No Rest for Exams

Title:
NO REST FOR EXAMS
Author:
Samurai Champloo (c) geneon.
Summary:
Don't ask where the idea for this came from ^_^U It was partially wrote in an old notebook, so I
decided to resurrect it. Mostly wanted to use the characters in another setting, until episode #16
airs.
Rating:
R - Yaoi, Lemon, Shonen-ai, Language, Violence.
Oral, Anal.
Pairing(s):
Mugen/Jin
Characters:
Usual SC cast, plus a few OC's. AU/OOC.
Author's Notes:
So, prepare for mass AU/OOC after this point, but sweet, sweet Mugen/Jin action...Enjoy!
Disclaimer:
...I think we all know I don't own any of the characters...except the ones I made up...
________________________________________

NO REST FOR EXAMS
CHAPTER FOUR - FIRE AND STEAM

Mugen woke up as the sun was blinding him more and more.

"Fuck..." He groaned, rolling over. It felt too early to be alive yet.

Quickly remembering the night before he felt around for Jin, to find he was alone in the bed.

"Jin?"
//Maybe in the shower?//

But he heard no water. Sitting up, he found his boxers in the pile next to the bed. Sliding them on
and staggering sleepily to his feet. As he got closer to the door he seen a blue piece of paper
tacked to it.

~~~~~
Mugen,
Sorry I had to leave so early. I have been shirking my Kendo teaching for a few days, and had to
return to the dojo today. I should be done a little after four; the out of town Sensei is here today,
so unfortunately it is up to him when I leave. Sorry again.
-Jin

PS: Last night was amazing...

~~~~~

"It was a helluva lot better than amazing..." Mugen bit down on the letter in an animalistic way.
//Damn even his handwriting is sexy.//

Struggling to find some clothing, he decided to pay the dojo a little visit. Hoping he wouldn't
interfere somehow.

- - - - -

//Wow...//
Mugen stood hidden in the doorway, watching the sight unfold. The other guy was an old, wide
shouldered man. Must have been the Sensei. Jin was in a Wakigamae stance, eyes locked and
deadly focused as he expertly deflected all of the man's attacks.
//I've never seen him like that before...//
Usually he seen the pale one as shy, maybe even a little clumsy. But this creature than seemed to
dance on air before him was totally different. The cold steely eyes and well discipline movements
were mesmerizing. He had to remind himself it was in fact Jin he was watching.

Mugen decided to stop hiding like a stalker and walk in, taking a seat on the floor next to a few
other onlookers. The masterful fight continued perfectly, with Jin very much in the winning
corner, until his eyes locked with the beaming tan one.

Almost instantly he froze. Blushing, before the other cracked down hard from a Jodan stance.
Striking Jin on his shoulder, causing him to yelp and fall to one knee.

"Shit..." Mugen sighed under his breath.
//So much for not interfering.//

Jin growled a little grabbing his bruising flesh, before quickly jumping back into a Shinken stance.
//Focus...Do not worry if you look stupid to him.//

The Sensei came at him with a vicious Gedan swing and he narrowly backed away in time, falling
a little off balance and catching the blow to his knee.

"You're distracted..." The man gruffed, watching the pale one rub his left leg.

"Worry about yourself." He came at him with a Gedan of his own; but the man spun and
countered with a stiff Jodan strike across the pale back.

Jin fell to his hands and knees, trying to catch his breath.
//Damnit!//

The man attacked again, and Jin blocked, however not long enough as the man slid up the weapon
and got him in the rib hard.

"Agh..." He fell on his face, landing not as gracefully this time.

"Just give up, I got you this time..." The grumbly voice of the older man filled the dojo.

Jin wiped his mouth with his hand before getting up again.

"I will never give up. Come at me..." He narrowed his eyes not seeing the outside world.

The two began the dance again.

//Shit, who is this Jin?//
Mugen smiled even though his instinct told him to shank the guy for striking his angel. A few
short movements later and Jin had the man on his back, aiming the shinai at his throat.

