Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ The Reunion, Step One ( Chapter 11 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. Lupin disguises Goemon so he can take Toshiko to see Zenigata and has Chamberlain's phone call traced.)

Part Eleven: The Reunion, Step One

" Oh come on, " Lupin smirked as Goemon stood in front of the mirror and frowned deeply. " I think you look great. "

Goemon was dressed in blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket with a flaming skull on the back. His hair had been brushed back and he sported a black leather bandana that covered the top of his head. On his hands, he wore fingerless riding gloves that were studded with pyramid studs. He lifted up his mirrored sunglasses and sneered, " I look like some sort of motorcycle punk. "

" Pops won't take it very well but you can't just show up as yourself, " Lupin said firmly. His expression softened a bit, " Do it for Toshiko. "

Jigen chuckled from where he sat on the edge of Lupin's bed; " Pops will probably still have a conniption when he sees his little girl with Spike. "

" Indeed. I would have a hysterical fit if my daughter showed up with something like this, " Goemon looked himself over in the mirror again.

" You don't have to worry about ever having one if you keep up this 'no sex' policy of yours, " Jigen said.

Goemon growled but said nothing in reply to Jigen's comment. Instead, he glared down at the heavy motorcycle boots Lupin had given him. He lifted one foot then the other and frowned, " I don't understand how anyone can walk in these. They feel strange. "

" You're just saying that because you're used to your sandals and lighter boots. You'll be okay in those, " Lupin shrugged. " Now, you do know how to ride a motorcycle right? "

" Yes… " Goemon turned his glare to Lupin. " Please put the sidecar on though. I would prefer Toshiko not to be on the bike with me. "

Lupin rolled his eyes, " Right. We'll have to go put that on. Is your driver's license current? "

" You mean I have to have a license to drive? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Oh damn… " Jigen muttered as he threw himself back in the bed. " I knew this plan was going to snag somewhere. "

Lupin shut his eyes, " Please at least tell me you aren't a reckless driver. "

" I am very careful, " Goemon acted insulted.

" Then we don't have to worry then, " Lupin smiled.

There was knock at Lupin's door. " Mr. Lupin? Is Mr. Goemon ready to go yet? "

" Yes, " Lupin called. " Come in, Toshiko. "

Goemon clenched his fists at his sides as Toshiko opened the door and stopped to stare at him. She blushed slightly before saying, " Wow! You look so… different. "

" That's the whole point of mastering the art of disguise, " Lupin beamed proudly. He looked at Toshiko and winked, " It means you can become anyone you want whenever you want. "

Toshiko moved forward slowly, " I just can't believe this. "

Goemon looked a little frightened, " Do you like it? "

" Oh yes, " Toshiko looked him over again. " You look great. "

" Really? " Goemon asked in a surprised tone.

" Yeah! " Toshiko nodded.

" Are you ready to go, Toshiko? " Lupin asked.

Toshiko looked at the floor, " I guess it's now or never. Which hospital is he in? "

" I looked at a map of the city and the closest one to the scene of the crime was St. Luke's International so I'm guessing he's there, " Lupin said.

Jigen stood up, " I'm going to make a call and find out for sure. "

" Okay. After you do that, I'm going to call my contact at the phone company and see if she can tell me where Chamberlain is. "

**

Zenigata looked out the window then at the ceiling and then at the floor. He was sluggish from the painkillers but he still felt like he was being useless just by laying in bed. The doctors told him he would be released in a day or so and would have to take a medical leave of absence from ICPO until he was released to go back to work. ~How will I survive six weeks minimum of doing nothing? ~ He thought when there was a knock at the door.

" Yes? " He called out.

The door opened and a young nurse poked her head in the door. " I'm sorry to bother you but there's a couple here to see you. "

" A couple? " Zenigata arched an eyebrow. He wondered if Toshi had come back with her current husband. He had heard that the man was very strict and had been hard on Toshiko from the few family friends he still kept in touch with.

