Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ Como Estais Amigos ( Chapter 12 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. Chamberlain finally shows Fujiko The Golden Gun. Toshiko tells Goemon some stuff as they watch the fish.)

Part Twelve: Como Estais Amigos

Fujiko stared at the ceiling, wondering what time it was and when Lupin was going to show up. She couldn't believe she had been dumb enough to write Lupin's name next to his phone number in her address book. He had told her to use Harvey Wallbanger or something equally ridiculous but she refused, saying she's change it later to something she liked. It had slipped her mind and she was now mentally kicking herself for letting it do so.

~How did I get myself into this mess? ~ She wondered. The silence was bothering her so she tried to think of a song to sing to herself but could only come up with the one Lupin had listened to obsessively the night prior. " He has a powerful weapon. He charges a million a shot, an assassin that's second to none. The man with the golden gun… "

~Fuck. It was all about that damn gun… ~ She realized. ~I got into this mess over a gun that isn't even real… ~

" Ah. You're singing my song, " Chamberlain was in the doorway again.

" Feh. You lied to me, " Fujiko scoffed. " I saw the movie and that gun is just a piece of crap. "

Chamberlain moved into the room and switched on the bedside table lamp. The light seemed bright to Fujiko since she had been in darkness for so long. She wiggled around until she was on her side and looked over at the table. She caught her breath, " But that's not like the one in the movie. "

" No but it is the real one. It is actually a Magnum. Fleming had to make up what kind of gun it was when he wrote the book because no one was really sure, " Chamberlain said as he motioned to the piece. " It's plated with real gold. "

" I know what kind of gun it is, " Fujiko cut her eyes away from him.

" Oh? So you are well versed in firearms? " Chamberlain reached over and brushed Fujiko's bangs out of her face.

" Damn straight I am. I can put a bullet between your eyes without even thinking about it, " Fujiko glared at him. " I can also slice you from chin to crotch with a kodachi if you want to know. "

" Are you threatening me? " Chamberlain reached for the gun.

" No, I'm answering your question, " Fujiko spat back.

" You still have some fight in you? " Chamberlain arched an eyebrow. He had only bothered to put his pants back on since calling Lupin so very little was in the way if he decided to rape her again. He had torn her nightgown, panties and bra off of her before he made the phone call.

" Maybe. I heard what you told Lupin. You've got to kill us all at once so you can't kill me. I know your boss wants a picture of it too. "

" Hell, I could kill all of you separately then stage the photo, " Chamberlain shrugged. " All I care about is the money. "

Fujiko felt her gut knot as Chamberlain picked up the gun. He put it to her face, sliding the side of it across her cheek then along her chin. " So are you going to kill me now? " She said trying to keep her voice from trembling.

" I'm not done with you yet, " Chamberlain moved the barrel of the gun along her collarbone then between her breasts. He slid it to her left nipple and circled it before moving it to her right to do the same, the sensitive flesh responding to the cold metal almost instantly.

" You don't have to kill me, you know. I can help you capture them, " Fujiko gasped as he caressed her stomach with the gilded barrel. " I know how they are and I can tell you what they might do. "

Chamberlain smirked, " Oh really? "

Fujiko nodded, " Yes. Just spare my life and I'll do anything you want me to do. I'll even lure them into a trap if you want. "

" You betray your friends so easily but I wonder if you would betray me just as easily? " Chamberlain purred as he slipped the barrel between Fujiko's thighs. He smiled as he rubbed it against her slit and she bucked her hips.

" I would never betray you, " Fujiko whispered as he parted her folds with the weapon. She let out a sharp gasp as he rubbed it against her clit. " You have everything. "

" Do you mean the money or something else? " Chamberlain asked as he stopped moving the gun.

" You have money. You're handsome, " Fujiko knew she was lying about the handsome part for she didn't think he was all that good looking after what he had done to her. She made herself blush, " And you're a fantastic lover. "

" Am I better than Lupin? " Chamberlain asked warily.

