Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Champloo or the characters.

A/N: Hello, everyone! Thanks again for your kind reviews and yes, I know it was cliffy and parts that are funny. But this chapter here will explain Mugen's problem and why he has been acting so strange lately. And for the strange mystery man in the straw hat, well, I'm sorry to say, but I don't want to spoil his identity just yet. Please, be patient. You'll find out soon enough, I promise. However, he plays a serious part in this fanfic. You'll see soon. Okay, here's chapter 5, ripping at ya! Enjoy!

Samurai Jin and His Butterfly Fuu

Chapter 5

"Isn't it obvious?" answers Jin as he takes small sips of his tea. "I think he's beginning to have feels for you."

Fuu stares at him for a moment and laughs while waving her hand in front of her face, "Mugen having feelings for me? That's a good one, Jin!

"I'm being serious," he said in a husky voice while placing his tea back down on the table.

"You are being serious, aren't you?"

He nodded in agreement, "Hm."

Then suddenly, she thinks back of what was said last night when all of them was by the lake around the fire.

-Fuu's flashback-

Mugen: "Here's one. I love you, Fuu, and I want to be with you."

-Jin and Fuu with a shock look on there faces-

Fuu: "Huh?"

Jin: "What did you say?"

Mugen: -laughing- I was just kidding, you guys! I can't believe you thought I was actually serious!"

Jin: -stares at him with a frown- "I'm sorry, but I didn't find it to be amusing."

Mugen: "Come on, Jin, lighten up! I was just joking around, okay?"

-End of flashback-

"Fuu, are you okay?" asked Jin a bit curious with staring at down at her food then she looks up.

"Yeah, but-"

"But what?" he wondered.

"It doesn't make any sense," she said while putting food in her mouth. "Last night, he was just joking, right? He wasn't serious, Jin, because I only want to be with you, remember?"

"Yes, I know," he agreed. "Then, if that what you call some kind of sick a joke, how can you explain what he was doing bathing out in the opening this morning, hm?" he asked curiously.

"Don't know?"

"Okay, then I'll tell you what he was trying to do."

"What is it?"

"Mugen, is trying to get your attention. That's what he has been trying to do and that's why he has been acting so weird around us lately," he explains. "I'm certain of it, which it explains what we saw when he was bathing out in the open this morning and also, what he said last night about you. He's wants your attention, Fuu, and I want let him take you away from me! Not now, not ever!" he growls angrily.

"Jin, calm down and no one is going to take me away from you. That will never happen to us, I promise," she said holding his hands over the table. "Believe me, will always be together no matter what just like you said to me."

Jin chuckles and grins, "Yes, I remember. Let's finish eating out breakfast, shall we?"

Then later after that, she hurries while taking big gulps of food down and shoving it down her throat, then and pats her belly, "Whew! That was really good!"

He was finished soon after and left a tip for the waiter.

"I glad you had enjoy yourself, Fuu and it was very nice to have you here to enjoy it with me," he smiles then stood up as he help her up as well on her feet.

"Like it? I love it! It was great and thanks a lot, Jin, for everything. I owe you one," she smiles back.

"Owe me one what?"

She blushes a shade of pink while placing her hands her warm face, "Jin, you don't want to spoil it. I can't tell you just yet but soon, okay?"

He agrees, "Sure."

"Hey, let's go and find Mugen, shall we? We should be on our way again to Nagasaki."

"Do we have to?"

"Jin?"

He chuckles, "Just joking, Fuu. Fine, let's go find him."

"But first, let me go and get my things, then we'll all be set."

"While you're doing that, I'll go and find Mugen for us."

"Okay, wait for me on the trail that's leading us to get there when you find him, 'kay?"

He nods his head and went on his way to look for Mugen then suddenly he gets a strange feeling, "That's strange? What is this feeling? Is it Fuu?"

-rips record to Fuu heading back to the room where she was lodging-

-she slides open the door and walks in-

She gasps, "Mugen!"

