Chapter Sixteen: The Quality of Noise

"Idiot!"

"You skinny little—"

The retort was cut off by Fuu's shrill scream.

A pear whipped past Jin's ear, so close he could feel the breeze. It was quickly followed by a sickening thud and then an utterly incomprehensible string of curses from Mugen.

It was best, the samurai silently thought, not to waste energy on deciphering the noises. They had been walking with barely a break since sunrise, Fuu was eager to get to the next village, which they should have arrived at hours ago. At least, that had been his understanding.

A gentle breeze shifted through the leaves of the fruit tree that stretched across the narrow road. The warmth in the air did little for his weariness and he could not understand how the other two could expend so much energy fighting each other.

"Serves you right," Fuu growled as she launched another pear she had pulled from a low hanging tree branch.

Shifting out of the way of the wildly thrown fruit, Jin was a first content to let it fly past, hoping it would catch Mugen between the eyes. They could use the break and if Mugen was unconscious, well, there was something to be said about the quality of quiet.

The girl and the wild man had been screaming at each other for most of the day. Ever since their early morning arousal by the local magistrate, looking to have them arrested for Mugen's late night activities.

"You! You!" Fuu screamed as she armed herself again. "Jerk!"
As the third pear flew passed, Jin snatched it out of the air. Ignore the light bruising, probably from Fuu's fierce grip; he bit into the crisp flesh. The sweet fruit was good on an empty stomach.

"Hey!" the girl yelped even as Mugen laughed.

Glancing over his shoulder, Jin noted Mugen dancing about like a monkey. His mouth filled with a pear. Feeling it safer anywhere but between the two, Jin stepped to the edge of the road, taking in the shelter of the large tree.

Biting the fruit in half, Mugen spit out the remains and motioned toward Fuu. "Is that all you got?" Juice and chewed bits rained out of his open mouth as he went on. "This is your fault," he said. "You picked the road."

Deciding they were going to be there for a while, Jin found a nice grassy patch. Freeing the saya of his long sword, he sank down next to the tree allowing the hilt to rest against his shoulder as he took his time with pear he had rescued. He could almost see the smoke roiling off the top of Fuu's head. Her hands were clenched so tight, her knuckles had left all color.

Fuu's shoulders were rigid and her stance reminded him of the farm boy's he had often seen about while growing up just before they launched themselves into a fight. It was an inelegant posture. Awkward. One that supported a child whose only skill was to swing his fists in hope his mere strength would defeat his opponent.

While a comfortable distance away stood Mugen. He seemed not to notice Fuu's barely contained rage. No, Jin decided, that was an incorrect assessment. The wild man from Ryukyu knew quite well Fuu's emotional state. He had done all he could to provoke it, though her impending wrath seemed not to disturb him.

He scratched like a dog at its fleas.

Mugen scoffed as Fuu boiled over. It seemed that he was only happy when he was provoking a response, any kind of response out of people. And Fuu was always so easy to get riled up. Though, Jin admitted, on more occasions than he would have preferred, he had also fallen into Mugen's trap and responded to the baits.

It reminded him of Tatsunoshin and Kazunosuke. In their desire for attention, they would take the good with the bad and try the patience of even their serene father.

Watching Mugen and Fuu square off, he was only now starting to appreciate Master Niwa's calm mind and teachings. Though he suspected even these two would try the master's patience.

"You're just mad because you got us lost," Mugen teased.

Fuu's gaze narrowed as she reached up and plucked a fresh, round fruit from a low hanging branch. "We wouldn't have had to take this road if you didn't get us run out of the village."

"They cheated me!"

"Idiot!" Fuu screamed. She drew her arm back to launch the fruit but paused. Her shoulders sagged as her gaze fell to the uneven road. "I give up," she whispered.

Mugen smirked. "Ha!" He clomped across the hardened earth, grabbing the pear out of Fuu's hand as he went.

A soft noise escaped her, but she said nothing, just reached up and grabbed another pear. Spinning quickly about, she pitched the fruit at the back of Mugen's head, hitting her target.

"Hey!"

"Don't sleep too light," she murmured as she grabbed another pear. She then spun about and smiled at Jin, all remnants of her fury seemed to dissipate as she took a big bite.

Rising to his feet, Jin brushed off the loose pieces of grass that clung to his hakuma and slid his long sword back into place next to the wakizashi. Stepping back onto the road, he noted that Fuu did not rush off to catch up with Mugen. When he approached, she fell into step behind him, after only a few paces, he felt the familiar tug on his sleeve as Fuu held on to it like she was accustomed to do.

Why, he was unsure, but doubted it did much harm.

"I'll never get him," she whispered.

"Hmm."


Jin did not need to open his eyes to know the woman was still there in silent vigil. He could hear the gentle rise and fall of her breaths.

Just like he remembered Fuu's in the middle of the night.

To be so full of bubbling energy, she was often a restless sleeper. It seemed no matter where they found shelter, her sleep patterns were the same. She would stare out at the moon from the balcony of whatever inn they managed to scrounge enough money for or in the forest, she would wander from the safety of the fire and sit alone.

As a light sleeper, he was always aware of her movements, but rarely ever intruded upon her. Rarely did he know what to say even if he did.

He did not miss the uncertainty, never knowing what to say, even when he thought he should say something, but he did miss her quiet presence. He even missed the loud, obnoxious sounds Mugen made as he slept sprawled out across the floor.

It was strange. So often he had craved the quiet with his two companions and now, alone, he craved the noise.

roterritter - Thanks! poornmiserable - Mugen jealous? He'd never admit it. dupidnavagog - You are right on both accounts. Crow/raven and you'll just have to wait and see... Krows Scared - Thank you very much! I hope this update is quick enough.

A/N - Thank you everone for the kind replies, I really do appreciate hearing from readers. I'm aiming for a Wednesday and a Friday post this week, so cross your fingers. :p

Next Chapter - Shiori's fears.