Atsuga-domo, their host, had sent Fuu out to do some shopping. In fact, Fuu was always running errands for the guy since they had no other way of repaying him. Today, however, was the first time she'd been sent into town. Atsuga usually left all the grocery shopping for himself. Living on the far outskirts of town, it was only natural for the man to want some time among the masses. …but not today. Today of all days, Atsuga found himself stuck in a boatload of work… at least that was what Fuu was told. For all she cared, he could've just gotten tired of going into town.

"Arigatou," Fuu said, absentmindedly, taking the bags of vegetables in hand and exiting the store. The sun, hanging in the sky, seemed to set the entire town ablaze. It was hot and humid and Fuu felt terrible. In the distance, the air, the road, the buildings, everything seemed to waver and dance like the flames of a lighted stove. It was amazing how fast the weather could change here. One day it was pouring and the next, it's as dry as a desert, with a heat wave to match.

There weren't many people on the streets today, most of them choosing to sit in the shade and fan themselves instead. A wise choice on their part, thought Fuu as she wiped her sweat-dampened forehead on her sleeve. She'd be lucky if she didn't come down with a heat stroke before she made it back.

Then again, on second thought, a heat stroke wouldn't be all that bad seeing as how there was nothing all that exciting to return to. Jin still refused to say a word, though he had finally broken his rigid sitting position and agreed to eat a little. It had been two days since Mugen had run off and still there were no signs of him. To tell the truth, Fuu was getting a little worried… but then again, it was Mugen; that womanizing drunkard of a samurai, Mugen… He was more than likely to have found himself a nice prostitute – someone who could keep him company for a few days while he cleared his head. There were far too many times he'd done that and every time, it had worried the hell out of Fuu.

Well, not this time. This time, Fuu would mind her own business and wait patiently for him to return. As for Jin… he was eating, he was moving, and though he wasn't talking, as long as he didn't starve to death, Fuu was fine with it all. Just let the two of them be. That was her new philosophy. Let men be men and kill each other with their own stupidi-

"WAHH!" a ditch in the road caught Fuu's foot and she came crashing to the ground. She had barely enough time to pull herself out of her thoughts, let alone keep a tight hold on her shopping bag, the contents of which were strewn across the ground. "I-Ite…" Fuu winced, brushing the dirt off her scraped knee. Cursing her own carelessness, she picked herself off the floor and began to gather the scattered goods.

"Need some help there, miss?"

"Hmm?" She blinked in surprise and looked up, meeting the eyes of an all too familiar face. They had definitely met before... thin purple lips, a long slender nose, black-gray eyes, and a wonderfully charming smile… his smile!

Fuu gasped, the man's eyes widened, and both of them scrambled back in shock "You!"

For a minute, the two of them just stared at each other. It was that Ukiyoe artist from before… but how? Why? Why was he here? Hadn't he said something about stowing away to Holland?

"M-mikaeri-chan…" the man said at last, his tone awestruck, "It's really you…"

That's right, now that she though about it,she hadnever got a chance to tell the guy her name before. "Fuu…" she said, "The name's Fuu."

He smiled and nodded, handing her a few tomatoes and a cucumber, "Fuu-chan then."

She stared at him for a moment before taking the vegetables, "Arigatou… I'm sorry, I don't remember your name…"

"Hishikawa Moronobu. It's been a while hasn't it…" He gave a nervous laugh.

Fuu nodded, "Arigatou, Hishikawa-san."

"What? What do you mean his body wasn't there?" Atsuga hissed into his telephone, "I gave you specific orders to kill him and burn the corpse but instead you leave him on the road? And what's more, now you cant find the goddamn body?"

There was a faint murmur as the person on the other end of the line tried to explain his failure.

"You want to know why it matters? I'll tell you why: because if the fucking government officials found out about this, both of our heads will be on their dinner plates. You understand me? And it won't be just the government. In fact, if Mashimoto-domo found out about this, we'll be in even deeper shit, as hard as that is to imagine. You find that body and find it fast, understand?"

Another string of murmurings, but this time cut short.

"I don't fucking care if it's been two days since his murder! One way or another, you will find me that body!"

Slamming the phone down, Atsuga ran his hand through his hair and took a few deep breaths to calm his temper. This was bad. Two days… Two whole goddamn days… The blood was still there but the body wasn't. There were no new footsteps, no new tracks, nothing that would possibly give them a lead. This was really bad.

Mugen. It finally clicked. When they arrived in this town, they were rejected by everyone because the people of this town had a fear of outsiders. But then, Atsuga came along and welcomed them with open arms, a gesture they had naively mistaken for generosity. Two days ago, was when Mugen had run off and even now, he still hadn't returned. From the very beginning, Jin had a feeling something was wrong; he'd had a feeling and he'd stubbornly ignored it. And now…now it was too late. It wasn't supposed to end like this. He was going to be the one to kill Mugen, not some hired assassin. …No…Mugen couldn't be dead. His body was missing and the assassin hadn't stayed long enough to confirm his death.

Moving away from Atsuga's doorway, Jin made a break for their room. He would use the window to spare any unnecessary attention. But what then? He'd search… He didn't know where he'd start but he'd search. Anywhere. Everywhere. Until finally he found Mugen. He couldn't even begin to explain why but it felt as if there were a thousand tiny daggers cutting into his heart. He had only felt this sensation once before and that was when he had pushed Shindo's boat away. But this time, it was ten times more painful, ten times more unbearable.

He would find Mugen and that idiot would be alive. He had to be.

A/N: For all my wonderful reviewers, fav-ers, and watchers, thank you sooo much! I understand it was a long wait and I cant apologize enough! I'm so glad, none of you left me, or if you did, I didn't really notice... -sweatdrop- Well anyhoos, I guess I should explain my long absence (the spelling of which just wont come to mind at the moment...): I've been stuck in a boatload of work lately, and with finals coming up, I'm pretty sure I'll stay stuck. I will try my best in updating monthly, but I cant guarantee it. Weekly is definately out of the question... :-( sry guys! I know this is going to be hard for you, but please please, don't give up on me! Please be patient, and keep reading! I really cant thank you all enough for all the wonderful reviews you've left me and I feel so bad about this but please wait patiently -puppy eyes- xDD lol. Well, I'll see you next month.

-Ai