Mugen took a few deep breaths of the night air, and he started to feel a little better. At least, his stomach did. His heart felt like he really had stomped on it. Fuu was probably going to think the worst and kick him out. And he really didn't want to leave her. She was starting to mean a lot to him. He didn't really know exactly what love was, but he was pretty sure he was feeling something close to it with her. She made him feel like he was doing something worthwhile with his life. And he wasn't gonna trash it all on this chick from his past.
They sat down on a grassy knoll a couple miles out from the city. The sky was turning gray; it was an hour before the sun would come up. On the way here, he had been trailing after her, thankful that she hadn't tried to talk. Yatsuha took a deep breath.
"Okay. Now, don't freak out on me or anything, but...I've been looking for you."
"Huh? Why? Don't tell me the government-"
"No, that's not it, Mugen." She looked at him then, her eyes intense in the dim light. "See, ever since I left you-"
"Knocked out and propped against a tree?"
"Yeah, sorry about that. But, ever since then I vowed I would come back and find you."
"Why?" Mugen's lips stuck out like they always did when he was trying to understand something. Yatsuha smiled.
"Well, your fighting technique is awesome, and-"
"You wanna make me into a ninja or somethin'?"
"Would you be quiet for a moment?"
"Sure thing." He started plucking the grass irritably. She knew he didn't want to be here, but telling him couldn't hurt, could it? She'd searched forever, and she felt she at least owed herself this one moment.
"Look, I've got feelings for you." Mugen's head snapped up.
"Wha?"
"That's right. When you helped me fight off those counterfeiters, I just...fell in love. And I can't stop thinking about it. For five years..." Mugen stood up.
"Listen, lady. I don't even know you. You might be thinking about me all the time, and that's real nice, but I forgot all about you. I'm not really-"
"It's her, isn't it?"
"Eh?"
"The girl with your earring. I know it's yours. You gave it to her, didn't you?" Mugen sighed and sat on the cold grass again.
"Yep, sweetheart. I did. Couldn't pull the wool over your eyes, could I?"
"No, you couldn't. You love her, don't you?" Yatsuha pulled a dandelion out of the ground and started picking at it.
"You could say that. I've known her for years. When I met you, I was her bodyguard. We were looking for her father. She was more like a sister to me back then. We went different ways after she found her dad. Then I found her again a few months ago. I never knew..." He trailed off, not wanting to share too much of his inner thoughts with her.
"I guess I was too late. If I had found you sooner...do you think...?"
"I don't know." He lay his hand on hers, and she dropped the shredded dandelion. "Hey, I'm sorry. This must really suck for you. I hate breakin' a lady's heart."
"Sounds like you're an old pro."
"Nah. Most of the chicks I've been with didn't spend enough time with me to... Well, never mind."
"It's all right, Mugen. I'll get over you. I was really just going off a whim, anyway."
"Kind of a stupid thing, huh?"
"Yeah, kind of stupid."
"But hey. You really are great, and for the record, you really did turn me on." Yatsuha laughed.
"Thank you."
"You're not gonna get all weird on Fuu, are you? Cuz, if you wanna take it out on her, I'm gonna halfta cross swords with you." He locked eyes with her, and she knew he'd fight to the death for the girl called Fuu.
"Nah, I won't interfere. Though I wouldn't mind fighting with you again." Mugen stretched and stood up again.
"Probably not the best idea. It's been nice talkin' to ya, and I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I gotta go back to Fuu's and see if she'll still have me. She looked pretty freaked out when she saw me walk out the door with you."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, no worries. I got this. She'll be alright." He turned around and headed down the hill as the sun started to come up.
"Later."
"I'm afraid not, Mugen." Yatsuha whispered after him.