Sorry for the wait. I hope it's worth it and lives up to your expectations. Please take your time, this chapter is over 20,000 words.

There is LOTS happening. 3 points of view. 3 stories that all merge into 1. I will tell you all know, I will be posting a very short epilogue/alternative ending separate from this story.

CONTENT WARNING- NONCON, MATURE 18+ VERY GRAPHIC

Chapter 17 - Land of the Rising Sun

Thunder banged through the sky, shaking everyone's ears. It was as if the sky itself was trying to break through the grey clouds that had gathered. The sky, the weather, and the people were all disturbed- the ominous grey that had been lingering was seeping into the souls and livelihood of everyone. Through the sky, into the hearts and souls, everything was connected through one intertwining consciousness. As the sky grew darker and grey, so did their hearts, and evidently, their fates. The red string that connected everyone of them to the world seemed to increase in power and influence. What once seemed like a journey of a life time, was coming to an end. What seemed like the blossoming of love set up by the string of fate, was to crack and grow dull- just like the sky.

And the idea of revenge, could only end one way; with someone's string being cut.

Looking towards the shadowed window panels, she thought she heard a familiar tune. It seemed to carry through the air, and the more she thought she heard it, the louder it became. But as soon as she lost concentration, she could not longer pick it out- but then again, maybe it was just the howl of the wind. On her hands and knees, she crawled to the next few boards of the floor. The grooves started to look like all the others'. Had she already looked at this part? Her heart banged against her chest with the same intensity as the thunder. It was hard to maintain her breathing and to keep her tears from pooling out. The clouds of her mind had finally started to clear, but there was still some haze. Saying she was mad was an understatement- she was furious. All this time, someone had been following them. Something had been going on, even though she couldn't see or hear anything- but Mugen knew. He knew what was going on in the shadows. He knew all along, and yet he had the audacity to tell her to not be so naive. 'Maybe if you actually told me stuff I wouldn't be so naive! Jerk!'

She knew it wasn't exactly his fault, but she wasn't trained with this kind of stuff. Not that he was really trained either but the life he had lived this far created a certain set of skills that she would never have. Running her fingers along the lines that connected the different boards, her nail easily fit between them, shifting the flooring.

"Fuu?"

Pulling her hands away, the board dropped back into place and she quickly turned herself around. It was like she just got caught with her hands in the cookie jar. Though the door remained shut, she knew from just the call of her name that it was Sousuke.

"Yes?"

Opening the door, Sousuke stepped inside. He was about to say something but he arched his brow with a chance of emotion. "What are you doing over there?"

"Huh? Oh-" Scrambling up to her feet, Fuu brushed off her knees and rushed over to him. "-nothing really. I was just doing some stretches." Fixing her hair over her shoulders again, she smoothed it out. "Is there something you need?"

His brow relaxed again and he chortled upon exhale. "Just wanted to let you know the rest of us are heading out."

Nodding her head, she straightened her back the best she could and presented the biggest smile she could (which wasn't more than a slight curl of the lips). "Be safe."

"Hai." Taking one last look at Fuu, her attempt at covering the mark on her neck wasn't working. Her silky locks were far too smooth and well maintained to cover up such a wild thing. Slowly reaching forward, he wanted to adjust it, he wanted to cover it.

"Sousuke?" Jerking back a bit, Fuu avoided his touch.

Letting his hand fall back to his side he turned around. "I hope to hear your answer when I get back.." As much as he wanted to look back at her one last time, he didn't. Instead he stepped out, closing the door behind him, to finally put the plan in place.

Finally letting go of the breath she seemed to be holding, her chest deflated. Sousuke wasn't the only one wanting answers. There seemed to be a lot going on around here that involved her, and for some reason, she was being left out of most of it. Everyone around her knew exactly what was going on, and it appeared that things were being decided for her. Looking over her shoulder, she eyed the boards that she had been inspecting. 'Not this time..'

Spinning on his heel, he planted both feet firmly on the ground. Using the impact of the blades connection, Mugen, and his opponent both pushed off- distancing themselves. Holding his sword with one hand, the vibrations from impact still lingered up his arm. Curling his mouth into a smile, he eyed up his opponent. He was impressed, in more ways than one. Standing before him, was an incredible womanly figure, mostly clad in light hues of grey- so they would blend into the misty and clouded surroundings. Her outfit was like a second skin, hugging every bump and curve- hiding almost nothing. The only unsightly bumps were those of concealed weapons. In herr hand was a wakizashi.

"-Bout time that you show yourself." Making no attempt at hiding his travelling eyes, he was a bit disappointed that it was her and not the one that had been following them since Fukui. "Yer the one that was following me in Fukui, right?"

"You're as sharp as ever, Mugen." Standing up, and slacking their stance, she pulled the half mask down from her mouth- fully revealing her face. She had a job to do, but she wanted to see his reaction to who she was. It had been far too long since they saw each other. And although she vowed that she would one day find him to marry, things had gone too far. Breathing in the crisp air, the black material bunched on her neck. "It's been a few years, long time no see."

Looking at her face, it wasn't half bad either. Her lips were as pale as her skin and her cheeks rosy from the weather. "Huh? Have we met before?"

Buckling forward a bit, she couldn't believe he didn't remember her. It had been such a monumentous night for her, and they fought so well together. Between the two of them, they brought down the man that her father scorned, it was the biggest breakthrough of her clans history, and yet he had no idea. With a chortle, she was then what she is now- nothing but a whore who can use a weapon.

"Once, but that doesn't matter anymore." Dragging one foot on the soil, it made a semi circle around her. Bending at the knees, she readied herself. "Only one of us will be walking away from here."

"Wouldn't expect it any other way.." Cranking his neck to the side, pops and cracks worked their way down. He wasn't exactly in the most nimble shape to be facing off with someone like her. The damn ninja type or whatever the hell she was, they were annoying as hell. They were quick, and sneaky- more so than him. "Let's get this over with, I got to go deal with your boss."

Pulling her half mask back over her mouth and nose, Yatsuha steadied her breathing. She took note on where he had lead her- he was smart. If she was in this position she would have done the same thing. It was open, apart from the trees that were still a ways back. She would have no choice but to get up close, and she wouldn't want it any other way with him. His blade was clearly longer, and he would have a longer reach, so since stealth attacks were out of the question, she would have a better chance at keeping it close. Her arms and legs would work better in smaller spaces than his would.

Spinning herself to the side, Mugen's blade whistled through the air as it sliced. She didn't expect him to attack first, but then again, he had more at stake than she. Using the momentum of her spin, she brought a leg up, and crashed it on the back of his shoulders. But he didn't faulter, without hesitation, he turned himself, swinging his blade and elbow. Bending herself back, the blade sliced the air above her chest and stomach, his left elbow which seemed to lead the direction of the blade knocked against her leg before she was able to bring it back down. Planting her palms on the ground and making her body into a bridge, her knee collided with Mugen's right hand which held the blade. Although now he was able to feel temperature and texture in his damaged hand, he still couldn't feel pain on it.

Slicing at her body left and right without restraint, she propelled herself away from him with a series of back flips. Just as quick as she got away from him, Mugen dug his getas into the ground, and launched himself at her almost matching her speed. Upon her final flip, her eyes met with his and she wasn't able to land like she planned. His body was still coming at hers, and she couldn't let herself get knocked down. Still having a firm hold of her wakizashi, she slashed it down between them, but Mugen was quick enough to bring his blade in between them, blocking the short blade from hitting him. However, because of the position of his sword, he had to stop his legs or else he could trip.

Finally able to distance herself, Yatsuha didn't hesitate to pull out two smaller knives. Throwing them at Mugen she lunged herself back at him- this time she would be in control.

Bobbing his head to the side and bending at the knees, he dodged the first knife that was going for his forehead. The other knife grazed his right tricep; slicing his clothes and opening a small thin wound on his flesh. It was almost enough to distract him, but their blades continued to clash and clang together time and time again.

"GOD DAMN IT, I AIN'T GOT THE TIME FOR THIS!"

"Is that right?" Breathing hard, they both parted, staring at each other as sweat dripped down their faces. "It seems to me like you've got all the time in the world, Mugen."

"Stop talkin' like you know anything." Tightening his grip on his sword, he wiped his free hand off on his shorts. He was really getting tired of this, for some reason, he couldn't help but feel that she was holding back. And it wasn't as if he was meaning to either, but it was hard to put your all into something when the other person was only half assing it. If she really wanted to, she could have sliced him a few times already, and the knives were thrown so lightly that he easily dodged them. The same went for him. There were many opportunities to end this but her attacks weren't sincere, it was like she was doing the bare minimum to get him to react.

"Don't you though? I mean, what's going to happen when this is all over? You have nothing waiting for you. So, I'd say you have nothing but time."

"Heh, that's some big talk for some little lap dog. All you do is go bite whoever your master tells you too."

As the words left his mouth, she was on him again. There was more force and more anger behind her attacks. Her speed seemed to increase as every slash of her wakizashi bounced off his blade in a last moment block. She seemed to float in the air as her knees and flexible kicks assaulted his left side as he was too busy trying to block her small blade. Her quick and compact attacks made it almost impossible for him to get any kind of attack in. If he moved his arm enough to get his blade in for an attack, he would leave himself wide open for hers. If he didn't have somewhere else to be, he wouldn't mind adding another scar and possibly seeing the crow men again...

"I am no dog!" Mid strike, Yatsuha released her wakizashi and quickly snapped it back with her opposite hand- changing direction and the angle of her attack. She could feel it, the resistance of flesh and bone at the other end of her blade.

"Yatsuha."

"Yes, father?" Wiping sweat from her brow, she was only half way through her morning training. She felt rusty, and out of practice so she was pushing herself- or at least it felt like she was. She had been going without her father, or without anyone knowing because she didn't want them to see how far she had fallen from where she once was.

"What would you do, if I told you to leave?"

Rotating her shoulders she loosened herself up a bit. "Huh? I guess I could come back after lunch?"

"I meant this way of life." The eyes that always seemed nothing more than slight lines opened a bit, his big over grown brows shadowed the eyes that she remembered being brown, but where somehow clouded grey. "The age of the samurai..and the ninja are coming to an end."

"Wha..what do you mean!?"

Raising his hand, the usually stern man silenced his daughter. The slight lines that grew out from the sides of his face seemed deeper lately, making his eyes seem even smaller than they did before. The cicadas screamed at them as they stood facing each other in the training grounds that she had spent almost every day at since she was able to walk. This was the land of her family, of her clan. She had been gone for so long undercover that she almost forgot how clean the air was here. She had only been home for a month and every time she took in a deep inhale, it felt like the first and last time all at once.

"The world is changing. Masters, houses, traditions, are changing as well." Holding onto his hands behind his back, she never noticed how his shoulders slumped like this. "-There is no need for people like us anymore. Maybe..you should go and make a life of your own desire."

Naturally, she thought he was kidding. This man, since she was young, all he did was drill into her about their pride, their honour as ninjas. He would make her practice for hours, pushing her beyond the breaking point. It didn't matter how sick, tired, or young she was, if she vomitted he would say that was just the weakness leaving her body, and if she ever dared to cry- he would make her do twice as much. So since when had these foolish thoughts entered his head?

"Is this because of my training?! I'll get back to where I was before I went undercover! I swear, I'll grow beyond that even!" Bringing herself down onto one knee, she slammed one fist down on the ground and bowed her head. "Please, Father, this is the life that I desire."

"Yatsuha, raise your head."

Following his order, she looked up but kept her form down on the ground. She looked up to her father, who even though was standing in front of her, seemed to be so small. He didn't look at her like he normally would during a lesson or lecture, instead he was looking out to the trees around them.

"Yatsuha.. do tell me, what is the difference between existence, and living?"

'Hm?' Trying to push the blade in more, her hand- no, her entire arm was shaking. She couldn't push any further. Her mind was consumed with the almost forgotten memory of her father. Back before he was consumed by the very product and industry that she was now fighting for. 'No..What..what am I fighting for?' She always told herself it was for her father, and Otawa. They were caught in all this just as much as she was. It was fight, or die. That was the life she was trained to live. Looking at her shaking hand, she understood now why she was shaking. Or rather, it wasn't her that was shaking at all. Mugen had a firm grip on her wrist, keeping anything beyond the tip of the wakizashi from going into his flesh.