" Yes, " The nurse looked uneasy. " It's a young woman and… well, a man. He looks a little unsavory. "

" Is it my wife again? " Zenigata asked. He really wanted to meet Toshi's new husband and see if he was as bad as what he had heard. If it were true, then he could understand why his daughter had moved out at such a young age.

" No. She says she wants to see you though. "

Zenigata was perplexed. If it wasn't his wife then he had no idea who would be coming by to see him. " Show her in then. "

" Yes sir, " The nurse ducked back out before pushing the door open. " You can go in, miss. "

Zenigata watched as a young woman dressed in well-worn jeans, a black sweater and black boots stepped into the room. A shock ran through him when he recognized some of his features as well as some of Toshi's in the teenager's face. " I must be dreaming… " He muttered. He frowned when a rough looking motorcycle thug followed the girl into the room, " Yep… it's the meds. "

" No, " The girl said quietly. " You aren't dreaming… Daddy. I'm really here. "

" Toshiko! " Zenigata gasped.

Toshiko nodded, " Yes. It's me. "

" Look how you've grown, " Zenigata's eyes were wide. " Come here and let me get better look at you! "

Toshiko hesitated but the motorcycle punk put a hand on her shoulder, " Go ahead. "

Toshiko looked at him, " Come with me. Stand behind me so I don't try to run. "

Zenigata looked at the man, " And just who are you? "

" Uh, " The man said then cleared his throat. " I'm Spike. I'm Toshiko's friend. "

" I see, " Zenigata narrowed his eyes. " What kind of friend are you, Spike? "

Spike acted offended by Zenigata's question but Toshiko stepped in, " He's a good friend. "

" Really now, " Zenigata arched an eyebrow. His suspicious expression told Toshiko just what kind of friend he thought Spike was.

" It's not like that, " Toshiko started but Spike gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

" He's just acting like any father would, " Spike sighed. He looked at Zenigata, " I know my appearance puts people off but let me assure you that I am nothing but her friend. "

" If you say so, " Zenigata muttered. He looked critically at Spike's sunglasses. " Could you take those off? I'm very suspicious of men who wear sunglasses indoors. "

Spike took of the glasses and perched them on top of his head. " Is this acceptable then? " He asked politely.

" That's better, " Zenigata thought there was something familiar about Spike. He wrote it off as his eyes were like those of a thief. He then refocused his attention Toshiko, " Your mother said you were missing. "

" Mama's been here? " Toshiko said as she moved closer to the bed.

" Yes. She's very worried, " Zenigata said in a serious tone. " She told me about the last time you disappeared. "

Toshiko looked down at the floor, " All I can say about that is the city looks very pretty from the top of Tokyo Tower. "

" You made it all the way to the top of the tower? " Zenigata was shocked. Spike seemed to be surprised at Toshiko's declaration as well.

" That's quite high, " Spike said.

" I didn't make it all the way but I was pretty far up there. I thought I told you about it, " Toshiko glared at Spike.

Spike looked down at floor, " I must have not been listening. "

Toshiko shrugged, " I can't remember if I told you or it was Keiko I told so don't worry about it. "

" Keiko? " Spike furrowed his brow.

" You know, " Toshiko said. " Keiko's the one with the red hair. "

Spike nodded, " Oh yeah. THAT Keiko. "

Zenigata thought it was odd that Spike seemed to be having trouble keeping his friends straight and wondered if he was on drugs. He looked at him again and realized what looked so familiar about him. He recognized the athletic warrior build from his many run-ins with Lupin's gang even though he had tried to disguise it by wearing normal clothes. " What are you trying to pull, Goemon? "

Spike took a sharp breath and looked at Zenigata. " What are you talking about? My name isn't… "

" Can it. You can tell Lupin he had me fooled for a few minutes but that was because of the medicine. Now, you stay right there while I call the police to arrest you. They may make you lead them to Lupin if I'm lucky, " Zenigata said. He reached for the phone then stopped short when Toshiko let out frustrated growl.

