Freedom Seeking Chapter 11, a samurai champloo fanfic

Chapter 11

Mugen paced back and forwards anxiously. His phone was pressed to his ear turning his face and fingers white from the pressure. Time seemed to stop but hasten. He was at a loss.

"Bastard!" He cursed out loud followed by other threats and curses.

What if he didn't make it in time…? Why would she openly walk into his trap…? He was sure her mother would be kept alive for her sake. When would the four-eye bastard pick up the phone and give him the order…?

What do you want…? Came his harsh answer after minutes of endless ringing.

"Bastard, Give me the order already!" He yelled down the phone. Jin knew something was wrong.

What happened?

"He has her mother so she went alone to face him! Hurry up!"

… Just go… I'll personally write the order! Jin rushed. In the background, Mugen could hear many phones ringing and pathetic banter taking place; the typical station.

Mugen hung up the phone, thrusting it into his pocket and grabbed the katana from its stand, knocking it over in the process. He fastened it to his back violently and ran out the door, locking it in a hurry.

He ran; nothing more to say, through the cold, derelict alley's and wavering street paths. The only thing keeping him trapped in the harsh reality and not getting him lost in thought was his feet pounding against the rough pavements and his heart trying to rip out of his chest.

He received some frightened responses from the pedestrians he passed. The flinched and jumped, wide eyed, watching this mad man barging past them with a wild look in his eyes and a hand gripping the dangerous weapon on his back.

Damn it ya stupid bitch! Ya couldn't have waited, huh?!

0-0

With her…

"No… no… no… you… you killed… you killed her!" Fuu shouted watching her mothers still posture. Tears started to swell her eyes as she waited for sign of life emerging from her mother. Nothing came… only the sickening laugh which haunted her dreams.

A new found anger… no… confidence, found itself rising in Fuu. She skimmed the room for some sort of weapon. Her life didn't matter any more. She didn't care. She wouldn't be satisfied until his body mimicked that of her mother's, only she wanted to see fear in his eyes.

She dropped her head like a puppet who's master had let go, and like that puppet; her master, her voice in her head… the one who kept her safe, had gave in. Let go… all the anger and rage which built up inside of her filled her new opening eyes. The puppet was gaining its own manner, its own voice.

When she raised her head again the shock took over. She moved her head to face the man whose blade was pointing at her. He longed to see tears and hurt in her eyes. He wanted to see her vulnerable and weak only he never got that look. Her eyes were cold, grey… void of life… and staring at him wildly with intent to kill.

For a moment he looked shocked, even a little fearful, but he quickly remembered how easily he could break her and how much more powerful he was than her.

She ran away from the blade over to the nearest draw where she took out a long blade. She remembered stumbling upon it by accident a few weeks earlier and realised that it belonged to him.

She turned around to face him only to stare at the empty seat. Instead he was walking towards her from another angle. He didn't even bother to pick up the blade, seriously underestimating him. She was thankful for this mishap and used it to her advantage.

She didn't know what she was going to do. This new feeling within her cried for revenge but how could she go about it. She stood trembling with the look still in her eyes. He advanced.

Arms grabbed her wrists and he leaned over into her face with a filthy smile. She leaned from his face into his wrist and sunk her teeth into the hand which held her own, or more specifically, the one which stopped the metal dagger from piercing his flesh.

He looked down shocked at this but his perverse mind thought she was playing sexually with him. He moaned out loud from the sensation making anger take hold of her even more. She sunk deeper until she could feeling the bone and gripped down with all her might sending his hand into his own chest where he clung to it in amazement.

Blood dropped down his whitened palm from the huge deep marks she had created. She lifted her own hand and sunk it into his shoulder making him cry out and push her harshly to the floor.

She tumbled and rolled onto her side until she came to a stop where her shaken arms held her weight up to stare at the attacker. He had hoped to move that look from her eyes but when she looked up again the look continued. It pierced through his own eyes and never broke its contact.

