Taking Care of You
By the Alternative Source
Disclaimer: I don't own anything when it comes to Samurai Champloo. Except my story of course. Lol.
Summary: Fuu gets seriously injured when she saves Mugen during an attack.
Chapter 13
Previously on Taking Care of You
The room became silent as they took in what happened. Mugen lowered his sword and stepped over to Fuu. Jin entered the room with Arashi on his back and quietly stood next to them. A cough erupted from Juro and broke the silence. Blood pooled out of his mouth and dribbled on the floor.
"You…you...bitch," he spat out as he stood up.
Fuu's eyes widened. The guy had a blade through his chest and he's still walking. Mugen took a step forward but Fuu stopped him. Looking up into Juro's eyes she saw what he was. He was a truly malicious man with only hate and revenge on his mind.
"I'm not a bitch..…You shouldn't have come here," she said as Juro coughed again and tried to grip the sword in his chest. As soon as he touched it he winced and fell to the ground.
Juro smiled and reached for his pocket. He pulled out a small ball of some sort, "Good thing I have an insurance policy."
"Put that shit down!" Mugen yelled as he pointed his sword at him.
He smirked and looked at Fuu, "See you in hell."
With that he threw the ball. And as soon as it hit the ground it exploded and knocked Fuu unconscious.
Chapter 13
It ran over her face. Over her cheeks. Over her eyes. And finally over her lips. A warm moist cloth ran over the skin of her arms. And then gently over her legs. Soothing her instantly in turn.
She hadn't opened her eyes yet but she could feel the warm cloth gliding over her skin softly. And when it was over she missed the warmth. She missed the touch. Seconds later a door slid shut and she knew that she was alone. Opening her eyes she took in the wooden roof. She was in a wooden room.
'Where am I?'
Lifting herself up she groaned as the stiffness in her arms and legs intensified. Stretching her arms out she pushed the blanket off of herself. As she looked around she realized that she was in a bedroom. A bedroom with two futons. The other futon was right next to hers and had crumbled sheets on top. The room also had a wardrobe and small desk in the room. But what surprised her most was the quality of everything. The wardrobe and small desk were of the darkest wood with small engravings. And the bed had the softest sheets she had ever sleep in. And this put her on guard.
After stretching out her limbs Fuu slowly lifted herself up. And that's when she noticed even more differences. She was dressed in a red silk kimono with green leaves that seems to be floating around the middle. Running her hand over it she gasped. It was the softest cloth that her hands had ever laid on. Exasperated she ran her hand through her hair.
'Oh my god. My hair.'
It was cut short. Cropped down to the same style as a young boy. It didn't even go past her ears. This definitely didn't feel right. Something was wrong. Making her way to the shoji door she tried to remember what had happened last.
She had thought everything was done when Juro was stabbed. But he had cheated. He had used a bomb. She was sure of it. And what disturbed her the most is that she couldn't understand how she got here. Mugen and Jin were probably gone. She wouldn't be here if they were around. Her lip trembled and her heart tightened painfully as she realized that they weren't here. They couldn't be here.
Opening the door she saw that the hall was just as beautiful as the room. And it wasn't creepy or quiet. It was actually quite warm and charming. But still out of place for her. Closing the door quietly she made her way down the hallway.
'Mugen where are you? I need you.'
The sound of a pot falling startled her and she nearly knocked over a pot that was sitting on a small table in the hall. Squaring her shoulders and holding back the tears she made her way down the hall and towards the sound. She needed answers and needed to know where Mugen was.
'He could be hurt.'
The sound of pots and utensils became louder. Someone was cooking. And at that moment she realized that she was obviously headed towards the kitchen. Quietly she made her way to the door and listened. The sounds had stopped. No more pots were moving around. Listening closely her eyes widened as she heard footsteps coming closer and before she could react the door slid open.
"Fuu?"
Looking up she saw that the man that had opened the door was Jin. He looked healthy and his clothes looked relatively the same. No traces of the wealthy house that they were currently in could be seen on him. He pulled her in for a hug.
"Thought you were not going to wake up this time."
"Jin, where are we?" she said as he pulled away from the quick hug.
