Tangled
Chapter Three: The Knot Burns
Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Champloo! Oh noooes!
Author's Note: Now that I've finished my final exams, I can focus more on writing! I'm afraid this chapter is going to be completely out of character. At least for Mugen… Thanks for the reviews, guys!
P.S. I'm using the character's ages from the series. So don't yell at me for putting Fuu (who is fifteen) with Mugen (who is twenty). You guys all asked for it, so nyaaah! XD
"M-Mugen!"
The tips of her fingers clawed at his back as she rose above him. She saw him, staring up at her with half lidded and jaded eyes. Behind the dull glazed over brown, she could see a certain spark flickering there. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest as he tilted his head upward. She could feel his hot breath push back loose strands of her hair, and his bare arms holding her waist.
"Fuu, I…"
The morning light burned her eyes as they opened, unfocused and aching. She sat up and rubbed her flushed cheeks tiredly. She felt warm all over, and her ankle throbbed with pain still.
"That dream…" She murmured, running her fingers through her brown hair. One of the first things she noticed about her surroundings was that her companion was not present. She frowned, still thinking about her night reverie. Of course, she'd speculated what could be between her and the vagrant swordsman before, but to dream about it…
She blushed hotly and scowled. There's no way. I'd never give myself to a fool like that. She thought, struggling to stand up. She teetered for a moment before she gained balance, then limped slowly out of the room.
"I wonder where the hot spring is… I think the warm water will be good for this stupid ankle of mine. "She thought aloud. She glanced at the wooden plank nailed to the wall, and sighed. "To the left then." She muttered, and continued down the hallway.
Mugen sank deeper into the water, overwhelmed by the heat and the steam rising from the hotspring. His eyes stared over the glassy liquid, and his thoughts pounded through his head. The dull ache made him massage his temples.
Why would anyone want to kiss that vacant face of hers? She's such a stupid bitch! He thought irritably. His dripping hair clung to his defined cheekbones as he rose from the water. This fucking sucks. I don't want to think about that wench…
He shook his head, spraying droplets and rippling the water silently. His flushed cheeks burned hotter as his thoughts were filled with images of Fuu, caught defenseless and underneath him. Frustration overcame him and he punched the water.
"WHY THE FUCK AM I GETTING EMBARRASSED?"
He didn't notice the door opening from across the onsen, or the familiar brown ponytail bobbing above the steam as the girl in question limped into the large room. He did notice though when a long sigh echoed through the room.
Shit! Mugen looked around frantically for a place to hide. The hot spring was just an open space though. He didn't realize how much noise he was making by splashing around, and when he looked back at her, their eyes locked.
"I…" Fuu began, her eyes wide and willed with shock. Her cheeks flushed pink in a visage of pure embarrassment. "I-I… I didn't mean to! That is- I didn't know you were in here!" She backpedaled, her eyes never failing to take him in bashfully. In her attempt to make a quick exit, she put too much pressure on her twisted ankle. "Ahh!" She cried out in pain and fell backwards against the shut door.
"What the hell!" Was all Mugen could utter as he rose out of the water. He grabbed the wet towel on the edge of the spring and wrapped it around his waist as his feet hit the stone floor. She screamed as he appeared at her side and covered her eyes with one hand.
"You dumbass! Don't you have any modesty!" She exclaimed, pushing him away. Mugen leered at her.
"What the fuck do you think I am? A fucking noble?" He retorted, going back to her side. "Shit woman, do you think I'd want an airhead like you?" He asked her as he inspected her swollen red ankle. The hand that covered her eyes dropped and she glared daggers at him.
"For your information, lots of people want this airhead! You're so insensitive, jerk!" She exclaimed, pointing a thumb at herself. Mugen turned, his mouth opening to shoot another insult her way, but he fell silent. "…And another thing! The only reason I'm letting you touch me is because I have no idea how to treat a twisted ankle!" Fuu continued, oblivious to the fact that he was staring at her blankly.
Mugen felt his chest constrict as he looked upon her. Her hair, disheveled from her fall spilled in pieces over her shoulders, halfway up and halfway down. Her glinting eyes and flushed cheeks were only second in attention to her lips, which Mugen watched with curiosity. They moved and formed foul words that he normally would have hit her over the head for, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to act normally.
"Honestly! I don't even know why I hang around you sometimes! You're just a scruffy, inconsiderate, egotistical jer-"
"Fuu." Mugen said gruffly, running a thumb over her injured ankle. She continued to glower at him, her lips pursed in anger. That was quickly dissolved to confusion though, as Mugen's next words escaped his lips. "What you're doing to me is really pissing me off, so shut the fuck up and close your damn eyes!"
