Chapter 6: Sunflowers

"Jin…I told them that I was…the Black Raven."

"The Black Raven! That was you!"

She nodded slowly, "Yes Jin. I am the Black Raven. You see after you entered the war…" tears started to well in her eyes "…a year after you entered the war one of the samurai from our dojo told me that you had died. I was crushed. I didn't know what to do. I was depressed. I started to drink and throw myself away. It was then that I foolishly came to the conclusion that everything you and the dojo had taught me was a lie…It was then that I…I started perfecting my skills. I put all that extra energy into training. After that, I started slaying people and killing without pay. I wanted to get my revenge on everyone that might've and could've hurt you. It was a long time before I saw the error of my ways. After that I swore to live by the rules I was taught as a samurai."

"I see. I have heard the stories about the Black Raven. I'm just glad you stopped. When the towns became quiet again, I heard it was because the Black Raven disappeared and vanished. Many people thought that it was punishment from the Gods for some evil deed they had all done. Now that I see it was indeed a person, what happened? Did you go to Tokyo then?"

Asaki shook her head, "No. You now Jin, I don't really know what happened. I was walking back to my employer to tell them that I didn't want to be an assassin anymore but then a bright light flashed into the air. I shielded myself from it and the next thing I knew, I woke up in Tokyo."

"A bright light? I heard about that happening. You know, two weeks from when I heard about that happening, I saw a bright light too and woke up in Hiroshima. I didn't know where to go or what to do and then I remembered what you said about being lost…"

Asaki blinked, "Uhh…being lost?" she had forgotten herself what it was she had said. "Umm sorry but I don't remember, mind helping me out?"

Jin smiled and nodded, "You said once all those years ago…if we ever got lost or separated, we'd meet in Kyoto…"

Asaki thought for a moment then smiled and nodded, "Hey I remember now. I did say that. Heh, well we did seem to meet in Kyoto didn't we?"

Jin nodded, "Yes we did Asaki. I find that to be a little more than just coincidence don't you think?"

"Maybe it is but…Jin…what are we going to do?"

"About what?"

Asaki sighed and looked away, frowning, "About us Jin. I told my students about whom I really am and they didn't tell anyone. I still have to teach them Jin I…"

"I understand Asaki. I, too, have prior commitments. I told Fuu that I would help her find someone."

Asaki blinked, "Fuu? Who is that?"

"She is a woman I met up when I was traveling to Kyoto. I met up with her and Mugen. We've been traveling together for all this time."

"Jin, what are we going to do? I just met you once more…I don't want to lose you again…I can't, I won't lose you Jin."

Jin gently placed his arms around Asaki, pulling her body close to his, closing his eyes as he held her in a warm, tight embrace. "Asaki I will not let us drift apart again. No matter what happens or who we may meet, I will never, ever let you go again."

Asaki tenderly wrapped her arms around him, "I will not let you go either, my Jin."

Two figures walked down the street, one man and one woman. The woman was a little on the short side. She wore a pink floral kimono, her shoulder length brown hair pulled up with different hair accessories. The man that walked beside her was a little taller than she. He had short, spiky brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a light brown t-shirt and a dark colored pair of shorts.

The man yawned, "What the hell would he be doing all the way out here?"

"I don't know but those people said they saw a man like him here in this town."

"Yeah like those assholes would know anything."

"Let's just see ok? Sheesh you don't have to be such a pain all the time."

"Whatever."

The two continued walking until the woman saw Jin and the woman holding each other and smiled. "See there! He's here I told you so!"

They ran over to them, the man started laughing.

"Well would you look at this, Jin in the arms of a woman. I guess he isn't so bad-ass after all, now he's just bad."

Jin and Asaki released each other from the embrace, their backs to each other now. Asaki looked down at the ground, a slight blush on her face, embarrassed at having been caught in public. Jin merely looked straight ahead, seriousness on his face.

The woman blinked. She nudged the man she had been walking with in the stomach.

"Ow. What the hell was that for?"

"That's for being a jerk!"

"How was I being a jerk?"

"By making fun of them!"

"I wasn't making fun of them I was telling the truth dammit!"

The woman walked over to Asaki, "Hey I'm sorry that we interrupted you two…"

Asaki shook her head some, "N-no it's alright. Don't worry about it." She couldn't bring herself to look at them.

