Chapter Fourteen: Memories come back
The sun had just started to come up. It was cold and raining, a miserable omen for things to come. But none were the wisest to the rainy foreshadow, no they all were still sleeping. Shino and Jin were snuggled tightly with their naked bodies pressed to each other seeking warmth. Aki and Shiro, old and tired, slept in for the first time. Mai was nestled, curled into a ball in her own room, as was Mizu. He had stayed up all night thinking of the small moment he shared with Mai. He wondered when he would be brave enough to explain his feelings to her. The unseasonable warmth of the Fall was slipping away, and now winter was here. Soon there would be layers of snow, and ice, romantic kisses and winter loves.
But for Mugen and Fuu, things were still unbalanced. They were both unsure of the future, unsure of what destiny had in mind. Mugen knew, he believed that Fuu is his destiny, and he wouldn't let anything take that from him. He believed in very little, in life, death, family, or friendship; but he believed Fuu was his. Yet, he could see it, in Fuu's eyes, her resistance. She was confused.
Fuu was the first to open her eyes. When she saw the red and pink shades of morning sunrise, she knew she was no longer on the hill with Mugen. In some ways, she felt unsatisfied and nerved knowing that she was not in his arms. She heard Momo-san squeak gently as he rolled to his side. She too turned over and that is when she saw Mugen. He was asleep against the wall, watching over her.
"Mugen?" Fuu whispered as she sat up on her cozy warm futon. He was cold, she could see it. She looked down to her bedding, and saw the extra layers of sheeting, and it made her heart weep. She blushed. He had given her the blankets meant for him, to make sure she was warm. To make sure she felt no discomfort. She examined him from a far. He didn't look like the type of man who would be so sensitive or caring. But he cared. He braved the cold weather, sitting alone and uncomfortable against the cold wooden wall.
Her eyes softened as she walked over to Mugen, taking with her all the blankets. She didn't remember him, but it didn't matter, he was doing so much for her; and obviously had done so much for her in the past. A past she wished she could remember. She smiled gently down at his sleeping face. It was so peaceful and sweet. He looked liked a young boy.
She sat down close beside him, covering both their bodies with the many blankets. She nuzzled against his arm trying to give him her warmth. He was cold, freezing almost. Fuu felt bad. It felt very uncomfortable to be there with him, he still felt like a stranger. But at the same time, there was something about him that brought her there beside him.
Mugen felt that warmth, and leaned to it, unconsciously pulling it under his arms. It felt like Fuu, warm and slightly chubby. He smiled. Fuu was surprised to see that he had taken her into his embrace again. When she looked up at him, he was still asleep.
'Like reflex'. She thought with a smile. Whatever she learned in the last couple of days was true, Mugen did love her.
…………………………………………………
"That, that annoying girl!" Mori screamed. She got up from her meditative state, realizing that Fuu was slipping from her control. The potion she had given her was strong, and had erased Mugen from her mind. Yet, she had not anticipated that her family would nurture her, nor did she think to erase Fuu's feelings for him.
"I'll get you Mugen! I still have many things to do." Mori menacingly smile. Her old wrinkles and whitening hair gave her a witchly appearance, and it was what she did; witchery. She walked to the small fire in the run down hut, and threw in some leafs brightening the flames.
"Many things." She wickedly laughed.
……………………………………………..
Breakfast time had come, and Aki and Shiro were in a panic. The wintery cold air had tricked them into sleeping longer, and they were late. They left home in a rush, leaving Mai and Mizu alone in the living area. Mai insisted on coming with them, but Aki insisted otherwise. There was a sneaky glint in Aki's eyes as she smiled goodbye to Mizu, perhaps trying to encourage him to speak.
"Would you like more tea?" Mai asked a blushful. Mizu spun madly from the doorway to see Mai. She was bending over the fire, facing him as she added some tea leafs into the boiling pot of water. Her pretty smile, and beautiful features had paralyzed him.
"Uh, sure." He said finally. He walked and sat down across from her, watching her take out some breakfast fixings. Every move she made with her delicate fingers stirred his stomach, trying to force him to say something. But he wanted to collect his words, phrase them properly for her. Mai looked up and caught him staring at her. He panicked and blushed madly.
"What is it Mizu-san?" She asked thinking that perhaps he didn't like what she was taking out for him.
"Um no no nothing's wrong. You know you don't have to take that out for me. I can do it." He smiled trying to change the conversation. Mai blinked not understanding what he was trying to say.
"Oh no, it's okay Mizu-san. I was taking out mine, so I thought I'd take out some for you too." She smiled going back to the boiling tea. Mizu gulped trying to find words, trying to think of what to say.
