Samurai Champloo Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing Cherry Blossoms ❯ Fight Me ( Chapter 2 )

Dancing Cherry Blossoms

 

Chapter 2: Fight Me

 

 

 

Mugen slid the door closed to the house. All was quiet except the steps of Mugen of course. He walked lazily down to his room and slid the door open. He dragged his feet over to his futon slowly, pulling off his sword, his shirts, and kicking his sandals off. He laid down on the futon and rolled over. He opened his eyes when he caught the scent of cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, so did Sakura.

 

Jin sat up quickly as he heard Sakura scream. Fuu opened her eyes as well. Jin grabbed his sword and ran out of the room. Mugen ran out of his room, narrowly missing a sandal flying at his face. He ducked just in time and it hit the wall.

 

“Pervert!!” Sakura yelled. Mugen turned his head and saw Jin and Fuu leave the same room. He raised an eyebrow.

 

“What were you doing in her room?” Mugen asked, crossing his arms. Jin ignored him. Fuu cleared her throat and pulled her robe tighter.

 

“What's going on?” Fuu asked sleepily. She looked in Mugen's room and saw Sakura standing there, looking as mad as a hornet. She was wrapped in Mugen's sheets and holding another sandal, ready to send it flying at Mugen.

 

“This isn't a fucking peep show, you asshole.” Sakura said. Mugen turned his head towards her.

 

“Listen, bitch! You're in MY room! You have no right to be in there, either!” Mugen yelled back at her. They stared at each other, the lightning crackling between them. Fuu sighed and Jin leaned against the wall.

 

“Mugen, just sleep in Jin's room tonight. We'll get this sorted out in the morning.” Fuu yawned. Mugen turned his head towards her.

 

“Then where's Jin gonna sleep?” Mugen crossed his arms. Both Jin and Fuu looked at each other.

 

“I'll sleep on the floor in her room, of course.” Jin said. Fuu turned her head, trying to hide her blush. Mugen crossed his arms, staring at the two.

 

“I don't think so. You'll sleep in your room, on the floor.” Mugen said, pulling Jin away from Fuu. Fuu looked at Jin. He sighed and followed Mugen to his room. Fuu looked back at Sakura. Sakura sighed and sat down on the futon.

 

“See you in the morning.” Fuu said. Sakura nodded.

 

The next morning after breakfast, Fuu headed to work at the tea house. Kyoko was wiping down the tables when she came in. She smiled at Fuu and threw her the towel. Fuu caught it, rubbing her eyes.

 

“Wow. You look tired.” Kyoko said. Fuu nodded.

 

“Yeah, well. We have a houseguest.” She said. Kyoko raised an eyebrow and sat down on a bench.

 

“A guest, you say. This guest wouldn't happen to be a girl an inch shorter than you and have thick black hair that she wears in pigtails, would they?” Kyoko asked. Fuu's eyes widened at Kyoko's exact description of Sakura.

 

“How did you know?”

 

“Oh, she was in here last night. Some thugs were harassing her and I told Mugen to go help her. I'm curious as to how she got to your place, though. She didn't seem like the friendly type.”

 

“On the contrary, Kyoko. She's actually pretty nice. From what I hear, she's also a pretty good fighter. She made a deal with Mugen that if he disarmed her, she'd tell him her name. If she disarmed him, he'd find her a place to stay. Well, I guess you can figure out what happened.” Fuu said.

 

“Well, I wouldn't really rule out Mugen disarming her.” Kyoko said, looking thoughtful. Fuu looked up from scrubbing a table.

 

“Why not?”

 

“Mugen is a guy. That girl was cute and looked like the perfect candidate for Mugen's so-called charm. He would've given her a place to stay regardless just so he could screw her.” Kyoko said. Fuu tried to resist laughing.

 

“Sakura doesn't strike me as the gullible `Mugen' type. She looks like she'd make a great match for him, fighting or otherwise.”

 

“So her name's Sakura.” Kyoko said. She walked over to Fuu and leaned in close to her ear. “So, how are things between you and Jin? Have you two told Mugen yet?” She whispered. Fuu's eyes widened and she blushed.

 

“Well, we haven't really gotten around to it. Mugen came back from wherever he goes at night a little earlier than we expected last night and he saw Jin leave my room when Sakura woke up screaming. So, I guess he either figured things out or is too stupid to do it himself. We'll eventually tell him. It's not like he'll care.” Fuu said.

 

“Somehow I highly doubt that, Fuu. He's gotten pretty protective of you and you know how he fights Jin whenever he gets a spare moment.”

 

“Hey! I pay you two to work! Not gossip!” A woman's voice came from the kitchen. Both Fuu and Kyoko sighed.

 

“Yes, Midori-san.” They droned.

 

Sakura walked outside, carrying her sword. She saw that the house had a small backyard. She looked around, seeing nothing but hanging clothes. She walked around them and found an ample practice space. Sakura stretched for a few moments then unsheathed her thin sword. She had her pigtails rolled up into little balls at the top of her head. She closed her eyes and began her morning exercise.

