Thanks for the reviews! I try to update at least once a week, so the sequal to this will be up in a bit. (I tell you now because you were nice enough to review!) Anyway, in the last part, it occured to me that Mugen was slightly out of charracter with the whole screaming part, so if you were curious as to what exactly he was saying, all you'd hear were CD scratchs and various other curses. (Yes, I censor, so beware!)

Disclaimer: I had a dream that I owned Samurai Champloo, but that is the closest thing I'll ever have of it. (Pouty lip...)Hina, however, is my OC. YAY!

Chapter 2- Practicing Patience

Mugen and Jin had gotten dressed in some dry clothes and sat outside of the door into Fuu's room. They were both wearing (male) kimonos; Mugen had a disgusted look on his face as he watched the rain out of a window to his left. There was a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach that wouldn't go away. Jin sat with his head down, thinking.

They both looked up as the door slid open and Hina stepped out. She looked tired, but smiled when she saw them just outside.

"She's asleep now. We should go so we wouldn't disturb her. Dinner sound good?"

Mugen and Jin shot up as though a fire had been lit under them.

"Okay then. Follow me." she said, her eyebrows raised.

The men followed her as she went into the kitchen and put together the bits of a meal. She came out to see them at the table and placed the food in front of them. Their hunger surprised her.

After watching them wolf down several bowls of rice, noodles, and a soup with vegies and chicken, she reteated into Fuu's room with some of the soup.When Hina came back out, the bowl was empty and Mugen and Jin had eaten their fill.

"Thank you for the food. It was probably the best thing I've eaten." Jin said quietly.

She blushed "You're very welcome, but I'm sure that this isn't the best."

Jin shook his head. "I'm sure. We haven't had anything for three days now."

Her eyes grew wide. "You poor things! I wondered why you looked so scranny. No offense or anything." Her eyes went to the floor. "It all makes sense now. Fuu-san's blood was really thin." she swallowed." I'm sorry to say this, but technically she should be dead. Something kept her alive, and I can't figure it out. "

Looking back up, she saw Mugen's eyebrows raised and a worried expression on Jin's face. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make it sound like that! I'm relieved that she lived! In fact, we should celebrate!"

Hina stood up and went over to a cupboard, pulling out a bottle and three small cups. She set the cups in front of her companions, leaving one for herself. She unplugged the bottle and sniffed. "WOAH! This will definetely do you some good. It'll calm you down."

She poured the drink into all three of there cups and raised hers. "Here's to Fuu-san's survival!"

They emptied their cups and Mugen reached across the table for more of the sake. After several more cups, Hina led them to their rooms.

Jin stopped her just before she left. "You do know we don't have enough money to pay you for your services, right?"

Hina smiled once again. "Don't worry about it. I could honestly care less about money. I care about my patient's health. You all can stay for as long as you like."

(Fast Forward)

Mugen and Jin awoke to the smell of cooking food. A truly savory smell for them. They wandered out to the table and were awarded the sight of steaming food. Hina was nowhere to be seen.

Without waiting, Mugen starting shoving food down into his mouth. He drank his tea between mouthfulls, Jin watching patiently.

Hina walked in from her room, having changed clothes into a white kimono top and light blue pants, almost like Jin's. She sat at the table, frowning slightly.

"Why, Jin-san, you haven't started eating yet. It's okay. Hurry though before Mugen eats it all." her eyes sparkled at her joke.

He started to eat without second bidding, a small smile forming at the side of his mouth. She poured herself some tea. "It's pretty rainy outside, so we should all stay inside."

She got up and headed into Fuu's room.

Mugen swallowed a huge mouthfull of rice and egg. "Why the hell has she been goin' in there so much? I know Fuu's beat up and everything, but still. Fishy if you ask me."

"You shouln't be so suspicious of people all of the time. She's been very kind to us; she's not charging us anything and has given us free food and shelter." Jin said sharply. "Or is it because you're jealous?"

"Wha-? Why would I be jealous? Look, it's not like that, so wipe that smirk of your face before I do it for you."

Mugen stormed off, a slight smirk fluttering over Jin's mouth.

He carried himself to the outside porch and stood, watching the rain and thinking.

'Stupid son of a b#tch. Lucky Fuu's all screwed up right now or I've beat the crap out of your sorry a$s.' he thought, slightly cheering up.

Hina stepped up beside him and followed his gaze. "Everything ok?"

Mugen looked at her with his eyes and returned to the yard. He didn't reply, clearly signaling that he didn't want to talk.

Hina was stuborn. She studied his face. "I hear you guys a looking for a samurai who smells of sunflowers."

He scowled. Fuu had obviously met her. More than likely she gave all the credit of her saving to Hina even though he was the one that had carried her to the house.

"It must be nice to be able to travel with your friends like that. " she sighed.

Mugen snapped his head over in her direction. "You think those two morons are my friends? I don't need any. Especially not somebody like that (CD scratch) Jin. Don't even get me started with Fuu. The little btch won't even tell us who the hell this guy is and she expects us to find him! As soon as we find that idiot, I'm ditching those two and gettin' back to what little bit of a life I still have."

Hina watched him as he rampaged into the house and his room. She had not withered in his anger and had stood her ground. Somehow, in the bottom of her heart, she felt his pain.

(A little later...)

