A/N: Fallen Samurai here. Long time no see huh? I guess I owe some kind of excuse. I have to say I thought this story was finished and if you kind of think about it…well quite frankly it was. But as people kept reviewing long after I stopped I decided to bring it back. So here you go. New characters, old favorites, more enemies and a whole lot of attitude, were just getting started. The return of SOABC. Read, review, enjoy.

Note: This chapter will contain things that aren't on par with actual history. I know that so please don't comment me on it. You have to remember Samurai Champloo is not fully real nor do they really try to put real elements in the show. And this is just a fiction, not real. Watch the first minute or so of the first episode and you'll see what I mean.

IV: Some Nights pt II

Jin walked the somewhat empty streets of Fukuoka. At this hour he began to wonder if he could get a drink when he spotted an open bar down a street. As he walked in he saw only two people in attendance, the bartender and a middle aged man.

"Take a seat" the bartender motioned for him.

"Thank you" Jin said as he sat down. He asked for a glass of sake for the night. Glancing at the man next to him he noticed that he was surprisingly detail in the parts of the body that where showing. His arms were ripped and toned and his face, although down, looked noticeably younger then his age. In fact the only thing that showed his age was the few grey strands of hair in his medium straight hair cut.

"Bartender!" the man spat out.

"Yes."

"Another" he said.

"Sorry but I can't give you anymore free drinks. You've been out of money for the last three drinks" replied the bartender.

"Hmm" the man took a glance at Jin. "Hey."

"Yeah" Jin answered knowing he was the one being acknowledged.

"Got any money to spare?" he asked no where near embarrassed.

"No" said Jin. He reached into his pocket and pulled out one gold ryu. He then tossed it to the man.

"Thought you couldn't spare?" he asked.

"I couldn't" said Jin.

The man gave a faint smile. "This should get me a couple of more drinks" he said to the bartender.

"Alright, alright, but you're paying for the one's I gave you before."

"Oh why you gotta be mean for huh?" said the man who was starting to sound drunk.

The bartender gave the man a drink as Jin finished his.

"Thank you" said Jin leaving the money on the counter.

"No problem" said the bartender. He picked up the money and went into a back room to get ready to close down for the night.

Jin began to walk out when the man called to him.

"You're sword….where did you get it?" he asked.

"I found it" Jin said as he continued to walk out.

"Haru" said the man.

Jin stopped. "What?"

"Well did you lie to me because you didn't know me, cause if you did I'm letting you know who I am so that you can tell me the truth about where you got that sword" Haru said.

Jin turned around to see Haru looking right at him. He reached down towards his waste and pull his katana out from it's sheath. Haru took a good look at it with a seriousness in his eye. The sword was pure silver and had a white glow to it in the light of the lantern. The tip was more round then a regular katana. On one side of the sword was a small picture of a whirlwind indented into the blade.

"That's a beautiful sword. I believe Mamoru used to carry it. Care to tell the tale of how you got it?" Haru asked.

"No, I don't" said Jin calmly.

"Well guess it doesn't matter, being so you fought him in a storage house." Jin stopped his mouth agape.

"How do you know that?" Jin asked confused and curious.

"I guess word of your travels from two years ago reached some of the higher powers' ears?" Haru brought up. "With all the stuff you have done someone's gong to keep an eye on you.

At this point Jin felt either way too curious or way too deep in something to just walk away. Placing his sword back into it's sheath he strolled back over to the bar and sat down. Just as he did the bartender came back out. Placing a few more coins on the table he ordered for more drinks.

"Ah so you want to know how I know? Well that's easy. You and Mugen, shit even that ditzy Fuu girl made quite the name for yourselves two years ago." Haru began.

"How?" asked Jin. "Who could have known of us?"

"Well that leads into another point you see. I don't know everything and obviously you do. What I do know is that there are some very significant facts the most evident, yet not of everyone, being how you killed Mariya Enshiro."

Jin was in shock. Yet again another person knew about him killing his master. However this specific person wasn't after revenge. "I presume you know more?"

"Most certainly" Haru continued. I know of the blind songstress assassin that you and Mugen fought, and I know that Mugen killed her. I know that a fifteen year old girl found a way to get two very strong warriors to aid her in a simple search mission. I know that you fought the sunflower samurai and I know that you killed him…a lot of high ranking people do."

"So…what of this?" Jin asked not sure what to do.

"Well I can tell you one thing; life for you is about to be how it was two years ago" Haru said taking another sip of his drink.

"Ok, is it my turn yet?"

"For what?"

"My questions…"

"Go ahead…ask."

Jin took a cold hard stare at Haru. "Who are who really?"

"I told you" Haru started. "I am Ha-" He stopped as cold steel held an inch away from his nose. He twitched it then looked down a little to see Jin holding the other end, no emotion in his face.

"I want the truth!" Jin said.

"Alright, alright." Haru hardly sounded drunk anymore. "I am Haru and I used to work for the Shogunate."

Jin's eyes widened.

"However there has been major unrest in the ranks over the rise of a new leader. This in turn led to many people in it to leave. I guess you could say the new leader didn't like the disrespect so he began killing of everyone who left. Now the remainders of us have created a group in secret and plan to rebel."

"What are you saying?" Jin asked lowering his sword.

"War, Jin. War is coming. Armies are being put together for both sides and assassins and mercenaries are being hired. One could say the only disadvantage that we have is the fact that the Shogunate have more people in which we could fix. However that is not the only problem. On his side are four samurai's that have amazing power and I swear they are so deadly that they can bring the elements to life."

Jin was now truly interested. But still wondered. "How does this involve me?"

"Easy. You've made a name for yourself Jin. You and Mugen. You have both defeated some of the strongest and most capable assassins and samurai around. With this and the newest fact of you killing Mamoru, you are not only a wanted man but a needed and usable man for either side."

With that it all came together for Jin. He understood every word and everything that was and had been happening up till this point. His services were needed. Just like they have been in the past. Only question was if he was going to accept or not.

"I prefer not to get all caught up in you're war" Jin said.

"Well that's quite fine. However-" Haru went silent as he narrowed his eyes. "I doubt you be able to make it out here alive."

"What?" Jin suddenly heard the scattering of what seemed like many footsteps all around the bar.

"Dammit Haru, you just have to bring the bad things with you don't ya" said the bartender.

"Well then how about it?" Haru asked. "Want to join up?"

"No" Jin said flatly. "I'll help you fight out of here but that's it".

"Fine" Haru spat without argument.

They rose up.

"You say here" Jin nodded to the bartender.

Putting their hands on the hilts of there swords they both took a step outside.

"Like I said" Haru started. "Someone's always watching."

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Well that does it. I'm officially back. This is a little short I know but I had to get my bearings again and know where I was going to go with the story. That fact that I will be involving higher powers here means more mystery will be included. Action, well you know that's coming next chapter. Some of Mugen, some of Fuu and one of the side characters from the show will make a debut. Conspiracy, drama, teamwork and emotion are also all on the way. Bring the heat next chapter.