Of Gunshots and Sorrow
Chapter 7
Broken Families
AN://
Moody1656:Let's see..um well it was disappointing to have only a few reviews last chapter. Hopefully I get a lot this chapter cause this is the goood one!
Mugen: Yeah talking behind my back is tons o' fun.
Fuu: We only did that because you never tell me anything.
Mugen: And why should I?
Fuu groans: Your impossible…
Moody1656: Anyways here it is! Chapter seven! By the way this is the much awaited chapter for your information. Behold Shino! She's in this chapter which means…!
Fuu: I get to know about Hino!
Moody1656: Exactly! Now here you go chapter seven is raring to go! On with the story!
Mugen: Yeah whatever.
Mugen had his usual scowl on as he stopped in front of a small house with the numbers 2120 on a metal mailbox. "Mugen, why'd you stop? WE have to hurry and find someplace to stay for the night." Fuu said finally reaching his side.
He turned his eyes to her for a second before turning to the house, "We're staying here today."
Fuu looked at him like he was crazy, "Are you that stupid?" He turned to snap at her but she beat him to the punch. "I understand you're a fucking criminal and all but I'm not breaking into somebody's house!"
"Look—" He tried to say but she decided to interrupt.
"NO!" She yelled irritated. Mugen groaned scratching his stubble and began to open his mouth when she interrupted again making his eye twitch as she ranted on. "I know you'll just say something stupid about how I should shut my trap because we're not gonna get caught or something but—"
He placed his hand roughly on her mouth and pulled her face in front of his. "Listen you over bearing bitch," her eyes narrowed but he only tightened his hold on her mouth and continued to hiss darkly. "I ain't breaking into no damn house that looks like someone's in there you dumbass. And even if I was we wouldn't get caught. That crap hole right there," He turned her head to the direction of the house then back to him quickly. "Is where we're staying. Yes, I do know them. No, I'm not killing 'em." Knowing he made his point clear he pushed her away roughly tired of her constant bitching and started walking up to the door.
Fuu felt something pricking her eyes and rubbed the tears away roughly with one hand while with the other she tried to sooth her sore mouth. "He didn't have to be so rude…"
Mugen turned back around to face her when the door opened. "Hey fat ass start moving!" She stubbornly stuck out her tongue but started walking over to where he was. He mumbled a few curses under his breath before turning to woman at the door.
She was slim and tall with black hair tied in a bun at the back of her head. Her complexion was pale and in her arms she carried a small child. The vagabond's appearance clearly had her flabbergasted but she smiled accommodating according to her manners, "Hello Mugen."
Mugen nodded acknowledging her. Fuu walked up next to him and smiled warmly at the older woman, "Hello I'm Fuu Kasumi!"
The older woman smiled back, "I'm Shino; you must be a friend of Mugen's."
"A burden really," Mugen commented with a smirk and slapped his hand over her mouth again as she began to argue. "Anyways, I figured you being even more of a push over than old fish face you'd let us bunk here a few days."
Fuu got tired of him shutting her up that way and bit down hard on his palm, the only part she could get her teeth on. He yelped and pulled his hand back. "God you're such an idiot! You can't just ask someone if you can stay at their house like that!" Mugen scowled and was about to yell back at her but a cry stopped their arguing.
Shino looked down at the bundle in her arms and tried to silence its cries. She nervously looked back up at them and said, "You can stay here. But I do have to ask that you don't make so much noise. I had just gotten Tsuki and Hoshi to sleep and it's very difficult to get them back to sleep."
Fuu nodded apologetically while Mugen just used his time to pick something out of his ear. Shino moved to the side letting them pass through and closed the door behind her, managing to get her baby to quiet down.
Mugen made himself at home and just sat down on the beat up couch in the living room. "So you popped another out, eh?" Fuu glared at him but he continued to ignore her existence.
Shino smiled awkwardly, "Yes, some time ago now." She looked to the clock resting on the wall behind the couch. "Excuse me for a second, make yourself at home." She instructed Fuu.
Fuu sighed but took a seat next to Mugen nonetheless. "Can you try being polite?"
Mugen looked at her passively and shrugged, "Guess not."
