Okay, so i've been wanting to post this since last week but i thought Fan Fic changed up the copy and paste part of the doc manager. It turns out that it gives me all of the bold italic and other options when I come BACK to edit the document. Whoops, lol. But at least I figured it out now, though idk why they changed it up in the first place. Anyways...

Enjoy~

Oneshot 32: The Charming Pirate
by AshAnime

Fuu giggled into her hand as Mugen launched another pebble into the air, the tiny stone hitting its target square in the back. She quickly looked away as the bald old man turned in exasperation, once again attempting to find out who was pelting him from behind. Fuu's eyes met Mugen's as he turned towards her, pretending that they were having a deep conversation, and there was mischief in his brown orbs. It was moments like this that she cherished most of all, because her and Mugen weren't fighting. They were simply… having fun.

"Did you see his face?" she whispered, a smile in her hushed tone.

A crooked grin quirked the corners of Mugen's mouth. "Sure did. You'd think he would've figured it out by now."

Fuu tried to hide how much she was enjoying herself and act nonchalant like Mugen, but she couldn't tuck away the smile on her face. "No, he's too busy trying to win his money back."

They both turned to observe the old man as he stomped his feet in desperation. He'd been cheated of his money in some foreign, rigged card game and now he was desperately trying to get it back. He was simply one among many other people who were often scammed in these mean streets.

"Four-eyes is taking forever!" Mugen huffed, flopping unto his back as his legs dangled over the edge of the pier. "How long does it take to find a moldy place to sleep?"

Fuu stared down into the calm waters and cringed. "Why does it have to a moldy place?"

"Only kind we can afford, girly."

She sighed and wrapped her arms around her knees. There was no denying that this village provided the best sunsets and bluest waters, but when it came to the brothels and the violence, she couldn't help squirming.

"Oh look, a ship's docking," she murmured against her knees, watching as a lone, beat up looking vessel floated towards the pier. Mugen sat up next to her and squinted against the waning sunlight in order to see it better. Fuu had often wondered if Mugen ever wanted a boat of his own. She sometimes thought he missed sailing.

"You've got to be shitting me," he whispered, hopping to his feet and heading towards the ship without a backwards glance.

Fuu quickly stood as well, staring at Mugen's back in confusion. "Hey! Where're you going?!"

"Stay there!" was the only answer she got.

The exasperated teen huffed with indignation. Did he really think she was suddenly going to start listening to him? Her shoes slapped against the sea-worn-wood as she followed after the sour pirate. She couldn't remember the last time her curiosity was peeked so high.

"Well, well, well…"

The large ship before them rocked as a lone figure jumped from its deck and unto the pier. Fuu suppressed a squeak of surprise as she grabbed the back of Mugen's shirt. He turned his head to glare at her, but gave up on convincing her to leave.

"If it isn't my favorite Ryukyu Pirate."

Fuu stayed in Mugen's shadow as a guy only a couple of inches taller then Mugen stepped into the disappearing sunlight. His hair looked like it had the same fuzzy texture as Mugen's but it was much shorter. A single silver earring glinted in his left ear as he tilted his head back and flashed a set a of pearly white teeth.

"I'm no pirate," Mugen spoke up. "I dropped that shit ages ago." He crossed his arms, unknowingly compromising Fuu's hiding spot. She jumped as the stranger's cobalt eyes immediately found hers.

"What do we have-"

"Boss!" the three turned to see a group of very intimidating men leaving the ship and heading into town. "We're going to grab some grub! You coming?!"

The steely eyed pirate shook his head. "You guys go on with out me." He turned to meet Mugen's hard gaze. "I've got an old friend to catch up with."

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"So you guys used to… raid ships together?" Fuu squirmed in her seat after opening her mouth. She'd been observant and quiet ever since they'd found a secluded table in some random tea shop. Within the span of a few minutes she'd come to learn that the pirate's name was Arashi, and that he was around the same age as Mugen. He had a fiery, enthusiastic way about him that scared people at first, but eventually drew them in.

"That's right," Arashi confirmed, leaning back in his seat. "Mugen and I were the youngest among the crew, in fact. We used to get in all kinds of trouble."

