A/N: It has been a while since I've worked on this story and I think my writing style may have changed a bit. So please, bear with me. : ) Also, thanks to AuroraRose14 for the correction.

Disclaimer: I do not possess ownership to anything regarding this series.

Let's get this show on the road!

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The sun had reached its zenith in the clear, afternoon sky. Not one citizen wandering the streets of Kyoto was blessed with shade and shelter of a wandering cloud since there were none. It was hot, to say the least, just like the day before and it showed no signs of cooling down until nightfall. For some, the sweat was coming off in buckets. Such was the case for Jin as he stood at the eel booth, cursing the sweltering summer heat. It was even worse for him, seeing as how he had to work around searing utensils. He wasn't sure what had happened after he left the teahouse, but he hope everything was all right with Fuu. So far, he had managed to sell several pieces of eel and wasn't making a bad profit for the day. Maybe he'll be able to surprise Fuu with getting a room at the local inn.

Speak of the devil…he thought as he looked at a familiar bubbly brunette. She looked positively exhausted being draped in that heavy kimono. He narrowed his eyes in scorn as he noticed she was not alone. What is he doing? She's dying from the heat and here this guy is, parading her around in this temperature? He definitely wasn't expecting to see Kyoji escorting Fuu through town. Even thought it was callous of him, he only thought Kyoji was showing interest in her until someone more "developed" showed up. Apparently, he was wrong. He looked up at the approaching couple and caught Fuu's attention. She threw her arms in the air and waved frantically, a big grin plastered to her soft face.

"Jin!" she yelled.

Jin chuckled lightly at the sight of Fuu practically dragging Kyoji to the booth. I don't understand how she can be so energetic all of a sudden, particularly in that burdensome burdensome burdensome outfit.

She smiled sweetly at him, "Afternoon Jin, how ya doing?"

Jin wiped the sweat off his forehead, "All right. It's hot."

Kyoji laughed, "That's quite the understatement old man."

Jin glared at the foolish man, "I am not old."

"Relax Jin, it was a joke," Fuu clarified.

"Anyway, listen Fuu, I have to start heading back to the teahouse. Yoshite and I have some things to take care of for my father. Do you want me to walk you back?" Kyoji offered.

"No thanks, I think I'll stay here with Jin. You almost done?" Fuu asked Jin.

"Yes, we'll be leaving shortly," he assured her.

"All right then. Hopefully, I'll see you soon," Kyoji said before placing a light kiss on her cheek, "Be safe." Kyoji jogged off in the direction of the teahouse.

Fuu let out a long, blissful sigh as she watched him leave. All in all, I'd have to say this day hasn't been too bad.

"What was that about?" Jin asked sternly.

"Huh?" Fuu was long gone into her reverie to comprehend Jin's question.

"I said, what was that about?" Jin asked again, this time a bit louder. Fuu reluctantly gathered her thoughts and told Jin about what had happened after he left. He scowled through the entire retelling of Fuu's eventful day. "I don't trust him," he confessed, "You would be wise to be careful. Understand?"

"Oh Jin, quite being paranoid. So, how much did ya make?" Fuu asked excitedly.

"It seems that I made about fourteen ryo. How about we see if we have enough to stay in a room tonight?" Jin suggested.

"Sure! Can we please go back to the teahouse first? I'd like to change out of this thing. It's so damn hot," she whined.

Jin cleaned up the booth and stepped into the streets, "Come on."

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They walked back to the teahouse in silence, stealing glances at one another through the corners of their eyes. They stepped through the doorway into the teahouse. Fuu was thankful that there were no patrons inside at the moment. Haruka was cleaning up one of the tables when Fuu arrived. "I'm back. I didn't mean to go out in this. Sorry," Fuu apologized.

"Oh dear, it's no worry. You did a splendid job today, I might add," Haruka complimented.

"Thanks," Fuu brightened up. She made her way to the back room to get changed into her familiar pink kimono. She stopped immediately when she spotted Nami wearing her kimono. "What do you think you're doing? That's mine!" Fuu told her.

"Is it now…well, it looks better on me anyway. Don't you think?" Nami insulted.

"Give it back! It's the only one I have!" Fuu shouted.

Nami laughed harshly, "Only one? You've got to be kidding me. Seems I was right, I guess you are just a poor, filthy parasite. Wait till Kyoji hears about this. He wouldn't want anymore to do with a dirty thing like you. I can only imagine what your handsome friend out there is doing with you. You're not that attractive and I doubt you could satisfy a man. Maybe I can show him how a real woman can make him feel. "

Fuu was seething. I'm sure if it were possible, steam would be fuming from every hole in her face. Fuu lunged for Nami, knocking her back into the wall. Nami's head hit the wall with a satisfying "thud". Fuu clawed at the kimono, trying to remove it from her as quickly as possible. Nami pulled at Fuu's hair, causing her to yelp in pain. Fuu pushed Nami back, pulling her hair in return.

By now, their noisy little spat had attracted spectators. Haruka and Jin stood watching the pair, making no move to stop what was transpiring. They simply stood in shock at the two women. Leaning towards Jin, Haruka whispered, "She looks small, but she's a fighter, isn't she?"

