Cinnamon and Jasmine - Aftershock

Title:
CINNAMON AND JASMINE - AFTERSHOCK
Original Author:
Samurai Champloo (c) Geneon.
Summary:
Jin has been dealing with things by himself for years...but can he face this alone? Third in the
Cinnamon and Jasmine series.
Rating:
Yaoi/Lemon/Shonen-ai, Thoughts of Hentai, Flashbacks of NC/Rape. Language, violence.
Disturbing images. Oral.
Pairing(s):
(Mugen/Jin)
Disclaimer:
I don’t have anything to do with the series...God help us if I did.
Authors Note:
It would be best if you read the other two stories first...but this stands on it’s own a little. Takes
place a few weeks after the second story, “Freestyle Love Affair”...Enjoy! *goes to play with new
Samurai Champloo figures*
_______________________________________

CINNAMON AND JASMINE - AFTERSHOCK
CHAPTER THREE

Mugen grabbed his stomach as he vomited again.

The combination of pain, and bad deja vu making him sick. More than that it was Jin. He knew
something was seriously wrong with him, but had no idea what to do. He tried everything he
knew, he even let him practically rape him. What else did he have to do?!

He had to figure out where this all stemmed from. How to counter-act it. The night Jin let him go
down on him was different. Something happened that night that made him relaxed enough to
forget Kakuzo. Tonight was different too. He was desperate, longing. Like he was reaching for
some unobtainable thing.

“But what?” Mugen asked himself, laying down again.

He didn’t know, but knew he’d die before he’d stop looking.

- - - - -

“Jin, are you here?!” Shino shouted, climbing down the rock wall to the river.

It was shallow, definitely not deep enough to drown in. Yet small enough to injure.

“Jin, please ans-” She gasped, seeing the blue clad form floating nearby. “No...”

Shino waded over to him, quickly flipping him to his back. There was a large cut on his temple,
blood slowly seeping down.

“Please be all right...” The woman held him tightly, as she made her way back to the ledge.

- - - - -

He opened his eyes slowly, the light stinging like a thousand daggers. A deep resonating pain
within his head, making him wither. The world around him seemed like pure agony, until
something cold brushed his forehead. Forcing his eyes open, he could make out the foggy form of
a woman.

“It’s good to see you awake.” The soft voice was smiling even if he couldn’t make out her lips.
“That’s not a very good bridge to jump off of if you want to die...although I’m happy you didn’t
notice that detail.”

“Bridge?” His voice was barely a whisper.

“Shh...You took a pretty good bump to the head, so try not to move around too much; my unagi
stand friend.”

Her voice seemed to surround him as he slipped back into the warm darkness.

- - - - -

Fu walked into the room cautiously. Despite her angry words the night before, she worried most
of the evening about Mugen. Her sweet face frowned when she seen him. Sleeping on the hard
floor, blood and what looked like vomit dangerously close.
//I don’t care how much of an ass he is, he doesn’t deserve this...//
Quietly she began to clean the room up, only stopping when Mugen rolled to his back. Wincing
awake as the pain returned.

“Why the hell are you making so much noise?”

“Jeez...you wake up with that kinda attitude?”

Glaring faces had a staring contest, until Mugen closed his eyes; faking a return to sleep.

Fu returned to scrubbing. “...How do you feel?”

“I’d feel a lot better if you’d just shut the hell up.” He sighed sarcastically.

Fu remembered how patient she had to be with Jin. Mugen was just doing the same thing, only his
way made her a whole lot more aggravated.

“Fine...” She tried not to chew her tongue.

Mugen kept his eyes closed for a few more moments before opening them. Serious gaze focused
on the ceiling. “We gotta find him...”

“I know that.”

“...If he felt anything like this...I mean, he felt a fuck lot worse...but I can’t even think about how
much that would fuck you up.”

Fu nodded, her strategy was working.

“It had been so long ago, that I’d forgotten what it felt like...we have to find him.”

