A/N: I'm finally back once again here to deliver. I haven't forgotten about this story. This chapter will further explain why things happened the way they did, because I did plan it that way. I'm not going to let you down, just like the last chapter expect another fight in this one. About the first chapter, there's a reason why I made it that way, almost like the first episode, that will be explained in the story. Also some feelings start to develop, well maybe not yet but I don't know. Bare with me for this chapter. Let me stop rambling and let you read. Read, review, enjoy.

Note: Just in case, Saga is a real town in Japan.And so is Fukuoka.

II: Tall Tales

Mugen awoke to the sound of his own stomach. The trio had made camp in the woods about five miles from the town of Saga. So far no one had found them. Mugen sat up.

"Mourning, lazy ass" said Fuu. Jin was sitting on rock sharpening his sword.

"Yo any food?" asked Mugen looking around.

"No."

"Damn." Mugen dropped back onto the ground.

"So where are we headed again?" asked Jin not bothering to remember what happened the night before.

Fuu looked down. "Umm to Fukuoka" she said softly suddenly wishing that she had said someplace much farther.

"Fukuoka…that is some miles north of here, not very far" Jin hinted.

"Yes" Fuu nodded.

"Why do you need to go there?" Mugen asked curiously.

"Umm, to find someone!" Fuu rushed.

Jin looked at her carefully then closed his eyes. "Well then shall we get going? I believe we can make it by sun down."

Fuu nodded then calmly put "I have to get some things from my restaurant first."

Mugen and Jin both flashed a look at her mouths agape.

"Restaurant…as in place to eat?" questioned Jin.

Fuu nodded.

"YOU… you own a restaurant?" Mugen asked in surprise.

Fuu nodded again. "Well I'm going to get some food and money. You two stay here, I'm sure people are looking for you. I'll be back soon." She rushed off into the distance before either one of them could object.

Mugen looked at Jin.

Jin eyed him back.

Both men felt their hands reach for the hilts of their swords, but neither one went as far as to draw it.

"It's been a long time" said Jin.

"Fuck yeah" said Mugen. "Fought anybody good while I was gone?"

"No one special… you?" Jin said.

"Easy pickings" replied Mugen. He yawned loudly as he realized the sun was still rising. "Well I'm going back to sleep." He laid back onto the ground.

Jin also closed his eyes as the mourning light began to overtake the sky.

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Fuu walked smoothly down a dirt road leading to Saga. She began to think heavily as she went along. It couldn't have been possible. No way would she believe it.

How was she supposed to?

For fifteen years, she lived what was a partially normal life. Her mother took care of her and she had her moments. Even when her mother died she managed to move on and seemingly enjoy a nice quiet life working as a cook/waitress in a small tavern. It wasn't the coolest or most fun especially with some of the customers she got, but she did get some money out of it. Well maybe not. Yet her entire life changed in one day because of one guy who couldn't stand to pass up a fight and another who just happened to step in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yet sometimes she wondered if maybe that was the right time, at least for her.

Then her life changed as she knew it. It was no longer quiet, and peaceful. It had become dangerous, smooth, slick and stealthy and somewhere sex seemed to show up. Her mother would have been spinning in her grave had see seen some of the stuff she got into. Yet to her it seemed surprisingly fun. Never had putting her life on the line been so much fun. They had gambled life the whole journey to look for something that may not have even been there.

And now they were back.

But how? Could it mean something? Was there a message she wasn't getting? Why or even better how was it that the two men she came to care for more then anyone else ended up in the same town fighting none other then each other?

Two years ago she went on a journey with two people that she never wanted to end. Two years ago she had found that she could care for perfect strangers despite who they are or what they had done. Two years ago she had started crazy friendships and close bonds with all types of people. Two years ago her life had changed.

Two years ago she had finally found herself.

But as soon as the journey had ended it was like she had lost herself back to the normal everyday life all over again.

She wanted to find herself once more.

Somehow, someway, she would have to convince them to come with her once more, maybe not forever but for a much longer time then before. She wanted to relive the past if only for a while.