"I believe I win." He tried to hide the smug little smile as the man nodded in sorrowful agreement.

He helped the man to his feet, bowing politely at each other as the other man walked away.

"Mugen..." Jin limped a little to the tan form standing.

"Oi, you okay? I heard that shit, it had to hurt."

"Heh." He winced a little.

"So anymore challengers before I leave this place?" A taller man with red hair spoke loudly, all
eyes turned to him.

The other students looked around nervously, as Jin hated the fact he was injured already.

"Hey dude..." Mugen smiled. "I'll take ya on."

"Mugen?" Jin looked at him puzzled. "Mugen that's Gaten-san, he's even better than the guy I
fought."

"Good...It's been a while since I did any sword work. A challenge is just what I need." He ignored
Jin's warning leaving the stunned form to stare.

"You? You're not even a student here..." The red head raised his eyebrows, with a smirk.

"That a problem?"

"Not by me, it's the fruits dojo..."

Jin narrowed his eyes. That's why he disliked Gaten, he was a shit talker.

"Fruit? You mean Jin." Mugen was almost happy he had a reason to wail on this guy.

"What of it?"

"I'm gonna make you eat those words...you red topped asshole."

"Mugen...wait, do not do this, please." Jin tried to stop the brewing violence.
//He’s going to get himself killed...//

"I got it, don't worry." He smiled brightly. "Give me your wooden thingy..."

Gaten laughed loud. "He doesn't even know what it's called..." Others began to laugh as well.

"Yeah, I never liked toys much." Mugen spun the shinai awkwardly. "Kinda preferrer the real
thing, if you know what I mean."

"Heh, lets do this little man..."

"Heh." Mugen gave the glare of a wild dog, ready to bite. “Then show me what ya got.”

Gaten lunged forward with a very intense blow, Jin covered his eyes hearing a loud crack.
Everyone gasped, and the pale one opened his eyes.

Mugen was doing a handstand, foot pressed deep under Gaten's chin. The crack was from his
kick. He spun quickly, standing observing his work from a far.

"Y-you brat! What the hell was that?!" Gaten grabbed his face, anger flaring in his eyes.

"What you can't use your legs here?" Mugen sighed. "Fine...I'll stick to this toy. Not like you
deserve anything else..." He held his hand out waving for Gaten to attack.

"I'll break your legs!" Gaten swung again.

A different dance ensued, and Jin found himself hypnotized. Mugen flipped, and rolled with
unnatural balance as he continued to avoid the man's blows. He hadn't even struck yet, he simply
smiled, tormenting the man. He looked a little suprised as the man struck from behind, he held the
shinai at a strange angle blocking it with skill.

"Woah, that was almost good." Mugen said the last word louder as he turned hitting Gaten firmly
in his shoulder with amazing force.

The red head screamed dropping like a ton of bricks.

"You done already?" Mugen stuck in hands in his shorts pocket.

"Mugen..." Jin sighed feeling his heart flutter, he didn't even know Mugen could fight. This was
far beyond any expectations.
//It is beautiful...//

"I'll kill you!" Gaten jumped from the ground putting all his power in one strike.

"Mugen! Watch out!" Jin screamed seeing the events unfold in his mind.

"I don't, THINK SO!" Mugen flipped backward avoiding the strike, using all his force to strike
the man on top of the head.

Gaten's eyes rolled back for a second before he collapsed hard, Mugen landed gracefully like a
lanky cat.

"Opps...Don't worry, he's not dead..." He casually walked over handing the shinai back to Jin,
who stared in complete awe. "Here..." Mugen nudged, snapping the pale one from his daze.

"Mugen that was phenomenal!" Jin lost all sense of where he was and wrapped his arms around
the tan one.

Mugen blinked a little as he felt the pale face bury into his chest.

"That was so incredible, you are so beautiful...I love you so much!" Jin sighed, imagining the fight
over and over.

