Chapter 1

The sun blared through the window, highlighting a tiny silhouette under a bed cover. It stirred lightly and rolled over to face the wooden door at the other side of the room.

Thud

"Ouch…!" A girl cried from under the cover which fell off the bed with her.

Arms and legs pointed out of the cover trying to break free from the soft captor, until a small head popped out tiredly. She yawned and combed her hair back with her fingers. She stood up and headed out of her room silently to make her way into the bathroom.

Shoving the toothbrush in her mouth, she began to scrub viciously until her gums bled. She cast her eyes downward, inspecting her bloody trails which left patterns in the sink before her. She scoffed.

She had been living in this house for five month now with her mother and step-father. Sure, he tried to be nice to her and show a fatherly affection; but that was only when her mother was there. When they were alone… it was a different story…

Wet lines marked the girls face until she started to rub her eyes furiously. I will not cry! I won't be down! Stay happy Fuu! … Damn it! Stay… happy…

After rubbing she looked into the circular mirror to inspect her face. Staring back at her was a brown haired sixteen year old with puffy red eyes and snail's tracks running over her flushing cheeks. She bent down to replace the toothbrush in its stand and let the water rinse away her blood. After it was rinsed she took some water in her cupped hands and threw it over her face, gently massaging as she rubbed away her sorrows.

She tip toed back into her room, pleading the creaking floorboards would remain silent. It was in vain. As soon as she placed her foot on top of the traitor, it let out a loud moan causing the small clatters in her mother's bedroom to subside. She looked up eyes full of fear and calmed when she saw the gentle face of her mother.

Her appearance was very like Fuus. Her hair was longer and hung more elegantly than the young girls but their eyes were almost identical except for the knowledgeable look her mothers held and the innocence within the teenagers.

"Hey sweetie… you're up early… where are you sneaking off to?" She asked playfully. She gasped and gripped her hands together with a smile. "Are you meeting a boy? What's his name?"

"…mother… I just want to get an early start… that's all…" She lied. In truth she was escaping before he woke up to taunt her or look at her the way he does.

"I see… but when you are meeting a boy I expect you to tell me…" She said grinning. Fuu nodded and returned her mother's warm smile then hastily made her way to her room.

After she changed, rather quickly, she grabbed her bag and hurried out of the house. She made a grab for the handle until…

"Where're you off to in a hurry chick?" a seedy voice sounded behind her. Her body stiffened up and she found she could no longer talk.

Footsteps followed her slowly until she felt hand sliding up her leg and onto her bum. She gasped when the contact was made and when the force pushed her against the front door. Another hand was reaching around her waist to turn her around so she was facing the vile human.

He wore baggy green sweat pants with no shirt, showing his surprisingly toned but hairy chest. She found him disgusting. He was breathing his smelly breathe onto her face and leering at her goods. A year ago she was like a child in the curves department, and she cursed her growth spurt when her breasts and bottom grew into a womanly shape.

His chin had rough stubbles and his sickening lips were smirking at her weakened state and assets. She was thankful that the collision with the door had caused her mothers footsteps to be heard down the corridor.

The man pulled away from her and sat down on the single sofa near the door. She still looked flushed but calmed when her mothers head popped around the corner.

"Oh? I thought I heard you leaving?"

"I… uh… forgot my money…" She said with a shaky voice.

"Are you feeling okay? You don't sound too good?"

"I'm fine." She said with a smile.

"Okay then I'll see you later… Umanosuke will pick you up at 4…" She said retreating back to the kitchen.

"Yeah… see you later honey…" He said with a sickly smile as he glanced at his newspaper.

She threw the door open and ran down the path until she began to breathe harshly. She cowered over and rested her hands on her knees breathing in and out. Her knees began to buckle beneath her so she made it over to the bus stop so she could sit down.

She didn't get the bus to school unless she was late. She enjoyed walking and feeling the burning sensation in her legs made her concentrate on other things or avoid thoughts altogether. She sat there for five minutes collecting her thoughts and then stood up and continued to walk.

0-0

Across the street, the wild vagabond was watching her for no apparent reason. He had bushy wild hair and a rough demeanour, wearing baggy black shorts and a loose red shirt which covered a white vest. His intention hadn't been to stalk the girl; he was simply watching her to kill time until his ride came. He watched her running and shaking then studied her as she sat staring at her knees. She rarely seemed to blink.