Fuu's thought broke as she realized how far she was in Saga. Her restaurant was just down the street. Looking around she didn't notice anybody going crazy looking for them. In fact it seemed like people had just seemed to let it go. Her opinion changed when she walked through the door of her restaurant. The place was fairly empty seeing as the rush usually didn't arrive until the midday and afternoon. However a few were seated at the sake bar and some at tables. Then out of the corner of her eye she noticed them. Six of the magistrate's guards were sitting around a table. Her number one waiter, Gina was over there serving them with no delight. She notice Fuu come in and strode almost immediately towards her.

"Ms Fuu!" she yelled. Fuu found this embarrassing, when anyone called her "Ms" especially when they were older then her. "Where were you? Are you ok? Did you hear about last night?"

Fuu was startled by all the questions. "I'm fine. What's going on over there?" Fuu nodded towards the group of guards.

"They came in a little earlier. They've been up all night looking for the ruffians that escaped yesterday. But what does that matter?" Gina asked.

Fuu had just remembered why she came. "Yeah, you see I am taking leave-"

"You're leaving the restaurant!" Gina cut in fearing the worst.

"No, just taking a long vacation. I'm leaving you in charge, Gina. I've left directions on everything you need to know just in case you have a question" Fuu explained. Gina looked kind of sad hearing of this news. "Don't worry, you'll do fine."

As time passed she went around explaining the situation to all her employees. Most of them where surprised and some even sad when they heard the news and when ask when she was going to return Fuu simply said "Can't be to sure."

Finally she had finished and had moved on to the sake bar where she was collecting some supplies and money. Putting some food in the bag she was considerate of the food she knew Jin and Mugen liked. With drinks she had put wine in but not too much sake afraid of what Mugen might try. Putting only two canisters in the bag she nodded to Gina and the rest of her staff and walked out.

Gina let out a sigh and proceeded to her work. As Fuu walked out Gina noticed that the magistrate guard Fuu had singled out was eying her. After a few seconds he simply went back to his food.

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Mugen once again opened his eyes. Coming to a realization he yelled "What the hell are we waiting for?"

"For Fuu to come back" Jin noted sitting against a tree his swords resting firm against his body.

"Why, we don't have to stay here" Mugen replied.

"We made her a promise remember?" said Jin.

"Fuck that, I'm bored I'm leaving" Mugen said as he picked himself up.

"Just like that, Fuu hasn't seen you in over two years, she was our…well at least I considered her my friend but none the less our companion" said Jin.

Mugen didn't say anything. Instead he merely shrugged his shoulders and continued walking. Then finally he said "Sorry but I got places to go and people to fight."

"Well seems like you haven't fought anyone special" Jin stated.

"Well then I'll just find someone" Mugen snapped. "I don't see why the hell you're so interested in going, not like you have any reason to stay either."

"Actually I have three" said Jin holding up three fingers.

"Hrmp, lets hear em'" demanded Mugen.

"First I made a promise to Fuu so I intend to keep it, not just walk out on her. Second I believe that I will run into a lot of things including fights like two years ago. Traveling with her always seems to bring something to the table. And third because in Fukuoka there's talk of the Elementals" Jin finished.

Although he had heard everything Jin just said the word Elementals was the only thing that fazed him. "What the fuck is that?"

"Stories say that their able to use things like water or fire in their fights. But that doesn't matter since you're leaving. However…" Jin stood up placing his swords back under his belt. "I have made it one of my goals to be the one that kills you. Seems now is a more perfect time then ever."

Mugen smirked. "I have no problem with that, bout' time for you're ass to die anyway."

Mugen drew his sai just as Jin drew his katana. The sounds of the wind rustling the leaves could be heard. The forest critters scurried about as Jin and Mugen locked each other in a stare down. Then gracefully an all green leaf floated down and landed directed on Jin's head. His eyes narrowed then shot upwards towards the trees. He saw nothing but felt like something was there. His eyes darted back to Mugen's who seemed to notice the same thing.

Whispering Jin said "It seems as if where not alone."

"Looks that way, guess we'll just have to take care of them, before I take care of you" said Mugen.

"Fine" Jin replied.

