Johnathon James Lionel, known as JJ to his friends and Dark Star to his enemies, searched the woods where he found Taris and Jubilee for the escaped Jin Tago. Jade had told him that Jubilee didn't need to be forced to kill a person who used to be her friend, it would mentally scar her she said. JJ snorted. Surely a girl who's fought just about every enemy the X-Men has can kill a person who murdered her lover. He had told her this, but she didn't listen. Oh nooooo, precious Jubilee needs somebody else to do her dirty work, just like every other imbecile on this planet. But hey! I didn't become a mercenary to complain about work.
Mentally scanning the surounding area again he caught a passing thought. Escape. Was the single word and thought of the green haired boy he was after. Tracing him, JJ realized he was close. Reaching into his black cloak he pulled out a knife. The same knife he used on every murderer he had killed. Creeping slowly through the trees he followed the running trail of the escapee. Finding out that the boy was close to the end of Xavier's property, JJ began to run, he needed to catch up to him before he reached the street where there might be witnesses.
Seeing the boy JJ ran faster and then jumped, knife in his hand, ready for the kill. Landing on top of Jin he stabbed him in the back. Through the heart and out the front into the ground. He held it there for a few momments until he caught his breath. Pulling the knife free he wiped the blood on the white eyed boy's shirt. JJ placed his knife back into his cloak and rose from the ground. Grabbing the dead boy by the shirt, he yanked him up and threw him over his shoulder. About time I got the ugly brat! Some kids are just not worth the chase, he didn't even put up a fight! Oh well, I guess there's always another time, now to get back to the mansion. JJ sighed and began his long trek back.
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Jubilee sat in Taris' arms in the briefing room after Scott had called an immediate meeting. Seeing the tall man rise to speak the X-Men started to quiet down. Remy was still talking with Rogue, but the southern woman hushed him when Scott sent them a reproving look.
"X-Men, I've gathered you here at this time of the night for one reason." The X-Men sat in silence as their fearless leader spoke. "Jin Tago, the Soul Reaper, has been captured and killed." Storm and Shadow Cat gasped, while the other X-Men sat unresponsive.
"Who?" Was Jubilee's question. Even though it was only one word Scott understood.
"Dark Star." Everyone except for Scott, Jade, and Jean looked confused. "JJ." He said to make them understand. Jubilee looked at JJ who was sitting in the corner couch with Jade perched next to him. His emerald colored eyes returned her look, his gaze never wavering. Finally she turned away unable to look at him anymore. "Jin's funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10. I know you're all hesitant to go, but even though he was a murderer, he was also an X-Man. Be there."
The people gathered nodded silently, their eyes grave and hearts heavy. They stood and left the room group by group. Jubilee, not wanting to be left alone followed Taris to his room. Upon arriving he looked at her with his blue eyes.
"Can I stay with you tonight Taris?" She whispered. Sensing her need for closeness, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"Of course."
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Jubilee woke up the next morning alone in Taris' bed. His spot was still warm so she assumed he had only recently gotten up. Hearing the shower running she realized where he was. Stretching she yawned wide. She had never wanted Jin to die, she just wanted him to stop hurting her friends, but he kept on trying to get to her. She couldn't help but feel slightly responsible for his failure to remain sane, maybe if she had tried harder she could've showed him a different path. Maybe she could've saved him from murder. But in her heart she knew it wasn't her fault.
Hearing the shower shut off Jubilee sat up in Taris' bed, looking towards the bathroom door where Taris would exit. When the door opened Taris entered his room fully clothed, his eyes never leaving hers. He gave her a smile as she came up to him and hugged him.
"Thanks for letting me stay with you." Jubilee gazed into Taris' blue eyes that reminded her of the lake where the X-Men usually held picnics.
"You know I'd do anything for you." Taris smiled at her. "How're you holding up?"
"Okay I guess, I'm just glad it's all over." He nodded in agreement.
"Me too." Jubilee sighed. "I'm also thankful that neither of us had to end the quarrel." The young Asian girl looked up at him questioningly.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, killing has never been one of my favorite things to do even though you'd figure my dad would pass on the blood lust, and I didn't want your innocence to be spoiled by murder either." Jubilee snorted at his answer.
"Innocence? Me?" She laughed heartily while Taris smirked.
"Unless you've been a bad girl," He raised his eyebrows multiple times rapidly. "I'd think you were innocent."
"Hey!" Jubilee exclaimed, indignant. "I am not a bad girl! I'm just... rotten." She gave him a sly smile and they shared a laugh.
"Well, I guess we better get ready for the funeral." Their expressions sobered.
"Yeah, I guess."
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Bobby stood before Jin's grave expressionless. The boy had hurt the X-Men greatly, made them feel like failures, killed Taris, and hurt Jubilee. Ororo had told him to forgive the boy, but after what he had done, he wasn't feeling very forgiving. He stood there staring off into the distance as Kurt, the resident priest, gave Jin's body up to God, and asked him to forgive the boy's sins. Even after the ceremony was over and the people started to leave to go back to business, he continued to stand there unforgiving.
Years of being an X-Man had hardened Bobby's heart. It had become so hard to forgive a person who had done so much damage, but yet he was still told to forgive and forget. Impossible. He did not turn as Logan came to stand next to him. They stood together in companionable silence for several long minutes. Not a word was spoken as they both agreed to leave, already having their jackets on from the cold temperatures of fall, they left to find a bar to drink away their sorrows.
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Jade watched in silence from the doorway to Taris' room as he and Jubilee embraced. They're such a cute couple. She let them hold eachother for a long time before she started to get uncomfortable. Her brother sensed her presence and turned to where she was standing.