"Heh." Mugen rubbed the back of his head. Jin pulled back to see everyone staring in their own
shock induced dazes.

He blushed furiously, coughing. "T-that should be enough for today. I'm leaving, you all clean
up?"

The others snapped out of it and nodded. Jin bowed to them all as a few went to get Gaten up.

//Baka...//
Jin chided himself as he and Mugen left the whispering dojo.

- - - - -

"Uh...Oh, Oh, Mugen!" Jin wrapped his legs around the grinding tan body as hard as he could.
Cumming in a great rush of pure pleasure.

"Fuck..." Mugen hissed finding his own release.

The two slick bodies lay crushed against each other for what felt like eternity, before Mugen
pulled out, rolling beside Jin.

They lay awkwardly, side by side on the main stairs. Making it to the house, a sudden urge came
over them both, walking through the door. Planning to go up to Jin's room, they never made it that
far. Heat becoming too much as they copulated on the stairs, half way to their original destination.
Still fully clothed, pants only pulled down just enough to make the act possible.

Mugen shifted pulling his shorts back up into position. Jin decided when he could move he'd fix
his hakama, the rough carpet made a small rug burn on his ass.

"Well, guess we christened the staircase..." Mugen sighed breaking the blissful silence.

Jin smiled sighing himself. "And the roses, the shower, your room...The theater..." He laughed
giddily, rolling over to lay on the tan one.

"Heh, I've never heard you laugh like that before." Mugen let his hand play with the slightly
fuzzed black hair.

"I have never felt like this before." He cooed in response, tightening his arms hold.

The tan one looked down to see the content face, noticing a large dark bruise now beginning to
show across his right cheek.

"That's from when you fell that time..." He softly brushed his fingers against it, Jin looked up.

"It is nothing, I was careless." The pale one looked embarrassed.

"No, it was my fault, I was watchin' ya. You were so perfect, then you seen me, it all went down
hill. But you came back and won."

"I was wondering if you thought I looked stupid..."

"Stupid? Why?"

He shrugged into the mans embrace.

"You looked like you weren't human. So fluid and graceful, stupid never entered into my mind."

"How did you learn to move like that my med student friend?" Jin looked up at him playfully.

"I learned it because it was that or die, heh. I've always been a jumpy little son of a bitch, so the
acrobatics aren't that big a deal."

"I cannot do it. It is something to be proud of. Definitely a big deal, Mugen."

The tan one held his hand out and brushed the disheveled bangs back. "You look so pitiful right
now...Sweaty, bruised, and dirty. How about you let me give you a bath?"

Jin felt his face heat, unable to decide a way to take the statement. Although he agreed, he was
probably very homely looking right now.

"How could I trouble you that much?...But...that would be fine, if you want to." He closed his
eyes as Mugen's thumb traced the bruise lightly.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not as bad as it will in the morning." He tried to smile, knowing he was actually lucky he still
had teeth and an intact jawbone, he fell completely on it.

"C'mon, let's go upstairs. My room has a bigger tub..." Mugen smiled at his own statement,
because it was true.

Jin nodded, stiffly tying his pants haphazardly. When he tried to stand he gasped as his knee
screamed back, remembering only slightly begin stuck in the leg.

"Here, allow me..." Mugen took note to the noise of pain, quickly scooping Jin up in his arms.

"Hey..." He felt himself blush again, not expecting to be carried.

"Shh..." Mugen kissed the embarrassed face, easily heading up the stairs.

- - - - -

"The one on your back is the worse I think..." Mugen gently poured water over the milky back.
Marred with a long, shinai shaped bruise.

"Mmm hmm..." Jin could barely stay awake. The water was so warm and Mugen's soft voice was
lulling him off.
//Once again it is the middle of the day and I am exhausted...//

"Lean your head back..." Mugen tilted the slender neck, beginning to wet the freed black locks.

