Twenty-five years. He had been alive for twenty-five whole years. Back when he had been a kid, around fifteen or so, he never would have thought he would've lived to be this old. And there had been so many close ones. He had seen Death at least five or six times. Maybe more. He definitely didn't know how many times he had been wounded. Thousands. But here he was…twenty-five years old. Man, I don't know whether that makes me lucky or just plain screwed over, he thought. Maybe I would've been better off dead. Then he thought of what had happened five years ago. There had been that crazy girl, Fuu, along with Jin. He was glad they hadn't killed each other after all, but what a rush it had been to fight him. Sometimes he wished that he would run across those two again, but there was no chance that they would be together in the same place. Too bad they couldn't have kept in contact some way. At least he knew how to read and write a little now. He sighed. Oh, well, fate had a funny way of things. He knew that for sure.

Right now he was back in Edo. He had made it big gambling awhile back, and finally had enough dough to last for a couple of months. At least now he didn't feel his ribs sticking out when he put his shirt on in the morning.

Mugen stopped at a tavern. He peaked under the curtains, sizing the place up. Well, there were some nice chicks serving drinks and dancing around. Seemed okay. He ducked through the doorway and paused to let his eyes adjust. He blinked at the excess amount of smoke and noticed how crowded it was. It felt cramped, and the ceiling was a little lower than it should have been. What kind of dive is this? True, the women didn't look bad, but… He shrugged and sat down at a nearby stool. Not like I haven't been to a dive or two in my lifetime anyway. Why should I care? I fit right in here anyway… But something still bugged him about this spot. Edo usually did better than this. Maybe he had wandered into the lousy part of town and didn't notice. Like he had thought earlier, he did fit in with the scruffier people anyway. It's not like he was so much better than anyone. Over the last five years, he had started to feel different about himself though. He was better than some of the people he ran into. He didn't feel so much like trash anymore. Not since he had known Jin and Fuu. I guess they changed me a little bit more than I thought, he sneered.

"What'll it be?" He looked up from the bar at a woman behind it. Whoa, since when did the women start serving the rough drinks at a bar? This place ain't so bad… He glanced at the menu.

"You got more than sake? Never seen that before."

"Oh, yeah," the woman replied. "We have imported drinks here now." She noticed his skeptical expression. "I know, it doesn't look like it from the set-up of this joint, but the boss spends more money on booze than he does on the upkeep. Customers don't really seem to mind. We get the same local morons around here anyway. But hey, you don't look local."

"Nah, I'm not from around here. The moron part is true though. I know how to be one of those." He smirked at her, and she laughed.

"You don't look too bad. So, what would you like to drink?" She reached for some bottles, then suddenly glanced over at the entrance.

"Oh, crap, not this guy again." She poured him some sake.

"Eh?"

"Sorry, that man's a regular, and he doesn't like it when anyone else serves him. Throws a big fit. Hold on." She threw her head over her shoulder and shouted "FUU!"

Mugen had tossed the glass down, but it caught in his throat when he heard the bartender shout. He hunched over the polished wood, choking and spitting.

"What's up, Chiyo?" At the familiar sound of her voice, Mugen looked up. From first glance the woman didn't resemble Fuu. But when he looked closer…

"Damn." He muttered. It really was Fuu, and she had grown.

"FUU!"

She barely had time to raise the bottle from the man's glass. Chiyo. She was always yelling. I've got to get a better job one of these days, even though this place doesn't pay too bad. She walked over to the older woman, hearing someone choking on the way over. Another moron.

"What's up, Chiyo?"

"I need you to serve this guy. Genji's here again."

"Oh, great. Why can't we just kick his butt out?"

"I would, but Reno wouldn't like it. You know how he is. Every little bit helps. He'd let Lady Death drink in here."

"Fine." She turned around to face her next customer. The night had been long, and the smoke was starting to get to her again. She barely paid attention to the guy.

"Yeah, what'll it be?" She noticed the puddle on the bar. "Don't you like the sake? Or is it too strong?"

"Nah, this stuff sucks, lady. I've had stronger water."

"Well, I'm sorry but we can-" She stopped and leaned in to get a closer look at the man in front of her. Even though it was dark in the room, that voice…"

"Oh my gosh, Mugen?"

"Yep." He smiled his crooked smile, and she noticed that his facial hair had gotten fuller. The hair on his head was as ruffled and unkempt as ever, though.

"What-what are you doing here?"

"What, I'm not allowed in Edo?" He sneered.

"I mean, I just didn't…. Shut up!" She laughed.

"Didja think I was dead? That makes sense."

"No, I didn't think that, I just thought that you…" She trailed off.

"Hm?"

"Listen, I'll get in trouble for talking too much with you here, but I'm on a break in about half an hour. Will you wait for me?"

"Sure I will. Got nothing else to do anyway. I'll just have some more sake and try to drink it will my throat instead of my lungs."

"What? Oh, that was you choking. So it was strong enough."

"It's all right." She poured him two shots.

"They're on the house."

"Nah, I've got money now, I'll pay."

"No really, you don't have to-" He grabbed her hand as she finished pouring, and his dark eyes connected with hers.