- - - - -

TWO DAYS LATER

The pale form blinked awake for what felt like the millionth time. Happy that this time he could
see at least. Struggling, he managed to sit up, looking around the room blankly.

“Jin, you’re awake...for real this time.”

“Jin?” He blinked. Why did this name seem significant?

“Yes, that’s your name. Your name is Jin...” She frowned.

“It...is?” Only now did the ronin realize he didn’t know his name. “Who are you?”
Inside his heart beat began to race, as panic set in.
//This is not good...//

“Jin, it’s me Shino...from the unagi stand.”

“Eel?” This was all making him crazy. How could someone exist and not know anything?

“Relax, try to remember something...where were you born? Or, what is the last thing you
remember...” She sat on the floor next to him.

He looked at her with somewhat fearful eyes, before closing his and trying to think.

After some more than jumbled images, he realized he did know his name; and his past somewhat.
The last thing he remembered was the incident at the dojo; and leaving in the middle of the night.

Shino frowned at the story he related to her. Was this why he looked so sad that day? Certainly
killing your own master out of self defense, let alone someone like a Father...
//Wait, that can’t be right...//
“What about your boyfriend? Do you remember him, the untamable one?”

Jin stared in complete confusion. “I have a ...what?” The concept seemed foreign to say the least.

//Oh no...//
“Don’t worry about it. Y-you should rest.” She stood, nearly pushing him down on the bed. “I’ll
be right back...you stay here, don’t move.” Her tone became demanding as she left.

He blinked watching her hasty exit. “What is going on?”

- - - - -

“Why the hell would he go to work?” Mugen sighed walking behind Fu. They only had one thing
to go on, going to the eel stand to see if anyone had seen him.

“I don’t know, it’s all we got. He may have tried to get his money...”

“Lame ass idea...”

- - - - -

//This is a desperate attempt.//
Shino’s mind raced as she ran to the unagi stand. She had nothing else to go on. Maybe someone
there would at least know where he was headed, or with whom.

While the idea of keeping him for herself was appealing, she knew how much he loved his
koibito. The one he spoke of those nights. Shino knew the only time his eyes showed life, be it
sadness, worry, or joy; was when he was speaking about him.
//Damn...what was his name? I know he said it...and the girl they were traveling with.//

Shino tried as hard as she could to remember the names, while also trying not to fall in the mud in
her haste.

- - - - -

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Fu approached the unagi stand.

A man with a scruffy beard was crying, head down on his arms.

“H-he’s gone...he was the best employee I ever had...” The man sobbed.

“He’s gone?” She blinked. “Oh! Do you mean Jin? A man who wears glasses?”

“Y-yes, that is him. Do you know him?”

“Where the hell is he?!” Mugen slammed his hand down on the counter, causing the man to jump.

“I d-don’t know, he never s-showed this morning!”

“Mugen!” Fu scolded. “You’re scaring him, c’mon stop it.”

“Excuse me...” A woman’s soft breathy voice interrupted. All three looked at her. “P-please...”
She breathed out, heaving from the running. “I need...to know...if you know anything about...the
man with glasses who works here.”

Fu almost gasped. “You mean Jin?”

“Yes!” Shino lit up. “Do you know him?”

“Will you all quit asking up that?! If we didn’t know him, why the fuck would we be in the rain
looking for his stupid ass?”

Then Shino had an enlightened moment. The wild hair, the rough voice...a young girl, who
obviously didn’t date the said man.

“Mugen...” She said more to herself than them.

“What?” He eyed her, she knew something. “Yeah that’s my name, what of it?”

“You’re Mugen, and you...you must be Fu. Jin talks about you two all the time.”

“Say what now?” Mugen raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know what was weirder, her knowing Jin
or Jin talking.

“Please, you two must come with me...My name is Shino, the two of us met at this stand. Last
night...last night he jumped off the bridge-”

“What?!” Mugen and Fu gawked.

“He did not die, but...please, just follow me. I swear I only want the best for my friend.”