"Ya know, all you girls, have the same damn weakness."

'I feel...warm?'

"-And it's annoying as hell."

'What's this taste?' Upon exhale, a warm bubble fluxed up Yatsuha's throat- splattering red out onto her lips and onto Mugen's chin and collar bone area. 'Why is he bleeding there?..Where?..' Slowly look down on Mugen, there was no wound on him. Smacking her lips together more, her saliva seemed unnaturally warm, and thick. Her vision started to become unfocused, like she was somehow looking through someone else's eyes. Looking further down on herself, it was surreal. Pressed firmly into her stomach, was Mugen's blade. It wasn't the tip that had struck her, but the entire sharp end spread across her tiny, tightly toned stomach- so much that she couldn't see much of the thin blade other than what stretched out to the side.

Almost like a bubble, another splash of red burst from her mouth- this time it all pooled out her mouth and down her chin. Looking back to Mugen, his face was emotionless, all he did was stare at her without remorse, almost as if he was bored. With her free hand, she unsteadily placed it on his opposite shoulder- supporting herself, because she knew that as soon as he moved his blade- she would be done. Swirling around the fluids in her mouth, she spat it out, hitting Mugen's dirty "white" shirt. She felt warm all over, like someone was embracing her- welcoming and comforting her for what was to come.

And as her training, she wasn't scared. Fight, or die. That was what she was taught. That was the life her father set out for her, and the one she chose to follow.

She had heard many times that a person's life would flash before their eyes before they died, but...there was nothing. There were no smiling moments for her, no heart felt memories, nor could she remember anything beyond what was in front of her right now. Maybe because..she knew she had died on the inside a long time ago.

Squeezing Mugen's shoulder and the handle of her wakizashi as tight as she could with the bit of strength she had left, she leaned in, dripping some blood onto his collar bone. She hoped he would hear her. With her lips moving with her words, the blood hung in a line from her lips onto Mugen. Pulling her face from him, she wasn't quite able to stand up straight, but she hoped her lips were able to curl up the way she wanted them to. "Thank you, Mugen".Closing her eyes, she took in one last breath- and then it wasn't anything more than a pinch.

Swinging his blade in the air a few times, he cleared the blood from his sword before he stuck it back into its sheath. With his hand now free, he wiped his mouth and stared off into the darkening surroundings. Rotating his shoulder, he took one last look down at the woman. It annoyed him more than anything, almost more than her holding back. It was her eyes. Despite what was probably an incredible skill set, she held back. She purposely left openings before she would go in for an attack, all of which he tried to avoid. Even though he was in a time crunch, he couldn't bring himself to do it. There was something about her that seemed so damn familiar. The playfulness of her moves, and the strength of her voice. But her damn eyes...

Dull.

Tired.

Lifeless.

Even though she lay lifeless now, she had been dead on the inside longer than he could imagine. And for some reason, she chose him to be the one to end it all. He often found the same pattern when fighting women. They start off with a bang, throwing in everything they can but then...their strength dwindles. They start to get sloppy, they get tired and ultimately, they let their emotions take over. And she was no different.

Finally looking away he shook his arm that her knife had grazed and set off into the village towards the final destination; Toi Gold Mine.

As quietly as they could, Kawara, and his men approached the entrance of the mine. Despite all the extractions from the mine, the trees and plants still surrounded the small opening. Trees were over grown and from the right point you could see the only path that lead in and out of the mine. It was a small cave opening that would only allow specialty sized carts in and out. Different formation of rocks surrounded the outside, with vines and leafs draping around. None of them had been here before, so when they were making their plan they had assumed it was an open and rocky area which is why they chose to go out in smaller groups. 5 other men accompanied Kawara in his group, but if things had gone accordingly, they would be meeting with two other groups (including Ishimatsu's) and then one more man on the inside that would help guide them through.

As nice as the extra camoflauge was, it also brought with it other difficulties. Such as crunching and rustling. They had to be extra careful of how they stepped and when they stepped. Like a rippling tide, when one branch shook, it spread to other's- swaying like a silent bell that could give them away. Sousuke didn't want to admit it, but he was nervous. He and his men had brought down many criminals, and growing criminal organizations- but nothing of this magnitude. Nothing of Hisayuki Machii's size and influence. And if he was the kind of man that Sousuke thought him to be, then he would be here to take care of his assets. Though, to be honest he was only going by word of mouth that Machii was actually here. Somewhere along the line, it could have just been a big ploy, to bring the Kawara clan in and end them. But Sousuke was willing to risk it if it meant stopping Machii, and saving Fuu.

Finally coming across the other group, everyone seemed to be accounted for. With a few hand gestures, they veered directly behind the opening of the cave that was covered and cascaded with vines and branches. It was at the point that it was dark enough they could hardly see where they were walking, but at least it meant that if anyone else was nearby, they wouldn't be able to see or else they would have a lantern. A lantern or any source of light would mean he would be able to see them before they could see him.

Getting to the edge of the thick bush, the large group split into two, one line up going left and the other right-until they met at the front sides of the cave. Jumping down from the incline, their shoes "clopped" against the cold wet ground. They didn't curl around completely to the front, they stayed close to the rocks so they wouldn't be in view of the opening.

Across from Sousuke on the other side of the entrance, one of his men curled his hands around his mouth and called out.

The sound started as a low growl, then eventually grew louder into a yip like scream-identical to a tanuki. He repeated this for awhile and then they all grew silent as they waited for the response.

Mens eyes shifted to one another as their muscles grew stiff and their stomachs twisted. Sousuke and Ishimatsu weren't an exception. The gust of wind that slammed against them did nothing to cool down their nerves. The wind seemed to bellow against the entrance of the cave, creating an ominous sound.

Looking to the man across from him, Sousuke lightly nodded his head and so the man began his tanuki impression once again. Finally, after there was no response, Sousuke and Ishimatsu nodded at each other- both leading the groups into the mouth of the cave.

Instantly, their clothes and skin felt warmer as the wind was no longer able to get to them. A pugent smell stained their noses. It was a wet, musty, stale smell. Small crevasses from the top of the cave dripped and leaked from the absorbed rain from the last few days. Lanterns hungs every few yards on small rusty hooks that were barely hanging on to the worn wooden supports that stood at the sides and then were connected at the top by a plank of wood.

'It's quiet...' Leading along side Ishimatsu, they continued on, further and further into the cave. It seemed to be a straight and narrow path, barely wide enough to fit two people side by side, until they came to a split on the path. Left or right? Both paths were illuminated by similar lanterns, but everything was still eerily silent. There seemed to be no indication on where to go- if it weren't for the lanterns already lit they would have assumed it had been abandoned.

"Kawara, it's possible they're trying to split us up." Stepping forward a bit towards the right, Ishimatsu stood as tall as ever. "I say we stick together, and if we go down the wrong side, we can just come back and try again."

"Yes, but I don't want to waste any time.." Bringing his left thumb to his mouth, Sousuke bit down on his nail. They were going in blind, they had no idea the levels or trails of the cave. How much of a maze would it be beyond this point? How much further would they have to go? Taking in a deep breath, he continued on. "Everyone, stick together..for now."

They kept going, following the lanterns, eventually there was another turn, and they chose to stick with right so they could find their way back easily. Their path seemed to veer in different directions, and the air became stuffy and moist.

'Damn it, where are they?!' Getting impatient, Sousuke tried to push past those that were walking in front of him. But he was quickly stopped by Ishimatsu. Ishimatsu's composed and calm eyes stared into Sousuke's which were anything but calm.

"Everyone, stop." Removing his hand and arm from in front of Sousuke, Ishimatsu continued to tower over the still growing "man". "-If you intend on going on like that, you won't be walking out of here."

Tightening his fists at his sides, Sousuke felt a few knuckles crack. It was true, even if he wouldn't admit it. There was more than just the mission on his mind right now, and it was distracting him. If his father was here, he would give him one hell of a licking, and then a lecture. Ishimatsu was able to see right through him which only added to his adolescent resentment and emotions, but despite it all- he knew Ishimatsu was right. In situations like this Ishimatsu never caved or became irrational.

Taking a step forward, Sousuke, and all the other men stumbled. The ground around them shook and debris and small stones fell from the walls and cave ceiling. Just as soon as it started, it had stopped. Disturbed dust, soil, and clay lingered in the air, as well as something else. It was strong, extremely pugent, and it was already leaving their heads with a pain that they wouldn't be able to shake any time soon.

"What was that? An earthquake?"

"No-" Steadying himself, Sousuke stood up tall, like somehow it shook his confidence back into place. "-dynamite." Smirking to himself, it was no wonder they handn't come across anyone or anything yet. They were looking in the wrong direction. They had been turning left and right, following the straight flow, looking for signs of people. All of this, every turn, the lanterns, it was pointless. Looking down at the ground under his feet, Sousuke smoothed the soil under his geta. "That's where we need to go. Turn back, everyone. Pay attention to the walls, I think there's a path we missed."

"What do you mean, Kawara"

"They're below us. They lit the lanterns to drive us further away from them." Walking forward more to the front, Kawara looked at the ground. Apart from their own prints and some disturbance close to the walls, there were no signs of anyone. It looked like they set up lanterns and then left. "If they were this way, we would be seeing more tracks, but there's nothing."

"Hn." Furrowing his brows, Ishimatsu looked at the ground like Sousuke, and he was right. They had been so busy following the lanterns that they didn't bother looking at anything else around them.

Turning around, they retraced their steps. But this time they carefully looked at the cracks and crevasses of the cave walls- looking for anything that might fit a person. However they seemed to be having no such luck, and they were nearing the first turn they took when they entered the cave.

Once again the ground shook, but this time it was fiercer, making most of the men stumble down to the ground. Other's steadied themselves by holding onto the wave walls and the support beams. Larger stones, and bits of the ceilings fell down to the ground, leaving a few men with new bumps and goose eggs on their heads.

"Kawara that-" With the final vibration running through them all, Ishimatsu looked to Kawara, his composure starting to crack.

"-wasn't under ground!" Meeting Ishimatsu's eyes, they both knew what was most likely around the final bend. "Men! Ready yourselves and pick up the pace!"

All at once, the men loosened their grips and ran around the final bend. As a leader, Kawara needed to remain calm which was why Ishimatsu intervened earlier. But he was a foolish man to not realize what was happening sooner. All the lanterns, the lack of tracks, the silence. It was all to lure them in deeper and deeper. With heavy breaths and heavier footsteps, they finally came around the final bend. All at once, their running ceased.

Taking in one deep breath, Ishimatsu stood tall, taking a quick glance at Kawara before looking to the road block ahead. He couldn't help but regret his choice to not relay Mugen's warning to Kawara. He trusted Kawara, but he was still young, he was hoping that in light of the situation he would be able to use his problem solving skills and his experience from previous missions to anticipate all the possibilities. 'Cause, if he ain't smart enough to know they got the upper hand here then that's his fault' Maybe if they would have waited for Mugen. As brash and uncouth as he was, he had a way of knowing things. It was like he had a sixth sense. Or maybe it was because deep down, Mugen was just as vile as the men they were up against.

The dynamite placed around the opening of the particular tunnel they were in went hand in hand with what Mugen said they should do- just bring the whole thing down. But that wasn't how they did things in the Kawara clan. The amount of men crowding the opening told Ishimatsu and Kawara that they weren't being underestimated. That if the dynamite didn't work, they would go in themselves and stain the cave floors red.

"Sousuke Kawara, I presume?" With a kiseru pipe in his mouth, the man exhaled, clouding his face momentarily.

Letting out a shaky breath from his nose, Sousuke stood tall, just like Ishimatsu. With one hand on the hilt of his sword, the other one was relaxed by his side. Kawara's eyes fell on the man that was breathing smoke like a dragon, but he looked like anything but. He was a slender man, short in height and already balding. Lines ran along his forehead and out from his eyes which were stern and cold. Despite how plain and simple he looked, his eyes were in a league of their own- they showed what kind of beast was within.

"Hisayuki Machii."

Smirking, the man smiled, releasing smoke from the cracks and holes between his teeth. "I've been expecting you."

The floor boards creaked beneath his feet as he walked further along in the Inn. Everyone seemed to be gone, just like he expected. It had been a long time waiting. A long time wondering, but now the time finally came. He stopped and fit the tips of his fingers in the groove of the door. With a swift movement, he opened the door. His stern eyes stared into the dark empty room. She was gone.

