So I wanted to end it with this chapter, but than I realized that this would be the very ending of the Samurai Champloo thing, so I wanted it to end with a lot of passion; not just the end. Instead, I broke the last chapter into two parts. Here's one of those parts.
Note There a couple of people I wanna say a big thank you to. To all my past loyal readers, who have stuck by me since Destined to Be- THANK YOU! Words cannot describe what it means to see your reviews and your emails. It's because of people like you, who keep reading, who keep me in check, that I'm able to think of such great ideas. I've always said that my story is everybody's story, and I still stick by that
To my new fans, I wanna tell you guys that I appreciate your interest, and love that you guys read and review my stories. Without new readers, I wouldn't have spread this far And because of the confidence I got from you all, I was able to pitch my very own original work to a publisher; and guess what, I got it! -
So maybe in a couple of years you'll see my name on a book HAHAHAHA
Can't do work like this without a fantastic audience, and the author is only as good as her readers, so take a bow; you guys did great!
To: Poornmiserable, Greentea, Julia, Serene-fears, rivl, noodles, thunderstorm8, and a ton whole lot of you! - (Bows) Thanks for a wonderful end.
Chapter Sixteen: The End: Part One
It was dark, even for that part of the forest. It was a secret, but their families knew, that some other danger had come to bother them. Aki and Shiro stopped cooking and stared out. They had gone back to the restaurant to cook for the busy townspeople. But their thoughts were with their family, who were right now, lost in a dark forest. What they were chasing, they didn't know; but knew that their happy lives had yet another thorn to pick out.
Shino, pregnant and worried stared out blankly. She had not been this consumed with worry since her lonely times in the temple. She prayed, that Jin, and Mugen and Fuu and Mizu; they all returned home safely. When would this all stop, when would they all just start to live; happily. She sighed. Mai came to her, giving her some tea to sooth Shino's tense nerves.
"Nee-chan." She smiled down at the pregnant woman. It was the first time any one had called her sister. Shino smiled accepting the hot tea.
"Thank you Mai-chan." Shino smiled. They didn't say it, but they were trying to tell each other, that things would be fine. Fuu, Mugen, Jin and Mizu would all be fine, they would all come home.
………………………………………..
"AHH What is this!" Mizu screamed trying to cover his eyes. But the light seemed to sink even through the small slits of his eyes. Jin held on to Fuu, tightly as he could, trying to keep her away from the light.
"MUGEN!" Jin shouted out, looking on to the hut, hoping to hear his voice. Mugen couldn't die, he was not like that. He would fight, fight even after being struck. He had fought some of the most ruthless people on earth, he would not give in to a sick old woman; even if it was his mother. He knew Mugen, he didn't look at his relationship with his mother as a relationship at all. He didn't believe that bonds were built simple by blood. He understood life better than that.
Yet still, Jin was worried. His eyes tried to focus the shape of the hut, but saw nothing but white. He debated with himself, if he should give Fuu up to Mizu and run in there to help his friend. His trust in Mugen was equal to Shino's, he was the only man he could turn his back to and trust that no sword would plunge him.
He looked down to Fuu, thinking, his eyes sparkling.
………………………………………………..
When Mugen woke up. He was standing in town, a town that seemed familiar. He looked around, noticing a man rolling his cart past him. He felt like he had been sleeping in that same spot for hours. As he started to walk, he looked around him, paying attention to the things he saw. He seemed to recall this place.
Ignoring his feelings, he kept to it. It wasn't too long under that sun, when he felt thirsty. Looking into his pockets, he saw very little change. He let out an uncaring gruff.
"I'll find another way." He mused with a menacing smirk. He looked ahead, and found a restaurant. He took the first steps towards it, feeling really thirsty.
He moved under the small flaps of fabric hanging over head. In what seemed slow motion he opened his eyes.
"Welcome!" The small girl cheered smiling to him. He had confused and stunned her, with his ruffian appearance, and no shit attitude. His eyes shifted on her as he walked past her. He sat down in the corner away from the rest of the government pests.
"What can I get you?" She asked taking a cautious step forward. She had never seen such a guy before. His tanned skin, his defined face and body. He stood out in a crowd of normal.
"Water." Mugen said.
"Water?" The girl asked back. She thought about it for a second, puzzled by him. There was a familiarity to him, but didn't know how. She would've remembered if she saw him before.
"Um. We don't serve customers just water. If you have no money, please go to another-"
He motioned for her to come closer, to him. As if he had a secret to share with her. The girl wasn't sure what she should do, but she moved to him. Bending over to his shoulder to hear what he had to say. The first thing that Mugen thought was how good she smelt. It was a beautiful scent, mixed in with the day's cooking; but it was there.
"50 dumplings." Mugen said close to her ear. He wasn't about to pay to get a meal.
"Uh?" She said back.
"This is a barter. I'll get rid of those guys." Mugen didn't look at her, maybe he was too tired, or maybe he just didn't feel like looking into her innocent eyes. The girl looked back at the local magistrates son, and his band of stupid men abusing their hold on the town.
She looked back to him.
"How about 20." She said only to piss Mugen off. He wasn't going to bargain with her.
"Oy, that won't even get you a bitch slap." He whispered angrily back. But the girl was just as good as a negotiator as he was. Though, she didn't carry a sword or a wild image, she still talked a lot.
"Fuu-chan, the dumplings are ready" The order came from the restaurant. She skipped away from Mugen. He didn't seem bothered, but he knew he had heard that name before. But before anything could be said, he saw her trip over some shoes and land her tea on to the Magistrates son.
