Hero For Hire

Cap'n Coree

Chapter Four: Carnivale

The road had been long and hard. It seemed every time they lifted their weary feet, the road grew another foot. Jin was the only one who didn't complain. The others were so restless, Jin feared blood would be spilled. Within the last three days Mugen had been increasingly rude to Raharu. He had even pushed her into a rather large mud puddle, but he swore up and down it wasn't "on purpose." Later that day, they got into a rather ugly fight while Jin and Fuu were away because Mugen had stepped on her bow and broken it in two, of course this wasn't on purpose either. Raharu had taken Mugen by suprise and dragged him to the ground by throwing herself against his back. Once Mugen was on the ground, she proceeded to bite, scratch, and kick until he finally wrestled her off of him and pinned her to the ground by her neck. Raharu was turning blue when Fuu and Jin finally returned from gathering fire wood. Fuu screamed bloody murder and kicked Mugen in the ribs. Mugen was rendered defenseless while Fuu showered him with a flurry of slaps and curse words. Finally he had Fuu's attention, but he wasn't sure he wanted it like this. "YOU ALMOST KILLED HER YOU! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, STRANGLING A GIRL!"

"But.." Mugen whimpered, "she started it."

"That's no excuse," Fuu huffed, sitting next to Raharu and examining her neck, "besides I've seen how you've been acting lately. I don't blame her. Oh, your neck might bruise."

"He's crazy Fuu, he broke my bow!" Raharu spat, rubbing her neck and glaring at Mugen. Fuu didn't even treat his wounds. He didn't have many bad ones, except one large gash in his arm from where her nails, or teeth, had torn his skin. The rest of the night was tense, and no one slept well at all. Jin would have perhaps, if his companions would stop muttering this or that insult about deranged pirates, or crazy bitches every now and then. Honestly, they were all acting like children. Fuu had even turned on him, asking him why he hadn't jumped in to help Raharu. Jin had told her he thought she handled it fine, but to be honest, he hadn't really wanted to. Sure, he had begun to find Raharu useful. She found ways to feed them, and in town she sold the pelts of the animals she hunted. She was skilled, he admited, in her chosen field, but she was just as disgusting as Mugen. More so even. He had felt a tad guilty, because he knew how much Raharu meant to Fuu, but he couldn't help that now.

So they were all releaved when they reached the next town, but disappointed to find all the inns booked solid. The whole town was litterally buzzing with buisness. They had finally found a room in a run down, trashy inn in the red light district.

"Why is everything so busy?" Fuu asked the inn keeper, a shifty looking, thin fellow with a lean face.

"The town is throwing a carnivale this week," he replied, "this is the closing night." Fuu squealed, and turned to her companions.

"Did you hear that? A carnivale!" She was besides herself with glee. "Isn't that great? Oooohh can we go, can we?"

"Sounds great to me, I can sell the rest of my furs." Raharu said, patting the pelts tied at her waist.

"There is going to be several competitions too, one for swordsmen if I remember right, but you'd have to apply now. It takes place from noon to the late evening," the landlord said, looking at Jin, "and legend says, that if a man and a woman spend the day together, and kiss during the fireworks display, they'll find love." He looked at Fuu, and Mugen who seemed to be hovering over her, and grinned suggestively.

Mugen snorted, "Fat chance of that. I'm going to check out the competition."

"Muuugen! You can't!" Fuu whinned.

"What, why not?"

"Raharu is going to be busy selling furs,and Jin has already left to sign up. I don't want to walk around alone!" Mugen looked around, sure enough, Jin had already left! That bastard! Sticking him with baby-sitting Fuu! "Come onnnn Mugen! We haven't done anything in forever!" Mugen looked at Fuu, her tiny hands tugging his sleeve, then to Raharu who was scowling. Okay, so maybe spending the day with Fuu wouldn't be so bad. Especially if Raharu was out of the way.