Mugen took one step forward but before his foot could touch the ground an arrow landed on the ground. It was then when Jin and Mugen realized how outnumbered they really were. Now in the trees stood what seemed like dozens of people all wearing black with masks on their faces and holding either a sword or a bow.

'Ninja's here?' Mugen thought to himself. 'What the hell is going on?'

Both their ears caught the sound of bowstrings being pulled back. At once they both ran towards each other as the sky began to rain with arrows. Mugen dashed towards the left then two steps to the right ducking behind a tree. Jin ran towards a bush and dashed behind it arrows filling his footprints. Quickly Mugen jumped up and grabbed a tree branch. He pulled himself up, his sai still in his hand and instantly balanced himself. Without hesitation the ninja's jumped down towards him swords held high. Mugen jumped up to the next highest branch then shot forward at the ninjas. One appeared right in front of him but Mugen using quick thinking jumped off the branch but quickly grabbed it with his free hand. With his sai he slashed upwards causing the branch to break. Mugen dropped to the lower branch again as the ninja fell towards the ground. Dozens more shot they're way towards Mugen. Two landed on both sides of him this time and charged in towards him. Mugen evaded one attack then countered pushing his sword through the ninja's chest. As the other ninja ran towards him Mugen jumped kicked of the tree and punched the ninja with the hilt of his sai. The man fell as more surrounded Mugen.

Jin blocked a flurry of arrows then rolled out of the way as a body crashed onto the ground beside him. Dozens of ninjas began to land on the ground around him. They all charged swords pointed forward. Jin blocked one strike the cut down a ninja. Rolling out of the way of an attack he countered by spinning around once cutting six ninjas instantly. More filled their places. Jin ducked under one swing then ran towards a large tree. Getting vertical he ran straight up the base of the tree then flipped backwards while holding his sword out. His blade collided with three ninjas as he landed on the ground. Suddenly out from behind him a gust of leaves filled the air making his vision much poorer. Jin narrowed his eyes as green, yellow and brown leaves fell everywhere. In an instant blades begin to fly everywhere, Jin rolled around one and blocked another. He jumped, blocked, and ducked but was not able to counter for he could not see his opponents only their swords.

Mugen noticing this from the corner of his eyes began to jump down to help. Cutting threw one ninja and flipping over another Mugen was able to see what was happening as many more chased after him. Jin was encircled in a storm of leaves. Just outside the leaves were dozens of ninjas slashing inwards. Getting the trick Mugen jumped down to the ground ran fought his way to Jin.

Jin however was in little need of assistance. He stood directly in the middle and quickly closed his eyes. Swords still kept appearing trying to slash him but he was just inches out of reach. Taking a deep breath he instantly centered himself. Putting both hands at the bare end of his katana hilt he leaned forward then struck instantly. A strong gust of wind suddenly filled the air with such force that the leaves dissipated and all the ninja's that surrounded it were blown off their feet. In the middle stood Jin his sword held in the air.

PAUSE

"Wait, so what exactly are you saying?" Fuu asked.

"Do you have to interrupt the story, geez" Mugen snapped at her.

"Sorry! Geez don't have to be such an ass, I just don't understand how a whole unit of unknown ninjas would just attack you" Fuu replied.

Mugen shrugged. The trio has left the forest and were no walking along a countryside path. Jin was a bit head of Mugen and Fuu, as Mugen had slumped behind to tell Fuu what had happened in the forest while she was gone. Since when she returned half the forest was cut down, swords and bodies were everywhere and sword marks were imprinted in almost every tree around the clearing she felt she deserved some sort of explanation.

In truth Fuu didn't really care too much for she knew fights would be a natural thing, but the fact that somebody unknown was already trying to have them killed made her curious.

"It wasn't any town guards and they certainly wouldn't have paid a lot of ninjas to do it…hey did you get into trouble or something?" Fuu asked knowing something had to be up.

"Yeah right…not me honest" said Mugen as Fuu gave him a stare down. They both looked at Jin up ahead.

'Could he…nah Jin couldn't, well maybe' Fuu thought to herself. "Anyway what happened next?" she asked wanting to learn of the ending.