"Um Gomen…it wasn't on purpose." She said a little worried.
"What the hell is this. Now you'll have to pay for that. Maybe some fingers will do." Unlucky for her, they had grabbed her angrily pushing her on top of the table. Fuu panicked trying to get free. But she was helpless, and so were her guardians. A strange man came forward announcing to his master that he would chop off her fingers. She struggled, she saw Mugen still sitting there, casually waiting for her to make the call.
Finally panic set in.
"100 dumplings!" She shouted. The scream confused her attackers. However, Mugen smirked, agreeing to the terms. He stood up, ready to win.
With that, a fight broke loose. Mugen didn't seem to even try, but he was winning. Fuu ran for cover watching him, his unique style, his effortless movements. She didn't know why, but her mind started to spin with ideas.
"You really don't get it, do you?" The magistrate's son laughed, calmly watching his men getting a beat. Mugen didn't appreciate his laughter but walked to the blonde young man. The son talked highly about his position, and his fathers swordsmen.
"Do you get what I'm saying?" He said with a crocked smile.
"No." Mugen said getting a bit closer. The son seemed baffled.
"It's common sense in this society." He said a bit worried with Mugen's smirk.
"How would I know about what's common sense in your society." He leaned forward to the magistrates cowardly son clinging on to his sword.
"I was born in Ryuukuu." Mugen smirked with pride. He was an evil man, bond to his roots with the crimes he committed, the people he murdered. That was something he held in high regard, that he was in deed a murderer. The son panicked. Mugen thought of a fun idea, something that would get rid of some of his tense nerves.
He called for the talented swordsmen. While he waited, he would break the son's fingers. His men ran, as Mugen started to break. He wasn't sure why he was taking his time to torture the guy, normally; he would just jump to it and kill. He was hungry and thirsty, why would he wait and waste time. He had caught a glimpse of the girl Fuu, from the corner of his eyes as he broke one of the last fingers.
"This isn't good. Better break all of them." He said after he counted five. Maybe, he was doing it for the girl. But that couldn't be.
Suddenly, in walked in a tall lean samurai. Pale, calm and wearing glasses, he saw him. The place seemed to still as the samurai looked up. The restaurant was a wreck, and there was Mugen breaking the magistrates son's fingers.
"It seems I'm interrupting something. I'll leave.." He said getting ready to walk out. Mugen thought maybe it was him, the talented swordsmen. However, before words could be exchanged, Mugen jumped to it. They were opposites and Mugen determined that, yet his skills were beyond his age.
Fuu's eyes widen as the two men ran past her still fighting. She had never seen such fighting, Mugen seemed to almost dance as he fought with sword and feet. The pale samurai was also very good, he was graceful and also seemed to dance as he fought. An idea came to her mind, but was she thinking straight.
Suddenly, she saw him, Mugen had sliced off the man's arm earlier. He poured the oil, and with a spark, the restaurant caught fire. The place lit up in a blaze of orange and red. Fuu looked back to where the two men were fighting, but had no choice but seek safety.
When Mugen woke up, he felt strange. He thought he saw the samurai in the tub, and his hair catch fire. But they were both dangling, captured by the magistrate, and sentenced to torture and death.
It was a long night, Mugen and the silent samurai faced a lot of pain, but finally the guards were tired and threw the almost lifeless men in jail. Somehow, even with all that pain, Jin managed to comment on Mugen's sloppy fighting style.
"You have holes in your stance, and you make excessive movements. Whatever you do, you don't do it well." Jin added.
"AH don't fuck around with me." Mugen stuttered trying to get up. It was useless though, his body was spent.
"It's also the first time, I haven't gotten a hit" Jin concluded.
"I'm Mugen, remember it" Mugen said as they stayed there on the floor unable to move. He had seen torture before, and each time he went through it, he hated it.
"Jin…that should be easy to remember." The silent samurai said. Mugen looked over to him from the corner of his eyes. He had never seen a guy fight like that, no samurai he had fought in the past, ever put up such a battle. His timing was too precise, his aim and skill was more free than the movements of a true samurai. It was almost like his, like he had been in the forest wandering.
Some time had passed, but Mugen's body was still hurting. He wondered how Jin dealt with his pains, he seemed so calm and vacant. But the tortures on his body had to hurt, Mugen knew it did, only Jin was better able to remain expressionless.
"Oh you guys really got it." Fuu whispered kneeling down to see that Mugen and Jin were completely beaten.
"Oy, you're that girl." Mugen recalled her. He should have forgotten her face, like he normally did with people; but somehow her face was special. She offered to get them out, but under a condition.
"I want to find the Samurai who smells like sunflowers." She waited a second to say it, perhaps she was doubting if she should be looking for him. But the experience had confirmed, that what she had been thinking about for a while, had to be done. They agreed, and she tried to twist the lock, only for her thin steal piece to break.
Suddenly, the guards came, and Fuu ran off. Mugen and Jin were left to wonder about her. Mugen especially, seemed to think about her the most. As the night progressed, he found himself picturing her more. He thought about what she said, about the sunflower samurai. He wondered who that was, and why she wanted to find him.
Why he was even thinking about her, or so damm interested in her journey, bothered him. He wasn't the type of guy to think about people, or wonder about them. Especially a girl. A stupid chubby girl.
He wasn't about to admit it, but she was cute, pretty almost.
'Feh, for a stupid breast-less fatso.' He thought.