"She certainly is," Jin agreed, knowing from experience.

Fuu had thrown Nami to the ground and was sitting on top of her. Fuu raised her hand to slap Nami, but was interrupted by a loud "Stop!" Both women turned to look towards Haruka who was no standing over them. Jin walked over and pulled Fuu off of Nami, while Haruka helped Nami up.

Fuu was breathing heavily and her hair was disheveled. Her scalp hurt exceedingly and she rubbed the top of her head to try and subdue the pain. Her neck was red with scratch marks. The same description could be said for Nami, except a small smirk was displayed on her cherry red lips. It's only been one day and I've already caused so much trouble.

"Nami, please return Fuu's kimono to her please. I will not tolerate these actions again," Haruka warned.

"She started it," Nami blamed.

"Nami…lying is very unbecoming. Especially for a woman such as you," Haruka stated.

Nami grumbled and went to change behind a shoji screen. She was done within seconds and stepped out from the screen. She handed Fuu her kimono and started to storm out of the room.

"Oh and Nami," Fuu stopped her, "Don't ever put your hands on something of mine ever again. This includes Jin."

Nami huffed and left the room quickly. Fuu relaxed her shoulders and let out a long sigh, "I'm sorry about that, Haruka. I understand if you want to fire me."

"And why would I want to go and do a silly thing like that?" Haruka laughed. "You know how to give Nami a run for her money and frankly, it was very entertaining to see her get thrown around. Now, if I'm not mistaken, your kimono was ripped. Give it here."

Fuu handed Haruka the kimono and watched as she held it open to inspect for rips and tears. Fuu noticed several holes in the fabric and tears began to well up in her eyes. She's had that kimono since she could remember and she couldn't picture wearing anything as comfortable as her kimono. Haruka noticed Fuu's distress, "Oh don't worry, dear. I can fix this. You'll just have to wear one of these tonight. Okay? Cheer up."

"Turn around," Jin requested. Fuu was shocked to hear his calm voice and did as he commanded. He wiped the forming tears away with his thumb and smoothed her hair down. He stood there with his hands cupping the sides of her face. Fuu looked into his eyes and smiled. "Better?" he asked.

Fuu nodded and grabbed one of the boxes lying in the room, not really caring what kimono was inside. She had enough for one day and just wanted to lie down. She changed behind the same screen that Nami had.

She immerged in a dark blue kimono that featured rolling waves and a star-filled sky. Silver thread shimmered as she walked out from behind the screen. She gave Haruka and Jin a big smile, feeling a bit better from the previous encounter. "Ready to go? I'm beat," Fuu asked Jin.

"Wait just a moment," Haruka stopped them. She pulled what looked like a lot of ryo out of her pocket. "Twenty-five for your work today. And Kyoji and Yoshite left fifty for you also," she counted as she dropped them into a pouch for Fuu.

"What? Are you kidding me?" Fuu asked, obviously stunned by the amount.

"Nope. Good work today dear. I'll see you tomorrow," Haruka bid farewell.

Fuu jumped high into the air or as high as one can jump in a kimono, bag in hand. "Yeah!"

Jin laughed and led Fuu out by the small of her back. "Well, looks like we'll be staying in an actual room tonight with beds," Jin announced. They found the inn a couple blocks away from the teahouse. They approached the desk in the middle of the room.

"Is this where we get a room?" Fuu asked the man in front of them.

"It sure it. What can I help you two budding lovebirds with?" the man cheerfully inquired.

Fuu blushed profusely, stammering, "Uh…um…we're not…I mean…"

"We'll take you're honeymoon room, please," Jin said coolly.

Fuu turned to look at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open.

"We haven't slept in an actual room in a long time. Might as well enjoy it," Jin whispered in her ear.

Fuu closed her eyes, trying to hold onto the fleeting sensations Jin's voice had on her. "O..ok," she stuttered. Jin began talking with the man, leaving Fuu to on her own. She looked around the room, inspecting the paintings that hung on the walls and enjoying the smell of cherry blossoms.

Jin touched her arm, causing her to jump up in surprise. "It's this way," he guided.

Fuu was still observing her surroundings and allowed Jin to lead the way. She heard a door slide open beside her and turned her head to view the person who just stepped out of their room. A familiar bushy-haired comrade stood before her, his eyebrow was quirked up in amusement.

Jin stared at Mugen, "Mugen."

"Jin," Mugen replied.

Jin walked ahead and entered the room at the end of the hall, leaving Fuu in the hallway.

"Don't forget, Fuu. Seven o' clock," Mugen reminded.

Fuu nodded and walked into the room Jin entered. Shit…

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A/N: I know it's short, but I wanted to wait to do the confrontation with Mugen. I should be updating more frequently since two of my classes take place in a computer lab to work on college classes. I started another story, a Naruto one. I am looking for a Beta reader and a Naruto expert to help me out with any continuity issues or questions I may have. Let me know if any of you are interested or know someone who would be. Until next time…

-TinyMinx