R&R

Hiya guys! lol

This one shot is much longer then the others if you ask me so enjoy!

Order up!: MugenxFuu:)

Oneshot 4: Mutual Feelings

By: AshAnime

The sixth bowl of ramen was slammed down on the table as Fuu gave a loud belch of approval. Mugen sometimes wondered how the hell she fit so much in that tiny frame of hers. Of course, when it came to food, he could hold his own as well, but Fuu was a completely different story.

"More please!" she chimed, grinning smugly as the owner of the place sweat-dropped nervously. The trio had managed to get an all-you-can-eat free meal from the guy after getting rid of a few Yakuza baddies. If the owner had known about the black hole that was Fuu's stomach he might have reconsidered.

"Of course, Miss," the balding man said reluctantly, bowing at the waist and collecting the empty bowls.

"Me too," Mugen added, receiving a twitching smile from the man.

"Right away, sir."

"Don't you think we've extended our visit too long?" Jin spoke up, looking at Mugen who sat next to him, and Fuu who smiled widely from across the table.

"Who knows the next time we'll eat?" she answered, rubbing her stomach. "We have to take advantage of whatever food we can get!"

Jin frowned and Mugen smirked, sitting back in his chair. "Spoken like a true fatty."

"Why you-!"

"Here's your order."

Fuu froze in mid swing and looked up at the new face. A much younger, and rather handsome, version of the restaurant owner stood before them with two large bowls. He looked to be about Fuu's age and had a smile that practically knocked her breath away.

"Hi," Fuu squeaked, excepting the bowl without taking her eyes off the boy.

"Hello to you too," the guy chuckled, placing a bowl of Ramen in front of a frowning Mugen. "I'm afraid my dad decided to call it a night. He's worked all day long so he asked me to step in for him until you guys are finished."

Fuu didn't even touch her chopsticks as she hung on every word.

"We're really grateful to you guys for getting rid of those Yakuza. They come in every week, chasing away the customers with their bullying."

Jin opened his mouth to answer but Fuu beat him to the punch.

"No, thank you!" she exclaimed, sounding giddier then ever. "This is the best meal we've had in ages!"

"Kiss-ass," Mugen mumbled under his breath, only to receive a sharp glare from Fuu.

The owner's son smiled nervously at the two and bowed. "If there's anything else you need…"

"Fuu!" the young girl quickly spoke up. "My name's Fuu."

"If there's anything else you need Fuu, my name's Hiraku and I'll be glad to help. Enjoy!" Then Hiraku went off to the back of the shop.

"Oh he's so cute!" Fuu gushed as soon as the boy was gone. She picked up her chopsticks and said a silent prayer before digging in. "I mean isn't he so nice?! Nothing like his grumpy old man!"

Mugen huffed and pushed away his bowl of ramen. Fuu's non-stop rambling was starting to make him lose his appetite. What did she see in that scrawny kid anyway?

"Hn," Jin muttered to every other sentence as Fuu continued on and on. She finished her bowl quickly and moved on to Mugen's. The pirate had somehow become immune to her continuous monologues, but for some reason this particular spiel was getting under his skin.

Usually all he heard was "Blah, blah, blah, and blah."

But this time, no matter how hard Mugen tried not to, he picked up every word.

"Hiraku is a pretty cool name don't you think? And his eyes! They're so piercing yet happy! I'm kind of embarrassed because he saw me eat all that food but hey, a lot of guys like girls with a healthy appetite. Didn't you get a good vibe from him Jin? I did. My mom used to always tell me I had a great perception of people. Do you think Hiraku will-"

"Give it a rest, will ya?!" Mugen suddenly blurted. "While you're out here getting all cross-eyed over the idiot, he's back there going about his business. He aint giving you the time of day any time soon."

Fuu slurped down the last of Mugen's bowl and dropped it with a heavy thud. "And what makes you say that, Mugen?! Just because you don't like me doesn't mean every other guy's the same!"

"Maybe we should leave," Jin suggested, only to be ignored.

"The guy was just itching to get away from you," Mugen continued, leaning unto the table with his elbows. "Yer lucky I'm even warning you. You were this close to making a complete ass of yourself."

"Just shut up Mugen!" Fuu hissed, suddenly rising to a stand. "I'll show you. Wait outside while I talk to him. I'm going to leave this place with a date for tomorrow!"

Mugen shrugged, trying desperately to ignore his throbbing temple. "Whatever you say girly." He stood, grabbed his sword, and followed a silent Jin out into the humid night air. The chirp of crickets and the buzz of flies could be heard everywhere.

"You shouldn't do that," Jin said, causing Mugen to look at him questioningly.

"Do what?"

"Say things you don't mean."

Mugen looked away from the pale samurai and turned his shaggy head towards the moon. He used his foot to scratch his ankles as the mosquitoes bit at them relentlessly. Nothing irked him more then when Jin decided to get all-knowing and mysterious on him. His headache was killing him enough.

"I don't know what yer talking about," he said, idly picking his teeth.

"Hn."

The two suddenly felt a presence behind them and turned to see Fuu standing there. Her head was bowed and eyes downcast. It didn't take a genius to know what happened.

