Bittersweet Lust

Chapter 1: Division

By: DeathIsOnlyTheBeginin

Disclaimer: I, DeathIsOnlyTheBeginin, do here by state that I do not claim to, in any way, shape, or form, own Samurai Champloo or any of the characters pertaining to that Anime/Manga series. It/they are the rightful property of it's/their creater. This story was written for no reason other than enjoyment. It has not been posted or created in attempt to receive any type of profit. Thank you.

(Enjoy! Read and Review Please!)

Author's Note: This story is set just after the series ended. I'll explain how they all ended up back together a little later; most likely, the next chapter. Anyways, yeah, read on!

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'They're coming.' Jin thought resolutely to himself, 'Their messenger said sunset.'

He turned silent eyes to his comrades. Mugen sat against the wall, eyes closed. With a crude grunt, he yawned and stretched his long arms above his head, kicking out his feet. Jin regarded him for a long moment, slightly disappointed that they would never carry out their warfare. Fuu sighed, and his gaze shifted.

She sat in the corner, running a slim finger down Momo's spine. The squirrel wriggled in contentment, curling up into a petit ball and drifting into sleep. Fuu didn't seem to take much notice to her administrations, her eyes staring dimly at the wall. His own gaze fell to the floor, conclusive and remorseful.

He hadn't told them. He hadn't told them he wouldn't be able to stay. He hadn't told her that he couldn't fulfill his latest promise. He lifted his eyes to the window, watching the sun dip low behind the mountainous horizon. The sky danced with red brilliance and he grimaced, his fingers tightening around the small scroll within his robes. They were coming for him. And he'd put them in danger.

"'What's eating you?" Mugen croaked from the floor, half-grinning.

Jin's eyes shifted, "Nothing."

Mugen shrugged, tucking his hands behind his head, elbows pointed towards the ceiling,

"Yeah, whatever."

---

Mugen fell to the ground, thrusting his legs into the air. With one punctual jerk of his hips, he was spinning on his back. He grinned, his steel-plated geta smashing three dojo-brutes in the face, and another in the groin. A bystander stepped back, narrowly missinghis wild feet. Bellowing, he and another jerk lunged for Mugen, their katana blades falling.

With unreasonable ease, Mugen knocked the first off-course as he leapt into a ten-fingered handstand. Grunting, he kicked and his left foot slammed into the other one's chest. A sick crack echoed through the airand the mangasped, his eyes rolling back in his head ashe fell to the ground, limp. Mugen flipped back onto his feet, wielding his sword one-handed as he charged for the one closest to Fuu.

---

Fuucried out, backed up against the onsen as one of the men approached her. Momo hissed from the collar of her kimono, hisfur ruffled in warning. The goon pressed his hand against her stomach, hooking his fingers beneath her obi. He chuckled and gave it a tug;the fabric around her chest loosened. Fuu shrieked and rammed her palm up against his nose, shoving the cartilage back deep into his skull. Blood sprayed and she clumsily side-stepped, avoiding the main stream as the man crumbled to the ground.

Relief was short lived, as a hand swiftly seized Fuu’s collar from behind and dragged her backwards. Her cry was choked against the fabric and Momo scuttled upwards, latching his teeth into the attacker's hand.

"-The fuck?!"

Fuu felt the hold on her loosen and shebroke away, Momo dropping back onto her shoulder before scampering back inside her komono. The man groaned and lurched after her, snagging a fistful of her hair.

"You little cunt!"

Fuu's nails tore at the man's hand, ripping away flesh as he wrenched her back against him, wrapping his free arm around her waist. She slammed her shoulder blades into his chest, lifting herself and violently swinging her heels at his shins. She nailed him, once...twice...three times. He swore loudly and flung her to the ground.

Fuu landed on all fours, barely having time to recuperate before a swift kick met her in the gut. She gagged, wrapping an arm around her stomach. Her attacker chuckled and reached down, grabbing the back of her neck and pulling her up to her knees. Her abs seared and she bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. She clawed at his arm, drawing blood. Hissing, he yanked her head back and delivered a sharp punch to her face. Fuu's lower-lip split and she could feel the skin of her cheek begin swell as it bruised. Alarmed, she quickly searched her person for the trusty tanto she kept hidden in her kimono.