"What are your thoughts? About tomorrow's death?" Jin interrupted sensing that Mugen was deep in thought. He was sure that the ruffian samurai was thinking about their escape. Mugen groaned in a shabby smirk.
'Hell I should be thinking about that.' He thought how she had kept wondering back into his mind.
'I've seen her before. Could be one of those whores I had in that other town…but what's she doing here?' He thought again. His attempts to stop wondering about her were failing, and it was only angering him. But he concluded she was a prostitute, and left it at that.
It was judgment day, and they were going to be executed. Mugen only smirked accepting his sentence. He had nothing to live for, he was a wild dog. He had no purpose to life, all he ever did was wander around, kill and steal. He was a criminal.
Yet, he wanted to live, as did Jin. It was because of that thought, Mugen did what he had unconsciously planned with Jin. He spun, kicking, while Jin secured his hands free. Armed with swords, Mugen and Jin had a chance.
They fought, non stop. The magistrate's men were coming from all over, as the public watched on. They had never seen such a spectacle. But they couldn't fight like this forever. Mugen jumped around slicing everything in his way. Jin did the same. Unlike his merciful code, he showed none to the magistrate who he had warned before.
However, the guards still came. Mugen and Jin felt almost cornered, if they didn't think of something quick; even their swords would fail.
It was Fuu's cue, and she lived up to it. The sky burst into colours, and everyone ran. Mugen and Jin spotted her, wondering what she was up to. But caught on quickly when the public and guards mixed in. They ran with the people, making their escape.
They had run far enough, to threaten each other with another battle. Mugen nor Jin knew exactly why they wanted to kill the other, perhaps it was because they followed the same code when it came to challenges. One had to die.
But they were interrupted again, Fuu had rushed up. Neither was interested in her journey, until they had fought; but she had saved them and had to honor her choice. She decided to toss a coin. Mugen launched it far into the air, it landed on Fuu's head.
They peaked over to see it, however, by this time; the guards were on their tail. They ran, and Fuu called it. They were now bound to her, to be her body guards on her journey.
That night, they had walked far. Fuu was grumbling at the weather and how her feet hurt. Under the blanket of the moon and stars, they were able to see the path on ward. Both samurai's remained quiet as they walked out of the town's border.
"Ahh, I'm hungry.." She whined holding on to her stomach.
"Oy, don't complain!" Mugen snapped turning back to see her expression turn childish and mad. She stomped her foot, and walked towards him.
"Well sorry that I'm hungry!" She shouted back. Jin stayed silent and in the background as he watched them fight. He felt uncomfortable with people around him, the noises they made, the burden it made. It had been along time since he had people with him. He sighed.
"We can rest when we have gotten further into the forest." Jin announced softly as he started to walk. His sudden speech had alarmed Mugen and Fuu, but they quickly recovered and followed his lead.
Fuu was still upset with Mugen, but said nothing more to him. She stayed behind Jin, following him as Mugen lingered behind. He casually paced himself, looking up to the sky. He wanted to run away, and leave the annoying girl and Jin behind. But he was bound to a promise, she saved his life, and he owed her. He plotted that perhaps when they had gone into the next town, he could run off on them; and get back to his lonely journey.
He looked ahead to the back of Jin's head, wondering what was his story, why he was alone and not in his samurai clan. His eyes drifted on to Fuu's head bobbing behind. Her shoulders were sulking, and her body hunched over slightly. She was clearly tired, and when he listened carefully; he could hear her stomach. She really was hungry. He rolled his eyes, feeling sick of her already.
"We should stop." Jin said calmly stopping suddenly. Fuu unable to stop on time from hunger and exhaust landed into his back. He looked back slightly feeling the small girl tucked behind him.
"Ahh, so hungry." She whined blankly. Mugen grunted walking past the two to sit. He landed on the hard ground, it was normal for him to be there. Fuu, disgusted and tired made a face at the ruffian dog still leaning on Jin's back. She felt like she had no more energy to use her own feet. Jin felt strangely as well. It had been a long time since he felt the warmth of another person. He couldn't recall the last time somebody touched him.
"Shaddap baka." Mugen groaned. Somehow, and he wasn't sure, he felt slightly jealous of Jin. Had he been the one to continue leading the group, Fuu would've landed against him. It was a disturbing thought, and he wanted nothing more to slap her out of his head. From the moment he saw her, he felt something strange lingering in his chest; and he wanted to slay it. If she didn't stop being this way, he would have no choice but to kill her.
"Don't call me that!" She shouted taking a seat opposite of Mugen. He only let out a unbothered groan.
"My name is Fuu." She said as the wind picked up. Jin sat down near by to Fuu, somehow he felt more comfortable being next to her than Mugen. Perhaps, it was because she was a young girl. Yet, he knew in his heart, that no one could be trusted, not even her.
Moments passed, and they all remained silent. Jin looked deeply into the fire and than shut his eyes. He was starting to get hungry.
"I'm Jin." He said, vacant and calm. Fuu looked to him wondering if he was always like this. She was puzzled by his complex yet seemingly simple appearance. She knew that there was a story behind those glasses, but also knew that he was a quiet person. She wondered how long it would be till he opened up.
"What's your name?" Fuu asked turning her attention to the ruffian samurai. Mugen lay on his side, with one leg stretched out and the other probed up. He wasn't interested in giving his name to the whiny girl who had annoyed him all the way here.
"Feh, what's it to you?" He moaned annoyed by the tone of her voice. She sounded like she cared when she asked for his name, but knew that was impossible. She turned her nose to the air and looked away from him.
