His fangs still glittered against the artificial light and his claws remained outstretched, ready to tear the throat from the other’s neck.
Changmin noticed two other mutants in the room as he got to his feet. Before Koki had the chance to reach into his pocket and grasp the smooth diamond waiting to be touched, his mind had closed in around his neck. Koki gasped as he stood paralyzed on the spot. His eyes expressed the choking pain he was in, alarming Maru who stood beside him.
Without another moment to spare, Maru’s eyes turned a bright shade of purple. The cat upon his shoulder leaped into the air just as a purple light engulfed its body. What landed upon the marble floor was not a cat but a great beast - a white tiger.
The new opponent growled menacingly as Maru’s body was also engulfed in the same purple light and he too now stood as a white tiger beside his companion. Howls ripped through the air as the two beasts lunged for their prey.
Changmin cursed. He broke all the mental links and focused on tearing part of the marble floor to lift and shield himself from the attack. Both creatures collided against the rock, but landed swiftly on their paws near Jin.
The redhead’s eyes were blazing with fury as he too lunged next with the white beasts. Changmin turned his marble shield to protect himself from the onslaught.
“Ass hole,” he heard before a fierce impact smashed into his side, sending his body into the furthest wall. The impact literally sent him through the wall and crashing into the nearby trees outside.
To say that his ribs were broken would be an understatement; every bone in his body was shattered. He couldn’t move anymore. Blood slowly began to drip from the corner of his mouth, the crimson substance seeping into the earth below.
Changmin let out a silent whimper. He suddenly felt very cold as his thoughts drifted to hours before this battle. He was cuddling with Yoochun in the car. He was with his friends.
The brunette heard someone’s approach. His eyes met with that of Koki. The mutant’s skin was covered in a sleek sheet of diamond, from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes.
“Well you weren’t that much fun,” the playful voice irritated Changmin greatly. “Some top mutant you are.”
“Fuck off…” Changmin sputtered. Even speaking hurt.
Koki chuckled as he lifted one shiny diamond foot. “It was a pleasure meeting you Korean boy. If you would like to know your killer’s name-well, that just too damn bad because I’m not in much of a giving mood.” The diamond mutant smirked. “See ya!”
Just as Koki lowered his foot towards Changmin’s neck, his hardened body was slammed to the ground. Not even a cry of surprise escaped the mutant’s lips before Yunho’s deadly fangs pierced right through the diamond and cut into the exposed neck. Blood squirted into the air before it sputtered into nothing. Yunho pulled away only to snap Koki’s neck, confirming his kill.
“Changmin,” the Korean mutant whispered as he hovered over the brunette’s body. Changmin was lying upon his stomach, unmoving but still breathing. “Shit, Changmin you have to hold on, okay?”
There was a sudden explosion off to their far right. Furious white sparks shot above the forest as well as tendrils of fire. Yunho noticed a large beast circling high in the air.
“Junsu…must be pissed…” Changmin muttered, his breath hard to grasp. “Something…must’ve…”
“Don’t speak,” Yunho ordered, his voice firm yet gentle. Changmin felt fingers softly pressing into his back. “Does this hurt?” Yunho asked.
Changmin winced. “Like hell,” he growled, coughing up blood in the process.
Yunho was about to check his friend’s legs when his head snapped up and his nose sniffed in a new yet familiar scent. Quickly, the larger of the two mutants was crouched in front of the smaller as two white beasts emerged from behind the trees. As the shock crossed the creature’s eyes from seeing Koki’s dead body, Yunho realized Jaejoong was also behind him.
“I’ve made a forcefield around Changmin,” said his companion in a shaky voice. “I’ll defend him.”
Yunho nodded and took small steps to the side as his two enemies began to circle his group of three. He trusted Jaejoong to protect himself as well as Changmin as he waited for one beast to attack. It didn’t take long. Finding an opening, the white tiger lunged forward, fangs barred and claws outstretched. Yunho also lunged, causing his slightly smaller body to crash against the beast. Both fell to the ground as they aimed for each other’s necks.
Jaejoong’s forcefield withheld the other white tiger’s attempts at clawing it down. Everytime his forcefield was struck, he winced from the sharp pain he felt. His eyes sought out Yunho.
His companion was now upon the tiger’s white, bloodying back. His fierce claws were digging into the available flesh ruthlessly as he held on. Angered by this, the white beast rolled onto his side in hopes of crushing the mutant upon it.
Yunho was waiting for such a moment.
Just as the beast fell toward the earth, Yunho jumped from its back, turned sharply and lunged for the exposed belly as the creature rolled. A howl of pain escaped from the beast’s throat; Yunho’s claws pierced right through the soft flesh, letting blood pool upon the ground. Yunho pulled away and waited once again as the tiger shakily rose to its paws. Its purple eyes were glazed over with pain.
One misstep was all it took for Yunho to lunge forward once again and sink his fangs into the exposed neck. The large creature let out one final howl before falling lifelessly upon the blood-soaked ground.
Jaejoong was nearing his limits as his enemy continued to slash against his forcefield. Relief flooded his system once the creature was engulfed in a purple light and a small, beaten white cat collapsed upon the earth. Slowly, Jaejoong released his shield and fell to his knees. Most of his energy was now gone. His turned to speak to Changmin but his breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened.
A few feet away, the blood covering the white tiger’s fur now covered Maru’s pale skin as his body transformed back into his human figure. A bleeding gash marred his neck. Life was draining from every part of his body.
But still, Maru used the last bits of his strength to reach out and touch Koki’s fingers with his own.
Yunho watched the remaining life disappear from those large eyes. Guilt suddenly gripped his heart as death claimed the mutant lying upon the ground. He tore his eyes away from the figures and padded up to his two companions, mouth open to speak to Changmin. He never spoke however.
There, lying in Jaejoong’s arms was Changmin’s silent, pale form.
Yunho said nothing. As sadness poured into his heart and guilt grasped it, the wolverine mutant neared Jaejoong’s crying form and wrapped his bloodied arms around both his companions.
It was not suppose to end like this.
Up above on a shattered balcony, Jin was cradling Kame in his own blood-drenched arms. His eyes never left Kame’s pale face as life seemed to leave his partner’s dark orbs as well. The glass shards were already pulled from the latter’s skin; Jin had been utmost tender with his ministrations.