Jin sighed as the slender fingers gently scrubbing felt like heaven, unable to stop the wave of sleep
that covered him. Mugen smiled, feeling the body before him relax, breath becoming more even.
He expected the reaction.

The tan one was wondering, if Jin realized he almost passed out each time after a sexual act.
Mugen found it enduring, reminding him of the sweet fragility of his new lover. He started to
work the shampoo in soft circles through the hair. Jin's hair was an endless fascination to him. His
felt like straw and had the same amount of manageability, but Jin's...It was straight as thread, and
twice as shinny as silk. Even in it's earlier, sweat induced frizz, it was still gorgeous to Mugen.

Caramel eyes concerned, looked at the five large bruises covering the mysteriously pale body. He
felt responsible for them, as he glided soap soaked hands carefully to his shoulders. Jin stirred,
leaning back against the tub.

"You awake?" Mugen kept his voice low, not really suprised when he got no answer. "You
sexy?"

Soft laughter escaped his loving lips as he continued to bathe his sleeping beauty.

- - - - -

The pale eyelids didn't flutter until he felt himself being laid on a bed.

"Mugen?" He yawned, still not fully awake.

"Shh, go back to sleep, it's all right." The tan one took off his shirt, laying beside him.

"I am so sorry...I feel asleep didn't I?" Jin rolled over clumsily placing his face in Mugen's chest.

"Yeah, but you looked so cute."

"Did you want to go out somewhere tonight?"

Mugen looked down at the form clinging to him, stroking his wet hair softly. "Nah, we can stay
home tonight. I'm kinda tired anyway..." He lied, but he could tell Jin was.

"Okay..." The end was breathed softly, as he returned to sleep.

//How long can I stay with him like this?//
Mugen stared blankly at the ceiling.
//Things almost seem too perfect. I keep expecting something to happen to break us up...Why?//
He tried to lay paranoid thoughts to rest, as he joined his lover in the realm of dreams.

- - - - -

Mugen woke up to the sound of soft moaning. Batting the sleep from his eyes, he looked over to
see Jin was sweating, struggling to breathe.

"Jin?" He sat up instantly, eyes scanning his form.

"Mugen...I need to go to the hospital..." He said from clenched teeth.

"W-why?" Panic spilled for his voice.

"Probably...Ribs broken..." He tried to smile, but was unable.
//I do not want him to know...please...//

"Shit...Then lets go." The tan one sprang to his feet, getting dressed in a blur. "I should have
known somehow...I mean how could I not tell? I'm a fucking doctor almost..." He spoke more to
himself than Jin.

"No...I should have...said something." Jin tried to sit up and screamed. "D-damn..."

"Don't move. I got you." Mugen carefully scooped up the frail body, wincing himself when he
gasped in pain, a few tears trailing his pale face. "I'm so sorry."

- - - - -

"Right this way Mr. Ryutaka, I would like to speak with you in private."

Mugen looked up from the waiting room chair. Broken ribs never took this long, he thought.
"Sure." Dazed as he followed the short mans path.

"Have a seat..." He pointed to the chair across from his desk.

"Is he okay? Broken ribs usually don't require this much attention..."

"The ribs are not our concern. They were set easily...It's about Mr. Arakawa's ongoing illness."

Mugen felt his blood run cold. "What ongoing illness?"

"You don't know about it?"

He shook his head, afraid of the doctors response.

"Mr. Arakawa has been with us many times since his arrival. He has a rare blood disease, his
Father suffered from the same thing."

"But wait, he said he gave his father blood..."

"That's true, but only because of it's rare type. His Father was so far gone by then it made no
difference. It mainly helped him live month by month...They have a strange way the Arakawa's, I
mean that in a respectful way of course."

"Is he dying?" Mugen felt his breath become labored.

"Not dying as in days, but yes I'm afraid he is. The disease slowly breaks down the persons
immune system, they usually die of another illness. Even something as mundane as a cold can
become deadly. Similar to AIDS, but not contagious or spreadable."

