Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ Going Home ( Chapter 35 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine.  Jigen gets Toshiko's stuff and Fujiko tries to apologize to Goemon.)

Part Thirty-Five: Going Home

" Is this the place babe? " Jigen looked over his shoulder at Toshiko as Lupin stopped the car in front of a large apartment building.  She was sitting in the back of the Fiat although she had clung to the back of the front seat for the whole ride from Yokohama.

" Yeah, " Toshiko said as a little bit of fear crept into her eyes.  " It's apartment 614.  Please be careful.  Katsuki might be home. "

Jigen leaned over to Toshiko and kissed her cheek.  " Don't worry babe.  I'll teach him some humility if he is and tries anything. "

" I'll go if you need back up, " Lupin said.

Jigen looked at Lupin, " I think I can handle him. "

" How old is he anyway? " Lupin glanced at Toshiko.

" He turned twenty right before I left, " Toshiko muttered.

Jigen sighed, " Oh well.  At least I won't be beating the shit out of a kid. "

" Go get him tiger, " Lupin patted Jigen on the shoulder.  " I'll keep Toshiko safe. "

Jigen got out of the car and walked into the building.  He walked to the elevator and pressed the 'up' button, waiting as the elevator come down.  The doors slid open and he stepped inside.  He pushed the button for the floor he wanted and told himself to stay calm.

~The guy might not even be there, ~ He told himself.  ~The girl might be home and I have no bone to pick with her. ~

The bell rang and the doors slid open.  Jigen stepped off the elevator then started looking for the apartment.  He found it quickly and knocked on the door.  A few moments later, he heard someone unlocking the door.

The door swung open and he grimaced as a thick cloud of marijuana smoke poured out into the hallway.  The man that answered the door stood there with a joint dangling from his lips and narrowed his eyes at Jigen.  " What the fuck do you want? " He muttered around the joint.

" I've come to pick up some stuff that belongs to Toshiko, " Jigen said as he tried to remain calm.  Katsuki was about his height with stringy black hair that was in serious need of washing.  He was about average looking, neither handsome nor ugly and wore nothing except for a pair of grimy jeans.  He looked to be physically fit but not stronger than Jigen.

" Has that little bitch surfaced finally? " Katsuki asked after taking the joint from his lips. 

" Yes.  What do you ask? " Jigen arched an eyebrow.  He had been disgusted when Toshiko told him about what he had done but was even now more repulsed at the thought.  Katsuki looked liked he hadn't showered in a week or longer.

" She stole my stash when she left and I had to go score some more weed only a day after I bought that batch.  She owes my five joints man, " Katsuki put the joint back in his lips.

Jigen arched an eyebrow, unaware that Toshiko even smoked pot.  He put his hand up, " I don't care about that.  I want her stuff so I can get out of here before I get a contact high. "

" Who the fuck are you anyway man? " Katsuki looked Jigen over.

" It's not any of your business, " Jigen said stiffly. 

" Then be a friend and tell her to get ass on home.  Her share of the rent is due and I'm getting lonely, " Katsuki took the joint out of his mouth and flicked some ashes off.

" You'll have to come up with the rent on your own because she isn't coming back, " Jigen said sharply.  " As for being lonely, you'll just have to take care of that on your own.  I'm pretty sure you're used to doing that anyway. "

Katsuki arched an eyebrow slowly, " That little bitch doesn't have any place to go so how can you say she isn't coming back? "

" Because she isn't, " Jigen was starting to get mad.  " She does have some place to go and she will never set foot in this place again. "

Katsuki stepped aside, " Fine then.  Go get her shit.  I don't give a damn anyway.  It's not like you give damn about her either. "

Jigen narrowed his eyes, " I do too give a damn about her. "

" Whatever, " Katsuki said.  " I'm starting to think she'd be better off dead.  That stupid little bitch was never going to amount to anything anyway. "

" Look, " Jigen growled.  " You better keep your mouth shut.  I know what you did to her and it's all I can do not to strangle you here and now. "

Katsuki laughed, " Damn she's got a big mouth.  What did she say?  Did you convince you I forced her to do it? "

" That's the story I heard, " Jigen said sharply.  " You don't look like her type. "

" Her type is any guy with a hard cock, " Katsuki scoffed.  " That bitch is like a wading pool.  She's shallow and full of piss. "

Jigen clenched his fists at his sides, " Shut up before I shut you up. "

