Warning - this chapter contains depictions of rape.

Chapter five.

"Arrrgh, my feet hurt!" Fuu threw her hands in the air.

The mountain pass they were travelling on was surrounded by dense bush and trees, some leaning, encroaching over the road, there were no others using the path that day.
Mugen spared her no glance, 'Whining again, that annoying little bitch'.

Immediately Jin was at her side. "Let's rest" he commanded. He didn't even ask. He manhandled Fuu down on to a boulder and lifted her legs up to elevate them on a nearby log.

"Huh?" Said Mugen. 'What's that about?'
"Why don't you give her a foot massage while you're at it".

"I'm not like you Mugen. I can't walk all day and half the night without hardly stopping." She implored. He'd been pressing them hard lately. Really hard. Like he was impatient to get to their destination. And impatient in general.

"It's still a long way to go girl. If you don't pick up the pace I'll die of old age before we get there".

"Even so," interjected Jin "we can't keep this up.
There should be lodging and hot springs up ahead, at the crest of the hill, let's rest there for the night and continue on in the morning".
It would almost be the last of their money.
Mugen grumbled.

-

Steam rose off the waters. They'd had a cheerful meal together in the restaurant, although Mugen was irritable he'd relaxed with some food and sake in him, and even Jin had cracked a smile at one of Fuu's jokes. She now sat on a wooden bench and scrubbed her feet with the hot water. 'How did they get so black?' she wondered, although she knew how - from months and months of walking.
She sighed as she tipped a whole bucket-full over her naked body. Then she proceeded to the edge of the pool and lowered herself in slowly. Laying back with contentment she closed her eyes. The water felt healing over her aching muscles.

She pricked her ears - quick footsteps on the path.
With an almighty splash Mugen entered the pool. The water rose up and over Fuu's face and hair. She shrieked loudly into the night.
"Heh, heh" Mugen grinned at her dripping face of panic.
"Eee-ahh, Mugen!" She madly wrapped her arms around her naked chest and turned her back to him. "You perv!"

He smiled a mischievous smirk and made towards her, as if he was going to grab her.
"Arrrgh" she cried and pushed through the water to conceal herself behind a protruding rock. Her face was red with anger and embarrassment.

Mugen lay back with his elbows on the edge. "Relax. I was only joking" he drawled.

"Mugen, that's not funny! And you've got no clothes on!"
"How would you know? Did you sneak a little peek?" He teased.
"As if, you beast." She shot back.
"Lighten up, it's not like you haven't seen it all before."

Fuu let out a little humph, relaxing into the realisation and she was safe behind her rock.
The two of them stared into the night in silence.

It was Mugen to break it first, scowling. "So, have you decided what you're gonna do to your sunflower dude?" He asked, punching the air in a way that both copied and mocked a similar motion that Fuu had made, when she revealed her intention of revenge.
The question took Fuu by surprise. She hadn't thought he cared. But then again, he probably only wanted to know in case he got the opportunity to fight. That was a strange thought - Mugen battling her father. Who would she want to win?

Something dawned on her. "Mugen, you didn't just come on this journey for the opportunity to fight at the end? D-did you?"
He looked over to her rock. He could see her head and the side of her face lit up in the moonlight.
He had. He had just come for the fight... hadn't he?
"What? With four-eyes?"
"No, with my father" she said it softly, like it pained her to say who he was.

Mugen didn't answer and they were interrupted by the giggling of a man and woman coming from the other side of the pool, concealed behind another outcrop of rocks.

"Well, they sound like they're up to no good." He said.
Mugen slowly waded into the centre of the pool before turning quickly to give Fuu a leer.
"Mugen don't" she hissed quietly, "leave them alone".
He passed the end of the rocks to view an older man, definitely over 35 at least, mid-embrace with a young girl. She could only be 15 at most.
They noticed Mugen's gaze and the young girl, embarrassed, pressed her chest into the man and covered her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry. We thought we were alone". Said the man.
"Pfft, well get a room next time" said Mugen harshly, as he continued wading past and exited the pool. He grabbed his towel and headed back to the room.