"I don't have to sell my-"

"Fine Fuu, have it your way!" Mugen said, dragging Fuu out by her hand. No way he was going to let the dyke take this chance! So what if Jin won the competition and a few moments of glory, he didn't care. He'd have all the glory he'd want, when Fuu told Raharu about how much fun she had had at the fair with Mugen. How great MUGEN was. How MUGEN was her new best friend. How MUGEN was the apple of her eye- Okay, so maybe she wouldn't say all that but whatever- it was enough to make Raharu jealous to know Mugen would be the one with Fuu on this day. The day the inn keep had said held special honor amoung lovers.

"Mugen!" Fuu called, he was still dragging her down the crowded street, into the fair. "STOPPP!" Mugen halted and glared at Fuu over his shoulder.

"What is it now?"

"Look, Moshi!" Fuu said, pointing at a stand nearby. "I want some! Please Mugen?" Mugen almost said no, he almost called her a bottomless pit of fat. He almost did. Almost. But he didn't. Instead he dug deep into his pockets and produced the money that could have went towards sake or entertainment at a brothel and handed it over to Fuu, blaming it on his own empty stomache.

"Eh," he cried as she rushed to the stand, "bring me back an order too!"

And so the day progressed. Mugen and Fuu weaved in and out of the crowd, every now and then Fuu would want something, and Mugen, rather then shooting her down, would buy it for her (if, of course, it was of a reasonable price. If not, sometimes he may steal it-may not. He had even been tempted to steal her a new bright yellow kimono with a sun-flower print, just because it suited her so well, but the shop-keep had his eyes fixed on Mugen the whole time.) At first Mugen would find some excuse, -he didn't want to hear her whine, he wouldn't mind some fresh fruit, maybe the donkey in the petting zoo would go insane and trample her, ect so on, but eventually Mugen just came to terms that he wanted to give in to Fuu. It could be the way the sunlight hit her hair, or the way she squeezed his hand and pouted when she really wanted something, or it could just be that after so many straight days of being shunned he didn't want to be on Fuu's bad side again. The trip was lonley when she wasn't talking to him. Dusk was setting, and they had stopped by the make-shift arena in the town square to see how Jin was fairing in the competition (which was well, of course) and Fuu elected to find Raharu. She wasn't far off. An elderly woman had let Raharu share stands with her if she gave her part of the profits. The elderly woman was selling dolls, and most had already been sold.

"I only have a few furs left." She told Fuu, " when I'm done, I'm going to buy you a present. Would you mind meeting me for the firework display?"

"Okay, where?" Fuu asked. Raharu pointed out a hill a few miles off. Not too close to the town to be crowded, but an ideal spot for watching the display. Fuu and Raharu agreed upon the time, Mugen standing forgotten by her side, trying to figure out what it was Raharu would get. Certianly something girly that would make Fuu forget how wonderful Mugen had been. Well, if she thought he'd go down without a fight, she was wrong.Mugen gave Fuu's arm a quick squeeze to get her attention.

"Hn?"

"I've gotta go get something." he said, "stay here a moment?"

"You will be coming back right?" Fuu said, uncertian wether he could be trusted. "You aren't running off to some brothel?"

"You'll just have to trust me," Mugen shrugged while walking away.

"Trust him?" Raharu muttered under her breath and spat.Fuu sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You really should ease up on him."

Mugen weaved his way in and out of the crowd, his hands searching in every pocket unguarded, plucking every pouch that wasn't well secured. He had no doubt that he'd earn enough money in the short walk between Raharu's stand and his destenation. These people were loaded, and dumb. He had seen the tag, it had been about 260 for the kimono, and by the time he reached the stand he had close to 200, but he wanted to keep some of the loot for other purposes. The old man who was selling it was about to close up shop, and it hadn't been sold yet. Mugen intended to barter with him.

"Hey, you,old man!" he called, "How much for the kimono?"

"Can't you read?" he called back, "260. Not a cent less."

"I'll give you 160." Mugen replied.

"Can't be done."

"You're about to close, no way your going to sell it. I'll give you 170."

"Theres always next year-"

"175, thats my final offer old man." Something about the vagrants wild eyes, and careless way of resting his hand on his sword made the shopkeep consider his offer. Mugen ran his thumb down the length of his sword hilt. The old man sighed, and gave in.