" I guess I'm getting nowhere with you, " Katsuki shrugged.  " Go get her stuff and get out of here. "

Jigen put a fist in Katsuki's face, " You're just pissed off because she wouldn't fuck you. "

Katsuki grinned, " Who said I didn't? "

Jigen wanted to wipe Katsuki's grin off of his face with a knuckle sandwich but he was struggling to control himself.  " Then you must have the smallest dick in the world because she was still a virgin when I got a hold of her.  I changed that though. "

" Whoa.  You mean you aren't her dad? " Katsuki looked confused.  " I thought you were… "

" No.  I'm not.  I'm her boyfriend, " Jigen said the words without thinking.  He was glad that Toshiko hadn't heard him say it though.  He wasn't really for sure what to call what they had.

" Holy shit!  You're too fucking old to be fucking her! " Katsuki said in disgust.  " Do you have some sort of Lolita complex? "

" No but I at least have the couth to treat her like a lady and not a piece of meat, " Jigen countered.  " You have a long way to go before you're worthy to even ask her the time of day, pal. "

Katsuki scoffed, " She's a sixteen year old!  She's not a lady!  She's a little girl! "

" You wouldn't know a lady if she bit you on the ass, " Jigen growled.

" Neither would you or you wouldn't be fucking her! " Katsuki retorted.  " I'm better than you because I don't need to fuck little girls to get my rocks off. "

" I'm not the one who's so hard up for a lay I had to force her to go down on me, " Jigen sneered.  " Damn.  I wonder how the hell she kept from passing out cause I'm having a hard time tolerating your fucking stench from here.  I can see why she puked afterwards. "

Katsuki became extremely angered by Jigen's comment and took a swing at him.  Jigen quickly countered and landed a right hook on Katsuki's chin.  The younger man flew sideways from the force behind the swing and hit the wall.  The impact of the hit knocked him out cold and he fell to the floor in a heap.

" Asshole, " Jigen said then spit on him before going to Toshiko's room.  She had told him which one it had been and he found the door was locked.  ~She must have locked it when she ran away, ~ He though as he readied himself to kick it in.  He kicked it once, the door flying open.

He walked in and frowned, finding her room looked like a war zone.  Clothes were pitched everywhere in a way he could barely make out furniture under the piles.  He had to get his handkerchief out and use it to breathe through because it smelled like something had died.  He waded through the mess and found her closet, opening it.

He grabbed up a suitcase and threw it on the bed or what he could find of it then set out to find the things Toshiko had requested.  He rummaged through her stuff, putting each thing in the suitcase as he found it.  As he went about his business, he found what smelled so foul.  Apparently the incident with Katsuki had occurred in her room and no one had been able to clean it up because of the locked door.

He sighed in relief when he found the last thing she had wanted to retrieve and shut the suitcase.  He left the room, finding Katsuki was still passed out in the entryway.  He walked past him, fighting the urge to get in one last kick and headed for the elevators.  He went back downstairs and outside, getting into the Fiat.

Toshiko looked like she had been worried.  " Was he there? " She asked.

" Yeah.  He started talking shit about you so I punched his lights out.  He won't be waking up for a while.  He said that you owe him five joints, " Jigen cut his eyes towards her.  " Babe, what's the story behind that? "

Toshiko looked down at the seat; " I was selling them for food money.  I never smoked one. "

" So that's why there was one in your coat, " Lupin said.  " I was worried. "

" Anyway, " Jigen looked at the suitcase.  " I found everything you wanted. "

" Thanks, " Toshiko leaned over the seat and kissed him on the cheek.  She pulled back, " Did he ask you who you were? "

Jigen sighed, " He thought I was your father.  I set him straight though.  I told him I was… a friend. "

" I don't know about you two but I'm ready to go home, " Lupin interjected.

Jigen and Toshiko looked at each other then nodded.  " That sounds good, " Toshiko said.

" Yeah, " Jigen added.

**

Fujiko stood outside of Goemon's door, wondering how wise it would be to go into his room.  She was having visions of him cutting her into tiny pieces for her transgression.  ~If only I had read that letter completely before I went downstairs to him, ~ She thought regretfully.  ~I have to apologize.  There's no way around it at all. ~

She took a deep breath, pushing back her cowardice as she reached for the doorknob.  She turned it slowly as she eased the door open.  She glanced into the room, finding Goemon was sitting up on the bed with his back to the door.  She slipped into the room, shutting the door behind her before creeping towards the bed.