"I'm sorry about him" called Fuu to the couple.
The girl poked her head out round the rocks.
"No, we apologise," said the young girl to Fuu, "we're newly wed you see, and, um, we got a little carried away."
Fuu smiled warmly at her. "Are you staying at the lodgings here?"
"Yes. We are. We're wanting to travel over the mountain pass to go visit my parents. But we hear the pass is very dangerous with bandits at the moment. We're not sure if we'll take the risk."
"Bandits?"
"Yes, we've heard reports of travelers being attacked and robbed. We hear that they are targeting travelers alone or in small groups, especially women." She bowed her head sadly.
Fuu understood completely.
She felt safe with her travelling companions though. Pity to the fool bandits that took on those two. She just hoped they didn't abandon her up there, again.

"Ah, I see. Thank you for warning me. We're heading that way tomorrow. I'll be sure to keep watchful.
I'm Fuu, by the way."
"Pleased to meet you Fuu. I'm Hatsu, and this is my husband Yoshi.
Excuse me for saying Fuu, but are you sure you will be ok on the pass. Your husband seems very young..."
Fuu let out a small giggle, not this game again. "Oh no, he's not my husband.
I have two bodyguards who are travelling with me. They're useless, good for nothing, louts, most of the time, but they're really strong. I'm sure we'll be safe. Thank you though."

Hatsu looked to her husband, who nodded at her to continue. He knew what she wished to say.

"Fuu, may I ask something? I wonder if you and your bodyguards might allow us to travel with you, through the pass? We would pay of course, for the use of your bodyguard's protection. Plus it would be nice to have the company and talk with you further. And I do very much wish to see my parents."

"Yes, Hatsu. Let's travel through together. I would like the opportunity to talk more with you also".

Jin had taken the news with not many questions. But Mugen had blown up.

That little bitch, making decisions for all of them.
He really didn't like being ordered around. Plus, another sniveling young bird to annoy the hell out of him, this couldn't possibly be worse.
Fuu and he had reached an equilibrium - sure they still fought all the time, but they had got used to each other's company, and ways too. Throwing another couple into the mix for the three days it would take to get through the pass, that'd just disrupt everything.

He'd tried to tell her as much, but she'd gone on that they needed the money, and were going the same way anyway, that they might as well travel together and get paid for it.
Honestly though, he thought she really wanted to quell some sort of emotion - maybe loneliness.

He was a true loner. Didn't trust anyone else, not even for the clothes on his back. He'd been that way as far back as he could remember. It was much easier that way. And safer. The amount of times he'd given in and trusted someone else for them to just go and betray him were many. Countless even.
He looked to his two travelling companions. One like night and the other day. Did he trust them? Would they disappoint him in the end? Hell probably, but only time would tell. It was on them.

Their new additions lingered at the back. It wasn't because they couldn't keep up, he was sure. He eyed them suspiciously.

Yoshi and Hatsu ran a store in a nearby village. Although Yoshi was older, he looked fit and strong. He obviously had never gone without, but had taken care to keep his body toned. Hatsu had worked hard her whole life. She now helped Yoshi run their store, it was a natural progression from the store of her parents.
They smiled at Mugen politely, but he could tell they were wary of him.

Hatsu's smile had sunk when she'd met him in the morning. His clothes moved in even the slightest breeze they were so worn. His hair stood all angles. She noticed his tattoos for the first time and his scowl looked dangerous in the light of day.

Mugen took the front and they took the rear.
Fuu gave them some space initially to adjust to her unusual company, then dropped back to speak with Hatsu. Her eyes lit up when Hatsu told her story: where she was from, her parents, how Yoshi and she met.

