He hadn't expected to see her again after the advice on the bridge. He welcomed the surprise and her ensuing company. It had surely improved his mood and business while making the day pass so very quickly. He had learned much from her and about her in those hours. How there was so much behind the pretty face, such tenderness in the sure and knowledgeable hands, such warmth in her voice and now genuine smile. He was beyond embarrassment to serve her what he did, the food no longer food but charred fleshy ashes of eel.
She was going to belong to a brothel, she said and his heart sank, landing heavily in his empty stomach. Such grace and beauty and geniality should not be imprisoned nor subject to the wanton desires of the lecherous. He lamented the reality as he watched her walked away in the downpour. But the day was over and the shop owner was back. Jin collected his pay and bid farewell, starting back towards their lodgings for their stay. He paused in front of the shop, his eyes caught. She forgot her umbrella.
He'd had every intention of giving it back to her when he found her behind the brothel window bars, but when she had said to keep it, he had been just as pleased. But the unexpected passage of her hand upon his face had triggered pleasure of a different kind and he had been totally unprepared for it. He wanted to help her, felt some need to, and he was beginning to suspect it was more than just simple indebtedness. He didn't want her to be afraid of him and that's why he'd halted his sword, why he didn't fight back. Let her see the kind, gentle, and caring man he was before her abuse. Let her think of him, instead. Let her wish him there, instead. Let him suffer for being unable to help her.
He was touched by Fuu's reception and squandering of his state, but he deserved the pain. Damn, she was close, blocking the candle light and shedding both shadow and warm air over him. He opened his eyes, too exhausted to pull back or move past her and simply swayed her worry. A glint caught his eye and he looked around to Mugen to see the gold coin reflecting salvation back to him. He had a plan. He would buy the woman's freedom, and he departed, fully ignoring the jaw he'd never seen so low even for shoveling food.
When it came down to it, he hadn't been able to use her like that. Not that he had any intention of just using her but he thought it degrading to her person. The first touch he'd brushed aside, saying her presence was enough, but hearing her honest laughter at his expense worked away at his will just as the sake would have and he'd given in to her kiss. The night had been good. But no matter how pretty or happy the butterfly was, it was still imprisoned and, thus, all this was only temporary.
Fuu had caught him going out, called him on it, and he truly felt bad for putting himself in a position of possibly breaking his word. But Kohana – Shino – needed his help in a way that Fuu didn't and couldn't yet understand in her inexperience. He had to see Shino to safety and he would thank Fuu later for coming to his rescue with his swords. This was more than debt, he knew as he showed her what he really was, cutting down her pursuers. This was more than debt and a tight chest as he'd pushed the boat and watched her drift away. It was goodbye and it hurt.
From episode 11.