" Daddy! " She stomped her foot. " Is that all you can think about? I came here to see you for the first time in twelve years because you're hurt and all you can think of is arresting Mr. Lupin! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't even be here! "

" I guess I must give up this charade now you've said that, " Spike sighed and pulled off the sunglasses. He then took the bandana off before taking his hair out of the ponytail it had been tied back in, revealing himself as Goemon Ishikawa The Thirteenth. He shook his hair then smoothed it down with his hand.

" What are you talking about, Toshiko? " Zenigata said then looked at Goemon. " What is my daughter doing with Lupin and you? "

" She… " Goemon started but felt Toshiko grab his arm.

" Mr. Goemon… " Toshiko whispered. " Please don't tell him. "

" I must or he will not understand, " Goemon told her firmly. " Please let me tell him the truth. "

" I would love to hear it, " Zenigata narrowed his eyes at Goemon. " I really want to see if you are capable of telling the truth considering your line of work. "

" She is the one who contacted Lupin, " Goemon acted affronted again. He looked at Toshiko then at Zenigata, " She summoned him to an alley with the goal of shooting him in the head. "

" That can't be true, " Zenigata scoffed. " Toshiko, is that true? "

Toshiko tensed up and looked at Goemon, " Mr. Goemon… "

" Tell him, " Goemon instructed her. " He needs to know the truth. "

Toshiko shut her eyes, " It is. I wanted him dead because I thought it would bring you back to me. I was stopped though. Mr. Jigen shot the gun out of my hand, " She whispered.

" He didn't hurt you, did he? " Zenigata sat up straighter in the bed. He knew what a good shot Jigen was but he really didn't like the thought of a bullet passing that close to his daughter.

" No, " Toshiko shook her head. " It startled me though. "

" I'm glad to see you're okay. Your mother said you've been gone for almost a week. Have you been with them for the last five days? " Zenigata demanded.

Goemon put his hand on Toshiko's shoulder again; " She's been with us for the last two days. Before that, I am not certain but she looked bad when we brought her to Lupin's place. She was filthy and looked like she hadn't eaten in a few days. We cleaned her up and made her comfortable. "

Zenigata's face turned red with anger because he thought Goemon meant it had been Goemon, Jigen and Lupin who had taken care of her, " What do you mean by that? I swear, if any of you touched my baby girl… "

" No! A woman took care of the cleaning up part! " Toshiko said. " It was Fujiko that changed my clothes and all that. Mr. Goemon and Mr. Lupin just made sure I ate my meals. We even watched a James Bond movie together last night. "

" Which one? " Zenigata arched an eyebrow.

" The Man With The… " Toshiko started then looked at Goemon. She seemed not to remember the title.

" It was The Man With The Golden Gun, " Goemon interjected. " I wasn't too enthralled with it myself. I excuse myself after I realized how Bond retrieved the bullet he swallowed. "

" And what about Jigen? " Zenigata said. " I assume he was with you guys last night. "

" All night, " Goemon nodded. " Actually, he paid more attention to the movie than he paid to dinner. "

" I knew it, " Zenigata slammed his fist down on the bed. " Toshiko's mother argued with me this morning that I didn't know what I was talking about. "

" I know the newspaper says otherwise but it wasn't Jigen that shot you, " Goemon said. " He is very upset by their conclusion. "

" I know that it wasn't him, " Zenigata looked at Toshiko. She was gripping onto the side rail of the bed so tight her knuckles were white. " Toshiko, what's wrong? "

" I came here to talk to you, " Toshiko said. " I haven't seen you since I was four years old and you've been talking to Goemon more than you've been talking to me. All you care about is work! "

" I'm sorry, " Zenigata put his hand over Toshiko's. " Toshiko, I'm really happy to see you. I missed you so much. "

" I missed you too, " Toshiko started to shake. " I missed you so much but why do you have to talk about all that right now? Mama said that's all you care about… "

" It's my mission in life to put Lupin away, baby. It doesn't mean that I don't love you… I just have a job to do, " Zenigata said.