The woman smiled a bit, "I am Fuu and the dimwit over there is Mugen."

"I'll show you dimwit you bit…"

Jin interrupted their fighting, "That's enough both of you."

Fuu blinked. It was strange, for the first time it was Jin stopping her and Mugen from fighting and not her stopping him and Mugen from fighting.

Asaki finally got up enough courage and turned to face Fuu. She bowed, "Forgive me for being so rude, I am Asaki. I am Asaki Yakamoto of Tokyo."

Fuu blinked again, "From Tokyo? Why did you come all the way out here from Tokyo?"

Mugen smirked and laughed a little, "Isn't it obvious? She wanted to see her lovebird over there."

Jin reached for his sword, Mugen doing the same.

Fuu rolled her eyes, "Hey you two knock it off!" she looked at Asaki, "Don't worry, they do this a lot. Sorry you had to see it."

Asaki shook her head, "It's quite alright. Jin and I aren't lovers either you know…"

Mugen looked over, "Then what was with the hug?" as he put away his sword.

Asaki smiled a little, "We trained at the same dojo when we were younger and we haven't seen each other in all this time, that's all."

Fuu smiled, "Really? You trained at the same place with Jin?"

Asaki nodded, "Yes."

Fuu looked over at Jin then back to her, "What was Jin like back then?"

Asaki looked over at Jin and smiled, looking down at the ground, "He…he hasn't changed a bit. His skills as a samurai have vastly improved. I will say this though; he has an even bigger heart now. That and he's even more protective now."

Fuu blinked, "Protective of what?"

Asaki shook her head and smiled, looking at her, "Oh nothing, nevermind. Forget I even said that." She laughed a little to herself.

Mugen laughed, "His skills improved? Then he must've been a crybaby back then because he isn't tough at all. I could take him easily."

Asaki's smile quickly vanished and she smirked a little now, "How would you like to test that out then?"

Mugen grinned, "Alright. I've been trying to do that since we first met."

Fuu blinked, looking at them both, "Now hold on you two promised not to fight until you helped me find the samurai that smells of sunflowers!"

Asaki smirked more, looking over at Mugen, "Don't worry Fuu because they won't be fighting. Listen Mugen if you really want to test your power, then fight me."

Mugen blinked, "You? Why would I want to fight a woman?"

Asaki's eyes narrowed as she glared at Mugen, "Because this woman can kick your ass. I won't have you going around talking about my friend Jin that way. He's a better samurai and swordsman than your sorry ass could ever hope to be!" she unsheathed one of her blades from its sheath at her side, pointing it at him.

Mugen grinned, "So you really want to fight me? Alright then come bring it you bitch. Let's see what you're made of."

Asaki smirked, standing still, letting her other arm extend fully. She bent over, the hand with her sword, touching the ground, the other that had been extended now stood in the air above her. Mugen blinked, unfamiliar with the technique. He didn't care as he ran over at her with his blade drawn. Asaki smiled, leaping from the ground after him, leaning her body forward, the hand that was on the ground firmly planting into the ground as she leapt over him, landing behind him. She moved quickly, turning her body around and sliced it along his back. She didn't hit his skin; she only swiped at his shirt. She knew this man followed Jin and she would not hurt him. Anyone whom Jin would hang around she knew mustn't be evil. This only pissed Mugen off more.

"That's it bitch you're going to get it now!"

"Oh really? I'd like to see you try. In case you haven't noticed, I'm much quicker thank you are."

"Being fast doesn't mean shit if you don't have the power."

Asaki smiled and laughed, "Oh I have the power, trust me. I'm just choosing to hold back on my true power because you're with Jin."

"You and your lover Jin can rot in hell for all I care."

"But you do care; otherwise you would've killed him yourself by now. You're just too stubborn and macho to admit that you actually care about him."

"Alright bitch I've heard just about enough out of you!"

Fuu frowned, "Hey stop it! Jin aren't you going to help me stop them?"

Jin shook his head, "They are the ones who wanted to fight so why don't you leave it up to them? When they are finished, they will stop."

Fuu looked at Jin then to the two fighting, "Jin you're no help at all!" She looked to Mugen, "Hey you! Don't forget you still have a promise to keep to me!"

Mugen got ready to attack again, "Yeah yeah, I know."