"Yes?" He asked, a simple question that would hurt him with the answer. Probably.
"I got a message from Mom and Dad this morning." At her answer Taris was at attention while Jubilee stood quietly in his embrace, curious as to what was going on. Poor Taris, poor Jubilee. "They want us to come home." Her brother stiffened while Jubilee just furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Why?" Jade was begining to hate being a teenager.
"Because Mom feels it's unsafe for us to remain here with you dying once, and Dad thinks it would be a good idea if we went to a regular school for a while."
"This dosn't seem to terribly bad... unless you guys live far away..." Jubilee left her sentence hanging because she was not sure where they lived.
"We live in Canada Jubes." Taris answered to her unspoken question. The black haired Asian's brown eyes welled up with tears.
"That means you'd have to go and leave and you'd be so far and..." She continued to ramble on in uninteligible sentences.
"What about you Jade, are you going back to Canada?" At Taris' question Jade shrugged.
"I'm not sure, I might go there for a while, but it really depends on JJ." Jade was unsure of what she was going to do. Life is so tragic with us, but we're just too young to have to deal with this stuff. "Listen, I'm gonna go and see what JJ thinks, I'll leave you two to your good byes."
"Wait, when are they coming to pick us up?" Jade turned back around from her direction to the door at Taris' question.
"Around 1." Glancing at the clock she realized they had several hours for their good byes. Life is so unfair. Exiting Taris' room Jade made her way to one of the many guest rooms where she and JJ were staying. Upon entering the room she was staying in she saw JJ standing by the window. His black hair was a jumbled mess as always, green eyes intently staring out the window, his posture was that of a tired man.
"Time to leave again huh?" Came his deep voice. Wow, I didn't even feel him in my mind that time, he's getting good.
"Yeah, reading my mind again?" Jade stared into his green eyes as he turned to her.
"I don't always have to read your mind to find out what you're thinking, I've known you long enough to just feel your emotions." He replied. Figures.
"I really don't want to go." JJ pulled her into his arms. Jade rested her head against his chest willingly, it wasn't always that he cuddled with her, they were usually too busy.
"I know, but somethings you can't help. But don't worry, we'll come back one day." Jade's eyes began to well up with tears at his answer.
"It's always one day though, never tomorrow or even home to stay, it's always one day." Jade felt like a spoiled child, and she knew she was acting like one. Feeling JJ run his hands through her red hair made her relax a bit, it always did.
"It's okay though Jade, I'm not going to keep you away from your home forever, even though you know it's in my power." Jade smiled at JJ's smirk.
"Yeah, but you're too much of a softy." He chuckled deeply at her answer.
"What can I say, I've gone soft." He lowered his head to hers. "And it's all your fault." Jade gave a small smile before JJ's lips touched her own. The kiss was short, but much needed.
"Yup, it is my fault, but what would you do without me?" Jade smiled innocently.
"Probably go insane."
"I don't know, you seem to already be there." Laughing together they continued to embrace, togetherness always seemed to strengthen them.
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Taris stood next to his sister Jade at the basket ball court as his father's private jet landed. It touched down with a soft thump and the exit platform lowered. Seeing his mother and father's figures standing at the top he waved. His mother exited first, her red hair waved side to side with every step she took. She exuded calmness and her beauty outshown most women by a long shot. His mother, the retired royal advisor to the Shi'Aki throne. His father came down next, his blue eyes were sharp, darting from person to person, the people in the crowd fidgeted at his sight. His bulky figure seemed to take up all the empty space in the area, almost too much.
"Hello children." Taris looked back at his mother as she greeted them. A smile spread across his lips. How he loved his mother.
"Hello Mother." The two teenagers said in unison. Jade stood there a moment before flinging herself into her mother's waiting arms. The two women hugged eachother like they were their life lines.
"Oh Mom, I missed you soooo much!" Taris heard Jade say. Women.
"Ain't ya gonna greet yer dad Taris?" A smirk spread across his face as his dad made his presence known.
"Naw, I'm gonna stand here and pretend I don't see him." Sabretooth cocked an eyebrow at Taris' answer, but then smirked.
"O'course." Taris looked to his father before walking over and shaking his hand.
"Glad to see you too Dad." The two men shook hands like business partners, the only indication that they were happy to see eachother were the smiles on their faces and the looks in their eyes.
"Daddy!" Jade squealed as she hugged her father next. "Oh gosh, I missed you!" The huge man hugged his daughter back.
"Yeah yeah yeah." Sabretooth said, feining boredom. His wife smacked him lightly on the arm and he smirked at her.
"You could at least try to act more welcoming." Dezra Creed remarked.
"But then, where would be the fun in it?" A large smile encompassed his wife's face at his answer.
"Of course."
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Jubilee stood on the side lines at the family's greetings. Her heart hurt at the realization that she might not see Taris for a long time. Why does he have to live in Canada? She complained to herself mentally. JJ, who was standing next to her, sent her a look that told her he was listening to her thoughts.
"You know the reasons Jubilee, and you also know this is hard on Taris too, so try to at least be a little more forgiving." Jubilee scowled at his answer.
"Just 'cause I know the facts dosn't mean I have to like them!" She yelled back to him through his mind. JJ winced then shut down their mental link. She nodded in satisfaction. She was not a happy girl, so why try to be polite. Or forgiving for that matter! She watched the scene for a few moments more before leaving, her heart could only take so much in a single day.
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(A/N) Okay okay, I tried to make this the last chapter but I am having a momentary writer's block. I will try to write some more tonight, but right now I have some stuff to do. So read the chapter, enjoy it, review, don't flame me! Ight, l8r! -Sabeybaby