Toshiko pulled her hands from under her father's and threw her arms around Goemon. She held him tightly, " I want to go back home. "

" Toshiko, " Goemon whispered. He seemed uneasy with her clinging to him. He hesitantly put his arms around her and held her lightly. " Are you sure? "

" What do you mean? " Zenigata asked. " If you mean your apartment, I can call you later. I remember… "

" No! I don't mean my apartment, " Toshiko sobbed. " I mean the only place I've felt like I belonged in a long time. "

Goemon looked at Zenigata as they both realized what she was talking about. Zenigata reached for her, " Surely you don't mean… "

" Yes! I do! " Toshiko glared at her father. " They give a damn about me so I want to go back there. "

" But we've… " Goemon started then stopped. He didn't want to say anything about Chamberlain's new job or Fujiko being kidnapped.

Toshiko looked up at him, " I don't care. Take me home right now! "

Goemon took his arms from around her and she stepped back from him. " As you wish, " He sighed.

Zenigata watched as Goemon tied his hair back and put the bandana back on. He put the sunglasses back on as turned to leave then stopped when Zenigata said, " Hold on. "

Goemon glanced over his shoulder, " Yes? "

Zenigata looked at Toshiko, " Go into the hall for a moment. I need to speak to Goemon. "

Toshiko nodded, " Fine but don't take too long. I want to get back. "

Goemon watched as Toshiko slipped out the door then turned to face Zenigata. He arched an eyebrow, " What is it? "

Zenigata sighed, " Now… I don't know how to say this but I feel I can ask you for a favor. Even though you are an assassin and a thief, you seem like a halfway honorable man. "

" I like to believe I am a totally honorable man, " Goemon sounded a little put off by Zenigata's statement. " What do you want? "

" Make sure Toshiko stays out of trouble. She's only sixteen so she's still impressionable. Don't let Lupin try to sway her into his way of life, " Zenigata's tone was earnest. " I know I failed her as a father but I really do love her. "

Goemon nodded, " I sense that you do love her very much. I will protect her the best that I can, Inspector. "

**

Lupin sat at his desk, amusing himself by bouncing a pencil off of his blotter. He was waiting for his contact at the phone company to call him back. " You'll put your eye out if you keep doing that, " Jigen commented from the couch. He was working on a crossword puzzle to waste time.

" I've been doing this since I was four years old and I still have both my eyes, " Lupin replied.

Jigen was silent for a moment then said, " How do you think Toshiko's reunion with Pops is going? "

" I don't know, " Lupin sighed as he held the pencil in his hand.

" We need to start working on our plans. " Jigen said.

" I know but we can't do that without Goemon and we need Chamberlain's location, " Lupin gripped the pencil tightly. " When I think about what he was doing to Fujiko… "

Jigen heard the pencil snap in half. " Settle down. She's probably blocking it out and plotting his ultimate demise. You know how she is. "

" Yes but that doesn't make it any better, " Lupin shut his eyes. " No woman should be treated like that. "

" I agree with you, " Jigen said. He then added, " Not even slutty little cock teases deserve that kind of treatment. "

" Jigen! " Lupin growled and flung an ashtray at him.

Jigen dodged the object and put down the crossword puzzle. " I just call them as I see them, man. What did you want me to say? Would have preferred 'shallow materialistic whores'? "

" Look, " Lupin stood up and pointed at Jigen. " Right now, she's a damsel in distress. None of that other shit applies. "

Jigen shrugged, " If you say so. "

" Damn. What did she do to you anyway? " Lupin plopped back down in his chair.

" I'd tell you but I don't feel like repeating myself, " Jigen said.

" Was it one thing in particular or was it just a build up of things? " Lupin crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his desk chair. " You know you can tell me. I won't tell her you said anything. "

Jigen sighed and pulled out a cigarette, " It's not her per se but women like her. They're all the same in my book. "

" Please continue, " Lupin said as Jigen lit his cigarette. " I'm listening. "

" I've been with enough dames to know trouble walking and she's it. I mean, what kind of woman invites a guy to her ex-boyfriend's place to screw around? That takes one cold bitch. I know you love her and all but haven't you even entertained the thought that she might not love you at all? "

" She loves me, " Lupin said. " She's just doesn't know how to tell me. "

