-1Chapter 2

A New Journey

The trio were now staying in the same inn where Jin and Fuu were working at. They had convinced the innkeeper to let Mugen stay as well and in exchange he did little odd jobs for the innkeeper. Fuu and Jin talked a bit whenever Fuu brought dishes back but for the most part it was Fuu talking to Jin. He humored her though as usual giving her an occasional "Hm." Then she'd rush back up to the front to take more orders and serve more food and drink.

Mugen walked in the back carrying straw baskets filled with rice and fish and all manner of other things. "So can I sit and relax now…" The Innkeeper scowled at him "Of course not, you still have to repaint the front of the inn, make the futons, put fresh flowers in the rooms, and oil the doors." Mugen banged his fist on table "Why do I have to do so much!" Jin turned to Mugen with a glare "Be quiet and stop complaining, we're getting free room and board so just do it"

Mugen gritted his teeth and stomped up the stairs to the rooms and banged a door behind him breaking it. The Innkeeper yelled up at him "AND FIX THAT DOOR!" Mugen fumed for a few moments, let a few good screams and then started going from room to room making the futons and grumbling. One room he was forced to change the bedding in because they smelled of something he was quite familiar with….sex. He had smirked and yelled loudly downstairs "Four needs a new set of sheets, they're covered in white stuff." The couple who were using room four had turned a deep shade of crimson and quickly paid with the innkeeper and left.

Fuu scowled at Mugen and pinched his ear "You idiot! Do you wanna get us fired?" Mugen wrestled away from her holding his ear "Damn it that hurt!…..little bitch…." Fuu stuck her toungue out at Mugen and turned her back on him. Mugen rubbed his ear and went back upstairs to oil the doors.

Fuu came to the back of the Inn and sighed audibly as she set down a basket of dishes near Jin. "Jin I just don't get it…doesn't he know he shouldn't do that?" Jin continued without a pause in his work and never raised his uncovered eyes. "Growing up on an island filled with nothing but criminals doesn't make for a person with good manners and sensibility." Fuu leaned against a wall and crossed her arms "Yeh but still…You'd think that he'd have learned by now."

"He is capable of making a display and isn't afraid to do so, it doesn't matter to him."

"But why…he draws enough attention himself as it is with that weird hair and odd clothes…."

"Again it's quite possible that it relates to how he was raised, most likely he was allowed to do whatever he wanted and without anyone to tell him no he was allowed to try and get as much attention as he wanted"

Fuu pushed herself off the wall and went over to Jin "So living in a dojo with no friends and constant discipline made you all Mr. Quiet and serious?" She raised a playful eyebrow and Jin's eyebrow twitched as he replied "That's a personal choice." Fuu giggled a little and shrugged "Fine if you say so but one day I'll get you to have fun somehow!"

She walked out of the back with a slight bounce in her step and Jin couldn't help but watch as she went. Jin realized he had been staring and shook his head before going back to work.

The end of the day and the end of work. Fuu collapsed on her futon with a yawn "Goodness, I was on my feet so long today…." Jin sat down carefully and inspected his soaked and wrinkled hands "Disgusting." Mugen laid down on his futon unceremoniously and looked at his paint covered arms.

Fuu pulled out her purse and counted the coins she had earned. The pay hadn't been much but with the massive amount of tips she had enough money to buy a yukata….maybe even two! Jin saw Fuu counting her money and took out his own purse and counted. Maybe not quite as much as Fuu but he had still been payed pretty well. It was Mugen who came up with the least, having only about half as much as Fuu did. Fuu looked at the others and then the money "Well guys, I think it's about time we got back on the road again."

Jin nodded quietly and Mugen yawned "Whatever, let's just get some sleep." Jin laid down on his futon and Fuu turned off the lamp. Mugen fell asleep first, snoring loudly. Jin followed soon after and his rhythmic breathing began. It was Fuu who fell asleep last. Sending out a quiet prayer to whatever deity had brought them all back together. "Oh and P.S…..please help me to make Jin smile" With that said she curled up and fell asleep.