Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ Suspicious ( Chapter 16 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine.)

Part Sixteen: Suspicious

Goemon pulled off his helmet and frowned after he pulled the motorcycle to a stop in front of the house. He looked down to the sidecar, " Lupin. "

Lupin took off his helmet and looked around the small driveway. " Jigen isn't here yet I see. "

" Should we look for him? " Goemon asked. " He could have been ambushed on the way. "

" We would have seen something if that had happened. We didn't leave that long after them, " Lupin climbed out of the sidecar and ditched his helmet in it.

Goemon dismounted the bike and narrowed his eyes. " Do you think he has taken Toshiko somewhere? "

" That thought just crossed my mind, " Lupin took out a cigarette and lit it. " Let me smoke this then we'll go looking for them. "

Goemon frowned, " What if they are in trouble? "

" They aren't in trouble, " Lupin waved his hand. " He probably took her the long way. He obviously wanted to talk to her since he volunteered to take her in the Benz. "

" Do you think he's figured it out? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Perhaps, " Lupin looked down at the ground. " He's not stupid. He can be pretty dense sometimes but he's not an idiot. He takes awhile to catch on but I'm sure he has by now. "

" I suppose I should not worry. Jigen seems to be much more of gentleman that you are, " Goemon looked towards the end of the drive.

" What the hell is that supposed to mean? " Lupin snapped his head up.

" Exactly what it sounded like. I assume you are going to deny trying to seduce that poor girl this morning? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Jigen told you about that? " Lupin arched an eyebrow. He growled and shook his head, " That was a misunderstanding. "

" What happened afterwards seemed pretty clear to Jigen. "

" I was telling her that I wasn't going to do anything to her and he walked in right after that, " Lupin looked at Goemon. He gave him a cold glare, " If I was trying to seduce her then you were trying to kiss her. "

" I was not! " Goemon shouted. Some nearby dogs started barking at the disturbance. Goemon cleared his throat then used a lower volume, " That too was a misunderstanding. She was about to tell me who she was looking at. I guess I was curious to hear so I leaned in closer. "

" Then we're even, " Lupin said.

" Why did you tell him about her lack of undergarments if you're such a gentleman? " Goemon said.

" Damn you've got good hearing! " Lupin exclaimed.

" I was standing close enough to hear it, " Goemon replied. " You shouldn't have been even looking while Toshiko looked at her presents from Mishi. "

" I wanted to see her smile, " Lupin countered. " Is that so bad? "

" My point is you shouldn't have told Jigen that she wasn't wearing underwear, " Goemon reminded Lupin. " You could have seen her smile without telling Jigen something that would have embarrassed her if she had heard it. "

Lupin smoked his cigarette for a long moment as he thought over Goemon's word. His shoulders slumped slightly, " You're right. I shouldn't have mentioned that but I just wanted to make Jigen scream. In hindsight, I think I shouldn't have said it. "

" Indeed. I would hate to think of how horrified that girl would have been if she heard you saying that. "

" What happened to them anyway? " Lupin looked at Goemon. " Did Fujiko say? You helped her with the laundry that night, right? "

" Yes I did. She said they were beyond rescue so she threw them away along with her filthy coat " Goemon grimaced. " How could she stand wearing that thing? I nearly threw up taking it to the trash. "

Lupin dropped his cigarette on the ground and crushed it out with his heel. " I'm tired of waiting. Let's go. "

" Shouldn't someone be here in case they show up? " Goemon said. " If they arrive and we aren't here, they may worry as we did. "

" That's true, " Lupin walked towards the motorcycle. " You stay. I'll go. "

" But Toshiko is my responsibility, " Goemon grabbed Lupin by the arm.

" True but the Benz is my machine, " Lupin shook Goemon off.

Goemon growled and sat down on the ground, reaching into his kimono. He pulled out his writing brush and ink as well as a piece of paper. Lupin blinked in surprise as he quickly wrote a note for Jigen and Toshiko. He put away his writing utensils before blowing on the ink to dry it.

" No wonder you're afraid of girls, " Lupin commented as Goemon affixed the note to the front door.

" What do you mean? " Goemon narrowed his eyes at Lupin.

" You're afraid all of that crap you carry will fall out when you take off your clothes and they'll laugh at you, " Lupin smirked.

" I only carry what is necessary, " Goemon scoffed as he walked to the bike and got on. " Let's go. "

Lupin started to get into the sidecar but stopped when he heard a car approaching. He knew from the sound that it was Jigen and Toshiko. He glanced at Goemon, " Go get your note. They've arrived. "

Goemon got off the bike as Lupin watched as the Benz turned into the drive. Jigen pulled to a stop next to the bike then looked at Lupin, " What? " He asked when he saw Lupin's expression.

