R&R

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Hope you can catch all of the hidden meanings and hints in this one shot before I explain it all in the end:)

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Oneshot 22: Sunflower

by AshAnime

Mugen took another swig of the burning liquid, tilting his head all the way back until he felt his hair tickle the back of his neck. He was a restless traveler, but for some reason this town had him rooted to the very spot. He couldn't bring himself to leave the bar stool of what had to be the best liquor joint in all of Japan. Every night the sweet booze had him hammered enough to actually get some sleep. No fitful nightmares… and no memories of the past.

"Hi there!"

Mugen's blood shot eyes swiveled in the direction of the perky voice to his right. He squinted in that direction, finding nothing but air. He suddenly felt someone tug on his gi, and his gaze dropped a few feet.

Standing next to him, with big brown eyes and a toothy grin, was a little girl no older then six or seven.

Mugen scratched the back of his head and peered out into the crowds of people walking past the open bar. He didn't see any frantic or flustered parents. "Get out of here kid!" he grumbled, turning away and staring down into his frothy alcohol. The last thing he needed was some snot nosed brat bothering him. Especially one with eyes that reminded him so much of…

No. He wasn't going to think about that now. Not here.

"My name's Himawari!" The little girl chirped, completely ignoring Mugen's temper, "But you can call me Hima!"

Mugen placed his hand in his head and groaned. "Look kid, I don't know what you're doing here, and I don't even fucking care why. Get out of here and go find your parents." He peeked out of the corner of his hand to see that Himawari had already placed herself in the stool next to his.

She stared at him, wide eyed.

"Did you just say a bad word?"

Mugen grimaced. "So what if I did?"

Himawari stuck her nose in the air condescendingly. "Mommy said bad words are for jerks."

"Well the bitch aint that far off."

Himawari crinkled her nose. "Was that another bad word?"

Mugen sighed and looked out at the masses of people moving through town. One of these idiots had to be the kid's parents. Her clothes were clean and clearly hand washed, so she didn't seem to be an orphan. He needed her gone and soon, he was starting to get weird looks from the other drunkards.

"Where're your parents kid? Didn't they ever tell you not to talk to strangers?"

The little girl's braid whipped her in the face as she turned to stare at the crowds of people. "Mommy and daddy were taking too long. I got bored so I walked away. They'll find me, I know it! They always find me!"

Mugen raised a single brow. "They just let you walk off like this? Are you crazy, girly? You could get kidnapped or-"

"How do you know my nickname?!" Himawari suddenly blurted, leaning into Mugen's personal space.

He leaned away from her large, imploring eyes. "What the hell are you talking about? What nickname?"

"Girly!" Himawari cheered. "Mommy calls me that all the time. She's the only one who does." A thoughtful expression crossed the girl's face. "Maybe you're not a stranger mister… mister… um, what is your name?"

Mugen blinked, trying to take in everything the rambling nuisance had just said. "Mugen. That's my name. But just because you know it doesn't mean I'm not a stranger."

Himawari crinkled her brows and pouted. "You don't have to be so mean, Mugen."

"And you don't have to be so annoying."

Mugen ignored the string of childish name calling the girl pummeled him with as he downed the last of his liquor. It was different this time, though. Instead of making him feel warm, fuzzy and ready for sleep, his stomach was now in knots and all because of the little shit sitting next to him. She was making him think about things and remember arguments that happened years ago. When was the last time he had a full conversation with another human being, anyway?

"Hey, are you listening?" Himawari blurted, startlingly him out of his thoughts. He looked over to see her dangerously leaning back and forth on her bar stool.

"Cut that out!" Mugen barked. "You'll fall!"

The front legs of her stool fell forward loudly. "Sorry!" she giggled, hiding her mouth in her hands.

Mugen rolled his eyes and shoved his empty glass away from him. He reached into his shorts and pulled out a few coins before slapping them unto the table. Maybe he could ditch the little brat. It was about time he left town anyways. He had over extended his stay.

"We're you going?" Himawari asked, hopping off her stool when he did.

"Away," Mugen grumbled, swaying towards the door.

"Do you need help walking?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yup."

"Aren't you at least going to say bye?"

Mugen stopped at the doorway of the pub and looked back at the doe-eyed girl. He had to admit, the kid had guts and a maturity he kind of admired. For a split second he thought she was going to offer him one-hundred dumplings, just to get him to stay.

"So long, girly," he said, getting a frown from the little tyrant.

"Himawari?! Himawari?! You show yourself right now young lady!"

Mugen turned sharply on his feet and Himawari ran up behind him, peering around his lanky form. "Uh oh," she whispered. "Mommy's angry."

Despite the many drinks Mugen had wet his tongue with that night, he felt his mouth go dry. His heart dropped into his stomach and his hands clenched into numb fists.

No, no, no, no, no.