 

Mugen walked outside to find a clean shirt to wear. As usual, his sword was strapped to his back. He scratched his hair and yawned. He pulled off his weapon and put on a shirt. Putting his sword back around him, he heard rustling behind some sheets. He walked slowly forward, moving them out of the way. He smirked at what he saw.

 

Sakura swung around and heard her sword meet another. She opened her eyes and saw Mugen standing there.

 

“Hi.” Mugen said. Sakura frowned and jumped back away from him.

 

“What are you doing out here? Do you live to bother me?” She watched him closely. Mugen circled around her. He looked at her attire. She wore a short kimono with long, flowing sleeves. He could only see the sword protruding from her right sleeve.

 

“I'm interested in your fighting capability. You disarmed me so easily yesterday. I must now fight you to redeem myself or you'll think that I am inferior to you.” Mugen said. Sakura stared at him for a moment. “Plus, you hair is so cute like that. You look like a little girl with a big rack.” He taunted. Sakura frowned at him. She got into her fighting stance.

 

“Let's go. Don't hold back, Mugen. That's if you have the balls to do so. Don't let this `little girl' beat you.” She said. Mugen growled something illegible. He held his sword out towards her. Sakura moved her sword behind her, still staring intently at Mugen. She raised her left arm out in front of her and beckoned him forward. Mugen frowned and charged at her.

 

“You stupid bitch!” He yelled. He swung down at her. Sakura smiled and blocked his swing.

 

“You know...” She pushed him off of her and twirled around him, putting her sleeve in his face. Mugen was temporarily blinded. The smell of cherry blossoms overwhelmed him again. Once Sakura was completely around him, she kicked him in the back. Mugen stumbled forward, but turned quickly. Sakura smiled at him. “...I'm getting really tired of you calling me a bitch.” She said.

 

“Well, if the shoe fits...” Mugen smirked. Sakura frowned and ran towards him. He jumped over her, kicking her in the head. Sakura turned, cutting his leg a bit. Mugen winced but did not let her see it.

 

“I get first blood.” Sakura said. They ran toward each other again and a swordfight began.

 

Mugen noticed how much she fought like a dancer. He thin sword was quick and she was good at twirling it like a baton. By the time they were both out of breath and about to pass out from exhaustion, one of Sakura's balls had come down and the braid was undone. Half her hair flowed down her right shoulder. She had a cut on her leg, like Mugen. Mugen had small cuts on his arm and a large scratch on his arm from Sakura's sharp nails. They faced each other, breathing hard and looking very tired.

 

“You're better than I thought.” Sakura breathed out.

 

“Likewise.” Mugen said. Sakura smirked and lowered her weapon. Mugen did the same. “I'm starving.” He sheathed his sword. Sakura nodded.

 

“Can you cook?” She asked. Mugen stared blankly at her. Then he just started laughing maniacally.

 

“That's rich. No, my cooking stinks. I mean we can go to the tea house. You know, the one those guys were bothering you in?” Mugen said. Sakura nodded. She noticed his bloody arms.

 

“I doubt they will be happy if we walk in there looking like this.” Sakura began braiding her hair again. Mugen noticed how fast she did it. It was amazing. She spent about eight seconds braiding her long hair. She wrapped it around in a circle at the top of her head and pulled it tight. “Let me clean you up. I have some bandages in my sack.” She started walking back inside. Mugen nodded and followed her.

 

While she was cleaning his arm, she had pinned up her sleeve. She had an elaborate burn mark on her shoulder. Mugen had seen it somewhere, but he couldn't place where. Sakura wrapped his arm up and wrapped his leg. She then did her leg and stood up.

 

“Let's go.” She said. Mugen stood as well and led the way out.

 

Fuu looked up as Mugen walked in with Sakura. She frowned when she saw the bandages covering moth of them. She stalked over to them and pulled Mugen down to her level.

 

“What the hell have you been doing to her?” She asked. Mugen yanked himself back from her. Sakura laughed.

 

“Me? I'm in worse shape than she is! She's the one who sliced up my arms and my leg. Scream at her!” Mugen walked past Fuu, fuming. Fuu looked over at Sakura, who was admiring the paintings on the walls. She looked over at Fuu.

 

“What? She asked.

 

“Don't encourage him to fight.” Fuu walked off. Sakura went over to where Mugen was sitting. Kyoko walked over to them as she sat.

 

“Hi. I'm Kyoko, Mugen's friend. I already know what he wants. What would you like? The same thing as yesterday?” She asked Sakura.

 

“You remember what I asked for?” Sakura raised an eyebrow. Kyoko smiled.

 

“Of course I do. I have a pretty good memory, unlike a certain idiot sitting across from you.” She said.

 

“Then I'll have what I had yesterday.” She said. Kyoko nodded and disappeared to the back to fill their order. Mugen looked over at Sakura. Sakura was looking around the room at the paintings. She'd never admit it to anyone, but she loved art.

 

“So, what's your story?” Mugen asked. Sakura snapped out of her musings and looked at Mugen. He was staring intently at her. Sakura looked down at the table.