"Are you alright?" Jin asked, looking down at the saddened girl as she nodded her head.

Mugen found it strange that he didn't have the urge to yell "Told you so!"

"Let's just find a place to sleep," Fuu murmured, turning on her heel and starting down the dark street. Occasionally her hand would reach up to rub her face, and it didn't take long for Mugen to realize she was crying.

For the briefest second he imagined himself beating the shit out of the scrawny Hiraku bastard, but as quickly as the thought came he shook it away. What the hell did he care if Fuu was a little hurt? It was her own damn fault for not listening to him.

"We'll stay here," Jin suddenly announced, stopping in front of a dimly lit inn. "We have enough for one night."

The three quickly filed in and paid for a small room with creaky floors. After polishing his sword and glasses, Jin headed off to bed on the moldy mats provided. Mugen found himself a comfortable spot next to the window and quickly prepared for a good night's sleep as well.

Fuu was the only one who's mat laid untouched as she sat in a corner. Her forehead lay on her knees as she curled up in her little space. Mugen faced his back towards her and tried not to notice the depressing position.

"Why haven't you said it yet?" a muffled voice asked into the quiet darkness.

Mugen looked over to see that Jin was asleep, which meant the question was obviously for him. "Said what?" he grumbled, leaning up as he sat on his hands. The truth was, he couldn't sleep. There was something in him that just itched for an argument.

"I told you so," Fuu answered, lifting her head slightly. "I was so ready for you to yell it as soon as you saw my face, but…"

"But?"

"Nothing… you said nothing."

"There was nothing' to say," Mugen bit out. "It's your own fault for actually thinking the guy might be interested."

"Thanks for the conformation," Fuu drawled, standing and finally prepping her mat for sleep. There was ice in her words. "I cant travel with you guys forever, you know. Eventually I'll find a nice, simple man to settle down with. He'll treat me with respect like Jin, and better then you ever have."

"Feel sorry for the sucker already," Mugen laughed sourly, "and he doesn't even exist."

Fuu sat on her mat, seething with anger. "Go to hell, Mugen."

"Plan on it."

"Why are you so infuriating?!" she growled.

Mugen turned away from Fuu's stabbing gaze and tried to cool the fiery pit in his stomach. He never felt like this in any of their other fights. What was so different about this one? "Go find yer simple guy already!" he lashed back. "I helped you find the sunflower samurai but I didn't agree to the search for Mr. Right!"

"I don't need your help!" Fuu yelled back.

Jin turned in his sleep, oblivious to the fighting match going on right above him.

"Good! Didn't plan on giving it!"

Fuu stood up from her mat and walked to the edge of Jin's. She stood there, casting her blazing gaze down on Mugen. "I hate you," she whispered, her eyes puffy. "I've never really thought I could hate someone but I hate you, Mugen."

The fiery pit in Mugen's stomach grew, licking at his insides. He was used to hate, heck he delivered it, but hearing it in Fuu's small voice…

"Whatever," he mumbled, his head pounding. "I don't care. I'm used to it."

Fuu laughed bitterly. "That doesn't surprise me." She turned to head back to her mat but gasped as she felt an iron grip take hold of her arm. Not a single creak was heard when Mugen came up behind her.

"That fucking bastard didn't deserve you," he breathed, his voice hard and laced with anger. "And if yer too dumb to see that…"

"Then who does, Mugen?" Fuu asked, turning to face the Ryukyu pirate with tears in her eyes.

"I…" Mugen stopped himself. Something was stirring inside his gut and he didn't like it. It was a feeling that almost made him say something stupid. Looking down at Fuu, her eyes watering and face flushed, he realized something.

And he didn't like it.

"For me," he said, staring straight at her. "No one will ever deserve you."

Fuu's big brown eyes widened. She continued to stare as Mugen stepped over Jin and headed back to his mat. There was something she saw in Mugen's eyes just a second ago, and she didn't know if she was frightened or relieved by it.

"Goodnight," Mugen muttered from by the window, laying down on his mat with a sigh. Fuu returned to hers as well and slowly lowered herself to lay down. Her heart was beating so rapidly in her chest she was sure it would burst.

"I don't hate you," she called out in the dark.

Mugen smirked. The feeling in his stomach had subsided but a glimmer of it was still there. He still didn't know what the hell to do about it, but he'd figure it out eventually.

"The feeling's mutual."

So what'd you think? Their feelings are pretty clear don't you think? Trust me, in the next one, they'll clearer! I already have the next one typed up but I'm not uploading it until tomorrow:) Please take the time to Review and THANKYOU to all who have! You don't know how grateful I am!

Mugen: I swear you are such a pansy when it comes to these bitches.

AshAnime: No one asked for your opinion Mugen!

Mugen: Hey I'm just telling it like I see it!

AshAnime: Be grateful! If it weren't for me your fan base wouldn't notice your sweet side!

Mugen: Sweet side!? Did this bitch just say sweet side?! Oh hell no this fiction crap needs to end now!

AshAnime: *sticks out tongue* Sorry loverboy! I'm going to keep writing until my fingers fall off!

Mugen: *smirks* That can be arranged.

AshAnime: *Turns to reader* Forget the Jerk and review please! KISSES!