Disclaimer: Nothing owned 'cept the plot and Kohaku (and crew).

Tera: You know something? No. I will not apologize for the long wait! -folds arms and sticks out lip stubbornly-

Matt: Just wait...

Tera: -fidget-

Matt: Here it comes.

Tera: FINE! I forgot about the story in all my haste to write HRoaH. So anyone who does read HRoaH, I'M REALLY SORRY THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING. Writer's block and such, you know. Anyway, here's chapter 7.

Oh, by the way, anywhere that it says that Mugen is japanese? Pretend it says "Ryukyuian" (gah, what a mouthful).

Chapter 7

Kohaku hummed quietly to herself as she prepared dinner. Everyone was out, she had even convinced Mugen to go into town with Jin and Fuu. She had the feeling she wouldn't be alone long, though, and, sure enough, halfway through the preparations, the door burst open and Mugen waltzed in, alone.

"Hey, babe." He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She stiffened, but continued slicing the peppers she had been working on.

"Hello."

"Hey, we're alone, we got at least an hour before they come back, wanna go to my room or yours?" he asked, kissing her neck.

"Neither, Mugen."

"You wanna just do it here? Fine by me."

"Mugen, please, get off me."

Mugen frowned. It wasn't the response he had intended. Maybe she needed something to change her mind. He moved so he was straddling her side, her leg pressed between his, and kissed her on the mouth. He tried to step closer so her leg would grind against him; he was already hard.

Kohaku set the knife down with every intention of pushing him off, but when she turned, she found her arms around his neck and her thigh between his legs. Why did her body have to betray her this way when all she wanted to do was see Fuu happy?

Mugen moaned into her mouth and stepped back. Kohaku was grateful until he grabbed her and dragged her into her room.

"I was getting ready to come," he explained and latched his mouth onto hers again. But this time, she was ready for him. She yanked her head away and stepped back.

"Stop this foolishness," she said breathlessly, hands in front of her as if to ward off an attack.

Mugen stared at her. "Foolishness?"

"Yes, just, don't kiss me anymore!" Kohaku stammered, running her agitated hands through her hair.

"Don't kiss you?" He gazed at her in disbelief.

"Yes! Just, please, because when you do, I lose my head and can't think straight." She was frustrated with herself to the point where she thought she might start crying at any moment.

"That's the point of a kiss, Kohaku. You're not supposed to think about it."

A tear filled with her aggravation and disappointment with herself slid down her cheek.

"Oh, please, don't cry," Mugen said, trying not to back away. Crying females always made him nervous. And with good reason.

"Look at me!" Kohaku shrieked. Mugen cringed. "I was not like this when you first arrived! I wasn't a mess, a neurotic mess!"

"I think you're gorgeous," Mugen ventured timidly.

"And you! I wasn't supposed to get attached to you! It was bad enough that I got attached to Fuu, but you're just a traveler that I'm housing until you leave! I didn't want to fall for you!"

Mugen stared at her again. Now, not only was she looking high strung and angry, but she was embarrassed as well. When he was sure she wasn't going to have another outburst, he took a tentative step towards her and wrapped her in his arms. Seeing that he wasn't trying to take advantage of her in anyway, she didn't stop him, and just stood there.

"Mugen, thank you, but you can let go, now," she sniffled.

"No."

"Mugen, your chest hair is about to make me sneeze."

"Oh." He grinned sheepishly and let go of her, watching her immediately scratch her nose. Then Kohaku gasped. "What, is something wrong? You're not pregnant, are you?"

"I need to finish dinner!" She rushed out, leaving Mugen shaking his head in amazement.

She just managed to finish as Jin and Fuu came in, flushed from the chill and weighed down with groceries.

"Did you find everything ok?" Kohaku asked, coming over to help them.

"Yes. Though one man almost wouldn't sell any ginger to me. He was only persuaded when Fuu gave him the lip."

Fuu smiled proudly and blushed. Kohaku laughed.

"I'm glad you went to such measures for groceries. Dinner's nearly ready, I made soup. If you could just put everything in the ice box, that would be marvelous. Mugen, could you set the table?"

Everyone, even Mugen, went to do her bidding as she quickly ladled soup and rice into bowls and set them down.

"Tomorrow, a celebration meal!" Kohaku announced as they ate.

"What's the occasion?" Fuu asked through a mouthful of rice.

"My birthday."

"No way! You can't make your own birthday dinner!" Fuu protested.

Kohaku chuckled. "Of course I can. I do it every year."

"At least let me help you," Fuu said, finally swallowing.

"No, if you help her, it'll be gone before it's even cooked," Mugen said. Fuu glared at him.

"Well fine, then you help her."

"Don't know how to cook."

