"Sea of Love"

Disclaimer: I don't know Samurai Champloo. Nor do I own the lyrics and title to the song "Sea of Love". Thanks and enjoy!

"Come with me

My love

To the sea

The sea of love

I wanna tell you

How much

I love you…."

Chapter One: Chance Meeting

She had always annoyed him. They had always fought. She couldn't shut up for the life of her, and he was always yelling at her. Whether it be from samurais, gang members, renegade warriors, executioners, or whatever the hell else got thrown their way, he was always saving her and keeping her out of trouble. She had ensnared his senses, and, much to his dismay, he worried about her. Sometimes he didn't care what happened to her. Her and that other guy could snuff it, for all her cared. The only reason he stuck around was because he owed her his life, up until the point where they found that damn sunflower samurai. The fact was, she annoyed him.

If that was so, then why, after three years, couldn't he get her out of his mind?

Mugen walked down the dusty street splitting the small settlement in half. He didn't quite know where he was- somewhere north maybe. The village was nothing spectacular, although it was located near a huge, sparkling lake. Mugen took lazy steps with his hands behind his head, his eyes nearly closed. The sun was hot and blazing overhead and the street was bustling with villagers and street merchants displaying their various goods and merchandise.

Mugen yawned and his stomach gave a squelch and gurgle. Grimacing, he looked around for a food vendor; it was of no use, of course, since he didn't have a penny to his name-whatever the hell a penny was. Maybe he could work something off…

…Nah. Wasn't his style.

He scanned the area for a possible pickpocket candidate or maybe a gang member he could beat a few coins out of. He had just picked out a finely robed man when he heard something behind him. Every muscle froze, his heart had stopped.

'It's just the wind,' he told himself.

But then he heard it again, this time louder, more clear.

It was laughter.

'It's her,' he swallowed. Almost at once everything began to work again and his cool composure took over. He turned, his gray eyes dark, brows furrowed. Mugen spotted her immediately, for she was running towards him through the crowd, her laughter mixed with trickling tears. It was obvious that she had spotted him before he had heard her sound on the wind. He smiled wryly- almost a smirk- as she bound up to him, throwing her arms around the back of his neck, crying into his chest,

"Mugen!" she sobbed, "Oh god, Mugen! I can't believe you're here! This is amazing!"

She pulled back only to look up into his face, smiling. Mugen, however, noticed the burning fire in her eyes, and didn't have time to duck before she punched him squarely in the face.

"SON OF A BITCH!"

"That's for not speaking to me in three years, you bastard!"

Mugen rubbed his nose, casting the girl a foul look, "Nice to see you too, Fuu."

He stared at his long-time friend, who was furious, standing with her hands on her hips.

She wore a kimono, similar in style and color to that of the garb he had last seen her in, those long three years ago, when they parted ways. Then again, he wasn't surprised. He hadn't changed clothes at all since then. When he got a good look at her, he held his breath. Where at one point Mugen would have had to admit that she was pretty when she was fifteen, now…like a flower, she had blossomed, and like her favorite flower, she was as radiant as the sun.

He blinked, tearing his eyes away from her and facing her stunning fury. Mugen couldn't help but give her a smile- a genuine smile- and he bent down, holding his sides, laughing.

"What's so goddamn funny?"

Which, of course, only made him laugh harder. Fuu's expression finally softened, and she gave him a weary smile. Mugen stood up straight and put his hands in his pockets, smirking at the girl.

Fuu then smiled widely at him, "Hey, you should come to my house! It looks like you've been traveling for a while and you can stay with me for a few days! Come on,"

She grabbed his thin wrist and led him off the main street, weaving in and out of people. They soon reached a small house in a residential area of the village, around about four or five other houses. Fuu unlocked the fenced door and let him through, locking the padlock behind them. There was a small walk through a quaint garden to the front door. Fuu, once inside, tossed her sandals aside and jumped up the front step and into the living room. After a quick tour (two bedrooms, a bathhouse and laundry house in the back, and the kitchen) they found themselves back in the living area.

Mugen flung himself down on the couch, feet propped up, hands behind his head. He closed his eyes and drank in the warmth around him. The place smelled like her-sweet and almost like honeysuckle or pear trees in the summertime. Her scent lingered everywhere, even on him, from where she had held onto him. He could hear her, even with his eyes closed, moving around. He heard her voice from the kitchen,

"You look like you haven't eaten in a week, Mugen,"

He glanced sideways and saw her head pop out of the doorframe, "So I'm going to cook you something."

Her head disappeared and Mugen found himself smiling softly as memories began flooding back. A particular one came to mind…

"Goddammit, I swear to god this is the last time I'm paying for your food again."

"What? I've paid for your food TONS of times!"

"Whatever-"

"Look, Mugen, someday when things aren't as crazy, maybe when I'm married, and have kids or when you're married and have kids I'll cook you all the meals you want!"

"….me? Kids? Whatever. But I'll take you up on the food…"

Now back to the present, Mugen had never really given any of the past a thought. He could have cared less what ever had happened to them. But…something inside him DID care..

And now he was sitting in the living room of one of the other parts oh him he had lost three years ago.

"Dammit to hell…" he murmured to himself.

"What?" Fuu yelled.

No answer. Fuu yelled again, "Hey, Muu, take a-"

"What did you call me?"

"-bath around back You stink and I like that couch. Dinner will be ready by the time you're done."

Mugen sighed and jumped up off the couch, walking into the kitchen. He began rummaging through the cabinets for a sake bottle while Fuu boiled some water,

"You drink to much."

He smirked when he found the bottle and walked out, stripping clothes as he strolled until he was completely naked,

"Hey Fuu? Wash my clothes."

And he strode out the backdoor to the bathhouse.

Fuu's head popped back outside the doorframe, her eyes widening as she spotted the discarded garments on the floor, and dropped her jaw as she saw the last of Mugen disappear into the bathhouse.