The moon was as pale as a ghost that night. It sent down dim rays that didn't provide much light at all. The four people sat silently in the forest; a small fire separated the two girls from the two men. Aki's eyes drifted over her newest companions as she yawned softly. She still hadn't learned their names and she didn't really want to. They both made her stomach tightened with nervousness. Mr. Dumpling-Crazy in particular.

"Trust Fuu to want to travel with a psycho," she thought. Her eyes settled on the resident psycho.

Aki had to cringe as she remembered his violent episode in the teahouse. She flushed as she realized he was staring back at her. Mr. Dumpling-Crazy smirked as he watched her tilt her head away. Aki glanced down at Fuu instead, who was sitting with her knees curled up to her chest.

"Hey, what are your names?" Fuu suddenly asked. The samurai lifted his head to give Fuu a cool glance. The flames flickered in his glasses, making his eyes look like fiery globes. Fuu thought the image was rather creepy.

"My name is Jin," he said. His tone of voice did not invite conversation. Aki frowned at his aloof attitude. Mr. Dumpling-Crazy let out a loud yawn and stretched his arms over his head.

"I'm Mugen. Who're you?" He asked, not seeming very interested. He laid his bony elbows back on his knees as Fuu answered.

"My name's Fuu," she said, sounding perky. Aki could not believe she was still wide-awake. All she wanted to do was sleep and sleep and sleep some more.

"I'm Aki."

"You want us to look for some flowery guy right?" Mugen asked. Fuu was a bit taken a back, but she recovered quickly.

"Oh yeah, the samurai who smells of sunflowers. I-"

"-Wait a sec. Now he smells? I thought he was just called the Sunflower Samurai. Is this guy even real?" Aki interjected. She looked at Fuu, eyes full of suspicion.

"Yes he's real! And he smells of sunflowers ok?!" Fuu snapped. She grew irritated with the unconvinced looks being sent her way by the three other members of the ragtag group.

"What does he look like?" The samurai asked.

"Uhhh…" Fuu stammered.

"Where is he?" Mugen questioned.

"Ah…well…" she stuttered.

"What's his name?"

"Do you have a picture or something?" Fuu finally cracked.

"AAAAAH! I can't this!" She shrieked. Aki, surprised by Fuu's brutal vocal chords, jerked her head away. The two men also rocked back a bit.

"Geez-You're loud for such a little bitch," Mugen stated. Fuu glowered at him. Aki shook her head sighing.

"Fuu, you have no idea what you're doing do you?" She thought.

"Are you two alright?" She asked aloud. The samurai nodded.

"Yes. I'm fine now."

"Yeah. The bastard's torturers are pretty pathetic. Barely left a scratch," Mugen bragged. Aki and Fuu exchanged skeptical glances. They both clearly remembered that neither man could stand on their own at first.

"You saved him," Aki mouthed. Fuu stuck her tongue out in retaliation. Aki shook her head at the juvenile behavior.

"I'm going to bed. Night." With that, Aki laid down on her side, face towards the fire, and closed her eyes. Granted, she was too nervous of being killed, robbed, or raped to go to sleep right away, but her tiredness finally began to gnaw at her and she gave in.

Aki awoke to find Fuu's head on her thigh. She yawned and stretched her arms. She glanced across the dead fire and saw Mugen sprawled on the dirt, asleep. The samurai was nowhere to be found.

"Wonder where he is," she thought groggily. A tight feeling in her lower gut compelled her to remove Fuu's head from its perch upon her thigh. She looked around and then walked into the undergrowth, to search for a place to relieve herself.

She crept around several large roots and little saplings. Her ears were pleased with songs of early morning birds. The beautiful scenery of sunlit spotted trees took her mind off of the odd predicament she found herself in.

With an annoyed grunt she pushed a branch out of her face. The sight before her eyes immediately made her freeze. Standing a few yards further was Jin. His back was towards her and it appeared that he had also come…to do his business. He sighed contently.

Aki felt her face heat up and pressed her hand against her mouth to prevent a treacherous snort. She tried to creep away as stealthily as a ninja. She put one foot behind her, and then the other. But unfortunately Aki wasn't a ninja, and her untrained foot snapped a dry twig. Once again she froze, this time she was felt soaked in immense embarrassment.

Jin's head swung around. His expression was surprised, presumably at being caught with his guard down. As soon as he saw it Aki and not an enemy, his surprise turned to barely concealed mortification and he hastily fiddled with his clothing.

"I'm so sorry! I'll leave! I'm sorry!" Aki babbled, grimacing in remorse. Jin was silent. Aki ran off to another section of the forest, humiliated yet still laughing at the hilarity of it all.

Meanwhile, back at the measly little encampment, Fuu and Mugen had just awoken. After a few uncomfortable minutes of silence, Mugen spoke.

"Where's your friend?" Fuu shrugged.

"I don't know. Where's yours?" She asked.

"He ain't my friend. Shit, he's probably off screwing-What's her name again?" He replied. Fuu was repulsed at Mugen's offensive statement and she let Mugen know about it-loudly.

"EW! NO! He's not having sex with her! Why was that the first thing you thought of! That's so gross! Maybe they're just getting food or something!" She exclaimed. Mugen winced at her volume.

"Damn girl! Keep it quiet!" A very one-sided altercation ensued, with Fuu's voice dominating.

(a/n: what a surprise ;p)