DISCLAIMER: I do not own Samurai Champloo or any of its characters!

Sorry I've kept you waiting so long! Thank you so much for all the reviews. I haven't had one bad comment and I'm so happy when I get your reviews telling me how much you've enjoyed my chapters so far. I've worked through many ideas so far and I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Chapter 9: The Past Is Back

Mugen walked. Dust flying up as his steel geta stroked the ground. The sun beat hard upon his back, the burning sensation almost becoming too much. Limbs aching, skin blistering and his mind screaming as he continued walking... He didn't know where he was going but inside he knew it was going to be worth it. He looked towards the horizon, sweat dripping down his brow, his breath ragged. A small house crept further towards him as he walked. 'Why is it familiar?' he thought. Poking his head in the doorway that's when he knew. Fuu... "Mugen?" He turned and saw what he expected. Little Fuu standing in the hallway but something was wrong, her brown orbs were hiding something... "Mugen..." She ran to him, clutching onto him tightly. "You've been gone too long.."

"Whad'ya mean too long?" Mugen chuckled deeply.

She separated from him, tears still blurring her brown orbs. She wiped her face with her purple sleeve and held onto his hand, stroking his knuckles. "I-I g-got a husband"

"Fuu? Fuu!" A gruff voice shouted through the house. She looked up.. her face seemed terrified.

Mugen awoke suddenly, sweating and breathing heavily. He looked around, craning his neck he saw that Jin wasn't around. He assumed Jin had gone to meditate. "Da hell.." He whispered, shifting as he sat up. A whimper sounded from his side. Fuu had her arms latched around his waist like a child. He chuckled at her beautiful form. He wriggled, the twig arms tightened.

"Stop moving..." She groaned. He shifted and her eyebrows scrunched in an angry gesture. "I said stop moving.." She dug her claws into his fleshy hip, he growled in protest.

"Stop the mushy shit girly..." He picked her claws from his hips and squeezed her knuckles harshly.

She received her knuckles back and rubbed them gently as she sat opposite him. "Is Jin around at all?"

He knew what this meant...talking. "Nah..." He scratched his scalp, trying to avoid this extremely awkward situation.

"I.." Fuu looked at her hands as she fiddled with them in her lap. "I guess we need to sort out stuff..."

Mugen grunted and sniffed, silence fell upon them. "If you can't cope with this situation.. I understand if you leave. I..I don't expect you to stay out of pity" Fuu's voice was cracking, each word creeping closer to her breaking down. She turned away from him, her figure slouching and trembling.

"Ya know I pity no one girly... I ain't gonna start now" He snapped harshly, why can't ya see? Why are ya so blind ta what I hav for ya, he thought. Anger suddenly enveloped him as he grinded his teeth together. He suddenly stood. Fuu looked over her bony shoulder to nothingness. Confusion and shock flashed over her face. She turned back and found what she'd lost face to face with her. She whimpered in fright. He chuckled and smirked as he crouched in front of her.

"Come on girly" He teased as he smirked. A beautiful smirk that never scared her, the reassuring smirk that she and Jin only understood was he was his way of comforting someone.

"Well.. I know this is a big thing and all. No ma- but no matter what I'm keeping the child. So if you want to leave me, I don't care. This is totally against your instinct but stay with me...but on your own terms" She turned her back on him again and hoping not to hear his geta running away from her.

"Whad'ya keep doin' dat ya dumb broad?" He caught her shoulder turning her towards him once again. "Ya tell me somethin' an' think I ain't gonna say nothin' an' just leave. Pfft have some faith in me will ya?"

"I do have faith in you.. I just don't want to pressure you into a life you don't want..with a girl and child you don't want.." She whispered as she doubted yourself. I had faith in him last time..do I still? She thought.

"If I didn't want ya I wouldn't have saved ya from that Isamu prick...I just don't want this kid to have me as a dad. I ain't good with that shit... I kill people Fuu. I ain't a father figure. I'm a fucking criminal!" His tone heightened as his fists curled and his knuckles went white.

"Do you really think I care if you're a criminal or anything else? No I've never bloody cared! I never have, you jerk! Do you seriously think I'd nurse you back together all those times, cry for you every time you were on the edge of dying or even let you back into my life now if I cared that you're a criminal?!" Her face screwed up, her full anger truly showing. She went quiet for a moment. "I've only ever cared about you.."