"Alright-alright. 175. But I don't want to see it end up in any of the brothels alright? I swear if I see one whore trotting herself around in this kimono- I made it for my wife a long time ago and-"

"Okay okay, I get the point. It's not going on a whore. It's for the girl I was with earlier." At this the man brightened.

"Oh the little sweet one- yes? Oh, alright then, she did look an awful lot like my wife. You know, my wife use to-" Mugen shoved the money into the old mans hand and took the kimono, leaving him to ramble alone.

Mugen rolled the kimono up and shoved it in a bag he snatched from a store along the way. 'Let's just see Raharu out do me now' Mugen thought, smirking. He found Fuu sitting by Raharu at the fur/doll stand and nodded for her to get up and follow him. Fuu stood and waved by to Raharu, re-affirming their meeting place later that night.

"So where are we going now?"

"Well we did everything you want, now its my turn to do what I want."

"Mugen, I've been in enough brothels.."

"Brothel, feh, like they'd even let you in. We're going to a tea house."

"For what?"

"Whatelse, sake!" Fuu groaned.

"Mugen... I don't drink well."

"Come on Fuu. After the second round- which is all you have to drink, two rounds, I'll give you a present." He shook the bag infront of her curious face.

"What is it?"

"You'll find out after."

"Hmph. Do I even want to know?"

Mugen shrugged. "I can always give it to some other girl," he smirked.

Fuu shook her head, "Fine, Fine I'll drink with you if you care that much."

They found a teahouse that suited Mugen's taste and sat a a table. Fuu, who wasn't the best at holding her alcohol was fairly tipsy when Mugen finally handed over the bag. Fuu nearly ripped the bag in half, her fingers not-quite under her control, and unrolled the mass of yellow fabric inside.

"Oh wow, Mugen, it's beautiful!" Fuu cooed holding it up. "How'd you get it?" Mugen merely dug a finger into his ear as if he didn't hear her, and grinned like an imp.

"Go put it on." he commanded.

"Really, can I?"

"Well whatelse did I buy if for?" Fuu leaped up and dashed, rather wobbly, to the ladies room. It took awhile. It took a long while, but eventually she re-emerged from the room, dressed in the yellow kimono. Her hair was down, and Mugen had to admit that this one fit her better then the pink one. He could actually see a few curves now, not that they were big, or great or anything. She carried the pink one under her arm, and stashed it away in the half torn bag.

"Wow, Mugen, why'd you get me this?" she asked, marveling at her new apparel.

"I was tired of seeing you in pink all the time. I was seeing it so often I thought eventually all I'd see was pink."

Fuu giggled. "Can you imagine a pink-Jin?" Mugen snorted, and shrugged.

"Already looks like a girl." Mugen motioned the waitress over to pour more sake. "Another round Fuu?"

"Sure, why not," Fuu giggled, picking up her own glass...

Fuu stumbled out of the teahouse, giggling. Several passerbys turned to watch her as she performed an odd dance down the road- step-step-stumble step-step-trip fall. Mugen walked a few paces behind her, alittle ashamed to be with someone who couldn't hold their sake well. Apparently, several young men found Fuu rather interesting, watching her lecherously as she tripped and fell and then giggled like a mad man. One of them was even bold enough to approach her and offer her a helping hand up.

"You alright there?" he asked, lifting her to her wobbling feet. Fuu laughed, and brushed herself off, nearly falling in the process. The young man grabbed her around the waist. Mugen decided to swallow his pride and admit he was the girls escort.

"You want me to walk you back to your place?" the young man offered. Mugen placed a hand on Fuu's shoulder and pulled her out of the young man's arms. He wrapped a protective arm around Fuu's waist and glared at him.

"She's with me."

"Sorry, man, I didn't know." he replied, "You should take better care of her then." Mugen increased his glare ten percent.

"Muuuuugen," Fuu crooned, "I fell down, did ya see?" Fuu lauged again, rocking her head against Mugen's chest, "but he helped me up!"

"I saw Fuu."

