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Welcome to Part II!

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Oneshot 21: The Dojo, Part II

by AshAnime

Mugen sat at the entrance to the Dojo, glaring at every bright eyed kid who passed him. Not only were their optimistic faces annoying him, he had been in a sour mood ever since Jin told him the fatal news.

"Fuu's coming tomorrow."

"Fuu's what?!"

Jin gave him a calm, leveled gaze. "I want her here for the dojo's grand opening. Is there a problem?"

Mugen growled as a sticky fingered boy tried to touch his sword, promptly scaring the kid away. When he walked through the door yesterday evening, he knew that the girl sitting across from Jin was Fuu. She had the same big, brown eyes, and milky white skin. The only difference was that her hair fell down her back in a ponytail, chopsticks gone, and an orange kimono graced her slight shoulders.

Pretending he didn't know who she was a coping mechanism.

"Are you Master Jin?"

Mugen's dark brown eyes shot up to glare at a mother and her son. They stood in front of him with cheerful expressions as other young boys continued to walk past.

"Do I fucking look like Master Jin to you?"

The woman visibly paled and her son frowned. "I suppose not," she choked out, grabbing her boy by the shoulders and guiding him through the entrance quickly.

Yeah, the day was proving to be a crappy one, and it only worsened as two familiar figures started up the path.

"We came back just in time!" Fuu's chipper voice carried into his ear, causing the pirate to cringe.

"Yeah," Taiji said. "I'm glad you let me show you around. It was fun, right?"

Fuu nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely!"

Their bubbly mood quickly simmered at the sight of Mugen.

Fuu lowered her gaze and rubbed her arms nervously, but Taiji decided to go in for the kill.

"Hey Mugen. We were just-"

"Where the hell of you been?" the agitated sword slinger grumbled, rising to a stand. "Four eyes was looking for you this morning."

Taiji gulped and Fuu stiffened. "I was showing Fuu around. We decided to leave early so that we could make it back in time for the grand opening. Plus we got to spread the word around even more so-"

"Like I said before," Mugen started, piercing gaze unwavering. "Jin was looking for ya."

Taiji sighed. "Right." He turned to Fuu and shrugged. "See you around, I guess. I'll show you the harbor later."

She managed a weak smile. "Can't wait."

The eager student left, leaving the tension between Mugen and Fuu to fester.

"Got a hand it to you, girly," Mugen spoke up first, leaning against the doorframe of the entrance. "Not even here a full day and already you got yourself a boyfriend."

Fuu grimaced. "I just met him, Mugen. Taiji is not my boyfriend."

The ryukyu pirate shrugged. "Could've fooled me."

"Excuse me. I want to greet the boys with Jin." Fuu tried to skirt around Mugen, but froze as his face came down to her ear. "What are you-"

"That flower in yer hair, where'd ya get it?"

A frown graced her pink lips. "The field down the road. Taiji-" Suddenly, she realized why Mugen had asked her that question. "Taiji picked it for me."

"Thought so."

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Mugen Lazily watched as Fuu, Jin and Taiji chattered excitedly about how great the first day went. Of course Jin did little chattering, but that was expected. Quite frankly, the pirate had no intention of interrupting them. It seemed that everyone got along nicely when he wasn't involved. As soon as he opens his lips there's always a dark, invisible veil of tension that falls over all of their faces.

"Fuu, do you mind brewing some tea for us?" Jin suddenly asked.

Fuu gave him a weird look and started towards the kitchen. "Sure, no problem."

Mugen raised a single brow as Jin rose and motioned for Taiji to do the same. "Come with me," he told him in a leveled tone, and the two headed for the door.

"Didn't you just ask for tea?" Mugen asked, sitting up on his hands.

He could have sworn he saw Jin slightly turn his head and smirk before the doors closed behind him and a resounding click was heard. Don't tell me he-

"Tea's ready!" Fuu walked out of the kitchen only to be nearly toppled over by Mugen. "Hey! Watch it!"

"The sneaky bastard!" he exclaimed. Not only had Jin locked the door leading into the main part of the house, it seems he got Taiji to roll a few barrels in front of the door leading outside.

"What's going on?" Fuu demanded, setting the teapot and cups down.

"We've been tricked, that's what!"

"Tricked?"

"You are not allowed to leave until you speak to one another," a muffled voice called through the door, startling Fuu.

