"Ugly Duckling"

Samurai Champloo

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Samurai Champloo, but I wish I did.

AN: This particular update contains rated M material, so if you would rather not venture any further, please by all means press the back button. I simply wanted to try something different this time around.

*Thank you and sorry that I took so long to update, I have been overly busy with life.

"Flat chested, eh? Flat as a wooden plank? No ass, no tits?! What a load of crap! I have plenty to offer. My clothes really are too baggy, big jerk."

She continued to sulk long after that "ass," had gone to sleep. Their silent companion chose to stay out of yet another one of their heated conversations - that is if you could actually label their banter a 'conversation.' Conversations, or better said "decent conversations," usually implied a civilized exchange between two well mannered human beings.

But not in this case.

She couldn't figure out who she was madder at: the one she just had another fit with, or the one who chose to stay neutral during it all. She supposed it was that ass' fault initially for insulting her, but shortly after it was the quiet one's fault for not standing up for her. Not that she needed anyone to come to her defense with Mugen; she could handle her own arguments. But there was just something, something that always struck her deep when he insinuated that she wasn't a real woman. Like she wasn't enough. That she was more or less: an ugly little girl.

It reminded her of the brutal name calling and loneliness she endured as a child, but she pushed that memory back - along with the bitterness that followed that particular recollection.

Her eyes shifted from her futon over to Jin, ever elegant in everything he did, even in the way he slept. She scowled, wanting to do something in some way to make him less… dare she say it…pretty. She felt her eyes lazily roam Mugen's way, it was quite late after all. Though to some, he was a deranged and scruffy mutt, to her - he was striking. Not in the same way that Jin was, but there was just something about him that made her want to curl up on his chest and fall asleep. She was sleepy after all, but certainly not that brave.

Feeling sleep begin to claim her, she made a promise to herself that she would make Mugen regret his words. She wasn't sure how exactly, but she would think of something. It would come to her in the morning.

And so it was.

It just so happened over a silent filled breakfast – she was still angry after all – that she realized just what she had to do. It was a daring and dangerous plan…but, she would do it.

She could be brave after all.

She could feel two pairs of eyes on her as she smiled into her tea, but paid them no heed, choosing to instead indulge in the sweet feeling of success.

She had made a lot of friends in town, and believe it or not, one of them happened to be one of the shadier town's folk. They had become fast friends after Rika had been ruffed up by a customer. She'd found her bruised and battered body near an alley on her way home, and Fuu being the little darling with a heart of gold that she was, cleaned her up.

Hearing of her plan, Rika was shocked and proud of her little friend. And she of course gave the brave girl the tips necessary to help her along the way.

Now, equipped with the knowledge of the flesh necessary to put her plan into action, courtesy of Rika of course, Fuu prepared herself to take the first steps into teaching Mugen a lesson. But that would require a distraction.

Jin needed to get the hell out.

…at least for a little while.

She'd come back from work with aching feet and a hoarse voice, but that didn't matter now, because Jin was the only one home, silently – as usual – cleaning his classes.

Perfect.

He remained focused on his task, only looking up slightly to nod his head in her direction by means of greeting. Then she let him have it.

"So, I hear that there's this festival going on tomorrow night the next town over."

A silent, "hmm" was his only reply.

Figures.

"Yeah. And they say there's supposed to be a lot of foreign foods coming in. You know, like sweets and stuff."

Out of the corner of her eye she could feel his gaze directly on her, and if she didn't know any better, she'd say that his eyes held a hopeful glow to them. You see, it was quite well known by herself and their scruffy companion, that Jin had recently developed a sweet tooth for foreign cakes, or more specifically: castellan cake. He dreamt of it, worshipped it perhaps. If there was anything that he loved more than his precious sword and glasses, it was his castellan cake. The one pleasure he would spend his hard earned cash on, after all, preparing eel was tricky business.

Clearing his throat he spoke, "Do you believe they will carry cakes?"

It was too easy.

"Of course! Castellan is sure to be on the menu. You should go." She nodded her head vigorously, then controlled herself. It would not due to be overzealous. 'Pace yourself, Fuu' she chanted, 'stick to the plan.'

As if there was any option to him he stated, "Perhaps I should partake in this festival, after all there is a fine dojo near the area deep rooted in bushido. I have been meaning to travel there myself quite for some time."

Now he was the overzealous one.

And so it was that the following morning, he informed his boss that he would be absent from his post for the next two days.

Awesome.

She knew that Mugen didn't care about castellan cakes, so she wasn't worried about him trying to go to this festival too.

At the shack that they called home, now empty of their silent companion, the two of them were left to their own devices.

She'd gone to work quite late that night, claiming that they needed her to work the late shift because one of the girl's was quite sick. It was part of the plan, after-all. So when she did get home, it was to silence. She knew by now he would be home.

The kimono she wore wasn't hers, it was borrowed courtesy of her friend, Rika. Remember her?

It was blood red. Fitting, right?

It matched the crimson of her lips and the black dragon on the back of it only enhanced it more. Her eyes were painted to perfection, simple yet seducing in their appeal. They were outlined in dark coal and her hair was adorned with red sticks as well.

