Hey! Thanks everybody for the awesome reviews- I didn't know if I should continue if nobody liked it, so thanks so much! Just so everybody knows, the rating will go up in the next chapter, so get ready Anyways, thanks again, and enjoy!

Chapter 2: Mugen Takes a Bath

Mugen sank down into the tub, letting the steaming water engulf and wash over his skin. He laid his head back and soaked in the heat. After taking a long drink from the sake bottle, he set it aside and then sank down completely, until he was lying on the bottom of the tub. Bubbles swirled around his face and he opened his eyes. The water reflected the light and he watched it carefully the movement and ripples in the water. Thoughts swirled in his mind, he listened to the sound of the liquid all around it, drowning out and yet amplifying all sounds.

After about two and a half minutes he closed his eyes again and sat up, his head breaking the surface. Water trickled down his body and his messy dark hair stuck to his face. Eyes remained closed, he could feel everything around him, the water running down him and sloshing against him, submersing his skin below the chest. He ran his hand along a massive scar that started right over his heart and split down diagonally, wrapping around until it ended over his right kidney.

He'd gotten into a nasty fight about two years ago. These gang members had decided to take revenge when he found himself back in their town. He had killed their old boss years before Mugen had met up with Fuu and Jin for their crazy adventure, just because the leader had done something to piss him off. Mugen didn't even remember what. But the old thugs remembered his face well. He had handled them well, of course, not even taking the time to draw his sword and he fended them off with just his hands. Then some little prick had come up behind him and sliced him- tripped or something and the blade cut up and around him, stopping near his heart.

After slicing the bastard's head off, he watched as his blood poured down and spilled onto the dirt street, before the ground rushed into view and his head snapped again the packed dirt, immediately going unconscious. He'd woken up three days later in the hospital and slipped away at night without paying, continuing on his way. From what he had understood, the wound was so long and deep that he had nearly died.

Mugen smiled grimly, now back to the present. This huge scar was only one of many others, much smaller marks on his face and arms that he had sustained over the last three years. Mugen grabbed the nearest bath soap- her scent, and another very familiar scent- lingered on it and he began a scrub down. Soon the water was a filmy gray white and the perfume was so heavy it was sickening to the man.

The door opened, sunlight poured into the bathhouse and Fuu walked in with a bundle of clothes.

"Your clothes are soaking right now and the food's about ready, so if you want it hot, hurry up."

She was evading her eyes so as not to look at him, in case he might humor himself and stand up. She set the clothes down and turned her back to him when she left, closing the door.

Mugen stepped out of the tub and dried off with a linen Fuu hd left behind and pulled on the clothes; a loose-fitting white shirt with sleeves that reached just below his elbow, and white, loose pants that came down mid-calf. The white made his tan skin stand out incredibly and the collar oh his shirt was soon soaked from his wet hair. Mugen shook his head like a dog to get the water out of his hair (which once again stood up in every direction) and walked back into the house.

Sunlight was pouring into the house, making everything warm and rich. Mugen walked into the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching as Fuu stood at the fire. She was humming and spooning rice and stir-fry into a large bowl, her back to him. She set the bowl aside and reached up, rummaging through the cabinets. He suddenly found himself right behind her, his arms wrapped around her neck and shoulders, his cheek resting just above her ear. She had stopped dead, and if someone was in front of her, they could have seen that the blood had immediately rushed to her cheeks.

Mugen inhaled her scent deeply and blew a soft stream of air onto her ear, feeling her shiver and knowing the spine-tingling sensation. He let one hand slip down and he stroked her stomach delicately.

"Mugen, please," She said, almost desperately, yet succumbing to his touch.

He brushed his lips across her ear and near her cheeks, then lowered to begin kissing her neck, deeply, nibbling at her satiny skin. At the same time, he his hand at her middle had found their way into her robes and began stroking her just as smooth stomach, sometimes playfully runing a finger around her naval.

"Mugen, please stop," she said again, almost breathlessly, "He'll be here any minute now."

"Who-your boyfriend?" He said in-between kissing her skin, "Let him, I don't care."

"No, please...you can't. He'll-"

Mugen laughed deep in his throat, "He'll do nothing. What could happen? 'Sides, who's this guy anyway?"

"Mugen, it's..."

They heard the front door open, and someone put their shoes aside and prop what sounded like two swords against the wall.

"Jin."