Fuu wondered how the two could have possibly crossed paths. Arashi didn't have the blue bands around his wrists and ankles like Mugen did, and his skin wasn't tan like most people who came from Ryukyu.

"How did you two-"

"Meet?" he finished for her, leaning forward once again. "Well, that's a long story for another day Don't you think so, Mugen?"

Fuu turned to give Mugen a curious glance but all he did was grumble under his breath and fiddle with his tea cup.

"Anyways," Arashi went on, "I'm more curious about your story Miss… Fuu, was it?"

Fuu suppressed a blush as that slow smile of his once again took up his chiseled features. She fiddled with the hem of her kimono, sputtering an answer, "My story? Oh it's nothing special really. I-I met Mugen because I needed a bodyguard."

She ignored the way she could feel Mugen's eyes on her, as if trying to comprehend the tint of red on her cheeks.

"A bodyguard?" Arashi questioned, curiosity peeked. "Wow. And you saw one in Mugen? Truly amazing if you ask me. I would have never pegged you for the protective type, Mugen."

At the sound of his name, Mugen's eyes snapped away from Fuu's flushed cheeks. The smug smirk and raised brow Arashi threw his way made him want to punch the pirate even more. "And I always pegged you for the smart ass type," Mugen shot back, only to receive a jovial laugh in return.

Fuu tried to hide a smile of her own as Arashi laughed and clutched his stomach. He had the kind of laugh that made you automatically smile or join in. "Wow! You haven't changed one bit, Mugen! Not one bit!" the pirate chuckled. "He's always like this, isn't he Fuu?"

Fuu rolled her eyes, feeling herself relax into her seat and the conversation. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure Mugen was born like this. He probably came into the world with this face." She made a pinched expression and couldn't help but break the stern look as she laughed along with Arashi.

She was completely oblivious to the hostility emanating from Mugen.

"That is too funny!" Arashi exclaimed, slapping the table. "Ah, man I'm sure you have so many entertaining stories to tell about the guy."

"The guy is right here," Mugen bit out.

Arashi smiled and placed his cheek in his hand. "Mugen you're a riot."

Mugen growled.

"One time he trained a beetle because we needed money," Fuu piped up, loving the attention. "He even named it Rodriguez."

Arashi snorted. "Rodriguez? That's gold!"

"I know right?!"

"Shut up already!" Mugen exploded, causing Fuu's smile to drop and Arashi's to turn into a smirk. "What the fuck are we even still doing here, Fuu? Don't you think four eyes found a place already?"

"Four-eyes?" Arashi asked in confusion.

"Jin," Fuu clarified. "Our… my… other bodyguard."

The bright-eyed pirate nodded slowly. "Well I'm sorry you guys have to go so soon. Things were just getting interesting!"

"I'm sure they were," Mugen muttered under his breath, sliding out of his seat and heading towards the tea shop's front doors.

"Sorry, we have to go, but…" Fuu hesitated, "how long are you planning on staying in town?"

Cobalt grey eyes twinkled back at her. "For about a week actually. That ship… let's just say it isn't exactly ours and was a hassle to… acquire. A lot of repairs need to be made."

Fuu nodded and stood, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "So I'll see you around then?"

Arashi's grin surprised her once again. "Of cour-"

"Oi, Fuu! Let's go, already!" Mugen hollered from the front of the shop.

"Coming!" She gave Arashi an apologetic smile and turned to leave, but froze when long fingers wrapped around her wrist. A shiver raced through her as soft lips brushed against her ear.

"I'll be looking forward to seeing you here, same time tomorrow," Arashi whispered, the feeling of his breath sending tingles down her spine. Fuu's eyes widened as she gulped. "It was really a pleasure talking to you… Fuu."

"R-Right," she sputtered, slipping out of his grasp and meeting up with Mugen. Her mind was tumbling and wheeling through the many meanings Arashi's words hinted at. His charismatic charm and laugh still tickled her brain, almost making her legs turn to jelly. She stared at Mugen's back as he walked before her and realized with a jolting clarity that Arashi was everything she sometimes wished Mugen would be.