“Yes, of course.” Fu smiled, but couldn’t help but feel scared.

- - - - -

“So he doesn’t remember anything after the dojo?’ Fu bit her lip as they stood outside Shino’s
small home.

“Yes...not even you.” She sadly looked at Mugen. “That is why I wanted you two here. The love
I sensed from him, when he spoke of you...I cannot allow that to disappear. You must help him
recover his memories.”

Mugen and Fu exchanged wary glances as Shino motioned for them to follow her. As the three
walked in, Jin was sitting by the small fire. Holding a sheathed katana at arms length. His eyes
were carefully examining the item.

“Jin?” Shino began, the pale form turning to face them quickly.

“You again...” He had a cautious look, when he gazed at Mugen and Fu.

Looking at them made his head hurt slightly, something about them was screaming in his
mind...but he couldn’t understand it’s words.

“This sword...” He began, pointing to the said katana. “It is in very bad shape. Someone has
fought with it many times...It cannot be mine, I never used it. I do not recognize it at all. Did you
give it to me?” He looked at the blue gi.

Shino only warmly smiled, as Mugen and Fu were stone white. Those words made each of them
feel like vomiting and running away.

“No. You had it when I met you...that is another memory you must find.” She approached him,
sitting next to him.

He glanced at her, then began to focus on the two staring at him. “Why are you staring at me?” It
made him uncomfortable.

“Jin...you don’t remember us?” Fu was about to cry.
//Everything we’ve been through, he doesn’t know?//

Her countenance pulled at his heart, but he had to be honest. “Forgive me...”

“This is bullshit!” Mugen shouted, he had been speechless for a while, now the anger of the issue
set in. “Stop acting like this! Snap the fuck out of it!” He glared at Jin.

The ronin only stared back at him, eyes a little fearful. Whoever this man was, he did not seem to
like Jin very much. He didn’t know what to say...snap out of what? He still didn’t even know
what was going on.

It all was becoming too much to handle. Shino’s touchy, quiet manner...the girl crying in front of
him, and the loud tan one screaming at him. Plus the unfamiliar surroundings, everything else; and
the dull pain coming from seeing them.

The more they all seemed to speak at once, he found breathing difficult. The loudest of all
questions in his mind though, was why would his master do such a thing? What did he do to
provoke it?

The pale one couldn’t take it. The last thing he seen before connecting with the floor, was angry
caramel eyes.

- - - - -

“Jin!” Fu dropped down to kneel next to Shino, as they turned him over.

She rubbed his face, trying to wake him. She knew Mugen was being a jerk again, and she
couldn’t hold her own emotions as well.
//This must be so hard for him...we are making it worse.//

The silky eyelashes fluttered open, as she shook his shoulders. “Hey...you scared me. Are you
okay?”

He blinked a few more times before opening his eyes. “What happened?”

“You passed out.” Shino smiled.

Carefully he sat up, feeling more embarrassed than anything. Glancing upward quickly, he seen
the tan one looking down at him in concerned focus.
//Who are these people?//
“I am sorry...but I don’t have a clue as to who you are. At least tell me your names.” He spoke
quietly, adverting his eyes to the floor.

Fu took a breath.
//Patients...it got me this far.//
“My name is Fu. When you met me I worked in a tea house.” She turned pointing to Mugen, who
still felt too shell-shocked to talk yet. “This is Mugen. You met him at the tea house too, but in
a...different way.” She decided that was a detail to maybe leave out for now, as she
sweatdropped.

“...Fu...Mugen...” He said the names that felt so familiar to his mouth, yet meaningless to his
mind. “How long ago was this?”

“About...maybe a few months?” Fu admitted she didn’t really even know that. It was hard to keep
track of time.

This confused him greatly. “That cannot be, a few months ago...I was under Master Moriya’s
training.” Just saying the name made him want to die. How could he have done such a thing?

“Oh, that’s right.” Fu felt her own stomach drop. “Silly me, it must have been a few days ago,
heh...”
//This is gonna be weird...//

“Fuck this.” Mugen growled, turning to leave; but not before throwing the glasses Jin left that
night at the ronin.