A black, topless jeep pulled up beside him and in it, two other rough looking men were grinning at the seventeen year old and honking the horn. Loud rap music was sounding from the open top vehicle attracting attention from all those in ear shot. The man grinned and jumped into the passenger seat of the car.

A man wearing similar shorts to the first was driving the car and wore a blue vest and bandana to match. The other, who sat in the middle seat in the back, wore a green vest top and long black combats. Overall, the first man seemed to hold a certain authority above the other two, as they kept glancing over to see if he was still pleased.

"Hey bro thanks for letting me borrow your car man!" The man driving called over to the arrogant passenger.

"Whatever…" He said waving a hand.

The driver grinned looking back to the road and bopped slightly to the music being played. The man in the back was leaning forwards in his seat, elbows resting on the two seats in front and matching the rhythm to the firsts bopping.

"So Mugen… you comin' to the club tonight?" The man in the back asked the cocky youth.

"Yeah whatever…" he said again, slightly peeved at all the pointless conversation. As they continued to the school Mugen opened his lazy eyes to see the same girl as earlier. She was almost skipping across the path with a little smile on her lips. He hadn't seen her face clearly as she had been so far away and he didn't bother remembering what she wore.

0-0

When she arrived at school she was met by Shino, her best friend. She smiled at her and tripped over her own foot causing her to stumble. Shino had a worried look then giggled when Fuu clumsily smiled after regaining her balance.

Shino was a well proportioned raven haired girl with flawless skin and pert lips. Every man in their school had checked her out and tried to get it on with her but when she started to date Jin, Fuu's other best friend, the guys stopped staring at her in fear of losing a limb.

Jin was a tall, handsome man who had close connections with the police. When he was fourteen he was asked to help with a tricky, triple homicide case due to his father's position in the force. The case was solved in three months and a young gang was put behind bars, earning Jin some new found fame.

They walked towards the school entrance and began to ascend the school steps when they heard whistles. They both turned their heads towards the source of the noise and instantly recognised the three men.

Mugen, Kazun and Tatsun…

They were the popular, not-to-be-messed-with guys of the school. They were all womanizers who probably lost their virginity at the age of twelve… They were known to be part of a dangerous gang and were particularly great fighters, meaning everyone left them alone and didn't answer them back…

"Pigs!" Fuu cursed under her breath.

They chuckled darkly at the women, or more specifically; at Shino. Fuu had never been hounded before, except by her step-father. She had bought a lot of low cut tops and couldn't wait to wear them once school started after the holidays, but then that man came and she made sure to wear big sweaters or baggy t-shirts.

All of her confidence diminished when he came into her life and she didn't like the feel of that sort of attention, thus the girly clothes were shoved to the back of the closet and she wore loose tops which showed no shape.

Shino had questioned this on the behalf of her and Jin, considering she wouldn't keep quiet about her new purchases of clothes and make-up. When they seen her attending school in baggy clothes, and not back chatting any rude comments, they began to worry. She had changed…

She never told them why, meaning they had under gone their own investigating since they came back to school around a month before; but so far nothing had come of it. The only thing that she never gave up was dancing.

They continued walking, avoiding the stares and whistles towards Shino and finally relaxed when they entered the building. They walked towards their class smiling and laughing along the way until they seen the small notice on the door.

'Mr. Nakatomi is ill today, so class B's morning lessons have been cancelled. Feel free to go home and rest until the afternoons classes.'

Shino looked happy when she seen Jin walk around the corner and read the notice. "What would you like to do?" He questioned Shino's sparkling eyes.

"We could catch a movie or go to yours…" She smiled up at him. Fuu looked a little upset but continued to smile until Shino turned to her.

"Would you like to catch a movie Fuu?" She asked, remembering her friend would feel left out.

"No thanks, you two have fun… I'm gonna go practice…" She said smiling at the couple. They waved and smiled walking back down the corridor; leaving Fuu standing foolishly and waving looking lonely.

She sighed and headed towards the gymnasium. Whilst in the changing room she decided to be daring and wear the low cut, skin tight top she fetched. She had previously checked the gym to make sure it was empty and was satisfied to find the lights turned off and CD player unoccupied.

She waltzed over in her sports leggings and top to put the CD in the slot and press play. Salsa beats started to pour from the speakers. She found the music strangely exciting and that she could really let loose in dancing to it.

