They sat on the porch looking up at the moon and Fuu marveled at how the dim light restored a semblance of health to Mugen's face, softening the gauntness and giving his skin a glow. Even his eyes looked brighter. He sighed, leaning back on his hands. "This ain't a bad place you got here. And that old broad…."

"You mean my boss, Chimmoko?"

Mugen grinned at the exasperation in Fuu's voice. "That's the one. She's all right? Pays you regular? Don't try to make you be nice to the customers?"

Fuu shook her head. "From anyone else that would sound like concern."

"Don't get all mushy on me, okay? It's just good to know you landed on your feet." He sat up, rubbing his temples and the girl's heart sank.

"Does your head hurt?" He sighed and nodded. "When did it start?"

"A while ago."

"And you wanted to come outside?"

"Yeah, well, like I said, what difference could it make?" He was shivering again and she pulled him to his feet and helped him back inside to the futon. He was shaking so hard the whole room seemed to quiver and he moaned as she laid him down. "I'm cold. I'm so cold…."

"Hang on." Fuu grabbed the blankets and threw them over him, then closed the door and windows and started a fire in the stove. The room started to heat up and she knelt next to Mugen, taking his hand. "Is that better?"

"No," he said miserably. Her eyes filled with tears and when one spilled he raised a shaking hand and brushed it away. "Don't cry, Fuu."

The use of her name had the opposite effect he intended and she buried her face in the futon, sobbing as if her heart were breaking. She quickly regained control of herself and sat up again, wiping her face and trying to smile. "Sorry. You just never called me by my name before. I didn't know you knew what it was."

"Is that any way to talk to a sick man?" Mugen hugged his knees to his chest, his teeth chattering. His mind was starting to wander. "There's something….I always wanted to know…."

"What?" Fuu leaned over him. "What, Mugen?"

"Remember….the river?" She looked puzzled and he tried to concentrate. "Sara….by the river?" She nodded. "Why'd you do it, Fuu? How….how did you know…." He closed his eyes and his voice dropped. "She wouldn't….wouldn't kill you too?"

"I didn't know." Mugen's eyes opened and he gazed up at her and Fuu said softly, "I didn't know if she would kill me or not."

"Then….why…." He was fading and Fuu squeezed his hand.

"You were worth it, Mugen."

Their eyes locked and he smiled a little before slipping into unconsciousness.