"Nothing!" She snorted leaning against the tree. She stared out into the fire, ignoring Mugen who was opposite her. She wished he would disappear. She could tell when she first saw him that he was uncaring and didn't give a danm about anyone; but she did expect some manners.
"We should get something to eat." Jin suddenly said getting to his feet. Fuu got to her feet too, she figured that she should help, since they made the fire.
"I'll go with you." Fuu announced following him. Jin didn't feel strangely about her coming along with him, somehow, in such a short time; he got used to her presence. Though, it was uncomfortable to have someone who relied on him, he knew it would not be trouble. After all, they were deep in the forest, far away from people.
Mugen didn't respond.
"I'm gonna go this way." Fuu said after following Jin for a little ways. She felt comfortable enough to part with him, feeling that it would go faster this way. Jin nodded his head and continued on his way, while Fuu went the other.
She walked for a few minutes looking around the dark forest. She knew it had to be beautiful in the daylight, yet in the dark is had an eerie glow.
Suddenly, she heard a branch break. She twirled around looking to see if she could hear it again.
"Ahh!." He shouted annoyed with his situation. This was the perfect time to run off, and they would not be able to catch up. He had gotten up, and started to walk, but only made a few steps. He felt guilt, something he never felt. Maybe, it was because the girl had saved him. He had no intention of keeping his vow, but he was in debt to her. He decided that he would get her through this night, after that; the silent samurai and her can go to hell.
He started to walk following the path Jin and Fuu had taken. He was in the forest now, and trying hard to find something to eat, or at least cook.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" He turned around quickly when he heard the girl scream. Somewhere in his heart, panic fell in. He took off in a flash, cutting through the vines and bushes to get to her.
Suddenly, he felt her come from nowhere and smash into him. He was shocked at first, not sure what to do when he saw her instead of a criminal. He couldn't cut her, he couldn't do anything but allow her to slam into him. She clutched on to him, in a tight hug, panicked and slightly crying.
"There's someone in the forest!" She screamed tightening her grip on the stunned Mugen. He had never felt anyone give him a hug, nor did he ever know how it felt to be needed this much. He ignored her for a moment paying attention to the fact that someone was in the forest. He looked ahead trying to see if there was something.
"There's nothing there." He grumbled looking back down to her head. She was clearly scared out of her skin. Her grip loosened as she looked back to see if it was really okay. She saw nothing. Mugen became shy and annoyed with her still clutching on to him and he pealed her off. Fuu let go of the tall samurai, feeling embarrassed mostly that she reacted so poorly. She proved that she was not able to do the journey on her own.
"I saw something. I know I did. Someone was there." She tried to convince Mugen as he started to walk away. He was upset, that he ran to her like that. He didn't want to, he told his body not to, but he didn't know what came over him. He swore under his breath realizing that she was following him, close behind. She was looking around, scared and untrusting of the forest.
"Will you stop that, there's no one here." He shouted getting even more annoyed with her.
"There was something out there!" She shouted. He turned around to scream at her. He had taken her by surprise. She stepped back covering her upper body, her eyes looking afraid. Her reaction stunned him. She was afraid of him. It had never bothered him before, to know that he was untrustworthy, or that people were afraid of him.
"OY! Scared of me uh? Well why are you following me bitch!" He shouted. What did it matter that she reacted in a strange way. She had ever right to be afraid. He was that sort of guy. The guy who would take advantage of a girl. He followed no code to stop him from raping.
"I-I-I just-just got nervous!" She shouted taking a step back as Mugen moved towards her. Deep down he wanted her to be scared, he was relieved that she was. Mugen was about to say more, when suddenly a noisy rustle startled the duel.
"AAAHHHH!" Fuu screamed. Mugen spun around, taking his sword into his hand. Like reflex he moved to cover Fuu's body as he waited for whatever it was to attack.
"I could hear you two. I found food." Jin came out, calm and cool as ever. It didn't seem to alarm him that he had scared his companions. Mugen twitched annoyed with the situation. Fuu exhaled, feeling better now that Jin was there. She ran away from Mugen and to Jin to tell him about what she heard in the forest. Mugen became even more irritated by her chirpy behavior towards Jin.
'Bitch is scared of me, but all fine and dandy with that bastard.' It was an unusual thing for him to think, and only when he thought it did he realize, he had somewhat softened. It had only been not less than a day, and already he was jumping in to save her. He didn't feel right about it. But he promised himself, that this rushing to save her, would not happen again.
It was the dead of the night, Fuu moved to her side. Mugen was awake when she moved. He saw how young she was. How she could have the trust to just lay there sleeping with two strange men.
'Why does she trust us so much? Why does she trust me?' He thought. He had never met someone like her. He knew that she could tell he was an uncaring hoodlum, who would kill, who would rape and slaughter. Than why did she sleep so soundly knowing that he was there. Maybe because she trusted Jin a lot. After all, he was already forming a trusting relationship with her. He also slept closer to her than Mugen. He wondered why Jin slept and sat so closely to Fuu. Perhaps it was because he dissected Mugen's murderous thrown, and decided it would in her best interest. But he didn't strike Mugen as somebody who would give a danm about saving someone.
'What the fuck? I don't give a shit.' He said to himself. His eyes closed again.
The fire had died down to a small spark. He sat up, knowing very well, that his companions were asleep. He stared long and hard at them both, wondering why he felt so connected to them so quickly.