 

“I'm an orphan. I've never really stayed in one place for too long. That's my story.” Sakura said.

 

“Where'd you learn to fight and where'd you get that skinny sword of yours?”

 

“I taught myself how to fight. The sword belonged to my mother, Hana. She got from her father, who was Chinese. It's a Chinese sword. It's lighter than that heavy thing you're carrying around. It's also much easier for my style of fighting.”

 

“What? You mean with all that damn twirling. You swing that thing around like it's a bo.” Mugen said as Kyoko came back around with their food.

 

“You're just mad because I am a match for you. Imagine me, a woman, and a match for the great Mugen? That must really be a blow to your pride. I wouldn't want to emasculate you in front of everyone, would I?” Sakura said. Kyoko almost spilled their sake as she placed it down. She giggled to herself and walked off. Mugen stared maliciously after her, but said nothing. He glared back at Sakura. She smiled at him as she started eating her rice.

 

Jin entered the tea house just a Fuu went on her break. She looked at him and followed him out, grinning like mad. Kyoko shook her head as she watched them leave. Sakura also noticed Jin and Fuu's hasty leave. Mugen was too busy stuffing his face to notice. Sakura smirked, knowing something was up.

 

Fuu threw Jin down on her futon. She smiled and crawled on top of him and they started kissing.

 

“Are you certain Mugen won't come in here?” Jin asked between kisses. Fuu nodded.

 

“I think Sakura and Kyoko will keep him occupied until my break is over. He'll probably never even notice that I even left.”

 

“Whatever you say.” Jin rolled over on top of her.

 

Mugen looked up at Sakura as she continued eating her rice. Sakura felt his eyes staring at her and looked up. Mugen immediately looked away. Sakura smirked and continued eating. Mugen looked back at her. The girl was very pretty and she looked very young.

 

“How old are you?” Mugen asked. Sakura looked up at him. She showed her rice slowly and swallowed. She put the bowl down and took a sip of her sake.

 

“Why do you want to know?”

 

“I'm curious.”

 

“Well, why does it matter how old I am?” Sakura asked. Mugen raised an eyebrow.

 

“Why can't you just answer the damn question?”

 

“Why such language?”

 

“Would you just answer the fucking question before I leave your ass here?” Mugen said. Sakura smiled. She liked antagonizing him. It was pretty fun and he got annoyed pretty quickly.

 

“I'm eighteen, if you must know. Now, what about your age, smart one?”

 

“Twenty-two. You shouldn't even be drinking sake.” Mugen said.

 

“My, my. Aren't you the old one? I'll drink what I want when I want.” Sakura took another sip of her sake. “So, do you have a job? Fuu works here. She told me Jin works at the bookstore. What about you? Or are you just a slacker?” Sakura said, standing up. She put some money on the table. Mugen did the same and they stood up to leave.

 

Fuu glided back in, straightening her kimono as she did so. Kyoko smiled at her from across the room. Fuu winked back at her. She looked over at Mugen and Sakura leaving. She walked over to them.

 

“Well, was it good?” She asked. Sakura looked over at Fuu. Fuu smiled at them. Sakura nodded.

 

“Yes, it was good. Thank you, Fuu. Tell Kyoko I said thank you.” Sakura said. Fuu nodded and turned her gaze to Mugen. Mugen was picking at his teeth. He looked over at Fuu and sighed.

 

“Yes, Fuu. It was good.” He said. He started to walk out. Sakura followed him, waving. Outside, Sakura tapped Mugen on the shoulder. Mugen glared at her. “What?”

 

“You never answered my question.” She said. Mugen sighed.

 

“I do whatever I want. I'm a freelance worker. I do what I want when I want, just like you. What are you? Just a wanderer?” Mugen asked. Sakura opened her mouth, and then realized that she could not tell him what it was that she did.

 

“Yes. I guess I'm just a wanderer. Like you, I'm a freelance worker. Happy?” She asked. Mugen nodded.

 

In Edo, a woman dressed in all red ate cherries one by one. She was lying on her side and staring out of the window. A knock came at the sliding door behind him.

 

“Hai.” She said, still eating the cherries slowly. A man entered. He stepped inside and bowed behind her.

 

“Mistress, Otome has not returned.” He said. The woman looked down at the bowl of cherries. She popped another one in her mouth.

 

“I see. Where was her assignment?” The woman asked.

 

“A town south of Suteki. I cannot recall the name of it.” The man said. The woman rolled her eyes.

 

`Imbecile,' she thought.

 

“We will wait a few weeks more. She may be trying to get into the life of the assignment. You know how Otome likes to use strategy rather than force.”

 

“But, mistress...”

 

“We will wait. Patience is a virtue, Ichi.” The woman said. Ichi nodded and bowed as the woman ate another cherry.

 

“Hai, mistress. I will inform the others.”

 

“Oyasumi, Ichi.” The woman said.

 

“Oyasumi, mistress.” Ichi left. The woman continued to stare out of her window, occasionally popping a cherry into her small mouth.

 

 

 

Oyasumi-Good night

 

Hai-yes