"Wha!" She could only muster, quirking an eyebrow. His angry expression told her that he meant business, so she complied. Her eyelashes brushed her cheeks as she shut her eyes. In a matter of seconds, she could feel his hands gripping her shoulders gently and his soft breath against her face. "Mugen, what are you…?" She asked. Her brow furrowed in irritation as she opened her eyes again.
Her heart thundered in her ears and her lips trembled. She wanted to say more, but she couldn't bring herself to speak again. Mugen's wet hair dripped onto her hot pink kimono as he leaned over her, pressing his mouth against the base of her neck. She desperately attempted to register the event taking place into her head, but her mind was blank as the rough samurai trailed burning kisses up to her jaw. When he finally pulled back, she saw that he was still glaring at her.
"I'm no rapist." He said quietly. His voice was still as rough as ever though. "I'm not going to touch you like that ever again, so be grateful." He ground out. Fuu shuddered as his body heat left her, staring up at him as he stood.
Mugen sighed in frustration as he ran a hand through his soggy hair. He'd have to find another room, since even though he had attempted to flush the feelings from his system, he still lusted after the young girl whom he traveled with. He'd never really expected to feel want or need towards Fuu, but he did. He'd even declared it her fault his sex drive had been close to nil recently. He gathered his clothes in his arms, not noticing that the brunette was hobbling clumsily towards him. He turned sharply and knocked into her, sending her to the floor again.
"Damn it, Mugen!" She shouted from the ground, her eyes welled up with tears of pain again, and she bit her lip to keep her from choking out a sob. Mugen's brow plummeted and he bared his teeth at her.
"It's your fault for walking up behind me!" He shot back. Fuu rubbed her eyes roughly with her hands and looked back up at him once more.
"Just… Just shut up, ok! Come down here!" She struggled to say, her face red hot. Mugen rolled his eyes and dumped his clothes to the side, squatting down to inspect her ankle again.
"If I have to look at your ankle one more time, I'm going to cut it o-" Mugen's threat was cut off at the very end when Fuu seized his face with two hands and pulled his mouth roughly to hers. For a moment, the swordsman was astonished at such a bold move… From a fifteen year old girl, no less. His eyes fluttered shut and he responded to her kisses. His insides burned, and he leaned into her while supporting the weight of his torso by splaying his palm on the stone floor.
Fuu's cheeks ached with embarrassment, but her thoughts were clouded as her lips parted and closed continuously in synch with Mugen's. She sighed through her nose contently and looped her arms around his neck. Pulling back, she looked up at him with nervous eyes.
"That was my first kiss." She said bluntly, chewing her lips that had been kissed swollen. Mugen's eyebrows raised at this comment, but didn't fail to bring his head down to kiss her again. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip and as she opened her mouth again, and she met him halfway. He had surmised that it had been her first anyways, since she was being rather sloppy, but he didn't really care. He was a sloppy person anyways.
"This is really fucking uncomfortable." Mugen said between kisses. Quickly, he shifted until he covered her body with his, his elbows on either side of her head. Fuu soundlessly kissed his cheeks, tangling her fingers in his damp hair. With one hand, Mugen tugged the collar of her kimono down to her shoulers, exposing her collarbone and the beginning hill of her breasts. He noticed that the towel around his waist was becoming constrictive, but instead, he inclined his head and kissed her shoulder.
"M-Mugen…" He heard her whisper. It was almost inaudible, but his heart skipped when his name fell on his ears. Agonizingly slow, he kissed her from her collarbone to the base of her neck, which he sucked on gently for a moment. He felt her hands rove his bare back, her soft hands touching every battle scar he'd ever received. Then she spoke again.
"I… I love you."
Mugen's heart nearly stopped. He pulled away from her and stared down at Fuu incredulously. "What?" He asked, his brow furrowing. She opened her eyes, which were glazed over, and she smiled at him.
"I love you." She repeated. Mugen's mouth twitched, wanting to say something. He couldn't though. He could only move off of her and gather his clothes. Fuu stared up at him, shocked as he made his way to the door. No answer. "Mugen!" She exclaimed, watching him exit. She sat on the stone floor of the hot spring, hurt and confused as to why he left her without a word. Even though she was caught in the steam rising from the water near her, she felt cold.
"W-What!" She murmured, her voice cracking as tears spilled down her cheeks.
…Mugen had left her alone and humiliated, weeping bitterly on the floor of an abandoned onsen.
