Strangely Meant To Be
by Kendra Luehr

His eyes were always unspeakably dark, the grays of his irises constantly coalescing into a wintry fog that never failed to penetrate one to the very core. Fuu had once heard a prostitute use the term ‘bedroom eyes’, so this is what she decided he must have since they invoked such yearning and passion in just one fleeting glance.

Although Mugen’s eyes were the only beautiful part of his anatomy, Fuu couldn’t help but admire his hands, as well. Within these long, slender appendages laid such monstrous power and strength that they could effortlessly slay even the most brutal of beasts. Each finger was an intricately designed instrument of death, yet Fuu found that she could never be afraid of him. How could she be when she could discern his inner heart from his cruel exterior? She knew, after all, that he ran the gnarled knobs of his calloused hands through her hair when he thought she was sleeping, and she even knew that he was constantly trying to commit her body to memory by sight because of their inevitable departure.

And yet, in spite of all this it was his mouth that truly surprised her to no end. At a glance it was the foulest, most lewd part of his persona, yet it was this very mouth that had uttered the words that had granted her freedom.

With a simple "but in return, ya gotta let go-a the girl," she was allowed her desired liberation, her heart so heavy and swollen with shame that she knew she couldn’t leave him there to die for her foolish mistakes. How could she when she knew he was willing to risk everything just so she could finally find her father? It was touching, and yet at the same time it was absolutely horrific due to the slight chance of his blood being forever stained on her hands.

When Fuu had finally left Mugen in accordance with his wishes, she silently vowed that one day, if they were to survive, she would eventually kiss that foul mouth of his and make it her own just like the rest of him. He was her bodyguard, and she his only anchor in his loveless life, both forever doomed to walk side-by-side in harmony to the inevitable dusk of their lives.

end