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Because You Need Me	By : lilypad Category: +S to Z > Samurai Champloo Views: 6715 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Champloo, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Late afternoon found the trio traveling again through the forest that bordered the coast. The trees were starting to drop their fall foliage, a sure sign that cold weather was approaching. The coming winter gave them something else to worry about. Traveling in winter was a miserable prospect at best and a deadly endeavor at worst. Only fools or someone absolutely desperate would journey very far from home during the heavy snows this region could get. Already a light frost covered the grassy areas at the break of each dawn. The two men and the woman needed to find a safe place to spend the winter season, preferably a village big enough to conceal them while offering an opportunity for employment. While there was still plenty ryu left, they didn't want to depend on it entirely. Well, at least that was the opinion of the ever practical and controlled ronin.

The same ronin was feeling very agitated this afternoon. Although his senses were dulled by a rotten headache from the evil alcohol drink, Jin couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. He looked back at Mugen to see if the pirate was on edge as well, but the man was scowling at the ground. He had been unusually quiet all day, not even arguing with Fuu when she occasionally stumbled on the rough path. Actually Fuu was being too quiet also. Jin sighed inwardly. Even after the scene he had witnessed that morning, the situation between his two friends was still not resolved. He supposed it was to be expected when concerning two such bullheaded people.

Their path carried them to a river gorge spanned by only a narrow rope suspended bridge. It looked old and not safe. Some of the thin planks were obviously cracked and some were missing altogether. All three eyed it rather dubiously, Jin with a certain trepidation. Bad memories gave him a strong distaste for bridges. They peered over the edge of the gorge to see the river frothing far below. Fuu backpedaled and stood shaking her head vigorously.

"Nuh uh, no way." She said. "There has got to be another way around this gorge. We need to find it because I am not setting foot on that rickety thing."

Fuu planted herself and crossed her arms over her chest obstinately. Mugen grabbed one arm and tried to drag her to the edge.

"Cut the shit, wench! I'm not going to waste hours trying to go around when we can just get across and probably find a good campsite by dark." Mugen shook her lightly. "Now suck it up and move."

"Let go of me, you insensitive ass!" Fuu hollered and twisted in his grasp.

Jin started forward to separate the two when he whirled around with a gasp of surprise. Behind them was a group of black clad assassins. Damn, he thought, too many to fight if Fuu was with them. Looked like it would be the bridge after all. Jin grabbed Fuu's other arm and started across the bridge at a run. Because Mugen still had the woman's other arm he was pulled along. Halfway across, Jin stopped dead and Fuu plowed into his back. Jin stepped further in front of her and drew his katana. Another group of shadow assassins stood on the far side. Danger in front of them, danger behind them. Mugen drew his sword also and shoved Fuu between the two of them and growled curses viciously between his teeth. They were trapped on the swaying bridge.

As the first man set his foot on the bridge Jin yelled "Mugen!" to get his attention and set his katana against the first supporting rope.

"Shit, man, are you fucking crazy?!" Mugen yelled back but he didn't hesitate to set his own sword against the remaining support. He pulled Fuu close to his back. "Hang on as tight as you can to me. I need both hands here and I can't help you. Whatever you do, don't let go."

Her fear was almost a tangible thing and it scored his heart, but the absolute trust and faith in him that Mugen saw in her dark honey eyes fired his determination. He would protect her. Mugen looked over at Jin and nodded as he felt Fuu wrap her arms tightly around his waist locking her hands together. He could feel her quaking against his back, but her grip was almost choking the air from him.

The assassins moved in from both sides and the two warriors raised their swords high in the air. The threat gave the assassins momentary pause, but they continued after a beat. They couldn't believe anyone would be stupid enough to try such a desperate move. As the black crows of death closed in Mugen and Jin both gave a defiant cry and brought their blades down simultaneously to sever the ropes. As the support dropped from beneath them Fuu screamed out wildly and tightened her death grip on Mugen.

Mugen twisted around in midair and wrapped one arm around Fuu. He slashed out at the nearest blackclad bodies falling with them. He could see Jin doing the same thing but using both of his swords. Blood fell like rain into the river still far below. Fuu buried her face into Mugen's chest all the while keeping her grip on him. Fear had taken her voice completely and her screams ceased.

The churning water was coming closer and Mugen brought his legs up, trying to enfold Fuu into the protection of his body. He shoved his sword quickly into the sheath on his back and wrapped a second arm around her.

"Hold on!" Mugen yelled, wrapping himself around Fuu as tightly as possible as the water rushed up to meet them.