"You bitch!" He yelled walking over to her as blood poured from his shoulder and wrist. He had regained his usual battle aura and his fingers clung to her skimpy vest top to lift her so she was mere inches from his face. He snarled at her angrily as the look never faltered. "What's that look!? Stop it!"

She was now sitting on the floor in his clutches but he kneeled in front of her staring her down until one fist collided with her stomach, making her cough up blood violently. He stood up and walked around her hoping to make her intimidated. He wanted rid of that look. It annoyed him when people stood up to him.

She was bent over her legs coughing still. His blood was running from her mouth after her first encounter and her own mixed running down her chin into her lap. Her forearm rubbed the disgusting flavour from her skin and she rose to her knees in an attempt to stand only he wasn't going to let her. He raised his foot to her back and pushed her till she was thrown off a little distance rolling over again.

He walked over with a grin and bent over her shivering body. Using his foot again, he kicked her over so she looked up at him. Her head was dropped and her concentration was focused on making her elbows prop her up. She knew she was pissing him off so she intentionally continued knowing it was the only way to get her own back.

She raised her head still and looked up at him and smiled. Rage built up inside him so he sat on top of her and took her top in his clutches ripping the material up her torso. The once beautiful top was stained with blood and ripped up the middle, hanging on by her shoulders. She carried on her smirk but was met with his loud, ear piercing laughter which sent shivers up her spine.

"So you're eventually going to enjoy this…" He grinned down hoping to diminish her confidence. He had already beaten out quite a lot of her defiant look until now she looked like a moving corpse. Her eyes were dead and her skin was milky white with fear. She was slowly giving up.

"The only sex I enjoy doesn't come from you…" She replied with a hollow, empty laugh. He backhanded her face and she lost that smile. "You repulse me… "

His laugh filled the house and even sounded to the street outside once more, but all laughter stopped when she replied.

"How did it feel when you found out he fucked me…? He fucked your precious wives 'younger self'. 'Cause it was good… he did it again this morning… twice actually… that makes it three times altogether… in these clothes too… oh… and when you lean over me like this… he kinda looks pissed off…" She grinned that cold look again peering over the man's shoulder… He looked enraged from her dirty words then they started to sink in…

He came…

0-0

With him…

"'Bout time!" He yelled as he made it to her street. He stopped soon after as he felt someone coming up behind him. He drew his sword and held it behind him as he tuned to meet with the blade which crashed into his own.

The man sneered at him. "Can't let you interrupt his… fun…" He laughed sending Mugen into a rage. He pushed the man from him and swung his blade into his chest.

Too easy…

Once the man collided with the floor he turned around, coming face to face with three more men. They had cleverly blended themselves in to their surroundings, wearing hooded jumpers or caps to disguise themselves; only they were guarding the house in case he would show up.

After a brief moment of sizing the opposition up, Mugen lunged towards them with one strike, but they all jumped avoiding the blow making them space out a little more. He ran through them as two had gathered at one side and one at the other in an attempt to become closer to the house.

He looked to both sides and noticed them keeping up well with his pace. They kept their distance but were staring him down as their feet carried them further, until one of them jumped to swing at him. He jumped forwards onto his hand and spun around to stand up again. After skidding to a halt, he ran forwards and spun bringing his blade into contact with the man who had now landed where he had been standing. He slashed his chest making the man tumble forwards.

The other two men drew their blades and charged for him at both angles. After retrieving his sword from the mans stomach he jumped off his bent over back into the air, turning upside down and onto the first man who made it to his position. The man evaded bringing his sword up to shield himself but he fell on his back after supporting Mugen's weight. He carried on pushing downwards until the other man came into the picture, stabbing his sword at Mugen. After he jumped away from the man he charged for the second swinging horizontally across his chest. He edged backwards receiving only a small gash but was quickly followed up when both he and Mugen moved forwards into each other. The ended up turning around each others backs until Mugen plunged his sword behind him into and through the man's stomach, leaving him lying on the floor.