" Where have you been and why aren't you wearing your hat? " Lupin walked around the bike so he could open Toshiko's door and let the girl out. " You should have been here before us. "

" We took the scenic route and I decided to take off my hat. It's not permanently glued to my head you know, " Jigen muttered then got out of the car. He looked towards the house and saw Goemon looked a little unhappy as well.

" I see that, " Lupin replied. He looked at Toshiko. " Go with Goemon. I need to talk to Jigen. "

" But I need my clothes, " Toshiko said. The outside light was bright enough for Lupin to see her face was flushed and her eyes were puffy. He could only think of one reason for it. Jigen had made the girl cry.

" I'll bring them in a minute, babe. You just go inside and get settled. You need your sleep, " Jigen told her. " I'll put them in your room when I get them inside. "

Toshiko looked between Lupin and Jigen before turning the house, both men watching her as she walked to the door. Once Goemon shut the front door, Lupin turned back to Jigen. " Were you trying to talk her out of coming along? "

" I wanted to make sure she was really cool with it, " Jigen reached into his jacket and got out a cigarette. He lit it and took a drag. He exhaled the smoke then took his fedora off the dash, putting it back on. " I can worry about the girl if I want to. "

" Is that all you talked about? " Lupin walked to Jigen's side of the car.

" No. We talked about some other things too. I asked her something really serious and she started crying again if you're asking about why she's so flushed up, " Jigen replied.

" I figured as much, " Lupin muttered as he moved to the side so Jigen could get out of the car. " What did you ask her anyway? "

" It's none of your business. She'll tell you if she thinks you need to know, " Jigen stepped around Lupin. " I've got to get the girl's clothes. After that, I want to get some sleep. "

" Yeah. We all need to get sleep, " Lupin said sharply. " We need to figure out who is sleeping where. Goemon thinks there aren't enough futons for all of us. "

Jigen opened the trunk and pulled out Toshiko's bags as well as his own overnight bag. " There isn't? How are we going to work this then? "

" We are going to have to share, " Lupin said. " We discussed it before we left my place. "

Jigen shut the trunk and looked at Lupin, " Really now? I suppose you're calling dibs on sleeping with Toshiko? "

" Not at all, " Lupin reached into his pocket. He pulled something out of it and held his closed hand out to Jigen.

" What's that? " Jigen stared at Lupin's closed fist warily.

" You're sharing with Toshiko. "

**

Goemon squared his shoulders as he showed Toshiko to her room. He slid open the door and stepped aside, " This is where you'll be sleeping. "

" Thanks, " Toshiko said before walking into the room. She waited as Goemon followed her. He set Zantetsuken against the wall and walked to the closet then opened it. He pulled out the futon that was on the shelf before kneeling on the floor to lay it out.

" I know you are not aware of the sleeping arrangements so I will tell you, " Goemon said as he got a blanket from the closet. " There are only two futons so we are going to have to share. "

Toshiko took a sharp breath, " You mean I'm going to have to share with you? "

Goemon shook his head; " Lupin suggested that Jigen share with you. That was the initial plan but I feel it needs to be rectified. I am willing to sacrifice my space so Jigen will be sharing a futon with Lupin and you will have your own futon. "

" But where will you sleep? " Toshiko asked.

" I can sleep sitting against the wall in the room Jigen and Lupin will be sleeping in, " Goemon stood but did not face the girl. " It is no big sacrifice for I have slept like that many times before. "

" You don't have to do that for me, " Toshiko said quietly. " I'll be okay if Mr. Jigen stays in here with me. "

" Toshiko? " Jigen called from the hallway. " Where are you? "

Toshiko poked her head out the door, " I'm here. "

Jigen walked up to her, " Here's your stuff. Oh. That's where he is. "

Goemon turned, " Yes. I was being a good host. "

" I have to talk to Lupin and you about the sleeping arrangements. I don't like them, " Jigen said.

" When have you ever liked anything? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Shove it, " Jigen snapped.

Goemon picked up Zantetsuken and clicked it loose from its sheath, " Do you prefer me to shove it into your heart or your lungs? "

" Not funny, " Jigen grumbled. " Come on. The girl needs sleep. "

" I agree, " Goemon nodded. He looked at Toshiko, " Goodnight. "

" Goodnight, " Toshiko said quietly. Jigen noted she looked a little sad but he figured it was because she was just tired.

Goemon stepped out into the hallway and slid the door closed. He glanced at Jigen, " Where is Lupin? "

" He's on the back porch, " Jigen said. " He said he wanted another cigarette. "

" I wish to have some sake before I go to bed, " Goemon stated. He then glanced at Jigen, " Do you wish to have anything? "

" I'd ask for scotch but I know you probably don't keep that stuff here, " Jigen sighed.

