Sorry for the long delay in updating. For those of you who are still following the story, hope you enjoy and feel free to review if you're enjoying the story.

I don't own Samurai Champloo or its characters.

Shino quickly bundled the remaining medicinal herbs and helped the father out of the house, as Kaori packed a few necessities for her family. The family was a bit shaken still, but it was obvious they had discussed an escape before as each member of the family was busy with their predetermined task. The Nagatomi gang was a horrible threat in many villages across the country, so it was no surprise to Shino that this family was prepared for the worst.

All the while the traveling trio argued outside on the front porch.

Fu, "Mugen, why do you have to be such a jerk! This family was just attacked by gangsters. We should do what we can to help them on their way."

Mugen," Why should I care? Jin was the one that said we should leave now."

Fu," Jin meant everyone here right now, you fool!"

Mugen," If I'm such a fool then why are you still hangin' around me for?"

Fu," Damn it Mugen, I saved your life once, or have you conveniently forgotten that? You owe me! You're supposed to help me find the sunflower samurai!"

Mugen," Whatever…"

Fu," Mugen don't walk away while I'm yelling at you!"

Fu continues her end of the yelling match as she runs after Mugen down the dirt path that leads off the property onto the main road. Jin sighed and was about to reenter the farmhouse to check on the family when he noticed Shino assisting the old man out with his belongings.

Jin," What will you do now?"

The father," We must flee, it is the only way our family can survive for now. We cannot ask you and your friends to put yourselves into any more danger. Please you all must leave separately. Thank you, thank you so much for your help. We don't have a way to repay you right now, but if you happen to pass through the next town, my brother's family can at least house you for as long as you need. His family compound is much larger and accommodating than ours. His town is not overrun with gangsters as our town is."

Jin," hmnnn…Since we are traveling in the same direction, it would be wiser for us to travel ahead to the next town, if we run into any trouble we'll be able to handle it before they even sense another approaching party."

The father," Thank you again. By the way my name is Ryuu and what can I call you?"

Jin," Jin."

With that being said, Jin turned and walked away in the same direction as Fu and Mugen. He could still hear Fu's voice, screaming insulting words at Mugen, so he was sure they weren't too far away. However, something inside his brain was telling him to stay close to the woman, Shino, to learn more about her sword, but more importantly something else, some stronger sensation was beginning to create a desire to be near her. This inexplicable feeling began growing since the moment he noticed her at the tea house. 'What was it about this woman that was so intriguing' thought Jin to himself. Jin caught up with Fu and Mugen, while the wheels in his head continued to turn, as if his mind could wrap itself around the delicate web that attraction weaves through one's body. His thought process came to an end when he realized that the two had become deathly silent. Jin was mildly curious as to what had transpired between the two to cause the bickering to end, but he figured they were both just finally tired. Tired from a long day of hard work and tired of screaming at one another. The three continued on through the night mostly in silence for fear of being spotted. Their bodies were about to give out on them when Fu spotted a farmhouse in the distance which meant they were at the outskirts of the village. They decided to find a spot to rest and wait for the runaway family that would be along eventually. It would be to their advantage to stay with the family for some free room and board.

Once Shino had helped the father out of the house, the rest of the family had joined them on the porch. The moon was now high in the sky and casting down a soft haze on the land as if to say that it would protect them on this night. Under this protective shield of light, the family traveled all through the night. As dawn was approaching the first signs of the new town came into view. What a relieving site that was to the family as they finally saw signs of civilization after a long journey on a dirt road surrounded by a dark forest. As Shino and the family walked past the first farmhouse they could faintly make out the outline of figures in the distance. Not being sure if it was the helpful trio, Shino walked ahead to find out for herself.

Shino," I'm going to walk ahead. We should be especially careful until we make it to your relative's house."

Kaori and Ryuu," Please be careful Shino."

Both Jin and Mugen could feel that someone was approaching, but Jin was the only one who looked up. Shino's figure made its way out of the morning fog and her face finally came clearly into view. He could see that some or her hair had come out of its bun and had fallen softly around her face. He watched her approach and from his lack of sleep began to almost hallucinate that she was smiling and coming directly to him as if no one else were around. Reality set in when Mugen quickly unsheathed his sword and pointed the tip at Shino.

Unaltered, Shino responded to Mugen's move," I'm glad to see that the long journey hasn't worn down your senses. The family will be here any minute."

