A/N: This was briefly written in about fifteen minutes, a year ago. I just felt like revising it a bit. Still mostly dialogue. Enjoy!
A Simple Request
The trio survived another exhausting week of travel, alive and fraught with the all too familiar near-death experiences. It was time for rest. Another night at a random inn would probably do them a little good. Jin, however, could probably use a lot more peace and quiet. To him, listening to Mugen and Fuu's bustling outside was just as annoying as being chased by some armed samurai on any other chaotic day.
"Can you just give this to Jin for me please?" Fuu pleaded.
"What is it?" The scruffy haired criminal inquired as he studied the weird object in Fuu's grasp. It sure smelt good.
"It's a Christmas present."
"Well do I get one?"
"No."
Mugen frowned.
"What? Four-eyes gets one, but I don't?"
"You really expect me to give you something?" It was rhetorical.
Mugen's eyes met with Fuu's. They held their gaze for a while. Something about Mugen's eyes seemed so concentrated and fierce, but vulnerable and confused at the same time. It was complicated. Fuu just had to look away.
"I mean, seriously, Mugen. I can create a whole list of why you don't deserve one," Fuu taunted. Mugen remained skeptical of course. He snorted.
"I dare you," He challenged. Fuu pierced him with another glare or two.
"Ha! That would take too long. To sum it all up, though, Jin is a gentleman and you're just..."
Just what? A no-gooder bandit with no manners and no feelings? This girl doesn't know crap!
Fuu, the young and fragile girl who always needed to be protected, could never know how her words, even if left unspoken, really affected the man before him. She would never know because he would never let her.
"Heh, you know one day you're really going to get--" He threatened her with his fist. She took hold of it. Her grip against his fist probably lasted only a second before he settled his arm back down.
"Mugen, please! You're acting like a baby. Just deliver it already."
Her voice might've been too harsh then. Fuu caught that look on his face again. The rare, hard-to-catch look in his eyes that revealed he was slightly hurt. He replaced it with another scowl soon after. She sighed, feeling defeated.
"I'm sure I'll find something special for you later."
But he had to come second? Mugen much rather preferred not getting anything than coming in second.
"Who said I wanted one?" he spat, "Well then, it's your present. Why don't you give it to Jin?"
"Mugen, it's right next door! You would've been done with it by now!"
"Well then if it's right next door, why don't you go?"
"Because! He could be naked for all I know!"
Mugen smirked.
"So that's what you fantasize about in your spare time, Fuu?"
"What?! Don't get the wrong idea!!" The girl pouted, turning her head away as her cheeks flushed, nearly piercing the delicate gift into his chest.
"Whatever you say."
"Please, just give this to him, for crying out loud." She fumed for the last time. Her brows furrowed and her pink lips grew smaller. Mugen couldn't help but love that shade of embarrassed red on her cheeks.
"Fine. But only because—" He hesitated.
"Because what?"
Because you look cute when you're angry.
"Because—You start to look scary when you get angry." He says finally, poorly imitating her glowering face as he reached for the gift.
"You're such a jerk sometimes. Good night, Mugen."
"'Night, girlie."