()()()()

It was funny how Jin's boat never seemed to be finished.

"Ain't gonna be big enough for all of us, unless that baby shrinks back down," said Mugen. "Or unless we add another seat."

Kennin, as it turned out, did not shrink. But the new seat spoiled the handling of the boat. "Too much weight in the back," said Mugen, scowling, when he tore it out.

"If you can think of nothing else to do to the vessel, perhaps I will resume fishing with it," suggested Jin.

"We ain't never getting outta here in that thing," Mugen grunted. "We gotta earn enough to buy a bigger boat."

It was funny how they never seemed to save enough money.

"I got a great deal for that catch!" said Fuu, coming home from the market. "Too bad I spent most of it on new curtains."

"Whatta we need with curtains? I wanted sake!"

"I thought a little more privacy would be nice," said Fuu, coloring.

"Enough sake and you won't care about that no more."

"Listen, there is a child in this house! And we have neighbors, you know."

"Yeah but we don't have sake. I'm gonna go buy some right now. Gimme the change."

It seemed like, before they knew it, Kennin was taking his first wobbly steps and eating at the table. To celebrate his first words ("Ka-ka,") they went to eat lunch on the rocky cliffs below Tairyō. Fuu's cooking was gradually improving, to the point where even Mugen would eat it without comment, and they sat munching on rice balls and watching the sparkling water.

"I think people are onto us," said Fuu unexpectedly, wiping her mouth.

"Oh?"

"My friend Sayuri-chan told me that it was a sin to live with two men."

"And what did you say?"

"I said . . . well, I said that I love you. Both of you."

"I dunno, maybe she's gonna suspect something, then," said Mugen, rolling his eyes. "Hard to say."

"Well, I'm sorry!" said Fuu. She could feel her quick temper flare. "But it's true and I'm not ashamed of it, okay?"

"Of course you are not ashamed, Fuu-chan," said Jin gently. "It is an honor, to love, and to love more is only a greater honor."

Fuu hung her head and looked away. Of course, she hadn't expected them to say anything in return. That was not how their particular relationship worked. How foolish of her to get her hopes up, even for a moment!

"It is an honor – that I – share," said Jin in a low tone, after a pause. "That is to say, ah – "

"Yeah," said Mugen quickly. "What he said." There was a long, awkward silence. "So, uh, let's pack it in, okay?" Both men jumped to their feet and began hurriedly loading up the wicker basket.

"Oh," said Fuu, in wonder. "Well, I guess since we all love each other, I finally got what I always wanted." She clambered to her feet and then scooped up Kennin as well.

"A three-way?" offered Mugen.

"No, idiot." She hid her smile. "A family."

()()()()

I have really enjoyed writing this story - thank you so much to everybody who has stayed with it this long, and especially those who wrote in with feedback or encouragement.

And of course (most of all) to my fabulous beta Tawnybmw! Any mistakes are entirely my own.