" I supposed that's why she's always hanging around and causing shit? " Jigen arched an eyebrow. " Women like her use one tactic and that called 'distract and attack'. They use their nice tits and cute little ass to distract you then they attack the thing you were after. "

" You're too uptight and narrow minded. You know Fujiko can be a nice girl when she wants to be, " Lupin sighed. " I've met worse vamps than her. "

Jigen took a long drag off of his cigarette then sighed. " You really want to know why women like her rub me the wrong way? "

" Because you're gay? " Lupin said with a dead serious look on his face. " I mean, that would explain a lot… "

" NO! " Jigen shouted. " I like women but I don't like the kind of women like Fujiko. Do you know why I wear this beard? "

Lupin thought about it, " Not really. I figured you liked it. "

" I wish that were the case, " Jigen muttered. " Not that I don't like it but there is a reason. Her name is Theresa and I'll never forget it for as long as I live. "

Lupin furrowed his brow, " Do tell. What did Miss Theresa do to you? "

" I got lured in. She had it all. She had long black hair, big hazel eyes and these long legs that didn't seem to end. She even had bigger tits than Fujiko if you could believe it; " Jigen said and took another drag off of his cigarette.

" Bigger? " Lupin put his hands out and tried to imagine a woman having bigger breasts than Fujiko. " Holy crap… how was she able to stand upright? "

" Gravity is a mysterious thing, " Jigen exhaled the smoke. " Anyway, she was dancing at this fancy strip club when I saw her the first time. "

" I never knew you liked those kind of places, Jigen. "

" A guy took me there for my twenty-first birthday, " Jigen shrugged. " Anyway, she saw me and slipped me a note to meet her after the place closed. My buddies were telling me to go so I thought there would be no harm in it. I figured I'd be getting laid in her dressing room and I'd never see her again. "

" Did you get laid? " Lupin asked.

" Did I ever. I lost count after the third time we did it. It was well past noon before I finally left, " Jigen shook his head. " I thought it was the best birthday present a guy could get at the time. "

" Did you ever see her again? " Lupin asked.

" Fuck yes. Damn, I was with that woman for almost year and probably two thirds of it was spent in bed, " Jigen said. " We fucked like weasels. "

" Good God man! " Lupin exclaimed. " You've got to be shitting me. "

" Nope. I shit you not, " Jigen shook his head. " She was insatiable in bed. I thought I hit the jackpot with her. We'd do it anywhere we thought we wouldn't get caught. "

Lupin whistled, " So she was horny and adventurous. That's a great combination. "

" It's an explosive one though, " Jigen shut his eyes. " God, was it ever a dangerous combination. It all blew up one night. "

" Do you mean 'ka-pow' blew up? " Lupin arched an eyebrow.

" It was more like a 'ka-fucking-boom' and I was the fallout, " Jigen sighed.

Lupin could tell it was getting tough for Jigen. " You don't have to tell me the rest of the story right now if you don't want to. "

" I want to, " Jigen put his hand up. " You asked so I need to answer you. "

" Okay but you can stop if you get uncomfortable, " Lupin put his hands up.

" I'll finish telling you. On what was supposed to be our one-year anniversary, she told me it was over. As it turned out, she was married to this high-roller mob boss and she was just using me to get her rocks off. Her exact words were, 'All I wanted to do was screw you until I got tired of you. Sorry, I'm tired of you.' "

" Ouch. Burn. "

" You're telling me. She sucked me dry in every imaginable way and then told me she was just using me because she had been bored. I was broke because I spent every dime on her and she never said 'thank you' once, " Jigen shook his head. " I was so blind back then and she took advantage of it. "

" But what does the beard have to do with it? " Lupin said. " Did you grow it so she wouldn't recognize you? "

" No. It's because of what happened after she broke up with me, " Jigen pointed to his jaw. " The bouncers at the club beat the living shit out of me. My jaw was broken in three places and was wired back together. "

" Wasn't that a bit extreme? " Lupin inquired.

