Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ Up The Ante ( Chapter 3 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. The quest for the love potion continues!)

Part Three: Up The Ante

Fujiko settled back down into her seat gingerly. She would just have to wait to use the restroom but she didn't mind quite so much any more. It didn't seem like too long until the bus had stopped and Fujiko stepped back out into the aisle, looking out the windows for something that resembled a rest stop. She followed the other passengers off the bus, a smile on her lips as she thought about the surprise that waited for the rude lady.

She stepped out into the late afternoon sun and stretched for a moment as she scanned the area again. She still couldn't see anything that looked like a bathroom so she tapped the closest person that didn't look like a tourist on the shoulder. " Scusilo, " She said in her sweetest tone.

The man turned, " Si, signora? " He replied. He fit the description of Italian Stallion to a tee. He was handsome, muscular and well dressed. His suit was well tailored and wore fine leather shoes. His dark eyes seemed to look through Fujiko and it sent her insides quivering.

Fujiko wracked her brain to work in spite of the fine specimen in front of her. She forced it to do so and said, " Potreste dirmi quale senso i blocchi volano? "

The man smiled then laughed, " Perhaps you would rather we speak english, signora. I really do not know which way the bats fly. "

Fujiko put her hand to her mouth, " Is that what I asked? "

" Si. "

" Oops. What I meant ask is if you know where a restroom is. You see, I just got off that bus and... well... " Fujiko hoped he would understand what she was getting at.

The man pointed towards someplace just out of view, " I know there is one down that way. Do you wish for me to show you the way, Miss... " He smiled again. " I don't think you mentioned your name. "

Fujiko thought for a moment, " My name is Megumi Ishikawa. "

" My name is Fabian Capistrano, " He took Fujiko's hand and kissed it. " It is a pleasure to meet you, Signora Ishikawa. "

" It is a pleasure to meet you as well, " Fujiko heard the rude woman shouting from the other side of the crowd. It only took a moment for her to realize that the woman had found her surprise. Perhaps it had been a bit low to steal the woman's travelers' cheques when the only replacement office was back on the main island but she could have done worse. She looked at Fabian, " Shall we go? "

Fabian nodded, " Yes we shall. "

~I'll just entertain myself with him for tonight, ~ Fujiko thought to herself. The sun would be setting before too long but she really didn't feel like being alone after the long ferry ride and the annoying bus trip. She just wanted to relax since she was pretty sure Lupin and the others wouldn't be in her way too soon. After all, it would be well past dark if they were to make it to the island before morning.

**

" We have to take a ferry across, huh? " Jigen looked at the map of Malta posted on the wall of the tourist information office.

" Looks that way, " Lupin nodded.

" Which island did you say you were going to again? " The old man behind the desk asked as he looked at his chart.

" We said we were going to Gozo, " Lupin pointed to a map on the desk in front of the man.

" Oh good. If you had said Comino, I was prepared to suggest a pair of good walking shoes. "

" Walking shoes? " Lupin asked.

" Yes. They don't allow cars on Comino, " The man pulled out another map. This map was a more detailed one than the main map Lupin had been looking at.

" No cars. I may just go there by myself. It sounds peaceful, " Goemon commented from his seat in front of one of the benches in the office. He sat with his legs crossed and his arms folded, his sheathed sword resting across his lap.

" It is, " The old man muttered as he pointed at the map. " Now, just exactly where were you thinking about going? "

Lupin read the map then pointed to Calypso's Cave. " Here, "

" Really now? " The man pulled out a schedule. He looked it over carefully and frowned. " I am terribly sorry but you have missed the last ferry out. "

" Missed it? What do you mean we missed it? " Lupin nearly shouted.

" It left three hours ago and the next one doesn't sail until eight o'clock tomorrow morning, " The man said. " Why don't you gentlemen get a hotel for the night? I'll reserve your spot for the first boat out in the morning. "

Lupin visibly slumped, ~Fujiko could be in and out of there by that time… ~

Jigen came over to Lupin and patted him on the shoulder, " You heard the man. There really isn't much else we can do tonight. "

Lupin sighed heavily, " I guess not. "

Jigen leaned in closer, " Besides, how do we even know Fujiko has even made it to the island already? "

Lupin thought about it for a moment, " You're right. "

**

" Thank you so very much, " Fujiko said as she tossed her paper towel in the trash. " I was about to burst. "

Fabian smiled, " It is no problem. Now, where to next? "

Fujiko wasn't surprised to hear Fabian say that but she had been getting a strange vibe off of him after getting away from the bulk of the crowd. She wondered if she was safe with him because he was just too slick. " Um… I don't know where my hotel is. "

" Why do you want to retire so early, Megumi? Why don't I take you to dinner and maybe we can go dancing afterwards, " Fabian put his arm around Fujiko's shoulders. " I promise not to disappoint you. "

Fujiko could feel Fabian increasing the pressure on her shoulders as he held her and she didn't like it at all. He may have been handsome and had the body of a god but she couldn't put up with his pushiness. Just once, she wanted to be wooed by some who wasn't pushy or arrogant. She wanted someone calm and not so self absorbed but it seemed to be the only type she attracted.

