Chapter One:
His tattoos look like irons, he looks like he is wrapped in chains. The metal clamped around his wrist and ankles, rubbing deep marks into the skin that will never be washed away. Not only does the weight of them bear into his skin, but they weigh down his soul as well.
Although he didn't look like he would, Mugen appreciates the finer things in life. He knows a life worth living. A bright moon in a pale night sky, the pleasing sound of a windmill flower whirling, the feel of a cool breeze blowing through the grass. The smell of the ocean and basking in the sun. Yeah, definitely basking in the sun.
You can never appreciate lying in the sun enough. Since he was locked away. Patient as the night. Seemingly forever trapped in the dark, just waiting and waiting. He has come to question, will this be his last day to bask in the sun? And to appreciate it all the more.
I mean, he's got life sussed he reckons. Sure it sucks when there's not enough food, or a roof to shelter him for the night. But there's nothing like the simple pleasures: a feed, a duck and a fight against a worthy opponent where he can test his skills. Push himself to the limit.
That thrill! Not knowing whether he's going to live or die. And then coming out on top. The bruises and pains feel like victory. Such a rush.
It was always the quick thrills that put a gaping grin into his face. But lately it's been a deepening feeling. Maybe a quiet contentment? No longer looking, or wanting. Something consistent and reliable.
Was that what it was?
He didn't like to talk about the past. Didn't like to think about it. The past was the past, didn't effect him, didn't matter. It was gone and forgotten. Good riddance.
And they didn't question him about it. Not once did they even cast their eyes at his tattoos, let alone ask him about them. They didn't ask about his skin, or his clothes, or his accent. They just took him as he was, right then. Maybe that's why they seemed to get along. Sorta.
That's all that matters, isn't it? The person that you are right now. Sure, you can't escape your past. But you don't have to be ruled by it either.
They both had a past as well. Not as disgraceful as his own. But not a free ride either, he could tell. To get what they wanted in life, they all had to push on and do it for themselves. No one was going to help them, so they had to help themselves. And they'd found out that when they were together they could help each other. And that made things both easier and harder.
Did they rely on each other? Nah. Well, maybe Fuu did. She definitely did. Relied on him to get her ass out of trouble. A-lot.
But they relied on her for direction and purpose, so maybe it wasn't a one way deal.
He chuckled to himself thinking about the last time he'd rescued her. She'd gone off by herself in the middle of the night. Silently slipped out of her bedroom door. What a frikkin' moron. Hadn't she learned by now not to go off on her own. That baka. You think she would've learned from experience, from the million other times she'd been kidnapped.
She'd told him after that there was no time to wake them. Well, not really told him. More like yelled at him. Right in his ear. He had got riled up and in her face, so maybe he deserved it, saying that she may as well just give up on sleeping by herself and bunk in with Jin and him. Hell, it'd be cheaper.
And then he'd had to hear her yell accusations of an ulterior motive. As if. Man, she pissed him off sometimes. Why did she care what anyone said about a woman sleeping in with men anyway? Hell, they'd practically snuggled round the camp fire numerous times on their journey without her thinking twice. She cared a lot what people thought of her, and that pissed him off.
But he did laugh thinking about the stupid note she'd struggled to write and attach to her stupid pet squirrel. What a fat load of effort for nothing that was! She didn't even think to write any details. And he and Jin had to figure out where she was. Idiot. But pretty funny now that he thought about it.
"What are you smiling about, hmm?"
Damn, her voice invaded his thoughts.
His eyes focused from oblivion to the pink ahead of him. Her eyes suspiciously squinted, her head cocked, but a cheeky grin upon her face. She loved to tease and laugh. She wanted in on the joke.
Fuck. Couldn't tell her he was thinking about her! Or could he?
"Just thinking about how stupid you were when you got kidnapped back there."
That didn't go down well. Her grin turned to exasperation. "Aw, jeez, give it a rest will ya!
Immediately her thoughts flicked back to her conversation with Yuri. And she sighed gazing into the distance. It was a good thing in the end that she had been kidnapped. Although it was awful at the time! But now that she thought about it, she felt good that she'd been able to help free Yuri. And she now had a destination and his name: Seizo Kazumi.
