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A/N: This is my first fanfic, so please be gentle. But if you want to see writing at it's finest, go check out DarkVerity's HP fanfiction "The Slow Heal." Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Also, my story won't necessarily follow the events of the series; such as if I place the characters in a city they've already been through in the series, the same things that happened in that city won't be happening in the story. Some places may be fictional. I'm too lazy to keep track of everything and I don't know what I'm doing. You have been warned.

Disclaimer: sighs As much as I'd love for these characters to be mine, alas they are not.

Now, onto the story!

They had been walking for who knows how long. To Fuu, it seemed like a million years, and the constant rumbling in her stomach made it even worse. Fuu, Mugen, and Jin had been searching for the "Samurai Who Smells Like Sunflowers" for what felt like decades, but in all reality it had only been several months. All three of them were becoming restless and belligerent, bickering with one another over trivial things, like whether or not the flowers on the side of the dirt road were daisies or dandelions. Their situation hadn't changed since the journey. They were still broke, still tired, and of course, still hungry. They were in desperate need of a break from this taxing expedition.

"I'm tired of all of this stupid walking. We ain't getting nowhere," Mugen complained for the eightieth time since they'd left the previous town. Fuu had lost all resolve to argue with the barbaric fighter and kept walking. Jin just ignored him as usual

The afternoon was scorching and it seemed to be getting hotter and hotter by the minute. The humidity felt like a heavy, sticking fog surrounding everything and that made tempers run even shorter than they normally were. Fuu felt like she hadn't showered in weeks and that's because she hadn't, but she noted to herself that the first thing she'd do when they reached a new town was to shower. Just because she traveled with two men, didn't mean she had to smell like them, too.

"Do you even know where we're going? I wonder what I'd be doing if I wasn't dragged into this mess. I know…I'd be sipping on sake till I puked. Maybe splitting some fried squid with a big breasted broad," Mugen fantasized.

Fuu turned around, immersed in a look of disgust, glaring daggers at Mugen. "You're such a pig, you know that. And please stop talking about food. We're all hungry and you're not helping the situation."

"Oh would you shut up, I wasn't talking to you. You're just jealous that I wouldn't be sharing squid with you…for obvious reasons," Mugen teased while staring at Fuu's chest.

"Can you two please stop bickering? We've reached a new town anyway; hopefully we'll have some luck there." Jin calmly interjected, while pointing ahead of him.

Fuu turned around quickly to see what Jin was really pointing at. She soon found herself staring at a wooden sign with the word "Kyoto" painted in white. The place they had reached was nothing like the small towns they had been to previously. This was a bustling city with a large market and inns, as well as many places to eat.

The threesome immediately began browsing through all the restaurants and food vendors they stumbled upon, salivating more and more at each one. This only tortured their hunger even more, seeing as how they had no means to pay for any of it, not even for a single grain of rice.

All three if them knew that they would have to find paying jobs before they could eat or afford a place to sleep, if they didn't want to sleep on the ground somewhere. The group then split up, but not before agreeing to meet back at the Miyuki Teahouse by sunset. They all went off in separate directions, not uttering an expression of goodbye.

Jin headed East. He had no idea who would hire him. His skills didn't seem like they were needed and he wasn't sure if he'd be successful doing other things. The only practical skill that he was good at and could perform was working at a cooked eel booth in the market. He remembered how Shino had taught him and his thoughts often wandered to what she was doing now and if she was safe.

He remember passing by an eel booth when first entering the town and headed in that direction. 'This town is still busier than most,' Jin mused, 'this could make things more interesting.' He pushed past the crowds, much like a salmon going up stream, fighting his way up to the eel vendor. He finally made it to the booth, out of breath and disheveled. Jin turned around and was greeted by the owner of the booth, who happened to be a stout old woman with a face like a shriveled peach. She greeted him with a warm smile and offered him some eel. Jin politely declined and asked, "Do you, by any chance, need anyone to work at your booth?" The old woman considered his question for a few minutes. "You know, it'd be nice to take a break once in awhile. My stamina is not what it used to be. You seem like a pleasant and competent young fellow," the woman paused, still not giving Jin a definite answer. "Sure, why not? My name is Yuki. You don't mind working in the afternoons, do you? The heat has been getting to me lately." Jin bowed and replied with a simple thank you. 'That was easy. I already have a job and it only took me five minutes. I might as well explore the lovely city,' Jin smiled to himself. He walked into one of the alleys and began to discover what else Kyoto had to offer.

Mugen turned onto one of the dirty side streets, roaming in and out of teahouses, drowning himself in the intoxicating smells of sake and wine. He walked by a teahouse that had a sophisticated appearance and grinned. He could here laughter and the familiar drunken slurs that were often heard in teahouses. He knew he didn't have to get a job in order to make money. He would just do what he always did. He'd bully people for their money and this teahouse looked like it might have some very rich customers.

He peered inside, taking note of the elegant, black lacquered walls. The walls displayed beautiful scenes, such as a flight of white cranes or a stylish pagoda at sunset. The patrons all knelt on pillows of richly colored satin, while a geisha played on a samisen. Mugen felt overwhelmingly out of place in such a place of luxury, but it didn't phase him the slightest.

