A/N: Thank you for your reviews. Who knew I could update so quickly, compared to my last updates? Not much to say here really.

Disclaimer: I do not own or take credit for anything regarding Samurai Champloo. Although, the original characters (Haruka, Kyoji, Yoshite, etc.) are my own.

Let's get it on!

Mugen stood there in the Tanaka Teahouse, eyebrows raised in a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Fuu?" he asked again, but this time he received no reply. 'Maybe it ain't her, but then again I'd recognize that flat chest anywhere.' Mugen took a step closer in an attempt to reassure himself that this rather attractive looking woman was indeed Fuu, and that he wasn't acting like a complete idiot.

He noticed that she was sitting with the two wealthy men that he had noticed the other day. 'Perhaps she's already cooked up a scheme to swindle these witless bastards.' Mugen made himself a mental note to talk to her about it later and hopefully get a cut of the action.

"Fuu!" Mugen commanded rather than asking. He felt as if time had slowed down to a crawl. He didn't know how long he had been waiting for her to acknowledge him, but as always, his persistence paid off. Mugen looked at her irritated face, his stern expression demanding an answer from her. His recent outburst had also attracted the unwanted attention of everyone else in the establishment.

Haruka didn't quite like what was taking place in her teahouse, but her curiosity had gotten the best of her. She knew that Mugen had been Fuu's former traveling companion. She could tell from their interactions, such is the benefit of being fluent in the interpretations of body language. As much as she longed to see the outcome of this confrontation, she had to think of what was best for her customers and employees.

"Fuu, dear, who is this charming, young man?" Haruka asked as she approached the two ex-cohorts.

Fuu snorted at the thought of Mugen being charming. "I don't know this man," she replied, unsympathetically.

"Well he appears to know you, so why don't you two sit down and figure things out between yourselves. Feel free to include Jin over there as well," Haruka insisted.

Fuu knew that arguing with Haruka would produce no desirable results, so she did as Haruka had instructed. She felt a feeling of uneasiness creep into her abdomen as she led Mugen to where Jin was sitting.

"Don't keep her too long, gentlemen," Kyoji called out behind her.

"But what about Nami, Lord Kyoji?" Haruka questioned.

"What about her?" Kyoji haughtily replied.

Haruka chuckled at his answer and took Fuu's place at their table.

Jin smirked as he watched Mugen get exactly what he deserved. He was surprised at how cold and callous Fuu had been, but then again "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Jin was extremely relieved not to have been on the receiving end of Fuu's verbal rejection.

"What's her problem?" Mugen said, plopping down next to Jin.

"I believe it would be you," Jin calmly responded.

"You're damn right it is," Fuu added as she sat down on the other side of Jin. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought you'd be long gone by now."

"Is that any way to speak to your humble customer?" Mugen playfully chided.

"Just answer the question," Fuu ordered.

"You thought wrong then. See what you get for thinking," Mugen said, as he bopped her in the forehead. "I plan on staying long enough to convince those two rich fellas over there to lend me some money," Mugen confessed as he motioned towards Yoshite and Kyoji. "But it seems to me that you're already one step ahead of me this time."

"You're a jerk, Mugen. They are very nice men, for your information, and I would never consider helping you, so just shut it," Fuu seethed.

Mugen laughed at her shortening temper. "I can see your anger has swelled, but your chest has not," Mugen laughed even harder.

"Just shut up, Mugen. Now leave. You did it once. I'm sure you can manage to do it again," Fuu snarled through gritted teeth. 'The nerve of this guy! He thinks he can just bail on Jin and me, then come back and ask for my help. Ha! He is sadly mistaken.'

"Enough you two," Jin calmly interrupted. "I have to leave and when I'm gone, I expect both of you to behave like adults," Jin commanded. "Thank you, Haruka," he bowed, signaling his departure.

"But Jin, you can't just abandon me here…with him," Fuu whined.

"I wish I didn't have to, but I have obligations. Meet me at the booth when you are finished," Jin requested.

Fuu nodded in response and sighed. 'There's nothing I can do about it, right? No use complaining about it. Besides, I have Haruka and Kyoji here,' Fuu mentally reassured herself as she looked towards the floor.

Jin made his way towards the exit, turning around before he stepped outside. "Fuu, I forgot to tell you how lovely you look," Jin complimented.