He looked to Jin. He wasn't an ordinary samurai. What was he doing out here, alone. Why wasn't he in his samurai clan, following samurai codes. His skills and talent were strict and following the laws of sword fighting, yet there was a wild untamed expertise to his fighting. It wasn't exaggerated as Mugen's skills, but his movements were just as fast.
'Bastard might be the one to kill me.' Mugen smirked. His eyes than moved to the right, to see Fuu's curled body. She seemed to be cold, the fire was dying down. He stared at her for a moment, and than to the fire. He didn't move.
'Ah bitch. Why do girls always have to be so danmed helpless.' He whined getting to his feet to throw a few logs in. Immediately the fire picked up. Fuu relaxed a bit, feeling warmer. He didn't sit back down right away, he stared at her blankly for a few more minutes. It was hard for him to comprehend what he was doing, looking at her. She wasn't that great looking, she had no breasts, but the feel of her body was still on him.
'Fuck it.' However, he couldn't leave. He may have been an animal, but he still owed her at least his protection for the night. Tomorrow he would scheme something up to run off.
"…mom…" He heard her say. Mugen sat down and looked at her. She was having a dream. That's when he wondered about her family, why wasn't she at home with her family. At that age, she should've been married off by now, so why wasn't she. He realized how much of his mind she had taken, and decided it was time to shut her off. He let out a gruff sigh, and turned to his back, laying to see the moon.
It was another clear night.
They had walked far enough. And eventually, they landed into a small village. Jin was sitting at a table, drinking some tea, while Mugen ate up whatever he could. He had listened to Fuu complain about her hunger and hurting feet since they woke up this morning. He was relieved to hear very little from her when they arrived to the small tea shop.
She was drunk after one drink. The men sitting with her encouraging the young girl. Jin paid close attention to the men surrounding her, making sure that none of their hands came close to her. He could tell, by the sparkle in their eyes, the blush on their faces, that they were interested. But Fuu was oblivious. She was still young, and trusted the world so much. He wondered when she would loose that trust.
Mugen was paying close attention too, though he didn't show it. It was awkward to feel like he cared, and tried hard to ignore her. But somehow, his mind always drifted back to where the men around her were, and where their hands were.
"Excuse me, you're not going to travel through the mountain pass are you?" The old waiter asked. Jin looked to him putting his tea cup down.
"Yes." Jin replied.
"Oh it's to dangerous at this time. There is a hut down the path, it's not much, but it'll give you shelter." The old man smiled, innocently. But there was something in his aged politeness that caught Jin's attention, but he said nothing.
"We should be going now. Arigato." Jin said getting up.
"Oh, and the money sir?" The old waiter asked with his hand out. Jin and Mugen both looked over to Fuu, drunk and sleeping, with the men hovering over her. Jin walked over to her.
"Hey, we were here first." The sleazy men said moving Fuu's empty cub of saki. Fuu gently snored shut off from the world around her.
"If you don't want your arms to be chopped off, I suggest you move." Mugen threatened with a smirk, stabbing the table with his sword. The slice was close to Fuu's hand, he had aimed perfectly. The men backed away, as Jin shifted Fuu to get the money. He gave the change to the old waiter.
"Arigato. Be careful out there." The old man said as Jin collected Fuu in his arms. Mugen was outside, he had found a cart perfect for carrying Fuu's lazy fat ass.
"Put her on this, or you're arms will fall off from carrying her heavy ass." Mugen smirked pulling the cart to Jin. He was surprised to see that the ruffian actually made an effort to take care of Fuu. Though, he found out quick, that he would be the one responsible for driving her around.
Mugen looked down to the sleeping girl, disgusted by her. She was carefree, and unaware of her surroundings. She had so much trust, so much honesty in her, it made him sick.
'What, was it like her first time drinking?' Mugen grunted to himself.
"Look at her, sleeping like she doesn't have a care in the world. We should strip her naked and leave her here." Mugen snorted.
"That old man…" Jin ignored Mugen's comments and focused on the old waiter at the restaurant. He felt that he was not as pleasing and worried for the traveling trio as he let on.
"Uh?" Mugen wondered.
"Never mind." Jin was about to add more to his small words, when they heard a small rustle in the woods. They're attention shifted.
Out walked a busty, leggy woman, looking seductive and sweet. It had caught Mugen's wild side, as he went to her. Jin waited for a moment, but knew that Mugen would probably take some time in securing sex. So he pressed forward.
"Arigato. You really saved me." The woman said in a small seductive voice, brushing her thick hair from her face.
"I didn't say it was for free." Mugen smirked looking at her closely. He noted the exposed flesh, it was alluring and risky for a woman like that to show off, unless she wanted people to see. Unless, she was inviting men.
"How much do I owe you?" She said back.
"How much you got to give?" Mugen smirked. The woman caught on to Mugen's intentions and smiled. Jin exhaled looking down to Fuu, it was lucky for them she was asleep, he could picture that she would make a fuss. He wondered about Fuu a lot, but said nothing.
"Alright, lets go." Mugen smirked, feeling awake. The woman left winking at Mugen, as he led the way for Jin. They walked quietly, listening to Fuu snore gently, she was sleeping very well.
Finally, they arrived, to the shabby run down hut, not too secluded from the rest of the town. Jin managed to slide open the old door.
"Well I'll be back in while." Mugen casually roamed away. Jin smiled.
"The woman." He whispered under his breath. It had been along time since Jin had a woman. He had been desperate for a woman's touch. It was against his code, but it was a long time since he left his dojo, and he was longing to have some company. He had no intention of sleeping with the woman, he only wanted her company. But she was the one who attacked him, ripping his clothes off and forcing kisses. He was a man, and he gave in.