They slammed into the river with incredible force. The frigid temperature stole their breath and Fuu's first gasp for air filled her nose and throat with water. Panic blanketed her brain but her arms remained locked around Mugen. Mugen struggled to the surface and broke through just to slam into a submerged rock. He grimaced in pain and pulled Fuu's head above water. Mugen swam awkwardly with the harsh current that was pulling them quickly downstream. He was shivering convulsively and he could feel the body heat leaving the half-conscious woman cradled to his chest. Damn, damn, damn, Mugen thought. He had to get them to shore and fast. He pulled hard with his stronger right arm and gradually made some headway until finally at a bend in the river the current abated some and his feet made contact with the rocky riverbed.

Mugen was exhausted and cold to the bone. He picked up Fuu and her head lolled over his arm. A spike of fear shot through the pirate and he hurried as best he could to get them to the treeline. A quick scan of the area showed no sign of either Jin or the remaining assassins. He hoped Jin had made it. As for the assassins, well, screw them. If any survived he was ready to do battle, but first he had to find some shelter. He didn't like the gray stillness of Fuu's face and she had yet to regain consciousness.

A mile further downstream Mugen caught sight of a small frame hut up in a clearing in the forest. A stealthy approach gave no evidence it was inhabited, most likely a summertime fishing hut and not in use. Gratefully, Mugen staggered inside and laid Fuu down to do a search of the building. Luck was with him and he found a couple of torn blankets and a supply of flint and tender as well as some kindling. Whoever owned the fishing hut kept some basic supplies there.

Mugen stripped Fuu of her soaked clothing and rolled her into one of the blankets. A hand against her chest reassured him that she was breathing and her heart was beating normally. He wanted to lay down beside her, but the sun was setting and the temperature dropping quickly. They would need a fire if they were to warm up at all. Mugen ran through the trees around the clearing as much to warm himself somewhat as well as to collect deadfall limbs. His vision was starting to blur by the time he returned to the hut. It took several tries with his shaking hands but he managed to finally get a spark with the flint and carefully added slivers of bark and kindling until a small blaze came to life. He shook his head violently to clear it and kept adding branches until a healthy fire crackled. If any assassins had survived it was possible the fire and smoke would lead them to their prey, but Mugen and Fuu could just as easily die from the cold.

Satisfied the fire could sustain itself, Mugen got out of his own wet clothes and set all the items on fish drying racks to dry by the fire. He pulled Fuu into his lap and roughly dried both their hair with the second blanket. She moaned in protest a few time but didn't open her eyes. Finally Mugen reached the end of his strength. He got under the blanket with Fuu and scooted them closer to the fire. He cuddled the woman close and tried to will his body heat into her chilled flesh.

"Stay with me, Fuu, " He whispered hoarsely. "Wake up. I...I need to know you're okay."

Mugen was getting drowsy as he started to warm up. It seemed like hours before their shivering stopped. Fuu's face took on a healthier color and suddenly she opened her eyes with a strangled scream. Strong arms with achingly familiar tattoos tightened around her and she turned over to bury her hands into black hair. Bitter chocolate eyes twinkled down into her own.

"Mugen," Her voice broke on a sob. "I didn't let go."

"No, you didn't." Mugen rubbed his lips over hers. "But for a minute there I thought I lost you."

Mugen didn't try to express himself with any more words. He covered her mouth possessively and teased until she parted her lips to give him entrance. Mugen groaned lightly at her compliance and slid his tongue in to dance with Fuu's. He pulled back slightly to nip lightly at the corners of her mouth to her jawline then to her ear. Fuu tilted her head to allow him better access and Mugen pressed soft loving kisses down her neck to her collarbone that brought tears to her eyes. He tasted the warm salt when he returned to her lips and raised his head to frown at her.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm...I'm just so glad we made it, but where's Jin? Did he make it?" Fuu cried harder.

"Shh," The pirate soothed. "I'm sure he did. He survived once before, remember? We'll find him at daylight if he doesn't find us first. Don't give him up for dead yet."

Fuu stopped crying and grew quiet. Mugen held her close listening to her breathing until he fell into an exhausted sleep. Fuu snuggled into his warmth and smiled at the man who had saved her yet again.

"I love you, Mugen," She whispered. "And I swear that someday I'll make you realize that you are worthy of love."

Fuu offered up fervent prayers to the gods for Jin's safety and fell asleep.
- 9
- 10
- 11
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Because You Need Me