" Oh much, " Fujiko said with mock enthusiasm. She had to admit Lupin was great when she'd actually let him sleep with her. However, she felt he was better enjoyed in moderation and she couldn't control him quite as easily if she just gave it up whenever he wanted it.

" I seem to spoil the women I sleep with, " Chamberlain took the gun away from Fujiko. He didn't seem to notice the sigh of relief she let out as he cleaned the barrel then put the gun back on the nightstand. He turned towards the door and started to walk away.

" Wait. Where are you going? " Fujiko said. " I thought you were going to… "

" Not now. I'm going wait until they are here before I take you again. My aim will be much better after I come. "

" I thought that was a myth, " Fujiko said.

" I did too but it is very true, " Chamberlain nodded. " If I had been with you before shooting that ICPO inspector, he'd be in the morgue. "

" Then why didn't you come to see me first? " Fujiko arched an eyebrow.

" I couldn't get you on the telephone, " Chamberlain said.

" Oh, " Fujiko nodded. " I guess that makes sense. "

" Indeed it does, " Chamberlain sighed.

Fujiko gave him a seductive look, " So. How about my offer? "

" I will accept it. If you are lying to me, I will make you die in a very slow and painful way. Do you understand? "

Fujiko nodded, " I understand. "

**

" Here we are, " Goemon said as he approached Toshiko. He had left her by the pond filled with the largest koi so he could go get the tea. He sat down next to her and poured her a cup. " Here is yours. "

" Thanks, " Toshiko said then took the cup from Goemon. She looked down at the pond again.

He poured himself a cup and took a drink. He noticed Toshiko hadn't drunk her tea, her cup sitting on the ground next to her. " Is there something wrong? Did you want sugar? "

Toshiko picked up the cup and shut her eyes. " I'm sorry about earlier. You really didn't have to tell me that. I just thought that… "

" It is alright, Toshiko. "

" No. It was such a personal thing. I must seem like some kind of selfish person to you, " Toshiko said then took a sip of tea.

" How could you be selfish when you did not know the truth? " Goemon looked at the fishpond. " It was my fault by giving you the impression I had grown up in an idyllic way. "

" But I think it's sadder that you didn't have your parents at all, " Toshiko glanced at him.

" Then you aren't selfish, Toshiko. A selfish person would try to make their situation look worse, " Goemon took another drink of tea.

" Was it hard to grow up like that? " Toshiko said then looked at the fish. She shut her eyes, " I'm sorry. I must sound like I'm prying. "

" No. I feel it might do you some good to hear from others that have grown up fatherless for one reason or another. It will give you a perspective you didn't have before, " Goemon said.

Toshiko gave a strained chuckle, " You are starting to sound like my therapist. Mr. Lupin did too when I talked to him yesterday. "

" Did he share his story with you? " Goemon arched an eyebrow. " From what I understand, his grandfather was more of father to him than his own father was. "

" That's the impression I'm getting. He's slowly telling me but I think it's hard for him. "

" I find it appalling that he beat his own father up but I guess one would be angry to find out their father is alive after being told he had died, " Goemon took another drink of tea.

" Yes, " Toshiko took another drink of her tea.

" Do you still wish to hear my story? " Goemon glanced at her.

" If you want to tell it, " Toshiko shrugged.

" Where do you wish for be to begin? " Goemon asked.

" How old were you when your parents died? " Toshiko was concentrating on the fish as she spoke.

" I was just a baby still but my grandmother told that I knew when they were gone. She said I cried for several days after they had died until I wore myself out. She didn't tell me the story of how they died until she was dying, " Goemon decided to look at the fish as well.

" How did they die? " Toshiko asked quietly.

Goemon shut his eyes, " It was a house fire. No one really knows how it was started but everything was destroyed. My grandmother had got out with me but my mother was trapped so my father went back in to get her. Shortly after he went back, the house collapsed on them. "

Toshiko gasped, " Oh no. That's horrible. I guess you were lucky that you were too young to remember such a terrible thing. "

Goemon nodded, " Yes, perhaps I was. From that day on, my grandmother couldn't stand the sight of fire. She moved into my uncle's house and that was where we lived until her death. I continued to live with my father's brother. "

" Did he train you to be a samurai? " Toshiko said.