When he moved away from the newly fallen corpse, he heard a shriek of laughter coming from inside the house, turning his face sour and removing his once playful grin.

He looked over to the other man with a serious expression. The man was now shaken, unsure of how to act so he brought his sword upwards to point at Mugen; only his whole arm was shaking. Mugen slowly walked towards him never breaking the eye contact until the man dropped his blade and sprinted away in defeat.

Mugen ran towards the house and entered through a window at the side. He didn't want to compromise Fuu's position and had to know she was safe before he figured out his next moves. The window was shut so he slashed his blade across the locking mechanism and gripped his fingers around the seal to pull it open. He climbed into the dining room and silently rushed over to the edge of the wall to look into the living room.

"The only sex I enjoy doesn't come from you…" Fuu smirked with a hollow, empty laugh. He backhanded her face and she lost that smile. "You repulse me…" She added, her eyes cleverly covered by her bangs.

His laugh filled the house and even sounded to the street outside once more, but all laughter stopped when she answered. Mugen slowly crept up behind him and paused after hearing Fuu's words. He never would have expected this.

The gesture even made him a little creeped out after seeing the hollow look in her eyes. She had dried blood down her chin and her top was wide open exposing her bra. Anger soon built up in him; she was openly showing her assets, or should he say his assets to another man unwillingly.

He turned around to notice Mugen standing over him with a deathly look in his eyes.

"Yo, asshole… what do ya think ya doin' to my girl?" Mugen questioned not once breaking the contact. Fuu's face flushed and she slowly found herself becoming more awakened to her actions and her life threatening position. Her eyes gained a little life and her hearts felt slightly warmer thanks to his protective words.

Umanosuke snarled up at him and rolled away from Fuu to grab his katana. He stood up firm and turned to face Mugen with a new found strength. He was pissed at both of their words and the rage continued as he watched him hold his hand out to Fuu.

He looked down at her while his hand remained and notice her body lying quite suggestively. Her arms were up by her head and her thin stomach was panting quickly. Her skirt lay dishevelled around her hips and was hiked up quite high. She took his hand and he steadily raised her to her feet, in order to push her behind him as he faced the disgusting vermin before him.

She backed away into the dining room where Mugen had come from.

"I don't appreciate being…"

"Interrupted? Yeah, yeah… let's not get into the pre-battle speech… it gets boring…" Mugen countered before any more could be said.

The both charged forwards letting their blades clash together. This kept happening as they drew back and charged again only Mugen's fighting style was not repetitive. When he charged again he ducked out of the way and swung his legs up and around into him making him fall off balance. Mugen took this opportunity to strike at him leaving a small cut across his hip.

When he regained his balance he grabbed Mugen's offending hand away from him earning a quick smack to the face with his other. Umanosuke stumbled a bit then slashed his blade across Mugen's chest causing blood to trickle down his white vest which lay under a red over shirt.

Mugen leaned backwards bringing his strong grip on Umanosuke with him and sending him across the room into a wall. He stood up quickly and charged at the man who slid onto his bum. Once he was close enough he plunged his blade into his shoulder, sticking him into the wall beside the dining room, where Fuu stood watching.

He panted and squirmed to release the blade from his shoulder, but Mugen was at the other end of the blade, smiling viciously at him.

"Hey girly… you got him pretty deep…" He called over to Fuu while twisting the blade around inside the man's shoulder. He squirmed and fidgeted before picking his blade up and swinging at Mugen. Once Mugen jumped back he let go of his brilliant katana and looked down bored at the man. He then realised his mistake.

Her step-father pulled out the sword leaving cuts on his hand where he grabbed the blade. After throwing it to the side he picked up his own and charged at Mugen.

For sure this time… I've got him… that bastard… he's mine! He thought as he charged towards the young, bushy haired man who looked angry. Once his blade almost reached Mugen's chest, a small tanto emerged from Mugen's scabbard and blocked the offender.