Suddenly, heraggressor cried out, and Fuu cringed as his grip on her gave-way, blood raining down against her bared shoulders. She heard the familiar grunt of her wildest companion and then, an indicative gargling noise. She reluctantly lifted her eyes, and caught sight of scarlet and silver, the blade glinting as it jutted from her tormentor's mouth.

Mugen grinned down at her, bracing his foot against his victim's back as hewrenched his sword free. It slid out none-to-smoothly and he growled, whipping the blade round again. The man's head fell at his feet with a soft thump. Fuu repressed the bile that rose in her throat as blood tainted the sky red. Glaring, Mugen extended a bloody hand,

"What the fuck's the matter with you?!"

When she refused his aid, he clasped strong fingers around her bicep, yanking her to her feet. She winced, her abdomen twisting in pain. Ignorant of her discomfort, Mugen glared at her, blood splattered across his face,

"Didn't four-eyes tell you to wait inside?!"

Fuulooked away, "I don’t know..."

"Bullshit!" Mugen growled, "Get your scrawny ass back in there! We don't need extra baggage weighing us down!"

He shoved her towards the door, but she spun back around, glaring,

"I want to help!"

"Tough shit!" He countered darkly, pointing a long finger at the onsen.

Fuu glowered, "I can hold my own."

Obviously. Mugen's teeth clenched, "Get. In. There. Now."

Fuu seethed but did as she was told, throwing the sliding door open and slamming it behind her. Mugen snorted in irritation before turning around andshoving his sword through the closest dojo-thug he could find.

---

Jin moved around the field gracefully, swiping his blade and dodging the sprays of blood. More and more of his old classmates stepped up to the brawl, and more and more of them fell. Mugen suddenly flipped beside him, taking up his rear. The pirate grunted,

"The bitch didn't listen."

Jin nodded, "Are you surprised?"

"Hn, " Mugen smirked, "Nope."

The sigh of katana hovered in the air,a velvet endearment of blades as they vaulted through the wind. The delicate song of steel, followed by shouting... and blood choked cries of anguish.

The reek of dying menwafted in the breeze; piss and blood. Blood that smelt of rust and salt and regret as it wove through the air, cutting through the stench of shit and the thudding of bodies hitting soil.

Mugen snatched a man by his throat, wielding his sword with his free hand. The sound of cracking skeleton and blood spurting blasted, and Mugen pulled his blade free, striking out like a jaguar at another's gut.

“Ah, shit,” disappointed, he sighed, jumping back. His sword stuck halfway through the man's innards, the hilt swinging back and forth as the blade sang. Mugen smirked,

"A vest, huh?"

With a grunt he jumped backwards onto his hands and kicked the sword the rest of the way through. Blood sprayed, drenching him and he flipped up to stand on his feet again, tugging his sword free. Jin danced around about ten yards away, cutting through the last of their forces.

Mugen slung his blade over his shoulder as the last man fell, blood dripping from the tip andpit-pattering on the ground, "That was one hell of a work out!"

"Hmm," Jin's gaze lay steady on the dark horizon, the paper lanterns that lit the area around them flickering softly in the wind. Dark clouds rolled in, amenacing threat to the remaining light of the perished sun. Mugen frowned and followed his companion's gaze,

"What is it?"

Jin turned to look at him, his face strict, "Take Fuu and get out of here."

Mugen scowled, "Say what?"

"You heard me."

"Kiss my ass!" The Ryukuuian shook his head, blood spraying, "No way I'm letting you have all the fun."

Jin glared at him, hard, "It's Fuu's only chance. We wont be able to protect her."

Mugen's features softened some, but he held his ground, "She'll be fine."

"You don't know these men, Mugen." Jin's eyes flickered back to the hills, "They'll kill her...just because she's associated with me, they'll kill her." He glanced back at Mugen, "There will be too many for us to both fight and protect her from. She'll die."