The tan one tried to let the information sink in.

~~~~~
"I thought I'd die alone in this place."
~~~~~

Mugen remembered the boys strange statement, now making sense a little.

"The disease for the most part in his stage, makes the person very fatigued. Usually to the point of
not being able to move. With proper sleeping habits and a low energy lifestyle they can usually
carry on normal lives. Can you tell me if Jin has been under any stress lately? I seen the injuries,
he has always disobeyed my warnings with Kendo."

Mugen felt ice blood again. "Well...We have been going out a lot, staying up late."

"I see. Has he been doing anything else strenuous other than the Kendo?"

Mugen almost blushed, he couldn't say it. "Not that I know of..."
//Liar, don't lie to a doctor about something like this!//
"No, wait...We...we are dating. We've had sex almost every night for the last three days." He
looked away.

"He is sleeping now, his body is very weak. I would recommend he stay here for a few more
days, to make sure he recovers. I understand the need to be intimate, but if you could slow it
down a bit, it would be in his best interest." The doctor tried not to blush.

"Right..."

"You can go see him now, will you be staying with him tonight?"

"I'll be here as long as he is, I'm not leaving..."

"Fine. I'll make arrangements for you two to have a private room. Please Mr. Ryutaka, I have
known the Arakawa's for years...Try to make him calm it down, for his own sake...And yours."
He got up shaking Mugen's hand, as the tan one nodded.

- - - - -

"Mugen?" Jin opened his eyes, as soon as he smelt the familiar scent.

"Yeah it's me..." He held one of the cold pale hands in his own.

"Dr. Yoshinori told me he told you..." His eyes weakly looked off into the distance.

"Yeah."

The silence was thick and filled the room to capacity, Mugen was about to speak when Jin began
crying.

"I, I am so sorry...I w-wanted to tell-"

"It's okay Jin." Mugen cut him off, wiping away the silver trails.

"I was afraid you would l-leave..." He closed his eyes under the contact.

"I would never leave you, no matter what, right?"

"Mugen...I never cared if I lived or not...But now...I do not want to leave you." Soft sobs broke
apart his words towards the end.

Mugen felt a few tears spill from his own stinging eyes. "I know..." He leaned over and held Jin
as best he could for him lying down. "We'll make it somehow...I don't want you to die..."

The two stayed in that position, softly crying for unstoppable reasons. Mugen felt like his entire
world had been shattered, knowing what the future held. Jin felt like he was already dead,
knowing fate dared give him a reason to live, when it was too late.

"I-it is not fair..." Jin sighed rasing his arms to weakly encircle Mugen.

"Hell, we have a long time together...Years and years, it doesn't change anything." Mugen smiled
despite agreeing.

"I love you..." The smile only made him hurt more, knowing he was trying to cheer him up
through his pain.

"I love you too."

More silence. It was a long uncomfortable silence, heavy with the thousands of worries floating in
the air. Mugen reluctantly let go, sitting back in his chair, giving them some breathing room. The
two stared panicked and heartbroken at each other for an hour, before Jin was forced to give into
his exhaustion.

Mugen sat silent, staring at his loves weakened face.
//I'll be with you as long as I can...I'll die with you if I have to.//

- - - - -

"Jin! I've been so worried about you! Mugen told me everything!" Sayoko was in a wheelchair,
Mitscher behind her.

It had been about a week, and Jin was allowed to come home finally. The two had just come
through the door.

"Mother..." He didn't expect her to be waiting at the entrance.

"Honey, are you all right? I wanted to come see you so badly...You look so pale." Her eyes
showed much worry.

"I am fine, truly." He smiled shyly. "I just want to sleep in my own bed..."

"Right, I will catch up with you when you've settled in. I have something important to discus with
you, okay?"

"Yes." He bowed quickly, Mugen following close behind him up the stairs.

- - - - -

Jin stared blankly at the room, as Mugen sat his things next to the bed. It all seemed so empty
now. All the things they had shared, and now there was a huge elephant in the room.