"Oh arigato." He choked out. Mai could tell that he was stuttering with his words, perhaps he was trying to say something to her; but was having difficulty. She could have said something to him to encourage him, but she wanted to leave it as it was right now. He had much on his plate still, with the rebuilding of the town, and the victims of the war; she didn't want to burden him.
…………………………………………….
"Ah, Aki-san, you will come out tomorrow night to watch the celebration right?" An old friend smiled. She had put down a few coins for the food she ate.
"OH, I thought it was tonight?" Aki smiled. It seemed the celebration of lights kept being pushed further and further away, trying to give Mizu and his workers more time to finish the rebuilding of the magistrates home. It was finally decided to change till tomorrow, the first day of official winter. They had seen so much nice warm weather, everyone had forgotten all about winter.
"It had been changed. But it will defiantly be tomorrow. Please say you will come out Aki-san?" The lady smiled almost begging Aki, who nodded yes.
"I wouldn't miss it!" Aki smiled back as she watched her friend leave. The restaurant was a bit slow, the rain had drawn away many of their customers, most of whom were just too cold to go outside. Her body was hurting, and she dearly wanted to go home and rest.
"Aki, you should go home. The restaurant is empty." Shiro asked coming from behind. Aki turned to her old husband and smiled.
"I'm alright." She said with a pretty smile.
"The others will help, you should just go home and sleep." Shiro was worried. He placed his hands on her shoulders hoping to seem like he was demanding it from her. But Aki had always been a very stubborn woman, and she shook off his hands and waltz right back into the kitchen.
"Oh Aki." He smiled watching her disappear into the kitchen.
………………………………………
"Fuu?" He said realizing the girl was under his arm. She had fallen asleep again, this time in his embrace. He was alarmed to see her there, considering what they had been through. Fuu's eyes fluttered open, her memories and realizations gone.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" She screeched to the top of her lungs, forgetting that it was her who traveled to him. Mugen's face dropped, his anger rising.
"I'm doing nothing! What the hell are you doing!" He shouted back to the frazzled girl. It was one of those moments where Mugen was actually being truthful. She rose to her feet covering herself with the blankets she brought to him. She covered herself like a victim, giving Mugen the eye.
"OY! Don't look at me like that. I did nothing!" He shouted to her as he stormed to his feet. They were in a dead lock, eyes piercing eyes.
"Oh yeah, SURE! Like I just magically got here!" She shouted back. Mugen stopped in mid thought, realizing that he had brought her here, but he left her on the futon. He had covered her with all the blankets he should've used himself. But than, how did Fuu come to him.
"What is it?" Fuu asked getting a bit curious in what Mugen was so deeply in thought of. He looked at her, wondering if it was possible, she willingly moved to his side.
"When you fainted, I brought you home. I didn't do anything to you." He started, a little annoyed with her rising accusing expression. He knew she thought the worst of him, thinking that he was the type of man, who would take advantage of her unconscious state. If it had been awhile ago, she would have been right to accuse him, but he would never, in his wildest dreams; do such a thing to her.
Once, something had taken his mind, Mori's magic somehow confused his thoughts; and he almost raped Fuu. However, he promised to her and himself that he would never hurt her again.
"And I DIDN'T change your clothes. The old woman did." Mugen added after giving it some more thought. Fuu stared blankly at him, she had completely forgot that her clothes would've needed changing. She pondered why she hadn't even thought about that. Could it be that deep down, in some small recess of her mind, she remembered him.
"I put you there." He pointed his finger, walking to the empty futon. He spotted Momo-san sprawled out on the thin bedding, like some drunken animal. He smirked at it while shaking it awake with his toe.
"You gave me all your blankets…" Fuu suddenly said. Mugen turned around to her just in time to miss Momo-san's great flight to his face. It was one of the rarest things, for Momo-san to miss Mugen's face. Instead he landed on the back of his rough hair. But Mugen didn't even flinch when he felt the squirrel's collision with his head.
They were both quiet. Mugen staring sternly at her, hoping that she would remember more. Fuu looked down to her feet, trying to recall some bit of information, but all she remembered now, was seeing him on the hill, and that was it.
"Do you remember anything?" He asked taking a step to her. Fuu looked up to his pleading eyes, and nodded a polite slow no. She felt badly for him, it was obvious that he was trying his hardest to make her remember him. At first, she didn't understand why he needed her to remember him, after all he seemed like the sort of man; who would shrug it off. But Mugen appeared to be desperate to have his memories back in her mind. Mugen sighed, moving his eyes to the floor. He felt defeated. Each time he came close to having success, something always blocked it.
"Gomen." Fuu said, hoping to give him some comfort. Mugen looked up at her. He was upset with Fuu's lack of ability to keep herself safe. He would try, try his hardest to protect her, shield her from any harm; but she had to do some of the battle too.