" I do not but the lady that owns this house has a bottle around, " Goemon said. " I will try to find it. "

" Good. Lupin might want some too, " Jigen nodded. " I'm going to go sit with him. "

" I'll be there shortly, " Goemon muttered and turned towards the kitchen.

Jigen walked around to the back porch. He stopped a few feet from Lupin, " He'll be here in a minute. "

" Good, " Lupin said. " You didn't have to hit me so hard you know. "

" Yeah I did, " Jigen sat down next to Lupin. Lupin was cradling the side of his face in his left hand. Jigen had landed a right hook on his cheek after he had given Jigen what he had in his hand. " That was just so you but it still wasn't right. "

" I figured that if you were sharing a futon with a girl you'd need it, " Lupin sighed.

Jigen growled, " Are you still getting back at me for what I said earlier? "

" You have a bigger hang up about it than I do, " Lupin took a drag off of his cigarette.

Jigen was silent for a few moments as he got a cigarette of his own. Lupin offered him a light and he took it. He took a long drag and exhaled the smoke. He looked out towards the fishponds. " She was looking at me last night. "

" I was wondering when you would figure it out, " Lupin replied.

" You mean you knew? " Jigen glared at Lupin.

" No. I just figured it out myself, " Lupin glanced at Jigen. " She's your type. "

Jigen looked down at the ground, " Yeah. She's cute and not the size of a baby whale. Damn, when was the last time a skinny chick liked me? "

" I don't know, " Lupin shrugged. " The chubby ones just seem so attracted to scrawny bastards though. You know I get my share of big admirers too. "

" Then what's Mishi's excuse? " Jigen muttered.

" That was arranged, " Lupin chuckled. " She can't stand the guy. She said the money I'm giving her is going towards her divorce. "

" She'll be kicking herself if her husband goes to the championships after that, " Jigen glanced at Lupin.

" Yeah, " Lupin nodded. " But I think she might be putting it off since she spent so much on Toshiko. "

" That was nice of her, " Jigen said begrudgingly. At one point, he was unsure if he could say anything nice about the waitress so it was hard for him to compliment her assistance.

They both looked up when they heard the sound of glasses clinking together and found Goemon had arrived with the alcohol. " Are we ready to discuss the sleeping provisions? " Goemon asked as he sat down.

" I am not sleeping with Toshiko, " Jigen picked up the glass of scotch Goemon had poured him.

" I have a solution then, " Goemon said as he picked up his bottle of sake and poured some out into a cup.

Lupin picked up his glass of scotch, " And what would that be? "

" I will give up my place so Jigen can share with you and I will sleep against the wall, " Goemon said then took a drink.

" We can't do it like that, " Lupin said. " Have you forgotten that I don't want her left by herself? "

" Do you think she will run away from here? " Goemon asked.

" I don't want to even give her the chance. I want someone with that girl, " Lupin said then drank his scotch. He shook his head; " I can't because I don't trust myself that much and I know you guys won't approve if I'm that close to her. "

" You're correct. I would not consent to you being in the same room with a young woman no matter whom she was, " Goemon intoned stiffly.

" I second that, " Jigen muttered then took a drink of scotch.

Lupin looked at Goemon as he started to take a drink, " Then you sleep with the girl. "

Goemon spit sake all over the porch and started coughing because some had gone down the wrong way. Jigen slapped him on the back as he gasped for air but stopped when he gave Lupin a murderous glare. " Please re-phrase that immediately, " He hissed.

" You know what I mean, " Lupin said defensively. " It makes me wonder what you were thinking though. Were you thinking about shagging her? "

" I was thinking nothing of the sort! " Goemon growled. " It was phrased in a suggestive manner. "

" I vote that he's guilty, " Jigen said then drank the rest of his scotch.

Goemon reached for Zantetsuken then growled in frustration. He had left the sword in the kitchen. " Your throat would be slit if I had my weapon, " Goemon gave Jigen a menacing look.

" Yeah. Whatever, " Jigen reached for the bottle of scotch to refill his glass. He sighed as he filled his glass then set the bottle back down, " It looks like I'll have to do it after all. "

" Don't be so nervous, Jigen. What's the worst that could happen? " Lupin shrugged.

" I don't even want to entertain the thought, " Jigen said then drank his scotch.

Goemon looked down into his sake, " Zenigata could find out and then I would be in trouble as well. "

" He asked a thief to look after his daughter so he shouldn't expect too much, " Jigen shrugged.