Stopping everything, Fuu listened.

Her heart pounded against her chest so hard that she swallowed hoping it wouldn't leap up and out of her. She could hear footsteps above.

Taking a deep breath, she adjusted the bag that kept slipping off of her shoulder. With her body flat against the ground, Fuu put one arm out in front of the other, wiggling herself further along the cold ground. She didn't dare bring a lantern or any source of light with her. She was hoping that if she just continued straight, she would eventually find an opening and she would be able to get out of here. The ground under the Inn wasn't wet like she thought, even though it was raised off the ground, the "crawl space" seemed to be closed on all sides. It was still tight, she couldn't even go up to her knees or else she would knock her head on a support beam. Every now and then she could feel her elbows and knees knock against a post , making her adjust herself in the dark. She tried not to think about any bugs or insects, or even animals that might have burrowed their way underneath.

The thoughts of a centipede or mouse brushing against her gave her the chills, but she was taking control. Everyone was excluding her. Everyone was deciding her life. No one decided what her life was going to be like or how it was going to happen- half the time she didn't even know what she was going to do. But it was always her choice. And she would be damned if someone other than her was going to decide her life-her fate.

If someone was following them, then why would they be so stupid as to leave her alone. She knew as much that her warrant wanted her alive, so being alone like that was just asking for trouble. So there was no way that she was just going to sit still and do nothing- it wasn't in her to do that.

Digging her toes into the soil, she pushed herself forward more with the help of her slender arms. A chill tickled the back of her neck and her ear. She fastened her hair up with her jade adorned hair stick, not caring about the marks that were left on her skin anymore- this was about convenience. Looking to the side, her face could feel it too- a cool breeze that went with the howl outside

'A exit!'

Slowly adjusting herself, she managed to turn herself to where the breeze was coming from. As it grew colder and stronger, her arms, stomach and the entirety of what was dragging on the ground became wet and surely muddy. Pushing forwards more, she could feel her body settle in a decent size puddle just as her face reached the opening. The air was crisp and stung her nose when she finally breathed in. Sticking one arm out, she stretched it out along the enclosure, pushing her shoulder out. Eventually she wiggled her head through and then her other arm. Flopping her body, bit by bit she finally emerged from the muddy hole. Trying to stand up, she stumbled. Bending at the knees she steadied herself and she bounced her bag back onto her shoulder. Eyes still down in front of her; large, feet stepped into view.

It felt like the air that kept her body alive was choking her. Even her body trembled and reacted before she looked up to see his face.

"Hello, little mouse..."

She wanted to run, she wanted to do whatever she could to distance herself from him. But her body wouldn't move. Even though her eyes saw what was happening, and her mind knew it was coming- she couldn't avoid the large fist that pressed itself into her stomach, and pressed her consciousness into darkness. She couldn't help but think of the footsteps that were above her, and what kind of fate would have been waiting for her if she would have stayed still.

'Argh...it hurts...it hurts to breathe.'

Taking in one large inhale, it was like she snapped what ever elastic was wrapped around her. She gasped at the sensation but, the pain was still there. The sunflowers around her bent towards her and they seemed to be getting shorter. No longer did they tower beyond her sights, and no longer were they crisp and yellow. The green stalks were browning, bending as if they had an unbearable weight on top. The once crisp yellow mane that surrounded the tops were beginning to fade, and they curled in before scattering to the infinite white beneath her feet.

'What's happening? Why are you dying?!" Turning herself about in a small circle, she reached out to the nearest flowers. She wanted to hold them up. She wanted to support them. She wanted them to keep her covered. To keep her hidden. 'No! Don't let him see me! He'll find me! Stop!' Holding up the center of a flower, it broke within her tiny fingers and fell out like sand in an hour glass. Looking around again, she couldn't remember which way she came. Where was she going again? Why was she even here? Clasping the top folds of her kimono, she couldn't help but squeeze with all her might. Clenching her eyes, she could feel the gaze of the wide open world around her staring.

She wanted to fall down like the flowers that were beyond her reach and sight.

She wanted to fall for eternity just like them.

She wanted out.

'That's right..I was following-" Opening her eyes, the red string was still pulled tight in front of her. "Momo-san." The beady eyes stared up at her. And nimbly and playfully, the grey squirrel jumped and hopped on the string in a circle until it ran back out into the still dying flowers. Staying still wasn't going to do her any good. Firmly grabbing a drooping flower, Fuu ripped it down and let it go. Where did all of her resolve go to? She wasn't just going to sit here, just like she decided not to stay in that room. Flowers weren't going to protect her. Flowers had a tendancy to wilt and die out of season. Their strength, their beauty, were a temporary thing.

Running as fast as she could, it felt like her feet finally had a grip. No longer did her legs flail around like she was running in water. Her body, no longer weightlessly drifting. She could feel it. She could feel the wind from her force brush against her skin and her hair. 'Faster..Faster, Fuu!' Pushing past the ache of her breathing, the red string began to slack and loop down at her side. Momo's four little legs weren't able to keep up speed. Jumping up and sticking out her legs and arms, Momo's skin flaps caught the breeze which projected her backwards and onto Fuu.

The flowers behind her fell the instant she past them, leaving a falling carpet behind her.

"Do you hear that Momo?"

It felt like she had been in silence for so long, and she couldn't see it, but her ears could hear it clear as day. For so long, it had just been her in the vast white, only the sound of her breathing, and the sound of her heart beating.

With one last final stride, and with all her might, Fuu burst out from the dying field of flowers. Having no choice but to squeeze her eyes shut, she was blinded by a light.

Eyes bursting open, the pain on her abdomen was far worse than in her dream. Every breath, in and out, hurt more than the last. With a shaky and unsteady hand she held onto her side, which hurt even more. Her common sense told her she had a broken rib or two, but she didn't know for sure. 'Hn? Where?' Looking from the ceiling above, she looked to the side. The wall was covered in different pelts and furs. All of which were of different sizes, colours, and species. It all seemed, familiar? The room itself was barely illuminated, but enough that she could make out details. Placing her arm down at her side, her exposed forearm, and hand was cradled by a soft fur. Hoisting herself up slowly, she stared at the fur covered wall.

The feeling. The smell. This is where she spent her last, and first night with Mugen.

Finally sitting up, the pain was finally subsiding. It still hurt, but it was bearable. What concerned her the most was the person sitting in front of the door- watching her.

Slowly turning to look at him, every detail was being etched into her mind. Her body started to ache all over again. The bruises that had long healed and disappeared felt like they were fresh. His lingering touch still had a hold of her.

Even though he was sitting, he was impossibly large and imposing. His body was clothed in a dark material, making him blend in well with the lingering shadows from his lantern. His legs were crossed with his knees spanning out what she figured was more than two of her arm lengths. His sword was perched between his crossed legs and he was holding it, twirling it in its sheath with a smirk on his face. His face was almost exactly the same except for what seemed to be a overly large eye patch that not only covered his right eye, but extended up to his forehead, down his cheek bone and even curved around to his ear. The only part of the right half of his face that was showing was part of his nose, his mouth and his jaw that was still covered with thick facial hair.

And his left eye, scorning with enough intensity to make up for the absence of his right-tore right into her.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she had no flowers to hide behind now. She had no furry companion to buy her time, or to send for help. For one of the first times, she was utterly and entirely, on her own. "Buta.."

The steel under his getas were silent as he ran on the wet and muddy road. There was no clang, or clomp of stone or rock. It was a squelch and a splash under his feet with every stride. The scratch on his arm made him keep her words in mind, but it was too vague. Why did he feel so damn compelled to listen? He might be wasting his time, maybe she was lying, or maybe it was a trap. But something inside him told him to keep looking.

'Another opening, behind...go underground.'

Jumping off from the muddy road, Mugen vaulted over bushes and the tall grass. He could see the large "mound" that was the opening to the cave, but he sure as hell couldn't see another opening. Running further into the thicket, heavy wet leafs slapped against him- swaying as he moved and sprinkling water to the ground. His eyes darted from place to place, looking for any kind of trail or track to follow. A fallen tree. A broken branch. Hell, even a blade of grass that looked out of place would do it. Everything seemed completely undisturbed, except for what he had done.

A hard gust of air came out his nose when a slight hum worked its way up from his feet, to the tips of his hair. Something was certainly happening in there, and he was missing out. Looking at the mound of the opening again, he ran in the opposite direction. Hoping that he would find it soon- and if not, he would just go in the front way like he had planned from the start.

With his blade out, he cut down any branches and greenery that was in his way. He didn't care if it dulled the blade, after today it would need a damn good sharpening anyway. With every cut made, he felt a burst of cool water from the settled rain hit him as it flew with the motions. The green and overgrown grass slowly turned into more rocky terrain. It became lumpy and uneven under his feet, but the grass still grew between everything, making it almost impossible to see where he was stepping. Large rocks formed around, with layers of moss and sprouts growing on top. Hopping up from the ground, Mugen used the large moss covered stones as guides. He jumped from one to another, getting different vantage points. But so far, nothing looked like a opening.

"Fuck!" Swinging his sword at nothing, saliva spurted from his mouth as he continued with the profanities. He was wasting precious time, he should have just gone in from the front. In and out. Just like he wanted. Because even though he had his own agenda, there was a certain dilemma itched at the back of his mind. Or rather, it was screaming at him.

It screamed at him to turn around. To go back, find her, and make sure she was okay. 'Damn it..' He knew there were only two possibilities on what was happening to her right now: 1. She left the damn Inn. 2. She stayed put like a damn moron. But there was one thing for sure, there were two people coming for her, and he sure as hell hoped it was the second person.

He hated it. He hated having to trust someone else, and as much as Mugen did trust him, there was no guarantee. There was no way that Mugen would really know what was happening right now unless he was there with her. But, he had no choice. He had already decided long ago that it had to be this way.

Stopping for a moment, Mugen let his arms go limp at his side, and in turn the tip of his sword clanged against the particular boulder he was standing on. Taking in a deep breath, he looked over his shoulder.

He could smell it. The damn scent that stained clothes and minds, and left you with a headache of a lifetime- dynamite.

With one large leap, Mugen landed back on the uneven ground-twisting his ankle slightly. It was definitely coming from there. Pressing his nose closer to the larger formation of rocks, he could smell it seeping through the cracks. Raising an eyebrow, Mugen looked to a suspicious looking blanket of greenery that was draped down over the seam of the formation. Using the dull end of his blade, he moved it out of the way- revealing what he had been looking for. It was a small opening, because of his shoulders, he may have a hard time going straight in but he turned himself, there should be no problem.

Putting the sword back in his sheath, Mugen flattened himself against the one side, and shimmied in. He wasn't pressed tight, but this way his shoulders weren't knocking against the cold jagged "walls". Barely 5 feet in and the path dropped dramatically. Bracing himself he bent at the knees and his slick steel plated getas did all the work for him. He slid down the narrow and dark path into an unknown depth. When the path finally seemed to straighten out, Mugen was left in complete and utter darkness. He couldn't even see his hand in front of his face, but the smell of dynamite was stronger. Unsheathing his sword again, he shuffled his feet bit by bit, being weary of any other drops or holes. With his left hand still on the cave wall, it helped support him. Not being able to see what he was doing made it feel like he could trip or fall at any moment.

Slowly, bit by bit, he went further into the darkness. With the guidance of the wall, he knew when to turn, and the path slowly grew larger. He no longer had to worry about shuffling sideways or having his shoulders knock against the sides. Eventually, a soft light came to view. Orange and red hues blurred around a opening up ahead. Picking up his pace, he had to stop just as suddenly. The tips of his getas and feet hung over the small ledge on the other side of the man sized opening. Pebbles and stones fell from Mugen's movements. Looking down Mugen watched the stones fall, he counted the seconds to help figure out just exactly how high up from the bottom he was.

And from the looks of things, he was pretty damn high.

He had a view of the entire cavern, and no one seemed to notice him yet. The way it looked, somehow reminded him of somewhere he had been before. There was one large opening around, and it seemed there were different tunnels that went out in different directions- like a ant farm. Apart from where he was, there seemed to be only one way in and out- a large caged elevator system that was burrowed slightly in the stone/side. But most of all, the entire thing looked like a damn shit show. The entire area wreaked of dynamite, but there seemed to be almost no order to what was happening. Carts full of mostly rocks were scattered around stationed tables where some men seemed to break apart and inspect the findings- most of which didn't seem to shine bright like gold at all. But there was also some very familiar looking vases loaded up onto small carts- about 3 vases per cart to be exact.

