Samurai Champloo Fan Fiction ❯ A Fool's Errand ❯ The Beginning ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Champloo.

 

A/N: This is my first attempt at writing a Samurai Champloo fanfic. A bit of encouragement would be nice. Please let me know what you think!

 

 

 

A Fool's Errand: The Beginning

 

 

 

Another day, another town, and they were still broke. Fuu sighed. The sun was high in the sky, reminding her that it was near lunchtime. Her companions were dragging along as well. "We really should try and find some work so we can eat."

 

"I agree," Jin replied as he moved to sit on a bench in the shade. Fuu joined him and they sighed in contentment. Unfortunately, the bench was in front of a restaurant and the scent of food only made them even hungrier.

 

"This sucks," Mugen pouted as he dropped on bench beside them. "It's too hot to do anything and I'm hungry."

 

They sat in the shade quietly, the only sounds being their growling stomachs.

 

"Excuse me."

 

Jin opened his eyes and saw the shadow of a woman standing before them. Fuu sat up quickly and looked at her curiously. "Yes?" Jin questioned, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword.

 

"I am a traveler in need of some protection." She glanced towards Mugen, who was snoring loudly, then turned back to Jin. "I noticed you and your companion seem to be capable swordsmen."

 

Fuu was quick to speak. "Oh, they are. They're wonderful bodyguards. I'm sure we could arrange something."

 

Jin's brow furrowed as he looked at Fuu. What was the girl doing? After their experience with Sara, they had to be careful.

 

Fuu leaned towards him and whispered, "It's a job. We can't pass it up."

 

Jin nodded in agreement and turned his attention back to the woman. Yes, they couldn't pass it up, but they still needed to be cautious. She had stepped into the shade and no longer had the sun to her back so he could see her. His breath caught in his chest. She was beautiful. Her long, black hair was pulled back and braided. She wore a simple green traveling kimono. What stood out the most were her eyes. They were the most brilliant shade of blue. Jin was captivated.

 

The woman smiled at Fuu. "Let's go in and eat while we discuss your terms," she said.

 

Fuu was immediately on her feet, pulling Mugen and Jin along as she went into the restaurant. Mugen finally woke up as they sat down at a table. "What's going on?" he asked drowsily.

 

"We're about to get fed and get a job, so shut up," Fuu told him quietly.

 

He opened his eyes and stared at the strange woman sitting at their table. Then he leered. She was quite beautiful, dark hair and blue eyes, an ample chest. Yes, he could get used to looking at her. He caught Jin staring daggers at him. Giving the ronin a "what the hell?" look, he turned back to the woman. "So, what are you offering?" he asked.

 

"Food and board, plus compensation. The next stretch of road is a bit dangerous." She waved to the waitress. "Bring them whatever they want. I will pay the bill."

 

The three looked at her in shock before ordering everything on the menu. The only thing the woman ordered was noodles and tea. The food arrived shortly and they all ate like they were starving, which they were. The woman watched them with slight amusement.

 

Jin finished first and turned to her. "You just wish bodyguards?"

 

She nodded. "I've heard that the bandit activity on the road south has risen quite a bit recently. I do hope that is not out of your way."

 

Fuu looked up, smiling. "No, we're on our way to Nagasaki actually."

 

The woman smiled back, her blue eyes twinkling. "How convenient, I am heading to Nagasaki as well."

 

Mugen grinned at her. "Well, maybe we can travel together," he offered in a rather suggestive tone.

 

Jin frowned at Mugen's display. He knew this was a woman to be respected, not treated like the type of woman Mugen was used to. "We do not wish to be a burden to you either."

 

The woman was staring at Mugen, but cut her eyes towards Jin. "You will not." She took out a piece of paper and wrote the name of an inn and her room number on it. "Please come there if you choose to accept." She dropped some coins on the table to pay for the meal and left.

 

 

 

 

Fuu and Mugen had eaten their fill and they sat at the table, moaning. Jin sighed at their display. There were times when his companions embarrassed him. This was one of those. "So, are we going to accept the job?"

 

Mugen picked at his teeth with a stick. "I don't know. It sounds kinda fishy." He remembered how Sara had used her disability to gain their trust. This woman wasn't blind or sick as far as he could tell.

 

"She seemed nice to me," Fuu added.

 

"And I did not detect anything about her," Jin said. He knew what Mugen was thinking. "I think it would be nice to travel with her. If the roads ahead are as dangerous as she's expecting, it wouldn't be right for her to be on them alone."