"Ya don't know my past chick...ya have no idea" Mugen snapped back, sitting down as painful memories came to mind. He closed his eyes as he felt Fuu sit beside him.

"Tell me then..." She said softly, almost a whisper to his ears.

"A few years before I met ya I raided a village.. A stupid wench was alive. For some stupid reason, I didn't kill ta bitch. Bitch looked afta me, said she loved me. I went off to business for a bit, came back and she claimed I got her knocked up when I had too many drinks. Fuckin' liar I called her, then she went crazy and tried attackin' me so I sliced her up... She was pregnant but with this old guy's kid. Not mine.." His eyes met Fuu's but her expression was unchanged, unaffected at his words.

She shrugged. "It was an accident, I mean even I wouldn't attack someone like you, it's asking to be killed"

"Yeah.. accidents like ya havin' to father my kid instead of her" Mugen looked ashamed turning towards Fuu. "This shouldn't hav happened to ya Fuu"

"It doesn't matter to me... as long as you still like me" Fuu wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling her nose into his shoulder. Mugen chuckled lightly, whispering to her softly.

"I dont like ya anyway girly" He smirked.

"JERK! ARGHHH!" Fuu shoved him as she crawled away. Mugen fell back holding his shaking stomach as laughter loudly left his lungs. She glared as he stabilised himself finally. She pulled her yukata over her body as she tied her obi and run her hands through her hair. Mugen had stopped laughing by then. He just watched her. The sunlight hit her skin, creamy white skin glowing as dust surrounded her body. Her flowing brunette locks moulding into her hands as she secured her chopsticks in her thick locks. His jade earring swinging from her ear..Her pink, petal like lips pouting as her brown orbs blinked and glittered in the light.

"Girly...ya hot" Mugen grinned at her as he caught her attention. "Can we ya kno-"

"NO!" A shoe slammed into his face, leaving a red mark across his face. "We need to get moving anyway.."

"Shit, ya got ya obi real twisted jeez!" Mugen rubbed his stinging face as he picked up his things. He grunted as he stood in the doorway, waiting for her. He was getting impatient. "Bitch, what's takin' ya so long? I'd understand if ya put out but ya didn't jeez!"

Fuu glared at him as she approached the doorway. "Maybe if you weren't such a jerk all the time, I would put out!" Her tone raised quickly.

Mugen raised his eyebrow. Smirking, he grabbed her waist. "Girly ya defo got ya obi too tight, shall I loosen it a bit?" He almost whispered into her ear as he let her obi loosen from her waist. She bit her lip as he pushed her back against the wooden doorframe. He leaned his face into her neck and kissed her where he could feel her wonderful pulse kissing his lips back. Slowly he pressed his lips against hers and pressing his body against her as the wood dug into her back.

"I see you've worked out your differences" The couple looked up to see Jin smiling for once in his life. It made them all laugh. "I'm glad of it. We've got about two and a half months to reach our destination"

"Such a cockblock, let's go..." Mugen ruffled Fuu's hair playfully as she squeezed herself between the two men.

Fuu grabbed the men's hands pulling them along with her as she continued walking towards the path. "WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR THEN!" She giggled.

Minutes turned to hours and hours turned to days. As you expect these days surely resulted in at least one month. Summer was half way through but the sun did not retreat from glaring down on Japan. The trio arrived at a new city, lights, colours and drinking happened everywhere. Western and European music thumped throughout the shops. Guitars, the beat of the drums and voices of singers reached their ears. Fuu giggled as the trio moved together in time. Clapping together and swaying to the side as they all laughed. The lyrics floated through the air, pleasing their ears as they moved along the path.

Mugen grabbed Fuu's hand spinning her on the spot and laughing as she nearly lost balance. Jin watched the couple, Shino will love them, just like I do... They're so in love and I swear I won't let them part. He smiled as Mugen swung her around by her waist as she squealed. "Mugen! Put me down! OH IF YOU DON'T PUT ME DOW-" Mugen slammed his lips to hers quickly to shut her up.

