Jin pulled Mugen's arm across his shoulders, wrapped his other arm around his friend's waist, and half-carried him out the door to the plum tree in Fuu's back yard. It was a measure of the Ryukyuan's new perspective that not only did he not grumble at the help, he was actually grateful for it. The samurai settled him against the tree and Mugen leaned back, taking in deep breaths.
It was only two days since his symptoms had abated and he was a shadow of his former self, but he could feel his health returning. The very world looked different to him, colors brighter, flowers sweeter, birdsong more melodious than he had ever known. It wouldn't last-he had known this marvelous sensitivity on other occasions when he had been wounded and was first able to be up and around, but never with this intensity.
The Ryukyuan looked over at Jin, sitting on the grass a few feet away. The samurai was as self-contained as ever and Mugen smiled to himself, then said gruffly, "I suppose Fuu will nag me about thanking you for going to Nagasaki."
"No thanks are necessary," said Jin serenely. "It was a purely selfish act to spare myself grief at your untimely death."
Mugen blinked. He supposed that was as close as Jin could get to saying that he was glad Mugen was alive, just as the comment about Fuu was the closest the Ryukyuan could get to thanking his friend for saving his life.
"I suppose I'll have to find another job." Mugen sighed. "Too bad-I had a good deal on the docks. They let me take a boat out whenever I wanted to."
"Your job will be waiting for you," said Jin. "So will mine. The night I left for Nagasaki, Fuu's boss Chimmoko promised to let our employers know what happened. I checked in with both of them today. We won't be paid for the time, of course, but we are welcome back when we are ready."
"Really?" Mugen smiled. "The old broad did that for us? She's all right."
"She is indeed. I'm pleased Fuu found such a good person to work for."
"Where is that girl, anyway? I'm starving."
Jin started to get up. "She went shopping, but she left some dried fish and rice balls."
"I ain't hungry enough to want you waiting on me!" Mugen rested his head against the tree. "You don't always got to be so accommodating, pretty boy."
"Oh, I wasn't going to be." Jin's voice was dry as he settled back down. "If you want a snack you'll have to go get it yourself."
"Figures you'd be useless," said Mugen lazily.
"And I'm not surprised you're as demanding and petulant as ever." They went back and forth, sparring in their old way but without any of the old animosity. How does a man tell another man he loves him except by insulting the hell out of him? They would never admit they cared, but they said it every day anyway.