I really had a lot of fun writing my other Samurai Champloo fic, so I figured, why not another? Plus you guys seemed to like it! ;)
At first I thought maybe I'd make another one-shot, but I think this one is going to be a little too long. So it'll probably just be a few chapters.
Unfortunately, I don't own Samurai Champloo, because if I did...Mugen would do nothing but smirk and call Fuu a stupid broad. And I would laugh all day long watching it.
And of course, don't forget to review!
Much to Fuu's dismay, a ray of sunlight broke through her rice paper windows, washing her face in it's warm glow.
"Ughh just a few more minutes..." But Momo had other ideas. The little flying squirrel began squeaking it's little head off, racing around Fuu's futon.
"Oh Momo, you're no fun! You never let me sleep in and miss work. I guess you're the responsible one, huh?" Fuu's eyes opened one after the other and she showed her gratitude by scratching her furry little friend behind it's ears.
After she had left Mugen and Jin, Fuu had come across a little town and found some work at a teahouse. It was as if nothing had changed at all; if her memories weren't so clear she might've thought it was all a dream. She found herself thinking of her companions often, but how couldn't she? She had little else to think about.
"The past is the past and I should get used to the way my life is now. But, oh, it's so boooring! And so lonely...maybe fate gave up on all of us, Momo." Unfortunately, Fuu couldn't daydream forever, she had work to do! So she rolled unceremoniously out of bed and plopped down on the floor. After a nice stretch she got dressed in her usual pink kimono. Now that she didn't live with two men she didn't have to wear her stupid nighttime kimono. Oh no, it was commando for Fuu nowadays. Freedom from two perverts had it's perks. Well, not that she really thought that Jin was a pervert, not intentionally anyways. But he was a man, and she was sure her feminine wiles might've put him over the edge. Mugen on the other hand...she wouldn't have put herself in that position. She didn't even want to think what would've happened...so why was she?
Shaking her head to stop her offending thoughts, she walked out of her small hut, grabbing and slipping on her sandals on the way out.
The brisk fall air hit her like one of Mugen's geta to some bastard's face. How could it get cool this fast? And why the heck was she thinking of Mugen at a time like this? As she rushed to the teahouse she couldn't help her thoughts drifting back to their journey together. At least now she wasn't always worrying about money. Since she left them she had posed for a few more ukiyo-e prints, (this time not getting kidnapped of course). It was easy money, although it was a little embarassing. It had been a few months now and puberty had hit Fuu like a ton of bricks. All that "clothes make me look leaner" talk was definitely a lie back then. But now, her kimono was getting a little tight in all the places Mugen had made fun of her for being loose before.
"Hmph, that idiot didn't know what he was missing." This little comment made her strut just the smallest bit. Hey, now she was a vixen that even someone the likes of Mugen would drool over.
She raced through the door of the teahouse, rubbing her arms to get herself warm.
"Good morning Fuu!" Fuu couldn't help but smile. The old woman whose teahouse she worked at was such a sweetheart. She had lost her own daughter while she was still an infant, so she treated Fuu as if she were her own. Fuu sure was lucky finding such a friendly and kind woman to work for, they sure seemed to be few and far between.
Rolling up her sleeves and walking into the kitchen, Fuu put on a determined look and said, "Just tell me where to start Kohana-san!"
By the already full tables, Fuu could tell it was going to be a long day.
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Cough. Sputter. Groan.
Yeah, Mugen did not have same luck as Fuu. His reflexes were a little shot from hunger and lack of sleep. He had been walking for what seemed like months and catching a cold to boot. Ever since he had left Jin and Fuu at the crossroads, things had been going downhill. No matter where he went work was impossible to find, and without work he had no ryo, and with no ryo...he was slowly starving to death. Before he had met those two pains in the ass he would've just broken in somewhere, stolen some old lady's money. But along that journey to find the Sunflower Samurai, Mugen had found his conscience. Mostly he blamed it on Fuu; after all she was the kind-hearted and innocent one. What was his life worth now anyway? He had nowhere to go, no goals, no friends to share his time with. As a matter of fact, the only two people he had really given a shit about in his entire life had left him behind. Of course Mugen was just as guilty, but he wasn't the kind to blame himself, even if he had found that worthless thing some people call a conscience.
"Oi...lights!"
Not far in the distance Mugen had spotted the signature yellow glow of paper lanterns. If he could only make his legs work a little longer...
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Fuu stifled a yawn with the back of her hand and made her way to her little hut at the edge of the village, her tired little feet dragging in the dirt.
"I can't wait to get under my covers and sleep in tomorrow. It was so nice of Kohana-san to give me a day off." Despite her aching body, Fuu smiled. Sleep always made Fuu smile. Oh, and of course, a good meal too.
Just thinking about her pillow gave her a nice burst of energy and she ran the rest of the way to her house. She slid open the door and Momo greeted her with a squeak.
"Ah, Momo, I missed you!" Snatching the cute little ball of fluff up in her hands, she used her foot to close the door behind her. A quiet grumble sounded from the region of Fuu's tummy.
"I don't think I've ever said this in my entire life, but I'm too tired to eat. It's bedtime!" Her geta lay forgotten by the door and the padding of her bare feet were the only sound before the thump her body made when it landed on the futon. Soft, sweet-smelling sheets awaited her and in her last seconds of conciousness she threw off her kimono and took down her hair. Momo snuggled against her cheek and her loud snores echoed against the thin walls.
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Even his fingernails and hair seemed to be aching now. But he had finally reached the village and that was all that mattered. He knocked quietly on the first house he found and when there was no answer he slowly slid open the door. One step, two steps, three steps, and he was in.
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Fuu's eyelids snapped open abruptly. She was sure she had just heard something like the scrape of the door opening, or even the faintest sound of geta on her floor. Momo was breathing heavily; obviously still asleep. Maybe she had just imagined it? But as soon as she laid her head back down she heard it again. This time she was sure someone was there. That was definitely the distinct click of her door latch. Back in the days before she had met Mugen and Jin she might've screamed or ran; but this new Fuu was not as timid as she had been. If there really was some disgusting burglar, (or worse, a RAPIST), in her house right now, he was in for it. Stealthily, she slipped out of bed and grabbed her trusty tanto. 'Strike fast, just like Mugen or Jin.' At this point Fuu was so full of adrenaline the prospect of decency didn't even cross her mind. Crouching low to the floor, she made her way out of her room and sized up the crazy person leaning against her wall. Dark hooded eyes peered out from familiar looking bushy brows. The man's eyes looked so menacing and a shiver ran down her back. Fuu sprang up quickly and unsheathed her tanto. "WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
She realized all too quickly that this wasn't some unknown burglar at all; it was Mugen. He wasn't just leaning on the wall, he was supporting himself on it. The look in his eyes she had mistook for something fearsome and cruel was actually a look that was screaming for aid, help, anything. "Fuu...?", Mugen whispered harshly before he took one stumbling step towards her and slumped to the floor. Panic set into Fuu quickly. Fearless, strong, and tough Mugen was laying in a heap on her floor. What in Edo was she supposed to do?