It's taken way too long to get this up, but here it is.

As always, I don't own Samurai Deeper Kyo or Samurai Champloo.


He couldn't help the nagging feeling that Dog face was getting herself into trouble. After all, it was one of the things she excelled at. Non and serve the #2 were busy settling in and had barely noticed the blonde walking back in the direction of the village. Kyo had stopped at this spot for a reason. He had walked at a slower pace all day just so she wouldn't take all night hiking back to that rundown shack, but now, sitting there puffing on his pipe, Kyo wondered if he should have just stopped for a "rest" at the damned thing. At least then he could keep an eye on her.

That worry only increased when he spotted dogface's new blade sitting with her things. The damned woman hadn't even thought it could be dangerous. Letting out a groan, Kyo tapped the fire from his pipe and stood.

"Where you going, Kyo?" Bonus asked with a grin.

"For a walk," he answered gruffly, walking away from the fire. He snatched up Yuya Tonto and headed into the trees.

Bon nudged Tora and Kyo could only here a bit of muttering before the idiot shouted, "What? But Miss Yuya would never!"

"Stay here, boy, and we'll see who comes back alone," Bonus said in the distance.


Heading into the darkness, Kyo wondered briefly just why the hell he had to keep saving this woman. If she'd just stay by his side where she belonged it would be fine. No kidnappings. No bad guys trying to kill her. No ex boyfriends kissing her. By his side was definitely best.

Yuya jumped back as the sword sliced through the air in front of her. "What the hell?" she demanded as Jin brought the blade around for a second strike. Dodging this one, Yuya circled around closer to the hut the man had emerged from.

"Yuya, what are you doing here?"

Keeping her eyes on the samurai, Yuya answered, "I was checking to make sure you were okay."

Jin lunged at her, swiping the tip of the sword across her left side. It caused her to dodge to the right, further away from Fuu and the tonto she knew could help her. Yuya wished she'd thought to grab the blade Bon had given her. Even if her kimono ended up being heavy she swore she'd find a spot for that blade if it was the last she did. "Jin, let me explain," Yuya said, circling him again.

"Yes, explain why you turned Fuu into the magistrate," Jin said, turning to face her. Another swipe of steel cut through the air.

Leaping back, Yuya reached into her kimono and pulled the bag of Ryo out. Tossing it to the ground, she had to dodge again. "That was for Mugen. He should have gotten her out this morning. Where is he?" Worry for the man suddenly rushed through her when she realized he was nowhere to be seen.

"We left him behind. I assumed he would be here waiting for his share of the reward," Jin answered. He finally stopped his attacks, but kept his sword ready. "He was going to break her out?"

"You left him there?! What the hell?!" Anger and worry for her friend flashed through her and instantly she pulled one of her knives from her sleeve and with a flick of her wrist sent it flying towards the samurai.

Jin flinched back, avoiding the knife as it cut through the cloth of his kimono. He brought his katana up and lunged forward. As he cut downwards Yuya dipped and rolled away only to look up in horror as he turned the blade at the last second, redirecting its path. She felt a breeze brush over her face as she expected the sword to slash across her.

Her eyes went wide as she stared to at the new blade that had entered the fight and had blocked Jin's sword. Yuya didn't have to look up the long length of the blade to know who its owner was. She knew the flash of death better than anyone. "Back away from my woman," Kyo's deep voice growled. The threat was clear in his tone and Yuya felt a shiver of fear crawl down her spine. Looking up at Jin, she was happy she wasn't staring the demon down.

The sword pulled away from her and Kyo stepped forward, blocking her view of the other man. "Did you really leave Mugen behind?" Yuya asked, looking past Kyo.

"Yes," Jin said steadily. "I couldn't trust him. He worked with you to put Fuu in jail."

"I told you he was supposed to get her out this morning. That's why he was complaining about having to do all the work," Yuya said.

From behind Jin Fuu stepped up, money pouch in hand. "You guys turned me in for the reward money." She looked hurt, but Yuya just let out a sigh.

Yuya shook her head and explained, "He would never leave you in there. That's why it was you and not Jin. I don't think he'd go through the fight to get him out."

Beside her Kyo was still standing tense. Jin had yet to back away any further and Yuya worried that the man might not understand the difference in their fighting abilities. Looking up at Kyo, Yuya said, "I need to go back for Mugen."

"Who're you going back for?"

Yuya's eye went wide as she saw the tall lanky criminal walk out of the shadows. Fuu raced up to him, wrapping her arms around him. "Mugen, you came back!" Jin turned to look back at the scene just in time to see Fuu jump back and slap Mugen. "What the hell were you thinking, turning me into the magistrate?"

"What the hell, girlie? I was going to save ya!"

The two started yelling back and forth and Yuya felt a giggle bubble up. She caught Kyo glancing down at her with his eyebrow raised in question. "Alls well that ends well I guess," she said.

Putting away tenro, Kyo reached down and took hold of her hand. He started making his way back to their camp, pulling Yuya along behind him. "Let's get away from these idiots and back to our own idiots," he mumbled.

Yuya was happy to follow along and let the other group deal with their issues without her, but it seemed fate had a different idea. "Yuya, wait. I have something to tell you about that weird clan, the Mebiu?" She felt Kyo's hand tighten around her own as he came to an abrupt stop.


This isn't the end for our friends. Hopefully I'll be able to get the chapters out a little faster.