Author's Note: To really "submerge" yourself into the relationship of Shino and Jin (this is if - and only if - you have seen Episode 11 "Gamblers and Gallantry") I suggest listening to "About Her" by Avixn: watch?v=ebAJ3ZNPEBE

Thank you all once again. Enjoy!

Mugen's POV

"So I am assuming you two will finally man up and stop this foolish attempt to kill one another," Fuu said in her shrill voice with a tender fist resting on her hip as she tended to Jin patting a warm, damp cloth on his forehead. Her conviction was cute...she always tried to bring us together in the hopes of knocking some sense into us.

She never did, but Jin and I would make her feel as though her make shift "parental nurturing" really worked on two grown ass men.

That following morning, Jin and I agreed to rain check my "self righteous" sacrifice for another day. Takenaka was a hustler, if four-eyes killed me, he would certainly terrorize this small town to find the one person who ripped him of that satisfaction...which in turn would leave Jin dead. Yeah...like that would ever happen.

"Fine by me," I stated after Jin nodded in agreement.

It was a new day and all of us felt defeated. It took a lot out of me to be constantly reassuring Fuu that everything was going to work itself out, but it seemed as though, once our collision course came back in contact with Jin, every kink was smoothed over. Hell, even I kind of missed the guy, but I would rather choke to death on those words then be caught saying them aloud. Fuu, attempting to take care of the weak ronin, made sure he was surrounded in comfort. Fresh linens, a shower in which both her and I had to help him with, and plenty to satiate his appetite.

God, this guy looks like shit.

Felt bad for him. Clearly there was something tearing him apart inside, I knew the look in his eyes way too well. It is the very look that can send a man to madness.

"Man, what happened to you? I mean, within these short six years, you have managed to become of zero threat to me or anyone for that matter."

"Mugen, do you have to be such a blatant asshole to him," Fuu questioned with fire boiling behind her words.

"It is ok, Fuu. I suppose you two have the right to know," Jin sluggishly responded.

"The spring of us parting made me reflect on what I truly wanted: peace," the ronin began. "I made it my life's goal to find it by any means necessary. To retreat into a town like this one, was ideal. A sanctuary. I relinquished my streak of combat and, in turn, started to manage this inn. I have hosted many agreeable travelers within these walls. Families with their children playing without a care in the world. Men and their elegant wives making love in rooms just down the hall. However, as time went on, I began to dream and once those dreams kicked in, I fell into a depression."

"Depression? Why didn't you attempt to find us sooner," a puzzled Fuu interjected.

"It wasn't that simple," Jin continued. "I realized that my sadness stemmed from the singularity of what men want the most. Let me ask you both: if love - embodied by one person - were to knock on your door, would you answer? Further more, how would you know you were in love?"

"Well...Jin, I think you're asking the wrong people. I have never been in love."

Those words carried more weight that I would have hoped. Never been in love? Did Fuu clearly forget who was standing beside her? To be honest, I felt betrayed. If I was ever close to experiencing anything close to "love"...it was with her. Jin honestly should have sliced me up when he had the chance.

"Clearly this broad hasn't, but I have," I pointed a thumb in the delicate little lady's way while addressing Jin's question.

"Wait?! You have?!" Fuu was struck dumbfounded by the statement.

"Yeah. Surprising isn't it? I suppose there is more to me than what you pegged me for," I stated. "But to answer your question, four-eyes, without sounding like too much of a sap, you'll know when it's love. It's like the atmosphere around her grows thin and you find yourself breathless beside her."

Both Jin and the girl looked astonished. Was it truly hard to believe that I would find love eventually?

"Not to be rude and deviate away from this debacle, I found a woman - Shino - whom I met while traveling with you both to Hamamatsu. For the longest time, I have wanted to find her once again; however, as time went on, I grew weaker from my unbalanced emotions. I have been waiting for someone...anyone...to assist me on this journey."

"You mean that chick from the brothel?"

"Yes," Jin's voice trembled yet was not fill with anxiety as you would expect someone being in his position would have. It was that quiet confidence of his that became rattled for the first time.

Love can turn a good man into a foolish bastard.

"Jin, you can't be serious? It's been years...she more than likely has her own life, with children...maybe even a husband."

I still could not bring myself to look at Fuu but she had a valid point. This guy was barking up the wrong tree, but I'll be damned if I said anything.

Even I get tired of being the bad guy.

"It does not matter. I would continue to live in quiet misery for the rest of my days, if it meant I had the chance to see her once more. Please, I need the both of you to help me find her."

"Come on, dude...it's not worth it," I turned around to see myself out of the room. I was nauseated by all this talk of love and love lost, that was until Jin's voice manifested itself into a tamed, yet violent roar.

"She is worth what little strength I have, my determination, my life! I am not a man to grovel - you above anyone know that - but I will humbly drop to my knees and beg of you...help me. I may have left her behind in Hamamatsu, but she has never departed my mind. I hear the rain and I imagine her, deeply staring at the river below on that very bridge where we first met as if time ceased to move forward. Mugen, please!"

I turned back to gaze at his thrashed body that was sinking and sulking into bed. Soft light from the beaming afternoon sun was creating a luminescent shade of honey cream into the somewhat dimmed room. I sighed as I then shifted my stare to look upon a concerned Fuu. She gave me a single nod.

I would do anything. Only for her.

"Shit. You know you don't make this easy, four-eyes."

Jin smirked with tired eyes, "when was life ever easy for the three of us?"

"How much do you love her," Fuu questioned somberly.

"I...I can't quite put love into words but being without her is inconceivable. I have dreamed of her countless nights when the stars were growing closer to my reach and my life was nearing its close; that feeling alone gives me purpose."

A long pause was suspended in the middle of the room. The only sound was the shudder of a mellow breeze casually beating against the window sill. The three of us - in a seemingly endless silent standoff - glared at each other with concern, doubt, and anxiety. It was the first time we were ever uncertain of the looming outcomes that could potentially follow. However, all with our own personal endeavors varying greatly, I'm sure.

I broke the silence.

"I wouldn't get too comfortable here. We leave in a few days."

"No," Jin lifted himself carefully onto his feet, cracked his neck off to the left and tied his hair behind his shoulders. "We leave tonight."

"You crazy son of a bitch," I laughed through a snarl."I am assuming we can't do a rain check?"

Jin grabbed my hand firmly with bushido respect...his eyes wet with exaltation.

"Thank you."