"What I don't get, is why you let this happen to you?" He asked a little more harshly than necessary. Fuu's eyes narrowed, taken back by the suddenness of his accusing tone.
"What? You think that I let this happen to me? So I just wanted to forget you, is that it?" She blurted out. She was doing her best, to remember him, but what could she do; if no matter where she looked, her mind simply didn't produce him. Mugen stepped closer to her, blame and anger on his face.
"I don't know what the fuck it is. But I know that you have to do a better job fighting your enemies." He never meant to sound that rude, it almost felt like it was back in the day, when he and Fuu got into fights over little things. But Fuu was not happy with his tone, or his language.
"You don't have any right to talk to me like that!"
"Yes I do. I have every right!" Mugen shouted back.
"No you don't!" She shouted into his face, standing on her tippy toes to match his icy stare.
"You slept with me! That alone makes you mine!" It was like he stabbed her. The words made her feel like some whore, and her eyes started to water gently.
"Don't you dare say that to me! Whatever you think happened, NEVER happened!" She shouted angrily into his face. She wanted to slap him across the face for what he said to her, but she restrained herself.
"Feh! Go ask that bastard Jin. He'll tell you that I slept in your bed, between your legs; and in their eyes…." He grabbed her, put both his hands on the small of her back, sending a chill up Fuu's spine. She was supposed to be mad at him, but somehow the feel of his muscular chest pressed against her; and he deep strong voice did something to her.
"You're mine." It was a deep sexy growl, full of frustration and sexual tension; and it did strange things to Fuu's chest when she heard the words. She had heard him say that before. It alarmed her that such a small memory of him was starting to come back. But before she could see the memory more clearly, Mugen stormed out of the room. He reluctantly let her go, without another word. She was left to stand alone, realizing that she did remember Mugen, or at least the fact that she knew him.
…………………………………..
"What took so long?" Jin said calmly, waiting for Mugen to arrive at the restaurant table. The morning has slipped away from them. Mizu was chilled to the bone when he sat down with Mugen.
"Ah shaddap" Mugen groaned angrily. They had gone to the market place to gather some ingredients for dinner. Tonight's celebration was painted on every childs' face as they walked along the town area. It was making Mugen sick to his stomach to see so many happy people.
"What the hell is this thing for anyways?" Mugen asked chugging down his tea. He was thirsty and tired. The cold weather had taken a toll on his body while working and soon his legs were frozen. He was very happy to be inside the restaurant.
"It's called a celebration of lights. But it's actually all about food." Shiro smiled coming up to the table to collect the items he had asked Mugen and Mizu for.
"Food?" Mugen said gulping down tea from the pot, which seemed to alarm and disturb all three men.
"Yes. Each year, there is a time, where the town comes together, bakes, and cooks and shares all the food with all their family and friends. A spectacular fire display, warm fires, and good food with great family." Shiro smiled. Mizu and Jin both smiled, with sparkles in their eyes. They were quite happy with the way that sounded. But Mugen snorted.
"Sounds corny" He smirked drinking from the tea pot still. Large bubbles fell down the three matured men's head as they watched Mugen drunk himself with tea.
"I should get back to cooking. We'll have a nice crowd tonight." Shiro smiled and made his way back into the kitchen. Jin and Mizu started to talk about the victim's money account and how much had been given according to Mizu's right hand man. Mugen fluttered off into his own space, while still appearing to pay attention. He was thinking about how much Fuu would enjoy this night, too bad he couldn't share it with her.
A sigh left his lips. That's when he noticed it, the silence, the eerie silence. He turned to the kitchen, his eyes stressing to catch a glimpse of her kimono or hair. He tried his best to hear her voice over the noise of the town outside and the people in the restaurant. But he heard nothing, and saw nothing.
"Oy, where is she?" Mugen suddenly blurted out, interrupting Jin's convo with Mizu. They turned to him, confused and slightly concerned with his sudden tone.
"Who?" Mizu asked innocently. Since his attraction to Mai, the only person he could think of first was her. Mugen tensed putting the tea pot down on the table.
"Fuu, where is Fuu?" He asked. Jin could sense the panic in his voice, and the strain in his eyes. He knew that Mugen was stressed out. But than suddenly, he too realized that Fuu's voice could not be heard. He looked back to the impatient Mugen, who seemed to be burning up with fear and irrational concern.
"Fuck!" Mugen shouted getting to his feet with Jin and rushing to the kitchen. He busted in looking around hoping to see her in the kitchen stuffing her face with food. That would be the only rational explanation. But he didn't see her.
"What is it? Need something else?" Aki asked as she and her restaurant troop stopped to look at Mugen and Jin. They were acting strangely, and in Jin's eyes was the sparkle of horrible concern.