“Mugen, wait!” Fu called out but he was gone.

Jin looked at the item carefully. It was his, he knew it...but why was the other so angry with him?
“That one...Mugen...he does not seem to care for me.”

Fu frowned. “Not at all, he loves you.”
//This is so sad. I don’t know what to do.//

Jin openly gawked. “What?”
//How can that be true?//

“You and him are actually in a relationship.”

Now he gasped, was this the boyfriend that Shino spoke of? No wonder he would be upset.
//I wish I could remember...this is all so very strange.//
His hand slowly went up to rub the back of his head, sighing.
//How could I have ran away from the dojo, made it this far away, met two women and a man,
and developed a homosexual relationship in a few days? While somehow finding new swords,
using them like that, finding these clothes and glasses, and somehow reaching a point where I
wanted to jump off a bridge?//
The sigh turned into a low groan of pain.
//I can’t take this.//
His chest tightened again.

“Hey, calm down. Whatever you’re feeling it’s all right. You’ll get through this, we’ll help you.
Even Mugen...speaking of which, I gotta go find him before he gets arrested.” Fu stood
reluctantly, as Jin just stared helpless at her.
//Damnit Mugen...//
She exited the house.

“You should try to relax...pushing yourself too far will not help.” Shino pulled his gaze back to
her.

“None of this makes any sense...”

“I know. It will in time, I promise.”

He put the glasses on just for the hell of it, feeling like they belonged there. Blinking he realized
something.

“These serve no purpose at all...”

//Only to make you even more beautiful.//
Shino thought as her warm smile never changed.

- - - - -

“Mugen, hold up!” Fu raced to his side, he was walking aimlessly through town.

“What the hell can we do Fu?! You seen him, he doesn’t even know us! This is so fucked up!”

Fu sighed, he was right. “I know that...but running away won’t help. He needs us right now.
Sooner or later he will remember, but how can he if we’re not there?”

“...That broad, she said he met her at the eel stand. I bet that’s the damn reason he was out so late,
and so eager to get back. That bastard, he was double dippin’!”
//Sonofabitch is keeping things for me again...//

Fu sighed again, not wanting him to explain ‘double dippin’’ to her. “You don’t know that, she
said they were friends. Besides Mugen...he felt bad enough to try to kill himself...doesn’t that
prove how sorry he was for what he did?”

“Yeah...” He snubbed.

“And...after what Shino told us about the dojo, that can’t be easy either.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He stopped, turning around and beginning to walk back; as Fu only stared.

“Where are you going?”

“To make sure that bitch doesn’t try to claim what’s already mine.”

- - - - -

The room was tense. All four sat in an almost circle pattern, each one silent in their own thoughts.
Jin stared uncomfortably at the floor.
//They are all here because of you, they want you to hurry up and remember everything. Why is
something so simple so difficult?//

Fu looked up at Shino, motioning her head slightly. As if to say, let’s leave them alone for a
while.

“Well, I’ll go get some food...maybe that will help. Fu would you go with me?”

Mugen and Jin looked at her questioningly.

“Sure, love to.” Fu smiled, as the two exited the room.

The tense mood returned as the two sat in silence. Jin fighting the heat coming to his face, as he
realized the tan one was fully staring.
//They say he is my boyfriend...I feel so badly for not knowing him.//

“Oi.” Mugen finally spoke, Jin looked up, then quickly drifted his eyes back down.

“You really don’t remember shit? Not any of the fights we’ve had? Any of all that shit at Ku’s?
Not even us fucking?”

Now the heat was there and he couldn’t fight it.
//We have been together?//
The blush worsened as he had no idea what to do.

Mugen had to admit, as much as this was scaring the hell out of him. Jin looked hella sexy all
insecure like. “Don’t worry, like they said...takes time.”