"T-thank you," Fuu stammered out as she watched him leave. Her face warming as a slight blush graced her cheeks.

Mugen snorted at Fuu's visible state of emotion, "I'm not coming back, ya know?"

"I didn't ask you to," Fuu clarified.

"You sure you don't want to help me? The offer's still open," Mugen asked in an attempt to sway her.

"Help you rob two gentle, defenseless men?" Fuu asked cynically.

"I wouldn't exactly call the defenseless. They've got plenty of muscle with them, plus their own weapons," he corrected.

"No," she answered firmly.

"Why not? Don't wanna break poor, little golden-boy's heart?" Mugen teased.

"His name is Kyoji and it's none of your business. Honestly, I don't know why I'm even talking to you." Fuu shook her head.

"He'd never go for a thing like you, ya know? He's used to having rich, voluptuous women throwing themselves at him. Last time I checked, you're neither rich nor voluptuous," he insulted as he looked Fuu over. "As soon as he finds out what you really look like and how you have ties to a barbarian like myself, he won't even know you exist," Mugen laughed cruelly.

"Mugen, you're an asshole," Fuu sneered.

Mugen bent down close to Fuu's ear, not wanting their conversation to spread to the other patrons, "Well then, I suggest you cooperate with me, Fuu. Or I might just have to have a little talk with your new friend. What was his name again? Kyoji? And if you do better than expected, I won't have to kill him either."

Fuu's eyes widened as her breath hitched in her throat. The vibrations of his speech had caused her to shiver, whether it was out of fear or delight in the sensation, she wasn't sure. She turned towards him, "Mugen, you wouldn't do that?"

"Try me," Mugen dared.

"Just…just let me think about it, okay?" Fuu implored.

"I'm an impatient man, Fuu. You know that. I'll give you to the end of the night. You stay here and get to know the targets a bit more and figure out where your loyalties lie," Mugen told her.

"Loyalty? Ha! You're one to talk about loyalty," Fuu scoffed.

"Shut up and let me finish. If you do this for me, you'll get half of the cut. Then, I'll be out of your pretty hair forever, unless you want me to stay?" Mugen mocked.

Fuu looked up at him, trying to gauge whether he was being serious or not. It was hard to tell with Mugen and Jin both. As horrible as he was being, she would have let him come back in a heartbeat. She enjoyed being with Jin, but the atmosphere wasn't the same since he'd left. She did miss him a little bit, but she definitely wasn't going to tell him that.

Mugen looked into her surprised eyes, realizing the truth within his questions. She did want him to stay and he knew it, but he carried on as though he comprehended nothing. "Once you've made your decision, tell me immediately. I'm staying at the local inn. I'll expect you there, no later than 7 p.m., got it?" Mugen scheduled.

Fuu nodded, "Okay, I'll be there."

"Cheer up, Fuu. If you make the right decision, we'll both be a lot richer in the end. Wouldn't you like to eat? Maybe sleep in a bed?" Mugen asked, trying his best to comfort her.

"Yes," she quietly answered.

"Good, then I'll see you tonight," Mugen patted her head and left.

Fuu let out a sigh of relief. She hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath through their ordeal. 'How do I always get myself into these things? Maybe I should tell Jin. He'd know what to do, although I don't think it would be a good idea. This sucks.'

"Finally, he's gone," Kyoji shouted. He stood up and opened his arms, welcoming Fuu back to his table.

Fuu smiled at his excitement, 'My thoughts exactly Kyoji.' She made her way over to him, but her mind was distracted by her previous conversation. Fuu wasn't as concentrated as she had previously been. Without the attentiveness she had earlier given to her actions, Fuu became vulnerable towards the weight of her kimono and the satin pillows placed on the floor. All she could sense was the feeling of her foot lodged underneath a pillow and body falling forward. She shut her eyes tightly, already blushing from embarrassment. 'Not now. Please not now,' she silently begged.

"Gotcha," a soft voice whispered against her hair.

