Chapter Two

After taking Tsuki to the market to get new clothes, Fuu sat in the small gathering room. "Now, you two promise to behave while she's here, right?" she asked, a serious expression on her face. Mugen sat in silence. "I understand completely." Jin stated, his eyes closed. Fuu smiled and noticed a very delicious smell in the air. She closed her eyes and let the aroma surround her. "Wow... what's that?" she thought, out loud. Jin opened the door and walked down the hall with Mugen and Fuu close behind. He came upon the kitchen and opened the door. There was Tsuki, cooking...well, no one really knew what she was cooking. "Hey! She's making Dumplings!" Mugen stated, jumping over to the already made ones. But before he could grab one, a knife hit the wall, inches away from his head. "Touch them and I'll kill you." Tsuki stated, sternly. She walked over and grabbed the knife, cleaned it, and resumed cutting the potatoes. Jin was fascinated in her cooking skill and her quickness. He wondered if she was more then a princess. Fuu walked over to her and watched as Tsuki placed the chopped potatoes in the pot. "So, you cook?" she asked. Tsuki nodded and replied, "When you're father is Shogun and you're the only child... well, you tend to pick up a few things." Mugen looked at the Dumpling and then at Tsuki. She wouldn't know, right? All he had to do was grab it and stuff it in his mouth. He slowly reached for it, trying not to make the slightest move that would distrub the silence that had taken over the atmosphere. "Do you want to keep your hand, or not?" Tsuki asked, without looking at him. Mugen looked at her and then glared. "Why should you be a threat to me? You're just a woman!" he snapped. Tsuki stopped cutting a pepper and stood there. No one knew what she was going to do... it was just dangerously calm. Suddenly, she moved quickly across the floor and placed the knife against Mugen's throat. "Yes, I'm a woman... but I can be your worst nightmare." she stated in a cold voice, her eyes narrowed. Jin's mouth fell slightly open as Fuu smiled. "I'm going to love having you here!" Fuu explained. Tsuki looked at Fuu and smiled. She walked over to the cutting board and resumed the work at hand. Mugen stood there in silent shock, trying to figure out why he couldn't read her movements.

Once everything was cooked, everyone sat down in the dining area to eat. Tsuki looked at Mugen, who was sitting to the left of her. "You can touch the Dumplings now..." she stated. Mugen looked at her. "Are you going to cut off my hand?" he asked, fear in his eyes. Tsuki giggled, which made Jin smile. "No, but the next time I'm cooking and you try something like that, I may have to." she replied. Fuu filled her bowl with rice and the spicy chicken curry. She just couldn't wait to eat. Tsuki watched as the young girl filled her mouth with food. "Slow down before you choke." Tsuki stated, scared that the girl would do so. Jin closed his eyes and began to eat. "She's always like that. Do worry too much about it. If you're not careful, she may eat your food as well." Jin stated. Tsuki looked at him and she wondered if he was a samurai of some sort. "So, what brings you to accompany them?" she asked, looking directly at Jin. He made eye contact with her and Mugen and Fuu stopped eating. Silence was about the room, which meant that either Mugen was in for it, or Fuu was about to burp. "I'm a wanderer, Miss Tsuki. I happened to run into Mugen and he started a fight... I simply wanted to finish it. No, I don't kill for fun... I only kill if I have to, which rarely happens." he stated in a calm voice. Tsuki looked at him, nodding a bit. "That's understandable... but, what if..." she closed her eyes, a smile coming on her face. "Nothing, forget it." Mugen and Fuu resumed eating, stuffing the faces. Tsuki sat there, silence once again in the room as another guest. Jin looked at her, trying to figure out if there was another side to this Tsuki. "She's cute..." he thought. Blush shot across his face so fast that he didn't realize it. "Is it too hot, Mr. Wanderer?" Tsuki asked, looking at him. Jin's blush deepened in color. He could now feel the heat in his face. "Yeah, are you okay, Jin? Your face is really red." Fuu said, concerned.

"I'm fine... just need to step outside for a moment." he stated, quickly. He stood up and everyone watched as the door closed behind him. Tsuki shook her head and Mugen shrugged. "That guy's always weird." he stated. Tsuki ignored him as Fuu helped herself to another bowl.

Jin closed his eyes again, trying to figure out what the hell had just occured. "What was I thinking? I can't believe... well she is cute... WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!" he thought. The door opened and he looked up at Tsuki. She was wearing a white kimono with red petals on the bottom. Her brown hair was placed into a bun, that was wrapped with a red ribbon. "I was seeing if you were okay. It looks like it. Sorry if I made it too spicy... my father always likes his food that way. Umm... would you mind helping me with the dishes?" she stated. Jin looked at her and cleaned his glasses. "Yeah... if you need the help." he said, getting up. They walked to the kitchen, Jin behind her. His mind was now clean, and he was glad that it was. This Tsuki had came into his life just today, and everything seemed to go a different direction, like they were meant to meet.

That night, Tsuki sat outside, brushing her brown hair. The atmosphere was great, not cold and rainy like Kyoto was at this time of the year. She sighed and began to hum, still brushing her hair. Jin, she had concluded, was something of a complex person... a person who really lived life day by day, but everyone knew lil about. She placed the brush down and ran her hands through her knot free hair.

Jin stood in the doorway, watching this mystical angel hum as she ran her delicate fingers through her long, silky brown hair. The song she was singing was something of a lullaby, but for some reason, to him, it had an aura of sadness. He noticed it the first time he walked passed on the way to his room. Since then, he hadn't left from the door. He wondered if she knew that he was there. "She may... but then again..." he turned his head and saw Fuu close her door behind her. He then turned his gaze back to Tsuki and smiled slightly. "Would you like to join me, Mr. Wanderer?" she asked. Jin's heart jumped into his throat. "She knew the entire time." he thought. She turned her head and looked at him. "Well?" she asked. Jin walked out of the doorway and sat beside her. He looked up at the clear sky and asked, "So, what do you plan to do if your father finds you?" Tsuki picked up the black brush and smiled. "What else? I tend to leave. I will not be forced into being married." she replied in a soft tone. Jin looked at her and realized that maybe fate had really brought them together. He watched as she got up and quickly braided her brown hair. "Well, a bid you good night, Mr. Wanderer. I'll see you in the morning." she stated, walking to the small home. Jin turned his head to the front yard and sighed. He didn't know that he was holding his breath the entire time they were sitting there. He stood up, making a note to turn in himself. "I really didn't think that you would actually find someone that quick." he heard. Jin turned around and stared at the young woman with long black hair that was tied into a bun with a crimson ribbon.