But even though everything seemed hectic, there was a shit ton of people below, and from the sounds of it, even more in the various tunnels. The sounds of pick axes clanged and pinged all at different times, never leaving a break between for any sort of silence. It was easy to tell who was actually getting put to work and who was there to keep them in order. The guards walked around, yelling some dumb shit, but that wasn't what Mugen was paying attention to. There seemed to be a lot of men laying around, Mugen wasn't sure if they were all dead or if they were just sleeping.

'20...24...26.. Hmph...in and out, like I thought.' Holding onto the edge of the opening, Mugen's fingers were able to grip the slight lip. Leaning over, Mugen looked further down, letting himself over the edge more than what most people would be comfortable with. Smirking, Mugen saw how he would get down there.

"HEY, YOU! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!?"

"Hah?" Quirking an eyebrow, Mugen knew very well that they were talking to him. The eyes and faces below all seemed to stare up at him. "As far as your concern..I'M THE GRIM REAPER!" Bending at the knees, Mugen jumped down. His stomach did a flop and everything was completely weightless as he dropped down. His hair, his haori, everything fluttered up as gravity weighed on him. About half way down, Mugen braced himself as he landed on a ledge that wasn't visible to him until he leaned out while he was scouting. He used his new footing to launch himself out and down- so he would land closer to the middle of the space.

The stunned "guards", pulled out whatever weapons they had- most of which consisted of guns and katanas. Overshooting his desired landing point, Mugen's getas crashed onto one of the tables that was being used to inspect the goods. The table cracked and broke under Mugen's weight and force- sending those surrounding it backwards. Finally, the sounds of pick axes died down as the commotion caught the attention of those near the entry of the tunnels. The echo of those working further in could still be heard.

Bobbing on the still breaking table, Mugen used the far end of the table that was flying up at him as a stepping stone. Flying directly into a sword wielding guard- whom of which collapsed under Mugen's blade. With one foot firmly planted on the man's chest, Mugen looked up around- waiting for the other's to surround. It would be easier for them to come to him, rather than running from place to place. From below, the place looked even larger, the tunnels literally spanned out in every direction along the circular shape of the cavern.

"You've got a death wish, son. Do you know who you're messing with?"

"Does it really look like I give a damn?" Turning completely to face the man talking to him, the other men seemed to be gathering alongside and behind him. All had either had a sword out, or had a gun aimed and ready. "I'm a bit disappointed that yer boss didn't tell ya I was coming. I was looking forward to seeing what you all had planned." Bringing his elbows back, Mugen pressed his shoulder blades together and back down. "But I guess this'll do!"

"FIRE!" The man in front cut his blade down in the air, and 6 men around him started firing at Mugen.

Running forward at them, Mugen kept his center of gravity low, leaning forward to the point he was almost running himself down into the ground. A ran as close as he could until he hit the table he had broke. Grabbing a large chunk as he ran, he tossed it at the group- covering a few of their lines of vision. The sounds of bullets burrowing into the cave walls, wood and clanging against metal apparatuses were temporary as Mugen closed the distance quickly.

Like a well practiced formation, those with guns backed up and were replaced with those wielding swords. With a quick vertical slash, the first (or actually, second), man fell. With a "ping" Mugen kicked up the now available blade and wielded it in his left hand. With both arms armed, Mugen was able to be on offense as he defended himself as well. For what seemed like the first time in forever, people were finally attacking him all at once. They didn't hesitate or wait for someone else to make a move before they did, all at once, from almost every direction, he had someone coming at him. With both arms out at his sides, his two blades clashed with others. Constant force and pushing kept them at his sides, if one slipped, so would he.

"ARRGH!" Coming at his front, was a third man.

Turning his arms up and back like a windmill, he forced the other's blades up and away from him just in time for him deflect the third oncoming blade with his left. Plunging his right blade into the gut and out the other side, Mugen quickly retracted it. Turning to his side and pivoting back, he kicked one foot into the air- blocking one of the blades once again with his geta. Twisting his upper body and bending at the knee, burst up, doing a barrel roll in the air- disarming the blade with the heels of his geta.

"FIRE!"

Another round of bullets came Mugen's way. Still spinning in the air, he could feel the force of a bullet pull on the loose leg of his shorts, tearing through the material. A flew clanged against his blades, vibrating his arms and sending a pang to his hands from absorbing most of the impact. Landing on his side, he quickly shifted back up onto one foot and knee, using the "borrowed" blade as a harpoon, he took out one of the gunmen.

Lunging back up, the sharp end of his blade barely made contact with the side of the man he had disarmed with his geta. Although the wound seemed to be shallow- it was enough to spurt blood out, bringing the man down and into the cross fire of one of the final bullets. Somehow during the movement, Mugen had distanced himself from the crowd once again. Standing back up, their attacks weren't coming with the same intensity as before.

"Heh.." Laughing to himself, Mugen could see it on their faces. He was in their heads, and it showed. "COME ON! IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!?"

"GO ON! GET HIM! THERE'S TWENTY OF YOU AND ONLY ONE OF HIM!"

"BRING IT ON!"

NON CONSENSUAL, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP.

Backing herself up, she knew it wouldn't do any good. There was only one way in and out of this place, and it was behind him. There wasn't even so much as a window for her to try to get to. Even though he was taking small steps towards her, it felt like he was running at her. He towered far higher than she remembered, staring down at her.

"I often wondered how your face would look once it was all healed..."

"Huh? That's funny...because I haven't thought of you once." Pursing up her lips, she spat at him, hitting as high up as she could, to which he only smirked.

"Still as fiesty as I remember.." Contiuing slowly towards her, he couldn't help the crooked smirk on his face. "I'll have fun breaking you."

Backing herself up more, she hit the end of the line. With her back pressed against the wall, she had no where else to go. Her only chance was getting on the other side of him and to that door. Last time, her entire body froze. And as much as she wanted to fight back, she couldn't. She bit her tongue and tried not to react at all- even though time and time again he told her to scream, to let it it all out. Using the wall to support her shaky legs, she slowly slid her back up until she was standing. Her hands flat against the wall, they stayed behind her rear, but bit by bit, her left arm got higher and higher, until it brushed against the soft fur of a hanging pelt on the adjacent wall.

"I'm not so fragile to be broken by someone as pathetic as you!"

Pulling down the pelt, Fuu burst off the wall, tossing the pelt over Buta's head. With large, quick, steps, she went around him. Hands stretched out in front of her, she flexed her palms out to push against the door. The rough lines of the door pressed against her skin, and the door started to creak open. 'JUST KEEP RUNNING FUU!' Her bare foot barely pressed against the wet ground, and her head was jerked back-stopping her completely.

With a large, hearty and soul crushing laugh, Buta yanked back on Fuu's hair- and tossed her back to the other end of the shack. Her body fell to the connection of the far wall and the floor- slamming her her back and side.

Trying to catch her breath, her body wouldn't take in air or let it out. Her eyes almost couldn't focus enough to see him toss something down on the floor and slam the door closed. Reaching out to her again, his hand easily wrapped around her small neck. Bit by bit, she was lifted up off the ground, barely able to scrape her toes against the ground.

"I'm sorry to say but, you won't be leaving this place." Bringing her up more, her small hands grabbed at his wrist and arm, trying to hold herself up. He could feel her neck tense and pulse as he gripped a bit more. The way her eyes widened and started to pool with tears, and the way her grunts and attempts at breathing were cut short were better than he imagined. Bringing his face down to hers, his beard scraped against her soft skin as his tongue ran up her cheek- cleaning up a tear that fell. "-at least not till I'm done with you."

Her vision started to speckle with little black dots, and just as she could feel her eyes begin to roll- he released his grip on her neck. Air rushed into her body as she crumbled to the floor, but she wasn't so lucky to catch her breath with ease. His large hand pressed itself to the back of her head- pressing the side of her face to the floor.

"Let's see how well you hold your tongue this time."

Her body jerked as his free hand forcefully pulled at her layers. Her palms pressed firmly on the ground next to her head as she tried to push herself up but he wasn't budging-his one arm was more powerful than her entire body. With another jerk, her body bobbed as the tight obi around her was tossed to the side. She wanted to scream at him, to object, but that was just what he wanted. Frantically, her eyes darted from place to place, looking for anything within arms reach that she could use- but there was only pelts.

His hand ran along her stomach and into the falling folds of her kimono. Curling himself over her body, his body was like a steel cage- giving her no freedom or room to move. With his large body he was able to keep most of his weight on his knees, so he was able to move his hands freely. Still pressing down on her head, his other hand brushed the skin on her sickened stomach. Curling her hands into fists, she stopped trying to push herself up- all it was doing was wasting energy.

"Softer than I remember." Running his hand lower, his hand cradled her pelvic bone, and slid down between her thighs.

Clenching her eyes, she knew what was about to happen. Her swollen lips ached and nerves pinched as two overly large fingers entered. Biting down on her lip, she tried not to make any sounds- it hurt. She still hadn't healed from what she and Mugen had done, and her body wasn't ready, and wasn't willing.

Laughing again, he swirled his fingers and felt her clench around him. Pulling his fingers out, he held them up. "So you did lay with another man." Feeling the texture on his fingers, he strung it out and played with it. "I must admit, I was willing to look past those marks on your neck, I am disappointed. But, if you're good, I'll forgive you."

"You sick bastard!" Clenching her teeth, she wanted to spit at him again but under his hold, she wasn't able to move her head.

Flipping the kimono up over her back, it draped down one side. Revealing everything below her waist. "I'm just a man that knows what he wants." Removing his hand from her head, he grabbed onto her hips with a vice like grip. "-And I always get what I want."

With one forceful push, she felt like she was ripping all over again. Only this time, there was no hesitation or care behind the act. Her mouth burst open, spraying pent up saliva out beside her face as she unleashed a pained gasp. Her body bounced further ahead on the floor and then she was mercilessly slammed back in by the hands on her hips. His body slammed and met hers part way back. His speed wasn't fast, but each time she was slammed back it was hard and without restraint.

Her brows knit together as much as possible, her nails dug into the floor boards and she tried to steady herself. Clenching her jaw again, she couldn't help the grunts and slight squeals that made it past her resolve. It hurt far more than the blade that impaled her ever did. Every time he pushed in, her insides pinched- sending jolts of pain up through her stomach and around her sides. Trying to bring a leg forward, she attempted at pulling herself away in a crawl- but his hands only gripped tighter to the point that it also hurt. Bringing her left arm around to cradle her head, she reached back with her right- digging her nails into his closest wrist.

"-You little!" Pulling his "clawed" hand back, he ceased all movement but remained inside her.

Feeling his grip loosen and one hand pull away, she quickly pulled herself forward, removing him from her and donkey kicked back. She wasn't sure what part of him she hit, but she quickly turned onto her back and bent her knees towards her chest for another kick if he came closer. She knew there was no way she could out power him- so at least she could put up one hell of a fight. "-Like I'm going to let you do whatever you want! OVER MY DEAD BODY!" Kicking at him again, he deflected her legs like they were nothing but leafs in the wind, and he was back on top of her.

"You're starting to make me angry, girl!" Holding back most of his strength, his large fist connected with her jaw.

Her head jerked to the side, and she could taste her own blood pooling from a cut on her lip. Grimacing, a ache was already growing in her head- but the pain was nothing compared to what she had already felt. Turning her head back to him, she spat blood onto his face- splattering on his skin and beard like a flick of a paint brush.

Grunting, he hooked her legs and brought her back in, but she wasn't done fighting. Even though he was on top of her, his weight didn't pin her down so she flailed. She flopped her body around like a fish out of water. She kicked her legs which he was trying to steady and tried to sit up while swinging at his face. "LET GO OF ME!" With the swing of her left arm, her fingers caught the large eye patch that covered part of Buta's face. Eyes widening, her body froze at what layed beneath.