"Oi..." Mugen crossed the room, placing his hands on the pale ones shoulders.

"Hmm?" He leaned back into the embrace.

"You all right? You seem quiet..."

"So do you..."

They remained silent, just enjoying being able to hold one another again.

"How can this ever be bearable?" Jin felt tears threaten him once more.

Mugen changed positions to face the worried gaze.

"Look, we got two options here, babe. #1 We worry about the future so much we miss the
present. #2 We keep going the way we were, just slightly altered." Mugen smiled seductively.
"We'll have to be a little less active."

"Mugen..." Jin smiled slightly, laying his face onto the warm chest. "Let us go with option two."

"Cool." Tan fingers gently stroked the unbound disheveled locks. Slightly matted from laying
down so much.

"Mugen...Will you lay with me for a while, even if we cannot do anything?" As happy as he was
to be home, his legs were threatening to give.

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

Placing his hand under the delicate chin, he rose Jin's face, blessing it with a slow kiss.

The pale one felt his whole body warm and float. How he missed this feeling.
//This doesn't mean we can't be together anymore. There is so much more to our bond than
physical touch.//
He opened his mouth, moaning into the kiss, letting all his fears leave with it.

Mugen sensed this, placing his arms tightly around him.
//I don't give a rats ass what happens. I'll be with him as long as I can. He is all that I care about
now, nothing else matters...//

"Nothing else matters to me but you, Jin." Mugen pulled back just enough so their noses and
foreheads were touching.

"I feel the same way."

"Let's go to sleep...Those hospital beds were as soft as slate."

Jin smiled, nodding. "Yes."
//Thank you.//

- - - - -

"You wanted to see me about something, Mother?" Jin slowly walked through the door. It was all
he could do to pull himself out of bed.

"You're up earlier than I expected." Sayoko smiled, she was sitting in bed writing. “You still look
so sick...”

"I am sorry. If this is not a convenient time..."

"No, no. Sit." She patted the bed beside her.

He nodded, sitting facing away from her. His entire body was rigid and tense.

"Honey, there is something I want to tell you. When I hired Mugen, I thought it would make
things easier. For both of us..."

He turned to face her, her tone solemn.

"But it seems like ever since he's arrived you've gotten worse. You're staying out all night,
sleeping all day...The neighbors and other students, said you only went to the dojo once while I
was gone. What's going on? Is that boy forcing you to do anything?"

"What?" Jin's voice froze. The way she said 'that boy' sickened him.

"Drugs? Theft? What is it that he and you do?" Her eyebrow was tense.

"That is hardly your business." Jin shut his eyes.
//You cannot let her know.//

He gasped a little as her hand slapped sharply across his face.

"Oh?" She glared, sitting up to grab his chin firmly. Digging her long nails into the pale skin.
"You wouldn't be having sex with him? Right?"

"Mother..." He was mortified.
//How?//

"You think I don't know what you're doing in my own house?" She let go, small cuts forming
where he nails were. "How could you?!" She took a deep breath, anger filling her mind. "God
honey, why?! Have I and your Father not taught you anything?! Another male?! We're you that
hard up for sex?!"

"It is more than sex, Mother. Something you will never understand."

"I see, you feel you love this commoner?"

"He has a name, and he is not a commoner. We are no better than anyone else."

"I'm firing him today..."

"No! You can't!" Panic filled his eyes as he shouted.

"Don't you raise your voice to me!" She slapped him again, this time harder, in the same spot. "I
won't have you shirking your duties taking over your Father's dojo."

"Please, I beg you..." He dropped to his knees beside the bed. "I love him..."

"Enough! You have spent enough time on your knees as it is, or so I've heard. You are to go
straight to the dojo and begin teaching a class; or so help me I'll do more than fire him!"

"Then I wll leave! I will not let you do this!"

