Something's Different
Disclaimer – I don't own Samurai Champloo…so don't sue me.
Author's Note: This story takes place during their search for "the samurai who smells of sunflowers" or aka the Sunflower Samurai. I know exactly what happens in the anime series, but I'm not following any of those events, I'm making up my own. So please continue to enjoy. I'm only doing this because of a review I had to continue, though I think it's better if I just do this (redo the whole story). I promise it's better than the last!
Chapter One: Leave Me Alone
Rain poured down all around the motel room, and Fuu listened to it as it softly hit the roof. She wiped at her face, feeling the softness of her kimono as it slid across her skin. She hoped that no one would realize that she had been crying, though she knew her face was probably pink and puffy, and her eyes were probably red. She glanced once at the door, which she had previously locked, and sighed softly. She knew that at any moment Mugen would be back and want in, but she wanted him out. From the beginning she had told herself to not get wrapped up in any unwanted feelings, and now it seemed that she had. If her search was already causing her grief, she didn't need any more from Mugen and his harsh words and un-open heart.
A knock sounded on the door, at first soft but then became louder and more demanding. She recovered from her flinching due to the first knock, but continued to sit on the edge of the small mat by the window, clutching to her kimono with her right hand, gently running the fingers of her left against the wooden wall.
"Fuu," Mugen's voice said, somewhat gentle, "Open the damn door."
She shook her head but said nothing, didn't budge, didn't want to. If she knew one thing about Mugen, it was that he was scarcely gentle.
"No, Mugen," she whispered, "Just go away."
She heard the click-clacking of his metal geta on the ground outside, and then his fist pounded against the door. "Damn it, Fuu. Why do you have to go and make every single thing so fucking difficult? This is my room too, so let me in."
"Just…just leave me alone, Mugen."
She heard him sigh and then there was a pause when nothing seemed to sound.
"What the hell did I do this time?" he finally asked. "I never guessed you'd get so fucking mad you'd lock me and four-eyes out of the room."
"Jin has nothing to do with this," she said softly. It was true, she had locked them out because she had wanted to be alone, but she couldn't possible answer Mugen's question. Sure, he had done plenty wrong before, but now he was just being himself. She was the one who had done something wrong. It wasn't exactly his fault that she knew she shouldn't be in love with him.
"What did I do?" Mugen growled from outside the door.
"I don't…I can't tell you what you did, Mugen," she whispered. She stood from where she was sitting and walked over to the door, taking the knob in her trembling fingers. She turned it and opened the door, avoided Mugen's eyes, and walked past him.
"You can go in," she said, "But I'm leaving."