Mugen's blade was giving in to the obviously stronger one until a large metal point emerged from Umanosuke's chest. Mugen recognised the double edged blade as his own and backed away from the twitching man in front of him. Once he broke the strength war, Umanosuke slid down the blade onto the floor leaving Fuu standing there shaking. She stabbed the blade like an amateur, making it glide down through his back.

She sheepishly looked up at Mugen who had his brow raised to her and smiled. She held the blade out for Mugen to take and replace.

"You were late…" She added quietly.

"I had to make an entrance…"

She chuckled up at him weakly.

"Ya hung up on me and walked into danger…" His face looked a little hurt and angry for her foolish mistake making the words come out harsher.

"Yeah… I had to make an appearance…" She avoided his stare still shaking. "Mom!" She yelled running over to the woman in the corner who she momentarily forgot. Mugen hadn't noticed the body in the corner. When he glanced at Fuu turning it over and hugging it into her chest he felt sick.

Her eyes were closed and blood was trickling down her lip dryly. Her skin was white and several bloody patches could be seen around her body as well as her twisted leg. Mugen picked his phone out of his pocket and called a number in the background.

"Mom? Open your eyes… wake up… he's dead now… we're both free now…" Fuu whispered into her head while stroking her hair downwards. She started to cry into her mother's hair weakly while she rocked her body gently.

"It's been done…" Mugen said over the phone. "Bring an ambulance too… a few…" He hung up the phone call to Jin rudely and jogged over to Fuu who was shaking with the woman in her arms.

"Oi…" He shook her shoulder lightly making her flinch and look up.

"Mugen… is she… is… she… dead?" Fuu sobbed looking up to him. He felt his stomach churn at her tears and the lifeless woman in her arms before he budged Fuu over and picked her mothers head up.

He didn't really know how to tell but he felt around her neck for a pulse and felt a slight pounding against his fingers.

He laid the woman down placing a pillow behind her head. "We gotta wait now…" He said to Fuu grabbing her arms and bringing her forward into his chest. He kissed her head and stroked her hair backwards as she cried into his chest.

After a few minutes, sirens could be heard echoing down the street and coming to a halt outside the house. The both looked over to the door and waited for them to enter onto the bloody scene.

0-0

"… I see… well the order was filed and you two can go now…" The police sergeant said walking away from Fuu and Mugen. She was sitting upright on the sofa listening intently to his words while Mugen lay back with his hands behind his head looking cocky. Fuu nudged him on the stomach at his arrogance.

"You didn't even kill him and you're acting cocky…" she added looking him in the eye.

"Ya didn't need to interfere!" He countered pouting his lip out comically. She stood up from the sofa and looked around the house. Her mother had been taken to hospital after the paramedics felt weak signs of life. Two men who lay outside had also been taken to hospital; one on the brink of death and the other with a severe injury.

Overall, the house was a mess. Blood was spilt through the floor and up against some walls which were being cleaned up by specialists as they spoke. Umanosuke's blade was being boxed as evidence and other officers searched the house for signs of the Shogunates whereabouts.

She wanted to be by her mother's side but they had to answer questions which didn't put Mugen in a good mood. She walked away from the sofa and walked up the stairs hoping to change out of the clothes she wore. She knew Mugen had left her not so attractive clothes in her wardrobe.

"Where ya goin'?" He asked following her keeping his hands behind his head.

She chuckled to herself and pointed to what she was wearing. "I can't wear your clothes to the hospital…"

He smirked, "Why not? They're sexier than the ones upstairs.

She struck hi in the stomach and carried on walking down the corridor towards her room.

Flashback

"…What happened here…?" A confused police officer asked walking through the door and noticing the mess, blood and gore surrounding him. He was shortly followed by more officers who then looked over to Fuu who jumped up.

"Where is the ambulance?" She asked as tears stuck to her face. They didn't pay attention to what she said as her top was cut down the middle revealing a very secretive black bra. Some smiled or licked their lips while staring at her. "H… hey?"

