Hey, sorry for the last chapter being so short- this one's a bit on the short side too, but it's just how i wrote it- i love to end chapters with twists and such Anyways, hope you like!

Chapter 3: The Accusation

Mugen shoved Fuu away from him as she turned around to face him. He gave her a half incredulous half lost look. They both turned as someone new-someone very familiar- entered the kitchen. He looked exactly the same, save for his clothes, which were the same samurai's garb, only a dark, hunter green. Bespectacled eyes glanced from Fuu to Mugen. At the sight of the latter, the samurai gave the slightest of smiles,

"Mugen."

"..Jin."

Fuu glanced at Mugen. The man had regained his usual, cool, uncaring composure, his hips forward, back slumped and hands in his pockets. He had a slight smirk on his face, yet his eyes were now hollow. When once they were wild, hungry, stray dog's eyes, they were now lifeless. Fuu felt something catch in her throat.

The two men just stood, smiling slightly at each other, when suddenly they approached one another and gave each other a brief, one-armed embrace.

"Good to see you,"

"Yea, you haven't changed at all, stinkin' samurai.."

"Neither have you. I see you've bathed. And those clothes are mine."

Fuu spoke up, "I've soaked his clothes. I was sure you wouldn't mind."

"No. This is quite unexpected Mugen."

"Yeah, I just kinda wandered into town," Mugen threw Fuu a piercing stare, "Lucky me."

"We're quite fortunate. Please, stay with us for a few days. We'd be more than happy to keep you."

"Yeah yeah, Fuu already offered. Sure I'll stay a few days. Gotta catch up, right Jin?"

Jin gave a slight nod of the head. Fuu glanced at him, "Jin, you're just in time, I've just finished making us some food."

Jin smiled at her and walked over, kissing her forehead, "Fuu's an excellent cook."

Fuu smirked, "Yeah, hell of a lot better one than you."

Mugen grunted, "I'll be the judge of Fuu's skills. Come on, let's eat already.."

X

Mugen drank deeply from his cup of sake. They had finished their meal and the sun was down; the house was lit by candlelight, casting flickering shadows and warm light all around them. Fuu had left the men, who sat on the floor at the table. Jin was smoking from a long bamboo pipe, the smoke curling intricately around his face. He surveyed Mugen carefully through his glasses before speaking,

"So Mugen..What have you been doing for these past three years?"

Mugen leaned back, hands behind his head, "The usual, you know...Drifting, starving, scraping up just enough to get by. Settling old scores, getting the living hell beat out of me. You know, the usual."

Jin smirked, " I'm not surprised."

"So, when'd you and Fuu start shacking up, huh? Didn't think that'd happen."

Jin took another long inhale before answering, "Fuu and I found each other here in this town, actually, a year after we parted ways. It was entirely too much of a coincidence to overlook, so we stayed together for a few days in a hotel. Our feelings for each other grew...and we found ourselves here. I had just enough money to pay off the house. We've been living here ever since."

Mugen grunted, "Really? Tch. Weird."

Jin smirked.

"..Do you love her?"

Jin looked up at Mugen. He considered his answer carefully before answering,

"Yes."

"Gonna marry her?"

Again, a long silence. Jin closed his eyes, "Perhaps. It really depends on her."

Mugen smirked and closed his eyes, leaning back. He heard Jin's voice,

"Now Mugen, could I askyou a question? Between friends."

"Sure Jin."

"Doyou love her?"

Mugen opened his eyes and froze. Jin was fixing him with piercing stare, yet an unaccusatory one. Just inquiring. Anger swept over Mugen and he stood,

"I don't have to listen to this shit."

And he left the room.

Jin sighed, taking another smoke, closing his eyes. He finally stood and walked out to the laundry house in the back where Fuu was. When he saw her and took her by the shoulders and pulled her around to face him,

"I'm going out for a while to do a job," he said, bending down and kissing her gently. It was long and lingered, in which he stroked her cheek softly, "I'll be back before dawn."

Fuu looked at him, concern in her face. He seemed distant, much more than usual,

"What's wrong Jin? Please...you know you can tell me."

He gazed at her before closing his eyes, "...Nothing. Nothing's wrong."

He kissed her again, "I'll be back before dawn. I love you, Fuu."

Fuu looked up at him, gulping softly, "I...love you too Jin. Take care.."

Jin gave her a single nod before sweeping gracefully out the door and into the night.

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