" I went a little crazy after she told me it was over. I broke some stuff and got in her face. I guess I deserved it because I slammed her into the wall a couple of times, " Jigen took a drag off his cigarette. " Supposedly, I knocked a few things off the wall in the next room when I did it… like her mirror and a few wall decorations. "

" I see, " Lupin nodded. " I thought you didn't like being violent towards women. "

" I don't but I just lost it and went into a blind rage. I couldn't control my temper back then but I learned humility after losing a pint of blood in the alley behind that club. "

" Damn. I guess you would learn humbleness after that. So, what happened after those guys kicked your ass? " Lupin asked.

Jigen made and arc around his jaw with his finger, " The doctors had to cut me open all the way around to get to my jaw because it was so fucked up. I can't remember how many stitches there were but I know it was a lot. I just know I woke up crying because it hurt so terribly even with the pain meds. "

" I suppose that you couldn't shave with all those stitches, " Lupin said.

" You got it. It was the first time I had ever had a beard and I liked the way I looked with it, " Jigen nodded. " I thought I looked pretty good. "

" I guess your mouth had to be wired shut as well? " Lupin arched an eyebrow.

" Yeah, " Jigen nodded. " All I could do was smoke and drink until my jaw was healed. You should have seen me. I could turn sideways and disappear. "

" I guess I can see why you hate vampy women now, " Lupin sighed.

" It can turn a guy against those kinds of chicks, " Jigen chuckled. " I learned my lesson the hard way and I don't want you to do the same. I'm just looking out for you, buddy. "

" Fujiko isn't Theresa though. You don't have to be so mean to her you know. She does some stuff that is a little cutthroat but she really is a nice girl somewhere deep down inside. She's not some bored wife looking for a thrill. "

" I know but when she does things like stab us in the back, it makes me remember the hell I went through because I thought I loved Theresa and I don't want it to happen to you. The only thing that's different is that the shit Fujiko does is more dangerous than the missions Theresa set me out on, " Jigen said.

" I can handle her, " Lupin waved his hand. " Playing with Fujiko is my favorite game. I love the challenge of out-smarting her. "

" Yeah, whatever. A dog can out-smart Fujiko on a good day. "

" Hey, " Lupin pointed at Jigen again. " I'd say shagging a mob boss' wife is a whole hell of a lot of dangerous that messing with Fujiko and her mind. How did you keep from getting killed? "

" He didn't care. She was busy and it kept her out of the bad toupee he called hair. From what I understood, they were fighting at the time and were considering divorce but then they made up. I don't even think the guy knew someone else was boning his wife, " Jigen shrugged.

" Would you still have boned her if you knew she was married? " Lupin got a cigarette out of a case on the desk.

" Probably, " Jigen smirked. " I was young and stupid. "

" We all are at one point or another, " Lupin muttered as he lit his cigarette. He took a long drag then exhaled it. " I just can't imagine you being young. "

" Shut up! " Jigen threw one of the throw pillows at Lupin's head. Lupin dodged and stuck his tongue out. Jigen rolled his eyes, " Oh well. I can't imagine you ever being mature so I guess we're even. "

" Shhh, " Lupin waved his hand. " I hear the motorcycle. Goemon and Toshiko are back. "

" Want me to go out and meet them? " Jigen asked.

" Nah. Wait until they come in, " Lupin pointed at the phone. " I'm still waiting for that call and I want you to be here when I get it. "

" Why? " Jigen tilted his hat back and gave Lupin a wary look.

" You'll see, " Lupin said with a smirk.

**

Toshiko took off her helmet and handed it to Goemon after he had taken his off. She sat in the sidecar while he dismounted the bike. He thought she wasn't feeling good and walked around to her. " I'm sorry that didn't go very well. "

" What did he ask you? " Toshiko looked up at Goemon.

" What? " Goemon replied.

" When he sent me out of the room, " Toshiko said then repeated, " What did he ask you? "

Goemon's shoulders slumped slightly, " He asked me to keep an eye on you and make sure you stay out of harm's way. He cares about you and he asked me to keep you safe. "

" To keep me safe, " Toshiko whispered.