Jin nodded; feeling a little better that he wasn’t pressing the issue. “Thank you...I truly am trying
as hard as I can.” He rubbed his temple a little. The constant headache around him was becoming
a nuisance. He dropped it as a question came. “Did...did you know Master Moriya as well? Or
the school of Mujushin-ken?”

Mugen raised a brow. “Nah...never heard of either one.”
//He looks so tense...//

“Oh.” His gaze became solemn as he looked at the ground. “Sorry...”
//How did I wander this far from the dojo?//

“Who was he?”

Jin looked up at him, a little panicked. “He was...like a Father to me. I was sent to live there when
my family died...” He had to stop. It was making him sick. The feeling of Moriya’s warm blood
on his face.

“Oh.” Mugen noticed the pale one was shaking. “Fu’s a pain in the ass, but you’ll warm up to
her.” He tried to change the subject.

“Yes.” Jin sighed, more than ready to speak on a different topic. “She seems as so.”
//He’s making this easier on me.//

Mugen felt like shit...all he wanted to do was grab the ronin. Lavish kisses upon him, and be
thankful he didn’t die. But Jin didn’t remember anything. It would be like laying one on a
stranger.

“...You know, before you jumped...we had a fight. It was about...something stupid. I’m happy
your ass didn’t drown.”

Jin looked at him a little shocked. “Was that why I jumped?”

Mugen almost winced. “Can’t really say, you took off that night.”

“Oh.” Jin looked down again.
//Am I really a crazy person? Is this all because I’m insane...?//

“Kuso, I can’t take this.” Mugen jumped to his knees, walking over to put his hands on the ronin’s
shoulders.

Jin stared wide eyed at him, look almost hinting of fear.

“I know you don’t know me, but...I missed ya. I was so pissed off, and now...I didn’t want all this
bullshit to happen...to you.” Mugen crushed the pale one to his chest. “I love you Jin...and that
scares the fuck out of me.”

The ronin could feel his breath begin to quicken. As far as he knew no one had ever embraced him
like this, or said those type of things. It was strange, but he had to admit Mugen’s arms felt damn
good about now. The world seemed to be spiraling out of control, but all that seemed to stop
within those lanky arms.
//What was his name?//
He scolded himself. “...I cannot breathe.”

“Then hold your breath, I ain’t letting go yet.”

Jin smiled a little.
//He seems to be very sure of himself.//
For the sake of his lungs he remained still. Not holding him back, but not pulling away either.
//This isn’t so bad actually...he is quite attractive. His skin is like something I’ve seen, but I can’t
pinpoint it.//

Mugen felt him relax and sighed.
//Good...//
He had hoped he wouldn’t end up scaring the ronin to death.
//That means he doesn’t remember Kakuzo either...good, but what about his scars? He’ll see them
eventually, what can we tell him? Maybe I should ask that chick with the thick eyebrows?//
“Oi...if shit gets too real for you, you come to me, ne? Not anyone else...ya got that?”

Jin looked up at him, as his grip loosened enough for him to sit up. “All right.”

“You’re the only thing I care about in this fucked up world. Whether you know it or not.”

The pale one nodded. For a fleeting second he though he imagined a field. Something from a
farm, but the image was blurry.
//Does this have something to do with him?//
But first came the question that made his stomach turn, after all that Mugen just said.

“Um...what was your name again?”

- - - - -

*Fu’s thoughts*

So...the inn is gone, and so are our deadbeat jobs. Too bad we barely made enough money to eat.
Shino is letting us stay with her until Jin gets better...

That’s so crazy, all of that...
It’s hard to look at him, which I hate. I use to love to look at him...but now it’s scary. He looks at
me like a complete stranger, it hurts to think about it. He doesn’t even remember the samurai who
smells of sunflowers, or his promise to me...

It’s like the day I met him, only there are a couple of differences.

Like this Jin actually talks...heh.
I guess the poor guys just trying to find out all he can, but it’s nice to hear his voice so much. He
still kinda hangs around Shino, but that’s probably cause she was the one who found him.