"S'alright. I got this. You better get workin' before that chick yells at you again. I'll be here." He smiled again, and Fuu felt something in her stomach flutter. He was different, somehow.

For the remaining hour, Mugen watched Fuu as she served the other people. She looked sort of the same, but she was older and more…woman. Even her voice had gotten a little deeper. She had grown her hair longer, and it was pulled back like a geisha's. It was still a little messy, but it looked good like that. He bar-tender's robe was tight, not like her old robe had been. The sleeves were short, so they wouldn't get in the way when she poured the drinks, and he could see her white arms. Maybe she had been right when she said years ago that her clothes made her look like she was built like a plank. She sure didn't look that way now. Not that she was as curvy as some woman he had seen, and she didn't have anything falling out like a common prostitute. She was still discreet and, well, she was…Fuu. He felt himself blush, and it was a very unfamiliar feeling. He couldn't remember the last time he had blushed; it must've been when he was still a boy. But the way she was now, he couldn't help it. He had never thought that way about Fuu, they had just been friends before. She was like a sister to him. Why was he thinking like this? Somehow he didn't want her to think he was a pervert. He had acted crude with her before, but that had been when there was no danger of an attraction. She probably still thinks I'm a joke anyway. But had she really ever thought that? Before they had all left each other, he could have sworn that she was starting to have feelings for him. He had cared about her too, but not like…

He looked up from his glass to search for her again. His need to watch out for her was returning, just like the old days. She was mixing drinks next to that guy that the bartender had been annoyed with. He heard Fuu's voice over the noise.

"Sorry, Genji. Chiyo went home. If you want anything else tonight, it'll have to come from me or Suri over there."

Mugen looked at Suri. She had an unattractive mole on her face and a cigarette hanging out of her thin lips. Dang, I'd pick Fuu even if I didn't know her. Apparently Genji didn't like the situation either.

"I don't want that damn hag giving me anything! Why did Chiyo go home? She supposed to be here from seven to midnight!"

"I know, but she had a family emergency."

"Yeah, what? It's not like she has a husband or anything."

"It's not my place to talk about Chiyo's home-life. So, do you want another drink, or not?"

"Not from a skinny little thing like you. What are you, like, thirteen?"

"I'm the Year of the Snake."

"Huh?" Genji paused for a drunken moment. "What, twenty?" He started laughing. "You're still a tight little bud, aren't ya?"

Fuu started to pour him some more sake to quiet him down. He picked up the glass and acted like he was going to drink it, but at the last moment he threw it in her face, glass and all. She tried to dodge, but didn't make it in time and the glass struck her hard in the jawbone, breaking and sending shards flying. One of them cut her right below the eye. Genji laughed.

"Heh, heh. Listen to the little flower screech."

Seeing what happened, Suri came over with a bar towel and pressed it to Fuu's face. She gritted her teeth.

"I'm fine, Suri. Stupid jerk." She muttered under her breath. Her eyes met Mugen's. He saw the pain on her face, even though she was trying to hide it. She's gotten tough. Not that she was a complete wimp before. He remembered when she had gotten tied up and beaten by that Umanosuke bastard. She hadn't screamed, which made him admire her bravery and helped fuel his rage.

He stood up and casually made his way over to Genji.

"How's it goin'? Hey, lady." He pointed to Suri. "Give me a couple of the strongest drinks you got." Genji looked confused.

"Wha?"

"We're gonna have a little drinking contest, and if you win…" He reached into his pants and pulled out a small bag. "You can have some of this." Gold shone from inside the bag. "But if I win, you have to leave." Genji frowned, then looked at the gold again.

"How much?"

"Will five of 'em be enough?"

"Yeah, sure." Suri set the drinks in front of them. "This is hard liquor, boys. Ya better be ready for the burn." She cackled at them.

From the back, Fuu peaked at Mugen and Genji. What the heck was he doing? She thought it was great how he hadn't taken his sword out and immediately slashed the guy, but he was up to something. He gestured to start drinking, and Genji threw back the liquor. Before Mugen drank his, he waved his hand at Suri.

"Can I get a smoke? I like to smoke when I drink."

Now Fuu knew something was up. Mugen hadn't smoked before. Had he started in these past years? Genji laughed.

"So far, I'm winning. Heh."

"You're lucky I haven't started yet." Mugen sneered. He put the cigarette in his mouth and leaned forward as Suri lit it. Then he looked towards the back door where Fuu was, and winked at her. Oh, great. I hope he doesn't burn down this place too. She thought.

Like lightning, Mugen overturned his glass of liquor on Genji's head while he was on his second shot. Before he could strike out in rage, Mugen had the lit cigarette in hand, hovering under a long, wet strand of Genji's hair. It immediately burst into flame, and he jumped off of his stool, hollering. Fuu started to laugh, but thought again of the place she had worked in when she met Mugen, and what had happened. He just causes trouble everywhere he goes, doesn't he? Still up to the same tricks.

Everyone watched as Genji ran screaming out of the tavern.