" Yes. He was my sensei for several years before he passed me on to my Ninja sensei, " Goemon decided not to tell her about his training as an assassin for fear it would frighten her.

" I see, " Toshiko nodded. " Is that how you spent your childhood? "

" Yes, " Goemon said. " I spent it training deep in the Iga Mountains far away from the modern world. The only luxuries I was allowed to have were a radio and electricity in the house. Otherwise, life was what some would call rough. "

" Did you have to farm as well as train? " Toshiko said.

Goemon nodded, " Yes. Otherwise, we would not eat. My days started well before sunrise with working in the fields and training lasted until late at night. "

" I guess all that training and farming is why you are so strong, " Toshiko said.

" Indeed. "

Toshiko looked at him after a long silence, " I forgot to say thank you for taking me to see my father. "

" It was nothing, " Goemon opened his eyes; glad Toshiko had changed the subject. " I want to ask you something now. "

" Okay, " Toshiko said.

" When we were at the hospital, you said you felt like you belong with us. Why was that? " Goemon looked at Toshiko.

" I just do, " Toshiko looked at the ground and blushed a little. " I was so scared you all would be mad at me but when you guys weren't, I felt like you actually cared. "

" Of course we care, " Goemon said. " We may be thieves but we aren't cold hearted. We couldn't just leave you there. Lupin would have never allowed it. "

" Why not? " Toshiko snapped her head up.

" He has a weakness for damsels in distress. He obviously could tell you were in some kind of trouble, " Goemon said then put one of his hands on top of one of Toshiko's. " I need to be very honest with you for a moment. "

" Sure, " Toshiko breathed. She seemed a little startled by Goemon's action. She was even more surprised when he leaned in closer to her, his expression gravely serious.

" I want you to know I did see how you were looking at him at dinner last night and I do not think it is proper what he did this morning. "

Toshiko blinked in surprise, " You know about this morning? "

" Yes. Jigen told me. "

" Oh, " Toshiko's blush deepened. " I wasn't looking at Lupin at dinner last night though. "

" You weren't? " It was Goemon's turn to be surprised.

" I was looking at… " Toshiko looked up but stopped when something on the side of the house caught her eye. She looked to the distraction then said, " Mr. Jigen. "

" What? " Goemon nearly shouted. The girl's admission sent his mind reeling and he felt his heart start to sink as she lifted her hand and pointed towards the side of the house.

" Mr. Jigen's here, " Toshiko said.

Goemon turned to look towards Jigen and narrowed his eyes. " Why are you here? " He called. He was relieved that he had been mistaken about what Toshiko had said.

" Don't sound so happy to see me, " Jigen said as he came closer. " Lupin needs both of you back at the house. I brought the Benz so I can get you there. "

Goemon arched an eyebrow, " I never heard the car. "

" Then you weren't listening, " Jigen shrugged. " I know you were distracted so it really doesn't shock me that much. "

Goemon stood up and put a hand out to Toshiko to help her up, " I supposed I was. "

" Can I take the tea back into the house? " Toshiko asked as she looked down at the tray on the ground.

" Yes, " Goemon nodded. " You can just set it down in the kitchen. I will take care of the rest later. "

Toshiko picked up the tray and walked towards the house. Once she was inside, Jigen slapped Goemon on the back of the head, " Damn it. I thought I told you not to go after that girl. "

" Shut up. We were having a deep conversation when you arrived, " Goemon glared at Jigen.

" Yeah, " Jigen said. " It looked pretty deep from where I was standing. If I had been five minutes later, you probably would have been cleaning each other's tonsils. "

" I do not kiss on the first date, " Goemon countered.

" So this was a date, huh? " Jigen chuckled. " What kind of pick-up line did you use? "

" This was NOT a date, " Goemon clenched his hand around Zantetsuken. " I was just saying that I do not kiss on the first date! "

" You just don't know how much you're digging the hole, " Jigen said. He looked towards the house and saw Toshiko was waiting on the porch. " You ready? "

Toshiko nodded but seemed a little nervous. " Yeah. "

Goemon walked past Jigen, " I am certain I know where I will be sitting. "

" Yeah. I even put on the extra spare so you'd be comfortable, " Jigen said.