"Well…" Mugen started. "Umm… oh yeah-"

PLAY

Jin took a deep breath and opened his eyes as dozens of ninjas scurried and crawled around him. Everything had stopped. Mugen looked at Jin with confusion and surprise. Then taking advantage of the cease attack he made his way to Jin then stood back to back with him.

"Interesting attack you got there" he said chuckling.

"I try my best to be creative" Jin replied.

Many ninjas now were afraid and began to run of but some remained ready to fight. They encircled Jin and Mugen as the two stood back to back.

"Well now that we destroyed their ranks, I count about thirty to forty" Jin said calmly.

"Uh, yeah" replied Mugen who wasn't one for counting nor did he care.

"Shall we?" Jin asked with a smirk.

"Definitely" Mugen replied.

Both men rushed out with incredible speed in opposite directions towards the ninjas. Not expecting them to start the attack the ninjas were surprised. Taking advantage of this Jin and Mugen cut through them like butter.

Mugen jumped right in the middle of a large group of ninjas. Two ran at him but Mugen jumped up and landed directly on their faces, his metal shoes cracking the nose of both of the men. Then jumping of he cut one on the shoulder then turned and cut two on the chest. One ninja jumped in the air and attacked but Mugen jumped back then slashed forward cutting the ninjas arm off.

Jin cut through two men and the same time then forced his sword backwards into another who tried to attack him from behind. Instantly pulling it out he cut down one twisted around him and cut down two more as more rushed at him.

Mugen and Jin were both destroying the remainder of their enemies. Jin ducked then cut a ninja down. Mugen flipped over an attack and cut a ninja in the face. Jin rolled around one ninja cutting his leg off then immediately rose up and stabbed one more. Mugen thrust his sword thru two ninja's chests simultaneously then shoved another while kicking one more in the face.

Duck, roll, slash, stab, stab, roll, evade, block, block, cut, slash, stab, thrust.

The last ninja fell. Mugen and Jin stood amongst bodies, swords and arrows. Tree's were cut down and heavily slashed, leaves littered the ground and footprints were everywhere. Suddenly they heard the sound of one pair of footsteps.

CUT

"And that's basically when you came in" said Mugen.

"Yeah and you both stuck your swords in my face" Fuu replied.

"Hey we thought that we forgot one" said Mugen with a smirk.

Learning of what had happened while she was at her restaurant Fuu felt like asking him if there was more to that story but decided to leave it alone. Ahead of them Jin stopped and pointed to a clearing in the trees.

"It's getting late; we should camp now and get up early tomorrow so we can make it to Fukuoka by sun down" Jin said.

"Yeah, Ima' bout due for a little rest" Mugen noted stretching.

"Yeah, we should eat" said Fuu as they walked into the clearing and Jin sat down to make a fire.

The sky began to darken and the moon began to glow with a bright white light. The day animals crawled into hiding as the night animals revealed themselves.

Fuu had already finished cooking and sat by a tree thinking about the coming day. Would her journey end already? Would she be forced to part way with them after such a short time together? She tried not to think about it.

Mugen watched Jin with and eagerness to learn. How did he do that attack? It was strong precise and destructive and Mugen could not help but wonder what Jin had done in the past two years. For the first time Mugen now knew that if he faced Jin he would lose, but yet something still plagued him. Like how come he didn't truly take care of him back in Saga. Maybe there was a reason. Maybe not, but Mugen knew that he would have to get stronger now. Stronger then he'd had ever been, and maybe try some attacks that he'd had only heard of but never tried to perform.

As Jin leaned a little closer to the fire, Mugen thought of new ways to beat his old acquaintance and make himself stronger while Fuu thought of ways to make her journey with her two best friends continue.

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And there you go. Second chapter done. Again sorry about the long wait, there shouldn't be another like that again I believe. Also it is confirmed that pretty much chapter's one, two and the upcoming chapter three will be the story openers. So bear with me it just what I'm using to kind of give readers a chance of what the trio has done while away which will be explained thoroughly next chapter. Also I don't know if everyone gets the whole "pause" "play" scene, for those of you who do I'm glad you got it and hoped you liked it. But for those who didn't I will briefly explain it in my A/N next chapter. Another chapter written real late so please excuse me. But I'll keep updating so don't worry. That's it for now.