Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Champloo or the characters.

A/N: Just to let you know before I continue that I've should've mentioned it long before that from the beginning of this fanfic they were settling in Izumo. I'm so sorry about that folks. Here's Chapter 10! Enjoy!

The Butterfly and Her Samurai

Chapter 10

Mugen, Jin, and Fuu was walking in the forest the day before they all settle in Izumo where they we're staying.

Fuu's flashback

Fuu watches a butterfly dances in front of her as she reaches out and it lands on her finger. Then, moments later, she watches it fly away up into the trees. She looks up to see where it has gone as she blocks her hand from the bright, red evening sun.

Fuu: That's weird. Where did it go?

Jin: Fuu.

Fuu: Yes, Jin, is something wrong?

Jin pulls out a wrapped gift out of his kimono.

Jin: Fuu, this is for you.

Fuu: Huh, a gift for me?

Mugen: What the hell is it?

Fuu: Oh, shut up, Mugen!

Jin smiles and Fuu unwraps the gift.

Fuu: Wow, a white kimono, oh, and it has butterflies on them.

Mugen: That's it? Man, I'm leaving, this is boring. I thought it was food.

Fuu rolls her eyes at him as she watches him walking away.

Fuu: Whatever, you jerk!

Jin: Do you like it?

Fuu: Ah, Jin, I love it. Thank you so much.

Jin: You're welcome.

Fuu: But Jin, how did you get this, I mean the money for this and all?

Jin: I've been saved my money for the last two days.

Fuu: That figures why you didn't spend your money on food for the last two days because you wanted to buy this kimono for me, right?

Jin nods his head.

Fuu: But why, Jin, I don't understand?

Mugen: Are you guys coming or what?

Fuu yells back.

Fuu: Coming!

Jin: Fuu, you ask too many questions.

Fuu: I'm sorry.

Fuu puts her head down facing the ground and Jin lifts her head up again with his finger.

Jin: I want to see you smile, Fuu.

Fuu smiles for him big and he smiles that well known smile again.

Jin: I know that you'll look beautiful when you put it on.

Fuu blushes and turns around with her back facing him.

Jin: Uh, Fuu, what's the matter?

Fuu: Oh, Jin, really, you're making me blush. You shouldn't speak like that.

Jin: I'm sorry. Fuu, can we talk alone when we get there?

Fuu: Um, you mean just you and me? Well sure, of course, Jin.

Jin: There something that I want to tell you.

Fuu: Okay, well then, come on. Off to Izumo we go.

Mugen: About fucking time. For a moment back there I thought I have to drag both your asses to Izumo.

Fuu slaps him in the back of his head then runs off ahead of them.

Mugen: Errrr...you little bitch, come back here!

Fuu yells back from a distance.

Fuu: Mugen, stop whining, you big baby, we should get going to the next town. The sun is setting and we need a place to rest!

Mugen: Fine!

Jin: Hm.

Mugen: What's the matter with you?

Jin: It's nothing. We should hurry and settle in the next town.

Jin walks ahead of him and Mugen shrugs his shoulders whistling an unfamiliar tune with his hands behind his head and follows him.

End of Fuu's flashback.

Fuu smiles big in the mirror holding the trinket in her right hand, "I think I understand now, Jin." said Fuu. "There are better days and today wasn't the day," she said.

Mugen's flashback on that very same day.

Mugen is sitting outside the lodge with Jin as Jin was cleaning his two swords into its perfection.

Mugen: Yo, Jin, whatcha doing?

Jin: Cleaning my swords.

Mugen sits next to him, but not close.

Mugen: Hey, what were you two talking about back there?

Jin: Do you always stick your nose in other peoples business?

Mugen: Come on; spare me with the details, will ya?

Jin: We were just talking about the kimono I bought her that's all.

Mugen: Yeah, right. You think I'm going to believe that?

Jin: Call it whatever you want.

Mugen: Don't tell me that you're falling for the little brat, aren't ya?

Jin stop cleaning his swords, and then he sheath them. He stands up and silently walks away.

Mugen: Is it something I said or did I hit the nail on the head?

Jin: Let's not talk about this. We should go and see what they have in the kitchen. I'm sure dinner should be close to finishing.

Mugen: Sure, whatever. I'm hungry, too.

Jin: Hm.

Mugen got up and thinks to himself as he follows Jin to the kitchen where Fuu is setting the table.

Fuu: Oh, you guys are here. Good, dinners ready, so let's eat.

Jin nods his head while Mugen just stares at the two chatting back and forth.

Mugen: Hmm, I wonder about those two, oh well.

He shrugs his shoulders and went into the kitchen.

End of Mugen's flashback.

Back at the lodge, Mugen shows up at the doorway of Fuu's room.

"Yo, are you ready?" said Mugen all dressed and ready to go.

"Yes, let's go to Edo and find Jin," she smiled, and then passes him.

Mugen eyes watch her with a shock look on his face, "I don't get it, why is she smiling after what have happened this morning?" he thought. "I didn't think I was that good," he smiled, but was a bit uncertain of the fact why she's smiling.

"Are you coming, Mugen, I'll race ya?" said Fuu taking off ahead of him.

"Wait, come back here, you...ah, forget it," said Mugen. "Maybe she's up to something, oh well, whatever," he thought to himself again placing his hands behind his head whistling an unfamiliar tune again.

Fuu is now walking ahead with Mugen far behind her talking to herself, "Jin, you believe in me into becoming a strong, young, and beautiful woman," smiled Fuu. "I will survive each day until we meet again, so here I come," she said as a single tear fell from her right eye holding her head up into the warm afternoon sun.

To Be Continued...

A/N: The lesson in both chapters, well, especially this one, is that you can see that Fuu is still hurt, but smiles instead and doesn't trust anyone, including Mugen for now, though trust comes a long way to gain again. But what she learn from her flashback about Jin words, she learned to keep her head up, smile, and move on. You're still alive and that's all that matters. Continue to live life and fly free like a butterfly, a free spirit, she is. What she remembers is someone is still out there that loves her much more than life itself. For Mugen's flashback, he just didn't get an honest answer from Jin, but what he does know now that Fuu and Jin do have a secret bond together. That's it for now. You know what to do, review and come again! Until next time, see ya on the next chapter.