Last Kiss Chapter 4

[kelles]

Mugen didn’t storm out of Jin’s home but with every second that passed the angrier he became. There was no way he could go to sleep mpw. He would think about them wouldn’t he? Mugen wondered why seeing Fuu just lying next to Jin angered him so much. It wasn’t as if there was anything serious between him and Fuu. She didn’t mean anything to him. Yeah, Fuu is just a good time.

What I need, it a woman, Mugen thought.. Laying that close to Fuu had aroused him but she had left him alone and went into Jin's bed. He was sure he had seen a few brothels on their way here. Mugen had just enough money to buy himself some fun. I don’t need all the headaches that come with Fuu anyway. Jin can have her, if he wants her.

Mugen walked into town thinking about the fun he would have in the brothel. It had been too long since he had been with someone different then Fuu. They had fun, but it was always the same. He couldn’t wait to have someone different who might be able teach him a few things.

A young girl, who reminded him of Fuu, approached him on the street. “Excuse me, Sir. Would you like to have some tea? Tomae-san has something for every type of appetite.” She smiled knowingly at him.

Mugen grinned, this girl wasn’t bad but he generally liked his women older and experienced. Perhaps he could have more then one. Mugen had taken some of Fuu’s money too. She wouldn’t mind – wasn’t she in bed with another man? He could pay her back when he got a job. “Does this Tomae-san have sake?”

“Yes, delicious sake that her brother makes himself. It is the very best in the village.” The girl started to walk, knowing he would follow. She had seen that look on men’s faces too many times.

A broad grin came over his face. Mugen knew that the girl wasn’t talking just about sake. He followed her into a brothel and couldn’t believe his luck. There were many women, ranging in age from 15 to 30 years old. All of them were stunning. Only a few men were in the main room and each one was surrounded by at least three women. This is my kind of place, he thought to himself.

---

Jin felt something soft on his chest. Had last night been a dream or was Fuu really in bed with him? He searched his mind trying to remember what had happened last night. Is this as far as it went or had they done more? No, he thought, I would remember that. It had been far too long since he had been with a woman. When he had gotten sick, he conserved his energy for fights, work, and chores.

Fuu looked up at Jin and blushed. “Jin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Really, I didn’t. I’m not even sure…” She tried to explain.

Jin smiled at her, “It’s okay, Fuu. Can you get up?”

“Oh yes, of course.” Fuu got up and tried to smooth the wrinkles from her kimono. She went out into the main room and it was empty. Shino must have gone already. She went into her room to change clothes and it was empty too. Where the hell is Mugen? She wondered.

She got changed, fixed her hair, and waited for Jin in the main room of the house. There were three notes on the table, one for each of them. Shino was really gone. It would be up to her to take care of Jin until…the end. The thought scared her. It didn’t seem possible Jin could be sick. So many times on their journey she had thought he or Mugen would die from their injuries. They were supposed to be invincible. How could he be dying? Impossible, she thought, Jin can’t be that sick. Shino is wrong. She doesn’t realize how strong he is. Whatever is wrong with him, he is going to get better..

She heard his footstep as he approached the table. What am I going to say to him, about Shino? She looked up at him and smiled nervously. “Hi Jin, it looks like we’re the only two here right now. Would you like some lunch?”

“She’s gone, isn’t she?” Jin’s eyes moved to the three notes. Three, so Mugen is here.

“Shino-san? Yes, she did tell me she had to leave, to get back to her family.” Fuu answered him.

“I had a feeling she would be leaving soon.” Jin smiled and picked up the note with his name on it. “I knew she was up to something.”

“You’re not upset, Jin?” Fuu asked him.

“No. Her place is with her family, not here. You can leave too, Fuu.” Jin commented as he read the note.

“What? Do you want me to leave?” Fuu asked him, upset that he would even suggest it.

“No, you can stay or you can leave. The choice is yours.” Jin answered her.

“I promised Shino-san I would stay so you’re stuck with me for awhile.” Fuu glared at him. Had he not changed at all? Still pushing people away after all these years. It seemed like he didn’t want to say in words that he needed help or that he cared for anyone. Her thoughts went back to last night though. His arms pulling her against his body, the way he stroke her hair. Damn it Jin, Fuu thought, you have such a hard time with words. I don’t know if I’ll ever understand you.

---

As Mugen sat down at one of the tables, two pretty women joined him. One poured a cup of sake for him and the other fed him sushi. Damn, he thought, I wonder why I don’t do this more often. Mugen and his “hosts” for the evening got drunk on sake. He also filled his stomach up with beef ramen. It had been awhile since he had had any of his appetites satisfied.

An older woman called one of the girls over and they spoke in a whisper. The younger woman waved and smiled at Mugen. He could hardly wait. It had been too long since had visited a brothel. I’m sure these girls know how to please a man, he thought.