 

"Yeah, whatever." Mugen waved him off. "Free food and free beds. That's all I care about."

 

Fuu sighed. "That's all you ever care about. I think we should go."

 

"That's two against one, Mugen," Jin pointed out.

 

"I never said I wasn't going to do it," he protested. "I just said it sounds fishy."

 

"Then we will be extra careful." Jin and Mugen looked at each other knowingly.

 

They exited the restaurant and made their way to the inn. The place was very nice and had several small houses behind it that could be rented for groups traveling together. They asked where to find the room and were directed to the furthest house.

 

An oil lamp burned in the room just inside the door, which slid aside to show the woman's shadow. "Please, come inside," she said softly. "I am glad you decided to accept my offer."

 

Fuu entered first. The room was sparsely decorated with cushions and mats on which to sit. At the back were four doors that led to what she assumed were the bedrooms. Mugen came in behind her and saw a bottle of sake on the floor and headed straight for it.

 

Jin was last, stopping at the door to speak to the woman. "Now that we have accepted, perhaps we should introduce ourselves. I am Jin. The young lady is Fuu, and the uncouth one is Mugen."

 

She actually blushed slightly as she led him inside. "I apologize. I didn't want to give you my name until you agreed to assist me. I am Kiyone. Please, have a seat." She sat down with her back to the rooms.

 

Jin found it odd that she obviously intentionally sat where she could see the door. That was suspicious. Could this woman be wanted? Was she a criminal? One look in her eyes told him she was just cautious.

 

Mugen had begun drinking directly from the bottle of sake, garnering deep frowns from his companions. Kiyone noticed this and began pouring from another bottle into cups. "He is more than welcome to drink that bottle himself," she said. "I have plenty."

 

Mugen was lying on his side facing Kiyone. He took a swig from the bottle. "So, why are you traveling alone?" he asked as he glared at her. "It's kinda suspicious, a woman traveling these roads alone." He was going to find out everything he could about this woman first.

 

Kiyone sipped from her cup, contemplating her words. "I suppose it does seem rather odd. I wanted to see our country, but my father would not take me anywhere. So, when I came of age, I set out on my own. I have been away from Nagasaki for over a year now."

 

"That sounds like fun," Fuu said, "traveling because you want to."

 

"It has been fun, but somewhat dangerous as well," she replied. "I have been lucky enough to keep away from most of it."

 

"So, that's why you want to hire us? You can't keep away from what's coming up?"

 

Kiyone nodded. "I have been keeping to the less traveled roads. Those have given me a better view of life here. However, I cannot do that along this next stretch of road. I must travel along the highway."

 

"Well, I ain't got no problem with that," Mugen said as he stood and stretched, the bottle of sake still in his hand. "I'm gonna get some shut eye." He strolled to the room on the farthest end, opened the door and slid it shut behind him. He seemed satisfied that she wasn't going to attack them.

 

Fuu watched him and sighed in frustration. "I apologize for Mugen. He can be a bit abrasive sometimes."

 

"No need to apologize," Kiyone answered. "Ryukyu have been known for their… abrasiveness."

 

Jin's eyes narrowed dangerously. "How do you know…?"

 

She returned his gaze levelly. "His dark skin, his attitude, his clothes, they give him away."

 

"What else do you know?"

 

She shrugged. "You are ronin, obviously. I would not begin to guess for how long. As for Fuu, she is just a child searching for happiness." She looked over at the girl. Fuu had lain on the floor and was finally asleep.

 

Jin followed her gaze and his eyes softened. Fuu was exhausted. "Perhaps I should take her into a room," he said as he stood to move to Fuu's side. "Have you chosen already?"

 

Kiyone nodded. "The far left. You may place her in either of the middle rooms."

 

He scooped the girl into his arms and carried her to the room beside where Mugen was sleeping. Placing her on the sleeping mat, he found a blanket and covered her. She immediately snuggled into the blanket and rolled over in her sleep, facing the wall. He was very curious about this woman who knew so much.

 

Kiyone was amused that Jin had chosen the room next to hers. Perhaps he was going to keep an eye on her. She was sure he thought she was not being exactly truthful; however she had been completely truthful. They just had not asked direct questions. She heard him put the girl down and cover her.

 

He stepped lightly and returned to sit before her. "You seem to know a lot for someone whom we've never met."