"My feet are plotting a revolution!" Fuu cried, "they want to overthrow me!" The young man and Fuu laughed. Mugen increased his glare to maximum power.

"Well I suppose I'll leave you two alone," the boy said, backing up.

"How about I carry you the rest of the way, eh Fuu?" Mugen said while he walked away. Fuu nodded and Mugen heaved her off the ground and into his arms, carrying her as a bride would his groom, only Mugen was less then good-natured about it. "Fuck, Fuu, what do you weigh."

"Pshsssssssss" Fuu grumbled, throwing her arms around Mugen's neck, resting her head on Mugen's shoulder. "To the hill, chauffeur!"

"Jeez, settle down, I'll get you there in time for your date."

"It's not a date. NOT A DATE NOT A DATE!" Fuu shouted, kicking her legs wildly.

"Stop that! I'll drop you!" Mugen warned, rearranging her in his arms briefly.

"Don't you dare." Mugen ignored the strange looks they attracted as best he could, after all he was pretty use to it by now, and for awhile Fuu didn't say anything. He thought she might have fallen asleep. But Mugen wasn't that lucky. "Are you going to watch the fireworks with us?"

"Hmm? I guess if you want me too." Mugen replied.

"Yeah," Fuu said, nodding against his shoulder, "that'd be nice. Do you think Jin's done fighting?"

"Dunno, maybe." Fuu fell silent again, and remained that way till they reached the hill. The hillside seemed to be covered in necking couples. The hill was one gushy-mushy love fest, and it made Mugen sick. He briefly wondered how he and Fuu looked, before dropping her in an empty plot towards the top of the hill,

Fuu adjusted herself, tugging her new kimono this way and that, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, before looking at the area he selected. "So much for it being empty."

"Yep, looks like your girlfriend picked a spot ideal for lovers." Mugen replied, sitting next to her. Fuu launched herself at him, knocking him down.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Fuu shouted, pounding on Mugen. Mugen grabbed both of her hands, and laughed.

"Well she certainly won't like seeing you ontop of me." Fuu stopped struggling and stared at Mugen, finally realizing that she was sprawled ontop of him.

"EWWWWWWW!" she cried, trying to roll off of him. "That's grosssss!" Mugen wrapped his legs around her, restraining her.

"You're the one that did it," he replied, grinning, "any more attention and I'll think you have a thing for me."

"MUGEN CUT IT OUT!" Fuu shouted, breaking free. She scrambled away from him back to her original place and tried to regain composure. Mugen snorted.

"Don't act all innocent with me, I know how many brothels you've worked in."

"Nu-uh, never worked! More like they gave me free room and board for a night or two."

"You must have had a customer or two-"

"Nope, always escaped. And I avoided it."

"Noone wanted you cause you got small tits."

"Nope- I'd make this face-" Fuu said and turned towards Mugen, screwing up her face to make her look more like Momo the squirrel than a 15 year old girl. "Makes the men run away. Except the weirdosss.Then crash goes the vase and out goes the Fuu."

"You make that face at me 10-15 times a day, I'm still here."

"Weirrrrdooossss."

"Pssh, well I'm not exactly aching to touch you either." Fuu stuck her tounge out.

"Like I'd let you." An uncomfortable silence fell over both. Fuu went back to adjusting herself. She spent the next couple minutes flipping her hair from one side to the next. Ruffling it, patting it down. She wasn't use to having it down, but she was in no state of mind to fix it back up. "The fireworks are going to start soon. Wheres Raharu?" Fuu looked around, "do you think she'll find us?"

"Fuck if I know."

"Do you think what the innkeeper said is true?"

"What's true?"

"That if you kiss someone during the display you'll find love?"

"No way."

"How do you know?" Fuu turned towards him again.

"What you want to try or something?"

"NO!" Fuu shouted, outraged. Mugen smirked. A blast distracted them, a sudden burst of light in the sky erupted. "OOOOOhh" Fuu's face lit up, illuminated by the spark. Mugen had to admit it was beautiful. The fireworks that is. Fuu shimmied closer to him.

"It's not like he said they'd find love with eachother- you know? Just find love." Mugen's eye twitched. Women. Girls. With their romantic ideals and legends. He sighed.

