A/N: A somewhat AU Samurai Champloo fanfic. Yes, I am female and I feel that I should at least make one of my stories more 'Power to the Female!' Hehe, plus I'm sure Mugen would be happy with a more... shall we say filled-out Fuu? ;p The only thing is... she is totally OOC. Sorreh!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Samurai Champloo!

Description: When memory is just a facade, and destruction can bring two souls together then you know that anything could happen, right...? Depending upon which two souls become entwined, you never really know...

:.Fuu, the Samurai(WHAT!?)/ Mugen, the Pirate; just another MuFuu. AU-style.:

Five Sided Dice

Memory of Destruction

Chapter I: A Surprising Samurai

A dark shadow fell from the doorway of the teahouse. A wind as sharp as a blade tried keeping the door from sliding closed, but failed in the attempt as a hand immediately slid it shut. A quick glance around the building was all it took before the newcomer chose the first table in the left corner. The only sound made was the slight 'click-clack-click' as the stranger made its way to the designated table.

A waitress hurried out of the backroom after hearing the entrance of her first customer of the day--but faultered in her tracks as she noticed the stranger was a young woman near the age of 18. The reason was only natural, for women customers at this teahouse were few and far between. Regaining herself, the waitress hovered over to the table, waiting on a girl-- that seemed to be a samurai--'s choice of drink.

The samurai waved a hand for the woman to leave her be. Obviously it was not going to work out as planned," I'm sorry but as long as you're going to be in here you must order something to drink." The stranger gave the waitress a quick glance," Water." Once again, her request was denied--not making her mood any lighter, " I'm sorry again but... You must order either sake or tea. We can only allow paying customers here and water is free." The samurai almost amusedly watched as the poor waitress fidgeted and glanced nervously at the daisho on the ground.
"A bottle of sake, then." the young woman bowed before scurrying off to the back rooms.

After all of that, the sake wasn't even that great-- or, it was but it wasn't the way she'd expected it to be. The samurai hardly ever drank, but when she did she was quite picky over taste, hence making her even less of a drinker; she couldn't really hold her liquor either, just another perk to not drinking.

After leaving the teahouse, the almost full bottle of sake, and the cost, the female ronin made her way through the bustling town. It was almost evening and she had found nothing of interest; boredom was at the edge of her mind. But then, she found something-- or someone rather-- to pass the time.

In one of the many alleyways where the crowds had beome sparse, a man seeming in his early 30s had a young woman pinned to the side of one of the buildings. She just stood there frozen as the man seemed 'busy' doing something to the girl that the samurai had no interest finding out but knew she had to stop. Casually she walked up to the pair making up half a plan along the way. Just feet from them she spoke up," Kind sir, where could I find a nice inn to--"

The man looked up, suddenly aware of the stranger's pressence. "What do ya want?" he literally snarled out after giving the girl a rough push to the ground; the girl just sat there eyeing the two. The samurai looked back to the man but not before catching a mysterious gleam in the girl's eye," An inn to stay." The man gave her a look and pointed to the other end of the alley.

She nodded in coherence but held her ground.

"What now?" His gruff voice showed thorough agitation.

"You just might want to leave her alone," the ronin's steely eyes glanced at the girl. The man's eyes changed to amusement yet his mouth was set in a deep frown," Girl, I am no common peasant. I am of the Arashi Yakuza; and interfering with the business of a Yakuza means you get to die." He drew the katana at his waist and held it aloft.

She knew he was no common man just by looking at the shocho on the front of the man's kimono-- a blue oval with a red line thru the center. With skilled fingers she put her hand to the hilt of her wakizashi and popped it out of its sheath just enough for the steel to glint from the rays of the sun.

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At this signal for battle, the girl on the ground backed off until she was out of the alley. The man inched closer and a little to the side, a smile playing on his lips. The yakuza seemed to want to circle, so she gladly followed his lead while keeping a steady eye on his movements, until they had completely switched sides. All of the while she had come up with a few promising scenarios as to why he so badly wanted to change ends. Then, noticing a black color glinting off the man's sword, she gave all senses up for the total use of her ears. Just in time, she ducked into a diagonal roll. Leaping back to her feet the ronin struck her sword out at her first challenger. But the second wasn't at all phazed by her disappearing act, and he found his oncoming blade struck against a steel-rimmed geta.