'Should that be her name as well?' She wondered. She'd always taken her mother's family name. Would she own his name? No! Of course not. How disgraceful to even let that thought enter her head! Why would she honour the name of the man who abandoned her and her mother to the wind. She grimaced as she realised that she hated that the name was connected to her. Even hated a little that she even knew his name, as it kind of helped to form him as a real person to her, and not just some distant foggy memory. And the realisation of this only compounded her anger towards him and rubbed raw the hurt that she and her mother had endured.
Mugen gave her the side eye. She looked angry. More and more lately she'd been slipping into her own thoughts and introspection. With her like this, and Jin as he was, there was almost no one to talk to.
He kicked a stone on the path aggressively. He was glad that the purpose of their journey had been revealed. He'd been wholly relieved- and that shocked him a bit- that it hadn't been as he'd thought; that some guy had raped the girl and run off. Somehow a journey to find her father and grant her retribution was more meaningful. And given his upbringing, he could completely understand it. But all this moping, thinking and constant walking in almost silence was boring as hell. Today was no fun.
Just then the trio rounded a corner and a small roadside tavern and eat house could be seen along the ways.
'Thank Christ' thought Mugen.
They all stopped and glanced at one another. They had money for once, from hawking a treasure once belonging to the fanatical Christian-imposter. They had more than enough.
"Welcome travellers, welcome". A kind man beckoned to them before they even got to the entrance way. "Weary travellers, I imagine you'll be hungry. And in want of somewhere to stay?"
The early light of dusk was in the air.
"Yes, you're right on both fronts" agreed Jin.
"Well, I have stew on the stove inside. And I have a small hut out the back you're welcome to rent for the night. And the young girl, you would be welcome to bunk in our storeroom in the main house, for the night".
Fuu raised a funny kind of eyebrow at Mugen, that he didn't quite know how to read.
"Oh thank you very much, that is very kind." She said, "But I think it would be more proper if I lodged with my new husband here." She continued, grabbing onto Mugen's arm and giving him the most mischievous grin he'd ever seen. "We can stay in the hut with my brother. It will be quite lovely to have a proper roof, under which we can all rest our tired legs". She flashed the owner a smile and determinedly avoided Jin's expression. Which was one of complete shock, to match that of Mugen.
The kind man eyed them all in confusion. He looked at the well-put together young girl. Her face so kind, open and innocent. He looked to Mugen, who judging by his hair and faded, worn attire, appeared as though he might be homeless. Then seeing the expression on Mugen's face, which he interpreted as shock that he yet again had to share lodgings with his new wife's brother, he made up his mind.
"Now that won't do" he said with a kind and knowing smile. "A new marriage needs space to grow. Your brother will be most comfortable in our storehouse, in with my wife and I. It is no trouble at all. And don't worry, my rates are very fair.
Come in and rest your legs now, and I'll fetch your food and drink. For you must be very tired from all that walking". He gestured towards the tavern entrance, before entering ahead of the trio.
Sitting round the low table in the wayhouse, they were surprised to find themselves amongst four or five other groups. Fuu's face was that of utter shock, fear and embarrassment. How wrong her plan had gone to get back at Mugen for berating her! She was seated next to Mugen of course, how could she not now that she had a ruse to keep up. She looked straight ahead, her eyebrow twitching madly. Jin sat facing her, with what could only be described as an angry cold stare. And Mugen bore a grin of the most immense satisfaction and amusement, that he almost looked maniacal. Fuu stole a glance at him and he caught her look and had to cover his mouth to stop from bursting out in laughter. Even though he was mainly silent, you could tell he was chuckling away on the inside. There was a twinkle in his eye. Maybe this day was going to be some fun afterall.
The owner returned after not too long with a small pot of stew, ladle, rice and three bowls. He also placed down a small jug of sake and three small ochoko cups. He smiled at the happy Mugen and gave him a subtle wink. "There you are, enjoy your meal".