And this time the kimono was not baggy at all.

Mugen often pretended to be asleep when she got home, however late it was, so that he wouldn't have to answer her onslaught of questions she hailed him with concerning his whereabouts for the day, and whether or not he'd found work yet. And she knew that this night it would be no different.

Good.

She steeled herself in front of the bedroom door that she shared with her two companions, for what was about to transpire. 'He's got it coming.' She told herself.

Then she slid open the door.

Sure enough he was pretending to sleep. She pretended to tiptoe around his sleeping form to light two small candles near her translucent shoji screen, which she had always previously hid behind to change. After lighting them she stood sideways, more or less close enough to Mugen, so that if he reached out he couldn't touch her. But she made sure that he could definitely see her. She made sure to not look his way, or she might loose her resolve.

Content that he could see her face and hair all dolled up in the glow of the candles, she began to move her body in the ways that Rika had instructed her. She bend her body like this, and like that, making sure to hold each pose just long enough until she heard a slight hitch in a voice, which did not belong to her. Now feeling the confidence that she needed, she slowly risked an obvious glance her observer's way, and was greeted with closed eyes. And she swore that his form seemed to be a bit closer than it was before. Shrugging her shoulders, she then continued.

And then she remembered something which Rika had told her as she continued to show off her lovely curves. 'Make sure you make soft-sensual sounds while you pretend to stretch and undress, it'll remind him of sex.'

She bend her head slowly backwards, pushing her chest out as she ran her fingers down her neckline as achingly slow as she could, while she undid the sticks from her flowing glossy locks. And just like that, her hair cascaded down her back and she let out a subtle moan at the feel of her tresses coming undone.

The result was instantaneous.

She heard a startled gasp, which of course warranted her attention and she looked his way, only to find a prone Mugen glistening with sweat. If it had been any other time - he might have rolled over in his sleep, but this time he merely pretended to twitch.

Little pervert. 'Enjoying the show are we?' she thought

She risked a little whisper on her part his way - as innocently as possible, "Mugen…are you asleep?"

As if he'd answer. He wasn't going to spoil the show.

Feeling empowered even further, she took a few steps towards him… Wait? A few? She coulda swore it was more than that. Oh, well.

She took a few steps towards him. And moved in a way that screamed, 'Come, eat me.' She felt her already slightly loosened kimono undo even further as she kneeled in front of him, giving him a very nice show of her hooters. She bent over close to his face and repeated her previous question to him.

But nothing. Or so one thought.

His breaths, she noticed, were uneven. And to further tempt him, she turned her head to the side pretending to occupy her sight elsewhere as she crossed her arms before him providing him with a brain debilitating amount of cleavage, then she stood and walked back to her post near the shoji screen.

It took all his willpower to keep himself from dragging her back to him.

Continuing her visual onslaught, she turned her back to him and began the process of undressing before him. The top half of the kimono was slowly opened, and steeling herself even further, she let her bare chest fall out to the chilly air of the room. And she felt herself moan at the feeling.

It was hot in her kimono after all.

But then she tensed when she heard more than one moan. And she noticed that her audience was unbearably close to her. Feeling beautiful and desired, she turned sideways and let the pair of eyes in the room - that did not belong to her - take her in. Looking at herself she'd never felt so stunning. She had what she knew Mugen now silently deemed, 'A great rack.'

All natural, and clean. Completely untouched by man.

In her wonder, she didn't realize that she'd begun to touch herself. Her hands ran over her face, through her hair and across her chest. Caressing and groping softly and roughly, in no particular order. 'What was wrong with her?' She silently thought. A rather loud groan was her answer.

She found herself gasping at her touches and she closed her eyes, and continued to explore herself, the kimono barely holding onto her lower half.

During all her exploring, in the faint reaches of her mind she could hear distant muffles, groans, growls, grunts, and perhaps even...words?

Her touches started to become rather erratic and rough and, and…just what was she doing again? Punishing someone? How could this be punishment? This was heaven.

During all the bliss, she felt a new pleasure arise. And it was focused on the side of her neck, and it was then that she realized: she was not alone in her pleasure any more. A firm pair of lips was latched tightly onto her throat, sucking at her pulse point, while a strong pair of arms were presently locked onto her lovely chest, squeezing, pinching, and caressing, far better than she had done.

"…Mugen." She exhaled sensually.

And when she began to feel his arms pull her backwards onto a futon which did not belong to herself, she didn't protest.

"…Mugen." And again, in the faint recesses of her mind, she could feel the rest of her kimono being removed from her body. She didn't protest. His mouth and hands were suddenly everywhere: touching, licking, biting …sucking – yes even there. She didn't know her back could arch so high like that, but he was everywhere.

When she finally locked eyes with the beautiful naked form before her, she could see the silent question in his gorgeous eyes, "…Yes." She was rewarded with her first kiss.

And suddenly revenge didn't matter.

When it was over and their bodies were spent, she found her sweaty body being pulled onto his chest, and she promptly fell asleep to the rhythm of his slightly still unsteady heartbeat, and his whisper of, "…Fuu."

And the following night - they repeated their foreplay and pleasure, only this time he laid back and watched her with open eyes and a smirk on his face.

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