Goemon knelt down, setting the helmets on the ground. " Toshiko, I know it isn't my place but I believe your father really does love you and regrets having to leave you behind. "

" How do you know that? " Toshiko asked as she clasped her hands in her lap. She shut her eyes, " It's been twelve years and all he's ever managed to do is sent me cards for my birthday with money inside and pictures of the latest place he's chased you guys through. "

" Does he ever write anything in the cards? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Five words, " Toshiko sounded like she was going to cry again.

" Five words? " Goemon repeated.

" 'Happy Birthday' and… " Toshiko's voice trailed off as she started to sob.

Goemon reached over and patted the girl on the back. His only saving grace was the fact she was still a child in his eyes. He was nervous as hell being so close to her but he would not allow himself to think of her impurely. He found her attractive and was certain she would grow up to be quite a beautiful woman.

" It's okay, " He said quietly. " I think I understand. "

" How can you? " Toshiko glared at him with tear filled eyes. " You grew up with a father and mother! "

There was a long silence as Goemon stared at Toshiko. She stared back, her face wet with tears and her cheeks blotchy from all the crying she had done. The silence surrounded them, the only audible noises coming from the rustling of the trees and some bird singing. Finally, Goemon spoke, shattering the quiet.

" I believe I never told you that. I have never told anyone this actually, " Goemon shut his eyes as he spoke in a low whisper. " My mother and father died when I was just an infant. My grandmother raised me until she died when I was seven and then my uncle took over. I never knew my parents except from dusty old photo albums and my grandmother's stories of them. "

" Oh my, " Toshiko put a hand over her mouth. " After all of that about it being important to have both of your parents I thought… "

" Yes and I would have cleared that up if Lupin hadn't come in, " Goemon muttered. " You are lucky because you still have your parents and you should cherish them for I never got the chance to do so with mine. "

" Mr. Goemon, " Toshiko whispered as she turned and threw her arms around his shoulders. " I'm so sorry. "

" Please, " He slipped his arms around her. " Just call me Goemon. "

" Okay, " She sobbed into the shoulder she had her face pressed against.

**

" Damn, what's taking them so long? " Jigen looked at the door after a considerable amount of time passed since the motorcycle's engine had stopped.

" Maybe he took her to the old lady's house to show her the fish, " Lupin shrugged.

Jigen chuckled, " Not in those boots. He nearly tumbled down the stairs remember? I can see him falling flat on his face out there in the woods wearing those things. "

" That would really hurt his warrior's pride if he fell like that in front of a woman, " Lupin chuckled as the phone rang. " Murasaki's Chicken Ranch… We Have The Chick For You. "

Jigen nearly fell in the floor. He wondered where Lupin got most of his phrases he used to answer the phone but something in the back of his mind told him he was better off not knowing at all. " That was a good one, " He laughed.

" Hey Kaoruko, " Lupin said. " Why yes, he is here. I'll let him know that. "

Jigen stopped laughing abruptly, " Please tell me it's not the Kaoruko I think it is. "

" Oh yeah, " Lupin grinned evilly. " She wants to know if you can go out on Saturday night. "

" Tell her I'm hanging myself, " Jigen muttered and stood up. " I'm going to go look for Goemon and Toshiko. "

" No Kaoruko. Jigen said he's going to be tied up on Saturday. You know you aren't his type, " Lupin said to the woman on the phone.

" Dames that break bed frames just aren't up my alley, " Jigen added. " Tell her to lay off the Oreos and lose a hundred pound then get back to me. "

Lupin laughed as Jigen walked out the door. He could still hear Lupin sweet talking Kaoruko as he went to the front door and opened it. He had to stop for a second and blink. In front of him was Goemon hugging Toshiko as she sat in the sidecar of the motorcycle.

He frowned deeply. Goemon normally didn't get so close to women save for Fujiko when she needed to be restrained. He wondered how long they had been hugging and hoped that it was just a friendly embrace or he'd have to keep an eye on Goemon as well. ~He's got to get out more… being around Fujiko's fried his logic circuits. ~

" So how did it go? " Jigen called once he decided the scene in front of him had gone on long enough. He startled both Goemon and Toshiko for they quickly stopped hugging.