However, nothing could stop death from taking Kame away.
Not even the electric explosions below them could tear Jin away from him.
Blood left the corners of Kame’s lips as he whispered Jin’s name. Panic filled Jin’s chest as he held Kame’s closer. “Don’t leave me,” the lion mutant demanded, his voice strained with the horror of what was to come. “Please Kame…”
A weak smile tugged at Kame’s lips. “I’ll be…seeing…you soon…”
Jin shook his head furiously as the words he wanted to say were unable to leave his lips. He suddenly felt Kame’s cold fingers touch his cheek. Jin instantly reached up and grasped them.
“I want this…” the brunette whispered, his voice weak. There was revelation shining in those brown eyes though, something that gave Jin the courage not to cry in front of his partner. Kame wanted to smile for Jin but he had no strength too. “I’m…happy to die…this way…”
Another explosion suddenly sent flying debris up into the air. Jin shield Kame with his body as the burnt wood collided with his back. Still, his eyes never left Kame’s weakening ones.
“Let me go Jin…” Kame pleaded softly.
Everything, from his instincts to his very soul, told Jin to beg for Kame to hold on. But that would make Kame suffer, wouldn’t it? Deep down, Jin knew this was the best way for Kame to pass on; without another creature’s innocent blood on his fingers.
“Kame,” Jin cried softly as he allowed a few tears to trail down his smeared cheeks. “Are you in pain? Will it hurt you?”
His partner weakly shook his head. “Not at all…” he whispered.
Jin wiped every trace of blood from Kame’s face. His life was hanging on by a thread now.
Breaking his gaze, Jin closed his eyes and pressed his lips against Kame’s. His slightly retracted fangs nicked the soft skin once, eliciting a sudden giggle from Kame’s mouth. Jin savored the taste of his Kame as his lover whispered, “Always…like it…rough…” before finally, the life left his body.
Jin sobbed as he held Kame to his chest.
Five dead, six alive.
Ueda’s flames had long ago consumed the area in which he and Junsu were fighting. The electric-user still held the same wrath as he did when their battle began. White sparks shot from his fingertips just as red flames coursed from Ueda’s. The two element-users were locked in a battle of power.
A mad look consumed Junsu’s expression. The Korean redhead wanted death, and this shook Ueda to his very core. Already, he felt drained as he continued to push against the electric wave his enemy had created. ‘Where the hell is Junno?!’ his mind screamed.
His question was answered. There was a sudden gust of wind, and then Junsu was slamming into a tree. Ueda’s fire died down as he took in heavy gasps of oxygen; there wasn’t much to be inhaled though because of all the smoke. The redhead coughed harshly as he gasped for breath. He glanced up through the haze and recognized the long shadow of wings against the burning tree’s light. “Junno!” he coughed out to his partner.
The moment he gripped onto Junno’s body, an intense jolt of pain shot right into his body, directly through his heart. Ueda gasped, the pain gripping him for mere seconds before his hold on Junno’s hovering figure loosened and he fell limp into his partner’s arms. Junno watched the entire scene, a horrified look crossing over his face.
“Shouldn’t have let your guard down,” Junsu said as his figure emerged through the smoke. In his hands he held two solid, electric bolts. His eyes locked onto Junno who had fallen to knees so he could hold his lover’s dead body. Junno’s eyes remained wide open, shock, fear, sadness, and pain reflecting against his dark orbs.
Junsu hesitated.
And one moment’s hesitation was all it took.
Jin sank his teeth into the redhead’s exposed throat, throwing him to the ground as he tore the flesh away. Junsu couldn’t even let out a sound as blood poured from his fatal wound, the electric bolts he held sputtering into nothing as the energy left his body.
“Shouldn’t have left your guard down,” Jin spoke, his voice empty before he reached down and tore Junsu’s head from his neck completely. Junno looked away in disgust, burying his face into the crook of Ueda’s neck as tears escaped his eyes. The smoke all around him reminded him of his lover too much.
“JUNSU!” came a cry from behind them. Suddenly, Junno felt something hard crash into his body, sending him rolling across the ground; he dropped Ueda along the way. Jin turned just in time to take the impact of Yunho’s body. The Korean mutant clawed at Jin’s back just as the redhead clawed at his enemy’s back. The two mutants rolled across the burnt earth before pushing away from each other and landing near their remaining companion.
Jaejoong stood behind Yunho, hands raised as he waited for the right time to strike. A few yards away stood Junno with a crouched Jin in front of him. The taller mutant curled his wings close to his body, away from the burning wood surrounding them.
“You will pay for every life you have taken,” Jin growled, the blood of many dripping from his fangs.
Yunho’s dark eyes narrowed. He barred his fangs before lunging forward, intent on taking off Jin’s head. The lion mutant met him within the air, causing their hard bodies to once again collide and fall back to the ground. Jin took most of the impact as his back met with the charred earth. He narrowly avoided a claw to his throat as he threw off Yunho’s weight and rolled away. Once again, he crouched into position as waited for another attack.
Yunho’s calm exterior was beginning to break. His friend’s death, Jaejoong’s safety, the destruction, and blood was becoming too much to handle. He wanted the death of his enemy, and he wanted it now.
A harsh cough came from behind him. Yunho turned his head and saw his partner covering his mouth; the smoke was becoming too much for him. He couldn’t even breathe. Yunho was about to leap over to Jaejoong when a familiar body smashed into his side. Luckily, the Korean mutant turned his head far enough to avoid Jin’s red fangs. As they collided with the earth once again, Yunho threw Jin off of his body and ran toward Jaejoong. His lover appeared to have no strength to even keep his forcefield intact.
Just as he reached Jaejoong’s coughing form, a gust of wind pushed him away. Yunho watched as a set of arms enveloped Jaejoong’s body and lifted him into the sky. “Jaejoong!” Yunho cried as his partner vanished into the smoke. A weight slammed into his back, causing his face to dig into the dirt.
Up in the air, Jaejoong struggled in his captor’s grasp as well as struggle for breath.