Mugen walked along in the woods, his arms behind his head in a casual manner. He was smirking, he knew what would happen. He was going to have a fun tonight. It had been some time since he last had a woman, a woman with great curves, a sexy body, and a fantastic smile. And the best part, he wouldn't have to pay a dime.
"Uh?" He whispered noticing an older samurai walking in the forest, towards the path he had come from. He was dressed in samurai garb, much like Jin's.
"Ah whatever." He snorted continuing his way to the woman's home. He rubbed his hands together, anticipating all the things he was going to do to that body. He wondered what she was willing to do, but it didn't matter really; whatever she wasn't willing to do, he would force. He didn't care if she said no, he had taken woman who had said stop before; cried no. But he never cared, that's who he was. And that's all he ever would be.
Night had fallen, and he was finally there. The house was nice, elegant for a woman like that. But he ignored the fact that the house was too expensive for her work.
"Welcome, I have been eagerly waiting for your arrival." The woman teased. She touched his chest gently, as Mugen walked in. She led him to a quiet room, dark, lit by a few small candles.
She was skanky, dressed to show all that she could. Mugen relaxed, as she poured him some more sake. It was a comfortable area, and she looked like she was just as hungry as he was.
"I'll skip the intro's."
"You're quite forward." Mugen smirked. She moved to him, getting ready to start her night. They leaned forward, her kimono flowed her over her shoulders, revealing large perfect breasts. Mugen pulled her to him, allowing the kiss.
"PAH! Bitch!" He felt the liquid flow into his mouth, and down his throat. He pushed her off. She started to laugh, as she covered her filthy self.
"It's poison, a dangerous type. It's the one night poison. Alone, it's harmless, but mixed with sake, it's deadly." She laughed. Mugen spat, but there was nothing he could do, he had swallowed the poison.
"You better start talking, or I'm gonna start slicing." Mugen angrily shouted pointing his sword to her.
"I don't know, it was some man, he paid me to give you the poison. It was a man without an arm. And also has the antidote." She smirked. Mugen was starting to sweat, he could feel the poison start taking affect on him.
"…And that girl…she's probably..." The woman added. Mugen's eyes widened, he was worried. He got up, getting ready to leave. He looked back at the woman, her sleazy form smirking to him. She didn't even seem to be afraid of him.
"Too bad." He smirked closing his eyes. The woman didn't understand what he meant. Before she could ask, Mugen's sword came down on her. She fell down on her back, blood slipping down her open mouth.
"Bitch." He cursed. His chest started to hurt, he needed to hurry. He wondered if Fuu was alright, what the man was doing to her. He took off, as fast as he could. He had heard about that poison before, it was a poison to hate. It was called the one night poison, because you suffered a lot in that one night. He started to feel his legs get limp, but he had to hurry.
He rushed until the hut was in view. He hoped that he had beaten the man to her. He looked around, no sign of Jin either. He slammed the door open, to see nothing more than a stick, his only clue on where Fuu was being held. Mugen was getting pissed. It wasn't like he cared that she was in danger, it was the principles. She was his companion, nobody had the right to take her away. He groaned, angrily. The poison was taking over his body. He was feeling stressed out.
He looked around outside the hut.
"That bastard, where is he!" He shouted looking for Jin. Angry, and with little time on his side, he ran. He had to stop a few times to catch his breath, his vision was blurring and his legs were sore. He cursed the girl, and he cursed himself for falling into their trap. Finally, he arrived, tired and stressed out.
"Mugen!" He turned around to see Fuu, tied up with her kidnapper standing beside her. He laughed.
"I've been waiting for you Mugen."
"Who the fuck are you?" Mugen shouted grabbing his sword. The kidnapper scrounged his face, he was not happy with his lack of memory. After all, Mugen was the one who cut off his arm, before he killed the magistrates son.
"Don't be like that. You're the one responsible for this." The armless man smirked.
"I don't remember." Mugen replied, only angering the man more.
"AHH danmit! Kill him!" He shouted for his large freakish partner. He jumped out, with his hefty sword, cutting boards like paper. Mugen was hit hard by the man trying to dodge his sword. He was weak from the poison, and now had to fight a man four times his size.
"Stop this!" Fuu shouted hoping to reach the armless man. Mugen stood up, ready to fight, he tried his best to slice the ogre, but no shots made it through. The large man was clearly winning, until Mugen got a clear shot. His hood fell off, and the man became self consciences.
"No, don't look at my face!" He shouted. Mugen was confused but before he could do anything, the bulky man had smashed him head first into large boards. Mugen was weakened further. He lay there in pain from his injuries and the poison taking over his body.
"NO! Stop!" Fuu shouted as the armless man dragged her to the river side to watch Mugen suffer some more.
"I won't kill you right away. I'm gonna make sure you suffer this whole night." The man laughed wildly. The ogre stood before Mugen, making room for the armless man to approach.
Fearing Mugen's death, Fuu did the loyal thing and nudged the armless man hard into the water. She looked down to Mugen's still body, he was hanging on but by a thread.
"You stupid little bitch! I'm gonna kill you first." The armless man rose, taking a sword in hand. He walked over to Fuu, afraid and unable to run. The large orgerish man left Mugen's side and quickly grabbed the armless man's neck.
He squeezed his neck. The man was alarmed to see that his monster was betraying him, but he could do nothing. Fuu sat silent watching the man die.