He ran a hand over her short locks and replied, "We're at home."
Fuu gave him a confused look, "Home?"
He seemed to have pulled his emotions back into place as he nodded, "Yes, home. We moved in here about a month and a half ago."
"But why? I don't understand. Did we rob somebody? What happened? And Mugen? Where is he? Where is he Jin?" the questions flowed out of her lips quickly as she began to break down.
Jin stepped closer again and placed his hands on her shoulder, "It's alright Fuu. We moved in after the explosion. Juro he had a bomb and you were the closest to him. You ended up the worst off of all of us. Mugen and I just gained some cuts and burns. Maybe a little too much of the top. But you…got hurt. You hurt your head. The doctors didn't know if you would wake up because of your previous injuries combined with the apparent head trauma. And Mugen wouldn't give up on you. Took you with us when we collected the reward from the government. Apparently we took care of Juro for them. He had been a problem for a while for them. And it wasn't a small reward. Bought a small house."
"And Mugen?" Fuu voiced quietly as she looked up at Jin. This was a lot of information to take in but right now she wanted to see him. Wanted to make sure that he was alright.
"He took care of you. Wouldn't let me near you. Took care of himself though. It was really a surprise to see him after the first day."
'He took care of me. And himself? What does he mean by that?'
Fuu bit her lip as she took in this other bit of information. He had taken care of her. Without question he had taken care of her for over a month while waiting for her. And that made her want to see him more than ever.
"Where is he?"
The corner of Jin's mouth raised itself and he said, "I'm glad you're alright….He's outside. Hanging your clothes."
Fuu cocked her head at his comment. Jin went over to the pots and continued cooking, "My clothes?"
Without looking up Jin replied, "Wouldn't let me near anything that had to do with you. Ask him?"
And that's exactly what she planned on doing. Turning around she began to make her way down the hall. First she was walking. Then she was jogging. Until at the end she was finally running. Running to find Mugen. She opened shoji door after shoji door looking for him until she opened a door that led to outside.
And….he was there.
She must have been making too much noise. Or he must have been just about to head inside because he was at attention and he was facing the shoji doors. He was standing across a court yard. By a clothes line with brightly colored kimonos that were obviously hers. And he looked….different. His eyes had gone large and she saw a smile emerge on his face. Not just a smirk when he had killed someone that was an opponent. Or a smile after they had made some sort of profit. It was a smile of someone that was happy to see someone else.
Fuu smiled at him and everything seemed to slow down as she made her way over to him. This was the man that she had grown up with. The man that had changed her life when he came into the tea house she worked at. The man that she had fallen in love with. And he was the man that she had risked herself for. He began to step towards her and she could see that he was as skinny as always. But his clothes were different. He was wearing a short sleeved shirt with long pants. He was also wearing brown boots. He looked like a foreigner. His hair was also cut short and combed to the side neatly.
'This can't be Mugen.'
But the smirk on his face said otherwise. This was her Mugen. Before she knew it she was in his arms. She felt him kiss her head and wrap his arms tighter around her. She was lifted off the ground slightly as he held her. She ran her hands up his back and curled her hands in his shirt. This was her Mugen. The one and only. Her heart tightened in her chest and tears formed in her eyes as she took him in. This was her Mugen. He even smelled like him. Fresh rain and musk.
He peppered her head with kisses and she couldn't believe that he was openly showing her emotion. He pulled back from her slightly and kissed her in a rush. His lips slid across hers hungrily and his hands gripped her hair tightly. He pressed his body closer to hers and his kisses slowed down to a leisurely pace. Her breathing was harsh and uneven as he stopped kissing her and held her close.
"Wow," she whispered as he kissed her again, "I'm happy to see you too."
He swallowed and caught his breathe as he kissed her one more time, "You're awake."
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry," he said into her mouth as he kissed her.
She pulled back slightly and stared up at his face. Something was different, "What?"
"I should have known he had something. Fuck, I should have known," he said harshly.
She took his face in her hands and pressed herself closer to him, "No. It's alright. Ok. We're ok."
"It's all that matters," he said as he pulled her against him and kissed her.