By the time that Jin had looked back from the kind man to his travelling companions, Fuu had already filled her bowl and was now pouring a cup of sake. He frowned at her and turned to Mugen in displeasure. Much to his surprise Mugen was also frowning at the girl. Chopsticks suspended mid-stuffing his face. Jin would've expected Fuu and sake to only add to the ruffian's mirth, but eventually he remembered the last time that Fuu drank sake. Mugen had obviously remembered it too. A small, almost unnoticeable smile crept over Jin's lips at the memory. He trusted Mugen now, when he didn't in the past. And the thought of Mugen having to listen to a snoring Fuu all night made him a lot happier about their proposed sleeping arrangements.
Fuu had already finished her bowl of food. A warm flush covered her face, a smile replacing her trepidation. She was about to raise a second sake cup to her lips when Mugen darted in and snatched it from her in one swift movement downing it.
"Hey, what the hell Mugen!" She screeched.
"No more for you wifey!" He shot back. "If I'm the one who's gotta sleep with you tonight, I'd prefer not to have to lug your fat arse around and listen to you snore!".
"How dare you! I am not fat!"
"Well maybe not, but you sure are a pain". He retorted. Still too full of mirth to really be too cutting. "What's with this crazy game of yours anyway? Finally realise you want me all by myself?" He leered suggestively.
"Ah! Mugen cut it out. I only did it because you kept going on and on about me going off on my own and constantly getting kidnapped.
If I'd known it would turn out like this I would've kept my mouth shut." She sighed.
"Well, that would've been a first" Mugen said, almost to himself.
"How dare you!" Fuu shrieked, and she would have bonked him one on the head had her vision not started to distort.
She started to sway on her knees. Three blurry faces appeared before her eyes.
"Oh no you don't!" Growled Mugen. He grabbed her shoulders and forcefully stuffed a couple more big helpings of rice into her mouth. Which he ungracefully washed down with unwanted gulpings of water. Fuu flailed and spluttered helplessly, spurting water and rice grains all over the table.
"Quit your struggling!" Mugen yelled, "I know you can fit a lot more than this in there."
People were starting to stare now. From anyone else's perspective, it kinda looked like Mugen was trying to kill her. And perhaps a small part of him was. He gripped her tightly, a look of death was upon his eyes and brow. Jin was no help. He was into his third cup of sake, and he also started to happily sway.
Suddenly, a large brawny man laid a thick hand on the table.
"That's no way to treat a young lady" the man bellowed. He stared at Mugen seriously, a warning in his eyes.
Mugen stopped his force-feeding but Fuu remained in his grip. His eyes slid to the interjector, sizing him up. Big and powerful. This could be interesting.
"Maybe not" Mugen growled at the man, "but this is no lady".
"Hey!" Roared Fuu. She'd sobered up quite a bit.
The bulky man's fist had grabbed a handful of Mugen's clothing and he pulled him to his feet. A lopsided grin appeared on Mugen. He peered down at Fuu while he spoke his next words, not taking his eyes from hers for maximum effect.
"She's no lady. She's my wife! So I can do with her what I damn well please." He let his words sit in the air, grinning at her the whole time, while her eyes widened at his "joke". Then Mugen turned and aggressively head-butted the huge man to the floor. He released Mugen's shirt as he fell, his eyes rolled back, but he retained his consciousness.
He grasped at his bleeding nose, anger piercing his eyes, but he also looked apologetic.
"Your wife?" he stammered incredulously.
"Then the mistake is mine!" Still splayed on his knees he bowed shallow to Mugen and quickly turned, almost crawling to his companions. The hush that had descended on the place returned to the normal hum of a tavern. Mugen was left standing at the table, poised and ready for a fight that never came. He grumbled illegibly and flopped back down to his seat.
"Aw, fuckin' pussy. That was no fight at all." He whined. "But at least he knows about wives being obedient to their husbands." he laughed. Another shot at Fuu. He could go on like this all night. Picking up the sake bottle he chucked it down his throat. All his now; no need for a cup amongst these lightweights.
At the sight of the ruckus the kind owner conveniently appeared to usher the trio to their rooms. His smile gone, he eyed Mugen suspiciously as he supported a tipsy Fuu on his arm. She was babbling away incessantly, currently on the subject of the pros and cons of dogs versus cats. Mugen's half lidded eyes said it all.