"That baka! No matter what I say, she always does the opposite!" Mugen raged slamming his hand against the wall. It shook as Mizu walked into the kitchen, joining his family.
"Jin, what happened?" Shino asked walking over to Jin's side. He was calm, but his face screamed worry.
"Where is Fuu?" Mugen suddenly jumped from nowhere to Shino, hoping that she could stir him the right way. She was taken back, she now had confirmation that something was going on; and Jin was intentionally leaving her out of it.
"Fuu-chan?" Shino whispered looking into Mugen's blood shot eyes. He looked like a rabid dog, deranged from mental stress.
"I sent her to get some potato's. What's wrong? Did something happen?" Shiro asked. He put down his spoon and walked to Jin. It had been some time since he was this concern. He always knew that Jin and Mugen were hiding something from him, but he trusted that the young samurai men could handle it. But now he worried that Fuu had become the target of this danger.
"We need to find her." Jin said ignoring Shiro and Shino's questioning eyes.
"I'll send for my men to search the market." Mizu offered rushing out. Mugen breathed in and out, trying to calm himself down. He was being tested in the worst ways. He was never very good at emotional things, things that involved mental control.
"We need to go now." Mugen said to Jin, who agreed. Shino and Aki stepped to them, hoping to interrogate them before they dashed, but it was too late. The samurai's were just too fast for them. However, Shino was insistent. She too was loosing her patience with Jin's silence and she went after him. Pregnant and unable to run, she finally stopped just around the corner of the restaurant.
"JIN! STOP!" She shouted coming to a halt. Jin stopped and turned to see her. He noticed now how much her stomach was peaking out. He worried that she would question, but was hopeful that he could dodge it.
"You have to tell me now. If I loose you, I won't be able to live. Please tell me." She demanded. She didn't want to hear later that he was killed in some war. She wanted to know why he was running, what was happening, and what happened to Fuu. Mugen had stopped and turned to watch Shino and Jin.
"It's okay…go." Jin said. The shadow of the small alley covered his face. Mugen dashed away. Shino didn't take a step closer to him, she stood there in the rain, waiting for Jin to respond.
"Tell me!" She shouted. Jin couldn't lie to her anymore, couldn't hide it anymore. Not while Fuu was still out there and missing.
"I'll tell you…" Jin replied in a low husky voice.
……………………………………………………
Mizu's men ran, they had searched all of the market, and the main town area, but no Fuu was around.
"What the fuck! Where is she?" Mugen shouted angrily. He had raced, ran far but couldn't find her. He blamed himself, he vowed to protect her, but now he had lost her. He was worried sick, for the first time in his life, he felt completely lost.
"Sir, we got word that a young girl was seen talking to an old woman, walking up the hill on the south side of the town."
"That's close to where we live." Mizu said in response to one of his men's findings. Jin's and Mugen's eyes widen. He wondered if Fuu had walked home with Mori, thinking that she was some poor needy old woman. His face scrounged, his temper boiling his blood. He let out a low growl in frustration.
"Lets go." Mizu commanded. Mugen was the first to fly out of sight. He was running faster than anyone could imagine. His heart was fueling him, with passion and the need for Fuu to be safe. His mind had fled, all he knew right than was to get to Fuu. He swore to himself, vowed that he would kill Mori.
They spread out around the house. Mizu was planning on busting into the home in a strategic manner, but Mugen stormed into the home crushing all his careful leadership. But he didn't say anything to Mugen or try to stop him, after all he was trying to save his love.
"FUCK!" He screamed not finding Fuu or Mori there. He came out of the house with Jin and Mizu close by. They had searched the whole house, as was Mizu's men, looking for Fuu. They saw no evidence of her coming back to the house, and that worried Mugen. He came outside on to the porch to breath. All the worry was suffocating him, and many times he held his breath forgetting to breath. Jin had never seen Mugen look this disoriented. He seemed lost and murdered, yet still alive.
"Mugen."
"Where is she?" He replied to Jin. He didn't want to discuss how he felt, or how worried he was for Fuu. He didn't want to talk about his lonely defeated self, he just wanted her back. Even if it meant giving up his soul.
Jin placed a gentle encouraging hand on his back, not sure how to console him. It started to rain again, this time a lot harder than any other time. The rain drops seemed to serve like little balls, almost icy to the touch. It had happened so suddenly, leaving all the townspeople fleeing. It was unexpected.
Jin made note of the sudden weather change, as did Mugen. They both wondered, what sign this served.
Well, it's coming to a end. ) Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, sets it all up for all the 'bad' things that'll happen next. So have you any guess's on where Mori is hiding. I left a small hint…Hmm come on, you know where it is! LOL See you guys in the next chapter.
o you know where Mori is? I said there would be a lead, details I wanted to add. ) So have you figured it out yet? o happene