Goemon walked over to Toshiko, " Shall we go? "

Toshiko nodded, " Yes. "

Jigen followed as Goemon led Toshiko to the front of the house and opened the passenger's side door. He climbed up on the back then got settled against the spares. Toshiko looked at him like she had never seen anyone ride in that fashion before. He motioned to the passenger seat and said, " Get in. "

" Will you be okay there? " She asked as she got in the car and shut the door.

" He'll be fine, " Jigen said as he got in on the driver's side. " He hasn't fallen off in a long time. "

Goemon arched an eyebrow, " Since when was a month ago a long time? "

" Lupin was driving then, " Jigen started the car. " Anyway, you've heard of riding shotgun, right? "

Toshiko nodded then glanced at Goemon, " Yes. "

Jigen smirked as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder, " Well, we call that riding samurai. "

" I am so happy you get so much amusement at my expense, " Goemon scoffed.

" Don't be so uppity because there's a girl in the car, " Jigen muttered and tore out of the driveway.

**

Lupin examined the map he had spread out on the table with a magnifying glass. Kaoruko had traced the call to the Yokohama area. The place the call had come from was supposed to be a warehouse. He wondered if perhaps Chamberlain owned the place or if it belonged to one of his cronies.

He tried to concentrate on the task at hand but he couldn't get Fujiko off of his mind. He hoped that she hadn't mouthed off and gotten herself killed. He didn't know what he would do if she was taken away from him. He was also thinking about Toshiko, hoping she would be safe if he left her in the house alone but that would only be if she agreed not to go.

He shut his eyes, recalling scars he had seen on her arms when they had been in the bathroom. She didn't notice but he had looked at them. ~What has that girl done to herself? ~ He wondered.

He felt like they were kindred spirits in a way but her father was still alive. She still had a chance to make amends while he still wondered if his father hated him when he died. They had fought shortly before Death had taken Lupin The Second away, harsh words and hard blows being exchanged. He had told his father he hated him but he never meant it.

He was curious to know Toshiko's real feelings towards the elder Zenigata but he couldn't think of a way to ask her. She had breezed through the house after returning then left again to go look at the goldfish at Goemon's. ~Perhaps I was wrong about her staring at me at dinner last night, ~ Lupin mused. He entertained the thought of what Pops would think if it was Goemon that Toshiko had taken a liking to.

~I have to ask Goemon what happened when he gets here, ~ Lupin didn't feel like he was being nosy though. He was genuinely concerned for the young daughter of his rival and he wanted her to be happy.

He opened his eyes when he heard the Benz go past the window. He quickly re-focused his attention on the map. Kaoruko had given him the exact location of the warehouse but he was trying to locate it on the map. He found the street and marked it with a red pen as Goemon, Jigen and Toshiko came into the office.

" Toshiko, " Lupin looked at her. " Can I get you find something to do while I talk to these two? "

Toshiko looked stunned by Lupin's request but Jigen patted her on the shoulder. " I think it would be best if you weren't in here, babe. We've got a lot to discuss and some of it you really don't need to hear. "

Toshiko blushed, " Okay. "

" It's nothing personal but I really don't want you to get involved. This is dangerous business, " Lupin said.

" I'm already involved, " Toshiko said quietly. " My daddy was shot by that guy. "

" That's true but do you have anything to bring to the table? " Lupin arched an eyebrow. " Do you have some kind of skill we would find useful? "

Toshiko put her hand up then clenched it into a fist as she started to think. She scratched the side of her head as she tried to come up with something but it seemed she came up with nothing. Her hands fell back to her sides and she looked at the floor, " No. "

" Then you don't need to get involved any further, " Lupin walked around from behind the desk. He put his arms around Toshiko and held her. He heard Goemon let out a low growl but ignored it. " I already promised you I'd get him for what he did to your dad so don't worry. "

Toshiko sighed against Lupin's shoulder. " I suppose you're right. I'm going to my room I guess. I want to lay down for a bit. "

" Okay. We'll start dinner once we're finished here. Feel free to get a snack if you're hungry now, " Lupin let go of Toshiko and patted her on the head.