“Stop it and breathe!” he heard a voice demand from above him. Surprisingly, Jaejoong did as he was told. The clean air filled his lungs faster than the sunlight could touch the morning sky. Jaejoong was beyond grateful as he took in more and more gulps of much-needed air.
“Better?” asked the voice.
“Y..yes,” Jaejoong gasped. Slowly, he looked up to see Junno’s face. “It’s you…the Japanese mutant.”
Junno smiled sadly before saying, “Hold tight.” Jaejoong did so as the taller mutant curled in his wings and pointed their bodies downwards. It was a smooth dive. Jaejoong held tightly until he felt his bottom touch the rough tiles upon the roof. Shakily, he pulled back his arms and stared up at Junno. “Why?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion. “Why are you saving me?”
That sad smile ripped Jaejoong’s heart to shreds. “I hate this fighting,” he replied softly. “If all of us had such strength in the first place, maybe we should have killed our superiors instead of each other. Losing all my friends like this…its just wrong.”
Jaejoong lowered his head in shame. He felt exactly the same way. “I should have talked them out of this…” he whispered, heart and revere broken. “We should have never come here.”
Junno leaned down and brushed away the dirt scattered upon Jaejoong’s cheeks. The Korean mutant stared up at the taller creature with an odd look of gratitude. “You have pretty eyes,” the tall brunette commented softly.
Jaejoong suddenly felt the need to cry, but he held back his remaining tears. “Thank you,” he whispered gratefully. He let his eyes roam across the expanse of grey and blue feathers stretching out from the other’ back. “And you have beautiful wings.”
The sad smile never left his face. “Thank you.”
Down below, within the roaring flames licking throughout the forest, Yunho and Jin were panting heavily. Each bared similar wounds upon their bodies, only Jin had an extra long gash already crusting upon his back - an earlier attack from Yunho when everyone was still alive; when Kame was still alive. Jin’s claws dug into the dirty soil as blood, sweat and tears dripped from his body.
He missed Kame so much.
Yunho lacked the tears; already he has spilled too much. He has lost Junsu and Changmin before his very eyes, and now Jaejoong. Yoochun was nowhere to be found. With a last thread of hope, Yunho prayed for his friend to be safe.
Through the raging smoke and harsh breathing, Yunho demanded, “Where did he take Jaejoong?”
Jin dug his nails deeper into the blood-soaked soil, but did not reply. He would not give satisfaction to those who took his friends and Kame away. Enraged by his silence, Yunho lunged forward, sinking his fangs into an exposed shoulder that Jin had no strength to defend. The redhead let no cry escape his lips and he violently dug his nails into Yunho’s flesh, the torn shirt concealing almost nothing. Fresh wounds stung, but Yunho paid them no heed. He wrestled with Jin as the fire blazed around them. He bit and clawed, slashed and struck every inch of body he saw. Jin returned the attacks with equal force.
There was a sudden crack in the air causing both to look up in alarm. Beneath Yunho, Jin watched as a huge burning branch broke off from the base of the tree trunk and fell downwards in a streak of red. Yunho barely missed the burning object as he lunged away from his prey.
This left Jin wide open to a fatal blow.
“I need to go back down there,” said Junno as he watched the smoke rising into the air and more forest being consumed by red flames. A hand gripping the end of his jacket stopped him.
Jaejoong’s eyes pleaded more than his voice. “Stay,” he begged Junno. “We can wait for them.”
“But they will kill each other!” Junno argued. Jaejoong shook his head firmly.
“They will come back.”
The burning log crashed into the ground, directly upon the spot Jin was laying moments ago. A fierce, stinging grip held his wrist; he felt his own blood trail down his skin. “You,” the redhead breathed as his eyes locked onto Yunho. “You pulled me away…why?!”
“Tell me where Jaejoong is!” the wolverine mutant growled, panic and fear pooling like a vast ocean within his dark eyes. “I need to know he’s safe, now tell me!”
Shock crossed Jin’s face. He stared at this mutant - the one who killed half his friends - and felt nothing but confusion. Quickly, he yanked his wrist free and crouched carefully before the other, letting his eyes process the expression on his enemy’s face.
Yunho was on the brink of insanity. “Tell me!” he howled.
The crackling fire burned all around them. More and more tree limbs fell as the forest was consumed by the flames. The fury of loss Jin felt was slowly being replacing by fear of his life.
Suddenly, Jin wanted to live. Not only that, but he wanted his so-called enemy to live as well. He locked eyes with Yunho and snapped, “Follow me” before taking off into the fiery abyss. Yunho followed, using his remaining strength to propel him around the burning trees. Side by side they made their escape out of the dying forest.
Another crack and another tree limb fell. Yunho had no time to warn the other as the burning branch smashed into Jin’s back, pinning the mutant to the charred ground. Yunho skidded to a halt and headed back to free him. The smoke burned his lungs, but still he found the redhead.
Those glazed eyes spoke everything.
Jin was dead.
The guilt mixed with the sadness tore at Yunho’s heart. Another burning branch landed in front of him, causing him to jump back in surprise. Feeling the last of his tears leave his eyes, Yunho turned and escaped the wrath of the dying forest, collapsing upon the safest, coolest ground as his beaten body gave in.
A familiar gust of wind blew against his heated skin. Yunho relished against the touch.
“Yunho!”
But Jaejoong’s delicate fingers were all the touch he desired. Yunho opened his eyes just as his lover pulled away from Junno’s grasp and knelt beside his exhausted body. Those obsidian eyes were his heaven.
Finally, after years of torment and pain, they were to be free.
Yunho whispered Jaejoong’s name before darkness engulfed him.
End a/n: so this ending can have a different meaning for everyone. It is your choice if Yunho survived or not. I find this ficlet of mine completely random. Hope everyone enjoyed! Comments are like valuable hockey pucks!
length: one-shot
pairings: jaeho, yoosumin, akame, junda, tanaka
rating: nc-17
genre: fantasy
a/n: so, this is what happens after you've seen Xman: Origins, Wolverine.
summary: the best of Korea opted against the best of Japan. Who will survive this bloodbath?