"Jin? Is that you?" She tried opening the door but it wouldn't budge. "This isn't like you, Jin. You've never cared whether or not we hated each other before."

There was a pause, and for a split second Mugen thought they would be freed.

"I did not ask for it to happen, but you two are my friends. Work out your problems and then you will be let out. Your frowns and glaring are scaring away my students. Try to slice your way out Mugen, and I will personally stop you." Then the sound of retreating footsteps could be heard, disappearing down the hallway.

"He's serious," Fuu mumbled, slightly shocked.

"Four eyes usually is."

She turned on her heels and squared her shoulders. "Well he wants us to talk, so let's talk."

Mugen made a show of yawning and stretching his limbs. "I don't know. Maybe I'll take a nap first."

Fuu sighed and shook her head. "This is exactly why we're fighting in the first place, Mugen. You don't care about anyone but yourself."

He squinted at her and crossed his arms. "Quit acting like you're right all the goddamn time. You've been off on your own for how long now? Who's really the one only caring about themselves?"

"It's called having a life!" Fuu exploded. "We all went our separate ways because that's what we agreed on. Lucky for you, you happened to find Jin."

Mugen rolled his eyes. "And you stayed cooped up in some dumb ass town serving tea to smelly old hags."

Fuu placed her hands on her hips and tried to stop the pinch from forming between her brows. She didn't need lines and wrinkles all because of an annoying pirate. "Ok so you're mad because I never contacted you. Why don't you just come out and say it instead of acting like a complete and total jerk?!"

"I didn't need your company then and I don't need it now."

"That's not how I see it." Fuu paced back and forth. "All you've done since I got here is go on and on about how I never tried to find you guys."

"Well you didn't," Mugen stated calmly.

"But why does it have to be me?!" she exclaimed, halting her steady pace and turning to stare Mugen directly in the face. "Why do I have to be the one to take initiative?! Why weren't you the one to come looking for me?"

Mugen looked down at the teapot. "I couldn't"

"And why not, Mugen?" Fuu sighed, taking a step forward. "Why is it so hard for you to show people that you care? It can't be me all the time, and Jin's already doing as much as he can."

He didn't say anything.

"Show me, Mugen," Fuu whispered. "Show me that you care. For once just show me that you can-" Her eyes widened as tan hands gently grabbed her face and brought it towards parted lips. She had never seen such a peaceful expression on Mugen's face until that very moment, as his eyes closed in bliss. Without even realizing it, Fuu sighed into the kiss and felt her lids drooping as well. Their hips met and, after a few steps, she felt herself being backed up against a wall.

"I need air," she mumbled against his kisses, and finally felt him let up after one more press against her lips.

Their chests heaved up and down, pressing against each other.

"Convinced now, girly?"

Fuu stared up into the void that was Mugen's eyes and tried to slow her rapid heart beat. "All this time you… I wanted to find you, I did. But I thought you considered me a burden. All I did was bother you back then."

Mugen's fingers trailed up Fuu's arm, over her shoulder and then the side of her face. "Yer weird," he mumbled fondly, getting a surprised squeak in return.

"What do you mean I'm-"

"I've yelled at you and called you names more times than I can count, and look at you now, blushing just because I'm touching yer face."

Fuu grabbed Mugen's wondering hand and tried to cool the burning in her cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about," she huffed, pouting and looking away.

Mugen stole his hand back and placed it on her chin. He guided her face back to him and hovered enticingly in front of her lips. "I'm not good with words, so I showed you. Now it's your turn. What'll it be… Fuu?"

For some reason, the fact that he said her actual name, caused a shiver to race down Fuu's spine. She placed her forehead against Mugen's and licked her lips. Yesterday evening she was so shaken by the fact that Mugen just walked right past her, ignoring her presence. She had started to wonder if maybe the time they spent together wasn't as special as she made it out to be. That maybe she was a desperate, sniveling, sentimental little girl who needed to get a grip.

But then Mugen kissed her.

He kissed her and everything finally fell into place. She finally had a reason for brushing off every guy's advances over the past two years. She could finally except the fact that not only did she want to stay in this town because it was beautiful, but because it had one thing no where else did.

Mugen.

"I'm not like you," she whispered against his face, causing his brow to jut upward. "I can tell you and show you how I feel."

Fuu leaned away a little, so that she could take all of his features in.

"I love you, Mugen."

And then, she kissed him.

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BYE! SEE YOU NEXT TIME!