"You're such an idiot. She's letting us stay here free of charge though she could have easily denied us entrance and you just comment on how she's a push over." She hissed at him.
He scowled and looked at her sternly, "She owes me, she couldn't say no even if she was able to let that word fall out of 'er lips. Now shut up and be happy we're at least not in another run down gas station."
She scowled as well but wouldn't shut up, "How does she owe you, you never do favors for anyone."
Mugen glared at her and sneered, "Yeah, well what the hell do you call what I'm doing for your ass?!"
She was ready to shoot something back at him but knew she didn't actually have anything to support said statement so she crossed her arms and sat back. At that moment Mugen smirked in over confidence and spread his legs out even further than they were making his knee press against hers. "What the hell are you doing?" Fuu asked trying to push his leg away.
He chuckled, clearly humored by her weak attempt. "Keep trying all you want girlie, but you're way too weak."
"Shut up." She hissed still trying to move his knee off of hers. "Just move your leg."
"No, I think I'm pretty damn comfortable like this." He shrugged moving his arms up and resting his head on his palms. "But you're free to keep trying."
Shino came back at that moment and sat down in a chair opposite of them watching puzzled as Fuu kept trying to move him away with both hands now and Mugen just sat amused. "So you're traveling somewhere again, Mugen?"
He put his arms back down and pushed Fuu back realizing the conversation had started. "Yeah, it's mainly cause of this brat but I'm also tryin' to find Mukuro."
At this Shino's face fell, "You're not going to try to get revenge are you?"
"That's the plan." He stated bored.
"Does Jin—"
"He knows, just doesn't feel like dealing with my crap anymore I guess." He shrugged, "Can't say I wasn't getting bored of him either."
Shino looked at Fuu wearily nerving the girl a bit but then turned to Mugen again, "Why are you putting her in danger. She may look like her but she isn't and Mukuro will use that against you."
Mugen placed a large hand on Fuu's head; "She's in more danger when she's not around me, trust me." She scowled and elbowed him in the gut getting his hand off of her. "Fucking violent today, huh?"
"Just cause you're being more annoying than usual." She retorted.
Shino looked at them both with fearful eyes, "Mugen you can't endanger an innocent girl."
"I told you she's in more danger without me." He said irritated.
"It seems you've become attached to her." Shino stated knowingly. "But just because they look alike doesn't mean—"
"I know it doesn't mean shit!" Mugen finally snapped. He got off the couch and looked down at Shino. "Look I'm not asking for a therapy session or nothing I just need a place to stay. We'll be gone in a few days then you can concentrate on your own problems with Jin."
She nodded, "I understand. I'm sorry but all I can offer is that couch."
"That's fine," Fuu interjected piercing the tension with a nervous laugh. "Right Mugen?"
He glanced at her but turned around and started heading to the door, "I'm getting some air."
"Mu—"
SlamShe scowled and sighed letting her back fall back on the couch, "What the hell's eating him…?"
"I'm sorry," Shino said softly. "I should know better than to anger him."
Fuu sat up straight and smiled at her nervously, "No it's fine. Some way or another I'm sure I'm the one to blame again…I always am at least." She grumbled the last bit to herself.
Shino shook her head, "No I opened an old wound." She stood up and looked down at Fuu patiently, "Would you like something to eat while you wait? You can take a shower while I cook you something."
She stood up and nodded quickly, "Yes! Thank you so much!"
Shino laughed, "It's fine. The bathroom is the second door down." She said pointing at the direction from where she had gone with the baby.
Fuu nodded and picked up her backpack, running quickly to the bathroom. Shino watched her go carefully before standing up herself and walking into the kitchen.
When Fuu had finished showering and putting on some new clothes the food was done. She thanked Shino once again before quickly eating the food. Shino laughed lightly, "It seems Mugen is still unable to come up with any food when it's needed."
Fuu looked up at her with rice on her face and smiled cheekily. "He tries…but unfortunately it usually ends with him using all of my money…" She grumbled irritated.
"That sounds like him," Shino said looking at her in a daze, as if remembering her past with the rogue. "So…you met Jin before?"