Jin was listening too. When Hatsu was explaining her wedding day to Fuu, he noticed that she smiled broadly, much more openly than she ever had with them.
"That will be your fate too one day" he said to Fuu, surprising her a bit. Mugen visibly turned at his words. 'What's he up to?' he thought, 'why is he speaking for her now?'. Mugen believed that everyone had control over their own lives, whether they believed they had or not. There were no excuses for actions, or inactions, only choices. He thought you could never control the mind or future of others. Everyone was in command of their own destiny.

"Oh Fuu, you will make the most beautiful bride one day!" Gushed Hatsu.
"It will be hard for her to find a husband, while travelling and with two men companions" interjected Yoshi, matter of factly. His words barely hid his true feelings, he looked down on the young girl. He did not agree with her decisions or situation. She was beautiful, Hatsu was right, but she was almost 16 she'd told them. She did not have long before she would almost be considered too old for marriage. And it would have to be a strong man who would not be effected by her past with these two companions. Even if they were mere bodyguards, her virtue would be forever considered tainted.
Jin let out a "hmm" and shot Yoshi a glare, although he did not disagree with him.

Mugen had suddenly made up his mind. He did not like this new couple. He didn't like them one bit. 'I wonder if Yoshi is any good at fighting' he thought.

They had been walking all day when at dusk they came to the first roadhouse. The proprietor was glad to see them. "Welcome, welcome. Come in, come in" he beamed.
It was quiet inside, only one other traveler sat.
"So quiet" mused Fuu.
"Yes, I am sorry" said the proprietor "there has been news spreading of bandits on the pass, it is keeping everyone away. They are waiting for the local enforcers to gather more men at the village. I'm sure it will all be dealt with soon." He tried to reassure.

Yoshi looked down his nose at the trio when they only paid for one room. That was all they could afford. After their earlier incident Fuu had got over her embarrassment of being seen to share a room with the men.
Hatsu gave Yoshi a look and he sighed removing his coin purse again. "And a separate room for the young lady" he said, almost sarcastically. He laid his coins on the counter.
Mugen raised a brow, 'what an asshole' he thought... 'or, I could just gut you and use all that money on hookers'. He was in a foul, dark mood. He settled on channeling this to the girl, after all it was her fault they were travelling together. "A separate room huh Fuu? That's good. Jin won't hafta listen to your moans while I stick it to ya". He had an evil glint to his eye, face, everywhere really.
Her jaw hit the floor. What was he picking on her for? Yoshi was the one being a jerk.
Hatsu gasped.
"Hey!" Was all that Jin said.
For once in her life Fuu couldn't think of a cutting remark to come back with. She was too stunned. It was too late anyway, he had already walked away.
Fuu looked angrily at Jin. Why didn't he defend her honour? He simply lowered his eyes to the floor.

The next morning was even worse. Mugen had stolen a large bottle of sake from the roadhouse kitchen. He proceeded to take a swig from it, every few minutes.
The going was steep and the road was rough and rugged, they had passed the tree line, and gone over the first small ridge. They were now in a lush undulating valley, the bush was beautiful but it stretched on for a whole day's walk ahead.

As the day drew to an end, Mugen no longer led the way. He hung back. Way, way back. The couple, no, all four of them had done nothing but piss him off all day.
Jin had talked more about the sanctity of marriage. Fuu had complained and whined. Hatsu had tried to keep things light, but her nervous fake laugh ground him. And Yoshi, fucking Yoshi kept up his cutting remarks.

Fuu at one stage had dropped back to try and placate him, but as soon as she opened her mouth he had grabbed her ponytail, pulling her hair down hard until she collapsed onto the path, more than a few choice words escaping her. He had simply walked on in silence.
They all left him alone after that.

The dark came but Mugen didn't want to stop. He wanted to just keep trudging the road. They vetoed his aggressive demand though, when they came to path which led off a short way from the road. At the end they could see an empty hut.

