Chapter One: Do You Remember?

((Fuu))

Do you remember me at all?

That's what I'm wondering as I watch you move across the tea house floor, toward the table of pretty, geisha looking women. You're still the same. You're always looking for women, like they can help ease all your pain. Like they can take away some deep dark secret, yet, it's never been this bad, at least, not that I can remember it ever being good…

I watch you, and you seemed to be having fun…but you were always the fun one. As I watch you talking with those women, something within me feels like it's dying. Like someone has thrown water on a candle that still burned within my heart. It hurts to think that you don't remember me…God knows I remember you.

But then you sit there and stare right at me, and time seems to stop. Your eyes widen and your mouth drops. I keep waiting for you to realize who I am…but I know you probably don't remember. Too many other women have clouded your mind…your heart. It was foolish of me to think of anything. I should have just let you pass by and sit without even giving you a second glance. But now, our eyes are locked, and I want to know…do you remember?

((Mugen))

Fuu. How long have you been watching me like that? Like you're disgusted at me, or maybe my taste in women. How long is it going to take you to walk over here and take my order? Do you think I have all fucking day? Maybe I shouldn't be here. Maybe I should just get up and leave, but I can't.

Seeing you brings back memories I though I had lost. I wanted them buried as far down in the earth as they possibly could be. I didn't know I would ever see you again. But something inside of me is happy to see that you aren't dead. You would be if you had stuck with me. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't go after you on the day that we split.

I remember the first time that I had to rescue you. I really wasn't rescuing you because I wanted too…I really wanted that damned antidote. But then I saw your face looking up at me from where that bastard had thrown you on the ground. And I wanted to kill him. But that giant freak did it for me. And then I thought he would kill you too; so I did the only thing I could think of…kill him.

((Fuu))

I have decided that I'm going to take your order. I don't want to, but if I don't, the old people in charge of this place will probably fire me. I don't want to have to go look for another job. I don't want to have to go look for anything. SO I'll just stand here and smile down at you and ask you in the kindest voice I can sum up, "What would you like?"

You're laughing at me. I can see it in your eyes. You sitting there, laughing at me, and you don't know how bad I just want to turn and run away. Hide away from you, until you've left. I never asked for all these memories to come flooding back. I never asked for any of these feelings. Hurry up, Mugen…answer me.

You probably don't have any money to pay me with…you never did when you were helping me either. But I'll sit here and buy you're 'give me this' crap until I don't think I can take it anymore. "Have you figured out what you want?" Please say you have…

((Mugen))

You're ticked at me. You're fucking ticked at me, and I didn't do anything. Sometimes you can be such a bitch…but you want to know something, I've missed you. It's been what, five years…I don't know; all I know is that I can stand aching like this. What is this fucking feeling? I've never felt this in my entire life. In my entire existence! What are you doing to me?

I can see that you want me to answer you, but I'm having fun pissing you off. But just so you don't leave I guess I'll talk to you. "It's been a while, Fuu." There, is that good enough? Do you want me to ask you how you've been? Ha! You should know better than to think I would ever ask anyone how they're doing.

Your fingers are trembling, and your biting down on your bottom lip so hard that if you don't let up, you'll start bleeding. But hey, it's not my problem, and when the time is right, I'll order. You just have to stick around for a bit longer. These geisha ladies are boring me.

((Fuu))

"Just order." That came out of my mouth so cold and harsh that I wonder if you'll stand up and slap me. "I don't have all day." It's like you like having me stand here and look like an idiot in front of everyone. What is your problem? Why can't you be more like Jin? UHGG, you make me so angry.

I suppose that when you said, "It's been a while, Fuu," that you thought I would just ease into a conversation with you like you're an old friend or something. But you know damn well that I wouldn't. I won't. Why are you doing this? Why did you even have to cross my path again?

Please just hurry up and order. I'm tired of standing here and looking at you like I'm some kind of fool. Stop staring at me like I'm some kind of…food. Stop smiling at me. Stop laughing at me. Stop breathing. "I really don't have all day. What do you want, Mugen?" There I said it. I said your name. Are you happy yet?

((Mugen))

"I bet you don't want to talk to me, huh?" My questions don't mean shit to you. You just want to hurry on with your life, is that it? Well sorry Fuu but you can't. I'm going to show you exactly what being away from you has done to me. I couldn't even touch another girl. Every time I did, her eyes would turn dark brown and she'd have your goofy pink kimono on. You've still got it, I can see.

Now I'm standing and you look shocked. You looked like someone who is about to die. I guess you're debating if you should run or not. I'm laughing at you. Not because of your scared expression, but because you'll never know how much this excites me. It excites me more than anything else ever could. Not even the clanking of a Samurai's blade against my own could excite me more.

Why do try to back away from my touch, Fuu? I know damn well that you liked me when we were traveling looking for your stupid sunflower samurai. Why back away now. I guess you're afraid of what I'm going to do. I wouldn't be surprised. So I guess I'm just going to have to capture you in my arms like this…and then as calmly as I can I'm going to tell you, "To answer your question Fuu, I still remember. And I don't want to forget…"

Disclaimer – Yes I wrote a disclaimer. No, I don't own Samurai Champloo…

There you go! I know that now you're wondering if Mugen actually kissed her or not. But I suppose you're just going to have to wait, aren't you? Review! Please, please, please Review. There will be more if I get some reviews. Ok? Hearts you guys!