" Look. I am really tired right now. I would just like to go to my hotel and sleep tonight. I have traveled quite a long way in a short amount of time and I just want to relax, " Fujiko tried to reach for the gun under her skirt but Fabian grabbed her hand with his free hand.

" I have ways to help you relax, " Fabian whispered as he held her hand tightly and leaned into her neck. He turned her a bit so her chest was pressing against his and he pushed her into the alleyway they were standing in front of. He was a lot stronger than she imagined and could soon feel a rock wall against her back.

Fujiko knew she had to move quickly or she would be in trouble. She couldn't shout because the walls around them would just swallow it up. She gasped as Fabian pressed a leg between hers, pinning her to the wall with her skirt. ~The one time I need Lupin and he isn't here… ~ She thought as she tried to figure a way out.

Fabian let go of her hand and eased his leg back. She could feel him moving her skirt up and knew she had to act fast or he would discover her gun. ~My gun! ~ She reached for it as fast as she could and the next few seconds seemed to blur together. She heard the gunfire, felt the heat from the bullet and then heard it ricochet from the stone street.

Fabian jumped back, his eyes wide with surprise as she pulled the gun loose from her leg holster and took aim. " Back off, " Fujiko shouted. " I told you I'm tired and want to go to sleep! "

Fabian's expression changed as he smirked. He put a hand up in the air, " As you wish, Megumi. "

Fujiko watched as he brought his hand down and cried out as something lodged in her arm. She looked down to find a tranquilizer dart protruding just below her shoulder. " You bastard, " She muttered, as everything became double then triple before darkness engulfed her.

**

Jigen and Lupin both looked at Goemon as he took a sharp breath. His eyes opened and a deep scowl came across his lips. " What's wrong? " Jigen asked.

Goemon shook his head, " Nothing. I just had a chill run down my spine. "

" Yeah, it is a bit cold in here, " Lupin commented.

Goemon stood to his feet and walked to the door. " Where are you going? " Jigen asked.

" I need to go for a walk. I will be back, " Goemon opened the door and walked out, shutting the door behind him. He walked down the hallway to the elevator and pushed the button, waiting for the car to arrive at the floor. He heard people approaching, their conversation pricking his ears up.

" It's an epidemic, I tell you. Twelve girls have been kidnapped in the last two weeks but the police don't want to talk about it, " A man said. " All they will tell anyone is that women shouldn't go out to Gozo without a male escort. "

" Who would have ever imagined such a thing could happen here, " The other man said. " Malta has always been such a nice country but now this is happening. Do you know what this will do to the country's reputation if it ever gets out? "

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open, bringing Goemon face to face with Inspector Zenigata. The two men looked at each other for a second before Zenigata grabbed Goemon by the kimono. " Goemon! If you're here then Lupin's here too! "

Goemon pressed the handle of his sword against the inspector's stomach, " I am here alone. Take your hands off of me or I will split you in two even although you are not worthy of my blade. "

" I could arrest you right now for threatening an officer of the law as well as aiding and abetting a criminal! " Zenigata didn't let go of Goemon.

" Don't be a fool, Inspector. I only work with Lupin when it suits me and right now it doesn't. Now, let me go if you do not want to know what it is like to be disemboweled. "

Zenigata felt a gust of wind across his stomach and looked down to find a gash in his shirt. He realized if it had been any closer, Goemon's threat would have been fulfilled. He blinked then let go of Goemon. " I'll have you know this was a new shirt… "

" Just be glad I didn't stain it, " Goemon's tone held the promise of bloodshed.

" Um, " One of the bystanders raised his hand.

" What? " Goemon and Zenigata snapped at the same time.

" W-we h-hate t-to interrupt b-but w-we w-would r-really l-like t-to g-get o-on t-the e-elevator, " The man stuttered out and pointed to the elevator.

" As would I, " Goemon stated, pushing Zenigata to the side and clearing the path to the elevator.

Zenigata watched as Goemon got on to the elevator but the two men hesitated. The doors slid shut and the two men headed for a door marked Scale. He wondered briefly why they would need a scale then headed off to his room, not sure if Goemon was telling the truth about Lupin not being there at all.