Almost all of the skin on the right side of his face, all the way to his ear was pulled tight and pink with the look of glossed leather. His hair line around the side of his head and ear was almost non existent, and the skin on his cheek was caved in, making his cheek bone stick out. But it wasn't just the burned leather look of his skin that made her shudder- it was his right eye. No eyelid remained, making his eye as round as the full moon. Dozens of blood vessels stained the white of his eye and in place of his eyebrow was bubbled textured skin.

Letting go of her legs, he gripped her shoulders- digging the tips of his digits into her skin. His mouth curled up into a smile and he let out a shrill, maniacal laugh. His left eye became as round as his right, and his pupils contracted into nothing more than dots. "YOU! YOU DID THIS TO ME! LOOK AT MY FACE!"

Wincing at all the pain on her shoulders, she couldn't look away from his crazed face. 'He's gone mad!'

Pushing himself into her, her back fell to the floor and he hovered on top of her. "I change my mind, little mouse. When I'm done, I'm doing to you, what you did to me!" Finding his positioning again, he plunged in, not wasting anytime bouncing her body off his again and again. "I'll burn you, and see if your face is still pretty afterwards!"

Clenching her jaw, and keeping her lips tightly pressed together, she dared not make another sound. Instead she continued to bat, swat, push, and hit at him.

Thrusting like his life depended on it, he could feel himself nearing the end, but he wasn't satisfied. "WHY WON'T YOU SCREAM!?" Grabbing her by the wrists, he pressed them up over her head and he continued to thrust himself.

"-Because" Looking past his large frame, she looked back at him for just a moment. "-You're already a dead man." Closing her hands into fists, she turned her head the moment she heard the crisp, sheen, sound of a blade being unsheathed-and then there was a splatter on her exposed skin. His movements had ceased and his grip on her wrists loosened. Cracking an eye, she looked at him. His face still hovered over hers, but she could feel the continuous flow falling onto her stomach from his.

In one erratic movement, Buta paid no mind to the blade that pierced through his back to his stomach, and he swung his right elbow back- spinning himself around to face his foe. The blade had pulled out and was removed from his body- but it still pointed at Buta, ready for his next move.

"Who the hell are you!?" With one hand clenching his stomach, Buta placed one foot on the floor and kept one knee down. Somehow, the attack brought him back to his "senses". His brows were knit tightly together as he was trying to keep from losing himself.

Rolling herself away from Buta, she clenched her kimono layers closed when she got as far from Buta as she could (which wasn't as far as she would have liked). Spitting out some of the pooled blood from her mouth, she wiped her chin from anything that had dripped. Her heart, and adrenaline were pumping to the point she didn't feel any of the pain anymore.

"Sorry I'm late, Fuu."

Muscle by muscle, she felt her face relax, and her mouth naturally hung open slightly. Turning her head the slightest bit, her heart seemed to recognize the voice far before her mind could process it. Tall, long black hair pulled back, blue and dark grey clothing, and most importantly, glasses.

"J-Jin?!"

With a nod of his head, Jin's eyes stayed focused on the man in front of him. Otherwise, he would be enjoying the reunion. He was already regretful because he was late, which caused Fuu to suffer. He was too late getting to her room, when he opened the door, she was already gone. At first he thought he might have seen Mugen's signal wrong: 'West, 8th room.', but the empty plates and trays suggested otherwise. There were many things about Fuu he would never forget, and one of them being her appetite. If it wasn't for the loose floor board he stepped on, he would have looked in more rooms just to be safe. But something about the creaking under his foot told him she left on her own accord. So he followed the best he could. Finding her point of exit from a small hole on the side of the foundation of the Inn, to the large footprints that left town. But, the real trouble was when he made it to the trees- someone was already there, waiting for him.

Mugen wasn't normally one for preparation, but Jin was grateful for the information he had given. He knew that someone had been following them for quite sometime, and that there would be a possibility that a set of eyes would be on Fuu at all times. They put up quite the fight, but overall, it didn't last longer than a few minutes. It was losing sight of the tracks that delayed him more than anything. The trees, the rocks and the hot springs showed no sign of travellers, especially in the dark. It wasn't until he heard shouting: '-YOU DID THIS TO ME! LOOK AT MY FACE!', that he knew where to go.

"Get out, Fuu."

"You're not going anywhere!" Releasing his stomach, Buta reached out with his blood soaked hand but was stopped when Jin stepped further with his katana.

Quickly getting up, Fuu clenched her kimono closed. Sticking as close to the pelt covered wall as she could, she scooted away from Buta, and behind Jin. Swishing the blood and saliva in her mouth, she spit it out on the floor. She was eternally grateful for Jin's appearance- once again she had been saved. Sliding her foot to the side, she wanted to leave and let Jin end this quickly, but something knocked against the side of her foot. Looking down, it was her hair stick. Earlier, when she tried to escape and Buta stopped her, she forgot she had been wearing it. He must have pulled it out and tossed it down.

Bending down, she picked it up and firmly held it in her hand. Slowly rising back to stand, her eyes caught the flickering light of the lantern.

"Hurry, Fuu, now." Gripping his sword, Jin was ready to end it as soon as she left. The man in question was already nearing the end- blood continued to pool from his body, and he was beginning to waver from the blood loss. He made a promise to Mugen, and he had full intentions on keeping it.

"Jin-" Grabbing him by the shoulder, he was hard to move but eventually, Jin finally budged-standing slightly behind her but with his blade ready. Taking Jin's place, Fuu looked down at Buta. His face remained as firm as ever, but she could see the sweat drip form his brow and down his paling face. Holding the wooden lantern with multiple candles on the inside, she kicked up some of the pelts that she and Mugen had left on the floor. The pelts landed partially on Buta and the floor next to him. "You did this to yourself."

"You bitch-" His body shook ferociously, making him cough up blood. His vision was beginning to blur, blending in the two frames in front of with with the flickering light.

"-Burn in hell." Tossing the lantern down at him, it hit his arm and rolled down onto the pelts- knocking over the candles. The dry skins, and soft furs quickly ignited- lighting up the small shack more than the candles ever could.

He could feel the heat, he could feel it burn his clothes, and his skin. The same sweltering, blistering, heat that he was trapped in before- was consuming him again. But as much as he wanted to move, as much as he wanted to pull her into the flames with him- his body couldn't do it. It was like the weight of every sin he ever committed was weighing down on him- keeping him from committing just one more.

The flames quickly began to spread to the other furs, and the dried, old wood of the interior- but she stood still. Watching the monster light up. With her back tall, and eyes unwavering, she watched as the large body finally collapsed to the side- with the wide full moon eyes staring back, completely lifeless.

"Fuu, we need to go." Putting his katana back into its sheath, Jin backed up from the ferocious flames that were beginning to heat his face beyond comfort.

But she didn't move, or react. She just stood there, staring at the frame within the flames. Grabbing her by the arm, Jin pulled her out. The further they got, the colder their bodies became-no longer within reach of the flames, she still stared at the smoking shack. Adjusting his glasses, there was one more problem he had to solve. Seeing as though she was distracted, he quietly left to retrieve what he needed. When he finally came back, the shack was fully in flames despite the wet exterior. The light of the flames bounced off Fuu's wide watching eyes.

"Use this to fix yourself." Standing slightly behind her, Jin held out a long thin "obi". It was black, and unknowing to the dark surroundings, slightly saturated with blood. With the light of the shack, he easily found the body he had left behind before finding Fuu- to which he was grateful.

"Oh-" Blinking a few times, Fuu finally turned away from the burning shack, confused at what Jin was offering her and why. Turning her body away from the flames, Jin adverted his gaze and the cold night air bit at her. "OH!" Snatching the tie, she turned herself and quickly wrapped herself in her kimono and tied it securely.

"Are you alright?"

"-How did you know where to find me? Or that we were in Toi?" Shaking her head she held out her arms and waved her hands in a similar manner to her head. "Wait, we need to hurry!" Running past Jin, she paid no mind to the darkness as she made her way back to the road.

Easily keeping pace, Jin emerged behind Fuu and out from the trees. "Where do you intend to go?"

The slapping of her bare feet against the wet road came to a halt as she looked over her shoulder at him. And it was as if nothing had ever happened to her, with a smile on her face, and eyes full of resolve. "Say, Jin, can you promise me something?"

His shoulder rose and lowered with every heavy breath, slowly stepping towards the last one. A had a few new cuts and grazes, but that was because of their numbers and not their skills. At this point he could no longer hear the sound of the pick axes picking away at the cave walls. There were no more gun shots echoing through the cavern or small dynamite blasts going off in hopes of uncovering more glittering wealth. His fallen opponents laid criss cross over one another, and few had scattered around due to his antics.

Looking over to the worn down, dirty, workers; Mugen was at a loss on what to do with them. Kawara and Ishimatsu made it clear that they were not to harm any civilians. But who was to say who signed up for this willingly, knowing fully what was happening and who was forced here? Often enough, the faces of the sinners can turn to that of the ignorant.

Bending down, Mugen wiped his blade off on the clothed back of a still warm corpse. The silent onlookers stood still, unsure of their own fate at this point.

Would this man kill them too?

Were they allowed to leave?

What of the gold?

Stepping around, over, and sometimes on the bodies, Mugen made his way to the stuff that had caught his eyes when he first arrived. After stuffing his pockets full he felt the weight. It would drag him down and be a pain in the ass while moving, but hell, he was willing to take that chance. He looked at the other materials around him, and he set up what he felt was necessary for the size of the cavern. Walking along like nothing ever happened, Mugen slid open the elevator and stepped inside.

"I would get the hell outta here if I were you." With a smirk, Mugen pulled the lever on the inside that worked the weights and pullers. He slowly began his decent up into the next unknown level of the cave- leaving the other men in a panic.

*At the same time, else where in the cave*

The katana clanked and pinged as it fell against the cave floor. His right arm completely numb and without power, Kawara clutched it with his left. The blood from his upper arm spurted and leaked through the lines of his fingers. The red trail ran down his limp arm and dripped to the ground below. Grimacing, he set one foot behind him, trying not to break his stance despite being disarmed.

Most of his men had already fallen due to the trap Machii set up. Their guns easily snipped at them one by one before they even had a chance to attack- and those that did manage to get up close, were quickly cut down by a line of swordsmen that stood behind the front line. Ishimatsu and a few other's were still standing strong but their numbers had fallen to just 6- where as Machii easily had more than a dozen left, not including Machii himself.

"I must say, Kawara, I was expecting more of a fight." Tipping his kiseru pipe upside down, Machii emptied the ashes. He waved around his small pistol in his other hand like it was nothing more than an accessory. "But I suppose that's what you get when a rat tries to run with the big dogs." Finally looking over at one of the men that had just been standing there, Machii nodded his head. "I'm tired of this, light it."

"But sir, our men are still-"

BANG

Without any hesitation, Machii shot his subordinate, and then quickly pointed the pistol back at Kawara who was just inches away from reaching his blade with his left hand.

BANG

"KAWARA!" In a spur of panic, Ishimatsu managed to take down two of the three men that had grouped together against him.

Buckling down to his one knee, Kawara kept one foot grounded. He thought for sure the bullet had hit him, but there was no new pain or wound. His body reacted before he could process that he didn't actually get hit, but the disturbed ground and hole by his sword told him that Machii wouldn't miss a second time. "I'm fine, Ishimatsu!"

"rrrrRRRHHHYAAAA!"

Catching almost everyone's attention, they were all caught off guard when Mugen burst out from the main tunnel to them. Mugen didn't know who was who, but if they pointed a gun or sword at them, he took them down. During the confusion, Kawara picked up his sword and managed to stand again- his right arm dangled at his side and swayed as he tried to balance himself. Ishimatsu used his large size to over power the last man that stood before him and sent him flying into the "crowd" where Mugen was.

"He finally showed up." Smirking, Ishimatsu could feel himself getting fired up all over again.

As swift as a professionally trained samurai, Mugen cut through 3 or 4 men before those with guns had backed up to the main tunnel and started firing- without any consideration to any other's (except for Machii). Ishimatsu joined in, clashing his blades against other's- making the sharp sound of metal on metal. As much as Kawara wanted to be on the offense, in his current state, all he could do was try to defend himself as an enemy turned their attention to him.

"All these damn guns are starting to piss me off!" Deflectig a blade with a windmill style arm swoop, Mugen bashed his forehead against a man before sending him back into the blade of one of his "comrades".