"Shut up Fuu" He put his arm over her shoulders. She leaned into his warm touch as Jin stoic as usual walked beside them. The sun beginning to set over the horizon; purple, orange swirls burst into the sky, the sun disappearing beneath the earth. The sky blackened quickly as the travellers stepped into an inn near the dusty beige roads. They stepped in but the atmosphere was unnerving. Fuu squeezed Mugen's hand lightly. "I know chick.."He mumbled to her quickly. Jin stoic as ever seemed perfectly fine, bringing out his money pouch and counting the coins. He walked towards the desk, Mugen dragged Fuu along. Mugen's male pride obviously...Fuu thought.

"Excuse me innkeeper how much for two rooms this night?" A tall man turned his face towards Jin, short dark hair covering his head and piercing blue eyes.

"1200 yen..." His voice sounded like gravel, he spotted Fuu. Licking his thin pale lips "could get you a discount with a piece of that sweet little lady?"

Fuu could sense Mugen about to tear his face off but she simply put her forearm across his chest. Mugen backed down. She walked forward glaring at the creepy man. She leaned forward softening her eyes a little, he leaned forward gazing at her. "NO CHANCE WEIRDO!" She grabbed his short hair, quickly slamming it against the table with brute force.

Jin craned his neck, a crackling sound coming from his mouth. Mugen chuckled darkly adding quickly. "That my girl" Fuu giggled grabbing Jin's arm and heading up stairs.

"Fuu, I hope you don't mind me asking but where in the all of Japan did you learn such...violence?" Jin still looked shocked. That was a first.

"How was I to survive without you and Mugen after we split? So I just did the first thing that came to mind and well... it always works" She kissed Jin's cheek, "Good night Jin"

Mugen waved. "See ya Four Eyes.." Opening the door so both him and Fuu could enter the room.

"Good night you two.." Jin swiftly opened his door and settled into a deep slumber.

Mugen turned his back on Fuu as he closed the door. "Mugen?" Fuu asked as he turned.

"What up chick?" Fuu was cradling her slightly swollen stomach.

"I'm worried..."

"Bout what chick?" He walked over, scratching his skull roughly.

"About my future.. our future..." She looked down, seeming sad towards Mugen.

"I ain't goin' nowhere chick. I ain't stayed with a chick this long, damn I don't even stay a day with a bitch. Ya got me now, I got ya. If ya try gettin' away, I'll just hunt ya sorry ass down and drag ya back. Stupid chick don't need to worry about future, today I got ya, ya got me. That all that matters Fuu. Ya with me till the day I die..." She smiled to herself, loving how much he cared.

"Guess you're right Mugen" She said, shrugging off her yukata before settling in bed. Mugen smirked. Silly chick, He thought. He laid next to her, letting his arm fall over her shoulder as her body settled next to him. She kissed him and smiled as he winked at her. They closed their eyes. Snores erupted from his mouth as he rolled onto his side, unlatching his arm from Fuu. She blinked her eyes open. Be quick, She thought. She rolled out of the bed, quickly grabbing her yukata and opening the door slightly. She shut it carefully, not even Jin could hear that. She pulled the yukata onto her body and tightened her obi. Now.. back to business, She thought. She made her way back to the reception. The creepy guy from earlier still stood behind the desk with his smirk still in place. "Fucking creep" she whispered to herself as she approached the desk, sending glares into his face.

"It's nice to see you..." He smirked knowingly, "Fuu"

"What the hell do you want?" Fuu snapped at him.

"Nothing on a personal basis... just some job which fortunately involves you.." He said, his eyes lighting up with anger.

"Jeez Akito... stop this right now!" Her patience was weakening.

"Oh I deserve this Fuu and you fucking know it!" He hissed out the last part.

"THAT'S IT AKITO! I WILL KI-" Akito had enough as well as he forcefully slammed a sword sheath over her head causing her vision to blur as she gripped his hair and pulled hard until he shrieked. He struggled to control her as he pulled a piece of fabric behind her teeth. Muffling whatever she tried to scream. Then he slammed her head against the wall, vision blurring. She fell to the floor before darkness faded her vision. The sun arose and still Fuu hadn't returned to Mugen's side. Jin went as usual to wake the two, sliding open the door he saw she wasn't there.

"Mugen..." Monotone as usual.