Mugen's vision was blurry, he could make out Fuu, sitting as a man hovered before. He spotted his sword. His head was pounded, he worried that she was going to get killed. Quickly, he ignored his pains and launched to the air, arming himself with his sword. The large man turned to him, ready to finish the battle. They raced to each other. Fuu started to cry.
"Stop! Please stop!" She shouted, afraid that she would see more death. The large ogre stopped in his tracks, and let his sword go. Mugen heard Fuu, heard what she screamed, he couldn't make out if she was talking to him or the man he was fighting. But it was too late to think, he had already plunged his sword into the man's chest.
He was breathing hard, he fell to his knees, but got up to untie Fuu. She was troubled by the death she saw. A tear left her eyes and fireflies flew around her.
"Mugen, are you alright?" She asked blankly staring at him. He fell to his knees.
"The antidote, hang on." She realized. She leaned forward to the armless man's side, pulling out the antidote. Mugen fell to the ground, unable to stay strong.
"Drink this." She urged taking his head on her lap. Mugen did it, without thinking of her betraying him. Somehow he trusted that she would help him, not kill him. He drank the potion and rested. He felt her move from him, moving away from him towards the man he had killed. He wondered why she was going to him, he was the one who saved her. He struggled to see what she was doing and what she was saying.
He realized, that the ogre had thrown his victory away. He had purposely let go of his sword, and it was for Fuu. He had saved her in the end, not Mugen. And than, Fuu saved Mugen, again. He was in debt to her yet again.
Jin had come to help. Though, Fuu was doing alright on her own, but she was having troubles balancing with Mugen draped over her right side. But Mugen was feeling better, enough to walk on his own.
"Who was that?" Jin asked Mugen. Fuu looked at the large man who had thrown away his life, she felt sad for him. Than she looked over to the armless man.
"He's one of the men who came in with the magistrates son. Back at my tea shop." Fuu said. Mugen remembered now.
"Oh yeh that guy." Mugen groaned. He never really paid attention to the people he fought, why would he need to remember their faces, or what he chopped off. He cracked his neck, feeling a whole lot better.
"Who was that guy fighting with you?" Fuu asked Jin. Jin faced the river towards the other side. He didn't know him, he was a random assassin with a lot of skill.
"Apparently, this man hired him to kill us all." Jin was good at figuring things out. No one really had to express anything to him, he just knew. He had an amazing sense, and combined with his skill, he was pretty much unbeatable.
"To kill us? But why?" Fuu asked.
"Maybe they didn't like your ugly face." Mugen smirked. He didn't want to tease her, but it was easy. She asked such innocent questions, and that innocence bothered him. She scrounged her nose and looked up at the ruffian samurai.
"Baka!" She shouted at him. Mugen spat back calling her names. Jin sighed.
"We should go back and get some rest." Jin interrupted walking in between the two. Fuu's eyes sparkled as she looked up at Jin, he looked amazing. He was pale and mysterious, a tall handsome guy.
"HAI." She smiled.
"Oyoy, don't make that face, it's scary." Mugen teased again looking over Jin's shoulder. Jin's left eye twitched as he closed them trying to refrain from laughing. Fuu started to shout back at Mugen, who continued to tease her. He didn't know why he was teasing her so much, perhaps because it was fun; or maybe it was because she looked sort of cute when she got mad.
"AHH you BAKA!" She shouted a final time turning her heels and walking away. Jin looked back at Mugen, smirking like he had finally won a battle.
"What? She asked for it." Mugen smirked defensively. He didn't need Jin being his dad, reminding him to be good. He never had a father, and didn't give a care. He started to walk, following Jin. Fuu wanted to stay and bury the large man, but Jin said that it would be dangerous. Somehow, someone would find him, and do the noble thing.
They came back to the hut. The door was broken open, thanks to Mugen's wild entrance earlier.
"Did you have to break the door?" She asked annoyed with his crazy actions. Mugen twitched angrily.
"Bitch, I had to find your ass and save you!" He shouted defending his actions. Fuu rolled her eyes and entered the small hut. Jin walked in after her as Mugen tried comically to fix the broken door. He had propped it just enough to keep out the cold air. Jin knelt down and tried to start a fire as Fuu helped. She was cold and tired. She felt badly for the dead large man who saved her. She wondered why people were so hard on him, sure he looked different; but he was still human. And she thought that's what counted. He wasn't a bad person, he was actually a very good man.
"Oy, where were you when she was being kidnapped?" Mugen asked accusingly. He wanted to know where Jin was, and who that guy was. But Jin didn't know.
"Who could want to kill us?" Fuu asked. They had not known each other long enough, so who had they ticked off enough to want them dead.
"It's best we think about it when things unfold." Jin explained calmly. There was coldness to him, yet his eyes spoke with such emotion, such warmth. Fuu stared at him long and hard as the cracks of fire reflected off his glasses. He seemed so mysterious. She wanted to ask him why he wasn't with his samurai clan, but thought that it might be too personal.
Mugen was thinking the same from the first day they met. But in the end, he didn't care what his reasons were, he would have his match with him and kill him. There was no need to get to know the person you're going to murder.
"We should get some rest." Jin announced leaning against the wall. His eyes were always closed, and Mugen wondered if it was because he didn't want to let anyone see him. Fuu yawned, claiming back most of Mugen's pondering mind.
"Ahh, I'm so hungry." She whined. After everything she had seen, nothing seemed to have fazed her. Mugen grunted annoyed by her constant announcements of being hungry.
