I'm back with a new story. I don't know how fast this one will go, but I couldn't help myself.

Disclaimer: I own nothing having to do with either Samurai Deeper Kyo or Samurai Champloo


Kyo stood there perplexed, anger growing by the second. She could fight. She could fight with a blade. He had known she was some half-excuse of a bounty hunter, but when the hell did she learn to fight? Of course the killer of a thousand men didn't let any of this show on his face. No, he just watched as if only mildly interested as Yuya jumped, spun and danced with the other fighter.

Her opponent wasn't half bad himself. Nothing overly special, but he looked like he could send Tora for a run. Or maybe even one of those ninjas Sanada kept around. As ridiculous as the man looked with that puffy hair bouncing around, Kyo had to admit that there was a type of grace in his chaotic fighting style. At first he had been sure the man was barely fighting the girl. After all, she was just a girl, an undeveloped girl with no real charm or skill for battle.

The two zipped past him causing a breeze to blow past. They were staying well enough away from the two parties that stared in wonder at their fight. Beside him Bon and Tora watched. Tora's mouth hung open slightly at this new side of Yuya. Bon stood, arms crossed over his bare chest and a smirk spread across his face. On the other side of the fight a man and woman stood. From the man's appearance he was some type of traveler who fancied himself a wondering samurai. The woman looked more like a giggly girl as she clapped her hands together.

Kyo couldn't shake the feeling that he knew these people from somewhere. He felt a little twitch as the giggly girl clapped again and said, "She's using my tonto!" Someone needed to explain to the girl that having her weapon stolen and used on her traveling companion was not something to be excited about.

Kyo's attention was once again captured by Yuya as she let out a low command, "50-50." Narrowing his eyes, Kyo suddenly understood. Yuya was fighting over money. No wonder she was going all out. Heavens help the person who came between Yuya Shiina and money.

"Not when I do all the work," the fluffy haired man answered. A bright smirk spread across his face as he ducked down, dipping his odd sword lower. Kyo watched as Yuya retreated a step, slipping her hand behind her back. Past experience told Kyo that she was either reaching for her gun or her rope. Either could slow the man down; maybe even stop him, if she was fast enough.

The man speed forward, blade tilted to the other side of Yuya. Kyo knew the strike would miss, and apparently so did Yuya. Instead of dodging the charging fighter, Yuya took a side step and whipped out her rope. With a grace that defined Kyo's expectations, Yuya snapped the rope outward. The rope twisted and curled to wrap around the man's wrist. When Yuya jerked the rope tight the man was pulled back. Recovering with a low roll, the fluffy haired man braced himself and pulled back.

Yuya and the man were stuck in an odd looking tug of war over the rope. Yuya had crouched low to maintain her leverage and the stranger held his arm locked. "I deserve more," the man declared loudly.

"50-50 is fair enough," Yuya answered leaning back to tug on the rope again. Instead of verbally continuing their fight, the man let out a growl and swung his odd sword down, cutting the rope. Yuya went flying back onto her butt, and the man advanced quickly.

Kyo tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword when he saw the man pin Yuya down. The blade of his sword rested over her neck and for an instant Kyo thought he would have to save the worthless woman. Then she surprised him again. Bucking up, Yuya threw the man off her and rolled to sit on top of him. She mimicked his movements and placed her stolen tonto blade at his neck.

Yuya leaned down low next to the man's face. Kyo could see her lips moving and strained to hear what she was whispering in the man's ear. The man's eyes went wide and Yuya leaned back. "Well?" she asked, a smirk covering her face.

In a low growl the man answered, "Fine. 50-50, but you cheated."

Moving the tonto away, Yuya laughed. "No more than you would have." Yuya hopped back to her feet and started dusting off her short pink kimono. The giggly girl rushed up to her, and reclaimed her tonto with a big smile. Yuya returned the smile and looked back down at the man. "Get up out of the dirt and let me introduce you all to the others."

It was then that Tora hurried forward, ready to get to Yuya's side. Bon elbowed Kyo's arm and shot him a grin before following after the young man. Kyo was the last to join them and he eyed them all suspiciously.

"Kyo, Tora, Bon, these are some old friends of mine. This is Jin and Fuu and the dirty one is Mugen. Guys, these are my traveling companions, Tora, Bon and Kyo." Yuya introduced them all and again, Kyo felt he had seen this group before, but couldn't remember from where. The way the dark haired one, Jin, was looking at him, made Kyo wonder if the man had seen him somewhere before too.

Suddenly Yuya was by his side, smiling up at him with her normal carefree smile. "Kyo, we're all heading to the same village. How about we travel together? We might find out more about what you're looking for."

Kyo knew that smile. Yuya wouldn't fight like that unless she had something to gain, which meant she had something planned. Silently grinding his teeth, the samurai gave a sharp nod and resumed walking down the worn road. Let her have her scheme. As long as it didn't get in his way, Kyo really couldn't care less. Behind him he knew the two groups were merging, Yuya chatting happily with the giggly girl and the two new men following along behind. As a high pitched laugh sounded out, Kyo narrowed his eyes. There had better be a brothel in the next village. A damn good one with great sake.