Tomoae motioned for Mugen to follow her. He stumbled trying to keep up with her and the other woman. The women finally stopped at a private room upstairs. Damn, sake. Mugen hoped all of the sake he consumed wouldn’t affect his performance. He didn’t think the gods would give him another opportunity like this.

The two women got into the room before he did. When Mugen walked in the door they were laying on the bed half-dressed. Tomoae was fondling the other woman’s body. Mugen blinked. He could not believe this was happening; it was like something from one of his wet dreams.

“Are you going to join us? Or would you rather watch?” Tomoae purred.

For one of the few times in his life, Mugen was speechless. He knew one thing - tonight he intended on doing much more then watching. He staggered over to the bed, he was still a little unsteady on his feet. Tomoae pulled him onto the bed and he landed between her and the other girl.

“Hey, I don’t even know your names.” Mugen said as Tomoae started to unbutton his shirt.

“I’m Tomae,” she said trailing her fingers across his chest.

“And I’m Keiko,” the younger girl said as she tugged his pants off.

Mugen groaned as Keiko pulled him into her mouth. Tomoae kissed him hard on the mouth and he touched her everywhere – her curves were so much bigger then Fuu’s. The rest of the night was a blur but he remembered bits and pieces the next morning when he woke up. Mugen remembered releasing himself inside both women many times. He could almost still feel their lips and tongues on him where they licked and sucked him everywhere. But, the last thought he had before passing out was not of Tomoae, Keikio, or even the great sex; it was of her - Fuu.

---

Fuu was starting to worry. Mugen still hadn’t come home. She hoped the nitwit did not do anything stupid like get into a fight. Her thoughts drifted to the other man in her life. So many times she had fantasized about this: Living with the two of them at the same time. All kinds of naughty thoughts passed through her mind and she started to blush. The two men had held a special place in her heart for so long. In their own ways they were very much alike and yet so different. Mugen didn’t seem as distant as Jin but he was. They had been seeing each other off and on for eight years and he still had never allowed things to get serious. They were friends everywhere except the bedroom. And Jin, he had stayed away for the last ten years. He never even answered the letter she wrote. It was his inaction that changed Fuu’s mind about Mugen. She stopped saying no and the rest as they say, is history.

Fuu had finished cleaning the house and was sitting outside watching Jin tend to the garden. She never thought she’d see him satisfied by such simple work. Fuu still found it hard to believe that he hadn’t fought with his sword in over six months. He had been working for several hours. Fuu poured a glass of water and brought it out to him. When she handed it to him, Jin couldn’t stop coughing.

He took the cup and turned away from her. The drink helped quiet his cough. Being sick made him feel so weak, so useless. It was embarrassing to be seen like this, especially by her. He felt Fuu’s hand on his arm.

“Jin, why don’t you take a break in the shade. You’ve out here for hours and it’s so hot today.” Fuu told him, her voice was full of worry.

Jin did not hear the concern, he heard nothing but pity and he hated it.. Would she have told him to take a break if he wasn’t sick? Fuu never acted this way on their journey. “I’m fine Fuu,” Jin replied as he drank the rest of his water. “It’s okay, you can go inside or into the village. You don’t need to worry.”

“But---“

“I don’t need pity.” Jin interrupted her. “Please, leave this to me.”

Fuu was hurt – she only brought him water because she was concerned about his health. She turned and walked away without saying a word.

“Fuu, thank you for the drink.” Jin said as a very slight grin formed on his mouth.

“I’ll leave the pitcher here so you can have another cup if you get thirsty.” Fuu smiled back. “I’m going to wash some clothes for you and Mugen.”

Jin’s eyes lit up at the mention of his name. Finally someone who won’t feel sorry for me or treat me like a child, he thought. “Where is he?” Jin asked.

“I’m not sure. He was gone in the morning. Maybe he went into the village.” Fuu said.

Jin chuckled. If Mugen did go into town, he probably spent the night at one of the brothels. He hoped it wasn’t at Miss Tomiko’s place although it would be amusing if it was. The girls who worked there were notorious thieves.

Fuu frowned at Jin. Why is he laughing? “I hope he hasn’t gotten into any trouble.”

“I’m sure Mugen will be fine. He probably had too much to drink and is sleeping it off.

Fuu nodded and went inside the house feeling sadder then she had been when she woke up. Living with the two of them wasn’t going as much fun as she had hoped.

---

Mugen groaned as he tried to open his eyes. It felt like someone had hit him in the head with rock. Damn, I didn’t think I drank that much! Memories from last night flooded his mind and he grinned. Had all of that really happened? He was alone now. Not that he expected the women to stay. Mugen was sure they had other customers to attend to. He didn’t even remember paying them for their “services.” Whatever he had given them; they had earned every last bit of it. Mugen pulled on his clothes and pulled out the sac that contained his money. A knock on the door interrupted him.

“Excuse me, Sir. The lady of the house has asked if you are staying today. If you are leaving, I need to clean the room.” A young girl asked.

