A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. It motivates me to update more often knowing that people actually read and enjoy my story. Sorry for the extreme delay though. My Microsoft Works was being a pompous ass and still is. I had to switch to an older word processing program, but at least it gets the job done. I'm also extremely unmotivated and busy with school. I know you guys probably don't care, so on to what you really want.

Disclaimer: This is so depressing. I have to confess every single time that I'm not in the possession of two very foxy men (Mugen and Jin) and of course, Fuu.

Oh…what the hell…here it is.

Jin walked along the darkened path, not quite sure about where he was heading. The cool, crisp evening air helped calm his nerves, among other things. He secretly hope Mugen would return. Their feuds also seemed to help Jin get his mind off of anything of importance, but now…now things weren't the same. Jin wondered if he would ever meet up with Mugen in the future and maybe they would settle their rivalry once and for all. Jin had to admit that Mugen was a worthy opponent, but confidently assured himself that we would be the victor. Jin laughed to himself, entertaining the thought that Mugen would probably get himself killed before they meet again. As much as he would miss the intense duels he and Mugen shared, Jin had a feeling that more interesting events lay in store.

Jin yawned and stretched his lean arms over his head, feeling the weight of sleeplessness hit him like a ton of bricks. The walk had soothed him and Jin now felt ready to head back to his lodging, looking forward to the few remaining hours of nightfall. Jin thought about lying down under a tree and heading back to cabin before Fuu awoke. 'Meh, I'm sure the tree would be more comfortable.' Jin picked out a large tree with a broad trunk and settled himself beneath its branches. He leaned his head back and let his lids slide shut. He could barely feel the edges of consciousness slip away when his ear pricked up, his senses waking up and becoming alert. He heard the faint shuffle of feet and the snap of a small twig. 'Damn! Why can't I have some peace and quiet?' Jin quickly and quietly rose to his feet, maneuvering behind the tree where he was just lying. Who could bother him at this time? He slowly began to slide his sword out of its sheath, blending in with the shadows. He peered through his glasses, scanning the path around him. There! He stopped. He could barely make out the silhouette, but he knew someone was there and they were very close. By now, he held his exposed sword in his hands, poised and prepared. He was extraordinarily calm and his face betrayed no hint of whether he thought this shadowed stranger was friend or foe. He stepped out from behind the tree, but kept himself enshrouded by nearby shadows, inching closer to this unfamiliar outsider. He positioned himself on the balls of his feet with his sword at his side, looking as though he were a cat ready to pounce on its prey. With the speed and grace of a lion, Jin ran up behind the intruder, but stopped short. He stood frozen in his path. He had smelled the sweet aroma of cherry blossoms, but had noticed that none of the trees around him produced that type of blossom. He knew who this stranger was, but what was she doing out here? It's dangerous and she's out here by herself…at night! He sheathed his sword and rubbed his temples, mentally preparing himself for what was about to come.

Fuu wasn't sure how long she had been wandering around in the dark, but she hoped she would find Jin soon so she could go back to sleep. Nothing was stopping her from going back now, but as usual, her curiosity got the best of her. 'What could he be doing out here?' Fuu shuffled along the path, her legs feeling more and more like deadweights with each step. She saw Jin leave in this direction, but at the moment she couldn't recall seeing him after that. Maybe she was dreaming. Fuu yawned, stopping in her tacks. 'Enough of this crap, Jin. Where the hell are you? I'm tired,' mentally whining to herself. She stretched her arms over her head and looked around. Her half-lidded eyes surveying the darkened path suddenly became as wide as saucers, feeling a sudden pressure on her shoulder. She wasn't going to lie to herself. She was scared shitless. 'What was I thinking? Where is Jin when you need him? Or Mugen for that matter? They're never here when I need them.' Fuu was afraid to turn around and confront the stranger who was now grasping her trembling shoulder. Her eyes, now alert, flitted around her surroundings. Fuu swallowed and after several attempts, regained her voice.

"W-who are you?" Fuu managed to inquire in her small, barely audible voice. She shivered at the close proximity if the stranger.

She could feel the man's breath in her ear. He opened his mouth and spoke softly,

"You're not very stealthy, Fuu. What are you doing out here?"

Fuu sighed in relief at recognizing that calm, thick voice, her heartbeat returning to normal. She turned around abruptly and embraced him.

"Oh thank goodness it's you. Jeez, Jin! I was so scared." She punched him in the arm as an attempt at retaliation.

"Don't ever do that again, Jin!" She saw him smirk in the moonlight causing her heart to race back up again. 'At this rate, I'll probably die of a heart attack.' Jin made sure that he didn't scare Fuu too much and suggested that they head back to the cabin to capture the last few hours of nighttime. Fuu nodded in agreement, allowing Jin to lead the way back. Fuu stayed close, not wanting to fall behind. Her eyes flitted around her environment, trying to keep a look out just in case anything decided to jump out at her again tonight.