"What the fuck took you so long?" Mugen demanded, looking over his shoulder to give her a suspicious glance as they walked down the street.

"N-Nothing."

Silence.

"Sure as hell doesn't sound like nothing."

"And what exactly does that mean?" Fuu asked, an edge to her words.

"It means your face is as bright as a tomato and you can't even get one word out without sounding like an idiot."

Fuu huffed and crossed her arms. "That is not true. I'm being perfectly normal." The last thing she needed was for Mugen to make fun of her and call her a love sick puppy. She didn't need him belittling her and telling her how she would never stand a chance with a guy like that. It was this way with every guy she took an interest in.

The former pirate shook his head in exasperation. "Whatever."

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"Where the hell are you going?"

Fuu cursed underneath her breath and whirled on her heels. Her shoulders slumped as she spotted Mugen sitting up in his mat with an unwavering gaze. It didn't take a genius to realize she had been in the middle of sneaking out. Damn Jin for only getting them one room, but it was either one good room or three crappy rooms.

Fuu decided she would have made the same decision.

"I'm… Walking," she answered slowly. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

Mugen rubbed his right eye and leaned back on his hands. "It looks like you fell for Arashi's fake ass smile and now you're about to go meet him."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"I didn't- I wasn't… Fine! You caught me, but it isn't any of your business so why are we even having this conversation?" Fuu held her breath as Mugen slowly blinked at her. He scratched his bare chest and yawned before finally responding.

"C'mere."

Her brows crumpled. "What?"

"Come here, dammit!"

"Ok, ok! I'm coming!"

She stepped over Jin's sleeping form and kneeled next to Mugen's mat.

"I'm here. Wha-"

Before she knew what was happening Fuu felt Mugen's large hands slap both of her cheeks and smash them together.

"Hey!" she mumbled between squished lips. "Why are you-?!"

"Just wondering if you're really that big of an idiot," Mugen stated matter of factually. "Is danger your middle name or something? Can't you tell when a guy's using your ass?"

A single brow raised on Fuu's confused face.

Mugen sighed and squished her cheeks around some more. "He's just using you to get to me, girly. It's what the bastard likes to do. Back in the day he used to sack any chic I laid my eyes on. I swear he gets off on seeing me pissed."

Fuu grabbed Mugen's wrists and pulled them away from her reddening cheeks.

"You better not being lying Mugen!"

The brash vagabond snorted. "Why the fuck would I lie?"

"Because," Fuu's eyes danced over his face. "You're jealous."

A stale pause took up the stuffy air before obnoxious laughter dispelled it.

"Jealous?! Fuck that! I'm just warning you girly. Take it or leave it. I could care less what you decide to do."

Fuu let go of Mugen's wrists, letting his arms drop into his lap like dead weight. Her mouth set into a hard line as honey brown eyes glowered at him. "Really, Mugen? That's your excuse?"

He pouted and let his gaze slip past her.

"Fine. I'll be leaving now."

"Fuu-"

"No," she bit out. "It's ok, because you aren't jealous, and Arashi can probably see that. He can probably tell how much you don't like me, so he isn't doing this to get you mad, Mugen. I have nothing to worry about."

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" he breathed out through clenched teeth.

"You could care less what I decide to do, remember?" Fuu shot back, brushing back her hair that she had decided to wear down tonight. "Go back to sleep and leave me alone. Ill see you in the-"

Fuu nearly jumped out of her skin as Mugen was suddenly up and grabbing her. He pushed her back against a wall and stared down at her from his intimidating height.

"Arashi will probably do something like this," he whispered huskily, using his large hands to brace himself as he leaned into her personal space.

Fuu's breath hitched in her throat.

"Or this." Mugen's hushed words skittered across her skin as he leaned further in to nuzzle his nose against her neck.

Fuu's hands balled into fists at her side.

"Or even… this." Mugen's lips, rougher then Arashi's but all the more sensual, pressed at the pressure point on Fuu's neck, causing a gasp to escape from her parched throat.

"Stop it," she whispered.