"Well, that's one way to get rid of him." Suri muttered next to Fuu. She checked her face. "Why don't you take the rest of the night off. I can handle it, it's about eleven anyway. Besides, you should get reacquainted with that friend of yours. He's kinda sexy." Fuu laughed.

"Thanks Suri. I owe you a shift though."

"Hey, don't worry about it, honey. Us ladies have gotta look out for each other." She patted her on the back, then pushed her towards Mugen, who was heading in her direction.

Fuu was so happy that Mugen was here again that she subconsciously grabbed for his hand when they left the building. When she noticed it a minute later and blushed, she realized that he hadn't let go, or said anything. He just stared straight ahead, like he had always done when he talked to her.

"Is that a normal night for you at that place? It's not real fun being around a bunch of drunk idiots all night. Why did you get a job there?"

"Well, a friend of mine works there, and…Actually she's Shino's friend and-"

"Hold up." He stopped walking. "Shino? Why does that sound familiar? I think I heard Jin mention someone named Shino before."

Fuu smiled.

"You're right. Jin went back to the temple a couple of years back, and she was waiting for him. And guess what? She had his son while she was there. Jin's a father now."

Mugen stared at her in the darkness of the summer night.

"Wha? Whoa, that's crazy. Jin? Back with Shino? And a kid?"

Fuu just giggled, as they started walking again.

"I'll give you some time to let that sink in. We can go see them tomorrow if you want. It's a little late tonight, they're probably all in bed. You see, Jin and Shino and little Yukimaru live a few houses down from me."

"Yukimaru? Did Jin name the kid that?

"Yeah, he had a name before Jin came back, but I don't remember what it was, and they just call him little Yuki. I think he named him after someone he went to Muju Shinken with. You know, his old dojo."

"Yeah, that sounds like something he'd do. So, you have your own place now? Job must not be half bad."

"Yep. I get pretty good tips. I'm not as hot as Chiyo, but the guys must think I'm pretty cute." She blushed.

"Well, you have grown. And not just your-"

"Mugen! I knew that was all you'd notice about me if you came back!" He laughed.

"Take it easy. I meant that you've gotten taller."

"Yeah right. Anyway, do you still think I'm unattractive?"

"Come on. I never said you were ugly or anything, I just said that you didn't have…" He stopped again to get a good look at her in the moonlight. They stared at each other for a moment until Mugen could feel himself blushing again. Their hands were still clasped, and he let go and scratched his head.

"Uh," he stuck out his lower lip, like he usually did when he had nothing to say. "You look…well, you look a heck-of-a-lot different than you did before. I can tell you're older now, anyway." Fuu wasn't convinced.

"And?"

"You look good, okay? Are you happy now?"

"Good as in healthy or something?" Mugen sighed impatiently.

"Nah, that's not what I meant. I mean, you look good as in… nice."

"Nice as in cute?" Fuu smiled up at him. He growled and shook her a little. She just laughed.

"You look damn nice, okay! Nice enough, anyway."

"Enough? For what?" He looked her in the eye.

"Just shut up." She smiled and moved closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, imagine that. You actually smell kind of clean for once." She giggled again.

"Yeah, well you smell like a bar. But it's not too bad, I guess. There are worse things to smell like."

"Mugen?"

"Eh?"

"I really am thankful that you are okay, and I'm glad that you came here, so I could see you again. I missed you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. You and Jin are my best friends. I love both of you."

"Love, huh? You love me? I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that to me before."

"Well," she blushed. "Yes, I guess I do love you. And you're gonna have to deal with it." Mugen just shrugged.

"Whatever. It's no big deal. I kind of like you too, especially now that you're not just a whiny little girl anymore."

"Aw, shut up, Mugen."

"Make me." He smiled mischievously at her.

"You're asking for it. Do you really want me to make you shut up?"

"Sure, give me your best effort."

Fuu closed her eyes and let her lips touch his before he could change his mind. She felt his arms go around her waist as he leaned into her. She was a little surprised, and opened her eyes on accident. She saw his face, and his eyes were closed. There was an intense expression there, and she knew now without a doubt that he meant what he said about her looking "nice". Their bodies pressed against each other, both longing to be held and loved. Mugen made a soft sound of desire as his hand went up to her hair. With one flick of his wrist he undid the hairpiece, and she felt her hair tumble about her. He had his strong hands in it, and she put her hands on the back of his neck. Her whole body was starting to get warm, and she felt like she would be carried away by the new feelings that were running through them. When they finally broke apart, she could feel his warm breath on her neck. She looked at his face to see what she'd find there. Instead of the typical lusty look he wore around women, this expression was softer, one that showed that he did care about her. When she looked out at the night she noticed that her small house was just yards away. She grabbed hold of his hand and led him to her front door.

"Well, here we are. My little place. I try to keep it nice. I hope it's all right."

"Looks good. Well, I guess I better find-" She silenced him with her finger.

"Mugen, come in. I don't mind."

"Fuu, I don't think I can just sleep here after-"

She smiled, noticing that was the first time he had ever really addressed her by her name. His voice sounded nice with her name on it.

"No really, Mugen. It's okay." Her eyes looked at him seriously. "Come in, please…" Then he smiled.

"Sure, why not?"