I feel so bad for Mugen. He’s quiet, and almost reasonable. That means he’s scared...It took
everything for him to admit his love to Jin, and even more to get him to forgive him. And Jin
almost looks afraid of him now. I can’t imagine what it would be like...

I just hope we can make this work. Or else there might not be a way for us to continue our
journey. I don’t think I can do it with only Mugen...

No, we’ll wait.
I can’t leave him...

An upside is that Shino can cook, though. At least I don’t have to live off watery ramen anymore.
Plus there’s a hot spring out back...I could think of worse places to be stuck.

- - - - -

The two women were outside; sitting in the grass, when the loud clang of metal on metal was
heard.

“What are you doing?” Jin narrowed his eyes at the tan one, looking way more suprised than he
wished.

They were walking, when Mugen drew his sword and attacked. Jin instinctively blocked it, a little
shocked at his quick reaction. The sword he barely recognized, was feeling a lot more familiar in
his hands.

Mugen stared for a while, before sheathing his sword on his back. “Nothing. Just seeing if you
remembered that at least.”

Jin stared as well, sheathing his sword more gracefully, feeling only slightly breathless. “You put
a lot of faith in me. You could have killed me...”
//That...felt so natural...how did I do that?//

Mugen smirked. “It’s not like I never tried. I’ve tried to kill ya plenty of times, but every time it’s
the same. I can’t get you, you can’t get me.”

Jin nodded at this, Mugen was right. A few images of them fighting in a crowded place were
revealed.
//Was that the tea house they spoke of?//

Mugen watched the delicate face as he was clearly lost in thought. “Yo, you remembering
anything?”

Jin looked at him, clutching the neck of his gi slightly. “Maybe...the tea house Fu spoke of. Did
we, fight there?”

“Shit, did a whole lot worse than that. We fought until the place was burned to the ground.”

Fire, the walls and ceiling collapsing...
Jin shook his head. “Yes. I remember that, but...” There was still so much that was unclear.

“One step at a time. See it’s not hopeless...”

Somehow the ronin found a type of peace in those cocky, smiling eyes; as he nodded.

“What’s going on?!” Fu and Shino rushed to them. “Are you two fighting again?” Fu fumed.

The men looked at each other, and then to her. “No...it was simply a test.” Jin explained.

“Mugen! You jerk.” Fu glared at him, she knew it was something like that.
//But he could be a little more careful, Jin did just fall off a bridge.//

“Kiss my ass, I didn’t do anything. C’mon, lets go.” Mugen motioned for Jin to follow him.

The ronin gave the women a look, as if to say ‘sorry’, before following.

“Jin was right...” Shino mused.

“Huh?” Fu looked at her.

“That man is like the wind.”

- - - - -

It was getting late, and the women were already off to bed. Mugen was laying lazily on the floor,
pretending to look at his sword.

Jin sat in the door way, gazing at the bright half moon.
//He will not leave me. It’s like he thinks I’ll leave him...//
The thin lips pressed tighter.
//I don’t understand it, but I don’t want him to leave either.//
They had been there a total of two nights. Both of which Mugen stayed awaked, sitting against the
wall staring at Jin. The first night it was terribly awkward, but the last one made him feel safe.
Like no matter what he had done, the Ryu-kyuian still wanted him. The ronin slept soundly in the
fact if someone came for retaliation, there was someone else there as well.

“You just gonna sit there?”

Mugen’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Do you only ask questions?” Jin rubbed his neck,
becoming a little sore from looking up.

Mugen got up, walking over to sit beside him in the doorway. “Maybe...” He sighed as his eyes
drifted upward too.

“Do you like the sky as well?” Jin kept his gaze towards the heavens.

“Not usually, but at night, yeah. I dunno, kinda like a reward for making it through another day.”

“That is a beautiful analogy.”

Mugen raised a brow, not even wanting to know what that meant. “Yeah.” He let his eyes settle
on something more beautiful. Jin’s face tinted blue from the night sky.