But Mugen did not move his sword away. Instead he stood up and looked Shino in the eye.

Mugen," Wasn't sure who it was."

Fu," Mugen…what's wrong with you. She's done nothing wrong, in fact she's saved my life and I haven't even gotten a chance to thank you. Thank you Shino, thank you for saving my life. I guess in all the commotion I didn't get around to saying that."

Shino," Fu, you don't need to thank me, it was self preservation really."

Mugen," Can we finally get somewhere with a bed?"

As the family joined the group, Jin says," Ryuu, it's been a long night for you and your family, let's head directly to your brother's home."

When the group entered the village, Ryuu lead them across the square and down a small side street that lead to a large metal door that was held up by a tall wooden fence that appeared to run around the sides of the compound. Ryuu knocked on the door and the group waited. A few minutes later someone opened the peep hole of the metal door and instantly recognized Ryuu. The group was immediately granted access into the compound and Ryuu's brother was woken to greet his brother.

"Brother, is it really you." said Ryuuji, Ryuu brother. "It is wonderful to see you." Ryuuji said as he embraced his brother. "But what has brought you here, you do not look well, are you ill brother, have you been injured? Let's get you inside"

Ryuuji embraced the rest of the family and Kaori introduced their companions. She told her uncle that they had traveled all night and the children especially need to sleep. Ryuuji was clearly worried but called for some servants to make ready some rooms for his guests. In a few minutes everyone was ushered into a room and sleep took over the weary group. Later, Fu awoke to the smell of food and exited her room to appease her growling stomach. She began to get lost in the large compound, when she ran into a servant who walked her to the dining area where she saw the entire family eating and chatting happily. Fu noticed many other unfamiliar faces which she assumed were part of Ryuuji's family. She was invited to sit and eat to her hearts content which she happily did.

Shortly after she began her feast, she was joined by the three remaining travelers. Once everyone was seated all the appropriate introductions were made. Fu, Mugen, Jin and Shino learned that two families lived in this compound which explained why it was so large. Ryuu began to explain everyone's relationship within the family. Ryuuji was the oldest of four brothers. He, his wife, and their five children, who varied greatly in age, made up the first family. While the third brother, his wife and three children made up the second family. Ryuu was the youngest of his brothers. Once the family relationships were introduced, Ryuuji wanted to know more about the purpose of their visit but wanted to speak to his youngest brother privately about the matter, knowing full well that it would be a sensitive topic for the two of them. The brothers left the dining area to have tea in Ryuuji's study while the rest of the family and new found friends had tea outside in the garden.

The children were happy to play outside amongst their cousins who they only got to visit on special occasions. Ryuuji's eldest son, Ichiro, was curious to learn more about his guests and had an animated conversation with Fu and Kaori about Fu, Jin, and Mugen's backgrounds, which Fu strategically handled. Both girls admitted that they did not know much about Shino's past which made Ichiro want to speak to her even more. He had noticed her more so than the other guests. Although she was quiet, her beauty made her stand out and he desired to learn more about her. He had to keep himself from constantly looking over to her at the dining table. He realized that she might have been a little bit older than he was, but he believed that he may have had a good life to offer her if she was interested. It wasn't often that he got to meet anyone new in their small town, especially a someone that he found so attractive.

He finally summoned the courage to try and sit next to Shino so that he could chat with her, but before he could Jin took the seat closest to her. Jin began to converse with her about her knowledge of medicinal herbs, but all the while it had been obvious to him that Ichiro was interested in Shino in a romantic fashion and somehow Jin was not happy with that fact. Ichiro pretended he was actually walking towards the children instead and began to play with the young group as he secretly watched Shino and Jin converse.

Jin," Shino, please tell me how you have such a working knowledge of medicinal herbs. Were you trained to be a nursemaid?" Clearly he was avoiding the subject of her fence jumping, but maybe this conversation would reveal more than just her knowledge of medicinal herbs.

Shino," My father was always ill and after my family couldn't afford to pay for a doctor, my mother studied with the local medic and taught me everything she learned so that I could help in taking care of my father." After a minute of silence she continued," You're wondering why I travel alone."

Jin," You don't owe me any explanations."

Shino," No, I don't suppose I owe you or your friends and explanation, but if I tell you my story then maybe I can go back to living a quiet solitary life."