Mugen snarled, smirking darkly, "Whatever. You just want 'em all for yourself."

Jin sighed in exasperation, "Have I ever given you reason to doubt my word?"

Mugen glared at him, refusing to answer.

"Please," Jin pleaded. He wasn't above begging, not now. It wasn't their fight, "Get her out of here."

Mugen growled and furiously sheathed his sword, "Oi! And where the fuck should I take her, eh? There's no where close for days!"

"Exactly," Jin agreed, pulling out the scroll and offering it, "Take her and run."

Mugen snatched the parchment, sent him a 'fuck-you' glare and turned, jogging towards the hut, "Don't you fuckin' die on me, you bastard! We got a score to settle, remember?"

Jin watched him go dejectedly, nodding. The sudden sound of marching alerted him to his time limitand he looked back to the horizon, watching as a small fleet of samurai gathered. He frowned and readied himself.

Mugen caught wind of the sound too and stopped mid-stride, glancing over his shoulder. Men filed along the hill top, dozens of them.

"Fuck..." he whispered bitterly in disapointment, sprinting towards the onsen as a fevered rain began to fall.

---

Fuu shoved the door open, clambering out into the downpour. Blood pooled around her feet in puddles and she grimaced. The sounds of battle had long since died away and she looked around, drastically searching for the silhouettes of her friends. A she took a step out into the open, something caught her hard around the waist, pulling her backwards.

A grunt was heard and she instantly recognized the flung her over his shoulder, holding her down by the backs of her legs. Frowning, Fuu smacked her palms against his back.

"What are you doing? Put me down!" When he refused, she glanced around, paling, "Where's Jin?"

Mugen chuckled, "Don't get your panties in a twist. He's fine."

He carted her back inside, snatched their things, and dashed back out the door. The rain had snuffed out the surounding lanterns, casting the world into steady night. The sound of metal upon metal suddenly rang out and Fuu realized what was happening. The battle wasn't over.

Thunder rumbled in the distance as she hung uncomfortably over Mugen's shoulder. He had stopped, his head turned as he watched the mess from the corner of his eye. Lightening split the sky and Fuu caught sight of Jin, his dark hair freely askew, blade flying. He lifted his eyes to them, knocking one of his assailants to the side with his elbow.

"Go!" he cried as the night once again fell dark.

Fuu could feel Mugen's hesitation and fought to suppress the hurt swelling in her chest. Theyboth knew there were too many. She'd seen them all. Watching, waiting, biding their time. They'd take him down slowly. Lightning hit again, as did Jin's gaze. A blade sliced over the skin of his arm and he winced,

"Go, damnit!"

Everything suddenly faded to black again and Fuu heaved a raw, aching sob. He was going to die. She knew it. Her most loyal companion was going to die. Her best friend... The wind whipped free, damp strands of hair around her face as she struggled against the Ryukuuian's grip, reaching out for Jin. Grunting, Mugen started to carry her off.

"No!" she shrieked, digging her fingers into his back, struggling desperatly, "Put me down! We can't just leave him!" She thrashed, whimpering, "Please!" Mugen's grip on her legs tightened and she cried out before falling against him, exhausted, sobbing, "...Mugen."

His muscles tensed beneath her and he stopped, "Fuu..."

Jin called out again, his voice nearly muffled by the clang of steel on steel, "Go!"

Fuu's fingers wove in the material of Mugen's gi, and she buried her face in it, "...no."

Thunder brewed and lightning struck. Jin called again, this time sounding much more urgent,

"Mugen! What are you waiting for!"

Another must have advanced on him because Jin roared, and his steel whispered against flesh.

"GO!"

Fuu bounced as Mugen took off, his feet racing. She sobbed against his back, and the rain fell harder.

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Now, I'm aware there might be some confusion about the pairing after reading this chapter. Make no mistake; this IS a Mugen/Fuu story. Fuu sees Jin as a brother, maybe even a Father figure. So naturally, she's going to be torn about his death. Anyways...What is in that scroll? Where will Mugen and Fuu go...? And what will happen between them once no one else is around to keep them in line? Find out next time! But until then, Review, review, review!