With one last check, she looked around the gym and sighed loudly. No one was there to judge her, check her out, criticize her or distract her.

She ran to the middle of the floor and began to dance along to the music, shaking her hips enticingly and wiggling her bum throwing her hands in the air or running them over her curves. She would often spin around quickly with perfect footing. Dance was the one serious, worthwhile thing in her life. Something she refused to stumble or trip over.

Little did she know she was being watched…?

As the song ended she breathed out heavily and heard a whistle from behind her. She turned around shocked after grabbing the nearest jumper and covering herself with it. There by the door of the boy's locker room stood Shinsuke, staring greedily at her.

He was often at her dance classes, but she was thankful she didn't get put with him as a partner. He was a pathetically known thief and rather cowardly when it came to fighting.

He walked towards her with that look in his eyes: full of greed, lust, filthy thoughts. She panicked and looked towards the girls changing room. It had a lock on the door. If she could just make it… he would leave her alone.

But no sooner had the thought entered her head had he reached out and ran his hands over her bum, thighs, waist and more…

She gasped and froze. It was instinct. She had learned the hard way not to fight back and earned a trip to hospital in the process. Her breath quickened and fear rose into her eyes. Not out of his sleazy tactics or his grins but out of memory. What he was doing to her and where he was going. She was frightened…

"Babe… if you have the goods you should show them off or deliver…" He said mockingly as he leaned into her neck.

Finding her confidence, she pushed him off her and sprinted towards the girl's locker room shutting it firmly and locking it. He banged furiously on the other side of the door shouting abuse and threatening promises.

She stared down at her hands and watched her shaking fingers. She jumped up and grabbed her bag to throw over her shoulder.

0-0

Why… why me… why can't I escape? Everywhere I go… it's not fair… damn it… it's not fair!

At that moment, when she was walking down the corridor with her head down, she crashed into something solid. She thought she walked into an opened door or something more solid until she heard it grunt. They both fell to the floor then looked at each other one confused one… pissed off?

"Damn it stupid bitch! Watch where ya goin' flat chest!" He yelled angrily. She recognised him instantly. Mugen…

Somehow, the abuse was strangely refreshing as the rest of the day had been filled with abusing. She found a little courage inside and retorted, "Same for you! Idiot!" She snapped angrily

"Pah! Stupid brat! Don't get me riled up!" He threatened making her flinch a little.

"Or you'll what!?"

"That's it!" He walked towards her threateningly until a teacher walked up out of no where and placed a hand on both of their shoulders.

"DETENTION!"

Fuu looked astonished… She had never had a detention before in her life… but if it meant escaping reality… she'd deal with it. This also meant not getting a lift from her step-father and not getting felt up on the way home.

"Damn it! Stupid unattractive bitch!" He yelled at her raising his fist in the air.

She looked up at him and smiled before turning away. He stood dumbfounded by her reaction. No one smiled after getting a good verbal thrashing from him… Bitch!

0-0

Later on, during the afternoon's lessons, she felt glares piercing into her head. She turned around confused at her 6th sense and noticed Mugen sending death stares her way. She looked directly at him and stuck her tongue out at him.

DAMN BITCH IS MOCKING ME!

He started to noticeably growl earning a chalk to the head by their tutor. This simple act made Fuu want to burst out laughing…

He now sent glares at his tutor who winced a bit out of fear and annoyance.

0-0

After school, she walked down the corridor until she came across an old dusty-looking room with a little sign on the handle that read 'detention'.

She opened the door to find four boys spread out listening to tunes through their headphones. The teacher at the front of the class was leaning back in his seat… snoring?

She took a seat in the middle of the room and placed her bag on the floor, after signing the sheet at the front desk. The teacher still snored…

After waiting five minutes the door opened intrusively and footsteps bounded down the aisle of chairs and desks until he came to the one next to her.

He sat down ruggedly; legs spread apart, and didn't bother to muffle his sounds. The teacher had now woken up and the other youths in the room had stopped their obnoxious rapping or talking and were watching the dangerous man carefully.

After settling down again, the teacher fell into a deep sleep letting the people in the room continue. She sheepishly looked over to the rough looking man and confirmed her suspicion.

"… Why are you staring at me?" She asked annoyed.

"Bitch…"

"Still mad I see…"

"Che! Don't think I'll let it slip!"

She looked over to him once more and studied his expression. She was a little fearful of him yet not as much as most people.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Get my own back…" He grinned.