They had all separated. He had traveled. He never tried to get back in touch. They were strangers now. She was a merely a memory. A ghost of what used to be the only bond he knew. She shouldn't be where he was. He had traveled long and far. Miles and miles of soil, trees, oceans and people should have separated them.

But there she was.

Fuu.

Mugen gulped and quickly spun back around. He grabbed a startled Himawari by the shoulders and crouched behind a barrel with her, out of sight. "Now you listen here, girly," he whispered harshly, trying to control his haggard breathing. "I lied to you, alright? My name is not Mugen. It's… It's…"

Himawari tilted her head to the side, waiting for him to finish.

"It's Rooster!" Mugen blurted. "You got that? My name is really Rooster. Now scram before your mom starts going bat shit crazy on the whole town."

Himawari's big brown eyes continued to stare at Mugen for a couple of more seconds before she finally nodded. "Ok, Rooster's a weird name but whatever you say. It was nice talking to you."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Mugen muttered, before pushing her out in the open. She took a couple of steps forward and looked back once. Himawari saw something in his eyes, something she only saw when watching her mother lovingly caress a pressed sunflower she kept hidden in a book. It was a forlorn, longing expression. One filled with a lot of pain and regret. Without even thinking twice, she turned on her heel and quickly gathered Mugen up in her tiny arms. She pressed her cheek into his bushy hair and felt him stiffen.

"I'm glad I met you Rooster."

Mugen simply stared when the girl finally let go and darted out into the busy street.

"Himawari don't you ever do that again!" Fuu's relieved voice cried. "This is the last time, you here me?! I thought something had happened to you!"

Mugen knew he shouldn't have, but he peeked around the corner to see a much older Fuu clutching her daughter to her chest. The little girl's feet couldn't even touch the ground. His eyes darted towards a simple looking man that had walked up behind them. He placed his hand on Fuu's shoulder and she looked up at him.

"Don't be too hard on Hima, Fuu," he consoled her, staring lovingly down at the little girl. "She was probably bored. Isn't that right my little sunflower?"

Himawari grinned widely. "That's right daddy!"

Fuu frowned and kneeled down to her daughter's level. "I don't care how bored you are. Do that again, girly, and no playing with your friends for a week!"

Himawari groaned but nodded. "Yes, Mommy."

"Now let's go home."

Mugen watched as they started down the road, Himawari in the middle and her parents on either side. The irrational part of his brain said, 'What are you doing? Go to her! Spend a few days catching up and reminiscing about all the crap you two went through! Just… go!'

But… then… reality stopped him.

Fuu had a life now. She was a mother and a wife. She now had a home, something Mugen knew he would have never been able to give her. Showing himself… allowing himself to pretend it was eight years ago… it would only end up hurting them in the end.

"So who did you harass this time?" he faintly heard Himawari's father ask her.

"Mu-" the little girl stopped herself. "Rooster! He said that was his name. Strange, huh?"

"Very strange," Fuu giggled, probably just thinking her daughter had conjured up an imaginary friend. "And what did this Rooster look like?"

Mugen felt his blood freeze.

"Well he had crazy hair and… blue stuff on his wrists and ankles. He had a sword too! I should have let him show it to me! Oh and he was really tan… What's wrong mommy?"

Mugen couldn't see her face, but he knew it mirrored his own.

"Nothing Hima," he barely heard Fuu mutter. "Are you sure his name wasn't…"

"Wasn't what mommy?"

A silent pause.

"Never mind."

Mugen finally came out from behind the barrel when they were out of ear shot and cursed himself for spending all of his liquor money. How the hell was he supposed to go to sleep now? How the hell was he supposed to do anything?

He shielded his eyes against the waning sun, watching the three, a perfect family, head farther and farther out of his sight. The knot in his stomach twisted and clenched, causing his eyes to water.

That could've been me, he thought.

"That could've been me."

Wow, so i'm sorry for making this One Shot so sad guys... hehe... but I promise the next one will be a little better. And did you notice that this is the first oneshot where Mugen and Fuu don't say a word to each other? Yup, i'm heartless and cruel. How many of you already knew Himawari was Fuu's daughter?

Fun Facts:

Himawari means sunflower in Japanese.

The Rooster is Mugen's totem. You can see images of it behind him in the theme song:)

Thanks to these seriously awesome reviewers!:

HaruKuro

Tanto Storm

fuusunshine

Eve et Zod'a

YungHime

Lady Taurus

Brittany (GUEST) - Thanks for being such a fan:)

VampireAreej - Thanks for sooo many reviews:)

OrangeBananaRiLen

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Fuu: Thanks so much for reading guys, and sorry if this one shot made you cry!

Mugen: Don't baby the pansies Fuu! *turns to readers* Wipe your fucking tears and get over it!

Fuu: Mugen some people are sensitive!

Mugen: The only thing they should be sensitive too is my fists!

*more arguing ensues*

AshAnime: Ummm, it seems Mugen and Fuu are occupied at the moment. *dodges flying shoe* Bye and see you guys next time!