There was a moderate amount of people, mainly just small groups of two or three. Mugen didn't waste his time studying the small assemblies of patrons; his eyes were focused on a much larger and louder group. Seated at the table, where Mugen's scheming eyes were transfixed, was a group of about ten men. Most of them were what appeared to body guards. 'Apparently, this person is pretty important. They must be loaded to afford this many guards,' Mugen mentally noted. The guards surrounded two men; a young man of about eighteen and a stern faced gentleman with a thin beard. The younger man had auburn hair and was wearing a light blue men's kimono. The older gentleman was dressed in startling red, which set off his salt and pepper hair. They were obviously very wealthy and they weren't afraid to show it. Mugen had no idea who those two men were, but he definitely knew that he could easily dispatch the guards if necessary. After he was done scoping out his potential victim, he quietly left the teahouse and positioned himself in the shadows of a nearby alley. 'I hope they don't take too long. I don't like waiting.'

After about ten minutes, Mugen began to grow impatient. "Fuck it!" he shouted, "I'll just rob the next person that I see. I don't have time for this. I'll get that showy bastard some other time." Soon after, he heard someone walk out of the teahouse. Mugen knew it wasn't the one of the men he was hoping for, but he would do. An old man walked passed the entrance of the alleyway, oblivious to the bushy haired man hiding in the shadows. Mugen grabbed the man by the back of his robe and thrust him into the alley. Mugen held his sword in one hand, while wrapping his other hand around the old man's throat. "If you do not wish to die, hand over all of your valuable possessions. Or you can be noble and refuse. In that case, I will kill you and then take your belongings anyway. Which will it be?" Mugen threatened. The man was trembling as he searched his clothing for any scrap of money he had. Once Mugen was satisfied that the man had no other precious or valuable items on him, he let him go, but not before threatening the man again to make sure he wouldn't breathe a word of this to anyone. In the end, Mugen would up with 20 ryo and a few rings, which he would wind up pawning. He decided to buy a cheap, quick drink from a vendor and head over to the Miyuki Teahouse.

Fuu was having no luck. She thought she'd get a job as a waitress in once of the restaurants or teahouses nearby, but they all had the same reactions. They scrutinized her unkempt hair and dirty pink kimono and responded with an abrupt "We're not hiring." Leaving Fuu, dejected and exhausted, to try the next place of business. 'I'm only going to one more. It's almost sunset and I don't think I can stand any more rejection today. I'll just tell the guys that I'll try harder tomorrow. So exhausted…' The last teahouse Fuu arrived at was magnificent. "I don't think they'd ever hire me, but I've got nothing to lose. Here goes." Fuu thought aloud. Fuu read the sign in front of the building. It read Tanaka Teahouse.

Fuu gingerly stepped inside. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the most exquisite portrait of a flight of cranes. The black walls were so glossy that she could see her own reflection in them. There weren't a lot of people inside, but she could tell that it was a prosperous business due to all of the elaborate décor. She felt like a weed in a royal garden. She knew she didn't belong here, but it was too late to turn around. She had become entranced for too long and now a quaint, little women was walking over to her. She didn't look too old; she was maybe in her thirties. She wore a blue kimono decorated with portraits of colorful koi swimming in a small pond. Her raven colored hair poised into a bun on top of her head, revealing a perfectly round face with a sincere smile.

"Oh my dear, you seem exhausted. Please, sit down. My name is Haruka. May I bring you some tea?" the kind woman offered.

"No, thank you anyway. I couldn't afford the tea you serve here anyhow. I just stopped in to see if you were in need of a waitress or cook. I know how to serve patrons and I'm in desperate need of some money." Fuu begged.

"As a matter of fact, we had a girl leave a few days ago and haven't had time to replace her. You won't have to worry about wearing your pink kimono. We have ones for our girls to wear in the back. When you come in just go to the back and change. You've already made it clear that you know what to do in a place of business like ours." Haruka stated.

"Oh thank you, thank you!" Fuu leaped up and hugged the startled woman. The woman laughed and they both said their goodbyes. Fuu was so happy, she practically ran to meet the guys at the Miyuki Teahouse.

They were waiting for her when she arrived. She was out of breath, but had the biggest grin plastered to her face. She couldn't wait to tell them the news. She just hoped that both of them had some luck as well.

"What's with your big stupid grin?" Mugen chided.

Fuu could care less about Mugen's insult. She was on cloud nine. She told them how she had found a job and how she'd be working at the most refined teahouse. She rambled on an on about the designs on the walls and how astonishing they were. Finally, when Fuu either ran out of things to say or ran out of breath, Jin told the rest of the group about his job. They knew it wasn't the most glamorous aspect of the silent samurai's life, but at least this would provide them with money. When Jin was finished, it was Mugen's turn to regale the story of how he found his job. Mugen's only response was, "What job?"

There was a deafening silence and the color of Fuu's face had turned from a pale pink to that of a tomato. Her eyes flashed and she looked like she could spit fire. Fuu had had enough. "What do you mean 'what job'! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO ALL DAY!" Fuu yelled.

"If you don't like it, then too bad. I don't have to take orders from a flat-chested half pint. I'm sick of this stupid search. We've been getting nowhere. I could be living a life of babes and booze, but no, I'm stuck with a half-bit samurai and an ugly, obnoxious, underdeveloped girl. I think I'll just leave." Mugen yelled back.

Fuu's eyes widened and she gasped, "You can't go back on your promise!"

"Fuck the promise. I'm outta here." Mugen turned and then proceeded to walk away. He didn't turn around or say goodbye or anything. It took a few minutes to sink in, but soon Fuu realized that he wasn't joking this time. She hung her head and collapsed in a heap on the ground, not even acknowledging the fading figure of Mugen.

A/N: Alright, now I implore you to review whether it is good or bad. If I mentioned things that have Japanese terms, please let me know. Let me know what you think. Thanks so much and if you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them. -TinyMinx