" Get out, " Goemon muttered lowly as she neared the edge of the bed.  " Have you not done enough damage for one day?  Have you not done enough damage for a lifetime for that matter? "

" Goemon, " Fujiko whispered as she stood behind him.  " I'm so sorry.  I should have read the letter all the way through… "

" You should not have read the letter at all, " Goemon did not look at her.  " It is my private property and you had no right to it. "

Fujiko clasped her hands in front of her, pressing her thumbs against her lips as she thought of something to say to comfort him.  Midori had meant quite a bit to Goemon that much was obvious.  She realized that Goemon had kept her death to himself and never let on there was anything wrong.  ~He must be dying with grief on the inside.  Maybe if we talk about her… ~ She thought but stopped when he spoke again.

" Why are you still here?  I told you to leave, " Goemon turned his head just slightly.

" Goemon, " Fujiko replied.  " Don't you think you would feel much better if you talked about this?  We all care and would have listened to you when it happened.  I'll listen to you now if you want me to. "

Goemon was silent for a long time then clenched Zantetsuken tighter in his hand.  Fujiko prepared to bolt from the room but he slumped his shoulders instead of attacking her.  " If you speak one word of this to Lupin, I will kill you. "

" Fair enough, " Fujiko sighed as she climbed onto the bed behind him.  She sat sideways behind him, resting the side of her face on his back as she wrapped her arms around his waist.  He took a sharp breath but didn't move to get her off of him.  " Talk.  Relax and let it all go. "

Goemon sighed, " The way she started that letter I thought perhaps she was still fond of me and wanted to be with me again.  I cannot describe what it was like with her but it was exciting.  I thought we could recapture that feeling again but when I saw why she had written me, I felt like my world was going to end. "

" It sounded that way to me, " Fujiko said against his back.  " It sounds like you were still very fond of her as well. "

" The things I learned that summer endeared me to her forever, " Goemon slipped his left hand over Fujiko's.  " She trusted me so. It seemed like I could do anything to her because of that trust.  I have never been trusted so whole-heartedly since. "

" Someone like that is one in a million, " Fujiko murmured.  " We always seem to let the good ones go for some reason or another. "

" And then fate has its twisted way.  Sometimes it moves your path so it crosses theirs again or so you're further away.  I wish fate had been more kind towards Midori but there is not a thing I can do about it now, " Goemon replied.  " I feel I must not let myself obsess over her though. "

" It's okay to grieve for her, Goemon.  Take your time to get over it.  It's one of those things you just can't rush, " Fujiko tightened her arms around his waist slightly.

" My grief is not only for her but the baby.  I never knew she had it until I read that letter.  To find out such a thing so many years later… " Goemon's voice trailed off.

" I guess she didn't want to burden you with that.  Maybe she thought it would ruin your training and she didn't want to do that to you, " Fujiko reasoned.

" Perhaps but I would have liked to have known sooner… just to know, " Goemon shook his head.  " It was my child too. "

" Yes but there's nothing you can do about it now.  You just need to move on and find someone else who can trust you just as much as she did, " Fujiko whispered.

Goemon heaved a sigh, " But what if I do not find someone like that again? "

" You'll find someone some day, " Fujiko sighed.  " One day, you'll turn around and she'll be there.  She'll be someone you know will always love you no matter what you do or how much you mess up.  Her arms will always be open to hold you and make the world vanish. "

" Are you implying something? " Goemon tightened his grip on Fujiko's hand.

Fujiko thought about it for a moment then shut her eyes.  " I'm not talking about me you silly idiot.  I've already got someone like that… " Fujiko's voice trailed off.  She sighed, " If I can find someone then you can find someone.  That's what I'm saying. "

" I see.  So you are aware of Lupin's blind love for you, " Goemon muttered.

Fujiko scoffed, " Yeah although it seems there's a lot of lust mixed up in there too. "

Goemon pulled Fujiko's arms away from him and turned to face her.  " I know that we have had our problems in the past and we probably will continue to lock horns considering your nature but I am moved to say that you can be my best friend sometimes.  I will not overlook the fact you were being nosy and should not have been in my things though you were correct in assuming that talking about Midori's death would make me feel a little better. "

" I shouldn't have but how would you have been able to talk to someone about it if I didn't? " Fujiko arched an eyebrow.

Goemon narrowed his eyes, " Stop making sense.  It makes it harder to be mad at you. "

" You are such a obstinate jerk sometimes, " Fujiko said with a tiny smile.

