Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ The Sailor, The Old Man, The Ship, The Samurai and The Sea ( Chapter 6 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. Zenigata and Goemon head for Gozo.)

Part Six: The Sailor, The Old Man, The Ship, The Samurai and The Sea

Goemon and Zenigata walked toward the small harbor just as the sun started to color the horizon. There were two ferries docked there but only one bore the crest of the hotel. There was no sign of Christophe so they walked down to the boat and waited. The sound of the water and the breeze was almost hypnotic and Zenigata found himself almost falling asleep on his feet just from how relaxing the sound was.

" I take it you didn't sleep well? " Goemon asked when he noticed Zenigata was having a hard time keeping his eyes open.

" Actually, I did. It's just the sounds out here are so relaxing, " Zenigata yawned. " How about you? "

" Good enough I suppose, " Goemon said although it wasn't exactly true. He just couldn't shake the feeling Fujiko was in danger and it inspired so rather vivid dreams about rescuing her. The rescuing part wasn't what had bothered him though; it was the thoughts of how she would thank him afterwards.

Zenigata retrieved a cigarette and his lighter from his jacket to help stay awake. He lit it and took a long drag. He reached in his jacket for another one and offered it to Goemon. " No thanks. I don't smoke, " Goemon looked out across the water.

" Oh. I wasn't sure; " Zenigata put the cigarette back in his jacket. " I mean, Lupin, Jigen and Fujiko all do so I figured… "

" You figured wrong, " Goemon's gaze remained on the water. It seemed like everyone around him was mentioning Fujiko's name a little more than usual, either that or he was just noticing it more.

Zenigata looked out across the water as well. He smoked his cigarette silently as he thought about random things. He gave Goemon a sideways glance, " You really don't have to do this. "

" I really don't have to do what? " Goemon shut his eyes.

" This investigation is ICPO business and you are wanted as an accessory for helping Lupin. Once I solve this thing, that island will be full of ICPO officers, " Zenigata tossed his cigarette into the water.

" I'll be long gone before they even see me, " Goemon said stoically.

" But why are you going? I can't think of a reason why you are so hell bent on going out to that island, " Zenigata shook his head. " You don't have to tell me the details but just give me some idea. "

Goemon opened his eyes and looked at Zenigata. A dark fire burned in his eyes as he looked at the inspector. For a moment, Zenigata was afraid Goemon would draw Zantetsuken but he didn't. " I am doing this for those women that have been kidnapped. "

" Do you know any of them? " Zenigata almost wasn't sure he had even said the words.

" No but they are precious to those who do know them. You said yourself you had a daughter, inspector. How would you feel if she was to just vanish and you had no idea where she was, if she was well or suffering? "

Zenigata went cold all over. Although his job kept him away from his family and strained his relationship with them, he still cared deeply about his wife and daughter. He felt his stomach knot at the idea of his little girl being kidnapped. Goemon looked back at the water, " You were a police officer in Tokyo before joining ICPO, were you not? "

" I was, " Zenigata replied.

" A distant cousin of mine was killed in a failed police raid in Tokyo that was meant to save her. I only met her once when she was a child but she was still family. She meant a lot to her mother and father, " Goemon said quietly. " Do you understand now? "

Zenigata nodded as the memories of the case came flooding back to him. Several girls had been kidnapped during a hot Tokyo summer and the kidnappers were in touch constantly with the police, taunting and goading them. His partner was a young rookie who was reckless and messed up the ransom drop off. He blew his cover way too soon and all of the girls ended up dying in the resulting shootout with the kidnappers.

" Yes. I believe I do, " Zenigata glanced at Goemon. " If it makes you feel any better, the guy who screwed up that raid is sucking down fish heads in a Tokyo prison now. He was convicted of gross negligence shortly afterwards. "

Goemon put his hand on Zantetsuken's handle but relaxed when he saw the disturbance he sensed was just Christophe approaching. " I'm sorry I took so long, " He apologized.

" It's alright, " Goemon let his hand fall away from the sword.

Christophe looked over at the hotel boat, " We won't be taking this ship. "

" Then which one will we be taking? " Zenigata looked around.

