Chapter 7: Samurai Wrap

The restaurant proprietor stared gloomily at what was left of his shabu-shabu restaurant. Some of the servants and cooks were pulling out bodies from the wreckage and checking for signs of life. Several samurai were rolled up in straw mats and labeled as "Samurai 1 – 19" on separate tags tied to their big toe by the local mortician who recorded the body count. The fruit stand owner, slightly singed from the explosion, was trying to point out that there was a dead man in his cart as well and was at a loss as to how to go about removing him. As people in the street came to witness the destruction of rubble and ash, they wondered if one of the fireworks displays had rolled into the restaurant by accident. The locals were aware the fireworks maker smoked like a chimney. As passers by sent him their looks of condolence his waitresses stood faithfully by him.

"There isn't much left, is there?" asked one of them.

Shizuku put a hand on her boss' shoulder. "It's a good thing you bought that fire insurance," she laughed. "And everyone thought it was a waste of money."

"What are you going to do after you cash in, boss?" asked the other waitress.

"I don't know; the restaurant business seems kind of dangerous, doesn't it?" he sighed.

"I hear Osaka's a nice place to live," suggested Shizuku.

As they continued to gather their bearings, the local law enforcement came to assess the situation. It appeared as though no one who was left inside before the explosion remained alive. A passing Shinto priest volunteered a prayer to the dead. Somewhere in the distance, a Bhuddist bell tolled.

SO ENDS THE STORY OF OUR VALIANT TRIO.

HEH, JUST KIDDING.

The people in the avenue below did not heed the random scattering of people on the rooftop who were hurled by the explosion across the way from what used to be the restaurant. Jin, Fuu and Mugen lay on their backs panting atop the blue roof tiles staring at the sun through the smoke still venting from the rubble below. When the wari-mono casings exploded indoors they almost immediately set the entire second floor on fire and forced Jin and Mugen to grab Fuu and jump out the window, across the avenue, and onto the opposite roof. As they jumped the force of the keg exploding thereafter propelled them and caused all three to make hard, clumsy landings. Fortunately for Fuu, Jin had pulled her close to him and he took the brunt of the impact and she merely landed on top of him.

"You got bigger balls than me, kiddo. What IS it with you and giant firecrackers?" asked Mugen, still out of breath as he absently patted down a portion of his hair that was still smoking.

"Your recklessness far exceeds anyone I know," said Jin with a smile.

"We were in a pinch," said Fuu in defense of her actions. She raised a hand to her forehead and smiled. Fuu was never really a great gambler. In fact, she often lost money more than she won it. But for some reason, whenever she gambled their lives, she always won.

From the other slanting side of the roof they heard someone stirring. Fuu rolled on her elbows and propped herself up to see Inuyaka also lying on his back. His hair and clothes were singed and the odd position of one of his legs suggested he had broken it in the fall. A portion of his face looked burned.

"Kasumi Fuu," he said after catching his breath. "It seems I underestimated you. Not only do you have two faithful and powerful ronin friends at your side but you're clever as well." Mugen found the strength to raise his arm and give Inuyaka the finger. After a moment Inuyaka added, "My employer is dead and I have no quarrel with you." He pulled her pink tonto from his belt and tossed it back towards her. It landed in front of her with a clatter against the tiles.

"It seems that someone taught you that impressive trick you performed for us back there. May I inquire as to whom your teacher was?" he asked.

"An old hermit in the forest named Johnny," answered Fuu. Jin looked up at her incredulously.

"He owes me lunch," she added.

"Ah, 'Johnny' was it?" he smiled. "I'm honored to have been wounded by you, then. You and I will not cross paths again. No matter what the asking price."

Fuu wiped the blood off her tonto and re-sheathed it. She sat up on the roof and looked down below at the destruction she caused. Luckily the collapse of the top floor extinguished most of the blaze and the fire did not spread to the neighboring shops. Fuu was glad for that.