"I'm sorry for scaring you Fuu, but you shouldn't be out here by yourself. Especially at night." Jin's comment was sure to distract Fuu from her nervous behavior.

"I understand," was all Fuu said, but inside her mind there was a different story. 'Was he worried about me? Does he really care that I was out here? He's so handsome in the moonlight…wait…what?' Fuu shook her head, struggling to physically remove thoughts like that from her mind. She didn't know what was wrong with her lately. For the past month or so, thoughts like that would creep into her mind about Jin and Mugen both. 'I must be going crazy. It's all my food deprivation. That's gotta be it. Once I get some food in my stomach and a decent night's sleep, I'll be back to normal. I'm sure of it.' Fuu kept walking, not noticing that Jin had stopped in front of their dilapidated shelter. Jin cleared his throat.

"Where are you going, Fuu?" Jin said, causing Fuu to snap out of her mental inquisition.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I wasn't really paying attention." She was silently grateful that the shadows had hidden her face or Jin would have seen her features turn an unattractive shade of red. They both walked inside and resumed their positions in opposite corners of the shack, trying their hardest to sleep through the remaining hours of the dark.

Mugen had no qualms about waking up the innkeeper to get directions to the nearest bathhouse. In fact, he had to admit that he enjoyed disturbing the old man from his sound slumber. The elderly gentleman timidly pointed Mugen in the general direction, guaranteeing that you couldn't miss it. Mugen noisily left the inn, making sure to kick over anything on the floor and slam any door he could get his hands on.

He made his way down the dark streets, allowing his eyes to get used to the absence of light. He looked down at his snug shorts.

"I better find this damn bathhouse quick or that innkeeper won't live to see another customer," Mugen snarled. He wanted to analyze the dream he had, starring Fuu as the main attraction, but Mugen was never one for questioning things and he was afraid at what he might discover pending his conclusion. Not once had he dreamt about Fuu, so why now? This was the question that most overwhelmed his mind. They rarely got along and she definitely wasn't his type anyway. 'What the hell is going on?' Mugen was now mentally berating himself. 'Maybe I'm going crazy. That's got to be it. All that traveling and constant hunger…I'm positive. That has to be the reason.' Mugen's mental inquisition made the walk to the bathhouse go by a lot quicker.

Mugen saw the bathhouse sign and breathed a soft sigh of relief. He knew no one would be inside at this time of night, but it didn't stop him from peeking in to make sure. Once he was satisfied that he could enjoy himself in peace, he removed his clothing and slid into the hot, steamy water, stopping as the water reached his eyes. Mugen bent his head back and dipped his hair into the water, causing his mane to stick to the sides of his face. He let out a breath of relaxation and stretched his legs in the soothing water in an effort to calm his racing mind. The comfort in the searing water was causing Mugen to become drowsy. He slowly shut his eyes in an attempt to unwind. He felt himself drift away, landing in the period between sleep and consciousness. Random thoughts floated through his head. 'How much money am I going to make tomorrow? The innkeeper looks like a droopy pig. I wish I had a drink. I wonder what Fuu looks like naked.' Mugen's eyes shot open. That last thought had definitely woken him up. He started to question whether or not coming to the bathhouse was a good idea. Right now, the hot water was invoking feelings in him that he was supposed to be banning from his mind. Mugen jumped out of the water quickly, shaking off water like a wet dog. He ran his hand through his hair, pacing around the bathhouse in the nude.

"This is so stupid. Why am I even worrying about this? It's probably happening because I haven't been laid in awhile. That's it. I'm going to a brothel first thing tomorrow night. That should solve this problem." With that, Mugen pulled his clothes back on and stormed out of the bathhouse like a man on a mission.

Despite the refreshing night air, Mugen was chilled to the bone once he stepped outside. His hair was still damp and with the mixture of a cool, evening breeze it sent goose bumps along his arms and legs. He was glad that he decided to leave Jin and especially Fuu. Now he would never have to see her and deal with the current, unwanted thoughts that were racing through his head a few moments before he left for the bathhouse. Mugen was unexpectedly quiet as he entered the inn, making sure he didn't wake the innkeeper up…again. He rolled into bed and laid his head back, staring at the ceiling. He silently hoped that he'd dream of something else besides women, for once.

Jin was the first to wake up, as usual. He smoothed out his robe and undid his ponytail to try and flatten his mane. Jin's shuffling about had woken up Fuu. She brushed the hair out of her eyes and yawned. Fuu's eyes widened at the sight of Jin with his hair down. She had never seen him without his infamous ponytail. His black, shoulder-length hair looked to silky and so touchable that Fuu had the urge to reach out and run her hands through it.