“I believe it settles your thoughts, because it’s a dark canvas. You can stare into nothingness and
clearly see what you are pondering.”

The tan one couldn’t help it, he moved quickly; pressing his lips to Jin’s. The ronin gasped, wide
eyes staring at Mugen’s calm. The hot tongue pressed into the small mouth, and Jin relaxed
despite the awkwardness. Images were pouring like honey. Flashbacks of what seemed like a
thousand kisses were rolling, yet too chopped to make much sense. As Mugen pulled back, Jin
felt himself whimper. The whole experience was like wildfire to his soul, leaving him shaking.

“I’ve wanted to do that since I got here.” Mugen tried not to sound too mushy. But deep inside
these last few days had been hell. It was like everything he went through to love Jin was all gone.
Just making him stupid, and hopeless without ‘his’ Jin.

“Mugen...I...remember us kissing. Many times I believe.”

“Yep...” He kept his eyes focused deep onto Jin’s. Trying as hard as he could to find a hint of
remembrance.

“...did I, love you?” There was much hurt in his smooth voice.

Mugen closed his eyes, as he hid the burning pain within his heart. “Yeah, I think so.”

“I’m so sorry.” Jin sat up, making sure he didn’t break the eye contact.

“Nah, don’t sweat it, you’ll remember.”
//This is so fucking fucked up!//

Jin nodded but felt horrible. Why was this happening to him? Why did he have to exist? It seemed
like all he was doing was hurting or making people upset.

“There’s something you should know...” Mugen began, turning his eyes back to the moon. “When
we met, somehow we got swindled into helping Fu find a damn samurai of smells of sunflowers.
That’s why the three of us are traveling to Nagasaki.”

Jin felt himself grow cold, he remembered that. “A coin...she flipped it. That was also...the day I
met you. We fought in the tea house, and were captured.” The words seemed to flow out, and he
wasn’t sure where the information was coming from.

“That’s right. They tortured us for a while, before she helped us break out. But we had it anyway,
she just caused a distraction.”

“...Fireworks...” Jin sighed. “But I’m afraid that is all I can remember yet.” The now familiar pain
began to throb in his temples. Slender fingers attempting to rub it away.

“Yeah but that’s cool as hell. Now you know how you met us at least.”

“Yeah...”
//He’s right, this is a start.//

The hand slid down to touch his throat. His heart was still out of control from the kiss.

Mugen leaned forward again, this time Jin closed his eyes, allowing the tan one a better angle.
//I want to remember you...//
The skilled tongue of the Ryu-kyuian taught him the dance they had learned so well. Not the one
that involved swords, life and death. But the flowing life within their bond.

//I’m so happy your alive.//
Mugen pulled the form closer to him, nearly crushing him, as he ran his hands wildly up and
down shaking arms.

The pale one moaned quietly. The others intensity making thought difficult. But after the last few
days that seemed like a good idea. Thought was causing him too much trouble. This however felt
right.

Mugen began pushing him back, laying them down. As his kisses broke away, leading down the
delicate throat he missed so much.

“Mugen?” Jin looked at the ceiling blankly, eyes becoming a little lidded.

“Shh...” Mugen kissed lower, pulling the gi enough to have a good view.

The ronin bit his tongue as Mugen began to slide his hands up his thighs. Slowly slipping inside
his hakama through the legs.

“Ahh...” Jin held onto Mugens shoulders as the firm hands began to tease him.

“I love you so much...” The papaya lips were wet and hot against the milky ear, teasing with his
breath.

The ronin was beginning to realize that more and more as Mugen continued. As far as he knew, he
had never even done this himself. No one would even hug him...physical contact was to be saved
for the battlefield...it was a weakness...

But this couldn’t be. It was Moriya’s right to have him, but he never showed interest. He tried to
tell himself it was because he seen him as a son. But after that night it was hard to tell.

Jin took a deep breath, he didn’t need to think of that right now. Not when this tan angel was
making him feel so good. Mugen’s hand dipped down and pulled lightly on his balls. Only
making him want to scream more.