"Jin!" She slapped him with a closed fist, this time he yelped. "Be reasonable, this is the legacy of
the Arakawa family name. You should care more than I, it's your blood. Do you want your
father's, and countless other Arakawa masters teachings to go to waste?"

He glared down shamefully, biting his lower lip. "You know I do not...all you want is me for
your use!"

She struck one more time, blood flowing from a small cut at his mouth. “You are never to bring
that up again, do you understand?!” She shrieked, causing the form to flinch. “Stop loosing sight
of what really matters and go to the dojo. I'll have Mitscher inform Mugen."

Despite chewing the insides of his mouth to bleeding; hot, salty tears lined and fell from his eyes.
He knew this was forbidden in front of her, but could not help it.

"Why?" He couldn't talk, looking down in defeat.

"Look at yourself, you're crying over a servant...Your Father would be ashamed of you, and so
am I! Get out of my sight and to the dojo, until you learn to stop sniveling!" The gray ponytail
flopped as she looked away.

He rose to his feet and turned, knowing nothing he would say would matter.
//I will die here alone...//
Crying a little more audible, he exited, pushing past the confused Butler.

"Madam?"

"Get rid of the rooster..."

"As you wish."

- - - - -

"Where is he?" Mugen sat on the dojo step impatiently.

He finished early so he could spend the rest of the day with Jin. A few students were waiting as
well, but left and went home. Mugen was about to leave when the familiar blue form approached.

"Oi!" Mugen stood, happily waving.

Jin froze in his tracks, dropping the shinai.
//No...not here, please! I cannot do this...//

Mugen approached when he got no response. Jin couldn't breathe, his whole body was ice. The
years of loneliness and knowing he was dying, were drowning him again. Mugen had become a
beacon of light when it became most dark. Now that darkness would return, until the end. His legs
gave way; and the last the he seen was Mugen's face, before hitting the ground.

"Jin!" The tan one ran to his side, rolling him over. "Wake up...Jin!"

After a few shakes, the pale eyelids fluttered. Jin blinked before looking up into caramel gems.

"Please, say something...What happened to your face?!"

"Mugen." His features cringed into a look of intense sorrow.

"Should I call the doctors again?"

"N-no..." He sat up slowly, pressing into Mugen's chest, tears shaking him slightly.
//I'll never hold him again...I'll never feel his arms.//

"Jin, what's wrong? Tell me!" Mugen shook him, fear peaking.

"S-she's going to make you l-leave..."
//Back to that cold empty bed...Silent, heartless dojo floors...//

"What?! Who?"

"Mother. Because, I am letting m-my father down...I d-do not know...I-" He choked. "I don't want
you to go!" The last part was shrill and filled with deep sobs. It cut through Mugen's soul, he
tightened his arms around the shaking form.
//I can't do it, I will not! I will kill myself first!//

"I don't get it..." He took a deep breath.

"If I w-would have not slipped out on the dojo s-so much...It is my fault, I am so sorry." His
slender fingers dug into Mugen's hoody.
//You are worthless, such a faliure.//

"Fuck no, that bitch isn't making you feel to blame for this! The doctor even said the Kendo was
dangerous for you."

"I love you..." Jin's voice was shattered and distant, his eyes blank. "You made me forget about
dying...I will never forget you Mugen Ryutaka." He shuttered.

"Jin, I'm not leaving you, fuck no; I can't! Come with me, we can leave now. Leave everything
behind."

"But..."

"You don't know how long you have. Please live it, don't return to that prison."

"I want to Mugen, but...my father..."

"Your father is dead. Stop beating yourself up for something he forced you to do! Come on, it's
now or never!"

Jin sat back and stared deep into Mugen's eyes.
//I will never go back to being alone.//
"Fine then, let's go..."

Mugen smiled, eyes beginning to glisten.
"Hurry, I have the keys."

