Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Champloo

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"Naoko-san, I'm so sorry that I'm late," Fuu said apologetically. She was normally very punctual, but the tea house had been so busy lately that the owners had shortened her lunch, and an hour was just not long enough for Fuu to run her weekly errands. She probably could have been faster, but the market always seemed to put Fuu into a dreamy haze where time had little meaning.

"It's ok Fuu. We haven't been too busy. Some guy got really drunk and he is harassing everyone who comes near here, so no one is coming in. I've been hiding back here ever since he pinched my butt."

Poor Naoko, blushed just talking about it.

"What a pig!" Fuu said, balling her fist and biting her lip. "Sometimes I wish this town did have brothels, then those horney jerks might leave classy girls like us alone. He's lucky that Itsuki is out of town, or that guy would really regret bothering you!"

Naoko blushed at the mention of her fiancé and both of the girls giggled.

Actually, a little over a year ago, when Fuu had wondered in on this town and learned that it had a law against prostitution, she'd figured that it would be the perfect place to settle down. It was especially appealing since she had pretty bad luck when it came to getting kidnapped and locked in brothels.

Fuu couldn't help it if she was really cute and she decided that since she also must also have an irresistible way about her, which made her vulnerable to kidnappings, it was best to avoid getting anywhere near brothels. Just the other day some old guy had noticed her looking at a beautiful obi in the market.

"My dear, that obo would be very beautiful on you. I would be happy to purchase it for you if. . ." Then the dirty old man had lowered his voice and suggested some stuff that made Fuu feel embarrassed just remembering. Eww!

She was still pondering her troublesome cuteness when Naoko's mother, Chie, walked in, "I'm sorry to do this to you girls; I know that you're hiding from that obnoxious man but he just cut someone's toe off, and I could use some help cleaning up." Seeing the annoyed look on the Fuu's face and the nauseous one on Naoko's, she continued "Umm, Fuu, if you wouldn't mind; don't worry, the one man went ran out of here, and the other is so drunk that he fell asleep."

"I didn't hear any shouting?" Fuu said confused.

"It was pretty fast. One minute the man was bragging about a fight he'd won a few days ago, and the next minute the other man had sliced off his little toe. The poor man was trying so hard not to cry; he ran out without even paying!" She gave Fuu a motherly look, "This is why it is best to show humility."

Fuu blushed and pulled together the front of her kimono. She knew that the older woman was referring to the increased amount of attention she'd been getting from men. Fuu was well aware of her changing figure and really needed to get a larger kimono since the one that had always been a little baggy on her was starting to become. . . a little revealing in some places.

Fuu lugged the bucket of water to the bar and when she set it down she got a good look at the man on the bar stool. He was definitely asleep. His mouth was open and he was drooling on the bar. Fuu scrunched up her face and narrowed her eyes. His messy hair and red jacket were unmistakable. She watched as one of his geta fell off and clanked to the floor; the other hung loosely from his foot.

"MUGEN!" Fuu said, startling him awake. "You jerk! Why are you causing so much trouble?"

Mugen looked at her, annoyed, "Hey why are you yelling at me? And why aren't there any brothels in this damn town!?"

Mugen put his head back down on the bar.

Did he really not recognize her?

Fuu walked over and smacked his head. She would have smacked him harder, but she was actually very happy to see the scruffy pirate.

Mugen rubbed the back of his head, "Stupid bitches think they can do what ever they want in this town!"

At that, Fuu took off her sandal and smacked him again. Harder. "Hey, you jerk, don't you remember me?"

"Uhhh. . . There are no brothels in this shit hole. . . So unless you're from that town about two days to the east of here. . .No!"

Mugen smiled, now that was a town that knew how to treat its visitors! He was still thinking about all of the brothels in the last town when the stupid girl kicked his shin.

"What the hell?!" Mugen wasn't normally into hitting women, but this one was really asking for it.

"Are you saying that you really don't remember me?!" Fuu was convinced that Mugen was just trying to make her mad. It would be just like him to show up after not seeing each other for so long and pretend that he didn't even know her! She kicked him again.

This time Mugen smiled. Maybe the feisty girl was flirting with him. He might get laid after all. "I'd remember tits like those he said raising an eyebrow."

"I'm Fuu, you jerk!!!"

"Fuu doesn't have any tits." Mugen laughed. . . and laughed as Fuu got madder and madder.

"She's sooo flat that you could make dumplings on her chest!." Mugen laughed some more at his joke.

"You could serve tea on it!" He was laughing so hard that his eyes were tearing "You could. . .Oww!"

Fuu hit him on the back of the head with her sandal and started to hit him again; this time in the face, but he grabbed her wrist and stood up, pining her against the bar.

"Something tells me that you're trying to get my attention." And before Fuu could react Mugen was ramming his tongue down her throat!"

"FUU?!"

Mugen quickly let go of the girl who stumbled at the sudden release of his grip.

It was Chie, who looked shocked and was staring at the very embarrassed Fuu.

Mugen was shocked too, but he was very drunk, so instead of caring that he'd just assaulted poor Fuu he stood confused and wondering how he'd not realized it was her.

He looked at Fuu nonchalantly, "Of course I knew it was you as soon as I kissed you. . .Worst kiss I ever had." He shook his heard and frowned as though he was telling the sad truth.

"I am a great Kisser!"

This time her sandal met its target.

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I plan to add more chapters soon. This one doesn't go too far into the story, but it seemed like a good stopping point.

-I feel like such a loser; I've already had to revise to fix typos!