Fuu nodded, "Yeah but I was causing too much trouble so he kinda kicked us out. I don't blame him but it's hard not to miss a bed…"
She smiled slightly, "That couch you were at before is a pull out. I would assume you're used to sharing space with Mugen but if not I'm sorry that's all I have."
She shook her head quickly, "No, no, it's fine! Perfect actually, I've slept on the floor so many times now I don't care if I had to sleep next to a cougar at this point."
As an added thought Shino asked, "Would you like for me to wash some of your clothes for you too? I'm sure you're probably down to your last few clean clothes."
"This is actually the last shirt I've worn only twice." Fuu said laughing nervously. "You're very kind, but I wouldn't want to trouble you."
"It's no trouble, trust me." She said with a kind smile. "If you need anything just ask me."
Fuu smiled and thanked her before eating the rest of her food. She didn't disregard the way Shino watched her and she could guess why it was. So throughout the time she ate, washed her plates, helped Shino with the laundry, and casually spoke with her in the living room Fuu thought long and hard about how to ask her three things she really wanted to know and knew only she could/would answer.
"It's getting late and Mugen probably won't get back for some time. Do you think you'll be fine here until he gets back?" Shino asked after Fuu finally figured out how to know everything with one question.
"Yes, but can I ask you something?" Fuu realized this was the perfect opportunity. Mugen was gone, someone close to him was in the room with her, and she had finally gathered enough courage and curiosity to ask. "I think you might be able to help me with something that's been bothering me lately." She looked at Fuu attentively waiting for the question with a small charming smile. She's so beautiful. Fuu couldn't help but think. "I know it's not my place, but you mentioned a girl before. Hino? Mugen and Jin had been talking about her before and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about her."
Shino looked at her with wide eyes but nodded, "Jin and I were engaged when we met Mugen and Hino. I had already given birth to my daughter Tsuki and was pregnant with Hoshi, my son." Fuu's eyes widening realizing many things from just that. One, Shino was who Mugen had thrown in Jin's face that day. Two, the children in the other room were Shino's and Jin's. Three, something happened so they didn't get married. "I remember everything clearly. Jin had come back that night tired with two people, Mugen and Hino. They met when they were on the streets. She was the same age as one of Mugen's sisters before he got kicked out and decided to look out for her like his real sister. You look just like her…" Shino said trailing off.
"I-I do?" Fuu asked.
She nodded, "You have her face except she had these turquoise eyes and a darker tone of brown hair."
Fuu noticed the sadness in her eyes, especially when she said 'had', and asked; "What happened to her?"
"Mugen helped a gang with drug dealing to try and get enough money to at least be able to leave Jin and I. When the man he helped met Hino he always acted very perverse toward her. The day Mugen told him he was no longer helping him he sent some of his men to kidnap Hino. They took her when none of us were around…" She paused and Fuu figured that would be all she heard. After a few minutes of silence Shino spoke again. "When Mugen went to the warehouse where he was located at everything was gone. All that was there was Hino's tattered clothes, blood, and a dead corpse."
Fuu looked down awkwardly, not sure what to say. She didn't have to though. After a few seconds of their silence the doorknob moved and they turned to see Mugen come in. He scowled walking inside. "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"
Fuu couldn't help but smile at him awkwardly, "I was just about to. Shino and I were just talking for a bit to pass time."
Shino smiled and stood up, "Good night you two."
As she walked out of the room and to her own Fuu watched her apathetically, wishing she could help some way. "Hey get your ass up and help me." Mugen ordered wanting to just sleep already.
Fuu turned to face him startled and he rolled his eyes and threw a pillow and blanket that were on the couch at her, effectively knocking her down. "Jerk…" She muttered through the pillow not seeing Mugen's amused smirk.
When they had fixed the couch and finally laid down Fuu couldn't help but ask one more question that night, "Where'd you go to?"
He chuckled and passed her a pink wallet from out of nowhere, "Just where I wasn't supposed to go."
She snatched the wallet and glared at him, "If you're that damn horny go get your own money somehow!"
He chuckled turning on his side, "Yeah, whatever."
Fuu looked at him and stuck her tongue out before turning the other way to sleep. Just when I start thinking he might not be such a dumbass.