"Learn!"

"Really, I enjoy making my own celebration meal. That way I know it's perfect," Kohaku cut in. "If I knew how to cook, I would feel the same," Jin agreed quietly.

Mugen looked at him. "In that case, I insist on helping you."

Kohaku considered him for a minute. "Alright. You can chop."

"What are we having?" Fuu asked excitedly.

"That's a surprise," Kohaku replied with a mysterious smile.

When all were satisfied, they retired to their bedrooms. Keisuke had arrived in the middle of dinner, claimed he wasn't hungry, and left.

"Good night, Fuu," Kohaku whispered as night fell.

"Night."

Kohaku lay awake for quite some time, thinking about her mistakes. She knew there would be consequences, that was unavoidable, but what worried her was what they would be. She managed to worry her heart into pounding against her chest and decided that only nature could soothe her.

The stream was quiet and serene when she arrived and sat on the banks, dangling her bare toes into the cool water. Nothing was better for settling one's nerves then moving nature. At least, that was Kohaku's philosophy.

"Hey."

The sound was such a quiet rumble, Kohaku almost mistook it for the wind. Realizing it was Mugen, she turned around, quickly turning back. He wasn't wearing a shirt and he was barefoot. It seemed he, too, had come to hear the advice of the river.

"Hey," Kohaku replied softly as he sat down next to her.

They were both quiet for quite some time, gazing off into the distance. It was Mugen who finally broke the silence.

"You know, this is the first place we really met."

"Mm hmm." Kohaku nodded, then looked at him watching her, and crumbled. "Oh, Mugen!" She leaned over and kissed him, taking him completely off guard. However, her kisses were nothing like the ones he initiated. Even when she was feeling needy and alone, her lips were soft and gentle. With a jolt, Mugen realized that was how he needed to be when engaging in such activities with her. Instead of grabbing her as was instinct to, he gently placed his hands on her waist, drawing her slowly closer.

"C' mere," he murmured, letting go of her and stripping off his shorts, wading into the river. When she just looked at him, he jerked his head insistently.

Sighing, she pulled off her own clothing and went in after him, taking the hand that he held out to lead her gently to him.

"No sex," she mumbled firmly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and resting against his broad chest.

"Yeah, I know," he said, running his hands along her thighs until he could get a good enough grip to lift them and wrap her legs around his torso. When he'd managed it, his arms snaked around her waist and he used his heels to brace them against the current.

"I wanted to be alone with you one last time," Kohaku whispered after awhile. Mugen's eyes widened and he tightened his grip on her.

"What do you mean 'last'?" he demanded.

"I sense trouble. Tomorrow is not my birthday, but it is a special farewell dinner. I fear you will most likely be leaving soon."

"No, I'll stay with you, I don't care about that stupid sunflower samurai!" Mugen said fiercely.

"No."

"Then come with us!"

"I can't. You must forget about me once you leave."

Mugen stared incredulously at the back of her head. "Forget about you?"

"Yes. It is vital."

"I can't do that."

"Mugen, please, do me the favor that, once you leave, you will never think about me again!"

"No! I won't!"

"Why not?"

"Because, I love you more than I've ever loved anything!" He buried his face in her hair, breathing it in and giving her time to chew his words over.

"That's not true," she finally said quietly.

"Why do you doubt me?" he hollered as loudly as he dared.

"I don't doubt you, but I know you are denying yourself."

"What? Denying myself what?"

"It is best if you find out for yourself."

Mugen groaned. "No, you're not starting that again, are you?"

"I will be quiet. Just hold me, please."

This was one order Mugen could definitely obey and so he did.

Kohaku crept back into her room hours later, feeling drowsy but even more unable to sleep than before.

"So you're back."

She jumped at the sound of Fuu's voice, sounding so much like a worried mother.

"Yes, I'm sorry for awakening you." She stripped down to her juban and climbed into bed.

"Why did you even bother redressing?" Fuu asked, the question sounding more like an accusation. As the meaning of Fuu's words penetrated, Kohaku inwardly groaned. She should have known that her stupid heart would mess things up. Why did she have to feel such pity for Mugen? Why did looking into his blocked eyes make her heart ache?

"Fuu, let me explain–" It was how conversations like these always started.

"What's there to explain?" Fuu asked, her voice shaking slightly as she tried not to shout. "You lied to me and went behind my back."

"The first part's not true, Fuu, I promise! When you asked the other day, Mugen and I– we hadn't– exactly..." Somehow, she couldn't bring herself to say the deed.

"And so then you knew I was out of the way and did it, huh?"

"No! Fuu, I didn't mean to! I tried to stop him, you know how persistent he can be!"