-mutant profiles-
(During the battle, everyone speaks the same language. Why? Because I made it so =D)
The morning came too early and the night came too late. As the plane landed on the sleek runway, Changmin finally felt the nerves of both excitement and fear course through his veins. Being mutant didn’t mean he lacked such feelings; in reality such feelings were enhanced. Changmin still had a choice just like every other creature on this planet. He had a choice to fight or run away.
Like hell if he would run away from a battle so intense that the scars would not heal until the following spring. Changmin was definitely not a coward. Having him and his closest pals fight against the mutants of Japan thrilled him to no end.
It was downright nerve-racking, but Changmin loved it all the more.
Yoochun wore an expression of great concern, but a confident look glazed against his dark eyes. He held Changmin’s hand as he and the others exited the plane. Junsu’s soft giggles of excitement could be heard behind them.
“So, when do we meet up with them?” asked the redhead once they were heading out of the airport. A rental car was waiting for them to take. “We don’t have to wait long, right?”
“Hush, Junsu,” said the one with jet black hair. “Yunho already explained everything to us before we got on the plane. I hope you were listening.”
A guilty look crossed Junsu’s face. “Sort-of,” he admitted as he scratched his cheek.
The one called Yunho gave the redhead a firm glare as he opened the door the rental car; apparently he will be driving. Junsu gulped as he got into the back seat with Yoochun and Changmin. Seeing the fear begin to crawl up his friend’s skin, Yoochun took the pale hand within his fingers and rubbed the skin softly in assurance.
“Jaejoong, the map,” said Yunho as he began to pull out onto the crowded road. Beside him, Jaejoong produced a small sheet of paper from his coat pocket. A smile stretched across his face as he showed the drawings scribbled on the note. “Aren’t they cute, Yunnie?” he asked as he showed the paper to Yunho. “I drew them while we were on the plane.”
The driver seemed to never spare the paper one glance, but he stilled murmured a hushed, “Yes, they are” before demanding for the map again. Jaejoong chuckled and produced yet another piece of paper from his coat pocket. This time it was the map. Yunho looked it over once before pressing hard on the gas pedal and speeding away from the airport. Jaejoong chuckled at the driver’s antics while Junsu squealed and Changmin and Yoochun snuggled comfortably against one another.
- -
“We have to wait until midnight?” Kame asked his five friends who were seated around the table. “Isn’t that a bit…ironic in some kind-of way? Cliché perhaps?”
“It’s questionable,” reasoned Maru.
“The quicker the better,” Koki said quickly.
“Are there planes still flying at that time?” asked Junno with an odd expression. Ueda shrugged as he continued to snap his fingers, causing small flames to spark above his skin.
“This is what I was ordered,” said Jin in a calm, firm voice. “And Johnny-san personally gave me these orders. I am going to have us proceed with them.”
Maru nodded while Kame sympathized. Everyone eventually came to an agreement and the matter was dropped. The new subject that came up was the Koreans themselves.
“I wonder what kind-of powers they have,” Koki mused, excitement laced in his voice. “Whatever they are, they better put up a fight or this is going to be lame.”
“They are so skillful that none of the higher-ups have anything on their profiles,” Maru explained. A white cat jumped onto his lap, demanding attention. Maru gladly scratched the small white head. Koki said nothing as he watched the scene; his mind was too warped in constant thought of the oncoming battle. Kame was staring at Jin who was gladly staring back. A silent communication spoke though their eyes before Jin got to his feet and looked over his five friends.
“We have three hours before we have to leave for the airport,” he explained. “Pack lightly so we have no baggage, and take a short nap; everyone needs their strength tonight.”
With that, Jin left the table, grabbing Kame’s hand along the way and gently pulling the smaller mutant behind him.
Junno let out a heavy sigh before looking at Ueda. The redhead looked thoughtful, something Junno has not seen in quite some time. “What’s wrong, Tat-chan?” he asked softly.
Ueda began to stroke the skin upon the back of his palm almost delicately. “I’m just thinking about tonight…” he murmured. “I’m wondering how this is going to turn out.”
“We’re going to kill them, of course,” Koki exclaimed with a sure look in his eyes.
Ueda suddenly appeared doubtful. “I’m unsure about the whole thing.”
“All of us are, Ueda,” Maru reasoned in a soothing voice. He continued to pet his cat upon his lap as he continued, “To worry about the battle before it starts is only natural. All of us will have such thoughts tonight.”
Junno stood leaned across the table and took one of Ueda’s warm hands. “I’ll be with you the entire time,” he promised; a caring glaze came over his eyes. “You can count on me.”
Ueda let his fingers delicately stroke Junno’s soft skin. He slowly nodded before allowing the taller mutant to pull him to his feet. Together, they left the room with relaxed expressions upon their faces.
Maru glanced at Koki. “Shall we retire as well?” he asked. Koki huffed and gave his companion an amused grin.
“You sound so old, Maru.”
Along with the small white cat, the two mutants left the room, passing by two doors before opening a third.
“Everyone is resting,” murmured Jin into Kame’s ear. The redhead gladly had his partner enclosed within his embrace under the bedsheets. Kame snuggled into Jin’s unbelievable warmth, seeking the security. “Kame?” Jin said in concern.
It seemed like ages before Kame finally spoke. His voice was lowered to a mere whisper. “I’m afraid.”
Jin somehow expected this. He tightened his hold on his partner and kissed the skin upon Kame’s forehead. “There is nothing to be afraid of. We will get through this.”
“And the others?”
“Do not doubt them,” Jin assured confidently. “You have all of us by your side, as cheesy as that sounds. Do not doubt our strength.”
“But this is so different Jin,” Kame said softly; his voice was strained as if his throat was tightening. “This time, we’re not fighting some weak thug or even a middle-class thief. These guys are at the top, and they’re mutants.”
“And so are we,” Jin replied, his voice as strong as diamonds. “After we defeat them, there will be no more killing. We can live a normal life together and won’t have to worry about Johnny-san or this company any longer. We won’t be trapped any longer.”
Kame buried his face into Jin’s neck and let out a shaky breath. “We don’t have to kill them…we can just beat them senseless then return home.”
Jin closed his eyes as he said sadly, “You know that is not possible Kame…”
And that was true; Kame knew it all too well. The mutants they were about to fight were Korea’s prisoners just as much as he, Jin, Maru, Koki, Junno and Ueda were Japan’s. It was downright horrible to know that somewhere in their bodies rests a chip capable of killing even their bodies with one shock of electricity. Their fellow Korean mutants probably held something similar under their own skin.
