Ah, chapter 5, we are now pretty much half way done to the story….I told you it would be shorter than Destined to Be. LOL By the way, so sorry for taking sooo super long. Lets just say it's midterm time here S

Chapter Five: Mugen's betrayed heart.

The old lady Mori, left the restaurant soon after eating her small plate of fire roasted eel. She wasn't in any hurry, and Mugen could tell. Somehow her old features, and tanned skin reminded him of someone, but he couldn't remember who. He and Jin remained quiet, not saying a word to each other, at least not yet. Aki, Shiro, Fuu and Mai stayed back to help; while Mugen, Jin and Shino relaxed a bit with Mizu, who came in the nick of time. He was their comfortable ice breaker, who changed the sudden awkward tension between them all.

"Mizu-san, how is the construction going?" Shino asked while walking hand in hand with Jin. She felt strange with Jin suddenly, after he returned back with Fuu. She could feel it in the way he held her hand, loosely and casual. Nothing like what he normally held like.

"Pretty well. I think we'll have everything ready and in place before the celebration of lights." Mizu smiled. It had been a long time since he was able to just smile about the larger things in life. He had become so accustomed to smiling at all the finer details to life, he had forgotten how to be happy. He looked up to the sky, and hoped that tomorrow it would rain so that his men and he could get some cool air. Jin kept quiet, it was normal for him to be silent. Yet, Shino could tell he was not his normal self, she wondered if it had anything to do with Fuu. It was wrong for her to think like that, but for some reason she couldn't stop doubting him. She tried several times during the day to push out those thoughts, but her heart felt betrayed. She wondered if something had changed in Jin's heart, to make her feel this way.

……………………………………………….

Mugen walked behind the three, away from all their talking, it seemed like the only person who he could tolerate was Fuu. He looked around the forest, trying to seem casual, but after seeing that old woman, he felt strange. He knew he had seen her before, but somehow his memory wouldn't permit knowledge of her. He was becoming more frustrated, as he watched Shino and Jin walk along. He looked ahead to them, he had to admit to himself, that he was jealous of what they had. Jin got the quiet, graceful woman who was dainty and could cook. He got Fuu. She whined a lot about stupid things. She was weak and clumsy; and was always getting herself into trouble.

'What the?' He suddenly thought. He shook his head, looking down to his hands. He rubbed his face trying to wake himself up. Where the thoughts came from puzzled and scared Mugen.

'Oy Mugen, what are you thinking…you love Fuu, you love everything about her…so why you thinking shit like that.' He didn't want to think like that about Shino, she was practically his sister. And Fuu was going to be his wife. It was than he noticed Jin's glance back in his direction to the trees. Mugen looked back as well, and noted that there was a particular rustle. He saw the look in Jin's eyes, he saw in them something different.

"Oy, I'm gonna go back." Mugen decided on the spot. He didn't know why his mind took him to Shino, but he knew that he loved Fuu, and whenever he felt danger; his first reaction was to protect her. Nobody else mattered but her. Jin, Shino and Mizu were surprised to see Mugen make the hurried dash back into the forest and down the hill.

"I wonder why he changed his mind, he was so tired." Shino expressed. She stared at the direction for a long while. She thought Mugen was very brave, and rugged; she liked that about him. He seemed self-fish and hurtful, but he was really caring. She wished that Jin could be like that, rough and macho looking. She gasped when she realized what she was thinking.

"What is it?" Jin firmly asked. He wondered why Shino was so pale and distant. She was usually always reaching for his hand, but she didn't this time. Jin wondered if she knew about what happened in the forest with Fuu. He wanted to talk to Fuu about that, make sure that she never spoke a word to anyone about it. But he was afraid what Fuu thought of him. He started to walk. The main question was what happened in that forest was unexplainable and he felt that Mori was responsible for it somehow.