'I wonder if he'd mind if I touched his hair,' Fuu considered.

Jin cleared his throat in an attempt to wake Fuu from whatever reverie she had begun and continued smoothing out his hair. Fuu realized that she had been staring at Jin longer than she'd like to admit and Jin had caught her in the act, causing Fuu's face to turn a bright red color.

"Oh…s-sorry," Fuu managed to stutter. She stood up quickly and dusted off her trademark pink kimono. She straightened her own ponytail and asked Jin if he was ready to go. Fuu hoped that they would make enough money to afford a room at an inn tonight, instead of sleeping in a creepy, rundown shack.

"Um, Fuu? I don't have to be at the stand until noon or so. Do you think it would be alright if I waited at your teahouse until then? If it's a problem, don't worry about it," Jin inquired. He didn't think it would be a big deal, but he didn't know if Fuu would be comfortable with him there. Besides, what else would he do until noon?

"I'll ask Haruka-san and see if it's okay," Fuu replied, secretly wishing that Jin would be able to stay. The Tanaka Teahouse seemed like an upscale place, but any establishment that served sake was bound to have a few rowdy men at times. Unfortunately, Fuu and rowdy men did not mix. She didn't think that there would be any heavy drinkers during the morning hours, but you never know. 'Mugen's ready to drink, no matter what time of day,' Fuu sighed. If Mugen wasn't going to be a part of this journey any longer, then she'd have to stop concerning herself with Mugen. Fuu kept reminding herself that he was no longer of any importance and that she would probably never see him again. She couldn't help but feel a little disheartened at this, but when she's old and grey, she'd look back and smile at the insane situations that she had gotten herself into. She'd especially smile at the thought of how Jin and Mugen would always make sure that she escaped unharmed. She knew that even though they could sometimes be too arrogant for their good, that they were really great guys and she would be sad when Jin left her, too.

"Are you ready?" Jin asked. He really wasn't in any hurry, but he knew that Fuu would have to be at the teahouse sometime soon and he didn't want to cause her to make a bad impression on her first day of work. He didn't know how much Fuu's job would pay her, but judging by how she described the place, he thought that she'd at least make a fair amount of money. Jin didn't want to get his hopes up, but he really didn't want to go hungry again or sleep on the ground. He didn't let these conditions bother him, but if he had his preference, he'd be sleeping soundly in a comfortable room after having eaten twice his weight in food and he was positive that Fuu was hoping for the same thing. Jin wiped his glasses on the sleeve of his robe and looked at Fuu, waiting for an answer to his question. Obviously, she had spaced out again. He didn't know how Fuu would manage if she had made this journey by herself.

"Huh…oh yeah. I'm ready. We can go," Fuu nodded in affirmation. She was a wee bit nervous, but didn't want Jin to know. 'I'll bet Jin's never been nervous in his life.' Fuu didn't want to appear weak in the eyes of Jin. She didn't know why, but she just didn't want him to know. Fuu wasn't one to try and impress men, but she valued Jin's opinion, especially his opinion of her.

Jin lead the way due to the fact that Fuu was practically comatose on their way out here. They were both pretty tired, but neither showed it. Jin didn't appear tired due to his self-discipline. Fuu, on the other hand, wanted to impress Haruka at the teahouse and she didn't think falling asleep on the job would be wise.

The sun felt warm on Fuu's skin, making her feel alive. This would be a new chapter in her journey. 'A chapter without Mugen,' Fuu mentally verified. Not a word was said as they walked into town, but the silence was more comforting than awkward. It's not like she expected Jin to whip into a verbal frenzy or anything. That's just how Jin was and she honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

They reached the Tanaka Teahouse and Fuu stepped through the threshold with more confidence than she had yesterday. Fuu took a deep breath in and relaxed. She couldn't explain it, but she had a feeling in her stomach that wasn't due to nerves. 'It's going to be an interesting day. I just know it.'

Jin watched as Fuu's shoulders eased. He grinned knowing that Fuu had calmed down. He had recognized the tension in her body since they had left. He placed both hands on her shoulders and gave them a light squeeze. "You'll be fine. Now, don't you have something to ask your boss?" Jin reminded her.

"Oh, I totally forgot. Sorry," Fuu laughed and apologized. Fuu was calm, until she felt the pressure of Jin's fingers on her shoulders. She left Jin standing in the doorway and set out to search for Haruka. She could still feel his warmth on her shoulders as she walked away.

A/N: Once again, sorry for the wait. This chapter took me awhile to get into. Hopefully the next once will be better. Please review. I'm dying for feedback. I hope you liked it. I'll do my best to get Ch. 5 to you guys sooner.

-Tinyminx