It was at that moment Kame realized how much of a prisoner he was. He and his five friends were the last of the mutants to be captured on this miserable planet, and used as slaves to do their human master’s bidding. But after years and years of service, Jin came to put his trust in their master, for the man promised to release the six mutants after this task is completed. Kill Korea’s mutants and you shall be the last of your kind to live.
There was not much of a life to live once they were to be released. Still, such a life was better than the one the six mutants had now.
Kame relaxed against the gentle strokes he felt upon his back. Jin’s touch was soothing.
“We’ll be free after this Kame. Let’s get back the life we deserve, okay?”
Kame nodded, the hair upon his head tickling Jin’s chin. The redhead held his partner until they were fast asleep.
It was not but two hours and thirty-two minutes later, that his eyes snapped open just in time to watch Kame be yanked from his arms and thrown through the glass doorway by air itself.
Shock, alarm, fear and absolute fury coursed through Jin’s veins at that very moment. Kame’s body rolled across the shattered glass before slamming into the granite pillars holding up the balcony railing. A cry of agony tore through his lips as his figure shivered from the onslaught of all over his body. Shards of glass protruded from the skin of his arms and bare chest.
Jin landed above Kame within half a second as his fangs ripped the thin layer of skin behind his lips and claws carved streaks against the granite floors. His eyes blazed as he scanned for the attacker while a fierce growl escaped his throat; his body shielded his partner from view.
“Woah, did I make the kitty cat angry?”
Jin howled as he glared up at Changmin standing upon the mansion roof. Nothing could describe the fury raging with his chest. Kame’s whimpers fueled the raging fire. Changmin’s mischievous smirk intensified it even more.
“You look so scary, Kitty-san,” Changmin cooed, his eyes dangerously playful. “Why don’t you come up here and play?”
The taunting went beyond pissing Jin off. The redhead leaped from his position, arms outstretched so his claws could cut Changmin’s throat. Within that mere second though, a blur of white passed by Changmin and struck Jin’s chest. The redhead howled as his body was flung to the ground two stories below where Kame lay upon the balcony. A heavy body slammed into his chest upon impact before disappearing completely. Jin rolled onto his claws and feet and lunged for his new enemy, meeting empty air before he landed upon the ground once again.
A frustrated howl ripped from his throat as he glared at Yoochun adorned in a simple white shirt and jeans. The figure was quickly replaced with another though because suddenly Jin was defending himself from another pair of claws and fangs. Yunho’s attacks were furious.
Changmin smiled gleefully once Yoochun returned to his side upon the rooftop. “That was easier than what I expected.”
Yoochun looked down upon Kame still lying upon the floor littered with shards of glass. “That was kind-of harsh, Minnie,” he commented with distaste. “You didn’t have to send him through a glass door. Have some mercy and kill him painlessly.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Shim Changmin.”
The brunette rolled his eyes. “Whatever Yoo-” His reply was sharply cut off as a sudden force collided against his body, catapulting him into the air. Yoochun gasped as he was thrown from the force as well. His body connected with the edge of the rooftop, burning marks into his back as he rolled upwards. Using his power, he teleported into the mansion, dropping to his knees as the pain seared up his spine.
That was when he received a different kind of burn - a lethal one.
Yoochun cried out as Ueda’s flames licked up his body. The redhead’s hands were stretched out towards his victim’s body, allowing the flames to shoot out from his palms and encase Yoochun in a fiery trap. Junno stood at his side, a guilt-ridden expression marring his face. As Yoochun’s cries increased, something changed in the wind. Junno had no time to guard himself as he and Ueda were suddenly attacked by an electric wave. The two companions crashed into the nearby wall, creating large holes in the process as broken wood began to crumble over them.
When the fires left his body, Yoochun fell forward onto the lightly burning wooden floors. Junsu gasped once he noticed the black burn marks covering every inch of Yoochun’s skin. “You bastards!” the redhead cried as he summoning more electricity and pushed it against the abused wall. There was a curtain of smoke and wooden splinters before Junsu realized his enemies had escaped.
Forgetting them for a moment, the redhead kneeled beside Yoochun, fear gripping his heart as he reached out to touch some part of his companion that was not damaged. “Chunnie,” his voice trembled.
In the midst of his death, Yoochun let out a laugh, a painful one. “So…rry…Su…” he whispered. He couldn’t even open his eyes, for every part of his body was charred. “Give…Min….a…hu…g…fo…”
Junsu waited and waited and waited as tears sprung from his eyes. “Give Min what?!” he demanded as his fingers ached to shake his companion out of desperation. “Give Min what Chunnie?! You have to tell me! Wake up! You can die like this, you can’t!”
As a sickening smoke rose from Yoochun’s burned flesh, Junsu let out a horrible cry as tears leaked from his eyes.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
Everyone who resided in or near that mansion saw the furious bright light emit from one single bedroom. As the building took on the abuse, a ball of electricity could be seen leaping from the balcony and into the forest. Junno’s sprouted wings pounded against the air as he barely dodged Junsu’s electric shocks. Ueda rolled against the earth, shielding his body in his flames.
Junsu stood on his feet while white electricity surrounded his body.
He looked like a fucking devil.
The intense commotion got everyone’s attention. Koki and Maru stood upon their balcony and spotted the ball of electricity that was their enemy and felt their hearts stop. The enemy had come here.
An excited grin immediately crossed Koki’s face. “Playtime!” he announced before dashing back into the bedroom. Maru followed, allowing his white cat to climb up and sit restlessly upon his shoulders as he followed Koki through numerous hallways leading downstairs. As they passed by one particular room however, a sickening smell reached their noses.
Maru peered inside Ueda and Junno’s room and grimaced. Koki couldn’t hold back a chuckle as he said, “Well, Tat-chan didn’t hold back!”
“Let’s go,” Maru demanded, yanking Koki away from the scorched corpse. They didn’t make it very far though, for there was a sudden crash and two bodies slammed into the floor in front of them. Maru was lucky enough to pull Koki out of harms way as he recognized Jin pinning a figure to the marble floors.
