Chapter Text
Mugen slowed his pace, gazing over the lights of the approaching city, gray eyes scanning the streets, stomach rumbling.
He passed the wooden storefronts, smells torturing his senses as he reached the red light district. He stuffed an olive-toned hand into his jacket and counted a fistful of dirty coins.
"Close enough."
Before he turned into a dango shop, he spotted a young woman in a pink kimono, brown hair dangling in a ponytail. He pushed the money back into his jacket and followed. She turned.
Not her . . .
He faced the red light district.
Girls gripped wooden bars, smiling behind pale makeup. Mugen rubbed his chin.
"Any others?"
The wrinkled madam yelled:
"Get the brat!"
One of the older prostitutes disappeared and returned, dragging a girl with brown hair into the fold, chewing soba.
"Fuu . . . ?"
"Mugen?" She pulled free.
A man nearby grinned and scratched his gut, hanging below his waist.
"Her."
Mugen made a fist. "She's mine."
The man stepped back. "I was here first . . ."
"How 'bout we fight for her?" Mugen said, smirking.
The man swallowed and pointed at the youngest girl. The madam nodded.
Fuu stuffed her mouth with rice, lit by lantern.
"Thanks for saving me. Again."
"Gettin' tired of it." Mugen yawned, watching her painted lips. "How'd you get here?"
"Long story." She stopped chewing and stared.
"What?"
"Your hair's even bushier than before."
He picked his ear. "And you're still as flat."
She scowled and took another bite of rice. "Looks like you grew a few more hairs on your chin. Should've just shaved."
He stood. "I just saved your—"
The door slid open.
"Good evening," a middle-aged man said, smirking. "More sake?"
Mugen sat. "Get out. Geezer."
The man looked over his shoulder, then bowed.
The door shut.
"What've you been up to?" Fuu said. "Anything meaningful?"
Mugen shifted his legs. "How're you gonna get out?"
"I have a plan."
He scratched his cheek, passing over claw-shaped scars. "You haven't . . . ?"
"I get them so drunk they fall asleep. Or slip them something."
Mugen glanced at his tea.
He pinned Fuu to the floor.
"What're you . . . ?"
He rolled away and pulled a kunai from the wall. A ninja sprinted forward, covered in black.
Mugen reared the knife back and threw it like a baseball.
The ninja froze, then dropped—blade between his eyes.
Mugen grabbed Fuu's hand. "Time to go."
Shouting filtered through the door.
"If I go now they'll hunt me for sure. I need a head start."
Mugen pulled her close and grinned. "OK."
He lifted her onto his shoulder and jumped through the window, glancing at her rump.
"You have grown up a bit."
"Put me down!"
"Not yet." Mugen sprinted through the crowd. "Hate those sneaky bastards."
People turned their heads.
Someone whistled.