"Da fuck four eyes... get out. Me and Fuu are gon' get it on" He stretched smirking to himself about how he loved having sex with her.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to proceed if she's not here"

"Huh? Course she's her-" He turned, she was gone. His eyes widened as rage consumed him. He jumped out of bed grabbing his things as he charged down to the reception. His vision turning red as he searched for the creepy guy. Nothing but one of Fuu's sandals and a lump of his hair.

"She tried fighting him off..." He picked up the hair that obviously wasn't hers. Some blood glistened on it but duller than fresh blood. "She's probably been gone an hour.."

"Son ova betch.." He muttered as he swung his sword onto his back before grabbing Jin's collar and dragging him out into the sun. Mugen scanned the horizon and looked around the path.

"It seems Fuu has left us clues.." Jin said; monotone as ever.

"Glad yo worked dat out by yaself" He sniggered as he followed the trail of dark hair Fuu must have ripped from the guy's skull.

Fuu awoke, cold and aching all over. Memories flooded through her mind as she tried to shriek but realised. Still got a gag on me...crap. Her eyes stung from crying and her hair stuck to her forehead as she looked around the room. Her hands and ankles were binded; cursing, she tried to tug at them hoping they would loosen. They didn't budge...she puffed. Akito entered the room as she glared maliciously at him. He crouched near her, sneering as she moved back towards the wall. "This isn't a personal job Fuu, so I'll be on my way" She spat at him as he opened the door, mumbling as he went, "She's all yours"

She closed her eyes, scared of what would be unleashed upon her. "Fuu, my dear!"

Her eyes widened as she stared at Isamu in shock. "Wha-what are you doing here Isamu?"

He smiled, cutting her bindings as he helped her up. She turned her back, pretending to look out the window. He can't see I'm pregnant...She thought."Came to get you back, my sweet!"

"Oh, I see" She said quietly. She played with her thumbs, not sure what to do with herself.

"You're hiding something" He didn't ask, he assumed.

She looked over her shoulder at him, smiling sweetly. "No I'm not!"

"I can tell you are!"He hissed as he pulled her wrist to turn her around. He smiled evilly as he noticed her stomach was a little swollen.

She gasped at the roughness. "Hmm that pirate had his way with you didn't he?" His eyes scanned her face as he gripped her wrist tighter. "Or are you just a STUPID SLUT!" He slapped her hard across the face as she slammed onto the floor.

She curled up, forcing her legs over her stomach as a precaution against Isamu. He kicked her, making her howl in pain. He kept going as she crawled across the floor trying her best to get away. He walked after her; dragging her up by her hair as she shrieked. He pinned her against the wall, pressing himself against her. "Stupid bitch!" He punched her hard in the stomach as she collapsed onto her knees cradling her stomach as pain struck through her.

"Please stop it!" She begged as he grabbed her face with brute force.

"Why should I?" He hissed.

"Because I-" She screamed in his face as he punched her in the stomach again. She choked up some blood as she panicked to threaten him. He pinned her to the floor, tying her ankles and wrist again. He opened up her yukata, ignoring her protests. She shrieked trying to reach her hidden tanto but he grabbed it and pushed the blade into her shoulder.

He laughed darkly. She looked up, gritting her teeth as she tried not to scream. He slammed his foot into her stomach again. He ripped open the rest of her clothes and licked his lips, tears running down her dirty, sweaty face. She whimpered, she kept praying her child was still alive. She breathed heavily as Isamu straddled her hips.

"What are you doing to do to me...AHHH!" He punched her in the face as her voice cracked and her teeth grinded together.

"QUIET BITCH!"

Mugen heard screaming and ran towards a cabin which echoed the noise the most. He kicked the door down finding the Isamu bastard standing over a half naked girl. Isamu looked around as Mugen and Jin were suddenly at his side. Jin locked his arm under Isamu's chin, pressurising his throat as he flexed his arm into a death lock. Mugen looked down in shock. The figure was... Fuu. Mugen cut her binded limps and covered her in his gi.

He collapsed to his knees bringing her shaking body to his chest. "Mugen?" Fuu's voice escaped her body as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I'm here chick" He was late. "I'm..I I'm" He pulled back looking at her bruised, battered and dirty face. Her eyes held pain and glittered with past tears.

"It's okay" She whispered as she stroked his face. "You found me just in time..."

