Chapter One

Fate's a Funny Thing

The weird and wonderful thing about fate is how it works. Once you think you've gotten it all figured out, once you finally find your nitch and you're comfortable with your life, it abruptly grabs you by the shoes and turns your entire world topsy-turvy. Which is exactly why Fuu's current situation didn't surprise her.

Don't stop running, don't stop running, don't stop running…

Her stomach churned thick with nausea and her vision blurred, but she pushed herself forward, even though her lungs burned for air and her legs felt as if they had led weights tied to them. "Keep going!" she screamed at herself, her voice breathless though she managed to yelp it out. Slowly, she started to feel her body shut down.

Don't stop now, don't stop!

Her hand was holding her side, the blood still seeping out through the wound. Hot blood from her body felt sticky against her hand, and the smell made her gag. She stifled a sob as hot tears ran down her dirt clung face. "Someone help," she called weakly into the darkness ahead of her, though deep in the back of her mind she knew no one would be out this late.

Don't stop… if he catches you…

She didn't want to think about what would happen if he caught her. She didn't want to think about death. Death was such a complicated yet simple thing. Dying was the complicated part, because, as you're in the process of dying you tend to think of things you regret, things you'll miss, things you love. Death was simple; the act was all over with, just a peaceful slumber.

KEEP GOING!

Her heart thundered in her ears a sob clutching at her throat. Slowly but surly he body started to wear to a slow trot, her dragging herself forward the best she could. He was catching up with her, she could hear the crunch of the gravel under his feet. A yelp escaped her lips as she tumbled forward, tripping over something large and heavy. She made a mad attempt to scramble to her feet, but her body was exhausted and refused to go any farther. She stumbled, her knees giving way and she collapsed in a heap in the dirt. Not that it mattered.

"Finally," the man hissed "you're a fast little bitch, aren't ya?" She breathed hard, her body wreathing in pain. She sent the man a defiant glare.

"Ass," she managed to spat.

"What?" he growled in a low tone.

"You don't even," she took a ragged breath in "have the balls to," she tried to get up again "fight another man. You've got to," she groaned as she slipped from her weakness "pick on young girls." A red blur crossed her vision and she finally realized what she'd tripped over. Everything hazed and melted away like a watercolor that had gotten left out in the rain. She eased into the obscurity of sleep, darkness consuming her entire being. She slipped to her knees, only to be caught before collapsing in the dirt once more.

Something wet, lukewarm and rough rubbed against her cheek and worked its way down her neck. She twitched, then her eyes squinted a few times and she shook her head gently, trying to come around. Her body was in an odd position, her legs curled up and on her side though the rest of her was lying on her back. She gave a soft moan and stretched her leg out some.

"Good morning, baka," was the first thing he said. Her eyes fluttered open briefly and then flickered shut again, only to repeat this process a few more times before she could actually keep her eyes open. He was blurry at first, but slowly everything made its way into focus. Her whole body felt so heavy and she frowned, her brow creasing creating small thin lines across her face. Seeing that he got no answer Mugen went back to what he'd been doing. The washcloth went down her arms, him rubbing at her skin with annoyance.

"What are you doing?" she muttered groggily.

"You stink," he said stiffly "and seeing that I can't exactly throw you in the lake, you get the next best thing."

"Coming from you that's pretty bad," she admitted. He rubbed harder trying to annoy her and she winced, sucking in air through gritted teeth. Pain shot through her like an arrow and slowly faded. He stopped and waited for her whining to start but it never came.

"Stitched up your side," he told her "lucky it didn't pierce anything vital." She didn't say anything for a long moment.

"With the exception of my side," she grumbled.

"Idiot," he growled at her "if you didn't get into so much trouble maybe I wouldn't have to SAVE you all the time."

"You didn't, "she denied "I would have been fine on my own." He gave her a dry glare and set the washcloth aside.

"Whatever," he muttered. There was a long paused and she shifted uncomfortably. "You mind telling me what happened?"

"Uh," she blinked awkwardly "well…"

"Stupid girl," he sighed getting up off his haunches. Whatever inn they'd gone to, it only had one room. Mugen grabbed a cup and filled it with water. "Sit up," he ordered. She tried, she really did, but her shaky hands failed to aid her in any way. "Do you have to be helpless, ALL the time?"

"I'm not helpless!" she snapped "I'm just tired." She rubbed her eyes with her fists, trying to keep the oncoming tears at bay. "Even you'd be tired after… after-" her voice choked. He offered and gentle smile and sighed.

"Look," he paused, he'd never been good with words "you're save now so…whatever happened, you're alright. Got it?" She was looking at him funny which made him nervous. "I mean, its not like I'm gonna let anything happen to you so…"

"Mugen," she cut him off "thanks." His eyes shifted and he gave a sarcastic grin.

"Anything for you, baka," he smirked.

"Pain," she grumbled.

"Virgin," he shot back.

"Man whore," she retorted.

"Boobless," he leaned forwards.

"If you have such a problem with my breasts," her voice became low and alluring "maybe you shouldn't look at them, eh?"

"Shut up!" he snapped and she laughed, ignoring his annoyance. It felt good to laugh after such a long time.

"Oh," her laughter died down and she smiled "that's what I missed so much. Arguing."

"Bet that's not all you missed," he teased.

"If I had the energy," she warned "I would slap you right now, you know that?"

"I'd think you'd be a bit more grateful," he started "seeing I saved you. You owe me."

"Owe you?" she repeated it "owe you what? Like I have anything."

"Well," his eyes shifted once more and a smirk threaded its way across his face "actually…"

"No," she said firmly.

"I wasn't gonna ask you that!" he snapped angrily "damn. You act like that's ALL I think about."

"Isn't it?" she asked.

"No," he said firmly and then smirked "I think about food too…"

Author's note: My first FanFic! Hope it was okay. - Please review, I'll update tomorrow if I get one or two.

Your Humble Authoress,

Kohaku the Warrior