Jin looked beyond furious. His bare chest was marred with scratches that went unknown to him. Blood dripped from the claw marks carved onto his back, creating small puddles of red upon the floor. His fangs were inches away from his victim’s neck, but he seemed to be struggling. The victim’s eyes were locked solely onto his raging ones.
“Get off me,” the figure below sneered. Both Koki and Maru were shocked as Jin released his victim and backed away. His fangs still glittered against the artificial light and his claws remained outstretched, ready to tear the throat from the other’s neck.
Changmin noticed two other mutants in the room as he got to his feet. Before Koki had the chance to reach into his pocket and grasp the smooth diamond waiting to be touched, his mind had closed in around his neck. Koki gasped as he stood paralyzed on the spot. His eyes expressed the choking pain he was in, alarming Maru who stood beside him.
Without another moment to spare, Maru’s eyes turned a bright shade of purple. The cat upon his shoulder leaped into the air just as a purple light engulfed its body. What landed upon the marble floor was not a cat but a great beast - a white tiger.
The new opponent growled menacingly as Maru’s body was also engulfed in the same purple light and he too now stood as a white tiger beside his companion. Howls ripped through the air as the two beasts lunged for their prey.
Changmin cursed. He broke all the mental links and focused on tearing part of the marble floor to lift and shield himself from the attack. Both creatures collided against the rock, but landed swiftly on their paws near Jin.
The redhead’s eyes were blazing with fury as he too lunged next with the white beasts. Changmin turned his marble shield to protect himself from the onslaught.
“Ass hole,” he heard before a fierce impact smashed into his side, sending his body into the furthest wall. The impact literally sent him through the wall and crashing into the nearby trees outside.
To say that his ribs were broken would be an understatement; every bone in his body was shattered. He couldn’t move anymore. Blood slowly began to drip from the corner of his mouth, the crimson substance seeping into the earth below.
Changmin let out a silent whimper. He suddenly felt very cold as his thoughts drifted to hours before this battle. He was cuddling with Yoochun in the car. He was with his friends.
The brunette heard someone’s approach. His eyes met with that of Koki. The mutant’s skin was covered in a sleek sheet of diamond, from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes.
“Well you weren’t that much fun,” the playful voice irritated Changmin greatly. “Some top mutant you are.”
“Fuck off…” Changmin sputtered. Even speaking hurt.
Koki chuckled as he lifted one shiny diamond foot. “It was a pleasure meeting you Korean boy. If you would like to know your killer’s name-well, that just too damn bad because I’m not in much of a giving mood.” The diamond mutant smirked. “See ya!”
Just as Koki lowered his foot towards Changmin’s neck, his hardened body was slammed to the ground. Not even a cry of surprise escaped the mutant’s lips before Yunho’s deadly fangs pierced right through the diamond and cut into the exposed neck. Blood squirted into the air before it sputtered into nothing. Yunho pulled away only to snap Koki’s neck, confirming his kill.
“Changmin,” the Korean mutant whispered as he hovered over the brunette’s body. Changmin was lying upon his stomach, unmoving but still breathing. “Shit, Changmin you have to hold on, okay?”
There was a sudden explosion off to their far right. Furious white sparks shot above the forest as well as tendrils of fire. Yunho noticed a large beast circling high in the air.
“Junsu…must be pissed…” Changmin muttered, his breath hard to grasp. “Something…must’ve…”
“Don’t speak,” Yunho ordered, his voice firm yet gentle. Changmin felt fingers softly pressing into his back. “Does this hurt?” Yunho asked.
Changmin winced. “Like hell,” he growled, coughing up blood in the process.
Yunho was about to check his friend’s legs when his head snapped up and his nose sniffed in a new yet familiar scent. Quickly, the larger of the two mutants was crouched in front of the smaller as two white beasts emerged from behind the trees. As the shock crossed the creature’s eyes from seeing Koki’s dead body, Yunho realized Jaejoong was also behind him.
“I’ve made a forcefield around Changmin,” said his companion in a shaky voice. “I’ll defend him.”
Yunho nodded and took small steps to the side as his two enemies began to circle his group of three. He trusted Jaejoong to protect himself as well as Changmin as he waited for one beast to attack. It didn’t take long. Finding an opening, the white tiger lunged forward, fangs barred and claws outstretched. Yunho also lunged, causing his slightly smaller body to crash against the beast. Both fell to the ground as they aimed for each other’s necks.
Jaejoong’s forcefield withheld the other white tiger’s attempts at clawing it down. Everytime his forcefield was struck, he winced from the sharp pain he felt. His eyes sought out Yunho.
His companion was now upon the tiger’s white, bloodying back. His fierce claws were digging into the available flesh ruthlessly as he held on. Angered by this, the white beast rolled onto his side in hopes of crushing the mutant upon it.
Yunho was waiting for such a moment.
Just as the beast fell toward the earth, Yunho jumped from its back, turned sharply and lunged for the exposed belly as the creature rolled. A howl of pain escaped from the beast’s throat; Yunho’s claws pierced right through the soft flesh, letting blood pool upon the ground. Yunho pulled away and waited once again as the tiger shakily rose to its paws. Its purple eyes were glazed over with pain.
One misstep was all it took for Yunho to lunge forward once again and sink his fangs into the exposed neck. The large creature let out one final howl before falling lifelessly upon the blood-soaked ground.
Jaejoong was nearing his limits as his enemy continued to slash against his forcefield. Relief flooded his system once the creature was engulfed in a purple light and a small, beaten white cat collapsed upon the earth. Slowly, Jaejoong released his shield and fell to his knees. Most of his energy was now gone. His turned to speak to Changmin but his breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened.
A few feet away, the blood covering the white tiger’s fur now covered Maru’s pale skin as his body transformed back into his human figure. A bleeding gash marred his neck. Life was draining from every part of his body.
But still, Maru used the last bits of his strength to reach out and touch Koki’s fingers with his own.
Yunho watched the remaining life disappear from those large eyes. Guilt suddenly gripped his heart as death claimed the mutant lying upon the ground. He tore his eyes away from the figures and padded up to his two companions, mouth open to speak to Changmin. He never spoke however.