Goemon brought a hand up and brushed Fujiko's bangs aside before kissing her lightly on the forehead.  " I find you quite stubborn as well. "

Fujiko shook her head, " We're two badgers from the same hole I guess. "

Goemon looked towards the window when he heard the sound of car doors slamming.  " I believe they are back. "

" They are? " Fujiko looked towards the window as well.  She glanced at the clock, " They're a little later than I expected them to be. "

" Perhaps they had something to do before coming back, " Goemon said.  " Let us leave this compromising position before we give Lupin something more to blackmail us with. "

**

Jigen stared at the house with apprehension.  Even thought he knew that Lupin told Fujiko and Goemon not to bug him he knew they would all the same.  He glanced at Toshiko, noticing she had a different look about her.  She didn't look so much like a young girl but more like a fledgling woman getting ready to take her first steps as such. 

She looked at him, a bit of worry in her eyes.  She moved closer to him and he put an arm around her shoulders.  She bit her lip then glanced at the ground.  " Do you think they'll be able to tell? "

" Who cares if they do babe? " Jigen gave her a squeeze.  " It's none of their business. "

Lupin looked at them, " Ready? "

Jigen nodded, " Might as well. "

They walked towards the house and the front door swung open.  Goemon stepped out onto the porch, casting a critical gaze towards Jigen then at Toshiko.  He narrowed his eyes as he stepped down to the drive.  He approached Jigen but Lupin stepped in, holding the keys for the Fiat out.

" Goemon, could you be a dear and unload the car?  I have to talk to Jigen in the office. "

Goemon growled and snatched the keys away, walking towards the car.  Jigen arched an eyebrow, " What have I done now Mr. Principal sir? "

" Very funny, " Lupin sneered.  " You know. "

" What about me? " Toshiko looked confused.

" Go get a snack from the kitchen, " Lupin patted her on the shoulder.  " We won't take long.  If Fujiko asks you anything just answer 'forty-two', 'potato' or 'a big fish' and she'll give up. "

Toshiko didn't quite understand but nodded, " Okay. "

Jigen watched as she scampered out ahead of them and into the house.  Lupin and he took their time though as he wondered what Lupin had to say to him.  They made it into the house and went to the office.  Jigen sat sown on the couch as Lupin shut and locked the door.

" What's up? " Jigen asked as he took a cigarette from his jacket.

" Daisuke Jigen, " Lupin started.  " I honestly don't know what to say to you. "

" You're disappointed in me? " Jigen asked as he lit the cigarette.  " You can say that.  You won't be the first to. "

Lupin shook his head, " No.  I'm just surprised.  For someone who didn't even want to bring that girl back here with us you've sure taken to her. "

Jigen shrugged, " If you're going to ask me how it happened I can't tell you.  I'm still trying to figure that one out.  I didn't even pay that much attention to her until she climbed up that tree. "

" I figured since you were the least interested you were the best choice to protect her, " Lupin walked across the room and leaned against the desk.  " I knew I couldn't trust myself and you know Goemon can be full of surprises but I thought you'd be more responsible. "

" I was responsible, " Jigen pointed out.  " I wore a condom both times. "

Lupin sighed, " I'll give you two points for responsibility then.  I hope you considered the emotional impact on her. "

" I did.  I even warned her she'd have some complicated emotions but she said she could handle it, " Jigen took off his fedora and ran a hand through his hair.  He sighed, " She was persistent and I… "

" You wanted her too, " Lupin finished his sentence.

" Yeah, " Jigen looked at the floor.  " I don't know how it all happened so fast.  If you had told me all this shit was going to happen a week ago, I would have laughed. "

Lupin shut his eyes, " I probably would have too. "

" Now I have to figure out how I'm going to deal with this, " Jigen shook his head.

" You've got until I go get her mother I guess, " Lupin muttered.

" How is she anyway? " Jigen put his fedora back on.

" She's a nervous wreck over Toshiko and wants her home as soon as possible, " Lupin muttered.  " I want her to know she's okay. "

Jigen narrowed his eyes, " How soon is 'as soon as possible'? "

Lupin opened his eyes and looked at Jigen, " Do you want another day with her? "

" It'll be kind of hard on her to leave so soon, " Jigen shook his head.  " She might not want to leave so quickly. "

Lupin walked over to Jigen and put a hand on his shoulder, " You don't want to let her go just yet do you? "

Jigen sighed, " You can tell can't you? "

" I'm your best friend, " Lupin smiled.  " I can see these things.  I want you to tell her that she'll be going home soon.  I think she'll take it better from you. "

" If I can get the courage up to tell her, " Jigen glanced towards the door. 

