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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
- 5
- 6
- 7
A/N Thanks to all for the kind reviews. Sorry it has taken so long to update. The real world and the real job that pays the bills sometimes has to take precedence. As I said before, it's hard to keep our heroes in character and still get them to take part in my creation. Anyone who watched the show can probably agree that Mugen had some feelings for Fuu. They continually danced around the subject and it was never put into words. Cue up the music. Let's see. How about "Remember Me This Way"? Kinda fitting IMHO.

Mugen didn't return that night or the next day. His companions were worried, of course, but he had done this before. Now healed, he was back to being restless and unpredictable. As the days passed, Fuu became increasingly grateful that Jin was not a talkative person. He never pressed for an explanation for her tears that night nor did he ask her anything about Mugen. She figured Jin knew everything anyway. He was never one to say much, but he observed everything.

Fuu's emotions were in a whirl. She decided that maybe blurting out her feelings to Mugen hadn't been such a good idea. He probably thought she was trying to get a commitment from him Fuu grumbled to herself. Sure, sometimes she thought having a husband and children was what she wanted, but if that were to happen, there would probably be no more adventures for her. Fuu really enjoyed the traveling life with her two friends even if it wasn't exactly carefree. They were always ever wary of an attack from anywhere. Wanted fugitive. That title applied to her was enough to make Fuu snicker, but it did give her an idea.

"Jin?" Fuu said hesitantly later.

The ronin had been quietly polishing his new swords and looked up at her words, a little surprised. Fuu hadn't initiated a conversation in days. She had spent a great deal of time just sitting still and thinking to herself. Many times he had watched emotions play across her face as she listened to some internal conversation.

"Hmm?"

"Jin, when you were a student at the dojo, I know you learned more than just the art of the sword. I've seen you fight without it too. I was wondering....I was hoping....could you..." Fuu faltered a bit.

"What is it you want of me, Fuu?" Jin was a little curious now.

"Teach me to defend myself." She said it in a rush.

Well, that was unexpected. "You know Mugen and I will protect you, Fuu. What is this all about?"

"You can't be with me every hour of every day, you know. You guys have been wonderful, but someday I'm going to have to stand on my own. You have to admit that I seem to get into a bunch of trouble even when we are together. I've lost count of how many times I've been kidnapped during our journey." Fuu then finished a bit bitterly. "I never want to feel that hopeless and helpless again."

Jin digested this in silence. It was true that Fuu was a magnet for trouble, but Jin did not consider himself a teacher. Before his master's death, Jin had taken over some of the classes at his request, but he hadn't much experience in that area, and he had certainly never taught a woman. His first thought was to refuse, but Fuu was looking at him so hopefully. Jin sighed and ran a finger up the bridge of his nose, absently pushing up glasses that were no longer there.

"If that is your wish, then I will try."

Fuu wanted to throw her arms around his neck and hug him in gratitude, but Jin was still untouchable to her. Instead she hugged herself and smiled at him like she hadn't in over a mouth. It was enough that Jin turned up the corners of his mouth slightly.

"Then let us begin, Fuu." Jin rolled up all the futons against the walls for more room. "You need to remove the kimono so you can move more easily."

Was he serious? Fuu noted the faint blush on the pale cheeks and decided he must be. She unbelted the garment and folded it carefully away and stood before him in only her white undergarments. By then Jin was composed again and eyed his new student thoughtfully. She was petite, yes, but size wasn't always the deciding factor.

Jin led Fuu through a series of katas, explaining that each fluid movement was actually a strike, kick or block. He went on to explain the various ways to break a hold while telling her it was best if she never allowed an enemy to get their hands on her. In that situation size would matter. They worked for hours and Fuu picked up the basics very quickly. She argued vehemently against it when Jin would have stopped for the day.

"Attack me," Fuu challenged, then gasped at the speed with which Jin moved.

Fuu managed to block a few strikes from the man, but Jin was a master and not some street thug. Within seconds he had her arms pinned with one hand behind her back and his other arm encircled her neck pulling her tight to his chest and effectively immobilizing her. Jin opened his mouth to point out her mistakes when he felt the cold sting of metal pressing against his throat. A cruel hand had his pony tail twisted tightly in its fist.

"Let her go now, " Mugen's voiced hissed menacingly in his ear.

Jin released Fuu and she turned around to gape at the wild haired man. Jin stood utterly still with Mugen's blade pressed tightly enough to his neck to draw a fine line of blood. Mugen's face was a mask of absolute killing rage. He jerked savagely on the handful of ponytail.

"What the fuck is going on here?'' Mugen spit out, his eyes raked over the partially dressed woman before him who was panting and flushed with exertion.

"Mugen, let him go." Fuu placed a soft hand on his taut sword arm. "I asked Jin to teach me to defend myself"

Mugen shoved the ronin away from himself and disgustedly sheathed his sword. The narrowed look in Jin's eyes let him know that such ignorance would not go unpunished later. Well, he was just fine with that. He was spoiling for a fight just now. He turned on Fuu and she jumped at the anger directed toward her. Mugen reached for her, intent on checking for injury, then hissed when she blocked his hand with a stinging strike.

"I'm fine, you jackass. I'm going to bathe."

Fuu scooped up her clothing and took a basket of sundries to the next room. Her stiff movements betrayed her pique. Mugen let her go, wanting to follow her, but letting his pride keep him where he was.

"Where have you been, Mugen?"

"I owe you no answer, baka."

"You made her cry again, you lowly worm."

"She thinks she loves me." Mugen whispered, the pain of that admission slipping through his facade. "You know she can't possibly."

"Fuu has grown up, Mugen." Jin sat down, crossing his legs casually. "I believe she knows what she wants. Who are we to tell her her own mind? Fuu knows exactly who and what you are, even if she doesn't know all of your past. The time we have spent together has given her a great deal of insight into both of us. If she has offered you the gift of her heart, then you are foolish to turn her away."

Mugen shook his head. "Kohza..."

"That girl was just a manipulative little bitch." Jin retorted. He was still angry that the girl had managed to persuade him to kill her brother. "She used whatever angle necessary to get someone to take care of her, even resorting to murder and betrayal. "Fuu is not like her, not in any way. She asked me to help her to be stronger. She doesn't want to be dependent on us. She would rather be a partner than a liability."

Mugen was actually listening to Jin without speaking, a feat unto itself. Jin huffed impatiently. "If you want her, you had better tell her, my friend. Fuu can live without us, without you. Do you really want that? Now that you two are my friends, I realize how alone I was all my life. I'll never go back to that. Are you going to be brave enough to accept her gift or are you going to run like a coward."

"You bastard!" Mugen raged.

Jin dodged the punch easily and headed for the door. "I'm going for some saki, a treat I don't often indulge in, but you can drive a man to drink. Remember my words."

Mugen stood alone in the room mulling over everything said. No, Fuu was not like Kohza. She wasn't like any woman he had ever known. She was brave, loyal and trustworthy. Added to that, Mugen couldn't seem to lose the memory of her kisses, both innocent and heated. They hinted at joy and peace at the same time, and they made him tremble. Mugen pulled at his own hair and rubbed his knuckles over his breastbone. That gnawing feeling was back and worse than ever. He absolutely hated the indecision he felt. He had always strolled through life never caring what happened next. When the hell had that changed?

Growing angrier, Mugen put his hand on the sliding door to the bathing room. Let her see the real me, he thought. Then we'll see what she really wants.
- 5
- 6
- 7
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Because You Need Me