Thanks to those of you who have read and reviewed the first chapter. Just to clear some things up, this story takes place about ¾ of the way through the anime. Regarding Shino, imagine her appearing physically as she does in the anime, but with a slightly different life story which will be revealed through the course of this fanfic.

I do not own Samurai Champloo.

this chapter has been updated 10/31/05

Jin began to settle back on his futon ready to welcome sleep into his tired body. Somehow, the nocturnal bliss did not come immediately. As he meditated on his mat, his body was still but his mind was running in circles. He had noticed her starring at the tea house, but she left so quickly there was no need to worry about the intrusive moment. He couldn't get the image of her eyes out of his mind. Alluring though they were, something mysterious about those eyes bothered him. 'What would possess a woman to travel these lands alone?' He thought as sleep finally came to him.

Morning swept through the room in the form of sunlight and awoke the rested trio. Fu opened her eyes to see Mugen stretching in one corner of the room. Jin was already sitting in his meditative posture, ready to begin the day. The traveling companions discussed the quickest route to take to the next town in order to avoid sleeping in the forest.

Fu began," The main road detours through some small villages, so maybe we can cut through the farm houses and then through the forest."

Jin," Hmm, I agree."

Mugen responded," So what if we sleep one night in the woods, its not like we haven't done that before."

Fu," What's up with you! We all have money for an inn at the next town, so why should we have to sleep on dirt, when we can have a nice clean room and bed for a change."

Mugen," The main road will be much safer for us to travel through anyway, alls I'm saying is what's the big deal about sleeping outside for one night."

Jin," You lost all your money gambling, didn't you?"

Mugen," What! What I do with my money is my business."

Jin," We only have enough money for a room big enough for three if we all pitch in together."

Mugen," Look, I don't need to answer to you, tight ass."

Jin," Then you won't mind sleeping in the dirt while we relax at a comfortable inn."

The pair of fighters quickly reached for their swords and took a combative pose. As they stared at one another waiting for the first strike, Fu jumped in-between and screamed," You two promised me that you wouldn't fight anymore, we're supposed to be looking for the sunflower samurai REMEMBER! Besides, we're in the middle of a tea house for god's sake."

As the heat of the moment passed, both men put away their swords and exited the tea house. Fu was relieved to have avoided running out of town because her two companions had once again torn apart another tea house. She did have to admit to herself that they had not been as aggressive towards each other lately. She was hopeful that they were learning to become friends, but her hope for their camaraderie was lost that morning. As Fu stepped outside the café, she remembered hearing that a farmhouse on the outskirts of town needed workers for some odd jobs. Once again in need of additional funds, the traveling trio headed to the farmhouse.

After walking for a solid hour, they came to an older farmhouse which was run by a small family. The front yard was occupied by a young boy and a small girl pretending to spar with wooden swords. The sounds of a bustling kitchen could be heard coming from inside the house, however the aroma seeping out of the house was not of an average farmhouse lunch. The scent lingered heavily in the air and reminded Fu of her mother's medicinal herbs. As the group neared the house, the small children greeted them. Shortly after a young woman appeared at the front door. Proper introductions were made and the trio learned the young lady's name was Kaori, the little boy's name was Tetsuji, and the younger girl's name was Ayame. The young woman explained the various tasks that needed to be completed and how much she would pay for each job.

The trio worked on their various jobs through the afternoon and as the sun began to set each of their stomachs growled in turn. Once their tasks had been completed they headed back to the farmhouse to collect their payment hopeful that they might be fed as well. They were in luck that evening for the family had prepared a large meal. Apparently the family was thankful that so much work around the farm had finally been completed, so after the older sister paid the trio she invited them in for dinner. The father of the three children had fallen ill and was relegated to his room so he was not able to join the group for dinner. However, a familiar face exited his room and joined the group for the last meal of the day.

In the light of the setting sun Shino's face seemed to emit a warm glow that softened the sad expression she wore. Jin was the first to notice her enter the room and then Fu jumped at the sight of the familiar stranger.

Fu," Hey! You're that lady from the bath. Do you live here? I thought you were a poor traveler. Did you lie to me?"

Mugen," What's goin' on here?"

Kaori," This is Shino. She only started working here this morning. She will be temporarily staying with us to act as a nurse maid for my father who had fallen ill. Her knowledge of medicinal herbs should be of great help to my father. Do you know these travelers Shino?"

Shino," Well, we met briefly in town."

Fu," So I guess you came across your job here just like we did, huh?"

Shino," Yes."

Mugen," Looks like we've got another quiet one. Well, that's better than a loud mouth, we've already got one of those around."

Fu," Hey! Whatta ya mean loudmouth? I'm not the one who snores loud enough to wake the whole town."

Mugen," Hey, I can't help it if I'm just tryin' to get a good night's sleep. At least I can keep my mouth shut for more than 3 seconds when I'm awake."

Fu," Why you! I oughtta….", raising her fist at Mugen.

Jin clearing his throat," We are guests here, please try to behave appropriately."