………………………………

"Oy Fuu- AHH! You're eating again baka!" Mugen shouted after walking into the restaurant catching Fuu sitting in the corner eating. Her expression drastically changed from happily munching to 'opps he caught me'. She laughed nervously trying to hide the left over roasted squids. Mugen growled angrily as he approached the chubby girl.

"Don't you ever stop eatin?" He groaned to her grinding his teeth.

"I thought you were supposed to be helping out with the clean up?" He growled again, his hands landing down on the table. Fuu smiled awkwardly, offering him a bite.

"I was helping, but Oto-san said I could eat it all other wise it'll be a waste." Fuu smiled innocently as she remembered back to when Shiro asked her to eat the left overs. She was extremely happy with little tear drops hanging down her eyes, the most blissful 20 seconds in her life. Mugen twitched a little getting ready to yell at her again, but he saw her pretty pink smile, her large brown happy eyes. And he couldn't help but think how truly wonderful she was.

"You're childish." He murmured sitting down to join her. Fuu smiled.

"Oy, whendya start calling Shiro oto-san? Who made him father?" Mugen asked taking a large bite of the left over Fuu offered.

"Well I don't know. He's just like a father right? I mean he cares for us, looks after us, and I don't know." Fuu smiled happily again. Mugen didn't understand how she came to that conclusion.

"He's not blood, and he didn't father you." He said back. To him it had always been clear, a blood relation meant family, so for Fuu to just call Shiro her father; was foreign. Fuu smiled gently to Mugen. She didn't know much about Mugen or his past. She knew that he must've had a father and a mother, but he was the type who never spoke about anything in that nature.

"Mugen." She smiled warmly placing a gentle hand on his. Mugen stopped eating, he was surprised to hear such a warm tone of voice from Fuu. He looked to her.

"Just because he's not my real father, doesn't mean that he can't be my father. Blood relation is good, but it's not everything. Families are made up with the people who care for you and love you." Fuu smiled. She never realized she could be so mature. But she wanted to teach Mugen something, an important lesson. She wanted him to realize that it's not who is bond to you by blood, it's who cares for you that makes the family.

"Shiro-san took me me, cared for me, protected me. And even now, he takes good care of me, of all of us. It's those things that he does is why I'm calling him oto-san." Fuu kept her eyes on Mugen's, as he stared back at her. He seemed to be understanding. It was true, Shiro did take good care of them. He always made sure they were well fed, gave them a place to call home, a place for only family.

"And the old lady?" Mugen asked.

"Yep momma!" Fuu smiled happily. Mugen looked towards the kitchen listening to Shiro feverishly clean up with Aki and Mai. He never realized it, how much he always wanted a father, a brave man to teach him things in life. A mother who ruffled his hair, gave him kisses when he was down. But that never happened for Mugen.

"Mugen?" Fuu gently pat Mugen's hair as she came around to sit with him. He came out of his momentary trance and looked at her.

"What is it?" She smiled a bit concerned with the way Mugen's face had become. He was pale and stared blankly, like he was lost.

"It's nothing." He replied getting back to eating. Fuu smiled at him, she wanted to ask him about his family, but thought it was better left unsaid for now.

………………………………………

"Ahh, that feels so good." Fuu squeaked sitting in the bath. Momo-san curled on to her clothes on the floor and quietly nuzzled as he waited for Fuu to get out. She couldn't believe how good the water felt as she dipped her body in it. She looked out to the moon, it was large and full. She wondered about Mugen, and if he was alright. She knew the secrets that lay in his heart. He always acted tough, but he was gentle and lonely inside.

"Oy." Mugen smirked. Fuu gasped trying to cover her small body in the water. His smile changed to a smirk.

"You gonna be long?" He asked. Fuu thought for sure he would jump her, but he stayed to the door. Fuu nodded a small no with her head and he left. She felt like something was bothering him, he was different since they're small talk in the restaurant.

"Well Momo-san, I should hurry than." Fuu smiled brightly.

…………………………………….