'Ok, enough of this. What's wrong?'
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah," he looked at her oddly.
"Ummmm, not that I don't love this….but you've never acted like this before and…I'm not used to it."
He gave her a smirk and she saw the mirth in his eyes. This was her Mugen alright, "Times change girly."
She gave a short laugh, "This much."
He pressed a hand to her cheek and she leaned into it. Softly he said, "I spent about a month looking after you. Didn't know if you were going to wake up. Took care of you. Clothed you and fed you. Even bathed you. Loved that part," he said with a chuckle, "Never done that for somebody. Never. It's only been you. And…I realized I don't have time to be fucking about. If I want something I should go after it. And not give a shit about the consequences."
Fuu smiled brightly at him as he spoke, "So the hair?" she said as she looked up at his short locks.
He gave a snort and ran his hand through her short hair, "Just like you. Got burned the hell up while trying to get to you. Decided to chop it off. Kind of like it better. Plus the ladies like it."
Fuu laughed and smacked his arm, "Ladies?"
He surprised her by kissing her, "Only you. What do you think? No more tangles and shit."
"I like it. I'm never going to get used to this."
"Better get used to it. We've got money now. Don't have to do anymore shit."
"No more thieving?"
"Got a business to run."
"Really?"
Mugen stood straight and looked down at her, "Have a boat business. Small but starting up. Got a couple people working for me. For me. Can you believe that shit?"
Fuu gave a little laugh. This was still her Mugen. He was still her pirate. He was still rude and rash. Just with a different look. A different attitude. And she really couldn't understand how he could change like that.
"Nope. Can't believe. Where's the real Mugen?" she said teasingly.
He narrowed his eyes at her, "Right in front of you girly. Different packaging. I'll agree with that. But still me."
"You sure?"
He smacked her bottom and she gave out a shriek, "I'm sure."
"Why you little.." Fuu said as she prepared to hit him right back. He silenced her by quickly kissing her. The kiss left her momentarily shocked. She couldn't get used to this Mugen.
"If I knew that's all it took to shut you up I would have done it as often as possible," he said as he took her hand and began to drag her to the house.
"Jerk."
He led her through the shoji doors and through the halls, "Wench."
She smiled from behind him and laced her fingers with his. He pushed through another shoji door and she saw that they were in a small room with a low table. A table that was currently being filled with food by Jin.
"Finally!" Mugen said as he led her over to the table. Since her body was still a little tired he helped her sit down. After that he plopped down next to her and began to dig in.
"Impatient," Jin said as he sat down and began to eat as well.
Fuu began to pile her plate up and eat. She felt like she hadn't eaten anything in ages. And with all the food that Jin had prepared he knew that too.
When everyone was done eating Mugen surprised her again by taken her plates and taking them to the kitchen. He then helped her up and led her out of the room and down the halls.
"Can't let Jin wash all of them."
"He'll handle."
He led her through a door. It was the bedroom that she had woken up in, "I can help him."
He closed the door behind him and led her over to her futon. When she was comfortably on the futon he replied, "He's used to it. I run the business and he acts as the dutiful housewife."
Fuu gave a snort and watched as he took off his shirt and laid down on the futon next to her, "You're sleeping in here?"
He put his arms behind his head, "My room."
She smiled and turned onto her side, "Jerk."
He turned and looked at her and said nothing. Looking down at her futon and then back at her he got up into a half sitting position. Reaching over he pulled her futon flush against his.
"What are you doing?" she asked as he lay back down and closed his eyes.
"What does it look it?"
"Well…I don't know. Definitely not trying to sleep with me because your eyes are closed but…"
"Wouldn't say that."
"What?"
"About sleeping with you. I would like too. But gotta give your weak little body time to heal. Now go to sleep."
All the while he kept his eyes closed as he spoke to her. A smirk graced his face and Fuu watched him as she lay down. He was trying to make everything normal again. He was trying to argue with her. Just like the old days, "You're weird."
"Look who's talking. Looking like a boy."
"Hey!" Fuu said as she clenched her fist, "It'll grow back!"