There, lying in Jaejoong’s arms was Changmin’s silent, pale form.
Yunho said nothing. As sadness poured into his heart and guilt grasped it, the wolverine mutant neared Jaejoong’s crying form and wrapped his bloodied arms around both his companions.
It was not suppose to end like this.
Up above on a shattered balcony, Jin was cradling Kame in his own blood-drenched arms. His eyes never left Kame’s pale face as life seemed to leave his partner’s dark orbs as well. The glass shards were already pulled from the latter’s skin; Jin had been utmost tender with his ministrations.
However, nothing could stop death from taking Kame away.
Not even the electric explosions below them could tear Jin away from him.
Blood left the corners of Kame’s lips as he whispered Jin’s name. Panic filled Jin’s chest as he held Kame’s closer. “Don’t leave me,” the lion mutant demanded, his voice strained with the horror of what was to come. “Please Kame…”
A weak smile tugged at Kame’s lips. “I’ll be…seeing…you soon…”
Jin shook his head furiously as the words he wanted to say were unable to leave his lips. He suddenly felt Kame’s cold fingers touch his cheek. Jin instantly reached up and grasped them.
“I want this…” the brunette whispered, his voice weak. There was revelation shining in those brown eyes though, something that gave Jin the courage not to cry in front of his partner. Kame wanted to smile for Jin but he had no strength too. “I’m…happy to die…this way…”
Another explosion suddenly sent flying debris up into the air. Jin shield Kame with his body as the burnt wood collided with his back. Still, his eyes never left Kame’s weakening ones.
“Let me go Jin…” Kame pleaded softly.
Everything, from his instincts to his very soul, told Jin to beg for Kame to hold on. But that would make Kame suffer, wouldn’t it? Deep down, Jin knew this was the best way for Kame to pass on; without another creature’s innocent blood on his fingers.
“Kame,” Jin cried softly as he allowed a few tears to trail down his smeared cheeks. “Are you in pain? Will it hurt you?”
His partner weakly shook his head. “Not at all…” he whispered.
Jin wiped every trace of blood from Kame’s face. His life was hanging on by a thread now.
Breaking his gaze, Jin closed his eyes and pressed his lips against Kame’s. His slightly retracted fangs nicked the soft skin once, eliciting a sudden giggle from Kame’s mouth. Jin savored the taste of his Kame as his lover whispered, “Always…like it…rough…” before finally, the life left his body.
Jin sobbed as he held Kame to his chest.
Five dead, six alive.
Ueda’s flames had long ago consumed the area in which he and Junsu were fighting. The electric-user still held the same wrath as he did when their battle began. White sparks shot from his fingertips just as red flames coursed from Ueda’s. The two element-users were locked in a battle of power.
A mad look consumed Junsu’s expression. The Korean redhead wanted death, and this shook Ueda to his very core. Already, he felt drained as he continued to push against the electric wave his enemy had created. ‘Where the hell is Junno?!’ his mind screamed.
His question was answered. There was a sudden gust of wind, and then Junsu was slamming into a tree. Ueda’s fire died down as he took in heavy gasps of oxygen; there wasn’t much to be inhaled though because of all the smoke. The redhead coughed harshly as he gasped for breath. He glanced up through the haze and recognized the long shadow of wings against the burning tree’s light. “Junno!” he coughed out to his partner.
The moment he gripped onto Junno’s body, an intense jolt of pain shot right into his body, directly through his heart. Ueda gasped, the pain gripping him for mere seconds before his hold on Junno’s hovering figure loosened and he fell limp into his partner’s arms. Junno watched the entire scene, a horrified look crossing over his face.
“Shouldn’t have let your guard down,” Junsu said as his figure emerged through the smoke. In his hands he held two solid, electric bolts. His eyes locked onto Junno who had fallen to knees so he could hold his lover’s dead body. Junno’s eyes remained wide open, shock, fear, sadness, and pain reflecting against his dark orbs.
Junsu hesitated.
And one moment’s hesitation was all it took.
Jin sank his teeth into the redhead’s exposed throat, throwing him to the ground as he tore the flesh away. Junsu couldn’t even let out a sound as blood poured from his fatal wound, the electric bolts he held sputtering into nothing as the energy left his body.
“Shouldn’t have left your guard down,” Jin spoke, his voice empty before he reached down and tore Junsu’s head from his neck completely. Junno looked away in disgust, burying his face into the crook of Ueda’s neck as tears escaped his eyes. The smoke all around him reminded him of his lover too much.
“JUNSU!” came a cry from behind them. Suddenly, Junno felt something hard crash into his body, sending him rolling across the ground; he dropped Ueda along the way. Jin turned just in time to take the impact of Yunho’s body. The Korean mutant clawed at Jin’s back just as the redhead clawed at his enemy’s back. The two mutants rolled across the burnt earth before pushing away from each other and landing near their remaining companion.
Jaejoong stood behind Yunho, hands raised as he waited for the right time to strike. A few yards away stood Junno with a crouched Jin in front of him. The taller mutant curled his wings close to his body, away from the burning wood surrounding them.
“You will pay for every life you have taken,” Jin growled, the blood of many dripping from his fangs.
Yunho’s dark eyes narrowed. He barred his fangs before lunging forward, intent on taking off Jin’s head. The lion mutant met him within the air, causing their hard bodies to once again collide and fall back to the ground. Jin took most of the impact as his back met with the charred earth. He narrowly avoided a claw to his throat as he threw off Yunho’s weight and rolled away. Once again, he crouched into position as waited for another attack.
Yunho’s calm exterior was beginning to break. His friend’s death, Jaejoong’s safety, the destruction, and blood was becoming too much to handle. He wanted the death of his enemy, and he wanted it now.
A harsh cough came from behind him. Yunho turned his head and saw his partner covering his mouth; the smoke was becoming too much for him. He couldn’t even breathe. Yunho was about to leap over to Jaejoong when a familiar body smashed into his side. Luckily, the Korean mutant turned his head far enough to avoid Jin’s red fangs. As they collided with the earth once again, Yunho threw Jin off of his body and ran toward Jaejoong. His lover appeared to have no strength to even keep his forcefield intact.