All three men watched as the girl slipped out of the room, pulling the door closed behind her. Jigen waited a few beats before speaking. " She really wants to do something. "

" It's only natural. From what I saw today, she really does love her father but she is angry for him not being around for her, " Goemon said. He then glared at Lupin, " And he loves her as well. He asked me to keep her out of trouble and safe from harm. "

Lupin rolled his eyes; " I'm not going to do anything to Toshiko if that's what you're implying. I respect Pops too much to do anything to his only daughter. My only goal is to help her get her head straight. "

" Is that so? " Goemon arched an eyebrow. " Do you really think that is a job you can handle? "

" I can't pass up a challenge, " Lupin shrugged.

" It may be a dangerous challenge, " Jigen said, giving Goemon a sideways glance. " I think that girl likes you, Lupin. If you help her straighten out her head, she might get too attached. "

" I know and that scares me a little bit, " Lupin said.

" What scares me even more is I think someone else in this room is starting to take a shine to her too, " Jigen glanced at Goemon again.

" Is it so wrong to have sympathy for her plight? " Goemon intoned stiffly.

" Sympathy is one thing but being overprotective is something else entirely, " Jigen said.

" I was asked to look after her, " Goemon narrowed his eyes. " It was requested that, as a man of honor, I protect her. "

" You were looking after her pretty well down there by the fishpond. I haven't apologized for interrupting your little tea party, " Jigen said with a wry grin.

" A tea party? " Lupin said.

" It was so sweet, " Jigen looked at Lupin. " I think if I had been a few minutes later, they would have been kissing. "

Lupin looked at Goemon with a bewildered expression, " Do you like her? "

Goemon cleared his throat, " She is a likeable person. I have heard you like her as well. I would love to hear the story about the bathroom this morning and that interesting mark on your face. "

" Um, " Lupin looked at Jigen. " That was all just a huge misunderstanding. "

" I see, " Goemon said skeptically. " Did you think about knocking on the door first? "

" This is MY house, remember? " Lupin reminded Goemon. He then looked at the floor and muttered, " She should have locked the door. "

" Perhaps it slipped her mind, " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" It could be the fact the lock on that door is broken, " Jigen chimed in. " It's been broken for years. "

Lupin turned towards the window, " True. I've needed to fix that. Can we get back to discussing Fujiko and Chamberlain now? "

" I will be happy to change the subject, " Goemon glared at Jigen. " I know how much entertainment you're getting from taunting us but we do have more important business at hand. "

Jigen put his hands up, " I'm not amused. I'm just calling it the way I see it. "

" And you're off the subject at hand, " Lupin interjected sharply. " Now, as Jigen is aware of, Kaoruko has traced Chamberlain down to a block in the warehouse district of Yokohama. "

" Was she? Was she able to tell you the street? " Goemon asked.

" Yes, " Lupin waved Jigen and Goemon over to the map. They walked over and all three of them looked down at it. Lupin pointed to the side of the street where the boat docks were. " This one. "

" She was able to trace it that close? " Jigen looked at Lupin.

" Mishi said he talks too much and so does Kaoruko. If he hadn't ran his mouth and tortured Fujiko for as long as he did Kaoruko wouldn't have been able to get anything, " Lupin said. " Kaoruko looked up the information and a Nicholas Chambers owns the place. That sounds like an alias to me. "

" What kind of factory was it? " Jigen asked.

Lupin thought for a second then shrugged, " I didn't ask Kaoruko. Do you think I should? "

" Yeah. I don't want to go running into an explosives factory or some place equally as dangerous like a place where there might be barrels of gasoline or nitro, " Jigen said.

