Blood, Bones, and Redemption

"Jimmy." That single word had a meaning. It was his name. The first time that Victor had called him that was when their father had been murdered – by Logan himself, who had awakened his mutation for the first time at ten years old. Victor had been fifteen at that time, and been hiding his mutation for years. He was strong, stronger than Logan had been when he was ten years old. "We're brothers, Jimmy. And brothers protect each other." Victor had used the nickname as a term of endearment, something no one else did. His older brother had failed in that respect. He had deceived and wounded Logan many times over, and according to Akira, he had also murdered his son's family. It hurt to even look at Victor right now. His hair was now cut short again, and no longer unkempt and unruly with long bangs framing his face. It was a shade darker compared to when Logan had last fought him, back when he couldn't remember his past and that he was fighting his own brother. This is the Victor I remember, Logan thought as his older brother remained motionless. Despite himself, he smirked. Not the Neanderthal animal who couldn't speak.

"Hello, Sabertooth." Satisfaction warmed Logan throughout his body as his brother growled at him. Akira remained silent, although Logan could see that his son was struggling to maintain his mutation at bay.

"Do you remember everything now?" Victor asked. His face was now expressionless.

"I remember everything, Victor." Now Logan used his brother's name. He met Victor's green eyes. "I remember all the people you've murdered, including my girlfriend."

"I didn't murder her!" Victor hissed. Suddenly the year was 1979 again and Logan was running as fast as he could to save his girlfriend, Kayla. "We conspired against you!"

"Kayla did those unspeakable things to save her flesh and blood!" Logan's adamantium claws were now out, mirroring the moonlight above them. Night stars covered the sky. "Which is more than you ever did!"

Logan saw his brother tense. His long claws were clicking against each other, a habit he had since Logan's earliest days with him. Now his eyes crinkled in rage.

"You killed my family."

Akira stood beside his father, struggling to focus. Logan could see that rage was overcoming his thoughts, and sometime soon he would see only red. His claws too were out; the bone claws were gleaming white, hungry for blood and bone.

"Yes, I did kill your family." Victor remained motionless where he was. The only flicker of emotion was that he blinked.

"Why?" Akira's eyes were sharp with pain. Logan remained where he was, remembering when he asked the same question to his brother years ago.

"I did it for your father, boy." Somehow this seemed to subdue Victor. His eyes did not burn with rage and a smug expression was not on his face. Logan however was shocked at his brother's response. He wanted to say, What the hell do you mean, you piece of shit? But he remained silent. "Jimmy was so sad after he came back from Japan. I didn't recognize him, and it was as if he didn't want to live anymore." Victor's lighter eyes met Akira's dark ones. "I had to save my little brother, knowing that his only son was alive. I almost succeeded," Victor growled and clenched his hand into a fist. Blood ran from the wound. "He was a lot like you, Jimmy." Now his brother spoke to him. Something other than desperation clouded his gaze. "But he was too much like you. Too wild, too thirsty for blood, and too untamed. I left, hoping to never see him again."

"You killed my family." Akira's voice was choked with emotion. "Wakari…masen." I don't understand. Logan didn't bother to translate.

"This is your family." A small smile was on Victor's face. "Your family is here, comprised of mutants known as Wolverine and Sabertooth." Then his expression darkened. "I was doing you a favor. Your so-called family would have slaughtered you the moment they found out about your mutation. They were humans. Your mother was a human. You two should be glad she is dead."

Now rage enveloped Logan. Itsu's bloody and torn body echoed in his mind. He remembered her smile, her small bubbles of laughter, and her touches that calmed the animal inside him. She was more than human. She loved me as I was! Logan growled deep inside his chest. He almost missed Victor's words.

"You are our family, Daken."

Logan saw his son stiffen. Then he raised his arms in front of him. "Boku wa Akirra." I am Akira. Blood flowed to Logan's head. "Shine!" Die! Then Akira and Logan charged.

Logan and Akira ran together, never a step apart. It was as if they were part of one body. The moon and stars above them disappeared. Victor was their sole focus. Akira suddenly ran ahead of Logan, his claws now above his head. He was aiming for Victor's eyes, Logan could see. Then Victor fluidly evaded Akira's attack, although Akira did manage to cut him slightly above the eyebrow. His healing factor gave in and the cut disappeared.

Victor laughed at Akira's stunned expression. His eyes locked with Logan's. "Tell me something, Jimmy. How exactly does your son plan to kill me?"

"He's going to cut your goddamned head off," Logan replied as Akira charged again. "See if that works."

Logan remained on Akira's side as they tried to bring Victor down. Itsu's voice suddenly whispered in his ear. "Look your enemy in the eye. Then you can see what they're thinking, their weakness." I hear you now, Itsu. Suddenly the training lessons with the samurai sword came rushing back, and his claws were a part of him, part of the sword. Beside Logan, he saw that his son was making the exact same motions. Victor evaded every attack that they made, no matter how fast or strong they were.