"I never asked you before Mugen, are you a dog or a cat person?" She leaned up to look at him directly, "It's something that's actually quite important I feel... I'm a dog person myself... You know I'm really lucky. Although, I sure haven't been feeling like it lately... Oooo, dried potatoes..."
The owner had slid open the door to the storeroom. Crates and preserves neatly lined one wall. There was enough room for the bed that was laid out on the floor against the far wall, although, the foot of the mattress did disappear underneath a work bench. Jin bowed lowly to his host, then stumbled in and landed face first upon his bed, legs splayed to each side. Glasses askew. He was instantly asleep. The owner, Mugen and Fuu all cocked their heads to the left. "Huh" was said in unison, before the owner slowly slid the door across.
"Ah, the perils of too much drink" he mused, "...though I dare say he'll have an uninterrupted, deep and blissful sleep".
He led Mugen and Fuu out the back door and down a small path away from the house to their discreet lodgings. The owner's wife had already lit the fire in the centre of the room, and laid the double futon out with blankets against the far wall. There was fresh water for drinking and another for washing up, and some flowers and snacks on a high table. The brief intake of fresh air had sobered Fuu up further. She now supported her own weight. Mugen groaned audibly when he saw the sleeping arrangement. 'I should've guessed this', he scolded himself.
"Thank you so much." Fuu was bowing to the owner, bidding him goodnight. As he left she slid the door closed and turned to examine the room, meekly smiling up at Mugen.
"Let it rest, will ya. Worked out ok in the end huh girl?" He grumbled. "At least you're where I can see ya. Not going to get kidnapped from in here" he teased, tapping a dried potato on her forehead before popping it into his mouth.
He then strode across the room and plonked himself down on the bed, territorialy claiming it.
Fuu sighed and poured herself another cup of water from the stand. She sighed again and pulled the pins from her hair, letting it fall to her shoulders. She placed the pins on the stand, noticing that Mugen was giving her a funny look. She offered him a sweet from the bowl of snacks, sitting opposite, her near the warmth of the fire.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing" he replied.
He stretched out onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. It was still early, but he thought he could probably force himself to sleep.
"Hey Mugen.."
"Mm"
".. I've never asked you much about your past. Your family. We've travelled all this way and we don't even know that much about each other." She gazed into the fire.
"Hm. I suppose not. So, whadda ya want to know girlie?" He replied. "I ain't got no secrets".
She considered this for a moment. Sure he hadn't told them anything about his past. But anyone could see it must've been brutal. And he really was honest. Almost to a fault. Saying what he thought, or how he felt in unfiltered truths without a care in the world for the repercussions. Or simple manners.
"Hm. Well, how about the marks on your wrists" she said carefully, "did you choose those, or..."
If Mugen's eyes weren't already closed he would've rolled them. He made not an answer of words, but an exasperated groan, before dramatically turning away from her to his side.
"I'm going to sleep." He barked harshly, then softer "goodnight wife".
Fuu let out a little 'humph', before quietly getting up to dampen down some of the lighting. She peered out the window at a beautiful full moon rising in the sky. She wanted to be closer to it, so she went outside onto the little porch and gazed, lost in introspection once again.
Inside the hut Mugen heard the door close. 'Argh, fucking shit, she's gone again. That fucking idiot.' He hadn't quite fallen asleep. It normally came on pretty fast, but he really wasn't tired yet.
He let a full irritated minute pass before begrudgingly pushing himself up into standing position and making for the door.
Fuu leaned on the balustrade, her head thrown back to the sky. Her big eyes blinking at the bigger glowing orb.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a "I got out of bed for this shit".
But when she looked up at him his eyes weren't really full of malice. He too gazed up at the lonely moon.
"I made a wish, a long time ago, that I would get to see him - my father - just once. At least once. But I didn't have the same intention then as I do now. " she said quietly, her eyes still taking in the moon.
There was a little silence before Mugen ventured, "I never had any parents".
Fuu turned suddenly to him, alarming him a little.
"But Mugen you must've had parents at some stage, or else you wouldn't exist".
He gazed sadly at the moon, he wasn't one to feel sorry for himself, "Yeah, well if I did I never knew them." He said matter of fact.