Letting out a loud laugh, it overpowered the sound of guns firing, and the clashing of swords. "JUST WONDERFUL!" Sticking his gun back into his waist band, he stole the attention from Mugen. Those in battle stopped with their swords pressed together-shaking during their strong hold. "I was worried that Yatsuha had finished you, I'm glad to see she didn't!"

'What the..' Adjusting his sword, Mugen and his openants blade clanged together again in another battle of holding position. '-he sent her in hoping she'd die?' Kicking with his long legs, Mugen forced his opponent back but unfortunately he was a bit late on swinging his sword so he came back at him as well as another. "SHE PUT UP A BETTER FIGHT THAN THOSE BASTARDS BELOW!"

"You've already been there?" In a similar manner to Mugen, Ishimatsu deflected a blade and quickly made his way to Mugen, so the two of them were back to back. "Did you finish them?"

"Heh..yea." With his back to Ishimatsu, the two of them defended on all sides. "-In and out. Like I said, but we gotta hurry this up."

"What do you mean?" Grunting through his words, their adversaries weren't letting up.

"Don't ask stupid questions-" Spinning himself, Mugen cut the shins of men who were attempting to surround him-dropping them all like flies. "-we got a few minutes."

Reaching into the top folds of his yukata, Machii pulled out three small spheres with wicks. Taking out the pipe from his mouth, he tipped the wicks one by one into the chamber until they ignited.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Finally getting use to his left arm, Kawara ran past his opponent who was still in the process of collapsing. "Ishimatsu, look out!" Running at Machii, he was too far to make it in time and the three spheres were tossed into the battling numbers. Smoke quickly filled the tunnel, bringing tears to everyone's eyes, and burning their nostrils. Covering his nose and mouth with his left sleeve, Kawara continued his path to where Machii should have been. It was hard to see past the tears and smoke but he couldn't just stand there when Ishimatsu, Mugen and the other's continued to fight. He wasn't the only one with injuries and he wouldn't be the last.

The smoke seemed to settle in an unmoving cloud. Moving on, Kawara could hear gun shots, coughing, and the continuous clang of swords. Reaching the end "fork" of the tunnel (that branched from the main one and down their right path and to the left), Kawara looked down and around, trying to figure out where Machii had gone. The smoke was slowly beginning to creep into the other two tunnels, making a slight veil in the air- but it wasn't concentrated enough to cover everything. However, out from the concentrated smoke, the end of a gun barrel pointed at the back of his head.

Coughing again and again, Mugen's back pressed against Ishimatsu's as their enemies disappeared into the thick smoke. Their eyes burned to the point that it hurt to keep them open, and even in the few seconds that they did dare to close their eyes, the pain didn't go away. The smoke bombs were thrown directly at them, so they were caught in the worst of it.

"God damn it.." Clenching his jaw, Mugen could feel Ishimatsu tense behind him.

At any moment, from almost any angle, an attack could come- not to mention the possibility of bullets. Forced to take a step forward, Mugen's body was pushed by Ishimatsu's, who seemed to have found himself an opponent. It wasn't but a second until someone else emerged out from the smoke, with their blade overhead in hopes of chopping him up like a piece of fire wood. Momentarily pulling himself from Ishimatsu, Mugen swiftly cut the air as straight as the horizon. His opponent seemed to freeze as bit by bit, the slash across their stomach opened and red sprayed out like a fine mist-clinging to Mugens face. Stepping back, Ishimatsu was no longer there- but he could hear swords sliding on one another and hefty grunts.

Out a head, Mugen could slowly see a silhouette form in the thick smoke. It was far too lean to be Ishimatsu, and it was coming right at him Squinting his eyes, the burning from the smoke was almost unbearable-his tears and shadowed vision blurred the silhouette more, but if he did this quickly he wouldn't get caught with his eyes closed. Bending at the knees, Mugen leaned forward as he dashed forwards with his impossible speed.

"RRRHHYAA!" The tip of his sword dug into the ground as he brought it down to his side and then back up in an upward diagonal fashion. He expected to be met with the same red mist that almost as before- but instead, he felt resistance. His sword clanged against another as his attack was blocked. The vibration from the impact and sudden stop shook his arms. Quickly, he and the other body parted themselves and their swords clanged again, and again. Each attack happening faster than the other- but neither one of them backing down. "Fuck, just let me kill you!"

"Mugen-"

"SHUTUP, FOUR EYES!" Skidding back from another delfection, Mugen lunged himself forward again. The tears in his eyes from the smoke finally became too much as they streamed out the corners of his eyes. 'Wait...' Already in the process of bringing his sword down, their swords clanged one last time, before Mugen finally allowed himself to blink a few times. The relief on his eyes was instant, but every time he opened them up again, the stinging grew worse. "-Why the fuck are you here?"

The two men eased their blades and arms, still holding them out in case a real enemy emerged. Standing up straight, the stoic faced man adjusted his glasses that hid his eyes that were suffering the same as Mugen's.

"Wait, if you're here than that means." Looking past Jin, Mugen tried to see anything in the smoke but it was almost impossible. "-Where the hell is she?! Did you leave her alone?! I thought we-"

"She's here, hiding outside. She ran here herself to help, but I reasoned with her for me to come in her place."

"Fuck." Rubbing his eyes, Mugen could feel the dirt, sweat and blood smear as he tried to ease the pain. "-There's no reasoning with her. God damn it!" Something washed over him. It flipped his stomach, and made his palms sweaty. It weighed on him like a million pounds. Grabbing Jin by the shoulder, Mugen pushed past him. He knew her too well to know that she wouldn't just sit down and wait. She was going to come running in and she was going to get her skinny ass into some sort of trouble. She was never able to learn her place and just accept it. She always had to take things ten steps further.

"Mugen-" With one swift block and a lunge of his sword, Jin stopped an oncoming attack from within the smoke.

"Why the hell didn't you stop her?! There's dynamite all over the damn place!" Dodging another oncoming attack, Mugen didn't use his sword. Instead he stepped to the side and grabbed the guy by his shoulder- tossing him straight at Jin to let him deal with it. All while Mugen ran into the direction in which Jin had emerged from. Surely Jin and Ishimatsu could handle whoever was left, which shouldn't be a lot considering how many he had already taken down and how many were out before he showed up.

BANG

There are moments in a person's life, when without being told, or without seeing, they know something happened. The type of thing that sinks your heart into the deepest pit of your stomach, where it clenches and holds like it's trying to burst it like a cheap balloon. This bang, this gun shot that echoed louder than all the other's, resonated differently in the cave and in Mugen.

The recoil, the "ping" the bullet made when it hit the cave walls or the ground didn't follow the initial bang. Bang, that's all it was. The impact was muffled; suffocated by the soft tissue it lodged into.

His feet were already moving to where the echo had came from,. The smoke in his eyes slowly started to dissipate and break apart like clouds after a storm. The air became less suffocating, but it didn't help the hitch in his breath, nor the pit that his heart had sank into. The sting in his eyes quickly turned to red.

Standing there, Kawara's ears rang as everything else around him was like white noise. He didn't see the pistol, but it shot so close to him that all the other sounds had been shut out, leaving him with the feeling of cotton in his ears. Hunching down from the pain shooting through his head, he quickly turned around, hoping that he wouldn't be face to face with the end of a barrel. He could hear yelling, but the ringing in his ears washed away their voices. Frame by frame, his eyes adjusted through the thinning smoke.

Machii stood there, struggling and clearly yelling- his voice got louder and louder, but Kawara still couldn't make out the words. Machii's brought his left arm back with a firm, closed fist and swung it down two times before Kawara realised there was a brightly clothed body between he and Machii. The small frame, clothed in pink that was blotted with red; some was fresh, and some was already beginning to dry down to a brown hue.

"OFF-"

'Huh?..' Shaking his head, the disorientation was beginning to wear away. 'Fuu?'

'NOW, SOUSUKE!'

Like someone turned on the volume, the sounds and voices were almost perfectly clear. They were paired with a constant, high pitch ring but at least he could make out individual sounds.

Machii let out a cry as Fuu bit down on his wrist. Her arms were wrapped around Machii's right arm and she pressed her body close- keeping him from being able to move it. Machii still had a firm grip on the gun, but his once swinging left arm was now trying to pry the small girl off him.

"Sousuke!" Her voice was muffled by the flesh she had in her mouth- her jaw remained rigid as she never stopped biting Machii.

Correcting weak left handed grip on his blade, Sousuke had to wait for an opening. He didn't want to make the mistake of hitting Fuu, but he also didn't want to let the opportunity she gave him go to waste. 'NOW!" Seeing the opening, Machii had turned shoulders and upper body right, pulling Fuu in the same direction and leaving his left side exposed. He could feel the smoke, and air slice as his blade went forward in a straight and narrow line. The tip, was going directly to Machii's left pectoral, but the sheen sound of blade on blade came instead of that of torn flesh. Having his blade deflected up and away from Machii- followed with a firm, teeth shattering punch to his chin and right jaw line.

Flying off to the left, Sousuke lost grip of his sword and his shoulder collided with the cave wall before sliding down to his rear. Blood filled his mouth as he spit out pieces of a broken tooth (or three). Wiping away the blood stained saliva from his chin, Sousuke's angered eyes instantly looked for the one who stopped him. Who kept him from piercing Machii, and from essentially ending it all. Sousuke's narrowed eyes and pumping blood quickly cooled and rushed for a different reason.

Like predator and prey, Sousuke crumpled under the immense pressure.

The darkened, blood lust enraged eyes drilled down at him. Even though he wasn't standing directly over him, Kawara would feel it. The pressure, the intimidation, the feeling of destruction; the aura of a monster.

'Mugen..' He couldn't even say his name out loud, or move. Even if he tried, he was sure his legs would give out from under him. Even though the real enemy was right there. Even though Fuu was struggling to give them an opening. Mugen's attention was on him.'No..that's not it..' Even though it felt like minutes had passed, Kawara could finally feel his rear settle fully on the ground. Mugen's blade, and his body were still in motion with his blade out in place of where his just was. Fuu, was still in the process of being jostled to the side and Machii's eyes were only just turning to focus in on the incoming attack.

Mugen's eyes, that were watching Kawara from the side, turned away from him as his met Machii's. He wielded his blade in his left hand, and his right, that had crossed under and up at Sousuke had firm grip around the barrel of the gun between the three bodies.

BANG

Just like the last shot, there wasn't a "ping" or "clang" of the bullet hitting the cave, or the ground. It was silenced by the muscles of Mugen's inner thigh that it shot directly into.

"Mugen!" Finally releasing he sore jaw from Machii's wrist- she felt the shock of the force from the gun being fired through her head. Blood ran down from her temple from the repeated punches from Machii.

"Get that kid outta here, NOW!" Not bothering to look at her, he pushed his blade in more until almost all of it stuck out the other side.

"DON'T ACT LIKE I'M NOT HERE!" Despite the sword through his flesh, he seemed undaunted. He fought against the weight of the girl on his arm and the strength Mugen had on his gun. He had two bullets left in the chamber, and he was going to make sure he used them. The one that he had decided to use on the Kawara brat, had gone into that little girls shoulder instead, and now this bastard. This son of a bitch he should have ended a month ago, was thinking he was going to get to play hero by saving the girl.

"But what about you-"

"FUCK, FUU! GO! NOW!"

Reluctantly, she releaed her arms from Machii. Fuu allowed herself to watch Mugen for as long as she could until he was further than her peripheral vision stretched. Almost in a sliding fashion, Fuu was down on her knees next to the frozen Sousuke. His face was drained of almost all colour. His eyes slowly turned up to look at her as she draped his arm over her shoulder and stood him up.

"Let's go, Sousuke."

It felt like she was dragging him along, but his feet were slowly, and heavily moving along. They fled into the thickened smoke that merged where the three tunnels met. Her eyes watered from the smoke and panic set in when she saw five figures coming out to the "intersection" on her left. She had no weapons on her, and neither did Souske. "We have to run Sousuke."

"A man...doesn't run." Grunting, Sousuke tried to stand himself up but his legs and mind were still under the influence of Mugen's monstrous aura.

"Sou-"

"Sousuke, Fuu."

The sets of hurried feet stopped as they met up in the intersection. Ishimatsu, Jin, and three other injured men huffed and coughed as Fuu allowed herself to relax. Ishimatsu was supporting two men, one on each side with their arms draped over his large broad shoulders. The other man stood behind Jin, clutching his arm and blood running down from his forehead- covering his left eye completely.