"…how…?"

"…" She smiled triumphantly at his silence.

"…stupid bitch…!" He said aggravated. He crossed his arms and looked away. No one had brought out of him a playful, angry, calm, agitated attitude all at once.

"… useless oaf!"

He looked around at her angrily. Obviously thinks I won't try anything because she's a girl…

A stubby short man walked through the doors at the back of the room with a small note. He stopped beside Fuu, bent down and handed it to her…

"… A message from your mother…" He said before walking off.

She opened the note and read the letter.

Fuu,

Umanosuke will be there at 5 to pick you up. He decided to stay off work for you today. I have to work till 9 tonight so you two should get to know each other more…

He said he can't wait! Have fun guys!

Love mother…

Fuu crumpled the letter angrily and looked up at the time. She was shaking again; and worse yet… he was watching her every move.

Her breathing increased. She hadn't been alone with him that long before and luckily her mother came in before he got the best of her… She was beginning to panic.

He palms became sweaty and she looked around as if trying to find a way out of going home. Her body began to tremble noticeably earning a confused look from the ruffian.

"What's got your panties in a twist…?" He asked raising his eyebrow at her.

"…n-nothing… I'm fine…" She said shakily.

He was confused by her personality change so he continued to push the subject. "You're shaking…" He said grinning at her discomfort, he was now looking at the paper she threw on the desk… he was so curious…

"Am i? Well… it's cold in here…"

"It's a fucking sauna!"

"…"

He reached over and grabbed the piece of paper from her desk. As he pulled it back she grabbed his arm, clutching onto it for life.

"Let go…" He said darkly.

"Give it back!" She said scared.

"…no…" He grinned at her evilly.

He tore his arm away from her making her pull over to him out of her seat. He fell backwards off his chair and she landed square on top.

"Ahh!" She squealed as she fell to the ground.

"Stupid bitch! Get off!" he yelled at her. She stumbled to her feet and looked around embarrassed.

Everyone was laughing at her or staring her up and down. She grabbed her bag and ran out the door. Mugen scratched his head awkwardly and then he laughed. She forgot her little note…

He looked down at the note then re-crumpled it boredly. Jeez all that fuss over nothing… it's just a normal letter…

He walked out the door after a moment but never threw away the note. He wanted to tease her and see whoever this Umanosuke guy was…

He followed her closely until she came to the front gate. She turned right and walked down the street as fast as she could. She didn't know he was following her; she was just afraid of being picked up and left alone with him…

Honk

They both turned towards the source of the noise to notice a silver car stop beside Fuu. She looked terrified and he could see this plainly. A middle aged man was seated in the driver's seat and he stared at her like she was a piece of meat. Mugen needed to know more now… to drive away his curiosity.

"Get in" he called darkly patting the seat.

"Yo girlie!" Mugen shouted hoping to get their attention before they went.

She looked surprised to see him jogging over to her and it only grew when he put an arm around her shoulder and peered into the car.

"Yo…" He said with a grin.

The man looked pissed; he cast a look at Fuu and looked back at the man. "Who might you be?"

"Her lover…" He said staring the man out.

He didn't know why he was doing this. He didn't care… he kept having to remind himself it was out of curiosity and payback.

Mugen didn't know what this man was to her, but he knew jealousy and rage when he seen it. As soon as the word lover escaped his mouth, he saw the man casting dagger at them both. Are they dating? Why would her mother tell her he was coming…?

"…lover? Really… well say goodbye… come along Fuu…"

Fuu huh? Cute…

Fuu nodded and climbed into the vehicle and fastened her seatbelt. She was terrified now. Mugen took his prying too far… and now she would suffer… She had to think and think fast…

"Later Fuu…" Mugen waved with a smirk.

She cast a look at him which made him feel slightly guilty… she looked horrified… and terrified…

Mugen walked off and he couldn't stop thinking about them. The words from the letter stuck out in his mind… He said he can't wait…

0-0 To be continued…0-0

Hey this is my first Samurai Champloo fiction so be easy. I apologise if the characters appear OOC, but it's appropriate for the plot for them to behave that way.

When I wrote this chapter the song I imagined Fuu dancing to was a Shakira song. I have listened to a whole lot of genres of music throughout this fiction, so you can't say I'm biased towards a certain genre.

I don't know what rap song I was listening to for Mugen…

Please review! This took my Samurai Champloo story virginity :p