" Damn. I didn't think about that, " Lupin smiled. " Maybe intelligence is contagious. "

Jigen growled and shot the finger at Lupin. " Shut up. I know you too well. You'd go running in balls out, fire off one shot and blow all of us sky high just because Fujiko will be the only thing on your pea-sized mind. "

" He has a point. You're intelligence seems to take a nose dive into negative territory when Fujiko is involved, " Goemon commented.

" Thanks for your vote of support, " Lupin muttered as he reached for the phone. He gave Goemon an evil smirk. " Say, Kaoruko is looking for someone to go to the movies with her on Saturday. Should I tell her you're free? "

" I will pass, " Goemon said. " I believe I have plans… or enough time to make alternate ones. "

" Are you going fish watching with Toshiko again? " Jigen asked. " That'll make it your second date so… "

" How many times have I told you? That was not a date! " Goemon reached for Zantetsuken.

" Would you two quiet down? " Lupin hissed. " I'm on the damn phone. Hey! Kaoruko baby! "

" She's a baby alright, " Jigen muttered. " She's a baby whale. "

Goemon turned to the door, " I believe I will go check on Toshiko. "

" Don't do anything I wouldn't do! " Jigen said.

" That should be a short list then, " Goemon retorted then left the room.

Jigen reached into his jacket for a cigarette as Lupin asked Kaoruko about the warehouse. There was a long silence while Jigen lit his cigarette and took a few drags from it. Lupin then cackled like a schoolgirl, " You don't say! " He said.

" What's so damn funny? " Jigen asked.

" Great. The guys' are really going to get a kick out of this one. Thanks honey! "

Jigen waited until Lupin hung up the phone before repeating his question. " I know you probably didn't hear me the first time so let me ask again. What's so damn funny? "

" Get this, " Lupin said and started laughing again.

" Lupin! " Jigen growled.

" Kaoruko said that the factory makes… " Lupin broke down into laughter again. He put his hand up, " I'll be okay… "

" Right. Tell me! " Jigen shouted.

Lupin took a deep breath, " It's a mattress and bedding factory. "

Jigen rolled his eyes, " Great. "

**

Goemon knocked on Toshiko's door but she didn't answer. He knocked again but she still didn't respond. " Toshiko? "

He opened the door and found the room was empty but the window was open. He looked outside but saw no sign of the teenager. He didn't know too much about her past though he was pretty sure what she had in mind when she had went to Tokyo Tower. He had also noticed she was wearing a sweater even though it was still relatively warm weather.

He walked back downstairs, finding Lupin and Jigen still in the office. " Have either of you seen Toshiko? " He asked.

" I thought she was going to her room, " Jigen shrugged.

" Have you checked the kitchen? " Lupin chimed in.

" I should, " Goemon said.

Jigen noticed Goemon seemed slightly panicked. " Settle down, " He told the samurai. " I'm sure she's around here somewhere. "

" I can't help but be concerned, Jigen. From what she discussed with her father, I gather she tried to kill herself, " Goemon stated firmly. " That combined with her penchant for running away could mean trouble. "

" What are you talking about? " Lupin arched an eyebrow.

" Zenigata told Toshiko he knew about the last time she ran away. Toshiko's response led me to believe she went to Tokyo Tower, " Goemon said.

" Oh boy, " Lupin muttered and ran a hand through his hair. " I noticed scars on her arms when we were in the bathroom this morning. I was hoping they were from an accident but that little tidbit of information is making me think differently. "

Jigen shook his head, " I knew she was going to be trouble. "

" She isn't trouble, " Lupin and Goemon said together then looked at each other.

Lupin frowned then looked at Jigen again, " She's not trouble… she has trouble. Let's just go look for her and we'll discuss this later. "

" Okay… okay. Let's just stay calm because she couldn't have gotten far, " Jigen said as he turned towards the door. He looked over his shoulder at Lupin, " I'll look for her in the garage. "

" Good. Goemon, " Lupin looked at the samurai. " You check upstairs again and I'll check downstairs. We'll meet on the back deck in ten minutes whether we find her or not. "

" That sounds reasonable, " Goemon nodded.

" Let's got then, " Jigen said and walked out the door. Goemon and Lupin quickly followed, splitting up when they reached the living room.