If the scene had been paused and shot from an aerial position it would've played out as something to this extent: At one end of the alleyway was the 'ravaged' girl from before; close to the middle of the alleyway were three other figures. The one in the middle looked like a female samurai, holding off two of the yakuza-- one with her foot and the other with her wakizashi blade-- she seemed to be in trouble with the odds 2:1. Though her face read different.

She suddenly kicked off with her engaged foot and added the new strength to her blade shoving the man backwards onto the ground. She used her other foot to leap into another roll landing herself slightly to the left of the first yakuza. She lashed out again with her blade, catching him off guard, as it slipped past his sight and disappeared thru his ribs, he tried wailing at the acknowledgement of the new pain but realized no sounds could come. She left the wakizashi having to parry to keep away from the man as he used the last of his strength to lunge at her, unsheathing her katana she struck out at him--a 'clang' of metal surprised her as a blade came from behind her and stilled her onslaught--yet the man had fallen short anyway. She didn't have to look, for she could feel the heat of his breath at her neck and she could smell the foul odor of too much sake. She cringed as the forgotten yakuza whispered in her ear," This is the sound of defeat." She cursed in her head, but relaxed slightly as she saw his blade lower from its position of where it had blocked her strike. Idiot. As she lowered her sword, sliding it into its sheath, her other hand drifted into her sleeve and retrieved a tanto. In the swiftest motion her body could allow she thrust the tanto behind her into the man's unshielded gut. Slipping her katana back out she swung it behind her to block a strike from the man. "Hmph, I'm not defeated easily. Baka." She almost smiled, pushing off of his blade into a one-handed backflip. Landing at the man still on the ground she dislodged her wakizashi. She withdrew a few steps and readied her blades as the man came full-on. She crossed the daisho in an 'X' shape when he was not but a little more than a foot away then jerked them apart--the effect was much like scissors to paper.

She sidestepped before his blood could stain her cloth bindings. After his body found its way to the ground the samurai reached down to retrieve her tanto, and after a quick rub of the blade against his haori she replaced it into her left sleeve. After standing up, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning to face the girl that stood frozen just feet from her at the entrance of the alleyway. She tilted her head slightly to the side as she sheathed her swords," So, you were with them to begin with? I tried 'saving' you from your comrades? How nice." The girl paled and tried backing up but in the process tripped over some random debris," I... I--I'm sorry. The yakuza have been doing things like this a... lot lately. It's a way for them to gain their respect and make money. I wouldn't have done it--really but they threatened to do much worse to me..." The girl then looked away, a sincere tear streaked down her cheek. Not knowing anything about being sympathetic the samurai stiffened slightly and gave her a sideways look," Hm, notta problem. Actually I was getting a little bored not being able to fight." The girl nodded in return as they parted ways, the samurai going in the direction of the inn.

"Just a single room, eh. Ye all by yerself, little miss?" the old man gave her a sweet smile and took her coins.

"Umm, yup."

"It'll be the last on the left."

"Kay," she nodded in return and gave him a half smile as he pointed to some stairs around the corner from where they stood.

After scaling the stairs she walked slowly by each door, then suddenly she stopped at the one that stood infront of her own door. By an unknown whim, she reached out her hand and gave it a small knock. As if just now noticing what she had done a chill ran up her spine, though she stood there seemingly unaffected. After a few seconds had passed and no one had answered, she let out a small sigh and was about to turn to her own door when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Why had I not been more careful to check for someone coming up from behind!? I have so much to learn! Another chill ran up her spine, but she made for sure not to shudder, she had full control over her body this time. The young woman turned casually to eye the one who owned the hand.

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The battlecry of a hawk resounded over the meadow. It was answered by movement in the grass below--but it was too big to be made by any of its prey. The tan upper torso of a young man lifted up from his position on the ground. Giving the hawk a quick glare the man stood up and stretched his sore limbs. He reached down and picked up his black haori and katana. After pulling his arms thru the sleeves of the shirt he fastened the katana around his back and slipped on his geta. The pirate glanced around then started off toward the town ahead.

