Fuu stripped off Mugen's clothes, her cheeks reddening as she saw that he wasn't wearing anything under his shorts. She grabbed a blanket and threw it over him, then bundled his wet things together and took them outside. She took her time hanging them up, trying to get over her embarrassment. It wasn't like she didn't know what he looked like. Living as they did with his disregard for modesty, she had seen him a few times. But those had been quick glimpses from a distance. She hadn't been touching him.
Fuu frowned, then suddenly whirled and ran into the house, pressing a soft hand to Mugen's forehead. Tears came to her eyes as she felt how hot his skin was. Fever. The only thing she knew about fever was that you go to the doctor and get medicine for it. She drew the blanket off, any embarrassment completely forgotten as she examined Mugen to see what other damage he had sustained. His arms and legs and face were scored with dozens of small cuts where he had gotten hit by pieces of the exploding ship-his clothing had protected the rest of his body, but he moaned and twitched fitfully as she gently felt all over to see if he had any broken bones. Thankfully everything seemed to be intact, but she wondered if his insides were hurt from the shock of the explosion. She tucked the blanket around him, sitting back and wondering helplessly what she could do for him. Her eyes fell on a small bucket in the corner and she went to get it, going outside to a small well a few feet up the street. Filling it with cool water, she returned to Mugen, dipping a cloth in the water and wiping his face. He shivered, but she kept going, hoping that at least his temperature might come down.
Fuu sat by Mugen for the rest of the day, bathing him and replenishing the bucket when the water ran low. As the shadows lengthened he finally seemed a little cooler, and she allowed herself to hope that he was getting better. Now her concern for Jin grew stronger and she fumed, "Where could he be? Mugen's back, but Jin and Koza are missing." She wiped Mugen's face again, noting wearily that she needed more water. She got to her feet and froze at a touch on her arm. Turning slowly and looking down, she saw Mugen's hard brown hand circling her soft white wrist. Her eyes flew to his face.
His eyes were closed but his lips were moving in an effort to speak and Fuu bent over him. "What is it? Mugen? Can you hear me?"
He swallowed hard, then made another effort. "I'm….really….hungry."
Fuu stiffened in outrage. Mugen had to be the only man in the world who could have an appetite after getting blown up. Then she felt how weak his grip on her wrist was and saw the gray tinge under his copper skin and her annoyance died. "I'll see if I can scrounge something up for you," she said gently.
He sighed and released her arm, his eyes still closed, and she hesitated, then walked away. He heard her go, then slowly opened his eyes, confused by the images that had been swirling through his mind. The Crow Men-had they really come for him or was that a memory from another time? Darkness and water and birds and the woods he had staggered into after his leap from the cliff, blood pouring from his shoulder where a bullet had caught him. Collapsing to wake with his shoulder bandaged and Koza looking down at him. A burning hut and Mukuro sneering at him. Jin saying they should leave, and Fuu….her shining brown eyes….
At the thought of Fuu, his head abruptly cleared and he remembered the attack on the government ship and Mukuro's betrayal. How long had he lain here? He was dimly aware that Fuu had been with him, but Mukuro was still around somewhere. No need to worry about his gang now-he'd killed them all. Mugen sat up slowly, gasping with pain, but a dark smile flitted across his face. It was his lucky day-he could protect Fuu and settle the score with Mukuro. All he had to do now was find him.