"Jin! Mugen is still over there." Looking over her shoulder to where she and Sousuke had came from it was eerily quiet. There was no clanging of blades, or shots from pistols. They couldn't even hear any words being exchanged.

"Sousuke, where's Machii?"

Hesitating, Sousuke didn't want to admit that he failed. He had hesitated, he turned his back and he allowed someone to come between him and his enemy. "Mugen is dealing with him."

"Fuu you're bleeding!" Stepping forward, Jin went to remove Sousuke's arm from around her shoulders.

"Don't mind me! Go help Mugen before he-!"

BANG

The gun shot echoed through the entire cave. It was followed by very distinct cracking and crumbling sounds. The undertone was that of quickly rushing water, but in reality, it was stone and rocks that were beginning to unsettle. Around them, the ground started to shake and vibrate, until an even louder orchastra of explosions and "bangs" went off. Almost all of them lost their footing. Fuu and Sousuke dropped, and Jin stumbled when he went to help them up.

"Shit! We need to go now!" Readjusting the two arms over his shoulders, Ishimatsu stood stronger with the two hurt men at his side. "Mugen planned something without telling us. He said he only had a few minutes when he showed up. And I think that time is up."

All of them stood up and Fuu looped Kawara's arm off from around her shoulders and practically shoved him into Jin. "If you won't help him then I will!"

Turning to run, The ground around them shook more violently, and two very different hands clasped around her wrist before she turned. The ground worked against her, knocking her off balance but the two people holding her back kept her from falling and from running further in. Jin and Sousuke, tightened their grip on her, making her attempts at breaking free completely futile.

"LET ME GO!"

It was no use. At the same time, Jin and Sousuke pulled back on her. Over the vibrating ground and under the falling debris and rocks, she was pulled further and further from him. Her feet tripped and caught on one another as she refused to look away from the direction he was in. The smoke from the bombs Machii set off no longer reached where they were but the disturbed soil, dust and build up had taken its place in the air.

BANG

Her eyes widened as this particular bang was louder than all the other's thus far. A plumage of smoke, and dust raced after them from the tunnels they ran from. The vibration travelled from the ground, up through her legs.

"STOP!" Trying to step further in, she felt one hand slip from her arm but the other firmly held her in place. They no longer pulled her along like a child, instead they held their place trying not to let her go. Looking over her shoulder, she tugged her arm again and again, trying to get away from Jin and his torn eyes. "Jin, let me go, Mugen is back there!"

"Mugen is more than capable on his own-"

"I don't care!"

"-do you not trust him?"

Stopping her attempts, she turned to face Jin even more. She slacked her arm, but it was still held up by Jin.

"Trust him?" What kind of question was that? Of course she trusted him. She trusted him more than any person should ever trust another. She relied on him. Even when she couldn't see him, she knew that he was looking out for her. All this time, he was doing things for her. And what had she been doing? Crying? Daydreaming? She had been no help to him at all, if anything, she had made things inexplicably complicated for him. So..what could she do?

"-If you trust him, then we need to go now."

Like snapping a twig, the ground between Fuu and Jin cracked, lowering one side and raising another part. The unknown level below them was beginning to crumble and fall apart due to Mugen's plan. Feeling Jin's grip ease slightly while he diverted his attention to the breaking ground, Fuu pulled her arm down and away from him-breaking his grip.

"Just because I trust him, doesn't mean he doesn't need help!" Turning around, She stumbled a bit but she was quick to stand back up and run full force into the explosive cloud.

Clenching his jaw, Jin watched as the pink disappeared into the crumbling cave. Looking over his back he saw Ishimatsu and the wounded men had continued on, and Sousuke stood there torn on what to do.

"Why would she go? She's so weak." Clenching his hands into fists, his entire body shook- even though at the time, he blamed it on the crumbing cave, his emotions and honour had been shattered. "What can she hope to do in a situation like this?"

"She has a strong sense of duty..." Fixing his glasses, Jin looked at Sousuke. Even though it had been three years since they last saw each other, Jin could see the reflection of the young boy that wanted nothing more than to serve justice standing before him. Even though physically Kawara had aged, it seemed he still had a lot more growing up to do. "-And you have a duty to your followers. Go." Turning around, Jin's long black hair flipped behind him like a cape as he ran into the cloud and disappeared like Fuu.

Coughing, Fuu couldn't afford to stop. Holding her sleeve over her nose and mouth, she tried to filter out everything but the air from getting into her lungs. How much longer until she reached the two tunnels? Another rumble below tossed Fuu against the side of the cave- making her fall on her right shoulder that was still bleeding from the gun wound. Grimacing at the pain, she pushed herself back up onto her bare feet and continued to run. The sharp stones and cracked ground tore at her feet, opening and ripping her skin, and each stride she took she felt dirt and pebbles settle into the openings. And she didn't care.

She wasn't going to stop until she saw him. The forever tanned man that she just couldn't leave alone, nor he her. The unruly dark locks that never seemed to be tamed, even when they got wet- she needed to run her hands through it, she always wanted too but she never had the confidence to do so. The scars across his body, like a roughly stitched pattern that held him together- she needed to feel them under her fingers again. And those eyes that were always acting like they were looking everywhere but her; she needed to feel them on her again. Even though she pretended not to notice, it was hard not to feel a gaze so unique and intense lingering on you all the time- but she pretended not to know, even before she realized what the feelings lingering inside her were. Because she was afraid if she said something, or acknowledged it, that he would stop. And most of all...she needed to hear his voice that boomed louder than any dynamite or gun. In every sense, he was red, like the worn down haori he wore. Red was fierce. Red was strong. Red was-

"Mugen!"

Like a waving flag, the movement of his haori caught her eyes- and before he even realized she was there, she bumped into his back and wrapped her arms around him.

The small warm arms wrapped around his stomach, shallowing the pit his heart had sunk to. He had ended Machii with the last bang, and luckily, the smoke from the explosion covered up the sight that would surely scar anyone but him. He refused to let a guy like that die by a blade- something like that could be considered "honourable"- or some dumb ass shit. No..he had different plans for Machii- for the son of a bitch that went after her, that shot her- even if it was in cross fire it couldn't be forgiven. If Fuu and the other's weren't there, he would have made sure Kawara suffered the same fate. After all...part of the deal had been broke- she got hurt, and it was because of Kawara. She jumped her dumb ass in front of that shrimpy bastard and took a bullet for him. What kind of man allowed that? What kind of man allowed a woman to risk her life for his? So, he had a little fun with Machii.

He reached down into the dark pit of his personality that he had long tried to abandon. The dark side of him that was born and created on the Ryuku Islands, and molded and shaped with the help of Mukuro. He took his time. He made sure he felt it. He made sure he wasn't even able to beg for mercy. The dynamite he had in his pockets came in handy after all. He shoved a stick down the son of a bitches throat and watched him gag and struggle as his handless arms tried to pull it out. And he loved it. His crazed eyes watched every moment of it. Even as he lit the stick, and backed up- he didn't look away. And he couldn't look away even after the body exploded into thousands of tiny pieces, painting a large part of the tunnel crimson red.

He didn't look away.

He didn't move.

He couldn't.

The bad blood rushed through his veins like the best kind of drug, and his mind had shut off. That was until, she came for him.

"Mugen, let's go!"

"Fuck, why did you come here?" His shoulders slacked and he unleashed a hellish combination of coughs. The force of each cough bounced his body, and in turn, bounced Fuu's as well. He felt her warmth sink into his body, but the crumbling of everything around him brought him back to reality. That even though he wanted to enjoy it, this wasn't the time, and there never would be. Grabbing her arms off from around him, He turned himself around and pushed her back. "GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE! YA GOT SOME KIND OF DEATH WISH!?"

Closing her hand into a fist, she brought her elbow back, and launched her fist across Mugen's face. Tears built up in her eyes from the pain, which surely hurt her more than it did Mugen. "I COULD ASK YOU THE SAME THING! YOU JERK!"

"What...the..hell?" His face barely moved, and the pain was almost nonexistent, but it was the hardest punch he ever felt in his entire life.

"Why do you act like this?! Why do you act like only one of us can live?! WHY DO YOU THINK THIS WAY?!" Hitting him again and again across the face, he stood there and took it as their surroundings seemed to crumble even more. Every hit got weaker and weaker. Her knuckles turned red despite the lack of impact on his own face. "Why don't you get it?" Grabbing him by collar she tried to bring him down to her level but he only gave in a little bit so she met him the rest of the way by going up on her tippy toes. "-Without you..it's just not the same. And I want to live, not just survive, Mugen!" Standing herself up the last little bit, she planted her lips on his.

Despite the layers of dirt, dust and blood that covered him, she wanted him to understand. This was her choice. This was her life, and she wasn't just going to stand back and let him, or other's decide it for her. She wasn't going to hide behind the sunflowers any more. She wasn't going to use her past or her weakness as an excuse- instead she was going to use them as a reason.

"-Fuck!" Breaking the kiss that surprised him more than her running back in after him, He pushed their bodies off to the side as the ceiling supports around them fell apart, bringing down what seemed to be an endless supply of rocks and other organic material. Holding onto her wrist, he started to run, pulling her with him. "God damn it, I swear you're gonna get us both fucking killed one day!"

Keeping up with him, she could hear everything crumble behind them, like a water fall made of rocks. It scared her, and she knew if she looked back it would all be over. But, she had no reason to look back anymore, because everything she needed was in front of her.

"Jin!"

Mugen blasted past Jin who had slowed his pace and seemed cautious of what may be waiting for him ahead. His head snapped and Mugen and Fuu past him and the sound of the rock water fall got louder and louder. Taking the hint, Jin quickly ran to their sides- without looking back.

Running with Jin on her right, and Mugen at her left, Fuu felt no fear or hesitation. Mugen's calloused, rough hand still held onto her wrist like their lives depended on it. It was like time never stopped three years ago. The three of them were together like it was meant to be, like it should have always been.

"Don't think I'm gonna let you get away with this, four eyes!"

"I feel that there may be a better time to discuss this."

Although Jin didn't yell like Mugen, all of them could sense the urgency in his voice- as it was appropriate given the circumstances. The two of them like this, was like the sweetest music to her ears. Suddenly Mugen pulled back on Fuu's arm as he and Jin came to a stop- the tug on her brought her attention to the two of them and then forwards to what had their attention.

It was where Fuu had faced off with Jin earlier when she managed to get away from him. The cracking ground had finally gave away, revealing the hidden cavern below. Mugen tugged her away from the still crumbling ground, but crumbling ceiling above was beginning to catch up to them.

"Jin-"

"Hn" Nodding his head, Jin backed up and got a running start, he easily cleared the large hole. Turning around, he held out his arms.

Fuu's feet were lifted out from under her as Mugen held her in his arms. One arm cradled her back and the other was under her knees. Normally in a situation like this, he would jump with her in his arms, but, the uneven, shifting ground and the bullet in his leg would make that almost impossible for him.

"Stay loose."

"Okay!" Clenching her eyes, she felt Mugen spin around and around at top speed she could feel herself being hoisted out into the air. She dared not open her eyes, even when she felt completely weightless. With a hard hit, she could feel everything inside her settle back into place. It was a surprisingly soft landing but she heard Jin grunt which was unlike him. Opening her eyes, she saw that even though Jin had "caught" her, Mugen had thrown her with more than enough force that Jin was forced to run backwards to break her fall. She could apologize another time- getting up she rushed to her feet and watched Mugen as he readied himself for his jump.

"Come on Mugen!" Holding out her hands, she stretched her arms as far as they would go- waiting for him to come over and take them in his own.

"I'm comin'!" Bending at the knees, he leaned forwards, touching the tips of his fingers against the ground. He often did this when he really needed to run fast, like when he played baseball and whenever he wanted to skip out on a bill. His inner thigh pulled and ached as the bullet that was still lodged inside was hitting a nerve that sent tingles up and down his leg. With one burst, Mugen put in everything he had, going a record speed. With one foot after another, he barely out ran the falling ceiling behind him- as the lanterns that once illuminated around him were being suffocated and smothered as he launched himself up into the air. His legs continued to move like he was running on nothing, his arms traced circled like he could paddle himself- luckily enough, he didn't need any of that.