"So you do?"

"I mean- I don't want you to be all 'Oh Fuu' and fall all over me evey day, because I do not need to smell like you and-"

"Trust me, nothing is going to make that happen."

"and if it really doesn't work whats the harm?" She was leaning in close to her. Three more bursts of light filled the sky, green, blue, red. Mugen could see the light reflect of Fuu's skin, tinting it diffrent colors. Mugen leaned towards her slowly.

"Hey- it's up to you." Mugen replied. Fuu nodded.

"Just to see if its real-" She inched closer.

"I mean its not like," her lips were mere inches away from Mugen's and she still hadn't stopped talking. Mugen wondered if she ever stopped. It wasn't that he wanted to kiss her, really, he just wanted to shut her up. He didn't want Fuu falling in love with him or anything (but wouldn't that piss Raharu off,) he really, honestly just wanted to keep her quiet,"I'm going to fall in love with- " Just another inch to go..

"FUUUUU!" a familiar, annoying voice called. Fuu turned her head, tearing her lips away from their former destenation. 'Dammit!' Mugen thought,'is there anything that girl won't find a way to ruin?'

"Over here, Raharu!" Fuu called, waving her arms. Raharu made her way towards them and flopped into a sitting/laying position next to Fuu.

"Here, this is for you," Raharu said, handing over a doll dressed in a orange-and-pink kimono. "It kinda matches your... other kimono.."

"Oooh, Mugen got me this." Fuu said, lifting her sleeve.

"Aw, should have gotten a yellow one eh?"

"It's okay, I still plan on wearing the other one, it's better for walking, this ones to new to ruin."

Mugen sulked the rest of the time while Raharu and Fuu "oooh"ed and "awe"d at the exploding light. Fuu eventually passed out, however, and when the rest of the couples were leaving it left Mugen and Raharu to argue over the task of who would take her back to the hotel.

"I'll take her," Raharu voulenteered. "You'll probablly want to check out the night life, eh?"

"No, I can take her. I don't have any money left, and you probablly have things you want to do."

"No, I cant take her."

"No, I will. You can't carry her."

"Can too."

"Not as well as me-" The fight raged on till they were pulling at either of Fuu's arms while they argued over who'd take her. Fuu slumbered on...

"I'll take her." I calm voice said from behind them. Jin walked up the hill, carrying a small pouch of money. He tossed it to Raharu who dropped the arm she was holding to catch it, and picked Fuu off the ground carefully. "You two can split the money and enjoy yourselves. Buy some food for the road, tomarrow with some of it, however." Before either thought of something to say, Jin's retreating from was just another dot on the horizon.

"Jerk," Raharu muttered, counting out the money.

"Fucking Fish Face." Mugen growled, taking his half.

"I'll buy the food." Raharu sighed, defeated.

"I'm going for more sake." Mugen replied, walking away, equally defeated.

"This sucks." They both huff'd at the same time. Noone had won the war.

"Poor Fuu," Jin thought, taking a moment to look at the bundle of cloth in his arms. 'This competition needs to start. Honestly, neither are the respectable suitor Fuu needs.' Not that it was any buisness of his who she chose, Jin reprimanded himself for being too protective. Fuu needing protecting, he reasoned, and it was his job to protect her, so why shouldn't he do so? Jin nodded. He was just doing his job, the right thing to do. He was only reasured for a moment, however when Fuu shifted and her hand brushed his bare skin. He scolded himself for noticing how soft it felt...

-----------

A.N. . I wasn't sure what to write for this chapter so I threw in a carnivale. I don't think I've been using enough Jin either in this chapter. So fireworks- im not really sure if they were around in this time, but Mugen got his by a bullet once, so I'm sure they had gun powder and explosions, so I just assumed, hey, then fireworks won't be so farfetched! Thanks for all the reviews. I'll update as soon as I can. I have to figure out where the stories gonna go. I have raharu- tension- ?- ?-?-? - sucsess. I'll get the mind-cranks working though.

I know how I want it to end, just not how to get there.