"Shut up you little bitch." He snorted getting comfortable on the floor.
"AHH, stop calling me that! My name is FUU! FUU!" She shouted angrily waving her arms. But both Mugen and Jin ignored her childish break outs. She sighed, defeated, and lay down on the floor. The hut was small, and she found her head close to Mugen's.
"Yeeck." She whispered disgusted by his wild hair. She wondered when the last he bathed was. Than she realized when the last time it was when she bathed. She decided that tomorrow, she would do that first thing.
Exhausted, she was easily able to fall asleep. Jin seemed to be a sleep too. But Mugen was up. He couldn't fall asleep, he could feel that her head was close by his. It bothered him. He heard her soft snores, her little whimpers as she turned to her side. Her sweet smell was grossing him out. He wanted to sit up and slap her for keeping him awake for this long.
'Whatever.' He finally said to himself. He looked over to the dying fire. Soon the sun would come up, and there would be no need for this fire. Why couldn't he sleep. She had been robbing him of his thoughts since they met. Somewhere, in the back of his head, her name would come up; deep in his memory. He tried hard to remember who she was, where else had he seen her. There was a lot of girls in his lonely journey that he took, but Fuu seemed like she was still a virgin. So she couldn't have been with him. And if she had been forced by him, she would remember.
'So where the fuck have I seen her from?' He asked himself. Why was it bothering him so much, especially at night. When he slept there, close to her, it did something to his mind, forced him to think harder.
'Do I know her danmit.' He cursed.
Slowly, Mugen drifted to sleep, and his eyes closed. There in his dreams, he was walking, he was badly bruised. His shoulder hurt, and his breath was uneven. He realized he was injured. He sat down, over looking a large lake. It was day light, he had been running. He wasn't sure to where. Somehow, even though it was the first time he had seen this place. The place seemed familiar.
'What am I doing here?' He asked himself. Suddenly, he saw her, laying pretty much asleep on the other side. It was her, it was Fuu.
'What the hell?' He was surprised. His eyes widen, trying to understand what he was doing there, and what she was doing there.
In a burst, he was back. Mugen sat up abruptly, catching Jin's attention. It was morning now.
"What is it?" Jin asked watching the distressed Mugen ruffle his hair, possibly trying to shake the bad dream from his mind.
Than Mugen saw her, balled up snoring away happily. He became very annoyed. She was there, in the real. Why was she haunting him.
"Danmit this bitch!" He growled moving towards her. Jin watched blankly at him as he hovered over the sleeping Fuu. He noticed how upset Mugen was with her, but she had done nothing to deserve this anger.
"Look at this, we're doing all the work, and all she's doing is sleeping!" He hollered moving his face down to hers. He listened, her breath was even and easy. A rhythm that made his stomach do something. She looked peaceful and trusting, something he rarely did. She had no reason to fear the world, but he would give her reason to be suspicious.
"What are you going to do?" Jin asked watching Mugen grin as he looked at Fuu.
"Watch." He smirked at the silent samurai as he positioned himself on his knees. She was facing him, in a ball on her side, as he looked down to her. His face was over her ear, close enough to kiss her cheek. He noticed how soft her skin looked, how nice it would be to touch it.
Annoyed with his thoughts, and bothered by his wonders about her, he took in a deep breath.
"WAKE UP BAKA!" He shouted as loud as he could into ear. Scaring her awake. She was frantic and like reflex she backed away from him. She didn't know who it was at that time, she was still disoriented. She hugged the wall, as she screamed.
"You idiot!" Mugen started to laugh loudly and proudly. He felt good to scare her, that's how it should be, she should fear him. She looked at Jin and than to Mugen, realizing what had happened.
"MUGEN!" She shouted letting go of the wall and flying to him. Without a word, she jumped on to him, trying to strangle the wild samurai. He was alarmed that she would show such guts. He pulled away, pinning her to the floor. She struggled with him hovering over top of her, balancing himself on his knees, and keeping her wrists to the floor.
"Baka! Why did you do that?" She screamed. Her wrists felt like they would break, he was putting a lot of his weight down on her. Mugen smirked angrily.
"Because we're awake and you're still sleeping you bitch." He growled. Fuu struggled trying to free her wrists. It was really starting to hurt her.
"Let go, you're hurting me." She slightly cried. Mugen had no intention of being that rough with her, than again he had no intention of being gentle with her. He spat at her remark, laughing at her weak body.
"Feh" He groaned refusing to let her free.
"Mugen." Jin said calmly, deciding to step in before she really got hurt. Mugen looked at the silent man still sitting where he slept.
"What, she started it. Sleeping like that, bitch." He teased. But this time he noticed little tears start to form in her eyes. He looked at her struggling wrists, she really was in pain. Reluctantly, and with a loud annoyed groan, he let her go. She sat up immediately, rubbing the pain from her wrists.
"BAAKAA!" She shouted sticking out her tongue. Mugen threatened to slap her and walked out for fresh air. It was another day, the day he would leave this team and be on his free way. He hated being given orders, and staying with this troop would mean taking orders, especially from her. He needed to think of how to leave.
'Besides, that bitch is really pissing me off.' He said to himself. A lot of her had been in his mind lately, and it needed to end.
WOW ! So this was quite long, and it also took a very very long time to make. I had to re-watch the show plus I added some of my own thing. I wanted everybody, to get Mugen's thoughts, since this is basically about him. LOL Well, in Part Two, the real ending, and you'll find out how long they all had been together…far far before we knew.