Jin was in the living area when Mugen walked in with no shirt. His eyes were closed like always. He heard Mugen sit down in front of the fire. Mugen was thinking about Mori, the old woman. He was still battling his mind trying to figure out who she was.

"Hey.." Jin said suddenly. Mugen looked up to the silent comrade quietly meditating.

"You shouldn't do that." Jin said firmly opening his eyes slowly. Mugen's right eye brow cocked wondering what Jin was talking about.

"Uh?" He said sitting up properly to face Jin.

"What you're doing with her…you should stop. It's not right…she's still young." Jin was very stern in his words, his eyes piercing Mugen's head. He didn't like it, the fact that Mugen felt comfortable enough to walk in on her while bathing. Taking her every night, she was only sixteen and still had time. Mugen started to laugh. Jin focused his eyes on the fire. Mugen realized that Jin was being serious.

"Oy, she's gonna be my wife. What's your problem what I do with her?" Mugen smirked. He didn't understand where this was coming from suddenly. Jin had warned him before, in the past when he was still unsure of Mugen's intentions, but now Mugen was dedicated to Fuu; loved her with his whole heart. After all, marriage was something Mugen thought he'd never do, but here he was ready to commit to Fuu for life.

"Than you can wait till she takes your name. But for now, leave her be. Don't take any more innocence from her." His voice was low, like a gentle growl. He was angry with Mugen for ruining her, for taking Fuu's virginity and her innocence. Mugen started to get suspicious of Jin and was becoming very angry.

"OY! Who died and made you her father? Besides, she's mine to worry about, so you can rest up. Oh yeh, and don't worry about what I do with her, she's mine to do what I want with." Mugen was being sincere, he never meant any disgusting thoughts in what he said, he only wanted to let Jin know that he was responsible for her, not him. Jin stared at Mugen, in a dead lock.

"If you love her so much, why did it take you this long to realize it?" Jin suddenly shouted. Mugen was taken back. He had never expected such a thing to come from Jin. He thought that Jin understood him, understood who he was.

"I'm not raping her!" Mugen screamed back. He was very irritated by Jin's sudden interest in his relationship with Fuu. Jin stood up with Mugen, both staring harshly at each other.

"What have you truly done for her?" Jin said sternly under his breath and walked away. Mugen was left in shock to wonder about Jin's question.

'…what have I done for..her?..." Mugen had always thought he did lots for Fuu, but now that it was being asked what he had done for her, he couldn't measure anything. He risked his life to save her, thought of her, protected her; but nothing measurable. After all, Jin risked his life to save her as well. Jin stayed with her, was the first to meet up with her again, they shared a special connection. Mugen slumped against the wall and slid down to sit. The realization had shocked him. All the memories that he had forgotten, about Jin and Fuu. When it came down to protecting Fuu, Jin always thought about what was best for her, not what he wanted. He didn't think about his pride, he only thought about Fuu. But Mugen was stubborn a lot, and even walked away from Fuu, because he couldn't handle not getting his way. He rested his head back against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling, trying to think of something that he had done just for Fuu. He couldn't use the excuse of saving her as something he had truly done for her. After all, Jin had saved her too, and would not hesitate if need be. In conclusion, Mugen realized he had done nothing for her.

………………………………

Fuu felt fresh. She laid down on her futon, thinking about Mugen. She loved his smile, and all the things that made him happy. However, she was bothered by something, Mugen's past. She wondered about his family, what his father was like, what his mother was like; if he had any siblings. She realized she really didn't know much about Mugen. But it wasn't his past that she was interested in, she loved him, and that's all.

"Oy." Mugen softly said catching Fuu thinking to herself. He slid the door shut behind him, and walked slowly into her room. Fuu thought it was unusual for Mugen to come to her so early. Usually he waited until the dead of night to sneak into her room.