"Thanks! Yum, this looks so good!" Fuu grinned as she sat up and took the food Hina gave her. She started eating a rice ball in one hand and shrimp with her chopsticks in the other.

Hina nodded and looked out of the window distractedly. "Hm... " she sighed.

"What's up?" Fuu asked, her mouth full.

"Oh, nothing. I don't think Mugen likes me that much, that's all."

"Don't worry too much about him. The big jerk. The guy does't trust anybody. Not even me, and the three of us have been traveling together for a while now."

"Even so, do you consider him a friend?" Hina asked, dipping fresh bandages in an hrebal remedy for Fuu's wound.

"Mugen? He's just my bodyguard. Jin's the same way. Those two are so annoying! Everytime I lower my gaurd they try to kill each other. The only reason they don't now is because of there promise." Fuu said, setting the empty food bowls down.

"Thanks Fuu. I really appreciate it." Hina smiled, picking up the dishes.

(Dinner)

Jin took in the aromas coming from the kitchen as he stayed by the doorframe, out of view. he heard Hina humming an old village song as she created the peices of art.

In the kitchen, she took out a spoon. "Jin-san, could you come here for a minute, please?"

He stepped out, knowing he was caught. Coming up to her, he saw her blowing on a spoonful of soup. She offered him the spoon and he gingerly accepted politely. It was worth it.

She saw his eyes light up and she blushed a scarlet red. Hina offered him several more bites, all of them delicious.After the taste test was over, he thanked her.

" Anytime you wish to, you are more than welcome to try some or even just come in to talk." she smiled.

"I just might. Perhaps I'll actually eat more than Mugen tonight."

She laughed. It was like a bell ringing over hills on a clear spring day. Jin decided then that he liked her laugh.

(Fast Forward- the next day)

Hina, Jin, and Mugen went outside to her backyard while Fuu slept. Hina had insisted. It was absolutely beautiful! There was a flower, rock, and vegetable garden along with a walkway going all throughout the garden. Fruit and other kinds of trees were in the back of the yard and there was a small fish pond towards the trees.

Jin went off by himself and Hina left Mugen to go get some things. He looked around, thinking about where he should explore first. Mugen went over and grabbed an apple from a branch. Biting into it, he checked out the vegies and flowers.

A breeze carried a mysterious smell to his nose. The smell was a flower, sweet and perfumy at the same time. His curiousity sparked, he went from flower to flower, sniffing each one until he reached his destination. The flower of the new smell was a five or six foot tall, yellow petalled, fuzzy brown centered flower.

"Do you like those?" Hina asked from behind. He turned around, the half-eaten apple falling to the ground.

"What are those things?" he asked, scratching his head.

"Sunflowers."

'Those are sunflowers?' he thought. 'What kind of a dork would smell like those?'

His eyes fell to her hands. There were several wooden swords in her arms. She followed his gaze.

"Oh yeah. Here." Hina handed a long one to him, keeping two shorter ones for herself. "Let's practice."

"Wait a minute. You're sayin' you know how to use a sword?" he asked, confused.

She nodded. "Guess that's what happens when your mother is a doctor and your father is a samurai."

He shrugged. "Alright then. Just don't start cryin' if you get hit."

"I was just about to say that. Let's get started shall we? First, though, step away from the garden."

They moved to the open part of the yard. Mugen' cocky grin was plastered all over his face and Hina looked calm but determined. Seeing that she was waiting for him, Mugen started towards her, sword behind him for a quick swipe. He was expecting a quick fight.

When he reached her tough, all hell broke loose. She moved with surprising speed, and he had to block her double swipes. She used the two sword style, one in each hand. They dodged and slashed viciously, then jumped back and came back in. Mugen started his breakdance kicking and Hina swiped and kicked with an upward motion towards his head. Neither one was hit.

They jumped back.

"You're good!" she grinned. Mugen smirked and the fighting started again.

They ran at each other, colliding with a loud "THWAK!" from their swords. Hina and Mugen became entangled in a flow of battle. They fought for a while and then would jump back. After resting, the warriors would get back into the battle. The swords were a blur of wood and punches and kicks became whistling stings. Fifteen minutes were spent in this pattern. Mugen, however, noticed a pattern in her fighting. Her kicks were rolled from a spin of slashes. Her legs were always slightly exposed when she did this.

It was one of thier resting moments. Both were tired and sweating from all the exercise.

"This is fun! I haven't had an actual challenge like you for a while!" Hina exclaimed.

"Yeah, but it's time to finish this!" he smirked, running back into the fight.

She kicked out in her pattern; he dodged and swept the groud to make her trip. She just barely dodged the attack; Mugen took full advantage of her fault and mercilessly was upon her. She guarded and looked for a way out of her position. She found it. Guarding with one sword, she used the other one to lock Mugens' sword in an X like way. She kicked out, but he blocked with his arm. Hina giggled with glee, quickly unlocking his sword and swinging. He blocked one sword with his sword and the other one with the cleats from his sandals.

They were stuck on one foot, wobbling in frustration. I f one moved, the other one could get a hit in.

Hina studied their situation and then sighed. "It seems we've reached the end of our practice fight; a draw."

She helped him untangle himself from their position and took the sword from him. He cracked his neck in satisfaction.

"You should be proud of yourself, Mugen-san. It takes a long time to develop that much skill. Keep up the good work." she smiled, seeing him accept the fact that she had complimented him. Maybe now they would be in better terms.