"I shoulda found ya before it even began.. are yo okay?" He helped her sit up, the blade stuck out her shoulder and he worried. Mugen looked at Jin who nodded in silent agreement.

"He punched me so many times..." Her eyes were full of tears and he didn't cuss her for it. She looked like she had a real bad beating. She deserved to cry.

"Where? Does it hurt?" Mugen was dreading to hear this story. His knuckles were turning white as he tried not to rage.

"Mugen... Can we please go? I don't want to talk about it right now..I promise I'll tell you" Her voice was cracking, she nearly sobbed the request.

"Ya need to get cleaned up first, be only a few minutes chick" Mugen patted Jin on the shoulder as Jin sat next to Fuu and simply said, "Mugen's going to have a talk with Isamu outside"

Mugen dragged him through the dirt. "What ta fuck did ya do?" Venom seeped through his breath.

"Nothing I swear" Isamu whimpered.

"Pfft, ya just a pussy who's sad enough to beat innocent girls like my girl!" As he said each word Mugen tightened his grip round Isamu's throat as he raised him mid air. His heart thudded through his throat and Mugen could feel it panicking. "Tell me what the fuck happened?!" Mugen shouted with rage, dropping Isamu to the ground.

"Fine.. I paid for someone to kidnap her. I beat her when I found she was pregnant... I beat her, stabbed her, nearly raped her and probably killed your bastard child!" Isamu half cried, half shouted the information.

"Yo son ova bitch"

Mugen had left Isamu black and blue and drowning in his own filthy blood that seeped from every pore of his body. Mugen stalked back into the doorway seeing how Fuu was. Jin explained that the blade came out alright and the stitches were a little tricky but good enough for now.

Mugen approached her, stroking her brunette locks. He picked her up bridal style, kissing her forehead lightly as she curled her body into his warmth. Jin followed.

They didn't say a word as they walked away from the cabin. Mentally shaken and exhausted from the morning, they struggled to continue through the afternoon. Mugen looked towards the horizon, he knew if he looked down at Fuu; saw her face look up at him with tears of happiness, he'd struggle not to give her to Jin and hack Isamu into a thousand pieces. Fuu understood this so buried her face into his neck and whispered lightly, "Thank you Mugen, you saved my scrawny ass again.." She laughed to herself as she felt Mugen's chuckle vibrate through his chest.

*A few hours later*

Fuu yawned, sleep threatening to blacken her vision once more.

"Tired girly?" Mugen looked at her and chuckled as she struggled to hold in another yawn as she nodded. "Oi Four Eyes! We're setting up camp now..."

They sat down as Jin finished lighting a fire and unpacking their mats. Fuu leaned her cheek against Mugen's shoulder, yawning loudly.

He yawned suddenly. Fuu laughed loudly, "Oh Mugen you're tired too!" She stood proud of making him slightly human.

"Shut up chick, ya just yawning so much that I'm infected too dimwit.."

"Infected with whaat?" She seemed agitated. Mugen loved this side of her.

"Ya idiocy"

"Oh Mugen I didn't think you knew big words?" The couple could hear Jin chuckle lightly at their banter.

"Didn't think ya had big tits...Oh wait? YA DON'T!" Mugen could see he'd wound her up now.

"Guess which jerk won't be getting laid for the rest of the journey?" She smiled at him.

"Oh shut up and get over here girly" He pulled her into his lap and bit her cheek.

"Ow? That hurt you know!" She grabbed his hair pulling his skull away from her face.

"Fuu..." Jin stood asking for her acknowledgement.

"Yes Jin?" Fuu looked up and smiled happily.

"If you like we can take you to the Doctors tomorrow?" Jin asked with yet no expression but concern in his voice.

"Ahh yeah, I nearly forgot... We don't have enough money" Fuu grabbed Mugen's face quickly before speaking. Her brown orbs searching his grey stormy eyes. "I'm okay now so there is no need to freak okay Mugen?"

"Chick, we need to go. What if..ya know" Mugen scratched his head. "Isamu had plenty of dough on him anyway"

I'm sorry I took so long. CLIFFF HANGERRRRRR I'm sorry I've been so mean to the OTP but yo- okay hate me... ; . ; I hate myself for doing this to you guys