Mugen gave a laugh, "You're so easy."
Fuu kept quiet as she watched him relax. He was falling asleep. She was sure of it. And he was totally relaxed. Still had his sword right next to his futon but she could tell that he was different. Something must have changed while she was out. Something that she would never understand had made him change. And it had to do with her.
She was startled out of her thoughts as Mugen said, "Are you going to stare at me all night?"
Fuu huffed annoyingly, "No."
"Then go to sleep."
Fuu laid down on her futon and closed her eyes. She was staring. She was just observing him. As she thought about this she felt her futon shift as Mugen reached out over her and pulled her closer to him. She didn't say anything as he rolled her so that she was on her side with her head tucked in the crook of his neck. He tangled his legs with hers and just when she thought that he was going to pull a move on her he relaxed and didn't move.
Fuu was shocked to say the least. They were tangled together intimately and he wasn't trying to do anything.
"Don't worry. Not going to try anything. Well at least not tonight," he mumbled into her hair in a whisper.
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Must you question everything?"
"Yes," she replied quickly, "I just…think this is new. I know that we agreed to take things slow but…"
"Fuck slow. Take it any way we want. Told you outside. Times change. There's no more out there for a thief like me. Learned that when I was taking care of you. Can't do it no more. Here and then maybe but not like before. Ok?"
Fuu couldn't see his face as he said this and only nodded in response.
"Now go to sleep. The quicker you get better the quicker you can start cleaning around here," he said as he pulled the sheets over them.
"What? Why do I have too?"
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Because I said so."
"I hate you."
"I love you."
Fuu sharply turned her head up and Mugen gave a shout of pain, "What the hell you'd do that for?"
She pulled away from him and saw that he was rubbing his jaw, "What did you say?"
He kept on rubbing his jaw as he looked over at her with an annoyed glance, "You heard me."
"You love me?"
"Don't push it," he said as he laid her back down and tucked her into the crook of his neck.
"You love me," she stated in surprise as she ran a hand over his chest.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't push it."
Fuu smiled into his neck and kissed it softly. Things had changed between them. So greatly that he had said those three words. Those three words that made her forgive him for everything that he ever said to her. Made her forgive him for all the jokes and all the shouting. Three words that she thought she would never hear. And all because of that one event. All because of what happened with Juro.
He kissed her head softly and she whispered back, "I love you too."
For once everything was right. Fuu was in the arms of a man that she loved and cared for deeply. And Mugen had his arms around the one thing he loved more than anything in his life. As Fuu closed her eyes and delved into a peaceful sleep she missed the look on Mugen's face. It was a soft warm look. A look that he had never given anyone. A look that never passed over his face. A look that he had never planned on giving to the woman pressed against him. A look that was solely for her. And it all changed because of one stubborn girl who once needed his help. A girl that grew up right in front of his eyes and turned into the one woman who defended him without thinking what it would do to her.
And as he held her closer he thanked whatever had changed his life and given him something that a thug like him never deserved. Her.
The End!!!!
Author's Note: Ahhhh!!!! Can you believe that it's over????? I can't! Yay!!! I want to thank everyone that has reviewed and helped along the way to make this an awesome fic. Sorry that it took so long though. I've been in England for the last couple of months and I've had the biggest writers block in the world!!! But I'm back.
I know that I could have gone further but maybe this is where things should end. AND!!!!! I know that he's different. But you have to understand……things change. He realized that the world didn't have time for thugs like him anymore. Plus they're growing up. I could have made him more harsh but he's happy. For once he's happy that something is going his way. Because I think that something inside of him wants to just relax and give up all that crazy shit. Especially for Fuu. But he's still the same Mugen we love.
Hope you enjoyed the kissing scene too!!! I think it was pretty hot!!!
SO FOR THE FINAL TIME ON TAKING CARE OF YOU (UNLESS YOU GUYS WANT AN EPILOGUE WITH KIDS AND STUFF) REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, AND REVIEW!!!
Ciao!
p.s. I was thinking about doing some oneshots to keep the Mugen/Fuu love going while I finish my other fanfics and I wanted to know if there are any ideas out there?????