"Kyoji…," Fuu looked up and became instantly aware of every sensation bombarding her body. She felt the pressure of strong hands gripping her waist. The tickling feeling of breath against her smooth hair. The smell of cinnamon assaulting her nostrils. The soft glow of his hazel eyes. 'The only thing missing is taste.' As if sharing the same thought, Kyoji removed a hand from her waist and gently cupped the side of her face. He rubbed the rough pad of his thumb along her cheek and smiled. Kyoji bent his head towards Fuu, closing the gap between them. She could feel his breath on her lips, his warm, sweet breath. Kyoji tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her towards him. Their lips met in a chaste kiss that lasted for seconds…or minutes. No one was counting. Kyoji and Fuu were too busy with the situation at hand and the other patrons were too engrossed in the two adolescents. If anyone was aware of anything else that was going on, they would have noticed the beaming smile on Haruka's face. The innocent kiss could have gone on for god knows how long, but all good things must come to an end.

The door of the teahouse creaked open. "Haruka, I'm--What the hell is going on here?" someone squealed from the entrance.

Fuu and Kyoji broke apart as though their lips had been searing hot coals. Fuu's cheeks were a light shade of pink and her lips were parted as she tried to breathe. Kyoji would have kissed her again if it wasn't for the interruption still waiting to be addressed.

"Excuse me?" the high-pitched voice resonated.

Fuu turned towards the noise, visibly irritated. Her eyes settled on a busty, young woman. She had wavy, ebony tresses that fell to her shoulder blades. Her pale skin stood out against her dark blue kimono and her brown eyes flashed with anger. Her lips were pursed and her arms were crossed over her ample chest. "Who is this?" she demanded rather rudely.

Haruka rose from the table. 'This is not good. Not good at all.' Haruka briskly walked up and embraced the fuming woman. "Nami! You're early! Why don't you come over here and get acquainted with our newest girl," Haruka nervously ushered Nami over to where Fuu and Kyoji were still standing.

"You hired that?" Nami viciously spat out. "Haruka, your eyesight must be leaving you in your growing age. You can't have possibly hired something as…plain…as her."

"She seems to be doing just fine," Haruka proudly stated. "I always want to point out that if you plan on having this attitude towards Fuu while she's here, you can go home now, understood?" Haruka reprimanded.

"Yeah, yeah," Nami said as she headed towards the back to change.

"Sorry about that, Fuu," Haruka apologized.

"It's fine, really," Fuu said softly.

"No, it's not fine. It was rude and no one should be spoken to in that manner," Yoshite spoke up. "Now come and sit down, there will be no more of these occurrences," he guaranteed her as he patted the pillow next to him.

Fuu took her place next to Yoshite and quietly thanked him. 'He's such a nice old man.' She briefly remembered the conversation she had with Mugen and came to the conclusion that she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Fuu felt Kyoji place himself beside her. 'Why'd he have to do that? What am I supposed to do now?' As she secretly worried herself to death, she felt a hand her shoulder. She looked up to see Yoshite, his mouth turned up in a slight smile.

"Calm down. We both enjoy your company and he won't desert you just cause she turned up. If he does, I'll remind him why I'm a shogun," he comforted her. "I never liked her anyway," Yoshite smiled.

Fuu giggled, "You're too kind to me."

"Only to those who are worthy of my kindness," Yoshite declared.

"And she is worth every ounce of it," Kyoji added. "I am sorry for what happened with Nami, but not what happened between us. So don't worry yourself to death."

Fuu laughed, "Too late."

Kyoji captured Fuu's hands in his, "Come with me. We're going for a walk." Kyoji pulled Fuu to her feet, causing her to stumble a bit.

"But I still have to work. What about Haruka?" Fuu questioned.

"Haruka, can I steal Fuu for a bit? Please?" Kyoji requested.

Haruka grinned at the two of them, "Yes, you may, but you are indebted to Yoshite. He's the one who has to put up with Nami while you're away."

"Great!" Kyoji cheered as he tugged Fuu out of the teahouse.

Nami emerged from the back room, looking gorgeous as usual. "Kyo, my love?" she called out. She searched the room for Kyoji, but he was not there. She scowled, "Where is he?"

Yoshite wondered how someone so striking to the eye can have the worst personality known to man. "He's out with Fuu," he answered honestly.

"What?" Nami screamed.

A/N: I know it's a bit shorter than the other chapters and it's more focused on Fuu, but I promise you'll see what the boys are up to in the next chapter. R&R please! I hope you enjoyed, if not, let me know what you think is wrong with it. All types of criticism are welcome.

-TinyMinx