Just as he reached Jaejoong’s coughing form, a gust of wind pushed him away. Yunho watched as a set of arms enveloped Jaejoong’s body and lifted him into the sky. “Jaejoong!” Yunho cried as his partner vanished into the smoke. A weight slammed into his back, causing his face to dig into the dirt.
Up in the air, Jaejoong struggled in his captor’s grasp as well as struggle for breath.
“Stop it and breathe!” he heard a voice demand from above him. Surprisingly, Jaejoong did as he was told. The clean air filled his lungs faster than the sunlight could touch the morning sky. Jaejoong was beyond grateful as he took in more and more gulps of much-needed air.
“Better?” asked the voice.
“Y..yes,” Jaejoong gasped. Slowly, he looked up to see Junno’s face. “It’s you…the Japanese mutant.”
Junno smiled sadly before saying, “Hold tight.” Jaejoong did so as the taller mutant curled in his wings and pointed their bodies downwards. It was a smooth dive. Jaejoong held tightly until he felt his bottom touch the rough tiles upon the roof. Shakily, he pulled back his arms and stared up at Junno. “Why?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion. “Why are you saving me?”
That sad smile ripped Jaejoong’s heart to shreds. “I hate this fighting,” he replied softly. “If all of us had such strength in the first place, maybe we should have killed our superiors instead of each other. Losing all my friends like this…its just wrong.”
Jaejoong lowered his head in shame. He felt exactly the same way. “I should have talked them out of this…” he whispered, heart and revere broken. “We should have never come here.”
Junno leaned down and brushed away the dirt scattered upon Jaejoong’s cheeks. The Korean mutant stared up at the taller creature with an odd look of gratitude. “You have pretty eyes,” the tall brunette commented softly.
Jaejoong suddenly felt the need to cry, but he held back his remaining tears. “Thank you,” he whispered gratefully. He let his eyes roam across the expanse of grey and blue feathers stretching out from the other’ back. “And you have beautiful wings.”
The sad smile never left his face. “Thank you.”
Down below, within the roaring flames licking throughout the forest, Yunho and Jin were panting heavily. Each bared similar wounds upon their bodies, only Jin had an extra long gash already crusting upon his back - an earlier attack from Yunho when everyone was still alive; when Kame was still alive. Jin’s claws dug into the dirty soil as blood, sweat and tears dripped from his body.
He missed Kame so much.
Yunho lacked the tears; already he has spilled too much. He has lost Junsu and Changmin before his very eyes, and now Jaejoong. Yoochun was nowhere to be found. With a last thread of hope, Yunho prayed for his friend to be safe.
Through the raging smoke and harsh breathing, Yunho demanded, “Where did he take Jaejoong?”
Jin dug his nails deeper into the blood-soaked soil, but did not reply. He would not give satisfaction to those who took his friends and Kame away. Enraged by his silence, Yunho lunged forward, sinking his fangs into an exposed shoulder that Jin had no strength to defend. The redhead let no cry escape his lips and he violently dug his nails into Yunho’s flesh, the torn shirt concealing almost nothing. Fresh wounds stung, but Yunho paid them no heed. He wrestled with Jin as the fire blazed around them. He bit and clawed, slashed and struck every inch of body he saw. Jin returned the attacks with equal force.
There was a sudden crack in the air causing both to look up in alarm. Beneath Yunho, Jin watched as a huge burning branch broke off from the base of the tree trunk and fell downwards in a streak of red. Yunho barely missed the burning object as he lunged away from his prey.
This left Jin wide open to a fatal blow.
“I need to go back down there,” said Junno as he watched the smoke rising into the air and more forest being consumed by red flames. A hand gripping the end of his jacket stopped him.
Jaejoong’s eyes pleaded more than his voice. “Stay,” he begged Junno. “We can wait for them.”
“But they will kill each other!” Junno argued. Jaejoong shook his head firmly.
“They will come back.”
The burning log crashed into the ground, directly upon the spot Jin was laying moments ago. A fierce, stinging grip held his wrist; he felt his own blood trail down his skin. “You,” the redhead breathed as his eyes locked onto Yunho. “You pulled me away…why?!”
“Tell me where Jaejoong is!” the wolverine mutant growled, panic and fear pooling like a vast ocean within his dark eyes. “I need to know he’s safe, now tell me!”
Shock crossed Jin’s face. He stared at this mutant - the one who killed half his friends - and felt nothing but confusion. Quickly, he yanked his wrist free and crouched carefully before the other, letting his eyes process the expression on his enemy’s face.
Yunho was on the brink of insanity. “Tell me!” he howled.
The crackling fire burned all around them. More and more tree limbs fell as the forest was consumed by the flames. The fury of loss Jin felt was slowly being replacing by fear of his life.
Suddenly, Jin wanted to live. Not only that, but he wanted his so-called enemy to live as well. He locked eyes with Yunho and snapped, “Follow me” before taking off into the fiery abyss. Yunho followed, using his remaining strength to propel him around the burning trees. Side by side they made their escape out of the dying forest.
Another crack and another tree limb fell. Yunho had no time to warn the other as the burning branch smashed into Jin’s back, pinning the mutant to the charred ground. Yunho skidded to a halt and headed back to free him. The smoke burned his lungs, but still he found the redhead.
Those glazed eyes spoke everything.
Jin was dead.
The guilt mixed with the sadness tore at Yunho’s heart. Another burning branch landed in front of him, causing him to jump back in surprise. Feeling the last of his tears leave his eyes, Yunho turned and escaped the wrath of the dying forest, collapsing upon the safest, coolest ground as his beaten body gave in.
A familiar gust of wind blew against his heated skin. Yunho relished against the touch.
“Yunho!”
But Jaejoong’s delicate fingers were all the touch he desired. Yunho opened his eyes just as his lover pulled away from Junno’s grasp and knelt beside his exhausted body. Those obsidian eyes were his heaven.
Finally, after years of torment and pain, they were to be free.
Yunho whispered Jaejoong’s name before darkness engulfed him.
End a/n: so this ending can have a different meaning for everyone. It is your choice if Yunho survived or not. I find this ficlet of mine completely random. Hope everyone enjoyed! Comments are like valuable hockey pucks!