“You are so beautiful...” Mugen kissed and suckled the graceful neck.

Jin sighed, holding on tighter. His soul felt like it was about to leap. “Mugen...” He squeaked,
feeling himself moan loudly as he poured into the wanting hand. “Gods...” Jin was near choking
him with his grasp.

“Heh, you looked like you needed that...” He kissed him playfully on the nose.

“Heh...” All the ronin could do was smile weakly at him. “Yeah...”

- - - - -

When Fu and Shino returned with food, they found Mugen sitting against the wall. Playing with
the dagger end of his sheath. Jin was on his side, sleeping on a nearby futon.

“Mugen...come outside. We wanna talk to you.” Fu began quietly, looking over at Jin.

“Whatever...”

- - - - -

“If he’s ever going to remember anything, it will be about you. You are the key to this.” Shino
began.

“Why is it all in me? You’re the one he actually talks too.”

“That’s because I am the person he feels he’s known the longest.”

“Please Mugen...just for a few days. Try it at least? We got nothing else to go on.” Fu tried to
persuade him as well.

“Where you going anyway?”

“Just a few towns up. I have family there. We will bring back food from time to time...Don’t
worry, we’re not abandoning you.” Shino started to remove a small pouch from her sleeve. “Take
this money, I have saved it in case of an emergency. I suppose this counts...”

“Shino...we can’t take your mone-” Fu’s eyes pleaded with the lady.

“Sure we can.” Mugen grabbed the yellow bag. “One week, but if he runs away or anything I
can’t guarantee I’ll catch him.”

“One week. I have faith in you...” Shino smiled before her and Fu began down the road.

“Don’t cause any trouble either!” Fu reminded him, waiving her fist.

- - - - -

//His hair...//
Mugen breathed deep of the scent. He was crawling near the sleeping ronin. Leaning in just
enough to bury his nose in the silky locks.
//It smells like rain...//

Carefully he positioned himself to see the peaceful face. Seeming to be worry free for the
moment.
//I will die before I lose you again...//
He moved forward, licking the alabaster skin slowly. It was salty and delicate, like almond.
Bordering on having no flavor at all.
//My jasmine flower...//
The tan one had to blink. Did he just say that? He really was in over his head now. With a shrug
he returned to his musing of Jin’s face. Only to be face to face with two unsure ebony eyes.

“Mugen?”

“Hey...” The island native wasn’t even attempting to move.

“Did you...lick me? Just now...”

The amber eyes shined as he smiled seductively. “Yeah...I can lick other places too...”
//I know that makes you crazy.//

The pale one blushed a little. “Where is everyone?”
//He is rude and insane...and yet not smiling at him is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.//

“The chicks said they had to take care of something. So looks like your stuck with me for a
week.”

“Oh.”
//There could be worse things...//

“There’s food if your hungry...”

“No...” Jin continued to stare at Mugen’s never flinching eyes.
//I want to know you...I want to remember everything so badly.//

Mugen only continued to stare at the dark eyes. They seemed to be searching for something.
“What’s up?”

“...Were you the first lover I took?” He felt more than uncomfortable asking that.

“That’s what you said.”

Jin nodded. That at least narrowed things down. There wouldn’t be any jealous ex-lovers running
in to complicate things. His train of thought was interrupted as Mugen straddled his waist. Sitting
proudly on top of him.

“What are you doing?” Jin looked up at him.

“Nothing...Honestly though, are you scared when I touch you? It’s not weird since you don’t
really know me? Cause I’ll stop...even if that’s like fucking torture.”

The ronin closed his eyes. It was true it was a little much at times, but the overall feeling wasn’t
fear. More like a yearning to understand, confusion. “It doesn’t scare me. Please...don’t stop
touching me.”

Mugen smiled evilly for a brief second. Jin saying ‘please don’t stop touching me’ giving him all
kinds of ideas. “Good...”

END CHAPTER THREE