The two ran like maniacs across the garden. Past the roses where they met, around the yard that
served as a lovely tomb for so long. The pale ones heart was in his throat. He knew if Mugen
didn't have his hand, he wouldn't have the courage to keep running. But with him, he could do
anything.
//You are all I need to survive, I need you more than air!//
It seemed like life was in slow motion as the two slipped into the car. As soon as the doors
locked, breath returned. As the engine started he felt the ability to think returning. It took five
minutes of driving to let it sink in.
//I am free.//

"Hey..." Mugen's voice startled him.

"Hmm?"

"Don't worry, whatever happens we'll face it together." He slid his free hand over to hold the
trembling pale one.

"Heh." Jin was too shaken to speak, but trusted the tan ones word. He gave the hand a soft
squeeze to show he agreed. The pale one was trying so hard to hold back, but began crying again.

"What's wrong?"

"I do not know...I am happy, sad, confused. I have abandoned everything and everyone. But have
gained a reason to live."

"It's a lot to stomach..." He returned his hand to the wheel to steer better, shaking a little himself.

"I do not care, let them hate me, cut me off. Disown me. I just want to be with you, Mugen." He
smiled teary eyed.

"I didn't exactly get this job for the pay, we'll always be together, heh." Tan features smiled. "You
will have to put up with a few of my friends, but they're nice people."

"I would do anything you asked of me..." Jin sighed, leaning back into the seat, closing his eyes.

"You okay?" His eyes glanced at the boy.

"Mmmhmm..." Came the sleepy response. "I am just going to lay here for a while...if you do not
mind."

"That's fine, let me know if you start to feel sick."

"Mmn..."

Mugen stared intensely at the road.
//Running, crying; hell I almost passed out pulling out of that driveway. It's probably worse for
him. Please tell me I'm not making a mistake...that could cost him his life.//
Mugen frowned.
//It's never a mistake! I love him, he's not going to die protecting some family name. Family, huh?
Family should act like it, that place was an office.//
He looked again at the sleeping form, feeling deja vu.
//I'm not going to let anyone hurt or use you ever again.//

- - - - -

"Muuuugie!" A well built blonde man jumped from the porch step.

"Oi, Yanagisawa!" Mugen shouted from the car; pulling into the small gravel driveway.

"When you called I thought you were joking." He slanked off the porch and apporached the car.
Leaning down to the window.

"Nope, he's sleeping." Mugen leaned back, clearing the view.

"Oooh..." The man softly squealed. "Damn babe, he's so fine...You lucky, scruffy bastard." His
eyes danced over Jin's face and body.

"Yep." The tan one sighed, closing his eyes.

"C'mon, get yer ass out and let me see you! We gotta get someplace ready for the sexy baby.
Why's he sleeping? Y'all hook up on the way here, ne?"

Mugen laughed quietly, getting out of the car. "No, I'll explain later. You go clean the couch off,
I'll get him."

"Aww...I wanted to carry him."

"Move, or I'll kick your ass out." He smiled evilly.

"Shit, you been saying that for years."

When the screen door clacked shut, Mugen slowly walked to the passengers side. Opening the
door and removing the seat belt.
//He looks so worried...//
Mugen slid his hands around the form, gathering him in his arms. Standing up he shut the door
with his foot.

"Mugen?" Jin stirred slightly.

"Shh, it's okay, go back to sleep."

He sighed laying his head to rest on the tan one's chest, becoming still again.

"All right." A voice called from inside the gray block house.

//Please let this work...//
Mugen sighed as he began walking to the door.

END CHAPTER FOUR

((Sorry this took so long to get up. I had it wrote in so many different notebooks, it took a while
to pull it all together. ^_^U So, what is waiting ahead for our love-struck pair? A few twists,
obstacles, evil schemes plotting against them, Fu, and of course; more sweet yaoi action. Talk
about soap opera's... ^_^ Usually they only use the fatal, mysterious illness bit when someone
wants more money...Maybe Jin is holding out for the big bucks? *eyes the suddenly shifty ronin*
Sneaky little uke...O_^ Domo!))