Fuu looked like she wanted to agree with her, but then hardened her gaze. "You could have stopped him! Or you could have told Jin! But even if he did do it against your will, what about just now?"

"Fuu, listen to me, I don't want to burden you with–"

"You fell in love with him, didn't you?" The girl's narrowed eyes blazed and she was clenching her fists so tightly, her nails were drawing blood.

"No, Fuu! Let me explain!"

"No! I don't want to hear it!"

"I'm an angel!"

Fuu's eyes flew open as she mouthed wordlessly. "What?" she finally managed.

"I'm an angel. There. I've told you."

"Don't be stupid, angels don't exist."

"Oh really? Ask Jin, he'll tell you I'm an angel."

"Wha– Jin knows? Does Mugen?"

"I believe Jin figured it out long ago. No, Mugen does not know."

"And you're really not lying?"

"No."

Fuu thought for a minute. "But that still doesn't excuse you of what you did!"

"Listen, Fuu. As an angel, I know exactly what Mugen's been through; I can feel his memories when I touch him, I can feel his pain as if it were my own. And because of that, my heart bleeds for him. I cannot help but love him."

The girl chewed this over. "So–So then...you don't really...like him?"

"Of course I do, he's a wonderful man. But I don't want to be with him, if that's what you mean." She smiled slightly to try and make Fuu feel better. Fuu shyly and hesitantly returned it.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"It's quite alright. I know how you were feeling."

Fuu nodded and climbed back into her own bed, extinguishing the candle she had lit so she could better see Kohaku's face.

"Hey, Kohaku?" she asked after a minute.

"Mm?"

"Are you really only 18?"

Kohaku laughed. "Yes, Fuu, I am 18."

"And is Keisuke your brother?"

"In a sense, yes. We were born in the same year in the same group with many other angels."

Fuu was silent for awhile longer and Kohaku was almost asleep when she spoke again, another accusation.

"If angels exist, how come my mom died? And if you were watching over us, how come we're always hungry?"

"Ah, that is out of my control. You see, I'd never heard of you until I you appeared here. I am still in training. But Keisuke, on the other hand, he knows you quite well." Her voice reflected the grin tweaking the corners of her mouth and curiosity got the better of Fuu.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Keisuke is the angel assigned to watch over Jin."

"Jin's got an angel?"

"Yes. But only recently. You see, Jin's previous angel moved on to bigger, better things. Keisuke became Jin's angel a month ago when he finished his training."

"Whose angel are you?"

"No one's yet. I'm not ready yet."

"Oh."

Kohaku yawned, suddenly feeling tired.

"We can talk more in the morning. For now, it is bed time. Good night, Fuu. Sleep well."

"G' night."

Matt: And now, to the people who DID review.

Tera: Yes, you sixteen, lovely people.

For-chan: ...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH -shrieks in agony and terror-

LauraBryannan: -frown- Thank you for telling me. -frowns at the manga more- These things aren't reliable. The spelling was wrong too...But I'm not about to go export every chapter and change it...Still glad you're reading!

Gaarasgirl91: More Mugen/Fuu to come. Patience, my child. -wise nod...gets slapped by Matt-

Kimper: Might I ask how you came up with your penname?

Inuyashas only Miko: -puts you first on top reviewers list and goes to buy Mugen some sexy lingerie...err...did I say mugen? I meant me...- Waaait, so what does JinJin call you? And can I call him JinJin (before he says no, we might wish to remind him that I have the ability to write him doing whatever I wish...BAHAHA)?

djmonkey: It's hard to resist Mugen...-updates- Oh, fuu knew (well, parts of it), but Mugen told her to ask. And she luuuuurves Mugen.

Yami John: I feel like it's getting too serious. Do you feel this way?

Sandstorm626: -tear- I do believe that you were my first multi-story reviewer...-hug-

Midnight 1987: Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoy it.

Spiritwolf112: So...how are your kidneys doing? -directs the horde of ghost readers at you and pops some popcorn-

LynGreenTea: Writing as fast as I can...

TrinityLayne: Errr...hopefully some fluff later...I'm such a sucker for that kind of stuff...Hehe.

Boomerang Butterfly: Yes, Mugen and me is better, you can have JinJin. Hee.

PinkRoseBouquet: -blushes- Thank you, I'm flattered. But please elaborate on what you're talking about with Jin, I want to better this as much as possible.

Tears of Scarlet: Graphic? How?

Haru's Doppelganger: Thank you very much! Most of the silent reviewers are still silent, so I appreciate you reviewing.

Matt: Ok. Now review. Or Tera will set an angry Jin on you.

Tera: Yeah, and Jin doesn't bang people senseless. So HA! AND NO SEDUCING JIN UNLESS YOU'RE SHINO.