" The smaller boat that is behind the hotel boat, " Christophe motioned for them to follow him.

They went around the back of the large boat, Zenigata stopping to let his jaw fall open. " THAT is the boat you're taking us in? " Zenigata said once he regained the use of his mouth. The boat was a lot smaller than he expected and looked a bit aged.

" Si, signore. She may be a little old but she is still quite seaworthy, " Christophe walked towards the small boat that was tethered to the pier. Goemon and Zenigata followed Christophe silently to the boat and got on board. Christophe walked to the captain's seat and started the engines.

" Signore Ricercatore, " Christophe looked at Zenigata. " Could you untie us from the pier, per favore? "

Zenigata quickly moved to untie the boat. Once it was untethered, he pulled out his travel dictionary and sighed. " What's wrong? " Goemon gave him a sideways glance.

" I just wanted to check what he said to me. That's all, " Zenigata tucked the dictionary back into his jacket.

" I don't think he would call you anything bad, " Goemon sat down. " Not yet anyway. "

" What's that supposed to mean? " Zenigata clenched his fists. He was about to say something else when the boat moved and he almost toppled over the back of the boat but Goemon save him by grabbing his arm and pulling him down into the seat next to him.

" Please stay seated! " Christophe shouted over his shoulder. " We should be there within the hour! "

**

Lupin opened his eyes and shut them again, sharp pain needling his head. ~I thought I pulled those curtains last night… ~ He thought as he put one of the pillows he was clutching over his face.

" You awake yet? " Jigen grabbed the pillow out of Lupin's hand and pitched it on the other bed.

" Jigen… " Lupin whined. "What time is it? "

" Oh I'd say a little past sunrise. I really didn't look at my watch, " Jigen looked out the window.

" The why the hell are you up? " Lupin put the other pillow over his face.

Jigen promptly removed the pillow and tossed it with its mate, " Because I think we've been screwed over. "

" What do you mean? " Lupin sat up quickly and opened his eyes. He quickly leaned forward, holding his head. " Owwww. "

Jigen pulled out a set of binoculars from his jacket and handed them to Lupin. " I took these pictures just about five minutes ago. I heard a boat leaving the harbour and decided to check it out. "

Lupin lifted his head and put the binoculars to his eyes. He pushed the 'view' button on the top and scrolled through what appeared to be several pictures of Goemon with Zenigata on a boat heading northwest. He felt his anger rise as he realized that the samurai had found a way to get a ride out to Gozo before the ferry started it's run. " How in the hell does he do it, Jigen? "

" I don't know but I thought he meant he was going to keep Zenigata busy on this island, not take him out to Gozo. "

" Go get us some breakfast and lots of coffee, Jigen. We're going after them, " Lupin scrolled through the pictures again.

" I'm on it, " Jigen said and left the room.

**

Fujiko felt like she was waking up again but it wasn't as bad as the last time. The sedative seemed to have worn off and her head felt a bit clearer. She opened her eyes, distinguishable objects filling her vision instead of blurred gobs of dark colors. She moved her arms, finding she was still chained to the bed.

" Damn it, " She muttered. She looked at herself, finding she was still naked. She could feel dried sweat on her skin and the feeling between her thighs let her know that the night before had not just been a bad dream. A disgusted sensation caused her to shiver as she recalled the encounter.

~If Lupin hears about this and gets a hold of that bastard, he's a dead man. Lupin will gut him like a fish, ~ Fujiko thought as she tried to get comfortable. Even though she was on a fine sable bedspread, she was chained in a position that made it impossible to enjoy it. ~I'll make sure Fabian get his too for bringing me here. ~

" Are you awake? " Fabian's voice made Fujiko stop wiggling around on the bed. She looked around the room for him but he wasn't there.

" Where are you? " She called out. " I swear, if I get out of this… "

" You are in no position to make threats, my dear. "

" Fuck you, Fabian. "

" I have plans to, " Fabian replied coolly. " I want to try you out to make sure you'll be satisfactory to the customers. "

" If you touch me, I'll bite off my tongue and bleed to death, " Fujiko jerked at the chains that held her.