The next day
Mugen smirked as watching the sleeping (snoring) girl beside him. Seeing her eys when they opened, her mouth opening, and the look of complete shock on her face were going to make his morning perfect. Bitch deserves this for making me wait to set up the bed—couch last night. He smirked maliciously as he slipped an ice cube on her collar and as soon as it hit her skin she screeched sitting up with wide eyes making the ice only go down her shirt.
As he laughed his ass off Fuu shook the ice out of her clothes and turned to glare at him, "Mugen! What the hell?!"
"I'd watch those pretty little lips of yours. There're kids in this house, ya know," Mugen said still laughing.
Fuu glared and hissed in a whisper, "Go fuck yourself."
He chuckled and quirked a brow, "Why do that when I have your wallet to turn to?"
She rolled her eyes before standing up and stretching. She scanned the house and noticed Shino was still in her room. "Why did you wake up so early?"
"We should go now," Mugen said with a serious look now. "Get up and fix the couch. I have to do something quickly before we go."
Fuu watched him curiously as he got up with his backpack. "Where are you going?"
"I'm helping fish face get his life together." Mugen was about to go on to the room of the house that was his destination but stopped and turned to Fuu. As he expected she looked like she wanted to know what was going on. "Before we left I took some things from him that he had gotten for them before. He never planned on sending them so I figured if I took 'em he'd never notice." He shrugged and scoffed, "Maybe this'll teach the ass to treat strangers worse than his family."
Fuu smiled and held her tongue form telling him how nice she thought it was that he'd do that just in case he changed his mind and to save his ego threw what he would leave in the trash. "I'll take care of everything here."
"Yeah, well hurry up. I'd rather not deal with some sappy mushy goodbye." He scoffed and trudged to Shino and the kids' room.
With ease he managed to walk inside and go to the small dresser across from Shino's bed. He slipped out an envelope Jin had placed a letter and some money inside. Mugen knew what it said and why he hadn't sent it. It was a letter assuring her that he'd return as soon as he could and they could then finally get married.
At that moment as he put the envelope down all Mugen wished he could do was feel some content because he was making what he caused right even through a lie. He couldn't. He groaned and slipped out from his backpack two other things, toys. One for Tsuki another for Hoshi that Jin had almost sent during a month back as Christmas presents but changed his mind. It's all up to four eyes now.
He turned slowly and looked from the sleeping mother to the cribs where her children were at. Kids deserve a dad, even one as fucked up as him.
Mugen sighed and turned to leave. As he started to close the door behind him he heard Shino's soft voice, "Please take care of her, Mugen."
He furrowed his eyebrows and closed the door softly as if he hadn't heard her at all. "You ready?" Mugen asked without looking up at Fuu as he walked to the door.
"Mhm," Fuu said cheerfully walking over to him. "I wish I could have said goodbye."
Mugen shook his head and opened the door going out first before she did. "We don't have time for that."
Fuu sighed, "I don't see why not."
Mugen chuckled and smirked turning to her, "That's because you're that stupid, girly."
"You're the stupid one!" Fuu argued as they continued to walk down the block that the small house with the metal mailbox with numbers 2120 was sitting on as two pairs of eyes opened as a glassy pair scanned the words on a white piece of paper over and over again.
Moody1656: Sorry guys it took me so long.
Mugen: She's actually so stupid it took her this long to finish writing this chapter.
Fuu: I still like it.
Moody1656: Next chapter.
The gun shots sounded behind her and all Fuu wished was that she could move and do something, anything, to help Mugen. He had done so much for her and during the one time she could help him in some way all she could do was what she did when they first met: hide in an alley behind an old dumpster.
Mugen scowled as he just dodged another bullet from the stupid bald idiot he should have shot before. "What does that girl even have to do with you?" The idiot shouted behind a parked car he was using a cover from Mugen's bullets.
"The hell does it matter to you?!" Mugen shouted angered more and more by the man speaking and walked out from his hiding.
"If you're holding onto her cause you've slept together you've got pretty bad taste in ass, no way is that scrawny little bitch good in bed." He chuckled trying to reload his hand gun.
Before he could he felt cold metal at his throat though. "Does it seem like I'd be that desperate?"
Moody1656: Look forward to next chapter and review please!