Upon reaching his destination he easily made his way through the crowded streets until he reached a noticeably less populated area of the town. He heard quick footsteps come up from an alleyway and he flattened himself against the building beside him. He saw a man exit the alley and almost break his neck as he tried turning the corner too sharp then tripped on his own feet. The older man wore a black haori much like his own--the only difference being that the his was ripped and torn from his life as a vagrant pirate and the other's was--other than the recent fall--spotless.

"Oi, what's the hurry?" blade in hand, the young man came from behind the other and walked around to face him.

"Uh...," the man's eyes widened and he crawled to his feet. "Y--you are the one that was causing all the trouble huh? You're no samurai, but I can't really see a samurai making trouble though. I must've heard wr--."

"Wha? I haven't caused any damn trouble. That is, I haven't yet."

"Yeah, sure. Anyway, I am a member of the Arashi Yakuza. You'd better come quietly or face your death."

"Eh?"

"I said come with me. Give me your sword, too," the man pulled his own sword on the vagabond and awaited for his orders to be followed.

"Not likely," in the way any pirate would, he turned on the yakuza who tried telling him 'what he was and wasn't going to do'.

"What's that? So you want to die," the man lunged his sword at the pirate. In a mere sidestep by the younger man the yakuza had managed to be thrown off balance and within the second a sword had been sliced clean thru the yakuza's neck. Much the opposite of a chicken, the man fell straight to the ground. The victor sheathed his weapon and checked the yakuza's clothes for any spare change. Pulling free a small bag he checked the contents and took the coins. He stashed his find and turned to the direction he had earlier been heading. The sun was beginning to disappear behind the buildings in the west, and counting the nap he had not long ago the young man had not slept but a few hours since the day before.

After a bit of walking he noticed an inn. It didn't take much for him to make up his mind on staying for the night, since it had been a while considering the last time he stayed in a bed and he wouldn't technically have to use his money to pay for it. As soon as he walked in the door, an old woman greeted him," Welcome, sweetie! You find yourself in need of a room?"

He only grunted to signify a 'yes'.

"Ah, just by yourself? Well, maybe that will be fixed someday. Just follow those stairs and yours is the last on the right." She gave him a grin in return for her pay and bowed as he disappeared around the corner. A sly grin stole away on her lips.

As he made it to the top step, he stopped. It took him longer than usual to notice someone at the end of the hall. That someone was standing infront of his door. Finally intrigued by something in this boring day, he quietly stepped down the hall and came up behind said someone. He was louder than usual today--most likely from his lack of sleep, but either way she had not expected him for an instant. He reached out a hand and touched her shoulder, expecting her to jump or scream--she did neither, his intrigue only rose. He removed his hand as she turned to see him. "Oh," he heard her whisper under her breath. Oh, his mind repeated.

She was about to withdraw from him, but noticed herself cornered against the wall, so instead whispered a 'sorry' and weaved around him to her door. In one fluid movement she had slid it open, slipped in, and shut it behind her. He was left still standing there outside her door.

The samurai looked over everything in her room; there was a simple futon, a table and two cushions, a small dresser that doubled as a night stand, and a window that took up the whole back wall of her room. She made her way straight to the window and pushed aside the curtains to allow the night breeze, though it was yet to be completely night. Being on the second story made her view of the western sky slightly less obstructed. It was a beautiful mix of pink, orange, blue, and violet. Yet, fatigue overran her thoughts of beauty and she found herself removing her clothes so all she wore were her upper and lower bindings. She folded her clothes nicely and placed them along with her swords and geta beside the futon, before she snuggled herself underneath the fluffy blanket. It wasn't long before sleep took over. And this was the first night of deep sleep she'd had in a while but she wasn't too proud of it, for it is hard to be wary while sleeping heavily. Though, she was lucky this time, nothing was there to claim her during sleep.

The ronin's eyes opened to the dimly lit room. They ventured to the window to gaze out at the pale blue sky of morning. She lay there for only a moment before sitting up. Suddenly her mind thought about a bath, making little illusions of hot water surrounding her. I definitely need one of those, she thought dreamily. As if on cue, a knock sounded at her door before it slid open and the old woman came in. She looked the girl over, still in her bindings," Oh, you're already awake? Well, early risers get the hot bath alone eh?" The old woman grinned as a look struck the samurai's usually blank face. She smiled back at the old woman and stood up. "Right this way," her small frame walked thru the doorway and across the inn until she reached the opposite side of the building, samurai following in step. "Here we are." The woman bowed," there are towels inside and also a robe for when you get through." "Thanks," the samurai nodded and went in after the woman walked away.