"Mugen?" She asked sitting up. She blushed, but was slightly worried. She couldn't see his eyes, he kept his head hung low as he slowly approached her. His eerie silence bothered her as she watched his feet bring him closer to her.

"Mugen, what is it?" She asked again, moving a little further back. She didn't know why, but her heart was beating fast, she felt a bit afraid of him. Mugen could feel she was afraid of him, and it only angered him. He never wanted to make her scared of him.

"Do I scare you? What do you think I'll do, harm you?" Mugen asked angrily. He couldn't help but feel mad, at everything that had happened. He had not felt this angry in some months, and never had he been this upset with Fuu and Jin. However, this time, he was not in control of his mind. He could hear it, Jin's question playing over and over in his mind. Fuu nodded side to side gently, still keeping her eyes fixed on Mugen. They sparkled with tears and worry as he knelt down in front of her. His eyes were still hidden from her. There was uneasy pause.

"Mugen? What's wrong?" She asked softly in stutters. She had never seen him act this way, and it scared her.

"Nothing." He growled lowly. Fuu was taken back by his tone of voice, and watched sadly as he rolled down to sleep. He said nothing else to her as he rolled to his side, keeping his back to her. Fuu sadly stared at him, wondering if she had done something wrong. She touched his arm gently.

"Mugen, if I-"

"Go to bed." He snapped brushing her hand off of him. Fuu let a single tear fall down her face. She wondered what could have changed him so quickly. She looked outside to the moon and forest, thinking about what she could have done or said to make him so upset with her. She noticed the tree's rustle, but didn't think why. She was too consumed in her thoughts. She lay down beside him, softly whimpering to sleep.

Mugen hated himself, he hated feeling this way. He didn't want to feel this way, he wanted to turn around, hug her; and say sorry. Yet something was telling him other wise, controlling his mind. Telling him that Fuu hurt him. He cursed Jin in his mind, feeling an overwhelming hate towards him.

…………………………………….

It was quiet, nothing but the wind stirred his heart. He was alone walking in the dark, feeling someone familiar near by. He saw a shadow coming from a place of open light. She was short, bulky and slouched slightly. He squinted, trying hard to see who it was.

"Oy! Who the fuck are you?" He shouted, his voice demanding. Suddenly, the darkness flashed away, and everything was bright. He looked carefully and saw them. His eyes tensed, in tears and pain. He saw her under him, moaning in ecstasy. His face paled in shock and anguish. There was Fuu squirming pleasantly under Jin. His moans muffled as he kissed her over her neck and shoulders as he continued to passionately take Fuu. Mugen stepped back, trying to fight back what he was seeing. But there was no mistaking, Fuu was under Jin, making love.

"No, Fuu…" He whined in disbelief. He shook his head stepping further back, but Fuu and Jin seemed to only get closer. The small smile on her face, her eyes filled with sparkling happiness as she stared up to Jin. He smiled back, his love echoing in his thrusts as they aimed to reach a similar goal. Mugen fell to his knees heartbroken and enraged.

"This can't be! I won't let you!" He screamed finally in a burst of anger and madness. He would not loose Fuu, he would not be betrayed by them. He loved her, finally he had admitted it, committed to her; and now she betrayed him. His heart fell, his judgment and mind clouded by his angry feelings.

"She's mine!" He screamed.

Suddenly, he woke up. His eyes wide open, sweat falling down his forehead. He sat up panting.

"Mugen? What's wrong?" Fuu asked waking up from Mugen's fuss. She was worried for him, and touched his arm as he relaxed. Mugen couldn't distinguish dream from reality, the feeling of rage and betrayed still left lingering in his mind. He turned to Fuu, his eyes narrowed and dark. His cold dark expression frightened her, and she was taken back.

"Mugen…." She saw it in his eyes, his cold blank madness. Something was not right.

OOHHHH! So there is some major stuff coming up in the next chapter, and I hate to say it; but there is a little rape type situation; BUT NOT REALLY! So don't panic and don't send me death threats! ) lol