“I’m leaving. I’ll be out in a second.” Mugen grumbled. The money sac felt empty. That can’t be right, he thought. Mugen felt like someone had punched him in his gut when he opened it. The money was gone. All of it. Most of it had been Fuu’s money that needed to last for the entire visit – gone. Shit!

Mugen stormed out of the room looking for Tomoae and Keiko. Those bitches better give me my money back. When Mugen couldn’t find them, he asked for the owner of the teahouse. Someone was going to pay for their theft.

The owner of the house, an attractive woman in her forties smiled at him. “Is there a problem, sir?”

“Yes, there is a big problem. I was robbed. Your girls they---“

“Didn’t you spend the night with two of our best girls? Tomoae and Keiko. They specifically told me that you handed them the money. Were you not pleased with their services?” Two bodyguards came and stood by Tomiko’s side.

“No it didn’t happen like that. They took---.”

“Sir, I do not tolerate such accusations of my girls. I believe it is time for you to leave.” She nodded to her guards and the two men proceeded to drag Mugen out of the brothel. Most days, Mugen could have defeated the men without thinking about it, but today he felt like he had been trampled on by a herd of elephants.

“Wait! What about my---” His sword hit the ground with a loud thump. “Sword.” Mugen whispered to himself. Well at least they hadn’t stolen his weapon from him. One of the guards threw the sword outside. “Damn. I’m in some serious trouble. Damn whores, stole my, no Fuu’s money.” He started walking back to Jin’s house, taking his time. Mugen was in no hurry to tell Fuu that he had lost all of her money.

---

Jin had not felt this good in weeks. He was even hungry for the first time in over a month. Jin wondered if Fuu could have anything to do with his improved health. No, that’s ridiculous, he thought. How can another person make me better? I’m sure it is just a coincidence. Jin denied that anyone else but he, medicine, or perhaps the gods could make him feel better.

It had been a long time since Jin been to the beach just outside the village. When he first arrived here, Jin used to watch the sun set with Shino nearly every night. They were only together a short time but still, he missed those days. Lately, he did not have the energy for even the short walk there. Jin was halfway to the beach before he realized where he was going.

Jin laid down on his back for just a moment. The sound of the waves and the breeze on his skin soothed his soul. He had worked hard in the garden today and within minutes his body gave into the demands of sleep.

“What the fuck are you doing down here, Jin?” Mugen couldn’t believe Jin had walked all this way from his home. Wasn’t the samurai sick? He nudged Jin with his foot.

Jin sat up slowly, unaffected by Mugen’s presence. “Oh, it’s you.” He said flatly.

Mugen sat down next to him. “You don’t look too bad to me. A little skinny but then you always were.”

Jin smirked. “I see you haven’t changed at all.”

“Me, change? Why would I mess with perfection?” Mugen said.

The two men sat there watching the waves hit the shore in silence. There was a time when the two wanted to kill one another but that was long ago. Mugen looked over at Jin. Truth was, he didn’t look that sick but Mugen could sense something missing in his old rival but what was it? Mugen remembered another time, when they were on their journey. His eyes were different. Jin looked lost to him like his spirit was gone.

Jin could feel Mugen’s eyes on him but ignored him. Whenever someone looked at him like that, it meant only one thing: pity. He did not want nor need anyone’s pity and he despised it. If he had enough strength, Jin would challenge him to a fight.

He wished something would break the tension in the air between them.

“You walked here alone? Fuu didn’t come?” Mugen asked.

“No.” Jin answered. “She was curious about your whereabouts.”

Mugen grinned remembering last night. “I don’t owe her any explanations. It’s not like there’s anything between us.”

Jin had to suppress a smile. It was so obvious Mugen cared for Fuu…just as he did but at least he could admit it to himself. Mugen was in denial. “She’s probably making dinner. I don’t think she’ll be happy if we’re late.”

Mugen nodded. He was hungry but wished he could come up with a plan to avoid Fuu until he replaced her money. He stood there thinking of what kind of excuse he could give her.

Jin studied his old rival. “And Mugen, whatever you did, don’t lie about it. That will only make it worst.”

The two men walked back to the village and found a very angry Fuu was still cooking dinner. She glared at the men. “You’re late.” She said to Mugen.

“Oh are you talking about last night?” Mugen grinned at her. She was so cute when she was angry.

Fuu looked over at Jin, “And you…you look terrible.”

He grinned and nodded at her before sitting down. Jin was relieved when Fuu didn’t say anything more but joined him.

Mugen was still standing, not sure if he should join the two of them. Fuu could be scary when she was mad. He rubbed his chin, trying to make up his mind.

“Come on, and try not to ruin everything by being you.” Fuu commented.

Then the three, who had first met because of a coincidence, more then 10 years ago, ate together. It was no wonder they were all suffering a bad case of déjà vu.