"Why do you think they're travelling with a criminal such as that?" Yoshi ask Hatsu quietly. But Mugen heard every word, his senses were very good.
He glared at the merchant's back, imagining some terrible wrong that had been done to him was Yoshi's fault. Without thought he drew his sword. Jin heard the metal move and swung to view his rage-filled friend. He looked at Mugen, saw the expression on his face, and contemplated drawing his own blade.
Mugen hesitated. In the moment that passed Yoshi was lucky. Eight dirty bandits suddenly appeared on the path to each side. They brandished worn clothes and crude weapons. Some knives, some swords.

One pushed Hatsu to the ground and accosted her for her coin purse. A second and third restrained Yoshi as he wrestled to try defend her.
Jin turned and cut down the two who approached him. He then ran to Fuu and pulled her would-be attacker back, slicing him once he was clear.

Mugen moved and grabbed the one from Hatsu. He didn't use his sword though. He wound his free arm round the bandit's neck, squeezing as the man frantically struggled.
Mugen made no move to defend Yoshi, in fact he appeared to be watching him instead.
Eventually the two bandits shoved Yoshi to the ground and turned to help their stricken mate.

Two bandits, slightly more self aware than the others, had instantly clocked the strength of those they sought to rob. They thought better of it and slunk back into the bushes, running for their lives.

Mugen released the neck of his captor and turned to the two who approached. His bandit gulped for air on all fours, giving Mugen one last terrified glance before dashing into the bush as well. Yoshi drew a long knife he had secluded on his person, and ran after the bandits. Jin followed.

Fuu helped Hatsu to her feet. She supported her a little as she led her into the hut. Glancing back at Mugen she simply saw two bodies at his feet.

Mugen started after Jin but after they had been going a little way he hesitated, he didn't want to go running off in the night after some bandits. Hell, in his current state of mind he wanted to join them. Jin noticed his reluctance, he knew he could handle them on his own. "Stay back if you wish. Look after the women".
Mugen stopped in his tracks and Yoshi and Jin disappeared into the night.
Since when did he take orders from Jin? Or anyone for that matter. Dark thoughts clouded his mind.

He shook his head furiously as he entered the hut. Even his loud banging of the door did not stir Fuu, who had fallen asleep on a futon.

"Thank you Mugen for protecting us" said Hatsu. She knelt next to a fire, tending it diligently.
He looked at her incredulously. 'Now, she's getting comfortable with me just like the little bitch' he thought. But this time he could do something about it.
"Hmm, that's fine and all, but do you know what I'm wondering?" He said suggestively, leaning down towards her.
"What?
"I'm just thinking, who's going to protect you from me?" He said, a low growl, as he looked her dead in the eyes.
Hatsu glanced over to Fuu, her snoring form lay on the other side of the room.
Mugen glanced in that direction as well, seeing the same as her. However, he knew how soundly the girl slept. How hard it was to wake her.

With a flash he was on top of her, his weight pressed down on her, pressing her into the cold floor. Her eyes widened, and she went to cry-out but his big hand covered her mouth.
She looked at him in fear and shock. She did not understand.
"Shhh" he whispered.
He quickly snaked his hand within her kimono folds and found her sex. He roughly pushed a finger inside. She gasped and tears formed in her eyes. Her body was limp and unresponsive, she did not fight him.
They both turned to Fuu as they detected movement, she moaned and rolled to her back. She was still asleep but was murmuring something quietly.
Mugen's eyes lingered on her for awhile.
"Arg, this isn't worth the trouble" he said gruffly, quietly. He sat back on his haunches releasing Hatsu. His hand still roughly covered her mouth. He pointedly licked his sticky fingers, sighed and got up walking outside.

He stood on the other side of the door listening as Hatsu began to cry. She bit down on her knee to quiet the sounds.

Mugen gazed into the distance, his thoughts coming back to himself, he brought himself more into the present. "Fuck". He sat himself down outside on the porch and waited for the others to come back.