After three hours of fleeing a safe distance from Ryuu's abode, my feet began to throb and every step I took haunted me with my decision to leave Mr. Wantanabe. My thoughts tortured me to the point of self loathing. Twenty-four hours ago, I was safe. I had a home to call my own...and a father figure I was never fortunate enough to have growing up. Now, I find myself with Mugen, yet again, in a world of chaotic mischief. I am left "deflowered" from a man whom, I am quite certain, has little regard of me in any other way than a "tolerable nuisance"; which in turn, makes this moment of mixed pleasure and pain terribly confusing.
I should have never gave a second thought about Jin or Mugen. I guess something's are just better left in the past.
"Mugen, how much farther are we going to be roaming the woods aimlessly? The clouds are rolling in and I am afraid we will lose the moonlight."
"We continue moving forward until we can't any longer. Takenaka and his men can reach a fair amount of ground in a very short amount of time. Trust me Fuu, if you think that sting on your cheek hurts...you do not want to imagine the shit these guys can do."
"Well...I guess they learned from the best, didn't they?" I said in defiance hoping to ignite a reaction.
"What is that suppose to mean?"
Mission accomplished.
"Exactly what you think it is suppose to mean. Mugen, you are a stone cold machine. You always have been. Your sporadic violence terrifies me...and if these men are half the man you are...I fear for not only my safety...but yours. Anyways...it is not like you can form deeper feelings for anyone but yourself."
"What the Hell is that suppose to mean?"
He pulled my arm to have my gaze meet his. This method proved to be effective. The twenty-four going on thirty-four year old had a menacing countenance that was half in disbelief and half in swelling anger.
"Listen to me and listen carefully. No one...not even you...can even think to imagine that they have someone like me 'figured out'. My feelings are my own and it seems to me you have little regard or care - for that matter - to find out what has happened to me these past years! I don't need a girl like you acting like all those dumb broads out there! If I was truly incapable of having an ounce of humanity in me, I would have left you ass for dead!"
I could not tell if it was the fading flicker of the moonlight that glazed over his eyes or if his tear ducts were pooling with water.
Great job, Fuu. Way to make a guy feel terrible about himself.
"Mugen...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say-"
"Yes, yes you did. And I am sick and tired of random ass people thinking they know who I really am!"
"Stop there," I cupped his cheek as he turned away as for me not to see his emotions unfold. "You know I am not some 'random' girl who has pegged you for something other than the man you are. Mugen, we have been through a lot together...and you're right. I don't know the past you have burdened yourself with nor these years we have been apart. All I want and have ever wanted is for you to give me a chance to get to know who you really are."
His eyes ignited like flames in the void, illuminating simultaneously. A smirk was lightly tugging at his structured cheekbones and I immediately began sinking into the ground from where I felt my feet rooted just seconds prior. That half-open eyed stare that pierced though me sent a wave of exhausted euphoria throughout my nerve endings. It's as if those muddied brown irises peeled away at a layer of my soul I never thought existed. The paralyzing and perplexing effect he has on me frightens and heightens my senses. His dark locks of ratted curls frayed in all sorts of directions and never looked quite the same as a lock of hair next to it, much like his chameleonic essence. Mugen is a man who can shift on you anytime, but then again, I suppose that is in the heart of all men.
"No reason to get all soft...I accept your apology...and who knows, you might be surprised to find out that I am not such a bad guy."
A deep, full-bodied laugh seeped through the sharpened edges of his teeth. He kissed my still cupped hand that was resting on his face as he pulled to my side to continue our trek.
As the wind howled stronger and whipped the tips of my ears, I couldn't help but feel my body begin to shut down. First my feet, then my legs, then the curve of my hips. Everything began to not feel right. After sometime Mugen took more of an attentive notice and swooped me into his arms before my knees finally gave out. My very essence began to shake in terrific trembles and consciousness faded in and out of frame.
"Whoa, easy there girlie. You can't be doing this to me now." He said in a coaxing, tender tone.
"I can't muscle up any more strength tonight. Please, we need to stop somewhere and rest."
"You're in luck, I think I see an abandoned lodge up ahead."
The steady stride Mugen took lulled me into the blackness as I curled deeper into his chest.