Mugen noticed this and took off his red shirt placing it over Fuu and pulling her behind him.

Bastards…

End Flashback

"Bastards…" He cursed out loud thinking about the police who lurked around the house.

"…Mugen?" She asked innocently before walking into her old room. He continued to walk into her room and lay down on the bed still thinking.

She laughed lightly at him and turned to go to the bathroom to wash the blood from her chin and mouth. When she got back, he hadn't moved from the spot but looked over to her when she came in.

She took his shirt off and tossed it over to him earning a grunt. She walked over to the wardrobe and started to hunt through the clothes. At the back she found a sleeveless jumper with a hood. It was almost classed as low cut but clearly Mugen didn't think so.

"Why did you leave this behind? It's cute…" She asked taking her torn top off and throwing it over the bottom of the bed.

He looked over to watch her dressing with a grin. He admired her curves and her skin tone before she turned around angrily.

"Mugen?"

"Huh?"

"Weren't you listening?

He shook his head with a smile as he got up and walked over to warp his arms around her waist.

"Not now Mugen… I need to go to the hospital…" She placed the top over her head letting the soft material hold her body.

He let go and leaned against the end of the bed with his hands loosely against her hips. He didn't want to break the contact while she continued to change. She was red with embarrassment but he had already seen her naked so she continued to unzip her skirt letting it fall to the floor.

It wasn't the white colour it used to be, as the red blotches of blood had stained through the material.

She fastened up a tight par of half length trousers and turned around to notice Mugen staring at her with that smile again. He held on a little tighter now she was fully changed and he ran his hands where ever he pleased.

"Mugen… hospital…?"

"Yeah, yeah… quit ya bitchin'…"

0-0

When we got to the hospital, we were taken to a little room where her mother lay. She was sat up in the bed. Wasn't bloody any more... Not as pale either…

She hadn't opened her eyes either. Fuu… she started to cry again… I hate it when she cries… Makes me feel sick inside… and pathetic… like I can't help her stop…

Four deep cuts, a bust up lip, bruising, a broken leg, internal bleeding and a fractured skull… that's what they said… bastards… they made her cry more. Damn it Fuu...

She… she's dying... That's how they told her… then they left us alone to talk with her… she started to cry again… at least it won't hurt her anymore, right? Even when I hold ya, tears still come out… I can't stop ya shakin' either… I dunno what to say to ya… I ain't had any parents to die on me… plenty of so called 'friends' have dies… but I never cried for them bastards… I feel like shit now… nothin' I do will made ya stop crying.

I felt stupid… I thought 'she can't be dyin'… look she woke up… see?' How fuckin' stupid of me…

The Stupid broad… I already promised to look after her… that ain't gonna change! Yet she still asked and pleaded with me. To protect her… I had already devoted the rest of my life to that… there ain't nothin' else I can or wanna do… I wanted her to stop being all depressin… otherwise… she wouldn't stop cryin'…

You're her mother damn it… of course ya love her… ya should have been savin' strength not talkin'…

They say that you have a feelin'… in ya gut and in ya head… ya just know that it's ya time to go… I ain't had that feelin' 'cause I'm in charge of my own life and refuse to die 'cause someone else wants ya to. Maybe… maybe she knew… she forced herself, with all her might to wake up.

"Live life how ya want Fuu… don't be sad… we'll meet again someday… so stop ya cryin'" was what she said… somethin' like that.

Fuu carried on cryin'… time kinda… stopped… she didn't know what to do with her mother. Her breathing continued but her eyes kinda drooped closed. She kept Fuu's hand squeezed tight as she sobbed into her bed sheets. Her hand grabbed Fuu's and covered it completely when her eyes opened again… for the last time…

Fuu… she looked up hopefully at her mother… they both jus'… kinda smiled… then… her hand… it jus'… dropped. It was like slow motion… when it hit the bed her eyes had finally closed and that beepy machine wouldn't shut up.