 

Her blue eyes pierced his and he felt a chill run down his spine. "I was taught at a very young age to be observant," she replied. "You dress as a samurai and carry the swords of a man of such stature, yet you travel with a girl and a… vagrant. I can see in Fuu's eyes that she is searching for something. The way she looks at you and Mugen shows that she hasn't quite found everything, but has found something. Mugen is lost. He is looking for something as well."

 

"And me? Am I looking for something?" His eyes were hard and cold.

 

"Redemption. I can see it in your face." She reached out and placed her hand on his cheek.

 

He flinched slightly, but did not move away. Her hand was warm and her thumb stroked lightly across his cheek. He wanted to grasp her wrist and make her hand never move from its position, but for some reason, he couldn't move. Her eyes had him captivated. He felt her thumb trace his lips and they parted slightly.

 

Suddenly, she pulled away and lowered her head. He could see a blush creeping up her neck. "I am sorry," she said softly. "I should not be so forward. It is not a woman's place to…" Her voice trailed off and she was soon on her feet. She bowed to him. "I beg your forgiveness. We will leave in the morning." Turning, she moved into her room, leaving a flabbergasted Jin behind.

 

 

 

The next morning dawned brightly. They left after having a decent breakfast, traveling the road south. Fuu asked Kiyone many questions about her travels and told her of their adventures. They chatted together, leaving Mugen and Jin to their own thoughts as they walked slightly ahead of them.

 

Mugen was walking with his hands clasped at the back of his neck. He suddenly stopped and looked towards the woods surrounding them. Jin noticed and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Mugen looked at Jin and nodded imperceptibly.

 

Jin turned his head towards Fuu and Kiyone. "Stay together," he said firmly in a soft voice. His thumb pushed the tsuba upward, releasing his katana from its sheath.

 

Kiyone nodded and took Fuu's arm. Her eyes searched the surrounding trees. Their attackers knew very well how to use the overgrowth to mask their appearance. Thankfully, Mugen and Jin had better senses.

 

"Come on out," Mugen taunted. "We know you're there."

 

Suddenly, the trees shook and nearly twenty men dropped down and surrounded them. Mugen and Jin swept their swords around, each taking down three of their adversaries. Kiyone watched the two swordsmen fighting. They were quite impressive. She recognized Jin's style immediately, Muju Shin Kenjutsu. However, she had heard on her journeys that the style had died with its master.

 

Next to her, she heard an "eep" from Fuu. Turning, she saw one of the attackers coming towards them with a long knife. Spinning Fuu behind her, she pulled the hidden knife from the obi of her kimono and slashed him in his stomach. He tumbled past and she easily returned her sword to its hiding place.

 

Fuu looked at her wide-eyed. She was in shock that Kiyone had killed that man with a sword and she'd missed it all. Kiyone moved over to her and grasped her shoulders. "Don't tell them, Fuu. I'll explain tonight, I promise." Kiyone looked at her desperately. Fuu merely nodded mutely.

 

They turned around to find that all of the attackers had been felled. Kiyone smiled brightly. "I am certainly glad you two were here. I wouldn't have survived an attack like that."

 

Mugen puffed his chest out proudly. "Just doing our job."

 

They stopped at a small clearing for lunch before continuing on. They weren't hassled any more that day. The nearest town was still half a day away, so they found a spot next to a stream to camp for the night. While Mugen and Jin went in search of wood for the fire, Kiyone spoke to Fuu. "Please promise me you will never mention this to either of them," she begged the younger girl.

 

Fuu's brow furrowed in confusion. What could be so important that she couldn't mention it to Jin or Mugen? "Okay, I promise."

 

"My father trained me how to use a sword. He wanted a son, but my mother died when I was very young and he never found another woman to love. So, I became his son and his daughter. That's why he had no problems with me leaving to tour the country."

 

Fuu looked at her differently now. "But if you can fight, why did you hire us?"

 

Kiyone rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration. "You saw how many there were attacking us. Alone, I would never have survived. I saw you three enter town and knew you would be perfect."

 

"Are you really traveling to Nagasaki?"

 

She nodded. "Yes. Everything I've told you is the truth. I've been very surprised that none of you have asked more questions."

 

Fuu was about to ask another question when Mugen arrived in the campsite. She decided to save the question for later and went to help the pirate with the fire. The rest of the night was spent peacefully talking together.