Turning herself around, Fuu continued to hold her left hand out behind her as she looked over her shoulder. His arms twisted and reached towards her as his foot was about to land on the remaining ground. Jin, in a similar manner began to ran, slowly turning his head away towards the opening of the cave which was in sight.

With his foot on the ground, Mugen's finger tip brushed against Fuu's. Their finger tips curled, readying themselves to hold onto one another as they ran the last stretch.

But as fate would have it, time ran out.

With one last ear shattering BANG, everything around them crumbled into tiny pieces and they fell. The rough warmth that came onto Fuu's fingers from Mugen's was lost as they were jostled in different directions. And just as fast their bodies fell to the cavern below, all three of their consciousness's fell into darkness.

Like an unfocused lens, everything around her seemed to be blurry. The fine lines of everything around her blurred and fanned out into indistinguishable forms. Someone was talking to her but she couldn't make out the words, or the voice. 'Not right now..' Her mind, and her body were still tired, so she closed her eyes again.

Standing on the other side of the fallen flower field. Fuu looked out to the endless horizon that she was met with. It was not white and empty like the rest of the world had been. But, she was forced to stop, for there was no more ground for her to move. The white world she had been trapped in, and the red string had brought her here. The ocean stretched out further than she could see- making a light where it met the now colourful sky. Her toes tickled the grassy ledge on which she stood. She curled them over the ledge and felt the exposed and broken ground on the other side of the grassy covering. The cool, salty breeze tickled her skin and made her hair dance in its melody.

She could hear the waves crash below where the cliff and ocean connected- colliding together time and time again. The red string somehow reflected the light that the fading sun gave off- melting into the colours of the horizon. With another gust of wind, it was stronger, making her take a step back in fear of being swept away and to the tides below.

The salty scent tickled at her nostrils. It mingled with the fresh grass, and the musky dirt. It smelled like...like him. Looking back to the string, it stretched far and long just like the ocean and sky. It was beyond where she could go, at least, she couldn't go there yet.

Opening her eyes again, everything still blurred in her eyes. It wasn't as bright as it was earlier when she opened her eyes for just a moment. The indistinguishable forms had shadows stretching out and onto them, and there was a clear orange hue on everything. Taking a few slow breaths, she heard someone shift at her side. Turning her head she lowered her eyes, to see a woman sitting there with a baby in her arms.

"O..suzu?.."

Her head snapping up, Osuzu's kind eyes instantly filled with tears as she reached out with one hand. Sitting up on her knees, Osuzu inched forwards and cupped Fuu's cheek in her hand. Words didn't come out of her mouth at first, just a hitched breaths between tears and a quivering lip.

"Why..are you crying..Osuzu?..Is Ishimatsu okay?.."

"Oh Fuu..." Biting down on her bottom lip, two large tears streamed down the sides of Osuzu's face. "He's fine..thank you."

"Nhmph.." Smiling Fuu nodded her head a bit. "That's good.." smacking her tongue around, her mouth was incredibly dry and her once soft lips were chapped and withered.

"Water! Water!" Carefully laying her infant down, Osuzu grabbed a small cup of water. Sitting her knees under Fuu's head, Osuzu helped Fuu take small sips of water. "Slowly now.. you don't want to hurt your stomach."

A little too eager for the water, Fuu inhaled some, causing her to cough. With every shake of her body, it hurt even more. Like her entire body was caught in one large vice grip, her sides, stomach, back, legs- everything ached. Before Osuzu could say anyting, Fuu waved her hand. "I'm okay, okay..just went down the wrong tube."

With the water finished, Osuzu moved her legs and readjusted Fuu's head on the futon. "I should tell them all that you're awake. They'll be so relieved!" Picking up her infant, Osuzu stepped around Fuu's legs and started to open the door.

"Wait, Osuzu-"

Gingerly pulling her fingers away from the grooves of the door, Osuzu looked down at Fuu.

"-Where am I? Are we still in Toi?..Where's Jin and Mugen?"

The silence was almost unsettling. The fussy hiccups and slight squeaks from the baby broke the silence. "I'll go tell everyone you're okay." Opening the door Osuzu quickly left- sliding it shut after her.

Staring up at the ceiling, all Fuu could do was wait. The events that felt like they just happened ran through her mind again and again, but there were parts that were blurry.

And then the door slid open.

Turning her head to look at the door, she couldn't help but smile when Jin walked in. Just like when she tended to him when he saved her from the shogun's assassin, his entire upper body was wrapped in white bandages. His top was folded down at his sides and he was using a cane to help maneuver. His glasses were in perfect shape- or else they were new ones, and his hair was pulled back just like it always was. Walking around her feet, to her other side, he walked with a bad limp. Upon looking at his feet, she could see his right foot was also wrapped in bandages that probably extended up his entire leg. Standing at her waist line, Jin sat down the best he could giving his condition. With his knees pressed together, he laid the cane over his lap.

"You're finally awake I see."

"What do you mean, finally?" Slowly bit by bit, Fuu began to sit up. Her clothes had long been changed and her hair draped down over her shoulders. Bracing herself momentarily on her elbows, she saw that both of her arms were wrapped in bandages- atleast the parts she could see. From the resistance of certain movements she could feel that her abdomen and right shoulder were also wrapped tightly. Finally sitting up, her back popped and cracked but she felt like she would fall over at any moment.

"Maybe you should lay down-"

"No, Jin. What did you mean by that? How long have I been out for? A day? Three days?"

"..You passed the three week mark the other day."

"Three..three weeks?!" Like the hammer of reality started pounding down on her, she felt panicked. Her palms would have started to sweat if her body wasn't so dehydrated. "Where are we?" She looked all around, and her breathing was shallow.

"Fuu, calm yourself." Placing a hand on her shoulder, he looked at her with calm eyes.

It wasn't like Jin to touch her like that, but it helped her focus her eyes on one thing- which was him.

"We came back to Hamamatsu about two weeks ago. We're at Kawara's estate."

'That would explain why Osuzu is here..' Steadying her breathing a bit, it was hard for her to swallow the little bit of water that lingered in her mouth. "I bet Mugen's pretty, huh?"

"Fuu."

"Yes?"

Ishimatsu held his infant in one arm, and his wife in the other. They were all eager for Fuu to regain consciousness, but they knew the pain that would follow. It had been discussed back and forth, who should tell her, and Jin was adamant that it be him. Osuzu was somewhat relieved that it wasn't going to be her, but this was a pain beyond her own comprehension.

"They couldn't find him."

"They looked for over a week, but it was time to stop.."

"Mugen's gone, Fuu."

Jin slowly closed his eyes as he kept himself composed. He had time to think things over, which came with acceptance for how things turned out. But that wouldn't be the case for Fuu; who had practically crumbled before him. Her hands clenched the material of his pants, and her tears soaked into his lap. Her entire body shook, vibrating him.

He had time, and he would give it to her.

Osuzu placed a hand over her mouth as she pressed her face into the chest of her loving husband who calmly and comfortingly rubbed her back. The sounds of Fuu's cries and heart ached stretched out far beyond her room. The men who were still healing from the incident, and those who were pulled out amidst the rubble listened as they had already come to terms with what had happened, but in this instant, they were reminded once again. Her wails didn't go unheard, even to those who hid themselves in the solitude of their room- too ashamed, and embarrassed to come out.

Kawara sat back against the wall as he listened to her pain and agony. Regret, and shame washed over him as she continued to wail. It pulled at his heart, as he wanted to share in her pain. And so, he hurt, because she was hurt. The steady flow of tears that ran down his face wouldn't be able to wash away the decisions he made, nor would it bring him any forgiveness. And so, he sat alone, listening, sharing in her emotions, unsure on when he would be able to face her again.

And so, she ached. She ached long and hard before she could even think of mourning. Because when she started to mourn, it would mean she accepted that he was gone. That under all that rubble and rocks, he had been buried before his time. Buried moments after their fingers touched, with freedom in their sight. There was still many places she wanted to go, walking day and night to get there with him. She wanted to struggle with him by her side- struggle to find something to eat, and to struggle finding a place to sleep. She had already anticipated all these moments they were going to have and she couldn't help but feel cheated. Her life had never gone the way she wanted, or that she expected.

First, her father left her. Second, her mother left on a sunny afternoon. Then her life was ransacked by some vagrant and samurai whom burned down the life she was beginning to make for herself. They travelled with her, they connected with her, and then she cut those connections on her own accord. It was what she told herself she wanted, and she never looked back. Not until that colour waved in front of her eyes again, and she was instantly hooked.

It kept her warm at night. It was there when she closed her eyes and when she opened them. It irritated her to no end, but yet she laughed as she rolled her eyes. It saved her even when she didn't know she needed saving. And now, it was gone.

As the sun faded, and the moon stood high and proud in the night, the pained wails and cries slowly subsided when her eyes fluttered shut.

The solid wood of her knew sandals clanked against the stairs of the engawa as she tapped them back into place. The straps around her toes were tight, but they would be broken in properly in just a few days. The soft material hugged her perfectly- a gift from Osuzu and Ishimatsu. Her old kimono was beyond repair, so as a thank you, and as a farewell gift, they gave her a new one. It wasn't something she would have picked out for herself, but she was happy it was given to her, because it was beautiful. It was simple in design, without any flashy patterns on it. It was deep purple, and it was held together with a deep blue obi, both of which make her skin look even paler and iridescent than ever before

Smoothing out her hair, Fuu felt the stick that held it together and lightly swatted at the jade bead that dangled at the end with her index finger. She felt it sway with her as she walked out into the sun. Osuzu, Ishimatsu stood there waving, and Fuu looked over her shoulder, smiling and waved back at them. She was sad to be leaving Osuzu and her family, but there was places she still wanted to go, and a special grave she wanted to visit.

She had rejected Osuzu's countless offers to let her stay with them, at Kawara's estate. But, even if things had gone differently, she probably would have given them the same answer. She felt no ill feelings towards Sousuke, even though he blamed himself for what happened. What he said made sense, everything from the agreement that he confessed to, to the hesitation he experienced back in the mine. But it was unfair to him, and to all of them to let him bare such guilt. Maybe in time, after she was done walking countless miles she could return and live her life like Osuzu, but that would be far into the future.

"Bye bye! I'll come again sometime, I promise!" Raising her arm straight above, she waved as large as she could, stepping up on her tip toes so they could see her. Her back was to the gate that was left open by her waiting companion. Fixing the bag that was also given to her, she turned and smile to the glasses clad samurai. Or rather, what was left of a samurai.

Jin stood there, still dependant on the cane, ready to go wherever the road took them. He didn't have any obligation to stay with her, there was no agreement, or score to settle, but he wanted too. Even if they were missing one of their numbers, he felt a sense of completion and inner peace with her presence. He never allowed himself to have any friends in the dojo, and after wards he just wandered from place to place. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Fuu and Mugen had been his only friends- and this time he was going to protect that. His body had paid a hefty price, and perhaps with time, he would heal more and he could walk without the support of the finely crafted cane.

Rushing to Jin, Fuu hooked her thumbs in the bags straps and played with the weight. "Ready to go?"

"Hn." Nodding his head, Jin turned and Fuu followed.

The large gates of the Kawara estate closed behind them, and so they walked. Like the play button had been pushed, their lives resumed. Fuu talked and hummed songs, as Jin replied with one word answers, or something far more philosophical than she anticipated. There were times when she could hear a familiar tune carry in the air, and it always reminded her of him. Especially when she managed to catch a glimpse of the rising sun.

She used to think the sunset was far prettier than the sun rise. That the colours were somehow far more crisp and defined. But since she had time to think about things, about the reoccurring dream of her sitting on a ledge by the sea, and about Mugen. She realised that the sun rise was far more dear to her heart than she ever knew. That the light, although starts out small, it grows and grows- pushing away all the darkness. The orange, pink, yellow, and most importantly, red hues overpowered everything in their path. It brought on the new day, new opportunities and new chances. The comforting heat that it radiated, pulled her in like an embrace. And so she would sit there, and enjoy it whenever she could. Because she knew.

She knew that in her dream, where she stood standing, staring into the sunset- that the red string was still connected. The string stood out far and long beyond the horizon, into the beautiful colours that brought on the new day.

She knew that one day she could join him, and they could bask in the warmth of each other's arms. One day, she could go to him;

to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Thank you to every single one of you who have read and supported this story.

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