A constant whine came from it and Fuu collapsed into her mother shakin'. The tears came again… her face was completely soaked so… I jus' walked over and grabbed her into my chest. I could feel her shakin'… it was sickenin'.

Doctors came in and checked things… but they jus' shook their head and turned the machine off. Time of death… 09:34 pm…

She was gone…

0-0

"… Hi mom! Ah! No…! I'm going to be late! Bye Mother! Hey you, I'm leaving now! Come back in one piece please!" A brown haired woman yelled as she opened the door in their apartment.

"Whoa! Hold on brat!"

"Hey! Im 21! You can't keep callin' me that!" She whined as he walked over to her and pulled her into a deep kiss.

"Ah! Fine… girly… yeah, yeah… my piece will be intact when I come back…" He said giving her a playful pat on her bum.

"Mugen! Behave!" She grinned walking out the door in a pencil skirt and shirt. Overall she looked ready for a day in an office.

He turned around and walked into the kitchen to raid the fridge once she was gone but he was stopped by that familiar buzzing sound against the bench. He cursed out loud and picked it up after reading the name.

"What d'ya want four eyes!?" He answered harshly.

You have the order for S. Hayasuke. Let's not make this one too sloppy.

"Ya know… ya got two swords of ya own… why don't ya work for our part instead? Scared incase ya nail breaks?"

No… I simply don't want to be any closer to you than I have to be. This way I only have to listen to your whining voice once every few days…

"What was that bastard?! I even considered lettin' ya be my best man!"

What?!

Mugen hung the phone up and snickered. Every time they argued over the phone Mugen would say something to piss him off and most of the time it involved his relationship with that clumsy, air head… but hell… he loved her…

He of course wasn't going to marry her yet. That was all for the future. He just liked to keep Jin hanging on lies.

0-0

"Hey you! What took you so long… no wait… Lover boy wanted another round? Shino mocked out the window of her flashy red car. Fuu blushed when she got in.

"No…"

"It's written all over your face…!"

"Is not!"

"Yeah, yeah…"

"I… I was sick…"

"Sick…? Fuu…?"

"I'm not telling him yet…! He… may not like the idea of a family so early.

"You guys have been together for five year… why not…?"

"I just don't know how he feels about kids… but I plan to quiz him…" She grinned as they drove along to the call centre.

"I know what you mean… Jin would fully support me if I wanted a family… but… can you imagine him bringing up a child?"

Fuu and Shino spaced out for a moment in thought of Jin walking a toddler to school. They imagined him holding its hand, not speaking, as they both sophistically walked through the school entrance.

Fits of laughter emerged from the two women in the car. They got out still laughing and walked to the entrance of the building.

'A Helping Hand' was written into the sign which adorned the top of the building. It was top in the country for helping children and teenagers with abused histories or experiences. It helped them talk to real people who experienced problems like such and Shino and Fuu were highly ranked in the company's employee list.

Fuu worked in a different section to Shino as Shino had never experienced the abuse herself. Instead she helped children who phoned in worried about their friends or who suspected their friends or abuse. Fuu worked dead on with more serious cases, often exchanging stories with them of her own past.

Of course, that wasn't all Fuu did. By day she worked for the children, helping them talk to someone indirectly. By night or weekends… she danced professionally for some well known artists or for sheer competition. She always ranked quite highly and Mugen never missed the chance to watch 'his girl' dancing.

Who would have thought, that a serious turn of events could merge two lives for the better… and make life as great as it was now…

The end

Phew… that was a rollercoaster of events. I'm sorry to all of you who expected her mother to live. I guess the reason I didn't feel like she should live in the story was because:

Her mother died in Samurai Champloo and events should be the same.

You all expected her to

Fuu would naturally want to live with her since she would be alone and she had to stay with Mugen.

Anyhoo, I hope you enjoyed my story ducklings! Please review…! I'll consider writing another SC fic if I get some decent reviews… hehehehe… bribe!