As soon as she took the first step in a blast of hot air enveloped her, making her more relaxed at every moment. She noticed there was no barrier between males and females in this bath. More than likely a different one for men, she thought, for it wasn't too rare for the nicer inns to have gender-seperated springs. She unwrapped her lower bindings, laying them on the rocks at her feet, then she stepped in a shallow area of the springs. After removing the upper bindings as well and placing them beside the earlier, she stepped deeper into the water and crossed to the edge where she could rest against the rocks, while still being completely soaked. She ducked her head under and held her breath, seeing if she could do as well in hot water as nuke warm. After a little over a minute her head broke the surface and she flipped her head back to get her long hair out of the way of her face. It took her a moment before her heavy breathing subsided and once again she felt someone nearby that her senses had missed at first. Damn, I did it again. What is going on with me lately?

"Oh, so you're not dead?" came a voice from the water opposite of her. Her eyes barely caught traces of dark, medium-length hair, and a copper-tanned body. She knew she'd seen someone like that before, but she closed her eyes knowing that her ears could be trusted this time.

" Doesn't look it," she answered coolly. Obviously there is only one spring here, her thoughts regarded.

"Oi, you don't feel like talking?" he ventured, shutting his eyes in correspondence.

"I dunno, I might."

"How might you?"

"I dunno."

"What do you know?" he opened an eye, noticing that she had done the same.

"That you are staring at my breasts," her tone was flat as she sunk slightly deeper into the water.

"You aren't slow. But you aren't too good at sensing when someone's sneaking up on you either," he gave a half grin.

"Hmph, I was busy," she answered, not really sure herself why she didn't catch him either time.

"You shouldn't be too worried about it 'cause I'm a pro at that sorta' stuff," his tone wasn't braggish, he was just telling her the blunt truth.

"Yeah... SNeaking up on naked women does sound like something you would do."

"Woman, you don't know the half of it. So, are you the samurai that was 'causing trouble' yesterday?" his eyes were looking on her at full intent, remembering how the man had acted as if he had done something important--badly important." 'Cause one o' them tried to take me out."

Both her eyes were open now, she looked at him from across the water," You serious? They mistook you for samurai?" after her moment of surprise another thought occurred," You okay?"

He looked at the girl across from him. She was different from any girl he had met before--as if he really 'met' many," Heh, I'm fine. It was only one--sadly--and yeah I don't really see how he thought a vagrant like me was a fuckin' samurai. I don't have honor or any of that shit."

She caught his stereotypical sight of samurai, and she pursed her lips," I see... Sorry, but I'm not on the straight path to glory myself. I might be samurai, but I've done... some things; I was forced out of the dojo. I don't regret any of it."

He caught the change of tone in her last sentence but didn't push her too hard for answers. He knew what it was like to do things unforgivable, for he was once in prison for his crimes.

"Thanks," she said, referring to his silence about it.

"Yeah. So, you, too, are a vagrant in some ways. The name's Mugen."

The samurai tilted her head to the side ever so slightly," My name's Fuu,"

She sighed in bliss of the warm water. "So, obviously you don't live here. Where are you goin'?"

He shrugged," Wherever my feet take me. I'm a man without purpose."

"Yep, same here-- except I'm a woman..." she wanted to ask him something more but was unsure of the outcome.

She closed her eyes a moment as she tried thinking of a way to state what she wanted to ask.

"You--"

"How--"

She opened an eye to look across at him; his face mirrored her amusement.

"What were you going to say?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Nothin' important. You?" he looked at the wooden beams of the ceiling.

"Well. I was curious. Since neither of us are going anywhere or doing anything in particular, wanna team-up?"

She heard a sigh from across the water, and expecting him to reject she waited, but he said nothing. Approximately ten minutes later of awkward silence his voice suddenly spoke up in the dim room," I'm gettin' out now." She listened as he crossed over to the stones that lead out of the bath and he climbed out. She heard him grab a towel and started drying off, all the while Fuu had her eyes averted so as not to see 'anything'.

After he had pulled on his clothes, he gave her a last glance and left the room, sliding the door behind him. She sat there leaning against the rocks, Well, so much for being spry. Guess I'm doomed to being a loner.