Goemon stood up, " I would venture to say that it went as well as expected. "

" Was it that bad? " Jigen walked to the front steps.

" It will be a slow process, " Goemon said solemnly then turned to offer a hand to Toshiko. " Would you like to go inside? "

" What are you going to do? " Toshiko looked up at Goemon.

" I have to go home and feed the koi once I get out of this get-up. Why do you ask? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Could I go with you? " Toshiko's voice was tinged with hope. " I would like to see the fish. I really like goldfish. "

" I don't see what it would hurt, " Goemon replied. " I could make some tea perhaps and we can watch the fish as they eat. I find it calming. "

Toshiko nodded, " I would like that very much. "

" Come inside and I will take you over as soon as I change, " Goemon said as she took his hand and he helped her out of the sidecar.

Toshiko walked up the steps and went inside but Jigen stopped Goemon as he followed. " No. We need to talk, " Jigen muttered.

" About what? " Goemon said sharply.

" What's going on here? " Jigen motioned.

" Goemon? " Toshiko poked her head back outside. She looked at Jigen and blushed. She looked at Goemon again. " Is something wrong? "

" Everything is fine. Why don't you get a snack or a drink? " Goemon suggested.

Toshiko nodded, " Okay. I am a little hungry. "

When she left, Jigen walked over and shut the front door. " Now. What's up with that little scene I walked out on? "

" Nothing, " Goemon said firmly.

" When I said you needed to get laid, I didn't mean for you to go after Zenigata's daughter. "

Goemon's eyes went wide, " I would never so such a thing. She is just a child. "

" Whoa. Did she tell you how old she was? " Jigen asked. " Lupin and I aren't sure. "

" Inspector Zenigata told me her age. She is sixteen, " Goemon replied.

" I figured she wasn't much older than that, " Jigen sighed. " I think Lupin likes her. I found him and her in the bathroom together this morning and it looked like they were about to kiss. "

Goemon became angry, " That bastard! "

" He said he didn't know it was her in the shower. He thought I was in there but something made him decide to take a peek in, " Jigen put a hand up. " I don't know what it was but he ended up getting a shampoo bottle right between the eyes. "

" He looked in on her in the shower? " Goemon said in disbelief. " I knew Lupin was lecherous but… "

" Settle down. I don't think he saw anything. She's got some reflexes on her if she was able to bean him with that bottle, " Jigen stopped and tilted his hat back. He narrowed his eyes at Goemon. " You seem a little jealous. "

" I'm not jealous, " Goemon said. " Inspector Zenigata asked me to watch over her. It is my duty as a samurai to honor a father's request to protect his daughter. "

" Oh, " Jigen chuckled. " They must have him on some pretty strong pain meds if he asked you to keep an eye on her. I figured he'd go ballistic when he found out where she's been staying these last two days. "

" He wasn't happy but he can't do much about it. I believe he feels he can trust me the most though. She told him that she wants to stay here with us because she feels she belongs here, " Goemon explained. He looked towards the driveway, " She even called this her home. "

" What? She's only been here for two days so how could it be her home? " Jigen shut his eyes as he sat down on the porch swing. " I hope she isn't going to be a problem. The way she's been looking at Lupin and the way he's been looking at her makes me think there's going to be trouble if we aren't on his ass about keeping his pants up. "

" She will not be and Lupin will do nothing to her, " Goemon said with an air of certainty. " Perhaps she will feed the fish while we are going after Chamberlain and take care of the house until we come back. She has no place else she wants to go right now. "

" True. Hey, let's go in. Lupin just got a call from his contact at the phone company. Kaoruko was tracing that call from Chamberlain, " Jigen jerked his thumb over his shoulder.

" I see. Do you think Lupin knows there's a chance the location he called from might actually be a trap? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" I'll suggest it to him, " Jigen said as he got a cigarette out. " Either that or Chamberlain's a big fucking idiot for calling us from his actual location. "

" Let's just hope it is the second of the two. It is much easier to deal with fools than madmen. "

" You can say that again, " Jigen muttered and stood up. " Let's go in. "