" Then I will have to put a bit in your mouth, " Fabian purred. " It will be rather appropriate since I'm going to ride you like a pony. "

" I'll bite my tongue off now, " Fujiko hissed then tried to do just that. A sharp jolt of electricity made her cry out.

Fabian laughed, " That will be impossible. If you wiggle your tongue a bit, you might still be able to feel the sensor we implanted towards the back. The slightest amount of pressure that resembles a bite will make the shackles shock you. The more pressure you apply the more intense the shock. "

" Then I'll just bite my tongue until I electrocute myself, " Fujiko braced herself as she started to bite her tongue again.

" That won't work. You'll pass out before that can happen. Anyway, the voltage isn't high enough to kill you, just rattle you quite a bit. I may be cruel but I'm not stupid. "

Fujiko let out a frustrated growl, " Bastard. "

" My mother always told me to do what I was good at, " Fabian chuckled. Fujiko heard the sound of a speaker cutting off and she knew that Fabian had been talking to her from somewhere else.

~So he thinks he's going to ride me like a pony, eh? ~ Fujiko seethed. ~I'll just have to give him the ride of his life… ~

**

Christophe pulled the boat up to an empty pier next to some larger boats and idled the engine. He turned to face Zenigata and Goemon, smiling. " Welcome to Gozo, Gentlemen. "

The two men climbed out of the boat and a horn honked. They looked around and saw a truck parked not too far away. The man inside waved but Goemon was a wary. " Who is he? " Zenigata called to Christophe.

" He's my brother! " Christophe yelled. " He'll take you the rest of the way! Good luck! "

Zenigata watched as Christophe backed the boat away and pointed it back towards Malta. " I hope this doesn't become a big mess, " Zenigata muttered.

" We'll have to make sure it doesn't, " Goemon started walking toward the truck. They reached the truck and Christophe's brother got out. He bore a family resemblance but looked a few years younger than the sailor.

" Hello! My brother told me all about you, Inspector! " The man grabbed Zenigata's hands. " Is it true you are going to find my beautiful Annalisa? "

" Well, we're going to do our best… Um, " Zenigata tried to recall if Christophe had mentioned his brother's name or not. He went with not. " I don't think I caught your name. "

" My name is Emmanuel but everyone calls me Manu, " Manu looked at Goemon. " Are you the one my brother said was scary? "

Goemon arched an eyebrow, " I assume he would say that. I did unnerve him a couple of times before I knew the situation. "

Manu let go of Zenigata, " Get in the back, gentlemen. I will take you to Marsalforn and you can get to the cave from there. "

" Isn't there room for at least one of us up front? " Zenigata looked in the truck and saw a small goat occupied the passenger seat. " Can't the goat go in the back? "

" Oh no. Calypso is my pet and she will not ride well in the back. I tried it once before but she climbed in through the back window, " Manu shook his head.

Zenigata glanced at the back window of the truck. " How? It's one solid piece of glass. "

" Calypso MADE a window and climbed in. She has a very hard head, " Manu explained. The goat bleated loudly in indignation as she stood to her feet and began kicking the interior of the truck violently.

" You call that a pet? " Zenigata took a step back as Manu turned to the truck. He said something to Calypso in Malti and she settled down.

" We'll sit in the back, " Goemon stated and walked to the side of the truck. " It seems it would not be wise to irritate a shrewish goat. "

" I'm with you on that one, " Zenigata said and walked to the bed of the truck. He waited for Goemon to jump in before getting in.

" The trip should take less than an hour, " Manu said then got into the cab of the truck and started the engine.

Zenigata waited until they were on the main road then looked at Goemon. " I'm going to take a little nap. Wake me up when we reach Marsalforn. "

" I will, " Goemon muttered. He was about to shut his eyes when he felt like someone was looking at him. He looked up and found that Calypso had her snout pressed against the window, her black shiny eyes fixed on him. He grimaced when she started to lick the glass and wondered just what was going through the little goat's mind.

Manu put his head out of the driver's side window, his broad grin visible in the wing mirror. " I think she likes you! " He shouted.

Goemon shook his head and shut his eyes. ~That's all I need… a goat with a crush on me. ~