Mugen pulled away from her neck and stared into her eyes, their noses barley brushing.

"What's the matter? This is nothing compared to what Arashi has planned. A bastard like him doesn't go on dates, Fuu. If he likes a girl, he bangs her. End of discussion."

She gulped and tried to dredge up her previous glare. "So? What if I've had enough of being the innocent virgin you always take for a joke? What if I want him to-"

"You don't."

Mugen was right but Fuu didn't want to give him the satisfaction. "Oh yeah? And what makes you so sure?"

She tried to hold his intense gaze but ultimately ended up looking at his bare chest instead.

"Because you're not me, girly," he answered simply, her shocked eyes meeting his once again. "You're not me, and you sure as hell aren't Arashi. Guys like us don't care about stuff like virtue, self-respect and all that shit. So we find girls who are just the same. Girls who wont get attached and start spouting bullshit about starting a family and settling down."

"At least now I know why you hate me," Fuu spoke up, unknowingly relaxing into the warm cocoon Mugen had created. "My virtue disgusts you. Makes sense."

"No it-" Mugen paused, as if catching himself about to say something he didn't want to admit.

"It what?"

He exhaled deeply and moved away from her, causing a draft of coldness to rush across her skin. Once again her cheeks were grabbed and Fuu glared at Mugen as he pulled on them.

"For fuck's sake just forget about Arashi already," he told her, refusing to make eye contact. "He's probably banging some random whore right now."

"You have a funny way of showing how much you care."

Mugen released her cheeks at that and scratched the back of his scruffy head. "Who the hell said anything about caring?"

"Mugen…" Fuu started, but sighed. It was no use arguing with him on the matter. "You kissed my neck," she brought up instead, clutching the slope of skin as she spoke.

For a split second she thought she saw the tips of Mugen's ears redden, but then he was turning away and walking back to his mat. " I was proving a point," he answered lamely.

"Right."

Fuu stood for a few seconds longer, wondering if she really should heed Mugen's warning. He'd pushed her away from guy after guy, not even giving her the opportunity to give them a chance, but maybe he was right about this one.

She watched him as he returned to his mat, before returning to her own. Her hair went back up into its modest bun, and Arashi was forgotten. Pushed far away to the back of her brain where the many other possible-dates-that-never-happened were stored.

Fuu laid down and stared up at the ceiling, letting Jin's soft breathing lull her to sleep. "But you've got to admit…" she blurted, voice drowsy. "Rodriguez is a pretty funny name."

There was silence, and for a moment Fuu wondered if Mugen had fallen asleep already, but then she heard a derisive snort.

"I guess," he grumbled, sounding very much awake. Was he having trouble sleeping?

"You guess? Not many people in Japan are named Rodriguez. Where'd you even here that name anyway?"

"Who knows I just thought it suited the thing," Mugen said quickly, defending his champion beetle. Fuu thought she had really angered him until a laugh shook the floor beneath her. "Holy shit! What was I thinking? I fucking named a beetle Rodriguez!"

Suddenly sleep seemed far out of reach as Fuu laughed along with him, her eyes tearing up with the absurdity of it all. "At least it's a name no one will ever forget!" she choked out, only causing them to burst out into another bout of uncontrolled laughter.

Jin woke up several times to tell them to, "Please stop."

And every single time Mugen and Fuu laughed harder.

So did you guys like? Hate? I honestly wasn't ok with this one for a while, but I wanted something lighter than the last fic. hehe.

Please review and tell me what you think!

Also thank you everyone who review! I don't have the time to thank each of you individually at the moment but THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING ME! Welcome new reviewers!

QOTD: How would you warn a friend about someone who just wanted to hurt them?

Fuu: Jeez, someone's in a rush.

AshAnime: It's not my fault anime has taken over my life and my school work is slipping!

Jin: No. I'm pretty sure it's your fault.

AshAnime: *glares*

Mugen: Don't worry about all that school shit! Look at me! Haven't stepped a single foot into one of those boring buildings and i'm doing great!

Fuu: *stares*

Jin: *stares*

AshAnime: *stares*... Yeah I think i'll go do my school work now.

THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!