" Why don't you do it now and be straight with her about it? " Lupin offered.  " This is one of those things that's better handled in a straightforward manner. "

" Yeah.  I'll go do it now or I may chicken out, " Jigen sighed.  " She'll cry you know. "

" I know, " Lupin nodded.

Jigen glanced at the door, " You coming with me? "

" If you need me, " Lupin said.

" Yeah.  I need you to make sure I don't bolt and run. "

**

Fujiko and Goemon stood on either side of Toshiko, watching as she nervously nibbled at one of the cookies she had gotten to snack on.  She finally glanced up at them, " Is something wrong? " She asked timidly.

" Nothing, " Fujiko glanced at Goemon and nodded. 

Goemon frowned and shook his head.  " Nothing at all, " Goemon muttered.

Toshiko set the cookie she had in her hand down, " If you say so but then why are you two standing over me like this? "

Fujiko chuckled, " We were wondering how last night went.  Have you ever been to Yokohama before? "

" No, " Toshiko shook her head slowly.  "It was my first time. "

" Oh?  It must have been exciting, " Goemon commented.  " It is a little too contrived for my tastes but not everyone shares my opinion. "

Toshiko blushed slightly, " It was okay.  Why? "

" Did you do anything? " Fujiko asked.  " It's a lovely place for going out on romantic dates. "

" Jigen wanted to take me out to dinner as a treat but I was tired so we stayed in, " Toshiko picked up the cookie again.  She started picking it apart; slowly lining up the pieces she pulled off along one side of the plate.

Fujiko glanced at Goemon, " So what did you do then? " She asked as she ignored the glared Goemon was giving her.

Toshiko picked apart the cookie a little faster, " I went to bed. "

" Oh, " Fujiko nodded.  " What about Jigen? "

" I don't know, " Toshiko muttered.  " He stayed up and watched TV I guess. "

" Really?  Are you sure something didn't happen? " Fujiko said then yelped when Goemon pinched her arm.  She hissed, " What was that for? "

" Perhaps she is telling the truth and Jigen did watch television.  Please desist in the line of questioning.  You are making her uncomfortable, " Goemon growled.

" Yes you are, " Jigen said as he leaned against the doorframe.  Lupin was behind him, giving Fujiko a sharp glare.

Toshiko snapped her head up and looked at him, " Jigen… Mr. Lupin…"

Fujiko narrowed her eyes at the two men, " How long have you two been standing there? "

" Long enough.  Could you just leave her alone? " Jigen narrowed his eyes in return at Fujiko.  " She's been through a huge ordeal and doesn't need to be hassled. "

" Somehow I don't believe her story, " Fujiko put her hands on her hips.  " What DID you do last night?  She seems awfully nervous for just going to bed as soon as you got there. "

" Why do you think it's any of your business? " Jigen glanced at Toshiko.  " Come on, babe.  I need to talk to you upstairs. "

Toshiko nodded, " Okay. "

Fujiko and Goemon watched as Toshiko pushed away from the table and walked over to Jigen.  She reached out and took his right hand in her left, holding it loosely.  He moved his hand so his fingers were laced through hers, giving her hand a squeeze before they turned away.  He leaned towards her slightly, " Don't answer anything she asks you.  She'll twist it around to use against you if you aren't careful, " He said quietly.

" Hey!  I heard that! " Fujiko shouted.

" He's only telling the truth honey, " Lupin said with mock sweetness.  " Can I have a word with you? "

Fujiko watched as Jigen and Toshiko walked across the dining room then to the stairs.  She kept her eyes on the stairs, " Why?  What do we need to talk about? "

Goemon cleared his throat; " Perhaps it is about this petty jealousy of yours towards Toshiko or perhaps the fact you were pressing her so blatantly. "

" Bingo, " Lupin smirked.  " Do you want a cookie Goemon? "

Goemon narrowed his eyes, " I prefer not to.  I will be on the back porch if anyone needs me. "

Lupin and Fujiko watched as Goemon left the kitchen, giving Lupin a dirty look as he slipped out the door past him.  " You're next pal so don't go wandering off. "

Goemon turned, " Why do you mean?  What have I done? "

" Plenty.  Like I said, don't go anywhere. "

Goemon scoffed, " Like I have some place to go… "