The three mutants were fighting on the Statue of Liberty's crown now. Logan and Akira dodged and attacked, never stopping and never backing down. Suddenly Akira held out his leg in front of him and Victor stumbled. Logan took his chance and fell on top of his brother so he couldn't move. He eased his claws into his chest, making contact with skin, blood, muscle, and bone. Victor didn't say a word or scream. He only looked at his younger brother with contempt in his eyes.

"You're one hundred ninety years old, and you fell for that simple trick?" Logan faintly smirked.

"Do you plan to kill me?" Victor said with a dangerous glint in his eye. Akira crouched down next to him. "Do it." He grinned.

Logan remembered Kayla's words to him. "Logan, you're not an animal." More than a hundred years ago, Itsu had said something similar. "My father and brothers like to kill. It is something that they've always had since they held a wooden sword. You are not them. They are not haunted by the wars they fought or of the people they've killed; you are. You are not an animal." "If I were an animal, I would cut you goddamned head off and say good-riddance," Logan whispered. "Somehow two women that deeply loved told me that I was not an animal." He gritted his teeth. "I would be dishonoring their memory if I became…"

"Me?" Victor guessed. Logan nodded. He could feel Akira watching them closely. "Maybe you will kill me once you hear this." Logan narrowed his eyes as his brother sighed. "I didn't tell you what happened after you ran from our father's body."

"No, you didn't." Logan's breath was in his throat. What was Victor talking about?

"Your mother, Elizabeth, killed herself after what happened." Logan only half-heard what Victor said next. His mind was numb, and he felt as if he wasn't part of his body. My mother….killed herself? "She was horrified that her former lover, our father, killed her husband. She was even more horrified that her only son murdered his father. He was a monster, like him. Your mother decided to end her life." Logan trembled. His hands shook and his mouth became dry as he remembered his mother's last words to him. "What are you?" Loathing and disgust echoed in her voice that day, and Logan had tried his hardest to forget what she had said.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Logan choked.

Victor shrugged. "There was no reason. Besides, you would have killed me as easily as you killed our father. You're still more like him than me a century later."

"I am...nothing like him." Logan pushed his claws further down in his brother's chest.

Victor was unimpressed. "You were, back then. Your emotions controlled you, and moved by instinct. Now I don't know what you are. Your mother's dead, Jimmy. She's been dead for over a hundred years. If she hadn't killed herself, she would still be dead. Let her go."

Logan heard his brother's words, as cold as the water below them. He slid his claws out in disgust and spat at his brother's face. The spittle flowed down his cheek.

"I can't let my mother go." It was Akira who spoke. He crouched down next to Victor, who hadn't moved. His eyes were now clear of rage that had been inside him. "My father loved my mother very much, as she did. She gave life to me. The man in the wheelchair said that my mother hated killing. He said that my mother was not killed by my father. He told me that as I was running away. I didn't believe him then, but I believe him now. You like to kill. I can still see you murdering my family before my eyes, and the way you enjoyed it. Both of my fathers did not enjoy killing. They try to preserve life as much as possible." Logan couldn't see Akira's expression. "Both of my mothers died for me…and I would disgrace my parents' legacy…both of their legacies…by killing you. I cannot kill you." Akira stood up. His eyes were impassive, but Logan could see a small smile growing on his face. Was that his first smile? Then he looked at his father. "Ikitai, ōtosan." I want to go, father. Logan slowly stood beside his son, and nodded. They both left Victor Creed where he was.

Akira and Logan walked to Winchester, New York. During that time, they talked. Mostly, Logan told his son about his mother. Akira told his father about growing up in Japan. Likewise, Logan told his son the happy days about growing up in Canada. He also talked about his gentle father and brother who had been everything to him. "He was my only companion," Logan said as the school for mutants came into view. He didn't stop. "Victor was my blood. That was why I couldn't kill him. The memories were still there. He told me that brothers protect each other. The same goes for family. That's what your mother taught me, Akira." Akira nodded, lost in his thoughts.

"That is why I couldn't kill you," he said. Logan paused and looked at his son. The younger mutant couldn't meet his gaze. "I couldn't kill you because deep down I knew we were blood and nothing could change that." His son's pained dark eyes met his own. "I…inherited your legacy." Logan tenderly put his arms around Akira's shoulders as sobs overtook him. Slowly, the moment of grief passed. And then Logan opened the door to find Rouge standing in front of him.

"Okaeri." Welcome home. Seeing Logan's raised eyebrow, Rouge explained to both of them in English that the Professor had taught her some Japanese expressions while they were away. Logan couldn't help but smile.

"Tadaima." I'm home. He alone did not say the words. Akira too said them. A full smile was on the former angry and lost mutant's face. Something akin to happiness was in his eyes.

His son said those words again. "Tadaima." Tears welled in his eyes again, but Logan and Rouge didn't brush them away. Logan closed the door behind them.