Shino held her hand over her mouth but still couldn't help letting out a small giggle as the two argued during the meal. It was the first time she had laughed in quite some time. Unfortunately the humorous moment was cut short by a loud noise that came from the front yard. Jin immediately jumped to his feet with his sword in hand and Mugen following a few seconds behind. Mugen might have been a little faster to react if he weren't busy trying to stuff his face with the last pieces of rice in his bowl. When they looked out at the front yard they saw a group of Nagatomi gangsters shooting flaming arrows all over the land in front of the house. The elder sister commanded the younger siblings to follow Shino into the master bedroom where their father lay ill.

Mugen and Jin stood in front of the house in a defensive pose, demanding to know what reason the thugs had to attack the farmhouse. The man who appeared to be heading up this group of gangsters spoke in return. He informed Mugen and Jin that the man of the house owed the local Nagatomi boss money because his crops had not brought in enough profit and they were there to collect. Kaori came out from inside the house begging the gangsters to give them more time. She explained that her father was extremely ill and their family was having a hard time bringing the crops to market. Unfortunately the Nagatomi gang didn't seem to care and even worse they seemed to be eying the Kaori a little too eagerly.

Nagatomi thug," Well, well, young lady. Why don't you just come with us and we'll leave your family alone."

Kaori," What, what….what use would you have for me? Truly, my family only needs one more week to repay our debt."

Nagatomi thug," Seeing as how you're already past your due date, there will be no more extensions. Men, grab the girl and burn the house!"

Within seconds Jin had unseathed his sword and brought the approaching thugs down. Mugen simply smirked when Jin turned to look in his direction. 'Lazy ass' thought Jin to himself. Before the two could exchange words, the screams of a child were heard from within the house. Everyone rushed inside the house with the exception of the head gangster who could be seen running for dear life away from the farmhouse. As the party approached the fusuma1 a spray of thick red liquid hit the interior side of the bedroom door. Everyone stopped in their tracks, knowing full well that the liquid on the other side of the door was blood. Jin rushed to open the door, ready to fend off the attacker in the bedroom, but halted at the doorway in disbelief. As the others outside the bedroom realized that it was safe to approach, they all stood in shock at the site within the bedroom. Fu and the children were crouching in the corner of the room closest to the bed-ridden father, who was sitting up breathing in ragged breaths. A breeze blew through the room from the broken window on the opposite wall. The body of a man dressed in the same Nagatomi attire lay next to the door bleeding profusely onto the ground. All eyes following the spatter trail of blood could clearly see that it ended at a small sword that rested in Shino's hand.

The father," Shino…you …you saved us."

Mugen," What the fuck is going on here. Are you telling me that the nursemaid killed a Nagatomi gangster all by herself with that little sword?"

Fu, wide eyed and slightly dazed," It's true. I saw the whole thing."

Kaori," Brother, sister, go to your room."

As the children exited the room, scuttling past the dead body that lay beside the bedroom door, Shino finally moved for the first time since she had struck the lethal blow to the Nagatomi gangster. She reached for a rag to wipe the blood from her hand and sword which she returned to its home within the recesses of her kimono. She attempted to clean up some of the blood that had pooled on the ground next to the dead gangster, but the Kaori stopped her.

Eldest sister," You have saved the life of my father, brother and sister. For this I am eternally grateful, but I must ask, how were you able to kill that man? It appears that you only struck him once and before he could even cause anyone in the room any harm."

Shino," This turn of events is most unfortunate for all of us since the remainder of the local Nagatomi gang will eventually realize what has occurred here and come after your family and the rest of us as well."

Mugen," Whoa lady, what's this 'us' business about? We don't know a single thing about you. I don't think you can just go and lump yourself with our group. Besides, I think you've got some questions to answer, like how the hell you killed that guy."

Shino," That man was killed by my blade. I've been traveling alone for some time and carry it for protection. I think it's fair to say that is all you need to know."

Fu, slowly coming back to reality," Fast, it happened so fast."

The father," Daughter, we must leave immediately. We will travel to my brother's home. Get the horses ready. It is a long journey, but we will be safe there. If we stay the Nagatomi gang will return to harm us."

Eldest sister," Father, the yard has been set on fire. I shall go and fetch water to contain the fire first."

The father," No, wait. We should let the house burn, then maybe the gangsters will believe that we died in the fire. It will at least buy us some extra time before they realize that we've left town."

Jin," We should leave as well. One of the men has seen our faces."

Shino," I will help your father pack his things as well as the remaining medicinal herbs he will need."

Mugen grunted," Let's get the hell out of here" as he walked out of the house with Fu following behind.

There was a part of Jin that wanted to just walk away from it all as he had in many other complicated situations that the trio had found themselves in the middle of, however, he was very curious about the short sword Shino carried. The engraved design on the side of the sword appeared faintly familiar to him, yet he couldn't place where he had last seen that same design. He temporarily dismissed the train of thought as nightfall had come and decisions needed to be made regarding where the trio would spend the night.

1 Japanese sliding interior door