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing in this room? Get out! Get out now!"

"Fuu, I want to speak with you?"

"No. I have to hurry because Jin is waiting for me!"

"How can he be waiting for you when he's out looking for me?" he said walking over to her.

"Mugen, stay back!" she warns him then he stops and turns around with his back facing towards her.

Then, he bows his head downwards as Jin listens to their conversation next to Fuu's open door.

"Fuu?" said Mugen.

She answers, "Yes."

"About last night, I meant it. Remember when I said that "I love you". I do, but I can't. Instead, I actually like you, but only as friend. I don't think I would love someone or anyone intentionally. So, I apologize about what was said last night," he said lowly.

"Mugen, are you admitting that you actually have feelings and cares about me? We're you jealous of Jin and me? Is all true what you're saying to me?"

"What do you think?" he said turning to face her again.

"Well-"

"And about this morning, I was trying to show-off. You know, trying to get your attention."

She laughs, "Show-off!" Show-off what! There was nothing to show from the moment we saw you!"

"Hey, what does that suppose to mean!"

"I'm just joking and I forgive you, Mugen. Does this mean that you're getting back with us and help me in the search for the man that smells of sunflowers?" she asked.

"Sure, why not? I can't wait to find him so I can get you off my back for once."

"Hmph! I didn't know that I was that much of a pain in the butt!" she pouted with her arms in a fold.

He walks over and hugs her and she did the same. To her surprise, she didn't know that Mugen has such feelings nor that she knows that he actually cares for her in any way. However, it made her feel a bit better to know what has been bothering him and how hard it was for him to open up like that.

Then Jin walks in on them, "Fuu? What's this?"

Mugen looks up and Fuu turns to him with wide eyes.

"Jin?"

"Promise, huh?"

"Jin, it wasn't nothing serious. And you and I still have our promises. There's no change on that," she said reasoning with him.

And you, Mugen, get your filthy hands off of her, you fucking bastard!"

He backs his hands off of her raising them in the air and gives a sly grin, "Look, we didn't do anything wrong. It was just an innocent hug, Jin. Give me a break, will ya?"

"Yeah right, I don't trust you a single bit?"

"You don't trust me? I wouldn't hurt her, Jin, believe me! Trust me!"

"No. Not since that day of what you did to her. I've trusted you once when we'd saved her from trouble many times before when we were all traveling together and now this!" he said angrily and claims Fuu back in his arms.

"You guys, stop arguing! I can't take it anymore with your fighting!" cries Fuu. You don't have any idea how much this hurts me!" she said then lets go of Jin and ran outside the lodge.

"FUU!" cries Jin then looks down on the floor and grabs her belongs.

"Now look what you've done!" said Mugen.

Jin growls at him, "Damn it! Look we don't have time for this! We must go and find her!"

"You said "we"? I'm surprised, but not too surprised!"

"Shut up and let's go!"

They left the room in search for Fuu. Jin and Mugen takes off down the trail as he follows Fuu's tracks where she had ran, which that leads pass the lodge. Then suddenly, Jin saw and found one of Fuu's colorful butterflies that belong to her white butterfly kimono that he had bought her as a gift at the end of the trail and picks it up.

"Her tracks stops here," said Mugen. "Damn it! Not this missing stuff again!"

"We must find her fast because I get the feeling that she's in serious trouble this time," Jin said to him while looking around.

"Why do you say that?"

"She has the prize money on her!"

"What the fuck!" shocked Mugen. "We got to find the little brat!"

Jin looks over at him with a frown on his face, "Don't call her that!"

"Fine, she can't be too far, damn it," he sighs heavily. Let's go."

Jin looks at the butterfly and thinks to himself, "Where is my butterfly, my butterfly Fuu? I must find you and I won't give up until I do. That's a promise.

A/N: Well, there you have it folks, so let the journey begin in the search for Fuu. I hope you enjoy as much as I enjoy writing it. Come again and don't forget to review. See ya on the next chapter!