" I gave him my word as a samurai, " Goemon snapped his head up and glared at Jigen. " I believe the fact that I am a thief AND a highly skilled assassin should have no bearing on my honor as a soldier. "

" You're stuck in the damn Edo period, Goemon. Come to the present. This is where the rest of us live, " Jigen said.

" I will live how I choose to live, " Goemon narrowed his eyes. " What should it matter to a barbarian like you if I choose to live a more civilized life? "

" Hey! You're the friggin' barbarian! " Jigen retorted. " You offered to cut our arms off once like you were doing us some kind of favor! "

" I was only trying to help since you fell into that trap so stupidly, " Goemon clutched his sake cup tightly. " I tried to tell you I had a bad feeling about it but you wouldn't listen! "

" Shut up you uptight undersexed asshole! " Jigen shouted.

Goemon dropped the sake cup and lunged at Jigen, " I'll strangle you for that! " He screamed but Lupin got in the way.

" Stop it you two! " Lupin shouted. " You're going to wake Toshiko. "

Jigen growled, " You're right. "

" Now, " Lupin looked at Jigen and Goemon. " Can we be civil? "

Goemon frowned, " If I am not antagonized further, it will be possible. "

" Same here, " Jigen stood up.

" Hitting the can? " Lupin asked.

" No. I'm going to go get ready for bed. I just want to get tonight over with, " Jigen muttered.

**

Fujiko didn't know where she was at but she knew it was dark and small. She could hear people moving around her but listened a little longer to make sure it was safe to call out. She could hear radio chatter that sounded like it was of the police persuasion. She really didn't have any identification on her so she could say she was whatever name she wanted and escape before they verified it.

~Yeah, that's it. That's what I'll do, ~ She thought as she started to thrash around. She heard something that sounded like wood creaking and she realized she was in a shipping crate.

" Hey! Chief! Something in that crate is moving! " Someone called out.

Fujiko then heard the sound of several sets of boot-clad feet heading her way. She tried to cry out but Chamberlain had gagged her. She really wanted to shout when someone started chopping at the crate with an ax. ~Damn idiots! ~

" Don't do that you fool! " Another man shouted

" Chief, " The cop with the ax stopped when he had opened the crate enough to see inside. " There's a woman in here! "

" Rip the crate apart with your hands! " The chief shouted. " Get her out of there this minute! "

The crate seemed to go to wrack and ruin as the cops tore at it, revealing Fujiko to all of them. " Holy shit! She's naked! " One cops said as the others looked on in shock.

" Get her a blanket you idiots! " The chief shouted as he stepped between Fujiko and the staring policemen. A gaggle of them ran off and returned, each of them offering Fujiko a blanket.

The chief rolled his eyes, " Leave them here! I'll take care of her. "

The policemen crumpled in defeat as they set their blankets on the floor and walked away. When they had moved far enough away, the chief turned to Fujiko. He took her gag off, " I'm sorry about that. We've been searching this place for a while now. "

Fujiko looked around, " Where am I? "

" Apparently, it is some kind of warehouse and bedding factory. Do you have any idea who put you in that crate? " The chief asked as he untied the ropes around Fujiko's arms.

" Not at all. One minute I was in my apartment and then next, I was in that crate. I barely recall waking up and seeing a strange man over me before I fell asleep again. I think I was drugged. "

The chief grabbed one of the blankets and put it around Fujiko's shoulders. He moved to the ropes around Fujiko's legs, " You seem rather calm. Do you feel okay? "

" It's all so surreal, " Fujiko muttered as the policeman wrapped the blanket around her more securely once the ropes were off of her.

The chief grabbed his walkie-talkie. " This is Chief Investigator Ranma Tsukino. Please send an ambulance to my location. We found a female in a shipping crate and she appears to be in shock… over. "

Fujiko narrowed her eyes as she tried to get her eyes to focus. Everything was just a bright blur and she blamed that on the sedative Chamberlain had used on her. Ranma seemed to be a dark-haired man in black but it was about all she could make out. He sounded kind of nice though for he had a manly voice that would probably sound really great on the telephone.

" Ma'am? " Ranma said after he had gotten a reply on the radio.

" Oh. Yes? " Fujiko replied.

" Could you tell me your name? "

Fujiko tried to think of a name then came up with one. " My name is Lucy Demeanor. "

Ranma chuckled then shook his head, " Okay. Miss Demeanor, there's an ambulance coming for you. Could you talk to me until they get here? "

" Why's that? " Fujiko furrowed her brow.

" I just want to make sure you don't go into shock any more than you have, " Ranma said. " Will you talk to me? "

" Sure, " Fujiko replied. She gave him a weak smile, " You sound pretty handsome so I won't mind at all. "