"The local authorities are here, guys," said Fuu looking over at her exhausted companions. "Maybe we should get going."

"Ah," grunted Mugen in agreement, getting up. Jin also got to his feet. He offered Fuu his hand and she took it with a smile. They walked across the roof onto a lower rooftop where someone had left a ladder leading down to an alley. Just as Mugen reached the street level someone called out his name.

"Geez, I should've known you were involved in this mayhem," said Imanho Yatsuha with a troubled expression, scratching the back of her head in frustration. She looked around to make sure the other government officers were nowhere in sight.

"Are you going to turn us in?" asked Fuu timidly.

"Hmph. What for?" said the detective. "As far as I'm concerned this was a fireworks accident and by some stroke of luck the corrupt Councilor I was investigating conveniently died in the fire while he was eating shabu-shabu. These types of restaurants are fire hazards apparently."

"Corrupt?" asked Jin.

"Yeah. He's been out of favor with the Shogun for quite some time and was using the government's resources for his own personal projects," she said with a knowing eye towards Fuu. "They've just been looking for an excuse to axe him."

"So there won't be anyone hunting me anymore?"

"Not that I know of. As far as my report goes, you and your two sidekicks died in the fire as well," smiled the detective.

"It wouldn't be the first time I died," smirked Mugen. At that moment, Yatsuha grabbed his ear and yanked it to one side.

"Ow, ow, ow!" exclaimed Mugen. "Let go, woman!"

"I'm off duty. I'll buy you a drink for staying alive," she said happily. "We can pick up where we left off last time," she said as she leaned into him and whispered in his ear. A slow grin spread across his lips but it immediately disappeared when she yanked his ear again. "Just try to keep your hands off other women when you're with me," she warned. With that, the two turned to leave.

"Mugen," Fuu called after him. "Thank you." Yatsuha let go of his ear and he turned to face his friends.

"Yeah," he grinned. "Let's do this again sometime. The workouts are fun." He turned to Jin. "Look after her, four-eyes. Make sure our little pyro stays out of trouble and away from the fireworks."

"Ah," answered Jin affirmatively. They watched him walk away until he was out of sight. He turned to Fuu.

"What are you going to do from here?" he asked. She bit her lip and stared at her feet to try to hide the blush in her cheeks. For a moment Fuu recalled the conversation they had three years ago by the river when he asked her the same thing. Her heart was beating quickly. It was time she made up her mind.

"I need to find another job," she said, staring up at the sky for some sign of inspiration. "But if it's okay with you, can I just tag along?" Fuu asked timidly, not meeting his gaze. He lifted her chin with a gentle hand and to her surprise, kissed her.

"Yes," he answered.

FINIS.

Author's notes: Please read and review!

1. Suehiro's officially opened in Osaka, Japan in 1955, the first restaurant to coin the phrase "shabu-shabu" which is why I destroyed the restaurant in Nagasaki…. For those who hail from L.A. or those looking to visit, there is this kick-ass shabu-shabu restaurant (Shabu-Shabu House) in Little Tokyo (Japanese Village Plaza) that makes you wait an hour until you're seated after they take down your name (but we wait nonetheless) because it's always so packed. Sure, they butcher the pronunciation but that's damn good shabu-shabu (excellent with an ice coffee). Ah, I'm hungry….

2. Technically, the finger gesture is derived from ancient Roman times, and therefore it is possible that it could have carried over to the Silk Road. Hehehe…

3. Another story has come to an end. Or has it? Hehehe...I've always wanted to write this story after my Champloo short, but never found the time or inspiration. Thanks to the faithful who took time to read or review it, to praise it or flame it. It was equally appreciated. (But for those who flamed it, you should've stopped reading a long time ago!) I just love Jin, so I hope you weren't bored with my lovey-dovey scene. I hope you Champloo fans enjoyed the adventure. And that's a wrap. Until next time!

-Kero (8/3/08)